July 26, 2004

For Immediate Release

Dear Clients and Friends,

Equity Risk Partners is pleased to announce that our firm has been ranked as the 5th Fastest Growing Company in the Bay Area for the period 2001-2003 as compiled by the East Bay (CA) Business Times. [read article]

The recipe for this result is very simple. When you combine great clients with great people, you get a great outcome.

This honor is a reflection of a fantastic client base – private equity firms and their portfolio companies. We are proud to be associated with them, honored that they allow us to be of service, and pleased that they appreciate the difference between an entire firm dedicated exclusively to serving their needs and a broker with just a private equity practice group.

This ranking underscores a basic fact that I have known since Day One – we have an incredible group of people at Equity Risk Partners. They believe in the model, support each other, and never waver in their dedication to our clients and our mission.

• To our clients – Thank you for your support and consideration. It is a privilege to be part of your team.
• To our employees – Thank you for your dedication, resolve, resourcefulness, and inspiration.
• To our insurance company partners – Thank you for believing in our model and recognizing it is not the size of the broker, but the quality of the broker that counts.
• To our resource partners – Thank you for proving my basic belief – the most exceptional, most creative, and most responsive resources are independent of the battleship brokers.
• To our families – Thank you for your continued support, patience, and grace.
• To our prospects – Thank you for giving us opportunities to continue to grow. We’ll be calling soon.
• To our competition – Warning: Objects In Your Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear!

Very truly yours,

Michael C. Marcon
President
Equity Risk Partners, Inc.