Blue Lion Files Proxy Statement Seeking to Replace Two HomeStreet Directors

DALLAS, May 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Lion Capital, a Dallas-based investment firm ("Blue Lion") that beneficially owns approximately 6.5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of HomeStreet, Inc. ("HomeStreet" or the "Company") HMST announced that it has filed its definitive proxy materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has delivered an open letter to HomeStreet's shareholders.

Charles W. Griege, Jr, Managing Partner of Blue Lion, said, "We have always believed that HomeStreet can be a high-performing bank and a great investment.  Unfortunately, numerous strategic missteps, inadequate corporate stewardship, and poor financial performance have eroded shareholder confidence and destroyed shareholder value."

Blue Lion believes that HomeStreet requires a refreshed Board with the right balance of operating skills, capital markets expertise, relevant industry experience and a commitment to sound corporate governance practices.

Blue Lion also believes that HomeStreet's corporate governance structure has reduced management's accountability to the Board and the Board's accountability to shareholders. Accordingly, Blue Lion is recommending that shareholders support its proposal to have the Board select an independent member of the Board as Chair as promptly as possible.  Today, HomeStreet's CEO, Mark Mason, serves in both capacities. Blue Lion believes that one person with the combined role of Chairman and CEO diminishes the CEO's accountability to the Board and the ability of the Board to independently oversee management.

Blue Lion encourages its fellow shareholders to review its proxy materials, investor presentations and shareholder letters, all of which are available at www.FixHMST.com. 

The full text of Blue Lion's letter to HomeStreet shareholders can also be viewed here.

Important Information
Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, L.P., Blue Lion Opportunity Master Fund, L.P., BLOF II LP, Charles W. Griege, Jr. (collectively, "Blue Lion") and Ronald K. Tanemura (together with Blue Lion, the "Participants") have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a definitive proxy statement and accompanying form of proxy to be used in connection with the solicitation of proxies from shareholders of HomeStreet, Inc. (the "Company"). All shareholders of the Company are advised to read the definitive proxy statement and other documents related to the solicitation of proxies by the Participants, as they contain important information, including additional information related to the Participants. The definitive proxy statement and an accompanying proxy card is being furnished to some or all of the Company's shareholders and is, along with other relevant documents, available at no charge on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov/ or from the Participants' proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, LLC.

Information about the Participants and a description of their direct or indirect interests by security holdings is contained in the definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed by Blue Lion with the SEC on May 16, 2019. This document is available free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Shareholder Contact:
Morrow Sodali, LLC
Mike Verrechia / Bill Dooley
(800) 662-5200
BlueLion@MorrowSodali.com

SOURCE Blue Lion Capital