National Association of Independent Broker/Dealers

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – March 12, 2009 – The National Association of Independent Broker/Dealers (NAIBD), an advocate for small and independent firms for almost 30 years that aims to improve the regulatory and business environment for broker-dealers, has announced that Bruce Kelly, news editor and brokerage reporter for InvestmentNews, will join the lineup of speakers for the association’s Spring Symposium on March 18 at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica, CA.

As the news editor for InvestmentNews, Kelly covers Wall Street, FINRA, clearing firms, broker/dealers, legal issues and securities arbitration. In his keynote speech entitled “The End of the World As We Know It: What Lies Ahead for Financial Services Firms?” Kelly will discuss what the future holds for the brokerage industry and how he sees a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Spring Symposium will provide a chance for broker/dealers to get up to speed on the latest regulatory initiatives and understand how the recent market turmoil will affect their firms. New this year, the association expanded the Symposium format to include specially-designed tracks for CEOs and compliance professionals.

Steve Distante, NAIBD President notes, “The financial media is so influential in our industry. We welcome Bruce’s insights and hope members will learn from his broad experience.”

NAIBD was formed in 1979 by five southern California broker/dealers who met regularly to discuss areas of common interest such as due diligence, compliance and regulation. The organization is comprised of 150 independent broker/dealer and industry providers and suppliers from across the country. Its members enjoy numerous benefits including educational meetings and symposia held across the country, an E&O program and health insurance program, up-to-date compliance notices and commentary regarding regulatory changes, rebates and discounts from industry vendors and numerous networking opportunities.

NAIBD works together with Independent Broker/Dealer owners and principals, industry product and service providers, and the SEC, FINRA and state regulatory organizations to improve the securities industry as a whole. The association recognizes the needs of the industry and its members by hosting national meetings, rapidly distributing critical regulatory details and product/service offers, supplying feedback to SEC, NASD and state regulators as well as offering its Fall and Spring Symposia. For more information, please visit www.naibd.org.