N@N

Penson and Ridge Provide Notice To Ridge Customers that Penson Will Be Their Clearing Firm

^{Published on 2010-06-14 05:40:52 - Market Wire}
 

DALLAS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Penson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNSN) today announced that its U.S. securities clearing subsidiary, Penson Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI), and Ridge Clearing & Outsourcing Solutions, Inc. (Ridge) have received consent from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to mail letters to the customers of correspondents serviced by Ridge, informing these customers that their brokerage firm and their accounts will be serviced by PFSI effective on or about June 25, 2010.

The mailing is a significant step in the process for Penson to obtain approval from FINRA of its previously announced agreement with Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR) to acquire the Ridge correspondent clearing contracts. The mailing does not assure FINRAa™s approval; Penson, however, continues to anticipate closing the acquisition by the end of the June 30, 2010 quarter.

About Penson Worldwide: [ www.penson.com ]

The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution, clearing, custody, settlement and technology infrastructure products and services to financial services firms and others servicing the global financial services industry. The Penson Worldwide group of companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial Services Canada Inc., Penson Financial Services Ltd., Nexa Technologies, Inc., Penson GHCO, Penson Asia Limited, and Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd, among other companies. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Penson has served the clearing needs of the global financial services industry since 1995. Penson Worldwide - Building the Best Clearing and Execution Services Firm in the World.

Penson Financial Services, Inc. is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Alternext, Chicago Stock Exchange, FINRA, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), OneChicago, the International Securities Exchange (ISE), the NYSE Arca Exchange, the Options Clearing Corp (OCC), the MSRB, NSCC, ICMA, DTC, Euroclear, SIPC and is a participant of the Boston Options Exchange (BOX). Penson Financial Services Canada Inc. is a participating organization with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the CNQ Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, is a member of the CIPF, CDCC and CDS and subscribes to various Canadian Alternative Trading Systems. Penson Financial Services Ltd. is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd is a member of the ASX Group, which operates the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange. Penson GHCO is a registered Futures Commission Merchant and clearing member at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, Kansas City Board of Trade, London International Financial Futures Exchange, and ICE Futures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not based on current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Penson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.