Atherton Capital Increases Nationwide Loan Origination Efforts for Retail Gas Station and Convenience Store Financing.

SAN BRUNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 1998--

Six New Origination Officers Staff Regional Offices

in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Seattle

Atherton Capital Inc. has expanded its retail gas station and convenience store loan origination efforts by opening offices in Chicago, Denver, Houston and Seattle and adding sales and marketing professionals to the company's office in Atlanta effective immediately.

Mark Andrizzi and Jay Montgomery join Atherton's Retail Petroleum Division in the Atlanta office as regional vice presidents for the Southeast region. Andrizzi previously co-founded Innovative Corporate Strategies where he provided a wide range of investment banking, financial, management and consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide.

Prior to joining Atherton, Montgomery was the Southeastern sales manager of Pacific Pride Services Inc., where he developed and marketed automated fueling concepts to petroleum jobbers and distributors.

Dave Otteson, regional vice president, who has opened the Denver office, most recently served as a regional account manager for AT&T Capital, where he successfully originated and structured commercial loans for business acquisitions and commercial real estate.

Sally Gilchrist, who is regional vice president of the Northwest region, will staff Atherton's Seattle office. She previously worked for Evergreen Community Development providing financing to small businesses in the restaurant and retail petroleum industries.

Frank Hyson, who is vice president of the Midwest region, will employ the company's Chicago office. During his 15 years in the petroleum industry, Hyson has worked for Amoco Corp., where he began his career as the project manager of the strategy team in the Marketing Business Unit and held positions in strategic planning, site assessment analysis, capital investment and engineering.

Dan Weber, vice president of the South Central region, has eight years of financial experience in the petroleum industry. Dan most recently served as financial manager of Shell Marketing Holdings, LLC in Houston, Texas, where he was responsible for developing and implementing the business plans with the external venture partners. Dan also worked for Shell Services Co., where he negotiated yearly service contracts.

Edgar Murcia, national vice president, Retail Petroleum Division said, "The individuals we have hired are the kind of industry professionals that will allow Atherton to rapidly expand the financial services offered by the company. Together their broad-based experience with jobbers, distributors, franchisors and franchisees, in convenience store, lube center and gas station lending, will be of immediate value to our customers."

Atherton Capital Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based specialty commercial finance company, is focused on providing loan products for the complete range of growth opportunities for owners, franchisees and investors in branded retail businesses. Financing programs include debt-refinancing, acquisition of existing units, real estate acquisitions, equipment purchases, store improvements and leasing.

Atherton has provided business and franchise financing nationally to operators of quick-service and casual-dining restaurants, gas stations, lube centers and convenience stores, video stores, optical retailers and specialty retail outlets. Atherton originates loan products through 11 locations serving 10 regions, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.