National Conference Firm Element Training Steps Away from Old and Ordinary

Securities America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE MKT:LTS), brought compliance and risk management to life with speakers from the FBI and Homeland Security at its 2015 Connect national conference, held in Austin June 6-9.

“We design our continuing education program to cover the bases regarding our products, sales practices, and regulatory priorities and expectations,” said Mark Lasswell, Securities America chief compliance officer. “By bringing in high caliber speakers with real world stories, we make the sessions more interesting and relevant to our advisors.”

Special Agent David A. Chaves, senior FBI official, New York Division, presented “The FBI on Wall Street,” a look into the FBI and SEC’s seminal and sweeping investigation into insider trading. Chaves serves as the securities fraud program manager for the FBI’s most visible securities cases prosecuted over the last decade. The presentation provided an understanding of how the FBI became involved, case studies, compliance best practices, use of sophisticated techniques such as wire taps and undercover operations, and recruitment of cooperators. Lasswell offered additional guidance to Securities America advisors on various regulatory and compliance hot topics.

The Anti-Money Laundering session at the conference featured Kurt Gredzinski, counter threat finance SOF2 team chief, U.S. Special Operations Command. Gredzinski highlighted for advisors how their efforts to protect their clients and their practice also contribute to protecting national security. The session focused on illicit financial networks, national security threats and case studies involving money laundering, providing advisors with red flags that may indicate suspicious activity.

“Criminals and terrorists are always looking for vulnerabilities in financial systems,” Gredzinski said. “Due diligence and communication are two very effective tools for advisors to recognize a potential threat to their practice.”

Working in conjunction with Special Operations Forces (SOF) multiple federal law enforcement agencies, the Intelligence Community, Department of the Treasury, and the private sector, Gredzinski’s team's efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and designations against illicit financial networks worldwide and seizure/freezing of billions of dollars. Gredzinski retired from the United States Army after over 20 years of service at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) serving as an all source Intelligence Technician. He participated in three deployments that ranged from peace keeping contingency operations in Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Forge from 2000- 2001, to combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002-2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005-2006. Gredzinski’s significant awards include the Bronze Star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

About Securities AmericaSecurities America is one of the nation’s largest independent broker-dealers with more than 2,000 independent advisors and $55 billion in client assets.

Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

Securities AmericaNatalie Hadley, 402-399-9111 ext. 4606 or 800-747-6111 ext. 4606nhadley@saionline.com

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