Marty Bicknell of Mariner Wealth Advisors Ranks as One of the Top Ten Independent Wealth Advisors by Barron's for Second Year In A Row

LEAWOOD, Kan., Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Martin C. Bicknell and the teams at Mariner Wealth Advisors – an independent wealth advisory firm with offices nationwide – have been ranked number six on Barron's 2011 list of the Top 100 Independent Wealth Advisors. This is the second consecutive year that the firm has been ranked in the Top Ten, as Mariner held the number two spot in 2010. Mariner has also been recognized by Barron's as the number one financial advisor in the state of Kansas, where the firm is headquartered, for three years running (2009, 2010 and 2011).

The Barron's rankings reflect the quality of the advisors' practices, the amount of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, and revenues. The total asset value used in the Barron's rankings includes all assets managed under Bicknell as CEO of Mariner Holdings, a global financial services firm that owns and manages both Mariner Wealth Advisors and Montage Investments, an asset management firm.

"This is an amazing honor for our firm, as it reflects the unwavering focus we place on meeting our clients' needs," said Marty Bicknell, co-founder and chief executive officer of Mariner.

According to Bruce Kusmin, co-founder of Mariner and senior wealth consultant, "I believe the Barron's ranking can be attributed to our commitment to our clients and the fact that we provide unbiased, comprehensive wealth advisory services that are focused on helping our clients achieve financial peace of mind."

Mariner focuses on meeting the needs of a diverse client base, including individuals, families, business owners, foundations and institutions. The firm offers a wide range of services to meet its clients' comprehensive wealth planning needs. In addition to the Barron's rankings, Mariner was named a "Best Place to Work in Kansas City" by Ingram's magazine in 2011.

"It is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of each of our associates that we have received this award," said Bicknell. "And while we are truly honored, we will remain focused on the ultimate measure of our success – how we perform in improving each client's performance, delivering value for our families, and offering growth for every employee. As long as we never lose sight of our goals, we will continue to develop as the premier client service, client-centered and client-focused firm in the wealth advisory industry."

About Mariner Holdings

Mariner Holdings was founded in 2006 and is a rapidly growing and award-winning, independent financial services firm focusing on wealth and asset management through its two subsidiaries: Mariner Wealth Advisors and Montage Investments. Visit www.mariner-holdings.com

About Mariner Wealth Advisors

Mariner Wealth Advisors is an independent, national wealth advisory firm that has earned a reputation for providing unbiased financial advice focused on meeting client needs. Mariner's growth has resulted in steady growth and a national reputation as one of the top financial advisors in the industry.

Mariner's expert wealth advisory teams help clients achieve and maintain financial peace of mind – preserving the wealth they have created and building a legacy for future generations of family and business leaders. The firm's services include:

• Wealth transfer
• Risk management
• Philanthropy
• Investment advisory services
• Executive compensation planning
• Business succession planning
• Family office services

Visit www.marinerwealthadvisors.com

About Montage Investments

Montage Investments brings together a unique group of institutional investment managers – each offering a distinct approach to money management that reflects many decades of professional experience and proprietary investment strategies across global asset classes. Currently managing over $8 billion for institutions and high-net worth clients, the firm's structure allows individual investment managers to retain boutique processes, talent and culture that have proven records of adding value to portfolios and meeting client objectives. Visit www.montageinvestments.com

SOURCE Mariner Wealth Advisors