Ric Edelman Rated Among Nation’s Best Independent Financial Advisors

    Elite Listing in Annual Ranking by Barron's



    FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 22 /EMWNews/ -- Barron's has again

named Edelman Financial Services founder and chairman Ric Edelman one of

the 100 best independent financial advisors in the country.



    In its second annual ranking, appearing in its Aug. 18 issue, Barron's

listed Edelman at No. 39. His firm, EFS, manages nearly $4 billion in

investments for clients nationwide and for years has been among the largest

independent investment advisory firms in the country. Total assets under

management, however, is just one of the criteria used to compile the

Barron's ranking. Also considered, according to Barron's, are the advisor's

contributions to the firm's revenue and profit, his approach to the

business, quality of service, and client satisfaction.



    Edelman said he was "honored and grateful" that his listing as one of

the financial service industry's elite advisors brings recognition to his

20-year-old firm and its 190-person staff. "The ranking reflects the hard

work done daily at Edelman Financial Services on behalf of our clients."



    Edelman, who has eschewed the $1 million-or-more minimum account

requirement maintained by many firms in the industry, was pleased that the

survey data shows that his clients' average account size is among the

smallest of the 100 rated advisors. "While we have lots of high-net-worth

clients, we discovered a long time ago that it's more fun to help ordinary

people become rich than to help rich people stay that way."



    In addition to being one of the country's leading financial planners,

Edelman also has a well-earned reputation of improving financial literacy.

He dispenses financial advice to consumers weekly on The Ric Edelman Show,

broadcast nationwide via the ABC Radio Networks and he is an author of six

books whose current bestseller, The Lies About Money, was named the top

personal finance book of the year in the Axiom Awards competition.



    Ric Edelman is an Investment Advisor Representative and offers advisory

services through Edelman Financial Advisors LLC and Edelman Financial

Services LLC, SEC registered investment advisers. Ric is also a Registered

Representative of and offers securities for Edelman Financial Services LLC

through SMH Capital Inc., an independent broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC.



    Barron's cover story "Top 100 Independent Financial Advisers," August

18, 2008 (compiled by independent financial industry researcher R.J. Shook,

based on assets under management, advisor's contributions to the firm's

revenues and profits, quality of service, and client satisfaction).