Cetera wins two 2026 "Wealthies" Awards for Retirement Plan Advisor Support, and Thought Leadership. Press room Cetera wins two 2026 "Wealthies" Awards for Retirement Plan Advisor Support, and Thought Leadership. Cetera also named finalist in Practice Management, Technology, and Corporate Leader of the Year categories SAN DIEGO - Sept. 16, 2026 - Cetera's Wealth Bridge Participant Dashboard won the 2026 Wealth Management Industry Award ("Wealthies")* in the Retirement Plan Support and Advisor Services: Advisor Support - Distributors category, and Cetera's Inclusive Growth Network won in the Thought Leadership category. The awards were presented Sept. 10 at the Wealth Management Industry Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Cetera earned recognition in the Retirement Plan Support and Advisor Services: Advisor Support - Distributors category for its Wealth Bridge Participant Dashboard, which enables advisors to turn consolidated participant data into targeted engagement and meaningful wealth conversations. By bringing data from multiple sources into one intuitive, actionable view, the dashboard helps advisors identify participant needs, prioritize outreach and engage at scale. Since October 2025, Wealth Bridge has expanded to seven major recordkeepers and now provides insights across approximately $10 billion in retirement plan assets and 230,000 participants. As its reach grows, Wealth Bridge is helping advisors deepen relationships and connect to retirement plan participants who may need guidance with broader wealth management support. "The industry is moving toward a future where retirement plan participants need a higher level of engagement and support, and this holistic integration with broader wealth conversations is crucial to help participants make better financial decisions. Cetera's Wealth Bridge is built for that future, making it possible by connecting participant data to real engagement so advisors can guide clients through every stage of their financial lives, not just their working years," said Jon Anderson, Head of Workplace & Retirement Solutions. Cetera also won a Wealthies award in the Thought Leadership category for its Inclusive Growth Network, a platform that unites advisor-led Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives into a cohesive growth experience shaped by the advisor voice. At the heart of the network are Advisor Resource Groups, which provide opportunities for advisors to connect, share insights, build capabilities, and foster a sense of belonging while advancing business success. The Inclusive Growth Network also features an advisor-led Inclusion Council, a curated learning program focused on timely and relevant topics called the Collective Growth Series, and a centralized AdviceWorks(R) hub that helps streamline program access and engagement. "The Inclusive Growth Network is a platform for helping Cetera advisors connect, learn, and grow through meaningful dialogue and educational opportunities. This recognition reflects the culture of inclusion, collaboration, and engagement fostered within our Advisor Resource Groups and the meaningful impact these connections have on advisor success. We are honored to see that impact recognized," said Samone Word, Senior Manager, DEIB. Now in its 12th year, the Wealth Management Annual Industry Awards program honors individuals, organizations and companies that help financial advisors build better businesses and pursue better outcomes for their clients. This year's awards set a record with 1,392 nominations from 508 unique companies, up from 1,210 in 2025 and nearly four times the 350 nominations submitted in the program's inaugural year in 2015. This year's finalist class represented 315 unique companies across 107 categories. About Cetera Cetera is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 financial professionals and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms. Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice - blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth. As of June 30, 2026, Cetera firms manage approximately $688 billion in assets under administration and $330 billion in assets under management. Its Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 50,000 advisor reviews, and over 45,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.7 out of 5 satisfaction score. Cetera is a network of independent retail firms, including those that are members of FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC; Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (formerly known as Cetera Advisor Networks); Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors); and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Entities registered as investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission include Cetera Investment Management LLC and Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera's principal office is located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. (APP) and The Retirement Planning Group, LLC (TRPG), doing business as Cetera Planning Partners (CPP), are SEC registered investment advisers within the Aretec Group, Inc. (dba Cetera Holdings, an affiliate of Cetera). All referenced entities are under common ownership. Cetera exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside businesses. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. *The WealthManagement.com Industry Awards program recognizes outstanding organizations and individuals that support financial advisor success. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award. Media Contacts: Gregory for Cetera Financial Group [email protected] Tony Katsulos Director, External Communications Cetera Financial Group [email protected]

Cetera highlights growth resources, new Growth360 Dashboard at Connect2Peers 2026. Annual conference gathers nearly 2,000 advisors, strategic partners and Cetera staff in Salt Lake City SAN DIEGO - Sept. 9, 2026 - Cetera recently concluded its 2026 Connect2Peers conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, bringing together nearly 2,000 Cetera-affiliated advisors, third-party strategic partners and Cetera home office colleagues for several days to focus on advisor growth, business development opportunities and innovation. Designed for growth-minded advisors across all Cetera communities, Connect2Peers provides opportunities for financial professionals to exchange ideas, engage directly with Cetera specialists, and explore growth resources designed to help advisors strengthen and scale their businesses. A highlight of this year's conference was the launch of the Growth360 Dashboard as a new capability within AdviceWorks(R) to further help advisors drive the growth of their practices through greater insights and recommendations. The dashboard is part of Cetera's Growth360 business-planning approach, which combines firm- and advisor-level diagnostics with resources designed to help advisors identify growth opportunities, benchmark performance and turn insights into action. "Connect2Peers demonstrates the power of the Cetera community," said Todd Mackay, Chief Wealth Management Officer at Cetera. "Bringing together advisors, strategic partners and home office teams creates a unique forum for collaboration, relationship-building and idea-sharing, all centered on helping advisors grow, serve clients more effectively and achieve greater success." Connect Central served as the event's hub for advisor engagement, featuring expert guidance, live presentations, networking opportunities and strategic partner solutions. Throughout the conference, advisors also participated in peer-to-peer discussions, educational sessions and hands-on experiences focused on growth strategies, technology solutions and business planning resources. "Connect2Peers showcased the very best of Cetera's growth-focused approach," said Cetera Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Michael Zuna. "From the launch of the Growth360 Dashboard to direct access to Cetera teams, resources and strategic partners, the conference reinforced our commitment to helping advisors identify opportunities to enhance their practices, accelerate growth and deliver greater value to their clients." The next Connect2Peers conference will be held in Nashville, Sept. 13-16, 2027. About Cetera Cetera is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 financial professionals and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms. Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice - blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth. As of June 30, 2026, Cetera firms manage approximately $688 billion in assets under administration and $330 billion in assets under management. Its Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 50,000 advisor reviews, and over 45,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.7 out of 5 satisfaction score. Cetera is a network of independent retail firms, including those that are members of FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC; Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (formerly known as Cetera Advisor Networks); Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors); and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Entities registered as investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission include Cetera Investment Management LLC and Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera's principal office is located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. (APP) and The Retirement Planning Group, LLC (TRPG), doing business as Cetera Planning Partners (CPP), are SEC registered investment advisers within the Aretec Group, Inc. (dba Cetera Holdings, an affiliate of Cetera). All referenced entities are under common ownership. Cetera exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside businesses. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. Tony Katsulos Director, External Communications Cetera Financial Group [email protected]

Sierra Ridge Advisor Group, a California-based investment practice overseeing approximately $2.1 billion in assets under advisement, has selected Cetera to support its growth plans. The firm, led by co-founders James Slaughter and Giancarlo Foti, is moving from LPL after just 13 months, bringing approximately 40 affiliated advisors to Cetera's Large Enterprise channel. Sierra Ridge plans to expand nationally beyond its current six offices in California, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin. The firm will launch its own registered investment adviser on Cetera's Blueprint platform, which provides multi-custodial flexibility and modular infrastructure for scaling advisory firms. The move reflects Sierra Ridge's need for a partner whose platform and resources could support its national expansion whilst providing advisors with operational support, including compliance, staffing, technology, and marketing services.