Chicago, Ill. - June 18, 2003 - RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC, the broker-dealer subsidiary of RSM EquiCo, a global middle-market investment banking firm, today announced the opening of an office in the Chicago area and the addition of two Chicago-area investment banking professionals.

According to RSM EquiCo Capital Markets Chief Executive Officer Coby Sonenshine, the move into the Chicago area is designed to support the firm's continued growth throughout the Midwest.

Robert C. Byczek has joined the firm as a senior managing director to head the Chicago-area office. He has more than 25 years of middle-market investment banking experience and is the founder and former president of Legacy Capital Advisors LLC. He is also the former chief operating officer of Duff & Phelps LLC, and a former senior vice president at Merrill Lynch.

Patrick Winters has also joined RSM EquiCo Capital Markets as a director based in the new Chicago area office. His prior experience includes positions at Legacy Capital Advisors LLC, Tucker Anthony, Inc. and Duff & Phelps LLC.

RSM EquiCo specializes in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures of privately held midsize businesses, typically with revenues up to $250 million. The firm advises sellers in a broad range of industries throughout North America. RSM EquiCo is part of RSM McGladrey Business Services, a business segment of H&R Block that also includes RSM McGladrey, a national business consulting, accounting and tax firm serving middle-market companies through more than 100 offices in the United States.

"Our Chicago office will be responsible primarily for finding buyers and completing transactions on behalf of existing Midwest-based clients and continuing to cultivate working relationships with RSM McGladrey professionals and clients in the region," said Sonenshine. "We believe having a local presence in Chicago will make it easier for us and potential buyers throughout the Midwest to manage the transaction process and efficiently close deals. With his extensive transaction experience, Bob Byczek is well equipped to manage this effort and we are pleased to welcome him to our team."

Commenting on his new position, Byczek said, "I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to join RSM EquiCo Capital Markets at such a pivotal time in the company's development. RSM EquiCo's diverse inventory of quality acquisition opportunities and a vast global buyer database set it apart in the middle-market M&A arena. The firm has earned an outstanding reputation and I look forward to playing an integral role in its continued success."

The new RSM EquiCo Capital Markets office is located in Schaumburg, Ill. Plans are underway to move to a downtown Chicago location in 2004.

Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., RSM EquiCo has approximately 350 professionals and support personnel in the United States, with additional staff and resources in London. For more information, visit www.rsmequico.com.