10%

Equity Services, Inc.An Introduction for Financial Professionals

This information is presented for recruiting purposes only, and should not be construed as a solicitation of any insurance or investment product.

Helping you grow Your Business, Your Way

GETmore. BEmore.

41176 MKES0218(0314) TC78470(0314)1

GETmore. BEmore.

The flexibility of an independent Broker/Dealer

The support of a diversified financial services group

GETmore. BEmore.

The flexibility of an independent Broker/Dealer

The support of a diversified financial services group

The stability of a 166 year-old affiliated company1

1 National Life Insurance Company was founded in 1848.

Our StoryESI’s Story starts with a strong foundation. Estab-lished in 1968, Equity Services Incorporated (ESI) and ESI Financial Advisors (EFA) are the broker-dealer and registered investment adviser member companies of National Life Group (NLGroup), a strong, stable and diversified family of financial services companies with nearly $30 billion in assets under management1. With a history stretching back to 1848 with the formation of National Life Insurance Company, NLGroup’s success can be attributed to a broad product portfolio, innovative programs and dedicated personnel. Together ESI and its affiliates in NLGroup provide investment professionals the resources they need to offer their clients a broad array of financial solutions.

Offer financial professionals

and their clients

At Equity Services, our goal is simple.

more – more opportunity, more options, and more flexibility.

1 Consolidated results of the National Life Group companies as of 12/31/12, which include National Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX, Equity Services, Inc., Sentinel Investments, and NLV Financial Corporation. National Life Group is a trade name representing various affiliates that offer a variety of financial service products. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Sentinel Investments is the unifying brand name for the Sentinel Financial Services Co., Sentinel Asset Management, Inc., and Sentinel Administrative Services, Inc. Sentinel Funds are distributed by Sentinel Financial Services Company, Member FINRA, One National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05604 (800) 233-4332. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a broker/dealer and registered investment adviser. National Life Insurance Company is licensed to do business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia. It is not licensed to do business in the state of New York. All companies referenced are affiliated and located in Montpelier, VT unless otherwise indicated. Third party enti-ties are independent of Equity Services, Inc. and its affiliates unless otherwise stated.

GETmore. BEmore.

moreSupport Our Affiliates, Your AdvantageA cornerstone of ESI’s foundation is our affiliation with key partners in NLGroup. A Fortune 1000 company, NLGroup is comprised of several financial services companies offer-ing direct support to ESI representatives. By joining ESI, you have access to resources that can only be found at a diversified financial company, including:

• National Life Insurance Company (NLIC) – Established in 1848, National Life specializes in serving the insur-ance and financial needs of individuals, families and business owners.

• Local Branch Offices – ESI is proud to be part of the cornerstone distribution system for NLIC. Located throughout the nation, our branches provide the hands-on support and face-to-face interaction that can only come from regional offices.

• Life Insurance Company of the Southwest (LSW) –Based in Addison, TX, LSW is a leading writer of indexed annuities and 403(b) plans.

• Sentinel Investments – Sentinel Investments manages approximately $25.8 billion2 in mutual funds and institutional accounts. With a history dating back more than 75 years, Sentinel focuses on investment management, offering mutual funds, retirement plan solutions and institutional investment management3.

Other Key RelationshipsRounding out the list of ESI’s affiliations, ESI has also partnered with leaders in the industry to offer key services:

Brokerage ServicesESI offers a full array of brokerage accounts and services through our clearing arrangement with National Financial Services, LLC (NFS), a Fidelity Investments® company, which custodies over $3.2 trillion in assets.4

Account ProtectionESI and NFS are members of the Securities Investor Protec-tion Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities custom-ers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash). (Explanatory brochure available upon request, or at www.sipc.org.) NFS has arranged for addi-tional protection for cash and covered securities to supple-ment its SIPC coverage, covering total account net equity in excess of the SIPC coverage limits.

Managed Account PlatformThrough our RIA, ESI Financial Advisors, ESI offers ESI Illuminations5, our advanced, proprietary, web-based technology. The Illuminations platform uses software and online tools to provide a full spectrum of management options. Whether the representative acts as portfolio manager or utilizes full service money managers, ESI representatives have the flexibility to build their advisory business, their way.

more options, and more flexibility.

2 As of 9/30/13

3 Sentinel Funds are sold by prospectus. For more complete information, including charges and expenses, please request a pro-spectus from your registered representative or call (800) 233-4332. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the fund and is available from your advisor or Sentinel. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.4 Data as of 12/31/135 ESI Illuminations is an advisory platform sponsored by Equity Services, Inc. (ESI) through an ongoing partnership with Envestnet|PMC. Envestnet|PMC is independent of ESI.

moreFlexibilityESI accommodates multiple business models so you can build your business, your way.Equity Services offers a unique value proposition. Our representatives enjoy the flexibility that can only come from affiliating with an independent broker/dealer, and the support that can only come from a diversified family of financial services companies. Whether it’s the breadth of our client solutions, which includes products from the top names in the industry, or the opportunity to choose how you structure your practice, our representatives will tell you that Equity Services offers a best of both worlds approach.

Consider your brand. At Equity Services, you can choose how you market yourself:

• Affiliate with one of our existing offices and you immediately gain the local brand-ing and support that can only come from organizations that have served their communities for decades – that have the brick and mortar presence to serve you and your clients.

Or

• Build your brand, your way. Open or main-tain your private office. Do business under your brand. Build an organization that years from now, others will want to affiliate with and that will have the same presence as our long time agencies.

GETmore. BEmore.

Financial Planning and Consulting

For many representatives, the client process begins with a financial plan.1 ESI Financial Advisors offers the flexibility you need to deliver the advice your clients require, whether fees are a part of the practice or not.

Whether it’s a flat fee, a fee for a financial plan, hourly consultations, or no fee at all, you have the tools, agreements, and process to support you. ESI

Technology Platform

1 Fee-based investment advisory, financial planning & consulting services are offered solely by Investment Adviser Representatives of ESI under a Financial Plan-ning or Financial Consulting agreement.

moreSolutionsFor your clients, it’s not about products; it’s about solutions.

Fee-Based Solutions

Investment Advisory OverviewEquity Services’ fee-based and advisory service program is structured to be competitive, adaptable, and pioneering. Its sophisticated technology and range of capability gives you the infrastructure you need to operate your fee-based management practice.

Whether you serve as portfolio manager or prefer to work with third party money managers, we have the organization in place to help you retain and grow your assets under man-agement. No matter if you’re a seasoned, fee-based advisor or looking to transition your business, we will provide you with the compliance, marketing, and operational support you and your clients deserve.

Our open architecture platform includes:

• Representative as portfolio manager

– Build model portfolios

– Select individual holdings

– Customize alerts for portfolio monitoring

• Model portfolios funded with:

– Mutual Funds

– ETFs

– Separately managed accounts

• Broad selection of third party asset managers

Commission-Based Solutions

Stocks & Bonds Access thousands of publicly traded stocks and bonds, all available through ESI’s clearing arrangement affiliation with NFS. Streetscape®, an automated online brokerage work-station, offers account management tools and a trading platform as well as other valuable information.

Mutual Funds1

ESI maintains selling agreements with an extensive line of fund families. In addition, through its affiliation with NFS, ESI brokerage services provide access to over 11,000 funds, some free of transaction costs.

Variable Annuities/Variable Life2

ESI maintains selling agreements and corporate appointments with many major insurance companies who issue variable annuity and/or life contracts.

Indexed AnnuitiesESI has available a selection of indexed annuity products from several leading companies.

Alternative Investments3

Affluent clients have sophisticated needs. ESI will periodically partner with alternative investment managers to offer registered real estate, equipment & leasing, oil and gas, and structured products.

2 Mutual funds and variable products are sold by prospectus. For more complete information, please request a prospectus from your registered representative. Please read it and consider carefully a Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses before you invest or send money. The prospectus contains this and other information about the investment company. Consult the ESI website for more information and specific fund availability. 3 Direct Participation Programs and other Alternative Investments are generally illiquid, and the estimated value may not be realized when the investor seeks to liquidate the security. These programs are typically offered for a limited period of time.

* There is a fee associated with this tool.

moreTechnologyProducts and Programs + Technology and Sales Tools = Better Practice ManagementProducts and programs need to stay current to stay com-petitive. ESI recognizes the importance of providing leading technology and sales tools that make your business more efficient and effective.

Prospecting & MarketingIdentifying prospects and marketing yourself can bethe most challenging aspects of the sales process.

Referral EdgeThis web-based prospecting system is a no-cost way to identify high net worth individuals, businesses and retirement plans in your area.

Custom Websites* and E-Mail Campaigns*

Professional, compliant and simple to use, custom websites and automated e-mail campaigns are available to help you market yourself.

Financial PlanningSome clients just need a basic needs analysis, whileothers need a comprehensive financial plan. ESI has the tools to help you with both.

Profiles Professional*

This comprehensive tool is geared towards advisors who manage clients with detailed planning needs.

Profiles Forecaster*

An easy-to-use, streamlined financial assessment tool, this software covers basic financial planning needs.

eMoney*

This tool includes aggregation, a client platform, and electronic document storage in addition to reporting and planning tools.

Fidelity Retirement Income Evaluator

Create professional retirement income plans using this no-cost online tool available via Streetscape®.

CRM Tools*

Client Relationship Management tools organize critical client data. Both Redtail and SmartOffice integrate with our technology platform, ensuring that client data is consistent across all your technology.

Talk with ESI Business Development for more information about current integration capabilities.

ResearchThe role of research is critical throughout the sales process.

Streetscape®

Not just a trading and account servicing tool, Streetscape® provides access to 18 independent research companies.

Morningstar*

A well known research provider, Morningstar integrates with Streetscape to simplify the research process.

Trading & Account ServicingThe foundation of any advisor technology platform starts with the trading and account access tool. Streetscape® provides a robust brokerage workstation that integrates trading and service functionality with customer information and risk management tools.

Imaging & WorkflowImaging of client files and paperwork has the dual benefit of reducing processing times, while reducing and often eliminating the need to maintain paper files. Docupace* is an imaging and workflow system that allows reps to scan all broker/dealer related business and maintain records electronically.

Data Aggregation and Performance ReportingAn advisor’s time is always best used reviewing the data, not trying to gather it. Investigo®* is a powerful data aggregation tool that downloads, consolidates, updates, and reconciles client data automatically, on a daily basis.

GETmore. BEmore.

moreOpportunityMarketing and TrainingIt’s not easy to build a business. ESI knows that great service and innovative technology are only part of the story. Finding clients, keeping clients and staying current in a constantly evolving industry are equally important.

Through our relationship with NLGroup, ESI is able to offer marketing and prospecting materials to keep you in front of current and prospective clients. From customized websites to brochures to email prospecting, we offer marketing solutions for every level of experience.

To help you keep current with new products, new concepts, and new resources, ESI offers weekly web-based training. Often sponsored by our Strategic Partners, our training features industry-leading speakers, topics ranging from product to practice management, and guest presenters straight from the Field offering first hand experience. Can’t make a scheduled webinar? Most of our weekly training is recorded and available on our website 24/7.

Prefer a face-to-face training experience? Regional meetings on a variety of topics are held throughout the year, or join us for one of our Home Office Schools.

Compensation, Benefits & IncentivesDesigned with your needs in mind and the flexibility to fit your business focus, ESI is able to offer competitive compensation. Depending upon how you choose to affiliate with National Life Group, as an ESI representative you may also access bonus, incentive and benefit programs aimed at rewarding your productivity.

• ESI Elite Symposium – Each year ESI offers our top representatives a chance to recharge, reconnect and refocus with industry experts and other successful representatives in an exciting locale.

• Circle of Excellence (COE) represents the top represen-tatives within ESI and offers benefits that may include waiver of affiliation fee, state licensing fee allowance, marketing fee allowance and special recognition at NL Group events.

We Keep In Touch

Communication and representative input is important to us! We know that your time is precious, so we regularly consult with our Field Advisory committees on topics and projects to make sure we’re focused on what’s important to you.

With communications that include e-mail, video and print, we keep you up-to-date on important issues and new resources without overloading your in-box.

moreExperienceThe final piece of the ESI Story is the people behind the products and services.Our Transition Support Team is dedicated to guiding you through the affiliation process efficiently and smoothly so you can concentrate on the most important aspect of your business: your Clients.

Operations Service DeskPrompt personal service is just a phone call away at the ESI Operations Service Desk. The goal of the ESI Operations Service Desk is to offer fast and effective service and solutions.

LicensingOur licensing support team is here to help address your licensing needs in a prompt and courteous manner.

ComplianceKeeping track of changing rules and regulations can be a challenge. The ESI Compliance Department is a team of knowledgeable professionals ready to help you along the way.

Business DevelopmentProviding training, practice management tools, and product support, the Business Development team is here to help you grow your business.

ManagementBoth field and home office management possess years of experience. Their dedication to your success is one of the most important advantages of joining ESI.

GETmore. BEmore.

Equity Services, Inc. charges an affiliation fee and imposes minimum production requirements.

ESI offers a high level of support and personalized service to you – something that sets us apart from the experiences you may have had with other broker-dealers.

So, if you’re looking for more out of your Broker-Dealer, talk to us.

Questions? Need More Information? Call 800-344-7437

GETmore. BEmore.

GETmore. BEmore.