S&Y Asset Management Announces New Hires to Support Growing Business.

Bruce Javer and Eric Carter to Apply Asset Management Expertise to Firm

SAN FRANCISCO -- S&Y Asset Management LLC (SYAM), a San Francisco-based wealth management company, announced today that it has added two new members to support its growing wealth management team. Bruce Javer has

"There's been tremendous enthusiasm from our clients for the type of asset management services we are providing," said Tom Lockard, chief executive officer of S&Y Asset Management. "Our clients tell us that they appreciate our independent financial guidance and high quality service-oriented approach."

Bruce Javer, formerly a vice president at Fisher Investments, brings more than 15 years' managed money experience with both institutional investors and high net worth individuals to his new position. He has previously worked for both Oppenheimer and Bear Sterns. Mr. Javer earned a B.A. in psychology from San Diego State University.

Eric Carter joins S&Y Asset Management as a vice president and brings five years' managed money experience to his new post. He was formerly a vice president with Fisher Investments' institutional sales group, where he worked extensively with high net worth individuals and institutional investors. Mr. Carter earned a B.S. in business administration and an MBA from the University of California, Riverside.

"As we build the SYAM team we are looking for individuals who have strong expertise in asset management and client communications, but also meet our high standard of excellence in client service," said Chuck Else, head of sales for S&Y Asset Management. "With Bruce and Eric, we are getting two highly qualified individuals who will undoubtedly support the continued growth of the program."

Located in the historic San Francisco Ferry Building, S&Y Asset Management is an affiliate of Stone & Youngberg LLC. Founded in 1931, Stone & Youngberg is nationally recognized for its expertise in structuring and underwriting tax-exempt bonds. Over the past five years, the firm has underwritten more than $4 billion of non-rated land-secured debt, or nearly a quarter of the nation's issuance.a

For more information on S&Y Asset Management, visit www.syam.com.

About Stone & Youngberg: Stone & Youngberg Holdings LLC is a financial services company providing a wide range of products and services through four subsidiary businesses. Stone & Youngberg LLC (S&Y), founded in 1931, is a financial services firm specializing in fixed-income securities. S&Y, member NASD and SIPC, led or co-managed the sale of 202 municipal bond issues in 10 states in 2006, and continued to be the nation's most active underwriter of land-secured debt and a leader in redevelopment project debta. In addition to bond underwriting and sales, S&Y provides investment services to individuals, institutions, and government agencies and offers a wide variety of tax-exempt and taxable securities. S&Y Asset Management LLC is Stone & Youngberg's wealth management company and develops investment portfolios and products tailored to affluent individuals. S&Y Capital Group LLC is a private real estate investment, development, and consulting company. S&Y Financial Services LLC manages structured finance transactions and products.

Stone & Youngberg is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Richmond, VA, Annapolis, MD, and Big Bear Lake, CA. Additional information is available at www.syllc.com or by calling 800-447-8663.

a Source: Thomson Financial, 2007.