Investment Professionals, Inc. Announces Management Changes

SAN ANTONIO, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading bank broker-dealer Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI) today announced the promotion of Jay McAnelly to President and Chief Executive Officer.  Scott Barnes, IPI founder and current President and CEO, will become Chairman of the firm.  

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According to Barnes, "Jay McAnelly is the outstanding choice to take over the day-to-day management of the firm while I expand my focus on developing new markets and services for community banks, retail clients and institutional investors.  Jay has been a key person spearheading our growth over the years and developing the culture and strengths that have made IPI a leader in our industry segment.  He's had a hand in signing on 90% of our bank partners and financial consultants – his unmatched knowledge of brokerage in general and our core market specifically will continue to serve all IPI stakeholders well."

Jay has held several key positions at IPI in the 13+ years he has been with the firm.  As an on-site IPI financial consultant at a community bank, Jay grew the retail financial planning practice by paying close attention to the unique needs of the bank and its customers and community.  This firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities related to building a business in IPI's core market led Jay to the position of Executive Vice President in charge of business development and recruiting.  Most recently in the pivotal role as National Sales Manager, Jay's superb management skills and emphasis on financial consultant training and customer service earned him the distinction of being the most successful sales executive in IPI's 18-year history.

IPI has established itself as the leader in community bank brokerage and is the only truly independent firm left in the market.  IPI's management team is the most tenured, competent and cohesive in its industry segment.  And IPI is likely the most conservatively-financed firm in its segment – with zero debt and more capital resources and reserves than before the market volatility that began in 2008.  Notwithstanding the challenges of 2008, IPI maintained a solid 19% average revenue growth from 2006-2008.  In its 18-year history, IPI has earned an average return on equity of over 31% with no leverage.  IPI is especially pleased that its conservative financial approach and superior investment acumen enabled it to weather the market turbulence without any layoffs or cost cutting in client-focused areas.

According to Jay McAnelly, "I look forward to building IPI's alliances with our bank partners in helping to grow their bottom lines.  Our preference for conducting business by 'handshake' – to spend time getting to know our partners and advisors – and our ability to deliver customized programs to the institution, advisor and community are second to none.  And in stark contrast to our competitors, our focus on providing outstanding service regardless of size has served us and our partners extremely well."  

About Investment Professionals, Inc.

Founded in 1992, IPI is a private, Texas-based financial planning, asset management and risk mitigation firm with $4.2 billion under management and 45,000 clients nationwide.  IPI is a leading provider of on-site bank investment programs and currently partners with more than 130 financial institutions with assets in the range of $35 million to over $7 billion.  IPI also has three retail branches in Texas.  In seven American Brokerage Consultants' Studies of Bank Brokerage and Retail Investment Services over 12 years from 1997-2009, bank executives nationwide cast over 2,200 votes overwhelmingly in favor of IPI.  In 2009 IPI was voted the Most Highly Rated Bank Brokerage Firm for an unprecedented fourth time.  In addition to being one of the fastest-growing companies in San Antonio, IPI has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for three years in a row. IPI is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment advisor and member of FINRA and SIPC.

NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE Securities and advisory services offered through Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI), a registered broker-dealer and registered investment advisor. IPI does not offer or provide legal or tax advice; please consult your attorney and/or tax advisor for such services. Member FINRA and SIPC. 1997 through 2009 national "Studies of Bank Brokerage and Retail Investment Services" conducted by American Brokerage Consultants (ABC), St. Petersburg, FL., and Bank Investment Consultant Magazine (BIC), New York, NY. In the most recent 2009 national study, a total of 2,024 banks offering retail investment programs were surveyed. A total of 14.6% of the banks who were surveyed responded to the 2008 survey.  Individual banks were asked to rank their specific investment program in the ABC survey; responder results were aggregated and compared against the results of all brokers dealers in the survey. Past ranking performance may not be indicative of future ranking performance. IPI has been honored with the #1 ranking in three out of the most recent four surveys conducted by ABC. San Antonio Business Journal. FastTrack rankings based on three-year annual revenue growth rates of firms headquartered in greater San Antonio. Data analysis by an independent auditing firm engaged by the San Antonio Business Journal. The 2009 Best Companies to Work for in Texas survey was sponsored by the Texas Association of Business (TAB), the Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management (TSC-SHRM) and Best Companies Group. Of eligible respondents, 100 companies were chosen in the state of Texas. Confidential employees surveys and data analysis conducted by an independent research firm.

SOURCE Investment Professionals, Inc.