May 1999

Brokerage Report Card

<i>From branch parties in strip clubs to redistribution of sales accounts - they can all conspire to make women feel unwelcome</i>

<i>Many sweet deals tend to leave a sour taste</i>

<i>Brokers are being penny-pinched to the point of pondering independence</i>

<i>Consolidation is polarizing the investment dealers. Brokers have to decide if they belong to large firms - or small ones</i>

<i>How brokers benefit when technology links it all together</i>

<i>Many brokers are fed up with their firm's inability to integrate</i>

<i>Account statements are often confusing to clients, and lack performance and rate of return figures</i>

<i>It's not their own faults</i>

<i>Advisors feel they are not getting the regard, the support - or the perks</i>

<i>They're wary, but claim they're unafraid of Internet trading or discount brokers</i>

<i>Brokes don't like to be managed, yet they want someone there just in case</i>

<i>Morning reports take hours to prepare, but many advisors are skeptical of their content</i>

<i>Overall grades fall in annual Investment Executive report card</i>