Equities First Holdings Announces 2012 Milestone Achievements

Registers 675 New Brokers Worldwide, Increases Loans, Expands into New Regions

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Equities First Holdings (EFH), a full-service securities lender for institutional and individual clients, today announced milestone achievements for the 2012 year. Compared to 2011, EFH has increased its loan transactions by 17% year-to-date, registered 675 new brokers worldwide, and expanded into new regions to better serve its growing clientele. With the global slowdown limiting credit options, an EFH securities-based loan provides financing at attractive terms using securitized equities of all types as collateral.

“Because we expect continued growth, we are enhancing our resources and infrastructure so that EFH can act as an important and reliable partner for our clients.”

“Domestically and internationally, EFH’s lending process has seen continued success due to our unique model. Since inception ten years ago, we have completed over 600 loan transactions, presenting an attractive alternative to traditional loans or a margin loan. The EFH model allows us to provide our clients with low interest-rates, a high loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 70% - 80%, and downside protection from the current volatile market,” noted Al Christy, President of EFH.

In 2012, EFH has expanded its operations into Australia, Brazil and Dubai. Some 42% of the firm’s loan transactions were in the international market, with the greatest volume expansion in Asia. To provide the best servicing and easier accessibility for its East Coast and international clientele, EFH opened its first satellite office in New York. Located in the city’s landmark Chrysler Building at 405 Lexington Avenue, the office is led by industry veteran Dave Kugler.

EFH also completed the “EFH Executive Lending Survey,” which examined the borrowing activities of 400 current and former officers of U.S. publicly traded companies. The survey found that nearly three-fifths (57%) of executives said that they would recommend this financing option to a close friend for business or personal use, and 87% of the participants were familiar with securities-based lending. To view the results, please click here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120911005547/en/EFH-Executive-Lending-Survey-Finds-57-Corporate

Commenting on the announcement, Jeff Smith, Managing Director at EFH, said, “Because we expect continued growth, we are enhancing our resources and infrastructure so that EFH can act as an important and reliable partner for our clients.”

About Equities First Holdings

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Equities First Holdings (EFH) is a securities-based lender for institutional and individual clients. Through EFH’s straightforward process, clients are able to gain fast access to liquidity at below-market rates by using securities as collateral. Since its inception in 2002, EFH has completed over 600 transactions for clients ranging from global financial services firms to high-net-worth individuals. To learn more, please visit www.equitiesfirst.com