Wellington West continues to rank among Canada's top investment advisory
firms

TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - For the seventh consecutive year, Wellington West Capital Inc. has been rated among the top three firms in Canada in the 2010 Brokerage Report Card conducted by the industry publication, Investment Executive.

Wellington West climbed to second place from the third-place spot last year, outpacing all bank-owned brokerages but one. Once again, independent boutique firms outshone nearly all of the bank-owned brokerages, securing two of the top three ratings.

"We are gratified to see this strong vote of confidence from our clients and advisors, and are pleased that we are capturing opportunities for them during this exciting time in the market," said Kish Kapoor, President of Wellington West Holdings Inc.

The Brokerage Report Card measures Canada's top investment firms on the basis of several criteria, including advisor support, product selection and corporate stability.

Wellington West earned among the highest ratings for ethics, firm stability, strategic focus, corporate culture, and freedom to make objective product choices. The firm was also noted for its consistently strong product offering, leading the rankings in the availability of fixed income products.

The firm made notable overall gains over last year's results, particularly in areas of support for the development of client financial plans, products and support for high net worth clients, delivery on promises, quality of equities research, and IPOs and new issues.

"I am particularly proud of this recognition by our peers, as it is a strong testament to the fact that we're doing the right things at the right time for all of the right people - our clients, advisors, and all of our employees," said Charlie Spiring, CEO and Founder of Wellington West Holdings Inc.

About Wellington West

The Wellington West group of companies provides full-service brokerage, financial planning, asset management and capital markets services. In over 16 years since its inception, the employee-owned Wellington West has become one of the largest and fastest-growing independent full-service wealth management firms in Canada with approximately $9 billion in assets under administration.

Among its many corporate achievements, Wellington West has been ranked in the top quartile of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for the past five years and recognized in 2009 as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for the tenth time since the company's inception. In addition, Wellington West Capital Inc. was named one of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies in 2007, and the Investment Executive Brokerage Report Card for 2010 ranked Wellington West Capital Inc. one of the top three brokerage firms in Canada for the seventh consecutive year. Its Founder and CEO, Charlie Spiring, won the top honour in the professional/financial services category of the Ernst & Young 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Prairies region.

For further information: visit www.wellingtonwest.com

For further information: Media Contacts: Kish Kapoor, [phone] or [email protected]