Technology Continues to Evolve to Meet Advisors’ Needs

The Technology Pavilion gathers onsite experts and computers to help with your technology questions.
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Each year at National Conference, Securities America brings you the Technology Pavilion, where one can get hands-on with leading-edge  technology from Securities America Inc and our strategic partners. A conference fixture since 1999, the Technology Pavilion is centrally located in Salon 5, next to the Asbury Lobby, and staffed by members of the Field Technology Team. These people have a combined 120 years of experience in the financial industry. Of that, 98 years have been with Securities America in areas that include compensation, compensation,sales sales and compensation. The Field Technology team will be available throughout the conference to answer your questions, give a demonstration of services and suggest improvements.
The Technology Pavilion is the place to go if you:
• Want to better understand how to use FA centric solution.
• Want to conduct daily business more professionally and effectively.
• Want to know about new technologies and  functionality we have added since last year’s conference.
We will also be gathering your ideas for future enhancements. Many of the improvements to our technology over the years have started with a conversation at the Technology Pavilion. We are constantly tweaking and adjusting our systems to make them as intuitive and efficient as possible through honest, constructive feedback from our advisors. The Technology Pavilion will also have demonstration computers where members of Field Technology will be able to discuss and demonstrate any e*Office Advantage technology that you wish to learn more about. New this year, we will have iPads, iPhones and Android powered tablets available to demonstrate our new solution for accessing e*Office Advantage from mobile devices. Many of our technology partners will be joining us to provide you with information about their services. Morningstar can show you Advisor Workstation and other great services. National Financial and Pershing will both be there to exhibit the powerful technology available from our clearing firms.

History of Securities America

Securities America Financial Corporation’s roots go back to Financial Dynamics, an insurance marketing organization founded in 1984 by Steve Wild that had between 10,000 and 12,000 independent insurance agents affiliated with the firm. Like many insurance companies, Financial Dynamics recognized the potential of using its insurance sales force to offer investments. To do that, Financial Dynamics created Securities America, an independent securities broker/dealer.

By the end of 1986, Securities America had 156 advisors. In 2009, the company reached more than 1,900 advisors collectively serving more than 450,000 clients. Securities America generated approximately $485 million in gross revenue in 2009.

Securities America adapted to change again in 1994 with the formation of registered investment advisor Securities America Advisors, Inc. Consumer demand for advice and investment management, not just investment transactions, had been increasing. The advisory firm had $2 billion in assets under management by 2000 and grew consistently to over $13 billion during 2008.

 In 1998, 10 years after its successful shift from insurance to investments, Securities America was acquired by Fortune 100 company American Express, which had a long history of professional financial planning and industry leadership development.

Growth came quickly given the support of an industry leader, and by the end of 2004, Securities America had 1,540 advisors, over $230 million in annual gross revenue and ranked sixth among the country’s independent broker/dealers, according to Financial Planning magazine.

 In October 2005, American Express spun off its financial services unit as Ameriprise, a Fortune 300 company on its own, with headquarters in Minneapolis. Securities America became a wholly owned subsidiary of the new firm. in 2011, Amerprise sold it to Ladenbrug Thalmann Financial Services Inc. Securities America has continued to operate independently, able to focus on those initiatives that most benefit its advisors and their clients.Securities America, which ranked fourth on Financial Planning magazine’s 2008 Independent B/D list, reached another milestone with its first true acquisition, purchasing Brecek & Young Advisors, a California-based broker/dealer, and its subsidiary, Iron Point Capital Management, from Security Benefit Corp. of Topeka, Kan. Around the same time, Securities America struck an exclusive deal to make offers to the top advisors from ePlanning, which was closing its broker/dealer. The company will leverage those experiences, including the resultant formalized processes and procedures, to make additional acquisitions.

The processes and technology developed for the acquisition and super-branch recruitment enabled Securities America to retain 95 percent of the Brecek & Young advisors, which was effectively 100 percent of the advisors expected to transition. Securities America has since refined those systems and created repeatable processes to use with other firms, making Securities America a leader in the industry at bringing on board other broker/dealers and large branch offices.

Securities America, Inc. is a member of FINRA/SIPC. Securities America Advisors, Inc. is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

529 College Savings Account Basics

Looking to save for college? Take a number – the number 529 to be exact.

College Savings Accounts, or 529s as they’re nicknamed (after the IRS tax code), have become all the rage in recent years. So what are they? And what options do you have when using a 529 to save for your child’s college education?

529s come in two major forms. The first is a pre-paid tuition program. This option allows you to pay any amount of future college costs at today’s current tuition rate. With rising college costs, this plan may fit you best.

The other type of 529 is the state college savings plan. Every state in the U.S. has a college savings plan, which allows you to put money into a private savings account. The account is managed by a state-approved financial institution and comes with a variety of investment options. Each month you can add money to your account, even directly from your paycheck if you wish. Certain plans have certain limits to the amount you can contribute but the account allows tax-deferred growth and in some states you can even receive a tax break for using the accounts. Different states have different plans and options and each option offers you choices.

529s allow you to take out an account in your name and then name a beneficiary to the account, the beneficiary will eventually receive the money for a post-secondary education. Another added convenience is that you can always change the person’s name who receives the benefit in case one of your children decides not to attend college.

Both types of 529s come with pros and cons depending on your financial situation and how much you wish to invest. Whenever making major financial decisions, it’s best to contact your financial planner to figure out what best fits your needs.

If you have children, it’s safe to say they will someday attend college. Many people forget that sending children through college is just as expensive and important as purchasing a home.  It is also one of the most important investments you will make in a lifetime.

Calling your financial planner as soon as possible is a wise choice if you are looking for college savings options or have questions on the details of the accounts. The only thing left to do is remember the number.

529. And you don’t even have to remember an area code.

An investor should consider the risks, objectives, charges, and expenses associated with the 529 plan before investing.  This information and more is available in the issuer's official statement, which can be obtained by contacting the plan sponsor or by contacting your financial advisor.  Read it carefully before investing. An investor should also consider before investing whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

Securities America is a financial advisory firm, based in La-Vista, Nebraska and offers investment and insurance related advice, while keeping in mind standards industry practices to enhance the client's business growth.It has a strong network of financial advisors to help it provide solutions for all financial needs of a prospective client.

Securities America Financial Corporation: A Timeline

In 1984, Securities America Financial Corporation began life in La Vista, Nebraska, under the name Financial Dynamics. This was the beginning of a 25+ year history of financial services success. In 1985 the firm’s name officially changes to Securities America as the newly formed company rapidly evolved from insurance services to serving registered representatives who sell packaged business like mutual funds.

In 1989, Securities America reached 500 representatives and began a dramatic growth trajectory that continues today. In 1990, 300 new representatives joined the firm, bringing the total headcount to 800. This was a 60% growth in representatives in a single year.

In 1992, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce names Securities America the area’s “Fastest Growing Privately Owned Company.” The award is a result of an 85% sales growth rate. Then in 1993, Investment Advisor Magazine named Securities America as #1 with the ranking based on the company’s two-year annual growth rate of 83.9%.

Seeing the growing need for advisory services in additional to tradition commission-based models, Securities America Advisors, Inc. was formed in 1994 with Janine (Jones) Wertheim named president of the newly minted company.

After years of continuing success, Securities America became a subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation in 1998. With the backing of a Fortune 100 company, Securities America transformed into a leader in the independent broker/dealer marketplace. Pursuing the vision of being the independent financial advisors’ partner and coining the tagline “Your Business Growth Expert,” Securities America began offering more and more industry-leading business growth and development resources.

In 2000, Securities America Advisors, Inc. launched the LifeGuide and Roadmap programs, which helped the company, meet its modest goal of “$2 billion by 2000.” Then, in 2001, Securities America hosted its 10th annual National Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Keynote speakers include Mike Krzyzewski, whose Duke team just won the NCAA men’s basketball championship.

Securities America cracked the top five independent broker/dealers ranked in Financial Planning magazine in 2003, and continues to have its sights set on #1 in the independent broker/dealer marketplace. By 2004, Securities America had approximately 1,540 representatives with over $710,000 in gross commissions every business day. Total gross commissions come in at over $170 million for the year.

American Express Financial Advisors is spun off from Fortune 100 company American Express to be its own company in 2005. Named Ameriprise, this new Fortune 300 company continued to support Securities America as a subsidiary.

In 2006, Securities America Advisors, Inc. reached a new high of $11 billion in assets under management with the average representative production climbing to record levels.

Securities America, which ranked fourth on Financial Planning magazine’s 2008 Independent B/D list, purchased Brecek & Young Advisors, a California-based broker/dealer, and its subsidiary, Iron Point Capital Management, from Security Benefit Corp. of Topeka, Kan. Around the same time, Securities America struck an exclusive deal to make offers to the top advisors from ePlanning, which was closing its broker/dealer. The company will leverage those experiences, including the resultant formalized processes and procedures, to make additional acquisitions. Also in 2008, Securities America moved to its new corporate headquarters in La Vista, Nebraska, one of the many suburbs making up metro Omaha.

2009 was Securities America’s 25^th anniversary as a company. The firm hosted its “Omaha ’09 . . . Connect!” National Conference in Omaha to celebrate the occasion and to showcase its new state-of-the-art building and operations. It’s 19^th annual national conference, this event sent attendance records for advisors, advisors and their staff, and total attendees.
In 2011, Ameriprise sold Securities America to Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. Securities America continues to operate independently, focusing on those initiatives that most benefit its advisors and their clients. 

Securities America, Inc. is a member of FINRA/SIPC. Securities America Advisors, Inc. is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.