JAM Special Opportunities Fund, LP




In May 2006, JAM Equity Partners invested in First NBC Bank. First NBC Bank is a full service commercial bank headquartered in New Orleans that commenced operations on May 19, 2006 with $65 million in start-up capital. The organizers, directors and executive officers, including CEO Ashton Ryan, Jr., the former President of First National Bank of Commerce and former President and CEO of First Bank and Trust, are all local business and community leaders in New Orleans. First NBC is a leader in the rebuilding of the greater New Orleans area and does commercial and residential lending to support the return of New Orleans to its pre-Katrina condition.



In June 2006, JAM Equity Partners invested in Vertical Lend. Vertical Lend is a leading participant in the reverse mortgage sector through its three divisions. Vertical Lend’s Network Management division consists of a network of accountants, financial planners, insurance agents and tax preparers who market mortgage products to their personal clientele. Lender Lead Solutions division generates and sells reverse mortgage leads to a network of brokers, lenders, banks and other financial institutions through a nationally recognized advertising campaign featuring Robert Wagner as spokesman. Vertical Lend’s Origination division originates both forward and reverse mortgage loans from Network Management and Lender Lead Solutions.



In August 2006, JAM Equity Partners invested in Sonic Impact Technologies. Sonic Impact delivers innovative audio technologies to consumers in unique, highly functional forms targeting the mass markets. Sonic Impact correctly anticipated the explosive growth in the use of personal audio products and developed a line of speakers and amplifiers using leading edge technologies. Sonic Impact’s products are sold in approximately 20,000 retail stores nationwide, including Apple Stores, Target, Radio Shack, Circuit City, Best Buy and Kmart.



Embarcadero Bank is a start-up bank that commenced operations on December 18, 2006. The organizers, directors and executive officers of Embarcadero are all local business and community leaders in San Diego. The management team is led by Steve Rippe, who serves as CEO and Chief Credit Officer. Mr. Rippe has over 32 years of banking experience in the Southern California area, having served as CEO of First National Bank and President of Highland Bancorp.


In March 2007, JAM Equity Partners invested in Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. RMS is an early stage company formed to provide loan servicing, technology and consulting to support the full spectrum of reverse mortgage products. The company’s founders are Bob Yeary, Chief Executive Officer; Ken Austin, President; and Marc Helm, Executive Vice President, Operations. Together, the management team has over 100 years of collective mortgage banking and servicing experience.