LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/26/09 -- Imperial Capital, a full-service investment banking firm, announced today that the firm has opened a new office in Boston. The strategic location will initially be staffed with Christopher (Chip) Mellen and Diana Knightly, who are both joining the firm as Managing Directors, High Yield Sales, in the Institutional Sales and Trading Group. The senior hires and location will allow Imperial Capital to further expand and strengthen its relationships with institutional clients. Before joining Imperial, Mr. Mellen and Ms. Knightly were both Directors, High Yield Sales at Barclays Capital. With these hires, Imperial Capital has increased its firm-wide institutional sales and trading team to 49 professionals.

Chip Mellen has over 20 years experience in institutional sales, 15 of which have been in high yield sales. Before joining Imperial, Mr. Mellen was a Director, High Yield Sales at Barclays Capital and a Senior Vice President, High Yield Sales at Lehman Brothers. Diana Knightly has 13 years of experience in high yield sales. Prior to Imperial, she was a Director, High Yield Sales at Barclays Capital and a Senior Vice President, High Yield Sales at Lehman Brothers.

"Establishing a Boston office helps us to better serve our institutional clients. The addition of Chip and Diana, each with significant high yield sales experience and relationships, underscores our commitment to serving the institutional community," said Jason Reese, CEO of Imperial Capital Group.

Imperial Capital's new office is located at 101 Arch Street, Suite 1763, Boston, MA 02110. The main office number is 617-478-7600.

About Imperial Capital, LLC

Imperial Capital, founded in 1997, is a full-service investment banking firm with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston and Houston. The firm currently employs over 160 professionals and offers a wide range of proprietary products and services to institutional investors, middle market companies, and private equity firms. Imperial Capital provides institutional clients research and sales and trading of high yield and distressed debt securities, bank debt, convertible bonds, preferred stocks, and equities. The firm provides middle market companies and financial sponsors with capital markets, M&A, capital structure, restructuring and recapitalization advisory services. More information about Imperial Capital can be found at www.imperialcapital.com.