Capital.com, an Online Business Financial Portal, Expands Senior Executive Ranks With Six Key Hires.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2000

E*Trade, GE Capital and Yankee Group Veterans to Manage Growth

Capital.com, an online financial portal providing capital and financial services to small and mid-size companies, today announced the hiring of six senior executives who will manage the rapid expansion of its online finance business. Capital.com is a portfolio company of American Capital Strategies, Ltd., (Nasdaq: ACAS).

Douglas Starkey, formerly chief information officer of the banking division of online brokerage E*Trade, joins the company as chief Internet officer. Gillian M. Anderson, former director of Investor Coverage at GE Capital, joins as vice president of Financial Institutions. Yankee Group senior research analyst of online financial services, James E. Laird, joins as vice president, Business Development. Christopher J. Milner, a senior technical architect with ten years of experience with top level consulting firms, joins as chief technology officer. Tom Feliu, an award-winning producer, writer and director, joins as vice president, CapitalTV. In addition, Harry Kelly, a senior banker with 25 years experience, joins as vice president and will oversee Capital.com's team of financial professionals.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the hiring of six outstanding senior executives who bring the management and technical expertise necessary to help us build Capital.com into the leading Internet finance portal serving small and medium sized businesses," said Malon Wilkus, Capital.com chairman and CEO. "We executed the first phase of our business plan in December by initially capitalizing Capital.com with First Union's $15 million investment. We have now accomplished phase two by hiring most of the senior management team that will be responsible for continuing the execution of our plan. I think our ability to hire these senior executives in a competitive environment is an acknowledgement of the opportunity Capital.com has to revolutionize middle market finance."

"These six people bring tremendous experience and capabilities to Capital.com. Their experience and contacts position us to take advantage of strategic opportunities with online and off-line companies," added Mark Opel, chief operating officer. "More importantly, they are already performing well as a team."

At E*Trade, Mr. Starkey was responsible for implementation of all e-commerce initiatives for Telebank, one of the nation's largest Internet banks. He managed Internet development, maintained customer channels and participated in the work of the bank's operating committee. Mr. Starkey also directed Internet initiatives for Bank of America, where he served as senior vice president of Interactive Banking. Mr. Starkey will be responsible for overseeing the Capital.com web site, including content and technology.

At GE Capital, Ms. Anderson was responsible for the syndication of corporate middle-market bank loans and established the investor coverage function, where she doubled the company's base of banks, institutions and finance companies as buyers of GE Capital assets. Prior to that, Ms. Anderson held executive positions at Bank of America Investment Banking Group, Citicorp Investment Bank and the Bank of England. Ms. Anderson will be responsible for developing and managing Capital.com's relationships with providers of capital and financial services.

At the Yankee Group, Mr. Laird led online financial services market and consumer research. Mr. Laird's professional experience includes investment banking and equity syndication at Lehman Brothers and Prudential Securities in New York. Mr. Laird will be responsible for initiating and directing Capital.com's strategic partnerships with other Internet sites.

Mr. Milner founded Internet consulting group Strategic Edge Technologies, where he helped Internet start-up companies develop business plans, implement technology, and secure venture capital. He led a team of software engineers in the upgrade of real-time securities trading software at Fannie Mae. Mr. Milner also led the development of Interquote, the Internet's first real-time streaming stock quote service. At Capital.com, Mr. Milner will be responsible for the technology related to the site.

Before joining Capital.com, Mr. Feliu co-founded Renaissance Media, a 13-year-old video and multimedia production company based in Denver, Colo. He has more than 16 years experience as an award-winning producer, director and writer of television and multimedia productions, including public television's "A House for All Seasons." At Capital.com, Mr. Feliu will be responsible for the development and operation of CapitalTV.

During his 25-year investment banking tenure, Mr. Kelly has held numerous positions with Kidder Peabody & Co., Inc., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and most recently, Bluestone Capital Partners. Mr. Kelly will be responsible for the team that develops and structures all of the Capital.com transactions.

Capital.com, Inc., a portfolio company of American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS), provides access to receivable and inventory financing, machinery and equipment loans and leasing, real estate and construction financing, subordinated debt and equity financing for growth, acquisitions, management buyouts, liquidity, restructurings and ESOPs. Companies in need of financing or information about financial services should contact Capital.com at [e-mail], or call Harry Kelly, vice president, at [phone].