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Investacorp Announces Partnership with Ash Brokerage

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^{Published in Business and Finance on Monday, December 1st 2008 at 7:54 GMT by Market Wire}  

MIAMI--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (AMEX: LTS) today announced that its Investacorp, Inc. independent broker-dealer subsidiary has formed a marketing affiliation with Ash Brokerage Corp, a national leader and premier outsourcing partner to financial professionals for fixed and variable insurance products.

Ash Brokerage, an independently-owned brokerage agency, will provide Investacorp's financial advisors with access to a dynamic portfolio of product resources in life insurance, fixed annuities, long-term care, disability income, advanced markets and underwriting. This relationship will further enhance Investacorp's comprehensive platform for its financial advisors.

"Consistent with our commitment to deliver exceptional services and insightful guidance to our financial advisors, we are pleased to have an industry leader partnering with our firm," said Peter Pecci, Chief Operating Officer of Investacorp. "Our relationship with Ash Brokerage will expand Investacorp's insurance capabilities, products and services."

"Today's marketplace is saturated with products, concepts and sales ideas. Staying on top of the industry and surpassing your client's service expectations is extremely challenging. A business affiliation with Ash Brokerage enables a financial professional to simplify his business -- keeping him focused on his true strength: the client relationships," said Tim Ash, Chief Executive Officer of Ash Brokerage. "Ash focuses on the financial professional and we are very clear about our purpose. It is our business to support the advisor and find ways for him to become more successful."

About Ladenburg

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, included in the Russell 2000^(R) and Russell 3000^(R) indices, is engaged in investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading, independent brokerage and advisory services and asset management services through its principal subsidiaries, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Investacorp, Inc. and Triad Advisors, Inc. Founded in 1876 and a New York Stock Exchange member since 1879, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. is a full service investment banking and brokerage firm providing services principally for middle market and emerging growth companies and high net worth individuals. Investacorp, Inc., a leading independent broker-dealer headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida, has been serving the independent registered representative community since 1978 and has approximately 500 independent financial associates nationwide. Founded in 1998, Triad Advisors, Inc. is a leading independent broker-dealer and registered investment advisor headquartered in Norcross, Georgia that offers a broad menu of products, services and total wealth management solutions to approximately 385 independent financial advisors located nationwide. Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services is based in Miami, Florida. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. is based in New York City, with regional offices in Miami and Boca Raton, Florida; Melville, New York; Lincolnshire, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Princeton, New Jersey; Houston, Texas; and Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please visit [ www.ladenburg.com ].

About Investacorp

Headquartered in Miami Lakes, FL, Investacorp, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (AMEX: LTS). With more than 500 registered representatives, its investment associates have access to a full range of investment products and advisory services. These include mutual funds, stocks, bonds, variable life insurance products, annuities and advisory accounts. For more information, please visit [ www.investacorp.com ].

About Ash Brokerage

Ash Brokerage Corporation is a national leader in the insurance brokerage industry, providing insurance and financial professionals with unparalleled access to the most dynamic portfolio of product resources in the industry. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with more than 15 office locations in the United States, Ash Brokerage is staffed by experts specializing in life insurance, annuities, long term care, disability income, advanced markets and underwriting. Ash Brokerage has access to more than 80 top-rated insurance carriers and is committed to investigating, analyzing and comparing products across the industry to ensure the advisor has the right solution for their customer. Founded in 1971, Ash Brokerage is independently owned and is a member of the Brokerage Resources of America (BRAMCO). For more information, please visit [ www.ashbrokerage.com ].