Ladenburg Thalmann`s James Cassel Named Vice President for M & A International, Inc.

Global Organization Spans 39 Countries
MIAMI--(Business Wire)--
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE Amex: LTS) today announced that
James Cassel, Vice Chairman and Co-Head of Investment Banking at its subsidiary,
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., has recently been named Vice President-Americas
of M & A International, Inc.

M&A International is a global alliance of 44 mergers and acquisitions advisory
and investment banking firms operating in 39 countries. Its affiliates are
closely linked in an international partnership to advise clients on
acquisitions, divestitures, funding and joint ventures. In 2008, its members
completed 258 transactions worth $16.9 billion.

"I am very pleased and proud to serve M&A international as its Vice President of
the Americas," said James Cassel. "This organization brings together and
coordinates the efforts of some of the finest M&A talent around the world. As a
member of M&A International, Ladenburg, and its other affiliates, have the
ability to call upon our worldwide partners and benefit from their local
expertise while gaining access to international companies, company reputations,
and pricing in local markets. It provides our clients with the decided advantage
of expanding their M&A opportunities far beyond their domestic markets."

Along with his positions at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. and M&A
International, Inc., Mr. Cassel is a member of the New York and Florida Bars,
and a director of Equity One, Inc. (NYSE:EQY), a real estate investment trust.
He is the former President of the South Florida Chapter of the Association for
Corporate Growth and a former member of the American Association of Arbitrators
and the FINRA Board of Arbitrators.

About M&A International Inc.

M&A International Inc. offers the unparalleled resources of over 600
professionals in 44 M&A advisory and investment banking firms operating in 39
countries. All our members are closely linked in a global alliance to advise
clients on acquisitions, divestitures, funding and joint ventures. In 2008, our
members closed 258 transactions worth $16.9 billion. www.mergers.net

About Ladenburg Thalmann

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, included in the Russell 3000 indices, is
engaged in investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading,
independent brokerage and advisory services and asset management services
through its principal subsidiaries, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. Investacorp,
Inc. and Triad Advisors, Inc. Founded in 1876 and a New York stock Exchange
member since 1879, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. is a full service investment banking
and brokerage firm providing services principally for middle market and emerging
growth companies and high net worth individuals. Investacorp, Inc., a leading
independent broker-dealer headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida, has been
serving the independent registered community since 1978 and has approximately
500 independent financial associates nationwide. Founded in 1998, Triad
Advisors, Inc. is a leading independent broker-dealer and registered investment
advisor headquartered in Norcross, Georgia that has a broad menu of products
services and total wealth solutions to approximately 400 independent financial
advisors nationwide. Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services is based in Miami,
Florida. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. is based in New York City, with regional
offices in Miami and Boca Raton, Florida; Melville, New York; Lincolnshire,
Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Princeton, New Jersey. For more
information, please visit www.ladenburg.com.

For Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.
Boardroom Communications
Caren Berg and/or Jennifer Clarin, 954-370-8999

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