Penson Financial Services Canada named one of Canada's Top 20 Small and Medium Sized Employers.

Financial Services Clearing firm ranks #10 on the prestigious Queen's University ranking of Canada's best employers

MONTREAL -- Penson Financial Services Canada has been ranked 10th among the Canadian 20 Best Small and Medium Employers. The study, now in its third year, is published annually in the Globe and Mail. Penson earned top marks for its motivated employees and leadership of the senior management team.

The financial services outsourcing firm was recognized after participating in the 2006 study conducted by the Queen's School of Business, Queen's Centre for Business Venturing and Hewitt Associates. The goal of this survey is to identify Canada's top employers based on employee opinions, working environment, leadership team and human resources and management practices.

"The dedication and passion of our employees have built a strong and successful culture here at Penson," says Mr. Richard A. Ness, President & CEO of Penson Financial Services Canada. "Employee training is a large part of our budget each year; we want our employees to be empowered with the knowledge and tools needed to grow within the firm and to develop their career paths," says Mr. Ness.

Mr. Ness co-founded Penson's predecessor firm in 1999 and part of his vision was to create a "People First" corporate culture, whereby each and every Penson team member would feel that they were making a difference and contributing to the growth and success of the company. In only eight years of existence, the company has grown from 4 employees in 1999 to 238 employees today, and Mr. Ness still remains passionate about this vision. His open door policy has encouraged employees to bring ideas to the table and provides an open and honest communication forum.

Mr. Ness adds, "I am honoured to work with a team whose energy and dedication levels have never wavered. We feel extremely rewarded to be ranked among Canada's best employers."

"It is particularly prestigious to be ranked as a Best SME in Canada as it is a fairly rigorous and nationally competitive process" said Sandra Olszowka, Projects Director for Queen's Centre for Business Venturing at Queen's School of Business. "This is Penson's first year of participation in the study and their strong ranking is indicative of a company with a deeply ingrained culture that is committed to its employees - of clearly putting its employees first."

More information about the Best Small & Medium Employers in Canada is available online at http://business.queensu.ca/qcbv/sme.

About Penson Worldwide: www.penson.com

The Penson Worldwide group of companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial Services Canada, Inc., Penson Financial Services, Ltd., Nexa Technologies, Inc. and Penson Financial Futures, Inc. among other companies. The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution, clearing, settlement custody and technology infrastructure products and services to financial services firms and others servicing the financial services industry. Penson Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has served the clearing needs of all types of broker/dealers since 1995. Penson is the flexible choice in global securities services(TM).

Penson Financial Services, Inc. is a member of the Chicago Stock Exchange, the NASD, Inc., the Chicago Board Options Exchange, OneChicago, the International Securities Exchange, the NYSE Arca Exchange, the Options Clearing Corp, the MSRB, NSCC, ICMA, DTC, Euroclear, SIPC and is a participant of the Boston Options Exchange (BOX). Penson Financial Services Canada, Inc. is a participating organization with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange, is regulated by the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, and is a member of the CIPF. Penson Financial Services, Ltd. is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Penson Financial Futures, Inc. is a Futures Commission Merchant member of the National Futures Association.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not based on current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Penson's actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Penson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.