Wellington Financial increases Fund III to $150 million

Toronto, Ontario (January 9, 2009) - Wellington Financial LP, a privately held specialty finance firm, today announced that Wellington Financial Fund III has raised an additional $24.1 million of limited partner commitments from two new Canadian-based institutions, increasing Fund III to $150 million in size. Wellington Financial provides capital to growing private and public companies in the form of term, venture or amortizing loans across North America.

Launched in late 2006, Fund III was originally capitalized with $125.9 million of equity commitments. Wellington Financial has led or participated in 26 new financings via Fund III, providing $180 million of new capital for Canadian-based companies.

"In anticipation of continued demand for our True Growth Capital®, it made sense to add two new limited partners to our existing investor group,” said Mark McQueen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Financial LP. “Our fund utilization and commitments exceeded 80% last Fall, and we felt it was prudent to raise the additional capital given the tightening capital market and the opportunities we expect to see in 2009 and beyond.”

Added Ken Rotman, Wellington Financial’s Chairman, “In a very difficult climate for raising institutional capital, we are delighted to receive this vote of confidence from two new institutional limited partners. 26 Fund III deals over a 26 month period speaks to the attraction of Wellington’s capital to Canadian entrepreneurs, regardless of the economic times or market cycle.”

Goodmans LLP provided legal advice on this transaction.

About Wellington Financial LP

Wellington Financial LP is a privately held specialty finance firm providing operating lines of credit, term, venture and amortizing loans up to $60 million. Wellington Financial LP is currently deploying a $450 million investment program via its third fund. Wellington Financial LP is managed by a partnership controlled by fund management and Clairvest Group Inc. (CVG: TSX), who jointly have contributed a large financial stake to Fund III. LPs include several of Canada’s largest institutional investors, crown corporations, financial institutions and pension funds. Visit the fund website at www.wellingtonfund.com, or the team blog at www.wellingtonfund.com/blog

For additional information:

Amy Olah
Marketing Manager, Wellington Financial LP
Tel: (416) 682-6002, aolah@wellingtonfund.com