Signature Estate & Investment Advisors of Irvine Named as Finalist in Signator Investors’ “Practice of the Year” Competition for 2nd Year in a Row

BOSTON, MA (December 4, 2014) — Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC (SEIA), of Irvine, led by Senior Partner Mark Copeland, was named a finalist for the second year in a row in Signator’s “Practice of the Year” competition, sponsored by National Financial, for the firm’s excellence in key areas of practice management and client service.

As part of the finalist selection process, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors underwent a rigorous assessment conducted by the international management-consulting firm Business Health, which reviewed client management, internal planning and structure, external relations, staffing and technology capabilities, and overall practice performance.

“We congratulate Mark and his team for outstanding work serving their clients and managing the firm,” said Managing Partner, President and CEO Brian Holmes. “Mark offers the kind of tailored attention to his clients that lets them know they’ll be able to reach their goals. We’re proud that his brand of trustworthy practice management is associated with SEIA.”

“While a lot of practices profess to be ‘client centric,’ Mark truly has built his business around what is best for his clients,” said Brian Heapps, CLU, ChFC, president of John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN). “Mark and his team pride themselves on the relationships and high level of service they provide to their clients.”

In order to be considered, Signator’s financial professionals and advisors must apply and complete Business Health’s HealthCheck, a web-based business assessment tool that benchmarks a practice in several key areas. Among all HealthChecks received, five finalists were selected and each will receive a site audit of their practice from Business Health. Business Health and a panel of outside financial industry experts then review the audit results and a winner is chosen. The winner will be announced in January 2015.

About Business Health

Business Health is an international consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry. Business Health has developed and marketed a suite of unique and exclusive business diagnostic tools which are supported by a range of specialized consultancy services.

About National Financial

National Financial, a Fidelity Investments company, offers broker-dealer firms a comprehensive clearing platform that includes a dedicated service model, a powerful global trading platform, and a source of leading investment solutions, all designed to help them grow confidently. A leading clearing provider in the U.S. for over 30 years, National Financial leverages the strength, resources, and experience of the Fidelity organization, one of the world’s largest providers of financial services. As of June 30, 2012, National Financial serves nearly 270 broker-dealers representing nearly $410 billion in assets under administration. For more information about National Financial, please visit www.nationalfinancial.com.

About Signator Investors, Inc.

Founded in 1968, Signator Investors, Inc., powered by John Hancock Financial Network, is an independent broker/dealer-Registered Investment Adviser based in Boston, Mass., that supports a national network of independent firms with more than 1,850 advisors and representatives across the U.S.

Signator partners with financial professionals who have proven experience and share its commitment to putting clients first. The firm’s open product platform includes a comprehensive range of investment, advisory and protection products from leading carriers. And its first-class support, wealth of local and national resources and flexible business models help entrepreneurially minded financial professionals ensure that their clients are well taken care of.

About Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC

Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC® (SEIA) is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm offering Investment Management and Financial Planning Services tailored to meet the unique needs of the affluent investors and corporations. SEIA's mission is to provide clients with a partnership that complements and exceeds their long-term goals and objectives. SEIA maintains offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Redondo Beach and Irvine, California and Tysons Corner, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.seia.com.