(Source: Business Wire)National Planning Holdings, Inc. (NPHSM), one of the nation's largest independent broker-dealer networks1, booked revenue of more than $136 million and generated more than $3.4 billion in total sales during the first quarter of 2009. NPH also grew its roster of registered representatives by more than 13 percent over the prior year period, bringing the total number of financial advisors affiliated with the network's four independent firms to a record high of 3,456.

"In light of steep market declines and a challenging economic environment, I'm pleased with the relative performance of the NPH firms. We have been able to navigate these rough waters by focusing on the core competencies of the network -- improving advisor efficiency, delivering a robust technology platform and providing value-added services for reps," said Jim Livingston, president and CEO of National Planning Holdings, Inc. "Advisors have taken notice of our continued efforts to address their needs, as evidenced by the significant growth in our representative base, which reached an all-time high this quarter. As the markets recover, I am confident that NPH will continue to emerge as a firm that advisors can depend on to meet the needs of their clients."

  NPH First Quarter 2009 Results -- Quarter-Over-Quarter Comparison:                                                                                               Q1 2009           Q4 2008           % Increase vs. Q4 2008   Sales        $3,423,854,309    $3,544,744,864    (3.4)%                   Revenue      $136,041,062      $135,437,985      0.4%                     # of Reps    3,456             3,169             9.1%                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

NPH's first quarter sales were down 5.4 percent from the first quarter of 2008, and the network's revenue fell 15 percent from the prior year period. However, through its focus on enhancing the services and support available to representatives and expanding recruiting efforts across the network, NPH attracted 400 new advisors during the past 12 months, increasing its representative count by more than 13 percent.

  NPH First Quarter 2009 Results -- Year-Over-Year Comparison:                                                                                                     Q1 2009           Q1 2008           % Increase vs.