Equitas Financial Joins Securities America

    LA VISTA, NE, September 16, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Independent broker/dealer Securities America is pleased to announce an agreement with Equitas Financial of Grand Rapids, Mich., for Equitas Financial managers and registered representatives to become a branch of Securities America. Equitas Financial is currently affiliated with broker/dealer Equitas America, which has approximately 45 registered representatives with $500 million in client assets. After the reaffiliation with Securities America, Equitas America will no longer operate as a broker/dealer.

"We're extremely pleased that Equitas Financial made the decision to become a part of the Securities America family," said Gregg Johnson, senior vice president and director of branch office development. "We are working closely with them to ensure a smooth transition and to provide them with our extensive technology and practice management resources."

Jason Kavanaugh, president and CEO of Equitas America until June 29, 2010, said that the decision was made because of Securities America's strength as an independent broker/dealer.

"We wanted a partner that was a large, stable firm with strong technology resources and a culture that was a good fit for us," Kavanaugh said. "A key consideration was whether the new affiliation would add to our value proposition, and Securities America certainly met that requirement."

Kavanaugh joined Equitas America in 2009 and was charged with the task of finding a right-fit affiliation. The objective was to maintain the firm's independence and choose a broker/dealer with the same high level of integrity, work ethic and Midwestern values.

Bryce Hemker, who has been with Equitas Financial since its inception, will lead the transition and serve as the branch manager. "We are excited about the advisory platforms, technology solutions and practice management resources that will be available through Securities America," Hemker said. "We have very high customer service standards, and Securities America will help us deliver on our commitment to excellence."

About Securities America
Headquartered in La Vista, Nebraska, Securities America, Inc. has more than 1,900 financial professionals nationwide with more than $53 billion in client assets under their supervision. Securities America Advisors, Inc., is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm with more than $14 billion in assets under management and administration that offers investment management, financial advice and financial planning through financial advisors. As your business growth expert, Securities America's mission is to foster the success of financial professionals so they can provide quality, objective counsel and services to their clients. Additional information is available at www.securitiesamerica.com.

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