1. SmartMoney rates Siebert’s customer service "excellent." In 2006, SmartMoney ranked seven discount brokers on eight overall criteria including commission, default rate on cash, mutual funds, investment products, banking amenities, trading tools, research and customer service. SmartMoney is the Wall Street Journal Magazine, a joint publication of the Hearst Corp. and Dow Jones & Co., Inc. Siebert is the only broker to rank consistently in Kiplinger’s top three online brokers, including #1 in 2002 and 2004. Reference: Kiplinger’s six most recent Online Broker Surveys (1999-2002, 2004 and 2006). In 2006, Kiplinger’s ranked 11 brokers on 10 overall criteria including commissions & fees, executions, margin rates, interest on cash, mutual funds, responsiveness & broker knowledge, research, Web site, cost-basis data and conduct. Kiplinger’s is published by Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Siebert is Barron’s top-rated four-star broker, it’s “best broker for buy and hold investors” and in third place overall in the Web-based broker category in its 2006 Online Brokers Survey. Siebert received one of the top three rankings awarded by Barron's in its 2002-2005 Online Brokers Surveys. In 2006, Barron’s ranked 27 online brokerage services on eight overall criteria including, trade execution, trading technology, usability, range of offerings, research amenities, portfolio analysis and reports, customer access and help, and costs. Barron’s is published by Dow Jones & Co., Inc.