Press Release

February 07, 2011

RAYMOND JAMES RECOGNIZED FOR
GENDER DIVERSITY IN BOARD ROOM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.– Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF) has been recognized by the Women’s Executive Leadership (WEL), a Florida-based organization that advocates, educates and connects accomplished women, for having two or more female directors on their board. The announcement was made at the WEL 2010 Corporate Salute held January 28, 2011 in Davie, Fla.

At the Salute, Cindy Krischer Goodman, a nationally syndicated, award-winning Miami Herald columnist and journalist led a panel discussion on issues shaping boardroom diversity.

Raymond James was one of just 14 Florida companies recognized for their board diversity. Anne Bedinger, a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates Wealth Wellness Group of Boca Raton, Fla., accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

The women directors on Raymond James’ board are Shelley G. Broader and Susan N. Story.

Currently a senior vice president of Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Broader has served as president and chief operating officer of Michaels Stores, Inc. a national arts and crafts retailer. Prior to that, she spent five years as president and chief executive officer of Sweetbay Supermarkets and its predecessor Kash n’ Karry. Story is president and chief executive officer of Gulf Power Company, a subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States.

“Corporate Salute, the 2010 Florida Census, and the WEL Awards are important because they force us to take a hard look at the changes and trends in corporate boardrooms and executive suites, giving credit to companies making progress in promoting women while also identifying areas of improvement,” said Cindy Kushner, WEL founder and tax partner with Crowe Horwath in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.      

About Raymond James Financial

Raymond James Financial (NYSE-RJF) is a Florida-based diversified holding company providing financial services to individuals, corporations and municipalities through its subsidiary companies. Its three wholly owned broker/dealers, (Raymond James & Associates, Raymond James Financial Services and Raymond James Ltd.) and Raymond James Investment Services Limited, a majority-owned independent contractor subsidiary in the United Kingdom, have a total of more than 5,300 financial advisors serving approximately 1.9 million accounts in approximately 2,300 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. In addition, total client assets are approximately $262 billion, of which approximately $33 billion are managed by the firm’s asset management subsidiaries.

About Women Executive Leadership

WEL advocates, educates and connects accomplished executive women. Through extensive networking opportunities and educational workshops, the organization helps prepare female leaders for corporate Board and executive suite positions. WEL enables women to raise their profile and move to the forefront of executive search opportunities. Its signature event, Corporate Salute, provides an important advocacy platform that brings necessary attention to the landscape of gender diversity in the corporate world. All qualified members from the corporate sector, private enterprises and not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to join WEL. To download a copy of the 2008 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers visit www.womenexecutiveleadership.com.

For additional information, please contact Anthea Penrose at 727-567-5283.
Please visit the Raymond James Press Center at raymondjames.com/media.

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