In 1984, Securities America Financial Corporation began life in Omaha, Nebraska, under the name Financial Dynamics. This was the beginning of a 25+ year history of financial services success. In 1985 the firm's name officially changes to Securities America as the newly formed company rapidly evolved from insurance services to serving registered representatives who sell packaged business like mutual funds.
In 1989, Securities America reached 500 representatives and began a dramatic growth trajectory that continues today. In 1990, 300 new representatives joined the firm, bringing the total headcount to 800. This was a 60% growth in representatives in a single year.
In 1992, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce names Securities America the area's "Fastest Growing Privately Owned Company." The award is a result of an 85% sales growth rate. Then in 1993, Investment Advisor Magazine named Securities America as #1 with the ranking based on the company's two-year annual growth rate of 83.9%.
Seeing the growing need for advisory services in additional to tradition commission-based models, Securities America Advisors, Inc. was formed in 1994 with Janine (Jones) Wertheim named president of the newly minted company.
After years of continuing success, Securities America Inc. became a subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation in 1998. With the backing of a Fortune 100 company, Securities America transforms into a leader in the independent broker/dealer marketplace. Pursuing the vision of being the independent financial advisors' partner and coining the tagline "Your Business Growth Expert", Securities America begins offering more and more industry-leading business growth and development resources.
In 2000, Securities America Advisors, Inc. launched the LifeGuide and Roadmap programs, which helped the company meet its modest goal of "$2 billion by 2000". Then, in 2001, Securities America hosted its 10th annual National Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Keynote speakers include Mike Krzyzewski, whose Duke team just won the NCAA men's basketball championship.
Securities America cracked the top five independent broker/dealers ranked in Financial Planning magazine in 2003, and continues to have its sights set on #1 in the independent broker/dealer marketplace. By 2004, Securities America had approximately 1,540 representatives with over $710,000 in gross commissions every business day. Total gross commissions come in at over $170 million for the year.
American Express Financial Advisors is spun off from Fortune 100 company American Express to be its own company in 2005. Named Ameriprise, this new Fortune 300 company continues to support Securities America as a subsidiary.
In 2006, Securities America Advisors, Inc. reaches a new high of $11 billion in assets under management with the average representative production climbing to record levels.
Securities America Financial Corporation, which ranked fourth on Financial Planning magazine's 2008 Independent B/D list, purchased Brecek & Young Advisors, a California-based broker/dealer, and its subsidiary, Iron Point Capital Management, from Security Benefit Corp. of Topeka, Kan. Around the same time, Securities America struck an exclusive deal to make offers to the top advisors from ePlanning, which was closing its broker/dealer. The company will leverage those experiences, including the resultant formalized processes and procedures, to make additional acquisitions. Also in 2008, Securities America moved to its new corporate headquarters in La Vista, Nebraska, one of the many suburbs making up metro Omaha.
2009 was Securities America's 25th anniversary as a company. The firm hosted its "Omaha '09 . . . Connect!" National Conference in Omaha to celebrate the occasion and to showcase its new state-of-the-art building and operations. It's 19th annual national conference, this event sent attendance records for advisors, advisors and their staff, and total attendees.
Securities America, Inc. is a member of FINRA/SIPC. Securities America Advisors, Inc. is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.
