Securities America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE American: LTS, LTS PrA), announced today that Elite Financial Network has joined its independent advisory and brokerage platform.

Elite Financial Network, an independent hybrid RIA and Super OSJ with $744 million in advisory and brokerage client assets, was founded in 1992 and has 35 advisors in offices across Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties in California.

“The two factors that determined the firm we wanted to affiliate with came down to superior, easy-to-use technology and a culture that made all of us feel at home,” said Elite Financial Network President Dan Cairo, a 30-year veteran of the retail financial advice industry. “We spoke with multiple firms in our search process. Securities America immediately stood out as the best possible choice by far for us, our advisors and their clients."

The cultural fit between the two firms was immediately apparent, said Gregg Johnson, Securities America executive vice president of branch office development and acquisitions.

“Elite Financial Network advisors are passionate about building long-term relationships with their clients through mutual trust,” Johnson said. “They clearly conveyed that message when we met them. Educating their clients is an integral part of how they help them navigate through life’s ups and downs.”

Elite Financial Network specializes in providing comprehensive business growth resources, compliance supervision support and practice management coaching to independent advisors.

“We're proud to support advisors who take a holistic financial planning approach that helps guide clients through the many milestones of life,” Cairo said. “We wanted a partner that could take that same approach in serving groups like ours. Securities America’s seasoned professionals are actively looking around corners to help Super OSJs and advisors make the most of future opportunities. The Securities America team members are people we'd love to invite to our own homes for a barbecue.”

Right by Your Side

The Securities America staff and executive leadership team took charge of the transition process from day one, Cairo said. That allowed Elite Financial advisors to stay focused on their clients.

"Moving to a new firm can be stressful, but Securities America’s honesty and communication have been strengths during the transition process,” Cairo said. “They combine this approach with an extremely well-resourced transition support team. That made the move as seamless as possible. That's the way it should be.”

For more about Securities America

“We believe this transition with Elite Financial underscores the unique strengths we have as a firm in efficiently onboarding large groups of advisors from other firms, as well as through acquisitions and newly formed groups of advisors,” Johnson said. “In a rapidly consolidating industry landscape, we're pleased to be recognized as a safe and secure long-term partner with the resources necessary to effectively transition and support independent advisor groups across the country just like Elite Financial.”

About Securities America

Securities America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE American: LTS, LTS PrA), is one of the nation’s largest independent advisory and brokerage firm with more than 2,200 independent advisors and nearly $72 billion in client assets.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Elite Financial Network. Elite Financial Network is a separate entity from Securities America.