James Dixon Promoted to Head of Private Client Group 

Birmingham, AL (August 22, 2008)James Dixon has been named Senior Managing Director of Private Client Group for Sterne Agee.

Mr. Dixon joined Sterne Agee in 1994; he has worked in Equity Trading, Fixed Income Trading, and the Private Client Group. Prior to his new position, Mr. Dixon was involved in the management of the Birmingham Private Client office. Dixon’s new responsibilities will include recruiting and extensive development of the Sterne Agee Private Client Group.

Mr. Dixon graduated from the University of Alabama, where he also earned an MBA. He earned a Certificate in Financial Planning from Florida State University and completed the Securities Industry Institute at the Wharton School. Mr. Dixon is a graduate of the Branch Manager Development Program at the Security Investors Association.

Outside of his work for Sterne Agee, he has been a member of several professional organizations, including president of the Alabama Security Dealers Association and served as an officer of the Birmingham Bond Club. He is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club, and an officer at Independent Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dixon resides in Birmingham with his wife, Rita, and their two children, James and David.

Founded in 1901, Sterne Agee is one of the oldest and largest privately-owned brokerage firms in the country. A member of the New York Stock Exchange, Sterne Agee has headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, and offices in 23 states. For more information, visit www.sterneagee.com.

For more information contact:

Leah McKinney

Senior Vice President

205.949.3564

lmckinney@sterneagee.com