Liberty All-Star(R) Equity Fund Declares Distribution

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - August 17, 2009) - The Board of Trustees of Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE: USA) has declared a distribution of $0.07 per share payable on September 14, 2009 to shareholders of record on August 28, 2009 (ex-dividend date of August 26, 2009). The distribution is in accordance with the Fund's current distribution policy of paying distributions on its shares totaling approximately 6 percent of its net asset value per year, payable in four quarterly installments of 1.5 percent. A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2009 for tax reporting purposes, including the percentage of qualified dividend income, will be made after year-end.

The distribution will be paid in cash. Shareholders participating in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Cash Purchase Plan will receive shares purchased for them on the open market by the Plan Agent (if the shares are trading at a discount from their net asset value) or issued to them by the Fund (if the shares are trading at or above their net asset value).

ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the fund manager of the All-Star Equity Fund, a multi-managed, closed-end investment company with more than $881 million in net assets. The Fund's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol USA.

The Liberty All-Star Equity Fund is a closed-end fund and does not continuously offer shares. The Fund trades in the secondary market, investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker. The share price of a closed-end fund is based on the market's value. Forward-looking statements are based on information that is available on the date hereof, and neither the fund manager nor any other person affiliated with the fund manager has any duty to update any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could affect actual results to differ from these statements include, among other factors, material, negative changes to the asset class and the actual composition of the portfolio.

Contact Information: For Information Contact: Liberty All-Star Equity Fund 1-800-241-1850 www.all-starfunds.com