Securities Service Network Recruits New York Practice With $180 Million In Client Assets; Advances On Strategic Growth Plan Targeting Tax-Focused Teams

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Securities Service Network, LLC ("SSN"), a leading independent advisory and brokerage (IAB) firm and wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS, LTSL, LTS PrA, LTSF, LTSK), today announced the recruitment of Retirement Planning Group (RPG), based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which has approximately $180 million in client assets.

Wade Wilkinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of SSN, said, "We've had an incredibly productive year of building out all the key groundwork we need to thrive as a provider of comprehensive solutions to tax-savvy financial planners who are seeking more sophisticated platforms and looking for partners that go beyond high-volume turnkey service. Recruiting RPG demonstrates our success on that front."

Retirement Planning Group consists of three financial advisors, an insurance coordinator and two support staff. Dave Kopyc, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor with 35 years of financial services experience, leads the practice. Mr. Kopyc also hosts a weekly radio program called The Retirement Planning Show.

RPG offers a wide array of services under an integrated team approach focusing on wealth accumulation and preservation. The practice specializes in providing pre- and post-retirement planning for high-net-worth individuals and business owners, which includes tax planning and tax reduction strategies as well as insurance solutions.

Throughout 2018, SSN has worked to optimize its ability to support tax-focused independent financial advisory teams, by developing the educational resources and analytical tools that these practices need to serve their clients.

Dave Kopyc, President of Retirement Planning Group, said, "We affiliated with SSN because it combines the best of a boutique service culture with high-touch advisor support, incredible access to the firm's senior leaders and a friendly approach to the corporate RIA. SSN is also uniquely positioned to support my practice's efforts to reinforce our holistic capabilities that orient around tax and insurance expertise with sophisticated financial planning."

Mr. Wilkinson concluded, "We are eager to welcome Dave and Retirement Planning Group to the SSN family. His team is a great example of the kinds of advisory practices that we aim to bring on as part of our strategic growth plan."

About Securities Service Network, LLC (SSN)
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Securities Service Network, LLC (SSN), is an independent advisory and brokerage (IAB) firm founded in 1983 as one of the nation's first fee-based firms in the independent retail financial advice space. SSN serves experienced, tax-savvy financial planners seeking to grow as independent entrepreneurs while retaining organizational simplicity in their businesses. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of back and middle office services, SSN also facilitates opportunities for its affiliated advisors to collaborate with other members of its advisor community who have tax advisory credentials and expertise to drive holistic solutions for end clients.

SSN supports over 330 independent financial advisors with approximately $13 billion in client assets, who serve mass affluent and high net worth individuals, families and business owners across the country. SSN is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS, LTSL, LTS PrA, LTSF, LTSK), and has been honored for multiple consecutive years as a top independent firm, as rated by financial advisors, on WealthManagement.com, a leading industry media outlet. For more information, please visit www.joinssn.com.

About Ladenburg
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS, LTSL, LTS PrA, LTSF, LTSK) is a publicly-traded diversified financial services company based in Miami, Florida. Ladenburg's subsidiaries include industry-leading independent advisory and brokerage (IAB) firms Securities America, Triad Advisors, Securities Service Network, Investacorp and KMS Financial Services, as well as Premier Trust, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Highland Capital Brokerage, a leading independent life insurance brokerage company, Ladenburg Thalmann Annuity Insurance Services, a full-service annuity processing and marketing company, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., an investment bank which has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange for over 135 years. The company is committed to investing in the growth of its subsidiaries while respecting and maintaining their individual business identities, cultures, and leadership. For more information, please visit www.ladenburg.com.

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future growth and recruiting. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of Ladenburg Thalmann's business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include those set forth in Ladenburg Thalmann's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and other factors detailed from time to time in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Further, investors should keep in mind that Ladenburg Thalmann's quarterly revenue and profits can fluctuate materially depending on many factors, including the number, size and timing of completed offerings and other transactions. Accordingly, Ladenburg Thalmann's revenue and profits in any particular quarter may not be indicative of future results. Ladenburg Thalmann is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
Joseph Kuo / Michael Dugan
Haven Tower Group
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[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Securities Service Network, LLC