Siebert Financial Corp
Annual Report 2009

Plain-text annual report

SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. • 2009 ANNUAL REPORT S I E B E RT SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. Stability, Quality and Value For more than 40 years, the Siebert name has stood for integrity, innovation and customer service in the financial services industry. Founded in 1969 by Muriel Siebert, who in 1967 became the first woman member of the New York Stock Exchange, our firm became a discount broker on May 1, 1975, the first day NYSE members were allowed to negotiate commissions. We were also an early provider of online brokerage services. In 1977, Ms. Siebert placed the firm in a blind trust for five years to accept an appointment as New York State’s first woman Superintendent of Banks, with responsibility for the safety and soundness of banks and other state- chartered financial institutions. This was the highest position in banking supervision or regulation ever achieved by a woman at the time. During her years as a public servant, Ms. Siebert experienced first-hand the considerable responsibility involved in protecting other people’s money. When she returned to her firm, she translated that experience into the standard by which we do business at Siebert. In 2009, we maintained our focus on conservative business principles as the finan- cial services industry, the markets and the global economy began to recover from the largest disruption in many decades. We continued our long policy of putting safety first and managing our business conservatively, providing our retail clients with the peace of mind, exceptional personal service, variety of investment products and diversity of online research and analytic tools they require. We enhanced our online trading platform and expanded our capital markets business. At Siebert, our mission is the pursuit and delivery of value – both for our sharehold- ers and for our clients. Our focus is to drive growth by playing to our traditional strengths in select areas of activity, while making continual advancements in our approach to take advantage of ever-evolving opportunities in the brokerage and cap- ital markets areas. We remain true to the principles that have guided us and are well- positioned for the future. Cover photo printed with permission of New York Stock Exchange. May 2010 Dear Fellow Shareholders: Last year was unparalleled for the global financial system and economy. It started with the world in the throes of one of the worst-ever credit crises and sharpest-ever economic declines. Thanks to unprecedented government actions, it ended with the financial system regaining strength, the U.S. equity markets soaring more than 50 percent and the economy beginning to recover some of what it lost during the preceding 18 months. Today, jobs are still slow to mate- rialize and challenges remain, including the stagnant housing market, restraints on consumer spending, potential losses in commercial real estate and, over the long term, the impact of the tremendous national debt we have incurred. It is inevitable that there will be bumps along the road to recovery and the financial markets will not be immune to them. However, it would be impossible to look at the last year without some appreciation for the great resilience of our nation, our markets and our economy. Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc.’s conservative approach to business – which kept us free of involve- ment in those product areas of the financial services industry that precipitated the global finan- cial crisis – served us well. We maintained our strength and stability and continued to provide our clients the high level of service and quality to which they are accustomed. Indeed, on many fronts we were able to enhance our platform and improve our offering. Financial Performance Total 2009 revenue was $25.4 million, a decrease of $4.4 million, or 14.7 percent, from 2008. A net loss of $1.2 million or $0.05 per share com- pared with 2008’s net loss of $1.8 million or $0.08 per share. In light of the drop in revenues, we trimmed operating expenses. If not for substantial professional expenses, predominantly legal expenses and Web site development fees, we would have shown net income for the year. In addition, the global financial crisis and concomitant market volatility reduced participation in the securities markets by retail and institutional customers. Although retail trading volumes declined, the average commission per trade increased as a result of our new Web site’s ability to manage larger orders and increased usage of it by our retail customers. Retail Brokerage Services We have found that consumers shaken by the financial and economic upheavals of the past two years are keenly focused on safety and security. We remain well-positioned to meet those needs. Our firm has a strong balance sheet. Sixty-four percent of our firm’s assets are in cash or cash equivalents and no debt. We have no investments in collateralized debt obligations, exotic derivatives or structured products. As a matter of policy, we do not carry positions or make markets. As of December 31, 2009, our net capi- tal was more than 85 times greater than our required regulatory minimum. The company’s historically conservative business approach is one of the primary reasons we clear on a fully disclosed basis through National Financial Services LLC (NFS), a Fidelity Investments company. NFS clears our clients’ trades and is in custody of their accounts. As of December 31, 2009, NFS had net capital in excess of $2.0 billion, which exceeded its minimum requirement by more than $1.8 billion. NFS has arranged to provide our clients’ brokerage accounts with what they tell us is the maximum level of excess-SIPC protection currently available in the brokerage industry. This excess-SIPC coverage is provided by Lloyd’s of London together with Axis Specialty Europe Ltd. and Munich Reinsurance Co. Total aggregate excess-SIPC coverage avail- able through NFS’s excess-SIPC policy is $1 billion. Within NFS’s excess-SIPC coverage, there is no per account dollar limit on coverage of securities, but there is a per account limit of $1.9 million on coverage of cash awaiting investment, which brings the total of cash coverage through SIPC and excess-SIPC to $2 million for each account. Neither SIPC nor excess-SIPC protects against a decline in the market value of securities or covers certain securities considered ineligible. Our firm provides a diversity of fixed-income alternatives, some of which are not available at other brokers. Over the past decade, we have been enhancing our fixed-income offering. With increased volatility in the equity markets, we anticipated increased demand for fixed-income prod- ucts and are able to offer an extensive selection through solid relationships built up over many years as well as through our Siebert Capital Markets division, which underwrites corporate debt and equity issues. We believe that this affords us a competitive advantage over other brokers. We offer municipal bonds that provide tax-free income, closed-end funds and other securities such as corporate notes and bonds at initial public offering prices. Last year, we began alerting our clients by e-mail when new fixed-income issues became available and this has proven to be a popular and productive feature. We intend to build upon our strengths in this area going forward. Our firm offers automated tools to help clients achieve investment objectives combined with exceptional personal service and a commitment to best execution. For investors who want to diversify and more broadly distribute their risk with ETFs, rather than pursuing individual securi- ties, we added robust ETF screening, research and educational functionality from Morningstar to our Web site this year. We have continued providing our clients with the “name not a number” style of service for which we are known. They have our promise that, if they are dissatisfied with the service on any trade, that trade is commission free. Our clients know that if our Web service is ever interrupted, their trade will be processed at the Internet rate. They know that, if necessary, we will add registered representatives to the trading desk from other departments to manage increased call volume. This is especially important in times of high volatility when online quote and trading systems may become overwhelmed. Our clients appreciate our commitment to best execution and the fact that we are not affiliated with a market maker and do not take positions against their orders. They value the fact that our registered representatives are accessible to them with little to no telephone “wait” time (20 seconds average to reach a broker in 2009) and respond quickly via e-mail to their inquiries. It is our goal to have self-directed investors regard us as a client-focused, conservatively managed boutique discount brokerage firm; one that provides them with exceptional personal service, security, stability, a wide array of investment products and extensive online third party research and analytic tools. We believe that this approach resonates with independent investors today more than ever. Although our published commission schedule may appear higher than many competi- tors, it does not reflect the actuality of our pricing. We are able to aggressively negotiate below our published commission schedules based on assets, account activity and overall business rela- tionship with us. We have been cited as one of the brokers with the lowest margin interest rates and are also able to negotiate rates on debit balances according to each client’s individual situation. Our clients continue to consider the totality of what we offer to be an attractive value for the money. Siebert Capital Markets The Siebert Capital Markets (SCM) division provides high-quality brokerage services to institu- tional clients and investment banking services to corporations. Backed by the latest information, technology and systems, our traders and investment bankers offer value-added services to some of the nation’s largest investment managers, corporations and public retirement systems. The division continued to expand its business in 2009, acting as co-manager or underwriter in more than $100 billion of global debt and equity offerings. SCM participated in debt and equity transac- tions for dozens of U.S. companies in 2009, including Bank of America Corp., Boeing Company, Dominion Resources, Hyatt Corporation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, PepsiCo, Inc., and Wells Fargo & Company. As a result of these underwritings, Siebert retail clients have access to new issue debt and equity securities including corporates, preferreds and more. The division continues to add seasoned professionals to grow its business. On the institutional brokerage side, the trading department continues to bolster its electronic execution capabilities. Municipal Underwriting Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., owns 49 percent of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC (SBS), which had Member’s Capital of approximately $17.7 million at the end of 2009. SBS provides municipal underwriting and financial advisory services to state and local governments across the nation for the funding of education, housing, health services, transportation, utilities, capital facil- ities, redevelopment and general infrastructure projects. Income from our equity investment in the firm was $4.3 million, compared to $2.1 million in 2008, primarily due to SBS participating in more and larger municipal bond offerings as senior and co-manager. SBS has ranked in the top 25 senior-managing municipal bond underwriters for the past eight years, is currently ranked eighth and is also the nation’s number one book-running senior-manag- ing municipal bond underwriter among woman and minority-owned firms.* In 2009, SBS senior- managed over $5.87 billion in municipal financings and co-managed over $89.3 billion. Senior- managed deals included $1.30 billion State of California; $1.00 billion Dallas Area Rapid Transit; $549.7 million State of Connecticut, and $645.4 million New York City Water Finance Authority. * Thomson Reuters: First Quarter 2010. Stock Buy-Back On January 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a buy-back of up to 300,000 shares of our common stock. Under this program, shares are purchased from time to time, at our discretion, in the open market and in private transactions. During 2009, we repurchased 16,790 shares of common stock at an average price of $1.99. Challenge and Response The volatility of the market and flight to safety by individual investors are challenging all broker- age firms to maintain revenue levels. Our response has been different than some of our competi- tors. Independent investors who choose discount brokers rather than full-service brokers do not want investment decisions made for them, but they do want the best support they can get. We believe we provide it by combining exceptional personal service with a bundled, all-inclusive offering at a fair commission charge, which we are happy to individually negotiate. Many com- petitors publish lower commission charges that may not include all account fees, provide the same level of personal service, or offer the diversity of online content and functionality for which we, in almost every case, charge nothing extra. This approach allows us to appeal to the broadest cross-section of the discount brokerage marketplace who trade by broker, online and through wireless devices. We remain well-capitalized and well-positioned to acquire smaller firms. We continue to pursue potential opportunities throughout our core and ancillary businesses. We look forward to building on our strong foundation and continuously improving the value we deliver, as we begin another year of shared progress and achievement, working to enhance the worth and extend the scope of your Company. Thank you for your support, Muriel Siebert Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer P.S. We encourage all shareholders to take advantage of the Shareholder Discount Program through which holders of at least 100 Siebert shares can receive five commission-free trades per year plus a special shareholder commission discount. For specific details, contact James Burzynski, Manager, New Accounts, at 800-872-0711 and identify yourself as a shareholder. The New Accounts Department is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-K (Mark One) ⌧ ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2009 (cid:134) TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from______________to________________ Commission file number 0-5703 Siebert Financial Corp. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York (Address of principal executive offices) 11-1796714 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 10022 (Zip Code) (212) 644-2400 Registrant’s telephone number Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: Title of each class COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE Name of each exchange on which registered THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET LLC Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: NONE (Title of class) Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES (cid:134) NO ⌧ Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES(cid:134) NO ⌧ Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ⌧ NO (cid:134) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES (cid:134) NO (cid:134) Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ⌧ Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. (See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Large accelerated filer (cid:134) Accelerated filer (cid:134) Non-accelerated filer (cid:134) Smaller reporting company ⌧ Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2). YES (cid:134) NO ⌧ The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the last sale price of the Common Stock reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2009)), was $3,393,138. The number of shares of the Registrant’s outstanding Common Stock, as of March 12, 2010, was 22,184,105 shares. Documents Incorporated by Reference: Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act on or before April 30, 2010 is incorporated by reference into Part III. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as oral statements that may be made by the Company or by officers, directors or employees of the Company acting on the Company’s behalf, that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and known and unknown factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from historical results or from any future expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including without limitation: changes in general economic and market conditions; changes and prospects for changes in interest rates; fluctuations in volume and prices of securities; demand for brokerage and investment banking services; competition within and without the discount brokerage business, including the offer of broader services; competition from electronic discount brokerage firms offering greater discounts on commissions than the Company; the prevalence of a flat fee environment; decline in participation in corporate or municipal finance underwritings; limited trading opportunities; the method of placing trades by the Company’s customers; computer and telephone system failures; the level of spending by the Company on advertising and promotion; trading errors and the possibility of losses from customer non-payment of amounts due; other increases in expenses and changes in net capital or other regulatory requirements. - 2 - PART I Item 1. BUSINESS General Siebert Financial Corp. is a holding company that conducts its retail discount brokerage and investment banking business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation. Muriel F. Siebert, the first woman member of the New York Stock Exchange, is our Chairwoman and President and owns approximately 90% of our outstanding common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). For purposes of this Annual Report, the terms “Siebert” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Siebert Financial Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. Our principal offices are located at 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and our phone number is (212) 644- 2400. Our Internet address is www.siebertnet.com. Our SEC filings are available through our website at www.siebertnet.com, where you are able to obtain copies of the Company’s public filings free of charge. Our Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SIEB”. Business Overview Siebert’s principal activity is providing Internet and traditional discount brokerage and related services to retail investors and, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Siebert Woman’s Financial Network, Inc (“WFN”), providing products, services and information devoted to women’s financial needs. Through its Capital Markets division, Siebert also offers institutional clients equity execution services on an agency basis, as well as equity and fixed income underwriting and investment banking services. We believe that we are the largest Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (“WBE”) in the capital markets business in the country. In addition, Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., LLC (“SBS”), a company in which Siebert holds a 49% ownership interest, is the largest Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (“MWBE”) in the tax-exempt underwriting business in the country. The Retail Division Discount Brokerage and Related Services. Siebert became a discount broker on May 1, 1975. Siebert believes that it has been in business and a member of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) longer than any other discount broker. In 1998, Siebert began to offer its customers access to their accounts through SiebertNet, its Internet website. Siebert’s focus in its discount brokerage business is to serve retail clients seeking a wide selection of quality investment services, including trading through a broker on the telephone, through a wireless device or via the Internet, at commissions that are substantially lower than those of full- commission firms. Siebert clears its securities transactions on a fully disclosed basis through National Financial Services Corp. (“NFS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity Investments. Siebert serves investors who make their own investment decisions. Siebert seeks to assist its customers in their investment decisions by offering a number of value added services, including easy access to account information. Siebert’s representatives are available to assist customers with information via toll-free 800 service Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Through its SiebertNet, Mobile Broker, inter-active voice recognition and Siebert MarketPhone services, 24-hour access is available to customers. Independent Retail Execution Services. Siebert and our clearing agent monitor order flow in an effort to ensure that we are getting the best possible trade executions for customers. Siebert does not make markets in securities, nor does it take positions against customer orders. Siebert’s equity orders are routed by its clearing agent in a manner intended to afford its customers the opportunity for price improvement on all orders. The firm also offers customers execution services through various electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) for an additional fee. These systems give customer’s access to numerous ECNs before and after regular market hours. Siebert believes that its over-the counter executions consistently afford its customers the opportunity for price improvement. Customers may also indicate online interest in buying or selling fixed income securities, including municipal bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, Government Sponsored Enterprises, Unit Investment Trusts or Certificates of Deposit. These transactions are serviced by registered representatives. Retail Customer Service. Siebert believes that superior customer service enhances its ability to compete with larger discount brokerage firms and therefore provides retail customers, at no additional charge, with personal service via toll-free access to dedicated customer support personnel for all of its products and services. Customer service personnel are located in each of Siebert’s branch offices. Siebert has retail offices in New York, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey; Boca Raton, Surfside, West Palm Beach and Naples, Florida; and Beverly Hills, California. Siebert uses a proprietary Customer Relationship Management System that enables representatives, no matter where located, to view a customer’s service requests and the response thereto. Siebert’s telephone system permits the automatic routing of calls to the next available agent having the appropriate skill set. - 3 - Retirement Accounts. Siebert offers customers a variety of self-directed retirement accounts for which it acts as agent on all transactions. Custodial services are provided through an affiliate of NFS, the firm’s clearing agent, which also serves as trustee for such accounts. Each IRA, SEP IRA, ROTH IRA, 401(k) and KEOGH account can be invested in mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other investments in a consolidated account. Customer Financing. Customers margin accounts are carried through Siebert’s clearing agent which lends customers a portion of the market value of certain securities held in the customer’s account. Margin loans are collateralized by these securities. Customers also may sell securities short in a margin account, subject to minimum equity and applicable margin requirements, and the availability of such securities to be borrowed. In permitting customers to engage in margin, short sale or any transaction, Siebert assumes the risk of its customers’ failure to meet their obligations in the event of adverse changes in the market value of the securities positions. Both Siebert and its clearing agents reserve the right to set margin requirements higher than those established by the Federal Reserve Board. Siebert has established policies with respect to maximum purchase commitments for new customers or customers with inadequate collateral to support a requested purchase. Managers have some flexibility in the allowance of certain transactions. When transactions occur outside normal guidelines, Siebert monitors accounts closely until their payment obligations are completed; if the customer does not meet the commitment, Siebert takes steps to close out the position and minimize any loss. Siebert has not had significant credit losses in the last five years. Information and Communications Systems. Siebert relies heavily on the data technology platform provided by its clearing agent, NFS LLC (“NFS”). This platform offers an interface to NFS’ main frame computing system where all customer account records are kept and is accessible by Siebert’s network. Siebert’s systems also utilize browser based access and other types of data communications. Siebert’s representatives use NFS systems, by way of Siebert’s technology platform, to perform daily operational functions which include trade entry, trade reporting, clearing related activities, risk management and account maintenance. Siebert’s data technology platform offers services used in direct relation to customer related activities as well as support for corporate use. Some of these services include email and messaging, market data systems and third party trading systems, business productivity tools and customer relationship management systems. Siebert’s branch offices are connected to the main offices in New York, New York and Jersey City, New Jersey via a virtual private network. Siebert’s data network is designed with redundancy in case a significant business disruption occurs. Siebert’s voice network offers a call center feature that can route and queue calls for certain departments within the organization. Additionally, the systems call manager offers reporting and tracking features which enable staff to determine how calls are being managed, such as time on hold, call duration and total calls by agent. To ensure reliability and to conform to regulatory requirements related to business continuity, Siebert maintains backup systems and backup data. However, in the event of a wide spread disruption, such as a massive natural disaster, Siebert’s ability to satisfy the obligations to customers and other securities firms could be significantly hampered or completely disrupted. For more information regarding Siebert’s Business Continuity Plan, please visit our website at www.siebertnet.com or write to us at Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., Compliance Department, 885 Third Avenue, Suite 1720, New York, NY 10022. Our new website has the following design, navigation, and functionality features such as: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Informative trading screens: Customers can stay in touch while trading, double-check balances, positions and order status, see real time quotes, intraday and annual charts and news headlines – automatically – as they place orders. Multiple orders: Customers can place as many as 10 orders at one time. Tax-lot trading: Our online equity order entry screen allows customers to specify tax lots which display with cost basis and current gain/loss on a real-time Positions page. Trailing stop orders: Customers can enter an order that trails the market as a percentage of share price or with a flat dollar value and the system will execute their instructions automatically. Contingent orders: Customers can place One-Triggers-Two Bracket and One-Cancels-Other Bracket orders. Options Wizard and Strategy Builder: Customers can review single and complex options combinations and components of each along with profit/risk potential and impact of time. The Strategy Builder presents real-time debit/credit amounts, potential maximum gain/loss and potential breakeven points by strike price. An easy-to-install desktop security program that may be installed to help protect against certain types of online fraud such as “keylogging” and “phishing.” A majority of the original site clients have registered to use the new site and feedback is generally positive. - 4 - The Capital Markets Division Siebert’s Capital Markets Group (“SCM”) division serves as a co-manager, underwriting syndicate member, or selling group member on a wide spectrum of securities offerings for corporations and Federal agencies. The principal activities of the Capital Markets Division are investment banking and institutional equity execution services. SCM provides high-quality brokerage service to both institutional investors and issuers of equity and fixed-income securities. Siebert, Brandford Shank & Co., LLC Muriel Siebert & Co. Inc. (“Siebert”) owns 49% of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC (“SBS”), the remaining 51% is owned by Napoleon Brandford III and Suzanne F. Shank. SBS has been serving the public sector and growing the firm since 1996. SBS provides municipal underwriting and financial advisory services to state and local governments across the nation for the funding of education, housing, health services, transportation, utilities, capital facilities, redevelopment and general infrastructure projects, serving important issuers across the nation. SBS has offices across the nation. Effective April 19, 2005, Siebert Financial Corp. (“SFC”) entered into an Operating Agreement with Suzanne Shank and Napoleon Brandford III, the two individual principals (“the “Principals”) of SBS Financial Products Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SBSFPC”). Pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement, SFC and each of the Principals made an initial capital contribution of 33.33% initial interest in SBSFPC. SBSFPC engages in derivatives transactions related to the municipal underwriting business. Certain risks are involved in the underwriting of securities. Underwriting syndicates agree to purchase securities at a discount from the initial public offering price. An underwriter is exposed to losses on the securities that it has committed to purchase if the securities must be sold below the cost to the syndicate. In the last several years, investment banking firms have increasingly underwritten corporate and municipal offerings with fewer syndicate participants or, in some cases, without an underwriting syndicate. In these cases, the underwriter assumes a larger part or all of the risk of an underwriting transaction. Under Federal securities laws, other laws and court decisions, an underwriter is exposed to substantial potential liability for material misstatements or omissions of fact in the prospectus used to describe the securities being offered. Advertising, Marketing and Promotion Siebert develops and maintains its retail customer base through printed advertising in financial publications, broadcast commercials over national and local cable TV channels, as well as promotional efforts and public appearances by Ms. Siebert. Additionally, a significant number of the firm’s new accounts are developed directly from referrals by satisfied customers. Competition Siebert encounters significant competition from full-commission, online and discount brokerage firms, as well as from financial institutions, mutual fund sponsors and other organizations, many of which are significantly larger and better capitalized than Siebert. Although there has been consolidation in the industry in both the online and traditional brokerage business during recent years, Siebert believes that additional competitors such as banks, insurance companies, providers of online financial and information services and others will continue to be attracted to the online brokerage industry. Many of these competitors are larger, more diversified, have greater capital resources, and offer a wider range of services and financial products than Siebert. Some such firms are offering their services over the Internet and have devoted more resources to and have more elaborate websites than Siebert. Siebert competes with a wide variety of vendors of financial services for the same customers. Siebert believes that its main competitive advantages are high quality customer service, responsiveness, cost and products offered, the breadth of product line and excellent executions. Regulation The securities industry in the United States is subject to extensive regulation under both Federal and state laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is the Federal agency charged with administration of the Federal securities laws. Siebert is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, and is a member of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Much of the regulation of broker-dealers has been delegated to self-regulatory organizations, principally FINRA and national securities exchanges such as the NYSE, which is Siebert’s primary regulator with respect to financial and operational compliance. These self-regulatory organizations adopt rules (subject to approval by the SEC) governing the industry and conduct periodic examinations of broker-dealers. Securities firms are also subject to regulation by state securities authorities in the states in which they do business. Siebert is registered as a broker-dealer in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. - 5 - The principal purpose of regulation and discipline of broker-dealers is the protection of customers and the securities markets, rather than protection of creditors and stockholders of broker-dealers. The regulations to which broker-dealers are subject cover all aspects of the securities business, including training of personnel, sales methods, trading practices among broker-dealers, uses and safekeeping of customers’ funds and securities, capital structure of securities firms, record keeping, fee arrangements, disclosure to clients, and the conduct of directors, officers and employees. Additional legislation, changes in rules promulgated by the SEC and by self-regulatory organizations or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules may directly affect the method of operation and profitability of broker-dealers and investment advisers. The SEC, self-regulatory organizations and state securities authorities may conduct administrative proceedings which can result in censure, fine, cease and desist orders or suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer or an investment adviser, its officers or its employees. As a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member organization, Siebert is required by Federal law to belong to the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) which provides, in the event of the liquidation of a broker-dealer, protection for securities held in customer accounts held by the firm of up to $500,000 per customer, subject to a limitation of $100,000 on claims for cash balances. The SIPC is funded through assessments on registered broker-dealers. In addition, Siebert, through its clearing agent, has purchased from private insurers additional account protection in the event of liquidation up to the net asset value, as defined, of each account. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and money market funds are included at net asset value for purposes of SIPC protection and the additional protection. Neither SIPC protection nor the additional protection insures against fluctuations in the market value of securities. Siebert is also authorized by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board to effect transactions in municipal securities on behalf of its customers and has obtained certain additional registrations with the SEC and state regulatory agencies necessary to permit it to engage in certain other activities incidental to its brokerage business. Margin lending arranged by Siebert is subject to the margin rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the NYSE. Under such rules, broker-dealers are limited in the amount they may lend in connection with certain purchases and short sales of securities and are also required to impose certain maintenance requirements on the amount of securities and cash held in margin accounts. In addition, those rules and rules of the Chicago Board Options Exchange govern the amount of margin customers must provide and maintain in writing uncovered options. Net Capital Requirements As a registered broker-dealer, Siebert is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) (the “Net Capital Rule”), which has also been adopted by the NYSE. The Net Capital Rule specifies minimum net capital requirements for all registered broker-dealers and is designed to measure financial integrity and liquidity. Failure to maintain the required regulatory net capital may subject a firm to suspension or expulsion by the NYSE and FINRA, certain punitive actions by the SEC and other regulatory bodies and, ultimately, may require a firm’s liquidation. Regulatory net capital is defined as net worth (assets minus liabilities), plus qualifying subordinated borrowings, less certain deductions that result from excluding assets that are not readily convertible into cash and from conservatively valuing certain other assets. These deductions include charges that discount the value of security positions held by Siebert to reflect the possibility of adverse changes in market value prior to disposition. The Net Capital Rule requires notice of equity capital withdrawals to be provided to the SEC prior to and subsequent to withdrawals exceeding certain sizes. The Net Capital Rule also allows the SEC, under limited circumstances, to restrict a broker- dealer from withdrawing equity capital for up to 20 business days. The Net Capital Rule of the NYSE also provides that equity capital may not be drawn or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than 5 percent of aggregate debits. Under applicable regulations, Siebert is required to maintain regulatory net capital of at least $250,000. At December 31, 2009, and 2008, Siebert had net capital of $21.1 million and $25.6 million, respectively. Siebert claims exemption from the reserve requirement under Section 15c3-3(k)(2)(ii). Employees As of March 19, 2010, we had approximately 77 full-time employees, six of whom were corporate officers. None of our employees is represented by a union, and we believe that relations with our employees are good. - 6 - Item 1A. RISK FACTORS Securities market volatility and other securities industry risk could adversely affect our business Most of our revenues are derived from our securities brokerage business. Like other businesses operating in the securities industry, our business is directly affected by volatile trading markets, fluctuations in the volume of market activity, economic and political conditions, upward and downward trends in business and finance at large, legislation and regulation affecting the national and international business and financial communities, currency values, inflation, market conditions, the availability and cost of short-term or long-term funding and capital, the credit capacity or perceived credit worthiness of the securities industry in the marketplace and the level and volatility of interest rates. Continuation of recent turmoil in the financial markets, continued weakness in general economic conditions, or other risks associated with our business and the securities industry in general could reduce trading volumes and consequently may have a material adverse effect upon our commission or fee income. We also face risks relating to trading losses, losses resulting from the ownership or underwriting of securities, counterparty failure to meet commitments, customer fraud, employee fraud, issuer fraud, errors and misconduct, failures in connection with the processing of securities transactions and litigation. A reduction in our revenues or a loss resulting from our underwriting or ownership of securities or sales or trading of securities could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, as a result of these risks, our revenues and operating results may be subject to significant fluctuations from quarter to quarter and from year to year. Lower price levels in the securities markets may reduce our profitability. Lower price levels of securities may result in (i) reduced volumes of securities, options and futures transactions, with a consequent reduction in our commission revenues, and (ii) losses from declines in the market value of securities we held in investment and underwriting positions. In periods of low volume, our levels of profitability are further adversely affected because certain of our expenses remain relatively fixed. Sudden sharp declines in market values of securities and the failure of issuers and counterparties to perform their obligations can result in illiquid markets which, in turn, may result in our having difficulty selling securities. Such negative market conditions, if prolonged, may also lower our revenues from investment banking and other activities. A reduction in our revenues from investment banking or other activities could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. There is intense competition in the brokerage industry. Siebert encounters significant competition from full-commission, online and other discount brokerage firms, as well as from financial institutions, mutual fund sponsors and other organizations many of which are significantly larger and better capitalized than Siebert. SBS also encounters significant competition from firms engaged in the municipal finance business. Over the past several years, price wars and lower commission rates in the discount brokerage business in general have strengthened our competitors. Siebert believes that such changes in the industry will continue to strengthen existing competitors and attract additional competitors such as banks, insurance companies, providers of online financial and information services, and others. Many of these competitors are larger, more diversified, have greater capital resources, and offer a wider range of services and financial products than Siebert. Siebert competes with a wide variety of vendors of financial services for the same customers. Siebert may not be able to compete effectively with current or future competitors. Some competitors in the discount brokerage business offer services which we do not, including financial advice and investment management. In addition, some competitors have continued to offer lower flat rate execution fees that are difficult for any conventional discount firm to meet. Industry-wide changes in trading practices are expected to cause continuing pressure on fees earned by discount brokers for the sale of order flow. Many of the flat fee brokers impose charges for services such as mailing, transfers and handling exchanges which Siebert does not and also direct their execution to captive market makers. Continued or increased competition from ultra low cost, flat fee brokers and broader service offerings from other discount brokers could limit our growth or lead to a decline in Siebert’s customer base which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are subject to extensive government regulation. Our business is subject to extensive regulation in the United States, at both the Federal and state level. We are also subject to regulation by self–regulatory organizations and other regulatory bodies in the Untied States, such as the SEC, the NYSE, FINRA and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (the “MSRB”). We are registered as a broker-dealer in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The regulations to which we are subject as a broker-dealer cover all aspects of the securities business including: training of personnel, sales methods, trading practices, uses and safe keeping of customers’ funds and securities, capital structure, record keeping, fee arrangements, disclosure and the conduct of directors, officers and employees. Failure to comply with any of these laws, rules or regulations, which may be subject to the uncertainties of interpretation, could result in civil penalties, fines, suspension or expulsion and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. - 7 - The laws, rules and regulations, as well as governmental policies and accounting principles, governing our business and the financial services and banking industries generally have changed significantly over recent years and are expected to continue to do so. We cannot predict which changes in laws, rules, regulations, governmental policies or accounting principles will be adopted. Any changes in the laws, rules, regulations, governmental policies or accounting principles relating to our business could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are subject to net capital requirements. The SEC, FINRA, and various other securities and commodities exchanges and other regulatory bodies in the United States have rules with respect to net capital requirements which affect us. These rules have the effect of requiring that at least a substantial portion of a broker-dealer’s assets be kept in cash or highly liquid investments. Our compliance with the net capital requirements could limit operations that require intensive use of capital, such as underwriting or trading activities. These rules could also restrict our ability to withdraw our capital, even in circumstances where we have more than the minimum amount of required capital, which, in turn, could limit our ability to implement growth strategies. In addition, a change in such rules, or the imposition of new rules, affecting the scope, coverage, calculation or amount to such net capital requirements, or a significant operating loss or any unusually large charge against net capital, could have similar adverse effects. Our customers may fail to pay us. A principal credit risk to which we are exposed on a regular basis is that our customers may fail to pay for their purchases or fail to maintain the minimum required collateral for amounts borrowed against securities positions maintained by them. We cannot assure you that the policies and procedures we have established will be adequate to prevent a significant credit loss. We face risks relating to our investment banking activities. Certain risks are involved in the underwriting of securities. Investment banking and underwriting syndicates agree to purchase securities at a discount from the public offering price. If the securities must be sold below the syndicate cost, an underwriter is exposed to losses on the securities that it has committed to purchase. In the last several years, investment banking firms increasingly have underwritten corporate and municipal offerings with fewer syndicate participants or, in some cases, without an underwriting syndicate. In these cases, the underwriter assumes a larger part or all of the risk of an underwriting transaction. Under Federal securities laws, other laws and court decisions, an underwriter is exposed to substantial potential liability for material misstatements or omissions of fact in the prospectus used to describe the securities being offered. While municipal securities are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, underwriters of municipal securities are exposed to substantial potential liability for material misstatements or omissions of fact in the offering documents prepared for these offerings. An increase in volume on our systems or other events could cause them to malfunction. During 2009, we received and processed up to 69% of our trade orders electronically. This method of trading is heavily dependent on the integrity of the electronic systems supporting it. While we have never experienced a significant failure of our trading systems, heavy stress placed on our systems during peak trading times could cause our systems to operate at unacceptably low speeds or fail altogether. Any significant degradation or failure of our systems or the systems of third parties involved in the trading process (e.g., online and Internet service providers, record keeping and data processing functions performed by third parties, and third party software), even for a short time, could cause customers to suffer delays in trading. These delays could cause substantial losses for customers and could subject us to claims from these customers for losses. There can be no assurance that our network structure will operate appropriately in the event of a subsystem, component or software failure. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to prevent an extended systems failure in the event of a power or telecommunications failure, an earthquake, terrorist attack, fire or any act of God. Any systems failure that causes interruptions in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. We rely on information processing and communications systems to process and record our transactions. Our operations rely heavily on information processing and communications systems. Our system for processing securities transactions is highly automated. Failure of our information processing or communications systems for a significant period of time could limit our ability to process a large volume of transactions accurately and rapidly. This could cause us to be unable to satisfy our obligations to customers and other securities firms, and could result in regulatory violations. External events, such as an earthquake, terrorist attack or power failure, loss of external information feeds, such as security price information, as well as internal malfunctions such as those that could occur during the implementation of system modifications, could render part or all of these systems inoperative. - 8 - We may not be able to keep up pace with continuing changes in technology. Our market is characterized by rapidly changing technology. To be successful, we must adapt to this rapidly changing environment by continually improving the performance, features and reliability of our services. We could incur substantial costs if we need to modify our services or infrastructure or adapt our technology to respond to these changes. A delay or failure to address technological advances and developments or an increase in costs resulting from these changes could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We depend on our ability to attract and retain key personnel. Our continued success is principally dependent on our founder, Muriel F. Siebert, Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President and our senior management. In addition, the continued success of SBS may be dependent on the services of Napoleon Brandford III and Suzanne Shank. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could significantly harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Our principal shareholder may control many key decisions. Ms. Muriel F. Siebert currently owns approximately 90% of our outstanding common stock. Ms. Siebert will have the power to elect the entire Board of Directors and, except as otherwise provided by law or our Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws, to approve any action requiring shareholder approval without a shareholders meeting. There may be no public market for our common stock. Only approximately 2,200,000 shares, or approximately 10% of our shares outstanding, are currently held by the public. Although our common stock is traded in The Nasdaq Global Market, there can be no assurance that an active public market will continue. Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS Not applicable. Item 2. PROPERTIES Siebert currently maintains seven retail discount brokerage offices. Customers can visit the offices to obtain market information, place orders, open accounts, deliver and receive checks and securities, and obtain related customer services in person. Nevertheless, most of Siebert’s activities are conducted on the Internet or by telephone and mail. Siebert operates its business out of the following seven leased offices: Location Corporate Headquarters, Retail and Investment Banking Office 885 Third Ave. New York, NY 10022 Institutional Trading Office 225 Franklin St. Boston, MA 02110 Retail Offices 9701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1111 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 4400 North Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL 33431 111 Pavonia Avenue(1) Jersey City, NJ 07310 400 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 100 Naples, FL 34102 1217 South Flager Drive, 3rd Floor Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 9569 Harding Avenue Surfside, FL 33154 Approximate Office Area in Square Feet Expiration Date of Current Lease Renewal Terms 7,828 1/14/11 None 100 9/30/10 None 1,200 2,438 10/31/10 Month to Month None None 7,768 6/30/12 None 1,008 4/30/11 None 3,000 9/30/12 None 1,150 8/30/10 None (1) Certain of our administrative and back office functions are performed at this location. - 9 - We believe that our properties are in good condition and are suitable for our operations. Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We are involved in various routine lawsuits of a nature we deem to be customary and incidental to our business. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate disposition of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Siebert terminated a clearing agreement with Pershing LLC (“Pershing”) in 2003. Based on consultation with counsel, Siebert believes that $1,500,000 that it advanced to Pershing in January 2003 should have been returned. Pershing expressed its belief that it was entitled to retain the advance and receive a minimum of $3 million for its unreimbursed costs, a termination fee of $500,000 and $5 million for lost revenues. Siebert received a release for the $3 million related to disputed claims for unreimbursed fees and costs. In 2004, Siebert decided not to commence proceedings against Pershing and charged off the $1,500,000 advance to Pershing. The statute of limitations with respect to any contract claims by either party expired in July 2009. Item 4. REMOVED AND RESERVED - 10 - PART II Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “SIEB”. The high and low sales prices of our common stock reported by Nasdaq during the following calendar quarters were: First Quarter - 2008........................................................................................................................................ $ 4.00 High Low $ 2.96 Second Quarter - 2008 ................................................................................................................................... $ 3.73 $ 2.90 Third Quarter - 2008 ...................................................................................................................................... $ 3.42 $ 3.00 Fourth Quarter - 2008 .................................................................................................................................... $ 3.30 $ 1.00 First Quarter – 2009....................................................................................................................................... $ 2.00 $ 1.27 Second Quarter – 2009................................................................................................................................... $ 2.52 $ 1.30 Third Quarter – 2009 ..................................................................................................................................... $ 2.92 $ 1.63 Fourth Quarter – 2009.................................................................................................................................... $ 2.79 $ 2.24 January 1, 2010 - March 12, 2010 ................................................................................................................. $ 2.49 $ 2.25 On March 12, 2010, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $2.33 per share. There were 130 holders of record of our common stock and more than 1,500 beneficial owners of our common stock on March 13, 2010. Dividend Policy Our Board of Directors periodically considers whether to declare dividends. In considering whether to pay such dividends, our Board of Directors will review our earnings capital requirements, economic forecasts and such other factors as are deemed relevant. Some portion of our earnings will be retained to provide capital for the operation and expansion of our business. On June 9, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of ten cents per share on the common stock of the Company, which was paid on June 30, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 23, 2008. The total amount paid on this dividend declaration was $467,000. Ms. Muriel F. Siebert, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company waived the right to receive the dividend in excess of the aggregate amount paid to other shareholders. Other shareholders were paid dividends of $234,000. Issuer Purchase Of Equity Securities On May 15, 2000, our Board of Directors authorized a buy back of up to one million shares of our common stock. We completed this program in 2008. On January 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300,000 shares of our common stock. We will purchase shares from time to time, in our discretion, in the open market and in private transactions. We purchased 4,415 shares at an average price of $2.37 in the fourth quarter of 2009. A summary of our repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2009 is as follows: Period October 2009........................................................... November 2009....................................................... December 2009 ....................................................... Total........................................................................ Total Number Of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Cumulative Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plan 0 494 3,921 4,415 $ $ $ - 11 - 2.34 2.37 2.37 24,523 25,017 28,938 28,938 275,477 274,983 271,062 271,062 The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2008 with respect to our equity compensation plans. Equity Compensation Plan Information Plan Category Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Number of Securities remaining available for issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) ............................................................ 1,767,200 $ 4.07 1,700,000 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)............................................... 41,400 Total...................................................................... 1,808,600 — $ 4.07 — 1,700,000 (1) (2) Represents our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Represents our 1998 Restricted Stock Award Plan. Material Terms of the 1998 Restricted Stock Award Plan Our 1998 Restricted Stock Award Plan provides for awards to key employees of not more than an aggregate of 60,000 shares of our common stock, subject to adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and other changes in our capitalization, to be issued either immediately after the award or at a future date. As of December 31, 2009, 41,400 shares of our common stock under the Restricted Stock Award Plan had been awarded and were outstanding. As provided in the plan and subject to restrictions, shares awarded may not be disposed of by the recipients for a period of one year from the date of the award. Cash dividends on shares awarded are held by us for the benefit of the recipients, subject to the same restrictions as the award. These dividends, without interest, are paid to the recipients upon lapse of the restrictions. - 12 - Our Performance: The graph below compares our performance from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009, against the performance of the Nasdaq Market Index and a peer group. The peer group consists of A.B. Watley Group Inc., Ameritrade Holding Corporation, E*Trade Financial Corporation and The Charles Schwab Corporation. COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* Among Siebert Financial Corp., The NASDAQ Composite Index And A Peer Group * $100 invested on December 31, 2004 in stock, in peer group and NASDAQ Composite Index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31. - 13 - Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (In thousands except share and per share data) The Following Selected Financial Information Should Be Read In Conjunction With Our Consolidated Financial Statements And The Related Notes Thereto. 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 Income statement data: Total Revenues .................................................... Net (loss) income ................................................. Net (loss) income per share of common stock Basic ................................................................. Diluted.............................................................. $ $ $ $ 25,390 (1,183) (0.05) (0.05) Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) ...... Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) ... 22,193,845 22,193,845 Statement of financial condition data (at year- end): Total assets........................................................... Total liabilities excluding subordinated borrowings........................................................ Stockholders’ equity ............................................ Cash dividends declared on common shares (1) .. $ $ $ $ 44,083 4,695 39,388 0 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 29,750 (1,760) (0.08) (0.08) 22,208,372 22,208,372 45,579 4,995 40,584 466 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 31,890 2,258 0.10 0.10 $ $ $ $ 28,818 3,425 0.15 0.15 22,206,346 22,273,550 22,129,566 22,252,851 47,924 5,704 42,220 559 $ $ $ $ 46,869 6,460 40,409 359 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 29,323 1,863 0.08 0.08 22,093,369 22,127,940 43,027 5,975 37,052 0 (1) The Chief Executive Officer of the Company waived the right to receive the dividend in excess of the aggregate amount paid to other shareholders Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS This discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Annual Report. The financial crisis affecting the global economy has created historic volatility in the market place. Our working capital is invested primarily in money market funds, so that liquidity has not been materially affected. The crisis did have the effect of reducing participation in the securities market by our retail and institutional customers, which has had an adverse effect on our revenues. Our Capital Markets division has increased its revenue base and participated in more corporate offerings despite a slight decrease in institutional trading. Our affiliate, Siebert Brandford Shank, LLC had a record year in 2009 by increasing its market share and participating in more transactions as senior and co-managers. Our expenses include the costs of an arbitration proceeding commenced in by a former employee following the termination of his employment, which remains unresolved. The Company believes that the action is without merit, but the costs of defense which are included as professional expenses, have adversely affected the Company’s results of operations and may continue to affect the results of operations until the action is completed. We, like other securities firms, are directly affected by general economic and market conditions including fluctuations in volume and prices of securities, changes and the prospect of changes in interest rates, and demand for brokerage and investment banking services, all of which can affect our profitability. In addition, in periods of reduced financial market activity, profitability is likely to be adversely affected because certain expenses remain relatively fixed, including salaries and related costs, portions of communications costs and occupancy expenses. Accordingly, earnings for any period should not be considered representative of earnings to be expected for any other period. Competition continues to intensify among all types of brokerage firms, including established discount brokers and new firms entering the on-line brokerage business. Electronic trading continues to account for an increasing amount of trading activity, with some firms charging very low trading execution fees that are difficult for any conventional discount firm to meet. Some of these brokers, however, impose asset based charges for services such as mailing, transfers and handling exchanges which we do not currently impose, and also direct their orders to market makers where they have a financial interest. Continued competition could limit our growth or even lead to a decline in our customer base, which would adversely affect our results of operations. Industry-wide changes in trading practices, such as the continued use of Electronic Communications Networks, are expected to put continuing pressure on commissions/fees earned by brokers while increasing volatility. - 14 - We are a party to an Operating Agreement (the “Operating Agreement”), with Suzanne Shank and Napoleon Brandford III, the two individual principals (the “Principals”) of SBS Financial Products Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SBSFPC”). Pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement, the Company and each of the Principals made an initial capital contribution of $400,000 in exchange for a 33.33% initial interest in SBSFPC. SBSFPC engages in derivatives transactions related to the municipal underwriting business. The Operating Agreement provides that profit and loss will be shared 66.66% by the Principals and 33.33% by us. Operations from SBSFPC is considered to be integral to our operation. As a result of our settlement with Intuit, Inc. of a lawsuit relating to a Strategic Alliance Agreement between Siebert and Intuit, $2,024,000 of liabilities recorded by Siebert for expenses prior to December 31, 2003, were reversed in the fourth quarter of 2007. On January 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a buy back of up to 300,000 shares of our common stock. Under this program, shares are purchased from time to time, at our discretion, in the open market and in private transactions. During 2009 we repurchased 16,790 shares of common stock for an average price of $1.99. Critical Accounting Policies We generally follow accounting policies standard in the brokerage industry and believe that our policies appropriately reflect our financial position and results of operations. Our management makes significant estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities included in the financial statements. The estimates relate primarily to revenue and expense items in the normal course of business as to which we receive no confirmations, invoices, or other documentation, at the time the books are closed for a period. We use our best judgment, based on our knowledge of revenue transactions and expenses incurred, to estimate the amount of such revenue and expenses. We are not aware of any material differences between the estimates used in closing our books for the last five years and the actual amounts of revenue and expenses incurred when we subsequently receive the actual confirmations, invoices or other documentation. Estimates are also used in determining the useful lives of intangibles assets, and the fair market value of intangible assets. Our management believes that its estimates are reasonable. Results of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2008 Revenues. Total revenues for 2009 were $25.4 million, a decrease of $4.4 million, or 14.7%, from 2008. Commission and fee income decreased $6.0 million, or 24.7%, from the prior year to $18.2 million due to a decrease in revenues from institutional trading, commission recapture and retail customer trading. Institutional equity trading decreased due to a reduction of institutional customers participating in fewer buyback programs. Retail customer volumes decreased; however, the average commission charged per trade increased due to more retail customers executing trades online using our new front end system which allows customers to execute larger orders which therefore increases the commission earned per trade ticket. Investment banking revenues increased $1.9 million or 54.8%, from the prior year to $5.4 million in 2009 due to our participation in more new issues in the equity and debt capital markets due to the need for banks and financial companies needing to raise funds to shore up their capital or paying down United States Government TARP loans. Trading profits increased $404,000, or 32.8%, from the prior year to $1.6 million primarily due to the addition of a debt sales-trader and an increase in trading volume due to our customers seeking security in the debt markets. Income from interest and dividends decreased $690,000, or 84.9%, from the prior year to $123,000 primarily due to lower yields on investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and money market funds and lower cash balances. Expenses. Total expenses for 2009 were $32.1 million, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 6.2%, from the prior year. Employee compensation and benefit costs decreased $99,000 or 0.8%, from the prior year to $12.2 million. This decrease was primarily due to the expensing of stock options granted to directors of our Company which vested in 2008 as well as reduction in headcount and staff bonus accruals offset by an increase in commissions paid based on production in the capital markets operation, the hiring of additional institutional equity sales trader and employee health insurance. Clearing and floor brokerage fees decreased $919,000, or 14.3%, from the prior year to $5.6 million primarily due to a decrease in volume of trade executions for retail customers and volume relating to the commission recapture and equity institutional trading operations offset by an increase in executions for institutional customers executing trades in the debt market. Professional fees decreased $1.1 million, or 13.5%, from the prior year to $7.0 million primarily due to a decrease in legal fees relating to a dispute with a former employee and consulting fees relating to the commission recapture business offset by an increase in an accrual for legal settlement. - 15 - Advertising and promotion expense increased $4,000, or 0.5%, from the prior year to $813,000 primarily due to an increase in content for our new website offset by decreases in print advertising, production and airing of television commercials in the Florida region and brochures and direct mailings to our retail customer base. Communications expense increased $39,000, or 1.6%, from the prior year to $2.6 million primarily due to an increase in local telephone usage associated with our retail customer base. Occupancy costs decreased $40,000, or 3.0%, from the prior year to $1.3 million due to a decrease in rent in the Florida branches due to one-time costs to set up the West Palm Beach office in 2008 and a rent reduction in July 2009 for our New Jersey office offset by opening an Institutional Trading office in Boston, MA. Other general and administrative expenses decreased $24,000, or 0.9%, from the prior year to $2.7 million primarily due to a decrease in exchange fees, subscriptions, insurance and printing costs offset by increases in travel and entertainment, supplies, postage, bank charges and dues relating to Securities Investor Protection Corp. Income from our equity investment in Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., LLC, an entity in which Siebert holds a 49% equity interest (“SBS”), for 2009 was $4.3 million compared to income of $2.1 million for 2008, an increase of $2.1 million, or 104.8%, primarily due to SBS participating in more and larger municipal bond offerings as senior and co-manager. Loss from our equity investment in SBS Financial Products Company, LLC, an entity in which we hold a 33% equity interest (“SBSFPC”) for 2009, was $63,000 as compared to a loss of $435,000, from the same period in 2008. This decrease was due to a lower mark to market loss in positions in 2009 than in 2008. Results of operations of equity investees is considered to be integral to our operations and material to the results of operations. Taxes. The tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, due to our loss before benefit of $2.5 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. Such benefits represented effective tax rates of 53% in 2009, primarily due to the recording of a tax benefit of $330,000 for the adjustment of prior year accruals and 38% in 2008. Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2007 Revenues. Total revenues for 2008 were $29.8 million, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 6.7%, from 2007 after reclassification of a gain from settlement of a lawsuit in 2007 from revenues to other income. Commission and fee income decreased $1.9 million, or 7.3%, from the prior year to $24.2 million due to a decrease in revenues from institutional trading and retail customer trading. Retail customer volumes increased; however, the average commission charged per trade decreased due to more retail customers executing trades online via the Internet, which has a lower commission charge per ticket. Investment banking revenues increased $112,000, or 3.3%, from the prior year to $3.5 million in 2008 due to our participation in more new issues in the equity and debt capital markets. Trading profits increased $608,000, or 97.4%, from the prior year to $1.2 million primarily due to the addition of a debt sales-trader and an increase in trading volume. Income from interest and dividends decreased $965,000, or 54.3%, from the prior year to $813,000 primarily due to lower yields on investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and lower cash balances. Expenses. Total expenses for 2008 were $34.2 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 9.3%, from the prior year. Employee compensation and benefit costs increased $361,000 or 3.0%, from the prior year to $12.3 million primarily due to the expensing of stock options granted to directors of our Company which vest immediately and an increase in health insurance. Clearing and floor brokerage fees increased $771,000, or 13.5%, from the prior year to $6.5 million primarily due to an increase in volume of trade executions for retail customers and volume relating to the commission recapture operation offset by a decrease in listed floor executions for institutional customers executed at the New York Stock Exchange. Professional fees increased $1.4 million, or 21.0%, from the prior year to $8.1 million primarily due to an increase in legal fees relating to a dispute with a former employee, consulting fees relating to the commission recapture business and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and consulting fees related to the development of our front end computer system. Advertising and promotion expense increased $84,000, or 11.6%, from the prior year to $809,000 primarily due to an increase in print advertising, brochures and direct mailings to our retail customer base. Communications expense increased $550,000, or 27.3%, from the prior year to $2.6 million primarily due to an increase in costs associated with our new website which was launched in the fourth quarter of 2008. Occupancy costs increased $5,000, or 0.4%, from the prior year to $1.3 million due to an increase in rent in the Florida branches and New Jersey office offset by a reduction in rent for our California branch. - 16 - Other general and administrative expenses decreased $249,000, or 8.5%, from the prior year to $2.7 million primarily due to a decrease in depreciation and amortization, placement fees, travel and entertainment, insurance and printing costs offset by increases in subscriptions, computer related expenses and office expenses. Income from our equity investment in Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., LLC, an entity in which Siebert holds a 49% equity interest (“SBS”), for 2008 was $2.1 million compared to income of $1.4 million for 2007, an increase of $743,000, or 53.4%, primarily due to SBS participating in more and larger municipal bond offerings. Loss from our equity investment in SBS Financial Products Company, LLC, an entity in which we hold a 33% equity interest (“SBSFPC”) for 2008, was $435,000 as compared to income of $40,000, from the same period in 2007. This loss was primarily due to a decline in fair value of SBSFPC’s investments in the fourth quarter of 2008. Results of operations of equity investees is considered to be integral to our operations and material to the results of operations. Taxes. The tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1,031,000 based on our loss before income tax of $2,791,000. The tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $1.7 million based on our income before tax of $4.0 million. Such benefit and provision represented effective tax rates of 38% and 43%, respectively. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our assets are highly liquid, consisting generally of cash, money market funds, municipal securities and securities freely saleable in the open market. Our total assets at December 31, 2009 were $44 million, of which we regarded $27.8 million, or 63%, as highly liquid. Siebert is subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC, the NYSE and other regulatory authorities. At December 31, 2009, Siebert’s regulatory net capital was $21.1 million, which was $20.9 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement of $250,000. Siebert has entered into a Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement with SBS under which it is obligated to loan to SBS up to $1.2 million on a subordinated basis collateralized by cash equivalents of approximately $1.5 million as of December 31, 2009. Amounts obligated to be loaned by Siebert under the facility are reflected on our balance sheet as “cash equivalents - restricted”. SBS pays Siebert interest on this amount at the rate of 4% per annum. The facility expires on August 31, 2011 at which time SBS is obligated to repay to Siebert any amounts borrowed by SBS thereunder. Contractual Obligations Below is a table that presents our obligations and commitments at December 31, 2009: Contractual Obligations Operating lease obligations Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements Payment Due By Period Total $ 1,495,000 Less Than 1 Year $ 925,000 1-3 Years $ 570,000 3-5 Years 0 $ $ More Than Five Years 0 Retail customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the clearing broker may charge Siebert for any loss incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customer obligations. Siebert regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. Siebert is exposed to the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers and other counterparties are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. There were no material losses for unsettled customer transactions in 2009. Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Financial Instruments Held For Trading Purposes: Through Siebert, we maintain inventories in exchange-listed equity securities and municipal securities on both a long and short basis. We did not have any short positions at December 31, 2009. The Company does not directly engage in derivative transactions, has no interest in any special purpose entity and has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise, for the debt of another entity except for Siebert’s obligation under its Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement of $1.2 million executed in favor of SBS. SBS pays Siebert interest on this amount at the rate of 4% per annum. Siebert earned interest of $48,000 in 2009 and $64,000 in 2008 and 2007 from SBS. Financial Instruments Held For Purposes Other Than Trading: We generally invest working capital temporarily in dollar denominated money market funds and commercial paper. These investments are not subject to material changes in value due to interest rate movements. - 17 - Retail customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the clearing broker may charge Siebert for any loss incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customers’ obligations. Siebert regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. Siebert is exposed to the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers and other counterparties are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. There were no material losses for unsettled customer transactions in 2009. Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA See financial statements and supplementary data required pursuant to this item beginning on page F-1 of this Report on Form 10-K. Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. Item 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding timely disclosure. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). To evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, we use the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO Framework”). Using the COSO Framework, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report. Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. Limitation of the Effectiveness of Internal Controls None Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION None - 18 - PART III Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (a) Identification of Directors This information is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. (b) Identification of Executive Officers Name Age Position Muriel F. Siebert Ameen Esmail 77 Chairwoman and President 51 Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. 51 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jeanne Rosendale Timothy O’ Leary Daniel Iesu 45 Executive Vice President and General Counsel 47 Executive Vice President 50 Secretary Certain information regarding each executive officer’s business experience is set forth below. Muriel F. Siebert has been Chairwoman, President and a director of Siebert since 1967 and the Company since November 8, 1996. Ms. Siebert became the first woman member of the New York Stock Exchange on December 28, 1967 and served as the first woman Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York from 1977 to 1982. She is director of the New York State Business Council and the Boy Scouts of Greater New York. She is the founder and past president of the Women’s Forum, a former member of the State of New York Commission on Judicial Nomination and is on the executive committee of the Economic Club of New York. Ameen Esmail has been Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development since July 3, 2003. From 1984 to 1996, Mr. Esmail served as an Executive Vice President of Siebert. From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Esmail worked as an independent consultant servicing the financial securities industry. Mr. Esmail earned a MBA from New York University’s Stern’s Graduate School of Business in 2000. Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. has been Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary of Siebert since February 10, 2003 and Chief Financial Officer of Siebert, Brandford Shank, LLC since April 20, 2009. From May 1999 to February 2002, Mr. Ramos served as Chief Financial Officer of Internet Financial Services, Inc. from November 1996 to May 1999, Mr. Ramos served as Chief Financial Officer of Nikko Securities International, Inc. From September 1987 to March 1996, Mr. Ramos worked at Cantor Fitzgerald and held various accounting and management positions, the last as Chief Financial Officer of their registered broker-dealer based in Los Angeles. From October 1982 to September 1987, Mr. Ramos was an audit manager for Deloitte & Touche LLP, a public accounting firm. Mr. Ramos is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of New York. Jeanne M. Rosendale has been Executive Vice President, General Counsel of Siebert since May 3, 2004. From February 2003 to April 2004, Ms. Rosendale served as Global Director Compliance for Knight Equity Markets. From 2001 through the end of 2002, Ms. Rosendale served as Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for TD Securities (USA) Inc. Ms. Rosendale’s background includes senior level legal positions with Citigroup and the law firm Weil Gotshal & Manges, LLP. Ms. Rosendale received both her B.A. and J.D., with honors, from Fordham University. She is active in various industry groups such as the SIA, the Bond Market Association, the LSTA and ISDA. Timothy O’ Leary joined Siebert on June 6, 2007 and was appointed an Executive Vice President in April 2008. Mr. O’Leary oversees Capital Markets, Retail and Branch Operations, Marketing, Business Development and the Technology group. From March 2006 to June 2007, Mr. O’Leary was a financial consultant with Smith Barney and from January 2003 to January 2006, Mr. O’Leary was the President/Owner of Ironvilla Development Corporation, a residual real estate development company. From November 2001 to January 2003, Mr. O’Leary was the Senior Vice President at Datek Online, Inc. From October 2000 to November 2001, Mr. O’Leary was the Managing Director of Operations at Josephthal & Co., Inc. where he was responsible for all facets of the brokerage operations. From March 1985 to October 2000, Mr. O’Leary was with TD Waterhouse, Inc., the last five years as the Senior Vice President of Retail Management. Daniel Iesu has been Secretary of Siebert since October 1996 and the Company since November 8, 1996. He has been Controller of Siebert since 1989. - 19 - (c) Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act This information is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. (d) Code of Ethics We have adopted a financial code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and all other employees performing similar functions. This financial code of ethics is posted on our website. The Internet address for our website is http://www.siebertnet.com. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this code of ethics by either filing a Form 8-K or posting such information on our website, at the address and location specified above, within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver. The information required by this item not set forth herein is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES The information required in this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010. - 20 - PART IV Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES The exhibits required by Item 601 of the Regulations S-K filed as part of, or incorporated by reference in, this report are listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index. (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: 1. Financial Statements The consolidated Financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 commence on page F-1 of this report on Form 10-K. 2. Financial Statement Schedules None. 3. Exhibits The exhibits required by Item 601 of the Regulation S-K filed as part of, or incorporated by reference in, this report are listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index. Exhibit Numbers 10.1, 10.2 and 10.6 are management contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements. - 21 - INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2009 and 2008 Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., LLC Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2009 and 2008 Statements of Operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 Notes to Financial Statements Page F-1 F-2 F-3 F-4 F-5 F-6 F-15 F-16 F-17 F-18 F-20 F-21 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Board of Directors and Stockholders Siebert Financial Corp. We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Siebert Financial Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Siebert Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of Amercia. /s/ Eisner LLP New York, New York March 31, 2010 F-1 SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents - restricted Receivable from clearing broker Securities owned, at fair value Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net Investments in and advances to affiliates Income tax refund receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Intangibles, net Deferred taxes LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities: December 31, 2009 2008 $ 24,184,000 $ 29,617,000 1,300,000 1,682,000 758,000 1,481,000 6,480,000 1,312,000 1,026,000 775,000 1,148,000 1,532,000 1,954,000 1,607,000 1,569,000 9,040,000 1,074,000 1,050,000 750,000 1,323,000 $ 44,083,000 $ 45,579,000 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 4,695,000 $ 4,995,000 Commitments and contingent liabilities - Note I Stockholders’ equity: Common stock, $.01 par value; 49,000,000 shares authorized, 23,211,846 shares issued and 22,185,325 shares outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 23,211,846, shares issued and 22,202,115 shares outstanding at December 31, 2008 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Less: 1,026,521 and 1,009,731 shares of treasury stock at cost at December 31, 2009 and 2008 See notes to consolidated financial statements. 232,000 19,474,000 24,249,000 (4,567,000) 232,000 19,454,000 25,432,000 (4,534,000) 39,388,000 40,584,000 $ 44,083,000 $ 45,579,000 F-2 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Revenue: Commissions and fees Investment banking Trading profits Interest and dividends Expenses: Employee compensation and benefits Clearing fees, including floor brokerage Professional fees Advertising and promotion Communications Occupancy Other general and administrative Income from equity investees Gain on settlement of lawsuit (Loss) income before income taxes Income tax (benefit) expense Net (loss) income Net (loss) income per share of common stock - basic Net (loss) income per share of common stock - diluted Year Ended December 31, 2009 2008 2007 $ 18,244,000 5,387,000 1,636,000 123,000 $ 24,224,000 3,481,000 1,232,000 813,000 $ 26,119,000 3,369,000 624,000 1,778,000 25,390,000 29,750,000 31,890,000 12,219,000 5,545,000 6,983,000 813,000 2,606,000 1,279,000 2,669,000 12,318,000 6,464,000 8,070,000 809,000 2,567,000 1,319,000 2,693,000 11,957,000 5,693,000 6,667,000 725,000 2,017,000 1,314,000 2,942,000 32,114,000 34,240,000 31,315,000 4,224,000 1,699,000 (2,500,000) (1,317,000) (2,791,000) (1,031,000) $ $ $ (1,183,000) (0.05) (0.05) $ $ $ (1,760,000) (0.08) (0.08) $ $ $ 1,432,000 2,024,000 4,031,000 1,773,000 2,258,000 0.10 0.10 Weighted average shares outstanding - basic Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 22,193,845 22,193,845 22,208,372 22,208,372 22,206,346 22,273,550 See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-3 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Balance - January 1, 2007 Net income Issuance of shares in connection with exercise of employee stock options Dividend on common stock ($.12 per share) Tax benefit arising from exercise of employee stock options Stock based compensation Balance - December 31, 2007 Net loss Treasury share purchases Dividend on common stock ($.10 per share) Stock based compensation Balance - December 31, 2008 Net loss Treasury share purchases Stock based compensation Balance - December 31, 2009 Common Stock Treasury Stock Number Of Shares 23,202,046 $.01 Par Value $ 232,000 Additional Paid -In Capital $ 18,719,000 Retained Earnings $ 25,962,000 2,258,000 Number Of Shares 999,500 $ Amount (4,504,000 ) $ 40,409,000 2,258,000 Total 9,800 27,000 2,000 84,000 23,211,846 232,000 18,832,000 (560,000) 27,660,000 (1,760,000) (468,000) 999,500 (4,504,000 ) 10,231 (30,000 ) 27,000 (560,000) 2,000 84,000 42,220,000 (1,760,000) (30,000) (468,000) 622,000 (4,534,000 ) 40,584,000 (1,183,000) (33,000) 20,000 (4,567,000 ) $ 39,388,000 (33,000 ) 23,211,846 232,000 19,454,000 622,000 25,432,000 (1,183,000) 1,009,731 16,790 23,211,846 $ 232,000 20,000 $ 19,474,000 $ 24,249,000 1,026,521 $ See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-4 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, 2009 2008 2007 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net (loss) income Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided $ (1,183,000) $ (1,760,000) $ 2,258,000 by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Income from equity investees Distribution from equity investees Deferred taxes Stock based compensation Changes in: Cash and cash equivalents - restricted Securities owned, at fair value Receivable from clearing broker Income tax refund receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 482,000 (4,224,000) 1,539,000 (175,000) 20,000 (232,000) (849,000) (272,000) 238,000 (24,000) (300,000) 479,000 (1,699,000) 1,099,000 (281,000) 622,000 (19,000) 1,000 (1,312,000) (90,000) (709,000) 690,000 (1,432,000) 2,428,000 (40,000) 84,000 (739,000) 785,000 275,000 (756,000) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (4,980,000) (3,669,000) 3,553,000 Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements Collection (Payment) of advances made to equity investees (545,000) 125,000 (827,000) 22,000 (906,000) (133,000) Net cash used in investing activities (420,000) (805,000) (1,039,000) Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Dividend on common stock Purchase of treasury shares Proceeds from exercise of options Tax benefit of exercised employee stock options (33,000) (468,000) (30,000) (560,000) 27,000 2,000 Net cash used in financing activities (33,000) (498,000) (531,000) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year (5,433,000) 29,617,000 (4,972,000) 34,589,000 1,983,000 32,606,000 Cash and cash equivalents - end of year Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures: Cash paid for: Income taxes $ 24,184,000 $ 29,617,000 $ 34,589,000 $ 239,000 $ 575,000 $ 2,087,000 See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-5 SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [1] Business and Principles of Consolidation: Siebert Financial Corp. (“Financial”), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. (“Siebert”), engages in the business of providing discount brokerage services for customers, investment banking services for institutional clients and trading securities for its own account, and, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Siebert Women’s Financial Network, Inc. (“WFN”), engages in providing products, services and information devoted to women’s financial needs. The accompanying consolidated financial statements includes the accounts of Financial and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Financial, Siebert and WFN collectively are referred to herein as the “Company”. The municipal bond investment banking business is conducted by Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC (“SBS”), and related derivatives transactions are conducted by SBS Financial Products Company, LLC (“SBSFP”), investees not controlled or majority-owned, which are accounted for by the equity method of accounting (see Note C). The equity method provides that Siebert records its share of the investees’ earnings or losses in its results of operations. Operations of equity investees are considered integral to Siebert’s operations. [2] Securities: Securities owned are carried at fair value. Interest is recorded on an accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Siebert clears all its security transactions through unaffiliated clearing firms on a fully disclosed basis. Accordingly, Siebert does not hold funds or securities for, or owe funds or securities to, its customers. Those functions are performed by the clearing firms. Authoritative accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: Level 1 – valued based on quoted prices at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities trading in active markets. Level 2 – quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 – valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs is not readily observable. The classification of securities owned is as follows: Securities owned Municipal bonds Common stock Municipal bonds Common stock 2009 Level 1 — 202,000 202,000 $ $ Level 2 1,405,000 — 1,405,000 2008 Level 1 Level 2 — 254,000 254,000 $ $ 504,000 — 504,000 $ $ $ $ Total 1,405,000 202,000 1,607,000 Total 504,000 254,000 758,000 $ $ $ $ $ Common stock is valued on the last business day of the year at the last available reported sales price on the primary securities exchange. F-6 NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Municipal bonds are valued based on prices obtained from pricing sources, which drive values from observable inputs. [3] Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability approach requiring the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and tax purposes. [4] Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements: Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or period of the lease. [5] Cash Equivalents: For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments purchased with original maturity of three months or less including money market funds and commercial paper. Cash equivalents – restricted represents $1,532,000 of cash invested in a money market account which serves as collateral for a secured demand note payable in the amount of $1,200,000 to SBS (See Note I). [6] Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. [7] Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. [8] Per Share Data: Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average outstanding shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the number of shares outstanding under the basic calculation and adding all dilutive securities, which consist of options. The treasury stock method is used to reflect the dilutive effect of outstanding options, which, for 2007 amounted to 67,204 additional shares, added to the basic weighted average outstanding shares of 22,206,346. The Company recognized a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share are the same as the effect of stock options is anti-dilutive to loss per share. In 2009, 2008 and 2007, 1,719,700, 1,767,200 and 1,162,500 common shares, respectively, issuable upon the exercise of options were not included in the computation of diluted income (loss) per share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. [9] Revenue: Commission revenues and fees earned on customer trades together with related clearing expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Trading profits are also recorded on a trade-date basis. Investment banking revenue includes gains and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from underwriting syndicates in which the Company participates. Investment banking management fees are recorded on the offering date, sales concessions on the settlement date and underwriting fees at the time the underwriting is completed and the income is reasonably determinable. Interest is recorded on an accrual basis and dividends are recorded on an ex-dividend date basis. [10] Stock-Based Compensation: Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the statement of operations as an operating expense, based on their fair values on grant date. F-7 NOTE A- ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Share-based compensation costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of awards which would normally be the vesting period of the options. Cash flows resulting from the tax benefits of the tax deduction in excess of the compensation cost recognized for these options are classified as financing cash flows. [11] Intangibles: Purchased intangibles are principally being amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to five years (see Note E). [12] Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets and requires the recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event the net book value of these assets exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows attributable to these assets. The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances have made recovery of the assets’ carrying value unlikely. Should impairment exist, the impairment loss would be measured based on the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the assets’ fair value. [13] New Accounting Standards: During the third quarter of 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) became the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Codification does not create any new GAAP standards, but incorporates existing accounting and reporting standards into a new topical structure. The Company adopted this Codification for its quarter ended September 30, 2009. Other than the manner in which new accounting guidance is referenced, the adoption of the Codification did not have any impact on the Company’s financial statements. In May 2009, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before financial statements are issued. The guidance, as amended in February 2010, requires that subsequent events be evaluated through the date the financial statements are issued. In April 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which amended the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset for amortization purposes. The guidance is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset for amortization purposes and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under other U.S. GAAP. The guidance, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, was adopted by the Company effective January, 1, 2009. The guidance is to be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date and did not have any impact on the Company’s financial statements. NOTE B - INTUIT LAWSUIT Siebert commenced a lawsuit against Intuit, Inc. (“Intuit”) in 2003 seeking expenses and damages arising from the Joint Brokerage Service conducted under the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Siebert and Intuit. Intuit counterclaimed against Siebert for expenses and damages. A Stipulation and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice entered into by the parties was filed in October 2007, terminating the litigation without any payments by either party. The parties also exchanged general releases. As a result of the settlement, $2,024,000 of liabilities recorded by Siebert for expenses prior to December 31, 2003, were reversed in the fourth quarter of 2007. Such amount had previously been classified as revenue, however, in response to comments received from the SEC, the amount has been reclassified as other income in the accompanying 2007 statement of operations. F-8 NOTE C - INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATES Investment in and advances to, equity in income of, and distributions received from affiliates consist of the following: December 31, 2009 Investment and advances Income (loss) from equity investees Distributions December 31, 2008 Investment and advances Income (loss) from equity investees Distributions December 31, 2007 Income from equity investees Distributions SBS SBSFPC TOTAL $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 8,710,000 4,287,000 1,539,000 SBS 6,087,000 2,134,000 1,078,000 SBS 1,391,000 1,780,000 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 330,000 (63,000) — SBSFPC 393,000 (435,000) 21,000 SBSFPC 41,000 648,000 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 9,040,000 4,224,000 1,539,000 TOTAL 6,480,000 1,699,000 1,099,000 TOTAL 1,432,000 2,428,000 Siebert and two individuals (the “Principals”) formed SBS to succeed to the tax-exempt underwriting business of the Siebert Brandford Shank division of Siebert. The agreements with the Principals provide that profits will be shared 51% to the Principals and 49% to Siebert. Pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement, Financial and each of the Principals own a 33.33% initial interest in SBSFPC which engages in derivatives transactions related to the municipal underwriting business. The Operating Agreement provides that income/(loss) be shared 66.66% by the Principals and 33.33% by Financial. Summarized financial data of SBS is as follows: Total assets, including secured demand note of 1,200,000 in each year due from Siebert Total liabilities, including subordinated liabilities $1,200,000 in each year due to Siebert Total members’ capital Regulatory minimum net capital requirement Total revenue Net income 2009 2008 2007 $ 36,018,000 $ 21,508,000 18,355,000 17,663,000 1,111,000 45,391,000 8,749,000 9,453,000 12,055,000 550,000 31,562,000 4,354,000 $ 24,426,000 2,840,000 During 2009, 2008 and 2007, Siebert charged SBS $75,000, $103,000 and $240,000, respectively for general and administrative services, which Siebert believes approximates the cost of furnishing such services. In addition, during each of the years 2009, 2008 and 2007, Siebert earned interest income of $48,000, $64,000 and $96,000, respectively from SBS in connection with Siebert’s obligation to make a subordinated loan for up to $1,200,000 available to SBS and Siebert paid SBS interest earned on the restricted cash equivalents of $10,000, $46,000 and $74,000 (see Note I). Siebert’s share of undistributed earnings from SBS amounts to $8,263,000 and $5,515,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Such amounts may not be immediately available for distribution to Siebert for various reasons including the amount of SBS’s available cash, the provisions of the agreement between Siebert and the Principals and SBS’s continued compliance with its regulatory net capital requirements. Summarized financial data of SBSFPC is as follows: Total assets Total liabilities Total members’ capital Total revenue Net (loss) income 2009 2008 2007 $ 134,144,000 133,154,000 990,000 23,000 (188,000) $ 244,951,000 243,773,000 1,178,000 (1,008,000)* $ (1,305,000) 680,000 123,000 * Attributable to unrealized loss on derivative contracts. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, SBSFPC had an accumulated loss of $210,000 and $21,000, respectively of which Siebert’s share was $70,000 and $7,000, respectively. F-9 NOTE D - FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, NET Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following: Equipment Leasehold improvements Furniture and fixtures Less accumulated depreciation and amortization December 31, 2009 2008 $ $ 2,450,000 62,000 34,000 2,039,000 123,000 39,000 2,546,000 (977,000) 2,201,000 (720,000) $ 1,569,000 $ 1,481,000 Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $457,000, $383,000 and $379,000, respectively. NOTE E - INTANGIBLE ASSETS WFN acquired the stock of WFN Women’s Financial Network, Inc. (“WFNI”) and HerDollar.com, Inc., respectively, companies in the development stage which had yet to commence principal operations, had no significant revenue and had assets consisting principally of websites, content and domain names, for aggregate consideration of $2,310,000 including costs. The transactions have been accounted for as purchases of assets consisting of domain name, website and content, and a non-compete agreement (the “Acquired Intangible Assets”). Related deferred tax assets attributable to net operating loss carryforwards of the acquired companies and deferred tax liabilities attributable to the excess of the statement bases of the acquired assets over their tax bases have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as an adjustment to the carrying amount of such intangibles (see Note F). Intangible assets consist of the following: Amortizable assets: Website, content and non-compete Retail brokerage accounts Unamortized intangible assets: Domain name/intellectual property Amortization expense December 31, 2009 December 31, 2008 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount $ $ $ 1,850,000 2,588,000 4,438,000 750,000 $ $ $ 1,850,000 2,588,000 4,438,000 25,000 $ $ $ 2,350,000 2,588,000 4,938,000 750,000 Amortization Accumulated 2,350,000 2,563,000 4,913,000 96,000 $ $ $ The cost of fully amortized intangible assets will be written off against accumulated amortization when the assets are no longer being utilized. During 2009, $500,000 related to the convenant not to compete has been written off against accumulated amortization. F-10 NOTE F - INCOME TAXES The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. Income tax (benefit) expense provision consists of the following: Federal income tax (benefit) provision: Current Deferred State and local: Current Deferred Total: Current Deferred 2009 Year Ended December 31, 2008 2007 $ (656,000) 85,000 $ (787,000) — $ 1,356,000 (32,000) (571,000) (787,000) 1,324,000 (486,000) (260,000) 37,000 (281,000) 456,000 (7,000) (746,000) (244,000) 449,000 (1,142,000) (175,000) (750,000) (281,000) 1,812,000 (39,000) $ (1,317,000) $ (1,031,000) $ 1,773,000 A reconciliation between the income tax (benefit) expense and income taxes computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to (loss) income before taxes is as follows: 2009 Year Ended December 31, 2008 2007 Expected income tax (benefit) provision at statutory Federal tax rate (34%) State and local taxes, net of Federal tax effect Reversal of overaccrual of prior years’ taxes Permanent difference Other $ (850,000) (163,000) (330,000) 51,000 (25,000) $ (949,000) (160,000) $ 1,370,000 296,000 40,000 38,000 72,000 35,000 Income tax (benefit) expense $ (1,317,000) $ (1,031,0000) $ 1,773,000 Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax basis. The principal items giving rise to deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows: Net operating loss carryforwards Employee stock based compensation Acquired intangible assets Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements Retail brokerage accounts Contribution carryover Accrued compensation and other December 31, 2009 2008 $ $ 657,000 234,000 (304,000) (142,000) 595,000 55,000 232,000 600,000 237,000 (308,000) (6,000) 625,000 $ 1,323,000 $ 1,148,000 Management believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized, and therefore no valuation allowance has been provided. F-11 NOTE F - INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) At December 31, 2009, the Company has state net operating loss carryforwards aggregating $ 5.2 million which expire through 2029 in various states. In addition, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $775,000 at December 31, 2009, which are attributable to WFN and expire through 2020. Utilization of such federal net operating loss carryforwards is subject to annual limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. In 2007, the Company reduced current taxes payable by $2,000, resulting from the deductibility of the difference between the exercise price of nonqualifying stock options granted by the Company and the market value of the stock on the dates of exercise. The tax benefit was recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital. On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted authoritative guidance which clarifies the criteria for recognizing tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. As required commencing at the adoption date the Company applied the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold to all tax positions which resulted in no unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Company has elected to record interest and penalties recognized in the financial statements as income taxes. For federal and certain state and local jurisdictions, the 2006 through 2009 tax years remain open for examination by the taxing authorities. For other states the 2005 through 2009 tax years remain open for examination. NOTE G - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Siebert is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Siebert has elected to use the alternative method, permitted by the rule, which requires that Siebert maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equal to the greater of $250,000 or 2 percent of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, as defined. The Net Capital Rule of the New York Stock Exchange also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than 5% of aggregate debits. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Siebert had net capital of approximately $21,148,000 and $25,574,000, respectively, as compared with net capital requirements of $250,000. Siebert claims exemption from the reserve requirement under Section 15c3-3(k)(2)(ii). On January 23, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a buy back of up to 300,000 shares of common stock. Shares will be purchased from time to time in the open market and in private transactions. During 2009 we repurchased 16,790 shares of common stock for an average price of $1.99. On June 9, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of ten cents per share on the common stock of the Company, which was paid on June 30, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 23, 2008. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company waived the right to receive the dividend in excess of the aggregate amount paid to other shareholders which amounted to approximately $234,000. On June 4, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of twelve cents per share on common stock of the Company, which was paid on June 29, 2007 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 20, 2007. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company waived the right to receive the dividend in excess of the aggregate amount paid to other shareholders which amounted to approximately $280,000. NOTE H - OPTIONS The Company’s 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), authorizes the grant of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Both non-qualified options and options intended to qualify as “Incentive Stock Options” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, may be granted under the Plan. A Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors administers the Plan. The committee has the authority to determine when options are granted, the term during which an option may be exercised (provided no option has a term exceeding 10 years), the exercise price and the exercise period. The exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. No option may be granted under the Plan after December 2017. Generally, employee options vest 20% per year for five years and expire ten years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2009, options for 1,700,000 shares of common stock are available for grant under the Plan. F-12 NOTE H – OPTIONS (CONTINUED) A summary of the Company’s stock option transactions for the three years ended December 31, 2009 is presented below: 2009 2008 2007 Outstanding - beginning of the year Granted Forfeited Exercised Shares 1,767,200 (47,500) Outstanding - end of year (a) 1,719,700 Fully vested and expected to vest at year end (a) 1,709,700 Exercisable at end of year (a) 1,709,700 Weighted average fair value of options granted $ $ $ $ $ Weighted Average Exercise Price 4.07 6.91 Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares 1,467,200 300,000 $ $ 4.28 3.05 Shares 1,603,966 (126,966) (9,800) 4.00 1,767,200 $ 4.07 1,467,200 Weighted Average Exercise Price $ $ $ $ 4.16 4.36 2.70 4.28 4.00 4.00 1,742,200 $ $ 4.08 1,422,200 $ 4.30 0.53 (a) Weighted average remaining contractual terms of 3 years and aggregate intrinsic value of $0. As of December 31, 2009, there was $15,000 of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2 years. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Sholes option pricing model using the following weighted-average assumptions: Dividend yield Expected volatility Risk-free interest rate Expected life (in years) 2008 2.1% 104.69% 3.18% 4.1 The weighted average expected life reflects the alternative simplified method permitted under authoritative accounting guidance, which defines the expected life as the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted-average vesting period for all option tranches. The expected dividend yield is based on historical dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on the annual yield on the measurement date of a ten year Unites States Treasury Bond, the maturity of which equals the options expected life. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over a period commensurate with the options expected life. There were no options granted during 2009 and 2007. NOTE I - COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER Retail customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the clearing broker may charge Siebert for any loss incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customer obligations. Siebert regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. Siebert is exposed to the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. There were no material losses for unsettled customer transactions in 2009, 2008 or 2007. Siebert terminated a clearing agreement with Pershing LLC (“Pershing”) in 2003. Based on consultation with counsel, Siebert believes that $1,500,000 that it advanced to Pershing in January 2003 should have been returned. Pershing expressed its belief that it was entitled to retain the advance and receive a minimum of $3 million for its unreimbursed costs, a termination fee of $500,000 and $5 million for lost revenues. Siebert received a release for the $3 million related to disputed claims for unreimbursed fees and costs. In 2004, Siebert decided not to commence proceedings against Pershing and charged off the $1,500,000 advance to Pershing. The statute of limitations with respect to any contract claims by either party expired in July 2009. F-13 NOTE I - COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER (CONTINUED) Siebert is party to certain claims, suits and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, all such claims, suits and complaints are without merit, or involve amounts which would not have a significant effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. The Company rents discount retail brokerage and other office space under long-term operating leases expiring in various periods through 2012. These leases call for base rent plus escalations for taxes and operating expenses. Future minimum base rental payments under these operating leases are as follows: Year Ending December 31, 2010 2011 2012 Amount 925,000 392,000 178,000 $ 1,495,000 Rent expense, including escalations for operating costs, amounted to approximately $1,279,000, $1,319,000 and $1,314,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Rent is being charged to expense over the entire lease term on a straight-line basis. Siebert sponsors a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code that covers substantially all employees. Participant contributions to the plan are voluntary and are subject to certain limitations. Siebert may also make discretionary contributions to the plan. No contributions were made by Siebert in 2009, 2008 and 2007. Siebert is party to a Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement with SBS which obligates Siebert to lend SBS, on a subordinated basis, up to $1,200,000. The secured demand note payable held by SBS and a related $1,200,000 receivable due from SBS are included in investments in and advances to equity investees in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition. Amounts that Siebert is obligated to lend under this arrangement are collateralized by cash equivalents of $1,532,000. Any amounts loaned will bear interest at 4% per annum and are repayable on August 31, 2011. NOTE J – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition for cash, cash equivalents, receivable from broker, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short term maturities of those instruments. Securities owned are carried at fair value (see note A(2)). NOTE K - SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) 2009 2008 First Quarter $ 7,000,000 $ (332,000 ) $ Second Quarter $ 7,274,000 564,000 Third Quarter 5,360,000 (451,000 ) $ Fourth Quarter $ 5,756,000 First Quarter $ 7,897,000 (964,000 ) $ (128,000 ) $ Second Quarter $ 7,375,000 568,000 Third Quarter Fourth Quarter 7,313,000 $ 7,165,000 $ $ (931,000) $ (1,269,000)(a) Revenue Net (loss) income Earnings (loss) per share: Basic Diluted $ $ $ $ $ $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ 0.03 0.03 (0.02 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ 0.03 0.03 $ $ (0.04) $ (0.04) $ (0.06) (0.06) (a) Includes $422,000 loss in the fourth quarter relating to the equity in losses of SBSFPC (see Note C). F-14 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Board of Managers Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. New York, New York We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ capital, changes in subordinated borrowings and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. /s/ Eisner LLP New York, New York February 25, 2010 F-15 SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., L.L.C. Statements of Financial Condition ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable Securities owned, at fair value Receivable from broker Receivable from affiliate Other receivable Secured demand notes Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net Other assets LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL Liabilities: Payable to affiliate Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred rent Subordinated debt Members’ capital December 31, 2009 2008 $ 28,196,681 2,336,532 — 1,443,290 25,286 491,441 1,200,000 1,274,347 1,050,122 $ 14,129,576 1,415,585 161,873 3,767,798 32,212 — 1,200,000 199,250 601,682 $ 36,017,699 $ 21,507,976 $ 50,130 16,612,909 491,441 $ 154,746 8,097,920 — 17,154,480 8,252,666 1,200,000 1,200,000 17,663,219 12,055,310 $ 36,017,699 $ 21,507,976 See notes to financial statements F-16 SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., L.L.C. Statements of Operations Revenues: Investment banking Trading profits Interest and other Expenses: Employee compensation and benefits Clearing fees Communications Occupancy Professional fees Interest - related party State and local income tax General and administrative 2009 December 31, 2008 2007 $ 36,666,383 8,672,233 52,765 $ 20,880,695 10,405,400 275,923 $ 20,942,441 2,896,590 586,643 45,391,381 31,562,018 24,425,674 30,660,150 235,091 772,021 757,778 344,838 48,000 225,363 3,599,343 22,223,182 373,241 730,755 708,035 153,025 64,000 130,518 2,824,879 16,208,308 552,552 635,037 661,172 97,276 96,000 324,571 3,011,081 36,642,584 27,207,635 21,585,997 Net income $ 8,748,797 $ 4,354,383 $ 2,839,677 See notes to financial statements F-17 SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., L.L.C. Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital Balance - January 1, 2007 Distributions to members Net income Balance – December 31, 2007 Distributions to members Net income Balance – December 31, 2008 Distributions to members Net income Balance - December 31, 2009 See notes to financial statements $ 10,693,596 (3,632,804) 2,839,677 9,900,469 (2,199,542) 4,354,383 12,055,310 (3,140,888) 8,748,797 $ 17,663,219 F-18 SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., L.L.C. Statements of Changes in Subordinated Borrowings Balance - January 1, 2007 Borrowings Repayments Balance – December 31, 2007 Borrowings Repayments Balance – December 31, 2008 Borrowings Repayments Balance - December 31, 2009 See notes to financial statements $ 1,200,000 — — 1,200,000 — — 1,200,000 — — $ 1,200,000 F-19 SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., L.L.C. Statements of Cash Flows Cash flows from operating activities: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Changes in: Securities owned, at fair value Accounts receivable Receivable from broker Payable to (receivable from) affiliate Other assets Accounts payable and accrued expenses 2009 December 31, 2008 2007 $ 8,748,797 $ 4,354,383 $ 2,839,677 99,962 77,935 76,358 161,873 (920,947) 2,324,508 (97,690) (448,440) 8,514,989 18,998 (1,033,716) (61,363) (73,941) (33,835) 1,502,258 (180,871) (42,706) 3,419,046 88,589 (41,972) (704,848) Net cash provided by operating activities 18,383,052 4,750,719 5,453,273 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of leasehold improvements and equipment Cash flows from financing activities: Distributions to members Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year (1,175,059) (72,995) (85,803) (3,140,888) (2,199,542) (3,632,804) 14,067,105 14,129,576 2,478,182 11,651,394 1,734,666 9,916,728 Cash and cash equivalents - end of year $ 28,196,681 $ 14,129,576 $ 11,651,394 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Taxes paid Interest paid Non-cash investing activity Receivable from landlord for reimbursement of leasehold improvements and corresponding deferred rent liability $ $ $ See notes to financial statements — 48,000 $ $ 130,000 64,000 $ $ 304,570 96,000 491,441 F-20 SIEBERT, BRANDFORD, SHANK & CO., L.L.C. Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [1] Organization: Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. (“SBS” or the “Company”) engages in the business of tax-exempt underwriting and related trading activities. The Company qualifies as a Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise in certain municipalities. [2] Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. [3] Investments: Securities owned are valued at fair value. The resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses are reflected as trading profits. Authoritative accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly, and reasonably available. Level 3 Unobservable inputs reflect the assumptions that the managing members develops based on available information about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. The Company held municipal bonds with a fair value of $161,863 at December 31, 2008 and did not hold positions at December 31, 2009. The bonds, which are classified as level 2, were valued at prices obtained from pricing sources, which derive values from observable inputs. [4] Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net: Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the period of the lease. [5] Cash equivalents: For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash equivalents include money market funds which amounted to $28,182,006 and $13,878,527 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. [6] Revenue: Investment banking revenues include gains and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising primarily from municipal bond offerings in which the Company acts as an underwriter or agent. Investment banking management fees are recorded on the offering date, sales concessions on the settlement date, and underwriting fees at the time the underwriting is completed and the income is reasonably determinable. Trading profits are recorded on a trade date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. [7] Income taxes: The Company is not subject to federal income taxes. Instead, the members are required to include in their income tax returns their respective share of the Company’s income. The Company is subject to tax in certain state and local jurisdictions. Deferred taxes are not significant. F-21 NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) [8] New accounting pronouncements: During the third quarter of 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) became the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Codification does not create any new GAAP standards, but incorporates existing accounting and reporting standards into a new topical structure. The Company has adopted this Codification as of December 31, 2009. Other than the manner in which new accounting guidance is referenced, the adoption of the Codification did not have any impact on the Company’s financial statements. In May 2009, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The guidance requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. The Company adopted the provisions of the guidance and has evaluated subsequent events through February 25, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued. NOTE B - SUBORDINATED BORROWINGS AND SECURED DEMAND NOTE RECEIVABLE The subordinated debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consists of a Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement payable to Muriel Siebert & Co. Inc. (“Siebert”), a member of the Company, in the amount of $1,200,000, bearing 4% interest and due August 31, 2011. Interest expense paid to Siebert for each of the years ended 2009, 2008, and 2007 amounts to $48,000, $64,000 and $96,000, respectively. The subordinated borrowings are available in computing net capital under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Uniform Net Capital Rule. To the extent that such borrowing is required for the Company’s continued compliance with minimum net capital requirements, it may not be repaid. The secured demand note receivable of $1,200,000 is collateralized by cash equivalents of Siebert of approximately $1,500,000 at December 31, 2009 and $1,300,000 at December 31, 2008. Interest earned on the collateral paid by Siebert to SBS amounted to approximately $10,000, $46,000 and $74,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. NOTE C - FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, NET Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following: Equipment Furniture and leasehold improvements Less accumulated depreciation and amortization NOTE D - NET CAPITAL December 31, 2009 2008 $ $ 675,406 1,323,471 1,998,877 (724,530) 1,274,347 $ $ 556,174 201,908 758,082 (558,832) 199,250 The Company is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital and that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had net capital of $15,307,604 and $12,075,530, respectively, which was $14,196,735 and $11,525,353, respectively, in excess of its required net capital and its ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 1.09 and .68 to 1, respectively. The Company claims exemption from the reserve requirements under Section 15c-3-3(k)(2)(ii). F-22 NOTE E - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCY The Company rents office space under long-term operating leases expiring through 2020. These leases call for base rent plus escalations for taxes and operating expenses. Future minimum base rent under these operating leases are as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Thereafter $ Amount 794,000 816,000 785,000 681,000 548,000 2,587,000 $ 6,211,000 Rent expense including taxes and operating expenses for 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $757,778, $708,035 and $661,172, respectively. In November 2009, the Company’s existing New York City lease expired and a new lease was entered into with the landlord to occupy a different floor in the same premises through 2020. The aggregate rental commitment related to the new lease amounted to approximately $4,465,000 at December 31, 2009. The Company purchased leasehold improvements of approximately $817,000 in the year ended December 31, 2009 in connection with such lease and the landlord agreed to reimburse the Company $491,441 for a portion of such improvements. At December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a receivable from the landlord of $491,441 with a corresponding credit to deferred rent liability. Such amount will be recognized as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. NOTE F - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following: Accounts payable Accrued bonus and other employee compensation Other accrued expenses NOTE G - OTHER December 31, 2009 2008 $ 1,360,512 14,800,638 451,759 $ — 7,447,138 650,782 $ 16,612,909 $ 8,097,920 During 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company was charged $75,000, $102,500 and $240,000 by Siebert for general and administrative services. F-23 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: /s/ MURIEL F. SIEBERT Muriel F. Siebert Chair and President Date: March 31, 2010 Name Title /s/ Muriel F. Siebert Muriel F. Siebert /s/ Jeanne Rosendale Jeanne Rosendale /s/ Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. /s/ Patricia L. Francy Patricia L. Francy /s/ Leonard M. Leiman Leonard M. Leiman /s/ Jane H. Macon Jane H. Macon /s/ Robert P. Mazzarella Robert P. Mazzarella /s/ Nancy Peterson Hearn Nancy Peterson Hearn Chair, President and Director (principal executive officer) Executive Vice President, and General Counsel Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (principal financial and accounting officer) Director Director Director Director Director Date March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 March 31, 2010 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. 2.1 Description Of Document Plan and Agreement of Merger between J. Michaels, Inc. (“JMI”) and Muriel Siebert Capital Markets Group, Inc. (“MSCMG”), dated as of April 24, 1996 (“Merger Agreement”) (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 21 23 31.1 31.2 32.1 32.2 Amendment No. 1 to Merger Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) Amendment No. 2 to Merger Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) Amendment No. 3 to Merger Agreement, dated as of November 7, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) Certificate of Incorporation of Siebert Financial Corp., formerly known as J. Michaels, Inc. originally filed on April 9, 1934, as amended and restated to date (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997) By-laws of Siebert Financial Corp. (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S- 1 (File No. 333-49843) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 1998) Siebert Financial Corp. 1998 Restricted Stock Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997) 10(a) Siebert Financial Corp. 1997 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) LLC Operating Agreement, among Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., LLC, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., Napoleon Brandford III and Suzanne F. Shank, dated as of March 10, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) Services Agreement, between Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., LLC and Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., dated as of March 10, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) Operating Agreement of SBS Financial Products Company, LLC, dated effective as of April 19, 2005, by and among Siebert Financial Corp., Napoleon Brandford III and Suzanne Shank. (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2005) Siebert Financial Corp. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-144680) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2007) Subsidiaries of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Siebert Financial Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001) Consent of Independent Auditors Certification of Muriel F. Siebert pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002. Certification of Muriel F. Siebert of Periodic Financial Report under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. of Periodic Financial Report under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-144680, No. 333-43837, No. 333- 43839, No. 333-72939 and No. 333-102701, and Form S-3, No. 333-81037) of Siebert Financial Corp. and in the related prospectus of our report dated March 31, 2010 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Siebert Financial Corp. and our report dated February 25, 2010 with respect to the financial statements of Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. /s/ Eisner LLP New York, New York March 31, 2010 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13A-14 AND 15D-14, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 31.1 I, Muriel F. Siebert certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Siebert Financial Corp.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. /s/ Muriel F. Siebert Muriel F. Siebert Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) Date: March 31, 2010 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13A-14 AND 15D-14, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 31.2 I, Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Siebert Financial Corp.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. /s/ Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) Date: March 31, 2010 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.1 In connection with the Annual Report of Siebert Financial Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Muriel F. Siebert, in my capacity as Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge: (1) the Report filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the period covered by the report. /s/ Muriel F. Siebert Muriel F. Siebert Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President Date: March 31, 2010 A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other documents authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by section 906, has been provided to Siebert Financial Corp. and will be retained by Siebert Financial Corp. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.2 In connection with the Annual Report of Siebert Financial Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Joseph M. Ramos, Jr., in my capacity as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge: (1) the Report filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the period covered by the report. /s/ Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. Chief Financial Officer Date: March 31, 2010 A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other documents authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by section 906, has been provided to Siebert Financial Corp. and will be retained by Siebert Financial Corp. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. OFFICERS DIRECTORS Muriel F. Siebert Chairwoman & President Chief Executive Officer Ameen Esmail Executive Vice President Director of Business Development Timothy A. O’Leary Executive Vice President Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Jeanne M. Rosendale Executive Vice President General Counsel Daniel Iesu Secretary Transfer Agent American Stock Transfer & Trust Company Independent Auditor Eisner LLP Muriel F. Siebert Chairwoman & President Chief Executive Officer Patricia L. Francy Retired Treasurer & Controller Columbia University Leonard M. Leiman Counsel Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Jane H. Macon, Esq. Partner Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Robert P. Mazzarella Chairman and CEO, Pyxis Mobile Former President, Fidelity Investments Brokerage Services LLC Nancy Peterson Hearn President and Chief Executive Officer Peterson Tool Company, Inc. New York Headquarters 885 Third Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 1 0 0 2 2 Telephone: 877.327.8379 Fax: 212.486.2784 O ffices In: Beverly Hills 9701 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 9 0 2 1 2 Telephone: 800.995.7880 Fax: 310.788.7888 Boca Raton 4400 North Federal Highway, Suite 152, Boca Raton, FL 3 3 4 3 1 Telephone: 800.728.3352 Fax: 561.368.9750 Jersey City 111 Town Square Place, Jersey City, NJ 07310 Telephone: 800.872.0711 Fax: 201.239.5741 N a p l e s 400 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 100, Naples, FL 3 4 1 0 2 Telephone: 800.293.3891 Fax: 239.435.9788 S u r f s i d e 9569 Harding Avenue, Surfside, FL 3 3 1 5 4 Telephone: 800.773.2980 Fax: 305.868.5670 West Palm Beach 1217 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 3 3 4 0 1 Telephone: 800.909.4503 Fax: 561.802.4444 Wo m e n ’s Financial Network at Siebert 885 Third Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 1 0 0 2 2 Telephone: 877.936.4968 Fax: 212.486.2784 Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., L.L.C. offices located in: Anchorage • Atlanta • Baton Rouge • Chicago • Dallas • Detroit • Fort Worth • Fort Lauderdale Honolulu • Houston • Los Angeles • Miami • Newark • New York • Oakland San Antonio • San Diego • Seattle • St. Louis • Washington, D.C. w w w. s i e b e r t n e t . c o m M U R I E L S I E B E R T & C O . , I N C . Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC • Established 1967 • NASDAQ Symbol SIEB 

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