Wedbush Securities Names Former Sports Coach Chris Ellis as VP of Investments

Wedbush Securities Inc., a diversified independent
financial services provider, has appointed Chris Ellis as Vice President of
Investments based in its office in Pasadena. Ellis, a Certified Financial Planner, is transitioning from CUSO Financial Services, aiming to broaden Wedbush’s influence
in Southern California.

Ellis’s background as a men’s college basketball
manager at Pepperdine University and a women’s college basketball assistant
coach at the University of California, Irvine, uniquely shapes his financial
career.

With experience at CUSO Financial Services, LAPD
Financial Credit Union, and Independent Financial Group, Ellis brings a wealth
of expertise and client-focused dedication, the company noted in a statement
issued today (Friday).

Chris Mone, the EVP and Head of Wealth Management at
Wedbush, emphasized Ellis’s blend of coaching and financial acumen. Mone
underscored the firm’s dedication to assembling top-tier talent, ensuring
personalized financial services tailored to clients’ needs.

Mone mentioned: “Chris’s arrival at Wedbush
underscores our commitment to assembling a team of top-tier talent dedicated to
delivering unparalleled wealth management solutions. His unique blend of
coaching and financial expertise and his designation as a CFP aligns
seamlessly with our approach and reinforces our mission to provide innovative
and personalized financial services.”

Ellis’ Educational Background

Ellis earned a BS in Political Science from
Pepperdine University and a Master of Education from Loyola Marymount
University. Established in 1955, Wedbush Securities provides
clients a wide range of brokerage, wealth management, and investment
banking services.

Last year, the company unveiled its strategic expansion into the foreign exchange prime brokerage industry, marking a
significant departure from its traditional offerings in securities brokerage,
wealth management, and investment banking.

Wedbush announced
its plans to commence the new services in May 2022, expanding its existing
multi-asset clearing services. The move signified the firm’s commitment to
diversification and growth in response to evolving market demands.

Wedbush onboarded a cadre of seasoned executives
from Jefferies, led by industry veteran Michael Stone, to spearhead its FX
prime brokerage venture. Boasting over three decades of financial services
expertise, Stone assumed the role of Senior Vice President in Wedbush’s fixed income, currencies, commodities, and securities finance divisions.