1st Global Purchases Wealthcare Institute; Strategic Acquisition Strengthens Market Leader.

Business Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000

1st Global, Inc., the leader in helping CPA firms, accounting & tax firms, and law firms build wealth care businesses, announced the strategic acquisition of The WealthCare Institute LLC at its Leadership Conference in Sanibel Island, Fla.

The WealthCare Institute, which was founded by Allen Darby and Ken Monroe, is a renowned business consulting firm that specializes in partnering with accounting firms seeking the expertise necessary to successfully deliver financial services within their organization.

According to 1st Global President and CEO Tony Batman, "As the leader in the evolutionary changes sweeping the accounting and financial services industry, 1st Global has been able to attract some of the brightest and most innovative people in the business. Like 1st Global, The WealthCare Institute has achieved an enviable record of success helping their clients achieve significant results. Integrating The WealthCare Institute's professionals and expertise into our first-class operation will create a new synergy and level of innovation that will be of tremendous value to those who embrace the concept of building and maintaining long-term wealth for their clients."

The WealthCare Institute has become a leading consulting firm for qualified accounting firms. The Institute's inclusive business system allowed firms to confidently offer comprehensive financial services to their clients. The Institute provided business partners with professional advisors, support staff, business systems, technology and business management.

"We recognized that accounting firms are struggling to deliver financial services because they have not developed the internal competence to truly compete in the marketplace," said Mr. Monroe. "Traditional financial services approaches simply don't work inside accounting firms."

Based on this belief Darby and Monroe built a company that could deliver a successful financial services practice for an accounting firm. The WealthCare Institute created business systems and training specifically for the unique needs of an accounting firm. Their systems have been very effective and the results of their service are well above the averages they have seen in other firms.

Mr. Batman realized the industry needed this level of expertise and was determined to help build it. 1st Global was instrumental in helping the fast growing consulting company get started with professional guidance and assistance. The company's strategy was to help entrepreneurs like Darby and Monroe establish a company, incubate its success, test it in the market place and evaluate the results.

"We wanted to foster the industry's expertise without contaminating it with our insider thinking," noted Batman. "Several entrepreneurs were given this opportunity and support, but clearly The WealthCare Institute established themselves as the leader. The service level, focus on business systems, and unique approach delivered exceptional value to their clients. The proof is in the results, as the production per firm was 700% higher than those not serviced by The WealthCare Institute. Our strategy definitely succeeded."

Both Darby and Monroe will now join 1st Global's senior management team and will begin expanding the successful business system throughout the country. The rest of The WealthCare Institute's professionals will also be integrated into 1st Global's nationwide system of offices and support staff.

About 1st Global Incorporated

1st Global, Inc. helps tax and accounting professionals build their own financial services business with convenient and efficient access to all the resources they need. The company supports affiliates with a nationwide infrastructure that provides securities brokerage, fee-based management, insurance services and financial and estate planning services.

1st Global currently has over 1,000 affiliates, including more than 180 major accounting firms in its large firm division that collectively represent approximately $660 million in tax and accounting revenue. 1st Global Capital Corp. is a member of the NASD and SIPC and is headquartered at 8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite M-1000 in Dallas, Texas, 214/265-1201. Additional information about 1st Global is available via the Internet at www.1stGlobal.com.