Subscribe

So how much did First Allied go for?

Recent filing would seem to indicate acquirer paid at least $43M for the indie B-D

It continues to be a year of haves and have nots for the independent contractor broker-dealer industry. Some broker-dealers appear to be able to line up capital and look to the future. Others have been shut off from funds — and question whether they will make it through the next twelve months.
The latest example of a ‘have”: First Allied Holdings Inc., parent of independent broker-dealer First Allied Securities Inc. The firm filed notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday that it had sold $43.2 million in equity to four investors.
Lovell Minnick Partners LLC said in August that it and the management team of First Allied Securities would buy First Allied from its owner, Advanced Equities Financial Corp. The deal closed earlier this month.
With about 1,000 reps, First Allied generated $230.5 million in gross revenue last year. The firm had $5.2 million in pretax earnings in 2010, according to the most recent InvestmentNews survey of independent-contractor broker-dealers.
Robert Belke, a managing director with Lovell Minnick, would not comment directly whether the $43.2 million was the asking price for First Allied. “This obviously relates to the acquisition, but we don’t disclose the pricing of deals we do,” he said.
First Allied will continue its growth under its new owners, he said. “We are really interested in the opportunity to expand the platform through recruiting, acquisitions or lift-outs,” he said.

Learn more about reprints and licensing for this article.

Recent Articles by Author

Bankrupt GWG bonds not right for anyone: Finra arbitrator

By 2020, 'GWG had shown years of losses and large negative cash flows,' a securities arbitrator writes.

SEC dings Minnesota investment manager over pay-to-play conflict

'Is four grand really going to influence a politician’s thinking?' one consultant asks.

Advisor attrition dropping at Merrill Lynch

Although departures of financial advisors may have slowed at certain large firms, that doesn't mean the problem's been squelched.

Arete Wealth pays out $1.1M in arb claims to start 2024

"We have a handful of open cases against Arete Wealth, and some involve Center Street, as well," says a plaintiff's attorney.

Stability, finally, at Wells Fargo Advisors?

'We’re back to more normal, or maybe slightly below normal, attrition levels across the [financial advisor] business, which is good,' says CEO Charles Scharf.

X

Subscribe and Save 60%

Premium Access
Print + Digital

Learn more
Subscribe to Print