LPL Financial was founded with a pioneering vision - to help entrepreneurial financial advisors establish successful businesses through which they could offer truly independent financial guidance and advice. Today, LPL Financial is one of the nation's leading diversified financial services companies and the largest independent broker/dealer supporting more than 12,000 financial advisors nationwide as reported in Financial Planning magazine 1996-2009, based on total revenues.  We are also an enabling partner to a broad range of banks and credit unions, as well as broker/dealers at leading financial services companies.

Providing Americans with investment advice has never been more important than now. At LPL Financial, we help financial professionals manage the complexities of running successful organizations by providing our customers with access to:

• Leading-edge tools and technology
• Independent investment research
• Dedicated service and training
• Open product architecture offering investment solutions

This mix of products and services allows our customers to focus on providing investment advice and to help their clients achieve important life and financial goals.

Who we serve

As a diversified financial services company, we serve three distinct customer groups. Independent Advisor Services meets the needs of advisors at every stage of their careers. Institution Services focuses on the needs of banks and credit unions. Custom Clearing Services works with leading financial services companies.

By tailoring our programs and services to the unique needs of our customers, we help them to stay focused on their core areas of expertise, while enabling them to provide outstanding service and strategies to their clients. Being 100% committed to the success of the financial professionals we serve is what has helped LPL Financial become one of the leading diversified financial services organizations in the country, with headquarters in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego.

We have a proud heritage of helping financial professionals and their clients achieve their personal, professional, and financial dreams. Our strength and resources help provide our customers with a solid foundation for continued growth.

History

LPL Financial was formed in 1989 through the merger of two small but successful brokerage firms, Linsco (established in 1968) and Private Ledger (founded in 1973). By merging these two companies, the founders of LPL Financial sought to create a formidable alternative to Wall Street firms, one in which financial advisors could build highly competitive businesses while always doing what was right for their clients. Today, we are the largest independent broker/dealer in the country.  Our success has been driven by a commitment to enable our customers to reduce the complexity of running and managing a successful business.

In 2005, LPL Financial sold a 60% ownership stake to two private equity partners, Hellman & Friedman, LLC, and Texas Pacific Group. LPL Financial and our equity partners are strongly committed to maintaining the independence of the firm, with a shared vision of our future success.

Looking to the future

Financial advisors and financial organizations need a partner that can help them meet the growing demands and challenges of today's investors. People are living longer and face increasingly complex retirement needs. As a true market leader, LPL Financial is well positioned to enable our customers to help their clients address these trends.

As we move into our fourth decade, LPL Financial remains committed to meeting the needs of our valued partners though our Independent Advisor Services, Institution Services, and Custom Clearing Services. We set the highest standards in every aspect of supporting advisors and other financial professionals—so that they may help investors achieve their vision for their financial future.