Ladenburg Adds Kestler Annuity Business

Ladenburg Thalmann — which owns Securities America and four other independent advisor broker-dealers — says its annuity unit has acquired assets and the brand of Kestler Financial Group’s insurance distribution business. The firm expects the deal to benefit both Ladenburg Thalmann Annuity Insurance Services and sister firm Highland C apital Brokerage.

Kestler has selling agreements with over 20 independent broker-dealers, RIAs and other firms that have 3,000-plus affiliated financial advisors.

“This is a significant step forward in our strategic vision for LTAIS and the entire Ladenburg insurance and annuity platform, especially with respect to reinforcing our leadership position in the independent financial advice space at a time when insurance and annuity solutions are becoming increasingly important to individuals and families across the country,” according to Ladenburg President and CEO Richard Lampen.

Ladenburg’s operations include Securities America, Triad Advisors, Securities Service Network, Investacorp and KMS Financial Services, as well as Premier Trust, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management (LTAIS), Highland Capital Brokerage, Ladenburg Thalmann Annuity Insurance Services and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., an investment bank.

“Kestler Financial Group has a long, successful history in the fixed-index space working with the financial advisors of independent broker-dealers across the country,” said LTAIS CEO Jim Gelder, in a statement. “With the longstanding client relationships the Kestler team has formed and the industry-leading capabilities they bring to our organization, the Ladenburg insurance and annuity platform will be exceptionally well-positioned to shape the future of this space.”

— Check out Indexed Annuities’ Quiet Cousins Ride a Q2 Sales Rocket on ThinkAdvisor.