In 2009 and 2011, the primary clearing firm of the Company’s subsidiaries, National Financial Services LLC (“NFS”), a Fidelity Investments company, provided the Company with forgivable loans, the proceeds of which were used to help fund the Company’s growth strategy. Under the terms of the loans, on  an  annual basis commencing November 2012, based on the Company’s subsidiaries continuing to clear with NFS and, in the case of one of the loans, meeting certain annual clearing revenue targets, a portion of the principal amount of the loans and related interest are forgiven. In November 2012, approximately $3,929 aggregate principal amount of the loans was forgiven together with related interest, and the Company anticipates it will recognize an increase in pre-tax income for the fourth quarter of 2012 of approximately $3,500, net of compensation expense, resulting from the forgiveness.