Penson Australia Announces Austock Signs Long-Term Clearing Agreement

Penson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNSN) announced today that its Australian subsidiary, Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd (PFSA), has signed a 5-year exclusive agreement to provide clearing services for equities and exchange traded options for Austock Securities Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Austock Group (ASX: ACK).

"We are delighted that Austock has chosen Penson as its exclusive provider of clearing services,” said Craig Mason, Managing Director and CEO of PFSA. "Our independent, third-party clearing model is gaining momentum in the Australian market and is enabling our correspondents to focus on their core strengths to grow their businesses more efficiently.”

Austock Group is an independent, diversified investment and financial services group. It has a culture and track record of being prepared to invest in building sustainable returns for its clients and shareholders. Founded in 1991, the Company now includes corporate and securities, private wealth and investment management businesses. Austock has offices in Melbourne and Sydney in addition to its international affiliations.

In February, Austock named Paul Masi as the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. Most recently, Mr. Masi was the CEO of Bank of America - Merrill Lynch Australia and prior to that he was the head of Merrill Lynch’s equity operations in Asia.

"Austock is PFSA’s fourth correspondent signing, building our presence as a leading provider of independent, third party clearing in Australia,” said Bryce Engel, Executive Vice President of Penson Worldwide responsible for international businesses. "We are excited by the opportunities in Australia and look forward to converting other Australian correspondents in the months ahead.”

About Penson Worldwide: www.penson.com

The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution, clearing, custody, settlement and technology infrastructure products and services to financial services firms and others servicing the global financial services industry. The Penson Worldwide group of companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial Services Canada Inc., Penson Financial Services Ltd., Nexa Technologies, Inc., Penson GHCO, Penson Asia Limited, and Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd, among other companies. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Penson has served the clearing needs of the global financial services industry since 1995. Penson Worldwide - Building the Best Clearing and Execution Services Firm in the World.

Penson Financial Services, Inc. is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex LLC, Chicago Stock Exchange, FINRA, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), OneChicago, the International Securities Exchange (ISE), the NYSE Arca Exchange, the Options Clearing Corp (OCC), the MSRB, NSCC, ICMA, DTC, Euroclear, SIPC and is a participant of the Boston Options Exchange (BOX). Penson Financial Services Canada Inc. is a participating organization with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the CNQ Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, is a member of the CIPF, CDCC and CDS and subscribes to various Canadian Alternative Trading Systems. Penson Financial Services Ltd. is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd is a member of the ASX Group, which operates the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange. Penson GHCO is a registered Futures Commission Merchant and clearing member at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, Kansas City Board of Trade, London International Financial Futures Exchange, and ICE Futures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not based on current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Penson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.