LPL Financial and Integrated Financial Group Welco

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading retail investment advisory firm and independent broker/dealer LPL Financial LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA ), today announced that Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management has joined LPL’s broker/dealer platform and aligned with Integrated Financial Group (IFG), an independent advisory firm on LPL’s hybrid registered investment advisor (RIA) platform. Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management reported that, based on prior business*, its advisors served approximately $351 million of client brokerage and advisory assets, as of June 1.

Based in Gainesville, Ga., Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management includes four advisors, Charlie Strong, Shane Gaddy, Kelly Lee and Kyle Bochat, and three professional staff members. Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management credited LPL’s independent model, size and scale and relationship with IFG as key factors in their decision to move firms.

“In our practice, we provide financial advice to clients with a wide range of investment needs,” said Shane Gaddy, managing partner. “Aligning with LPL and IFG provides us with a platform offering the flexibility to be able to serve the needs of our varying clients, from large retirement accounts to a newly married couple establishing their financial goals. We also gain access to LPL’s breadth and depth of resources, tools and technology that support our ability to deliver the most value to our clients.”

“There is an increasing need by Americans to have access to financial advice, and Strong Gaddy Lee is a firm that recognizes the value of supporting each and every investor, regardless of whether they are just beginning to accumulate wealth or need more intricate financial planning support,” said Steve Pirigyi, LPL executive vice president, Business Development. “LPL shares the same values and we look forward to supporting them in their mission to help clients work toward their financial goals.”

"The team at Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management Group is already a success story and we’re thrilled to be starting their next chapter with them,” said Don Patrick, CEO and managing director, Integrated Financial Group. “This chapter begins with true independence and the backing of the combined resources of IFG and LPL to enhance the experience for Strong Gaddy Lee advisors and clients. I’m excited to welcome them to the team."

*Asset numbers were reported by Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management based on prior business and have not been independently and fully verified by LPL Financial.

About LPL Financial LPL Financial LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA ), is a leader in the retail financial advice market and provided service to approximately $540 billion in brokerage and advisory assets as of May 31, 2017. LPL is one of the fastest growing RIA custodians and the nation's largest independent broker-dealer (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine June 1996-2017), and the firm and its financial advisors were ranked No. 1 in net customer loyalty in a 2016 Cogent Reports™ study. The Company provides proprietary technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to more than 14,000 financial advisors and over 700 financial institutions, enabling them to provide a range of financial services including wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and other investment services to help their clients turn life's aspirations into financial realities. As of March 31, 2017, financial advisors associated with LPL served more than 4 million client accounts across the U.S. as well as an estimated 46,000 retirement plans with an estimated $135 billion in retirement plan assets. Additionally, LPL supports approximately 3,900 financial advisors licensed and affiliated with insurance companies with customized clearing, advisory platforms, and technology solutions. LPL Financial and its affiliates have more than 3,300 employees with primary offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego. For more information, visit www.lpl.com .

About Integrated Financial Group Integrated Financial Group (IFG) is one of the largest independent financial planning consortiums in Atlanta*, responsible for over $2.9 billion in brokerage and advisory assets through LPL Financial and over $1 billion in assets under management through its separate registered investment advisor, IFG Advisory, LLC, as of May 1, 2017. With over 80 Consortium Members independently owning firms across 10 states, IFG forms a diverse, experienced and qualified group of professionals who deliver investment advice and financial strategies. Through its hybrid RIA, IFG Members benefit from the “Brain Trust” of like-minded advisors, business consulting and human resource services, reduced expenses and revenue growth. For more information, visit  www.TheBrainTrust.NET

*Based on assets under advisement since September 2016, Atlanta Business Chronicle

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, Advisory services may be offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, or IFG Advisory, LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Integrated Financial Group, IFG Advisory, LLC, and Strong Gaddy Lee Wealth Management Group, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.

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Media Contact: Lauren Hoyt-Williams 980-321-1232 Lauren.Hoyt-Williams@lpl.com