Barry Earnest Thors

Founded by Allen C. Ewing in 1939, Allen C. Ewing & Co. is an independent, middle-market investment bank and broker/dealer with offices in Jacksonville, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina. The firm provides an array of traditional investment banking services including: (1) mergers, acquisitions and divestitures (2) private placements of debt and equity (3) valuations and fairness opinions (4) special advisory services (5) securities brokerage and (6) industry research. A significant portion of the firm's business focuses on the financial institutions industry, with emphasis on community banks and thrifts. They also have expertise and transactional experience in a variety of other sectors including manufacturing, distribution, business services, consumer services and retail. Allen C. Ewing & Co.'s specialized businesses include: Ewing Loan Advisors, Inc., alternative investments for accredited investors and the management of the Ewing Emerging Financial Institution Funds. Ewing Loan Advisors, Inc. is an affiliate of Allen C. Ewing & Co. They assist community banks with the tactical management of their loan portfolios through loan review, credit policy, risk assessment, problem loan resolution and related services. Allen C. Ewing & Co. offers alternative investment opportunities to high net-worth individuals. This includes opportunities that are outside the standard brokerage house fare that have a high potential for superior returns. The Ewing Emerging Financial Institution Funds were created by Allen C. Ewing & Co. to offer institutional and accredited investors the opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of shares of de novo banks, emerging banks and undervalued established growth banks that are located in growth markets throughout Florida and the Southeastern region of the US.

Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp. is broker/dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm is a subsidiary of Jesup & Lamont, Inc. (AMEX: JLI), formerly Empire Financial Holding Co., a New York City-based full-service brokerage and investment banking firm that specializes in institutional, retail sales, trading services and equity research. Jesup & Lamont, Inc. was founded in 2000, but traces its roots to the 1877 partnership between James Jesup and Lansing Lamont. Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp. provides institutional and retail sales and trading services, equity research and asset management for institutions and high net-worth individuals. The firm's corporate finance activities include mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, acquisition finance, restructurings and other corporate finance matters. Their research covers the following areas in the US and abroad: biotechnology, industrials, specialty retail, aerospace/defense, alternative energy, oil & gas, restaurants, technology, transportation and special situations. Jesup & Lamont provides fundamental analysis of companies and sectors and also employs strategists and technical analysts to provide comprehensive research insights.