Triangle Capital Corporation Invests $12.2 Million in Emerald Waste Services, LLC

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 8, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Triangle Capital Corporation (Nasdaq:TCAP) ("Triangle" or the "Company"), a leading specialty finance company that provides customized financing solutions to lower middle market companies located throughout the United States, today announced that it closed a $12.2 million subordinated debt, warrant, and equity investment in Emerald Waste Services, LLC ("EWS"). EWS, headquartered in Freeport, Florida, is the largest independent provider of non-hazardous municipal waste management services in the Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi Gulf Coast region. The company owns and operates ten landfill sites and runs a fleet of over 250 trucks which provides waste collection services to more than 145,000 customers in commercial, residential and construction markets.

"EWS is well positioned to significantly expand its geographic footprint, as well as continue to increase the municipal solid waste services division of its business. We look forward to sharing in the company's success," commented Garland S. Tucker, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Triangle.

About Triangle Capital Corporation

Triangle Capital Corporation (www.TCAP.com) is a specialty finance company organized to provide customized financing solutions to lower middle market companies located throughout the United States. Triangle's investment objective is to seek attractive returns by generating current income from debt investments and capital appreciation from equity related investments. Triangle's investment philosophy is to partner with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors to provide flexible financing solutions to fund growth, changes of control, or other corporate events. Triangle typically invests $5.0 - $15.0 million per transaction in companies with annual revenues between $20.0 and $75.0 million and EBITDA between $2.0 and $10.0 million.

Triangle has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Triangle is required to comply with a series of regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act as well as applicable NASDAQ, federal and state laws and regulations. Triangle intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Failure to comply with any of the laws and regulations that apply to Triangle could have a material adverse effect on Triangle and its shareholders.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under the Company's control, and that the Company may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

CONTACT:  Triangle Capital Corporation
          Sheri B. Colquitt, Vice President, Investor Relations
            919-719-4784
            scolquitt@tcap.com
          Steven C. Lilly, Chief Financial Officer
            919-719-4789
            slilly@tcap.com

Released September 8, 2008