DALLAS - January 17, 2007 - Financial market research firm DALBAR has recognized 1st Global's high standards of service in 2006 with two awards: the DALBAR Service Excellence Award and the Crystal Pyramid Award. The two awards highlight 1st Global's commitment to excellence not only as measured by DALBAR, but also as perceived by 1st Global's affiliated advisors.

The DALBAR Service Excellence Award recognizes the achievement of the highest tier of service to customers within the financial services industry. DALBAR presents this award after evaluating a firm's performance in several customer service categories against specific benchmarks. 2006 marks the fourth year in a row in which 1st Global has earned the DALBAR Service Excellence Award, making it the only broker/dealer in the country to achieve this distinction.

The DALBAR Crystal Pyramid Award is presented to firms for their success at achieving excellence in the eyes of their customers. Eligibility for this award hinges on the results of DALBAR's annual survey of financial professionals affiliated with a company. Only firms that receive excellent scores across the board are awarded the Crystal Pyramid. Receiving the Crystal Pyramid award for the first time is the culmination of years of continuous improvement for 1st Global, and a major accomplishment for the firm, which is the only financial services company to earn this honor for 2006.

"The DALBAR awards underscore two different measurements of 1st Global's commitment to providing the highest quality in service," Vice President of Operations Tom Beier said on the occasion. "The DALBAR Service Excellence Award focuses on objective criteria critical to our advisors' experience with 1st Global, while the Crystal Pyramid focuses on the subjective perception of our level of service. The awards are a reflection of the culture we have built. We are proud of this recognition and of being included among the industry's best service providers."  

About DALBAR, Inc.
DALBAR, Inc., the nation's leading financial services market research firm, is committed to raising the standards of excellence in the financial services industry. With offices in both the U.S. and Canada, DALBAR develops standards for, and provides research, ratings, and rankings of intangible factors to the mutual fund, broker/dealer, discount brokerage, life insurance and banking industries. They include investor behavior, customer satisfaction, service quality, communications, Internet services and financial-professional ratings.

The DALBAR Crystal Pyramid Award is awarded to financial services firms for service provided to their representatives. The Crystal Pyramid is awarded to firms who attain excellent scores in a comprehensive, customized client survey designed and conducted by DALBAR. 1st Global's survey measured financial advisors' ratings for Key Vital Signs including Willingness to Recommend, Intent to Remain with 1st Global, and Overall Opinion. Evaluations of 1st Global's support in the areas of Operations, Marketing, Compliance, Practice Development and Technology also factored in the final score. 1st Global paid a fee for DALBAR's survey design and implementation. However, the Crystal Pyramid is only a recognition of the evaluated firm's leading standards and practices, and no fee is associated with receiving the award.

The DALBAR Service Excellence Award is awarded to financial services firms for service provided to their representatives.  The award recognizes a company's ability to exceed pre-determined measures of service in four categories; Attitude, Accommodation, Expertise and Call Interrupts. The DALBAR Service Excellence Award qualifying standard is set using industry averages from the previous year plus DALBAR's projection of industry trends in the service excellence category. 1st Global pays no fee to participate in the DALBAR service excellence survey.  Thirty-six percent of the 39 participating firms received awards for service excellence.