DHFT Diamond Hill Finl (MM)

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diamond Hill Financial Trends Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ:DHFT) (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund may begin to use financial leverage beginning January 1, 2009. Frank Golden, chairman of the Fund stated, "The Fund has always had the ability to use financial leverage, but has never used it. As a result and given the current market environment, we wanted to remind our shareholders that we do have the ability to leverage the portfolio and feel it is in the best interests of shareholders for the portfolio manager to use leverage as opportunities arise in his discretion." Chris Bingaman, portfolio manager, added, "The use of leverage in the Fund will be based on the spread between our expected returns and borrowing costs. Any leverage would be used on a purely opportunistic basis based on market conditions from time to time." Mr. Bingaman went on to say, "Typically, long exposure will be maintained in a range of between 80% and 115% of the Fund's net assets." Any investment gains achieved using borrowed funds (leverage) in excess of interest paid thereon will cause the Fund's net asset value to rise faster than would otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if the investment performance of the additional securities purchased fails to cover their cost to the Fund (including any interest paid on the borrowed funds), the Fund's net asset value will decrease faster than would otherwise be the case. Hence, the opportunity for enhanced returns from the use of leverage is accompanied by a higher risk of loss in the event of adverse market movements or other factors. About the Fund: Diamond Hill Financial Trends Fund, Inc. is a diversified, closed-end fund. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with current income as a secondary objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in stocks of U.S. and foreign financial services companies of any size. About Diamond Hill: Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. provides investment management services to institutions and financial intermediaries seeking to preserve and build wealth. The firm currently manages mutual funds, separate accounts and private investment funds. For more information on Diamond Hill, visit http://www.diamond-hill.com/. DATASOURCE: Diamond Hill Financial Trends Fund, Inc. CONTACT: Investors: James F. Laird of Diamond Hill Financial Trends Fund, Inc., +1-614-255-3353, Web site: http://www.diamond-hill.com/

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