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BUSINESS ORGANIZATION
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Siebert Financial Corp. (the “Financial”) is a holding company that conducts its retail discount brokerage business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. (“Siebert”), a Delaware corporation. Siebert’s principal activity is providing online and traditional brokerage and related services to retail investors. In addition, in 2014 Financial began business as a registered investment advisor through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Siebert Investment Advisors, Inc. (“SIA”). SIA offers advice to clients regarding asset allocation and the selection of investments. On November 4, 2014, Siebert sold its capital markets business to an affiliate Siebert Brandford Shank Financial LLC (“SBSF”)  (see Note B). Another wholly owned subsidiary, Siebert’s Women’s Financial Network Inc. (“WFN”), is engaged in providing products, services and information devoted to women’s financial needs. In the fourth quarter of 2013, management decided to substantially reduce the resources allocated to the WFN operation (see Note F). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Financial and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Financial, Siebert, WFN and SIA collectively are referred to herein as the “Company”.

 

The municipal bond investment banking business was conducted by Siebert, Brandford, Shank &Co., LLC., a wholly-owned subsidiary of (“SBSF”) and related derivatives transactions were conducted by SBS Financial Products Company, LLC (“SBSFP”), non - controlled investees in which the Company held a 49% and 33% equity interest respectively. Such investees are accounted for by the equity method of accounting (see Note E). The equity method provides that the Company records its share of the investees’ earnings or losses in its results of operations with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of its investment. In addition, the investment is adjusted for capital contributions to and distributions from the investees. Operations of SBSFP ceased in December 2014 and on November 9, 2015, the Company sold its 49% membership investment in SBSF back to SBSF (see Note C). The Company’s share of income (loss) from its investees is classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations. 

Siebert, Brandford, Shank Financial LLC and Subsidiary  
BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Siebert Brandford Shank Financial, LLC (“SBSF” or the “Company”) was organized on November 4, 2014 and through its wholly owned subsidiary, Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. (“SBS”), engages in the business of tax-exempt underwriting and related trading activities and, commencing on November 4, 2014, the capital markets business (see Note B). The Company qualifies as a Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise in certain municipalities.

 

On November 9, 2015, SBSF redeemed Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., 49% membership interest in addition to the 25.5% membership interest of another member. The accompanying 2015 financial statements are prepared immediately prior to, and do not give effect to such transactions or the related debt and equity financing funding such transactions.