1 million an increase of 2 over sales of 94

The Company expects the transaction to close in the firstquarter, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals."This acquisition represents an important step in the transformation of NewStarFinancial into a bank holding company. Southern Commerce is an attractiveplatform for NewStar to begin developing a depository franchise in a largemarket with strong growth potential. Together with NewStar's commercial lendingfranchise, this acquisition strengthens our business model and positions us tocapitalize on other opportunities to expand the deposit base and increase ourcommercial banking activities," commented Timothy J. Conway, NewStar Chairmanand CEO."We have always expected to integrate depository funding into our business modelas a way to further diversify and strengthen our funding platform. Thistransaction achieves that objective and serves to accelerate the evolution ofNewStar's business model.

The acquisition of Southern Commerce enhances ourliquidity profile and capital efficiency, while also improving ourprofitability," said John K. Bray, NewStar's CFO."We look forward to working with Southern Commerce's customers and welcome theiremployees to NewStar Financial." concluded Bray.About NewStar Financial, Inc.:NewStar Financial (Nasdaq:NEWS) is a specialized commercial finance companyfocused on meeting the complex financing needs of companies and privateinvestors in the middle markets. NewStar originates loans directly througha team of experienced, senior bankers organized around key industry and marketsegments. NewStar is headquartered in Boston MA and has regional offices inDarien CT, Chicago IL, San Diego CA, and Charleston SC. For more detailedtransaction and contact information, please visit our website at NewStar Financial, Inc. logo is available at http:// StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of thePrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regardingthe expected closing of the acquisition of Southern Commerce Bank and obtainingrequired regulatory approvals. All statements other than statements ofhistorical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements.Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projectionsrelating to our acquisition strategy, financial condition, results ofoperations, plans, objectives, future performance and business.

As such, theyare subject to material risks and uncertainties, including the risk of notobtaining required regulatory approvals, our limited operating history; the factthat we have yet to be profitable; the current dislocation in the credit marketsand the general state of the economy; the rapid expansion of our business sinceinception; our ability to compete effectively in a highly competitive industry;and the impact of federal, state and local laws and regulations that governnon-depository commercial lenders and businesses generally.More detailed information about these factors is described in NewStar's filingswith the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Item 1A("Risk Factors") of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by theRisk Factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. NewStar is underno obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update oralter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,future events or otherwise, except as required by law.-0-CONTACT:NewStar Financial, Inc.Corporate Inquiries: Robert K. Brown Brian J. After a 1-0 loss at Croke Park during the first leg of the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff, Ireland traveled to France to take on the French National team in a match in which one of the two countries would advance onto the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.Going into this match, the Irish were looking to get back into this playoff after allowing that away goal, while France, who were in the World Cup finals in 2006, were looking to get back to the greatest tournament in world football by qualifying at home in the Stade de France.Early on, the French came out of the gate on the offensive, as they continued to pepper the Irish goal with shots, but Ireland's keeper Shay Given was equal to the challenge, as he was stopping everything that came his way.And in the 33rd minute, Ireland were able to finally score, as it was Robbie Keane who was able to get the Irish on the board with a low shot into the right corner off a pass from Damien Duff, giving Ireland a 1-0 lead and tying up the playoff at one on aggregate.After the goal, the French continued to attack the Irish goal, but Given and the Irish defense were able to prevent any goals and as the first half ended, Ireland held a 1-0 lead.As the second half begun, the Irish were able to get some offensive pressure on the French net, but France quickly turned the tables and started to attack the Irish net.However, they weren't able to score on the Irish net and the Irish defense was able to keep the French attack at bay.After Ireland replaced Glenn Whelan with Daniel Gibson and John O'Shea with Paul McShane, the French continued their assault on the Irish net, but they were still unable to score.In the final 10 minutes of play, both sides were still unable to score, which meant that Ireland and France now had to play each other for at least 30 more minutes, with one of these countries heading onto the World Cup.In the first period of extra time, no team was able to get any good scoring opportunities until the 104th minute, which completely changed the entire complection of the game changed.On that play, French legend Thierry Henry crossed the ball into the box, where William Gallas was able to head in the cross, tying the game at one and gave France a 2-1 lead on aggregate, which France held at the end of the first period of extra time.However, it appeared that Henry did handle the football with his hand before providing that cross, but Swedish referee Martin Hannson and his assistants saw nothing wrong with the play, and the goal stood.In the second period of extra time, the French once again dominated possession, and Ireland were unable to score, ending the game with a 1-1 draw and the French are now onto the World Cup once again.With the win, France have joined Greece, Slovenia, and Portugal out of UEFA as countries that have now qualified for the World Cup through this playoff while Ireland will head back home, knowing that they were so close to going back to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.. Expects 4Q EPS at or Slightly Above High End of Previous EstimateCHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ The Cato Corporation(NYSE: CTR) today reported sales for the five weeks ended January 3, 2009 of$96.1 million, an increase of 2 over sales of $94.6 million for the fiveweeks ended January 5, 2008.Comparable store sales for the month decreased2.Sales for the eleven months ended January 3, 2009 were $793.3 million, anincrease of 2 over sales of $778.0 million for the eleven months endedJanuary 5, 2008.The Company's year-to-date comparable store sales decreased1 from the prior year."December sales were in the range of our previous guidance, but continueto be impacted by the difficult economic situation across our markets," statedJohn Cato, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer."Inventory hasbeen managed well and is in line with our sales trend.Due to higher thanprojected margins, we now expect fourth quarter results will be at or slightlyabove the high end of our previous guidance of a loss of ($0.01) to $0.04 perdiluted share versus a loss of ($0.06) last year."During December, the Company closed 27 stores.As of January 3, 2009, the Company operated 1,281 stores in 31 states,compared to 1,314 stores in 32 states as of January 5, 2008.The Cato Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of value-pricedwomen's fashion apparel operating two divisions, "Cato" and "It's Fashion".The Company's Cato division offers exclusive merchandise with fashion andquality comparable to mall specialty stores at low prices every day.The It'sFashion division offers fashion with a focus on the latest trendy styles andnationally recognized urban brands for the entire family at low prices everyday.Additional information on The Cato Corporation is available at .Statements in this press release not historical in nature including,without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expected or estimatedfinancial results for the fourth quarter and any related assumptions areconsidered "forward-looking" within the meaning of The Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995.Such forward-looking statements are based oncurrent expectations that are subject to known and unknown risks,uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differmaterially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.Suchfactors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economicconditions, including, but not limited to, the continuation or worsening of(i) the current adverse or recessionary conditions affecting the U.S.

andglobal economies and consumer spending and (ii) the current adverse conditionsin the U.S. and global credit markets; uncertainties regarding the impact ofany governmental responses to the foregoing adverse economic and credit marketconditions; competitive factors and pricing pressures; the Company's abilityto predict fashion trends; consumer apparel buying patterns; adverse weatherconditions and inventory risks due to shifts in market demand and otherfactors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company'smost recently filed annual report on Form 10-K, as amended or supplemented,and in other reports the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from timeto time.The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise theforward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clearthat the projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.The Company is not responsible for any changes made to this press release bywire or Internet services.SOURCEThe Cato CorporationJohn R. Howe, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of The CatoCorporation, 1-704-551-7315. DUBLIN, Ireland(Business Wire)Research and Markets( http://) hasannounced the addition of the "Panasonic Automotive 2008 Company Profile Edition3" company profile to their offering. This latest just-auto company profile is part of a major series of reports thatwill provide you with convenient and concise analysis on the worlds largestcomponent and vehicle manufacturers.