Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

J.  Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is subject to lawsuits, governmental and regulatory examinations and investigations, certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief.  The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of such matters.  In accordance with GAAP standards for contingencies, we evaluate these matters on an ongoing basis.  The Company has accrued amounts for its loss contingencies which it believes are probable and estimable.  Such amounts are not considered material to the Company's financial condition, operations or cash flows.

We indemnify the clearing brokers of our affiliated broker-dealer for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by our broker-dealer subsidiary.  At June 30, 2011, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e., unsecured margin debits) was immaterial.  The Company also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of our obligations under the agreements.  The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and we believe the likelihood of a claim being made is remote.  Management cannot estimate any potential maximum exposure due both to the remoteness of any potential claims and the fact that items that would be included within any such calculated claim would be beyond the control of management.  Consequently, no accrual has been made in the condensed consolidated financial statements.