Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Description of Business

v2.4.1.9
Description of Business
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Description of Business
Description of Business

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (the “Company”or "LTS") is a holding company. Its principal operating subsidiaries are Securities America, Inc. (collectively with related companies, ‘‘Securities America’’), Triad Advisors, Inc. (‘‘Triad’’), Investacorp, Inc. (collectively with related companies, ‘‘Investacorp’’), KMS Financial Services, Inc. (“KMS”), which the Company acquired in October 2014, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (‘‘Ladenburg’’), Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management Inc. (‘‘LTAM’’), Premier Trust, Inc. (‘‘Premier Trust’’) and Highland Capital Brokerage, Inc. (“Highland”), which the Company acquired in July 2014.

Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and KMS are registered broker-dealers and investment advisors that serve the independent financial advisor community. The independent financial advisors of Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and KMS primarily serve retail clients. Such entities derive revenue from advisory fees and commissions, primarily from the sale of mutual funds, variable annuity products and other financial products and services.

Ladenburg is a full service registered broker-dealer that has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange since 1879. Broker-dealer activities include sales and trading and investment banking. Ladenburg provides its services principally to middle-market and emerging growth companies and high net worth individuals through a coordinated effort among corporate finance, capital markets, brokerage and trading professionals.

LTAM is a registered investment advisor. It offers various asset management products utilized by Ladenburg and Premier Trust’s clients, as well as clients of Securities America’s, Triad's and Investacorp’s financial advisors.

Premier Trust, a Nevada trust company, provides wealth management services, including administration of personal trusts and retirement accounts, estate and financial planning and custody services.

Highland is an independent insurance broker that delivers life insurance, fixed and equity indexed annuities and long-term care solutions to investment and insurance providers. Highland provides specialized point-of-sale support along with advanced marketing and estate and business planning techniques, delivering customized insurance solutions to both institutional clients and independent producers.

Securities America's, Triad's, Investacorp's, KMS' and Ladenburg's customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully-disclosed basis and such entities are subject to regulation by, among others, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. Each entity is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Securities America is also subject to regulation by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association. Highland is subject to regulation by various regulatory bodies, including state attorneys general and insurance departments. Premier Trust is subject to regulation by the Nevada Department of Business and Industry Financial Institutions Division.