The RLJ Companies Announces Formation of Small Business Investment Company in Cooperation With The Small Business Administration

BETHESDA, Md., July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, today announced that RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund, an RLJ portfolio company, has received a license from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) to operate as a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC).

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"The launch of the SBIC is a continuation of The RLJ Companies' strategy to become a preeminent business in financial asset management," said Johnson. "I am delighted that leading banks – Deutsche Bank; SunTrust; Wells Fargo; and Northern Trust – have invested in RLJ's fund, which is designed to provide much needed access to financing for minority and small businesses across the country. The relationship with our partner banks demonstrates that banks are willing to invest in minority companies that can generate superior returns and help meet their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) goals. The fund, under the leadership of Trevoir Gregg, will undoubtedly provide positive lending benefits to minority and small businesses and support the SBA's lending objectives," Johnson concluded.

"We are delighted to be an early investor in the RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund.  Supporting promising small businesses and minority and women entrepreneurs by enabling them to grow their operations while creating job opportunities through this type of investment is a win both socially and economically," said Gary Hattem, managing director of Deutsche Bank's Community Development Finance Group.

The fund will launch with approximately $70 million of committed capital, with the goal of raising a total of $225 million in capital to deploy.

"The SBIC program is an attractive partnership between the government and the private sector, promoting the health and competitiveness of the U.S. economy by utilizing efficient capital market solutions," said Trevoir Gregg, Managing Partner, RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund. "We are delighted to have such strong partners as the SBA and our initial group of major banks," he concluded.

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in a publicly traded hotel real estate investment trust; private equity; financial services; asset management; insurance services; automobile dealerships; sports and entertainment; and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information visit www.rljcompanies.com.

About RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund, LLC: RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund makes senior debt and subordinated debt investments in lower middle market companies. RLJ Credit provides flexible capital solutions to facilitate buyouts, recapitalizations, refinancings, and growth financings. The Principals of RLJ Credit have extensive experience partnering with middle market companies, across a broad range of industries, to support growth and create value. We successfully partner with private equity firms, investment banks, and operating executives to deliver our full range of financial and strategic resources.

RLJ Media Inquiries: Traci Otey Blunt, 240.744.7858 or press@rljcompanies.com

RLJ Business Inquiries: Trevoir Gregg, 240.744-7849 or info@rljcredit.com

SOURCE The RLJ Companies

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