LPL Financial

LPL Financial is the largest independent broker-dealer in the United States. LPL Financial is the largest organization of independent financial advisors in the United States. LPL Financial was formed through the merger of two small brokerage firms (Linsco & Ledger) in 1898 and has since expanded its number of independent financial advisors from a few hundred to more than 13,300 in 2012. 

LPL Financial has main office locations in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego. Approximately 2,900 employees support financial advisors; financial institutions; and technology, custody, and clearing service subscribers with enabling technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research. LPL Financial advisors help clients meet investment goals with a number of financial services, including equities, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, insurance, and fee-based programs. 

Unlike many other brokerage firms, LPL Financial does not develop its own investment products, enabling the firm’s investment professionals to offer financial advice free from broker/dealer-inspired conflicts of interest.

1989: LPL Financial was formed through the merger of two brokerage firms: Linsco (established in 1968) and Private Ledger (established in 1973).

2005: LPL sold a 60% ownership stake to two private equity partners, Hellman & Friedman LLC and Texas Pacific Group, both strongly committed to maintaining the independence of the firm.

2010: In November, the parent company of LPL, LPL Financial Holdings Inc., first became publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol LPLA. Remaining strong in this conviction, LPL formed a political action committee to lobby Washington on behalf of advisors and their clients, helping keep the right to objective advice a constant in our industry.

“We take care of our advisors, so they can take care of their clients. That's our mission at LPL Financial. It permeates everything we do—and is embraced by every employee. We make it easy for advisors to do business with us, and hold ourselves accountable for seeing things through for them.”

“We believe every investor deserves to achieve his or her vision for financial independence through a relationship with a valued or experienced advisor.”