Wedbush Securities Company Profile

Background

Founded in 1955 by Edward W. Wedbush and Robert Werner, Wedbush Securities is a privately held financial services firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm is dedicated to securing clients' interests, strengthening their vision, and helping them achieve financial success through a focus on client service, financial safety, innovation, and advanced technology. With nearly 100 registered offices and approximately 900 colleagues, Wedbush offers a comprehensive suite of services, including securities brokerage, wealth management, and investment banking.

Key Strategic Focus

Wedbush Securities operates through three primary divisions:

Wealth Management: Providing a complete suite of wealth management products and financial services with nearly 200 investment professionals.

Investment Banking & Capital Markets: Delivering innovative investment products, investment banking, and fund services to institutional and corporate clients.

Multi-Asset Clearing & Prime Services: Specializing in global clearing and execution services across all asset classes for broker-dealers, trading firms, and professional traders.

The firm's strategic focus emphasizes client service, financial safety, innovation, and the utilization of advanced technology to maintain a competitive edge in the financial services industry.

Financials and Funding

As of January 2024, Wedbush Securities managed approximately $4.5 billion in assets across 9,055 client accounts. The firm's revenue is estimated to be between $100 million and $1 billion, indicating financial stability and a strong market presence.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Wedbush Securities leverages advanced technologies to enhance its service offerings and operational efficiency. The firm utilizes platforms such as Atlassian for application development, YCharts for charting, Kubernetes for containerization, and Microsoft Azure for cloud services. These technological investments underscore Wedbush's commitment to innovation and its ability to adapt to the evolving financial landscape.

Leadership Team

Gary L. Wedbush: President and Chief Executive Officer.

Daniel Billings: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Rodrigo Parrode: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Jonathan Jones: Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Benjamin Davey: Managing Director and Head of Equity Capital Markets.

These leaders bring extensive experience in financial services, technology, and operations, driving the firm's strategic initiatives and growth.

Leadership Changes

In January 2025, Wedbush Securities appointed Michael Murrer as Managing Director in the Financial Institutions & Real Estate Investment Banking group, and Alex Froloff as Financial Consultant in Wealth Management. Additionally, Jon Underkofler joined as Senior Vice President and Market Manager for the Central-West Region.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The financial services industry is highly competitive, with firms vying for market share through diverse service offerings, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships. Wedbush Securities operates in a landscape where differentiation through client service and innovation is crucial.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Stifel: Founded in 1890 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Stifel operates within the investment banking and securities sector, generating significantly higher revenue than Wedbush Securities.

Houlihan Lokey: Established in 1972 and based in Los Angeles, California, Houlihan Lokey focuses on banking, financial services, and insurance, with revenue substantially exceeding that of Wedbush Securities.

William Blair: Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, William Blair operates in the investment banking and securities industry, employing more staff than Wedbush Securities.

These competitors emphasize the importance of scale, diversified service offerings, and technological integration in maintaining a competitive edge.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Wedbush Securities has engaged in several strategic partnerships to enhance its market position:

Lime Brokerage Acquisition (2011): Integrated high-performance trading technologies with Wedbush's Advanced Clearing Services.

Lightspeed Acquisition (2018): Merged with Lime Brokerage, LLC, strengthening Wedbush's presence in electronic trading platforms.

Maybank Partnership (2023): Enabled clients to trade in Southeast Asian markets and access Maybank's research and market insights.

Velocity Trade Investment (2023): Became the largest shareholder of this Toronto-based global broker-dealer.

Hana Securities Alliance (2024): Expanded investment banking reach to South Korea and provided clients access to Hana's research and market insights.

These collaborations reflect Wedbush's commitment to expanding its global footprint and enhancing service capabilities.

Operational Insights

Wedbush Securities differentiates itself through a client-centric approach, emphasizing financial safety, innovation, and advanced technology. The firm's strategic partnerships and technological investments position it competitively within the financial services industry.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, Wedbush Securities aims to:

Expand Geographic Presence: Continue growth into new markets, as demonstrated by the acquisition of Bailey & Quinn Financial Consulting Group in the Philadelphia