Empire Financial Holding Company Changing its Name to Jesup & Lamont, Inc.

 Empire Financial Holding
Company (Amex: EFH) today announced that on January 2, 2008 it will change its
name to Jesup & Lamont, Inc., assuming the name of one of America's oldest
investment banks.  Commencing on that date its Common Stock will trade on the
American Stock Exchange under the Jesup & Lamont name with the symbol "JLI".
 

 "Our new name reflects the increasing emphasis that we are placing on our
investment banking, corporate advisory and money management services," said
Donald A. Wojnowski, Jr., Empire Financial Holding Company President and CEO.
"Jesup & Lamont, one of the oldest investment bankers in the United States,
has well recognized capabilities and an established reputation in these areas.
We look forward to further expanding the Jesup & Lamont business and building
on its traditions and reputations as part of our overall strategic growth
plan."
 

 About Empire Financial Holding Company
 

 Empire Financial Holding Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries,
Empire Financial Group, Inc. and Jesup & Lamont, provides full-service retail
brokerage services through its network of independently owned and operated and
Company owned and operated offices.  Through its market-making and trading
division, the Company offers securities order execution services for
unaffiliated broker dealers and makes markets in domestic and international
securities.  Empire Financial also provides Investment Banking services for
clients as well as turn-key fee based investment advisory and registered
advisor custodial services through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Empire
Investment Advisors, Inc. and Jesup & Lamont.
 

 Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
 

 This press release contains "forward looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties or
other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors
that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, fluctuations
in the volume of transactional services provided by the Company, competition
with respect to financial services commission rates, the effect of general
economic and market conditions, factors affecting the securities brokerage
industry as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time
in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  The company
undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward looking statement.
 

 SOURCE  Empire Financial Holding Company
 

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 http://www.empirenow.com