1st Global Engages Dr. Art Laffer as Economic Advisor

DALLAS, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- 1st Global, the wealth management and business development partner to leading CPA, tax and estate planning firms, announces that Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, "Father of Supply-Side Economics" and inventor of the Laffer Curve, has been engaged as an economic advisor to 1st Global's Investment Management Solutions (IMS) investment committee and as a consultant to 1st Global's executive management team. In this role, Dr. Laffer will provide analysis and advice regarding the current economic environment and its implications for not only the general business climate but also its impact on the decisions made by the 1st Global IMS investment committee. Dr. Laffer will provide quarterly economic commentary to 1st Global financial advisors, focusing on the tax-optimized investment options provided by 1st Global tax-centric advisors. In addition to quarterly calls and written commentary, Dr. Laffer will consult directly with members of 1st Global's executive and investment committees, providing guidance to help create forward-looking macroeconomic estimates as well as advice on U.S. federal tax policy changes and on investment implications and expected asset behavior as they relate to real and proposed changes in public policies. Dr. Laffer will also keynote the 1st Global National Conference, November 16, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas.

"Dr. Laffer will provide our valued partner firms with actionable economic analysis," said 1st Global CEO Tony Batman. "Dr. Laffer's unique insight will provide critical information that will aid in understanding the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on clients' wealth management matters. Dr. Laffer has inspired generations of business owners and investors with his unique ability to help Americans understand the importance of prudent tax policy and its relation to the prosperity of businesses and individuals. Dr. Laffer's vast experience and combination of both academic expertise and real application helps our partner firms work with their clients to honor the important promises they make. Our new relationship continues to highlight 1st Global's commitment to intellectual rigor and institutional standards for wealth management."

About Arthur B. Laffer, Ph.D.

Arthur B. Laffer is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research firm that provides global investment-research services to institutional asset managers, pension funds, financial institutions, and corporations. Since its inception in 1979, the firm's research has focused on the interconnecting macroeconomic, political and demographic changes affecting global financial markets. Dr. Laffer was a member of President Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board for both of his two terms (1981-1989). He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Reagan/Bush Finance Committee in 1984 and was a founding member of the Reagan Executive Advisory Committee for the presidential race of 1980. He also advised Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on fiscal policy in the United Kingdom during the 1980s.

Dr. Laffer's economic acumen and influence in triggering a world-wide tax-cutting movement in the 1980s have earned him the distinction in many publications as "The Father of Supply-Side Economics." He is also known for the Laffer Curve, an illustration of tax elasticity which asserts that, in certain situations, a decrease in tax rates could result in an increase in tax revenues. Dr. Laffer recently co-authored "Return to Prosperity: How America Can Regain Its Economic Superpower Status."

About 1st Global Investment Management Solutions (IMS)

The rapidly growing 1st Global Investment Management Solutions (IMS) platform offers an objective, turnkey, personalized advisory program with all the elements holistic financial advisors and their clients need to help preserve and grow wealth. The IMS platform provides the clients of 1st Global-affiliated advisors with an orderly, disciplined approach to the investment process. IMS offers a customized program with unique portfolios, access to world-class asset managers, extensive portfolio management automation, and consolidated account performance reporting - all the elements needed to help preserve and grow wealth while managing for acceptable levels of risk.

About 1st Global

1st Global was founded in 1992 by CPAs who believe that accounting, tax and estate planning firms are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients. 1st Global provides CPA, tax and estate planning firms the education, technology, business-building framework and client solutions that make these firms leaders in their professions through dedicated professional client relationships built around wealth management. More than 500 firms have chosen to affiliate with 1st Global, making it one of the largest financial services partners for the tax, accounting and legal professions.

1st Global Capital Corp. is a member of FINRA and SIPC and is headquartered at 8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite 500 in Dallas, Texas, (214) 265-1201. Additional information about 1st Global is available via the Internet at www.1stGlobal.com. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc.

SOURCE 1st Global