Heller Financial, Inc. Further Extends Exchange Offer

Company Press Release: Heller Financial, Inc.
May 17, 2000
CHICAGO, IL -- Heller Financial, Inc. (NYSE: HF) yesterday announced that it will further extend the expiration date for its Offer to Exchange $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Notes due November 1, 2009 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 for $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding unregistered Notes due November 1, 2009 from 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 15, 2000 to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 22, 2000. To date, holders have deposited approximately $596 million aggregate principal amount of unregistered notes with the exchange agent.

Heller Financial, Inc., is a worldwide commercial finance company providing a broad range of financing solutions to middle-market and small business clients. With nearly $19 billion in total assets, Heller offers equipment financing and leasing, sales finance programs, collateral- and cash flow-based financing, financing for healthcare companies and financing for commercial real estate. The company also offers trade finance, factoring, asset-based lending, leasing and vendor finance products and programs to clients in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Heller's common stock is listed as ``HF'' on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges. Heller can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hellerfinancial.com .

The statements made by the Company in this news release may include certain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding its future growth, results and performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future growth, results and performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in the quarterly and annual reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: Heller Financial, Inc.