Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. Announces Program to Sell Stock Donated to Organizations Assisting Victims of the Tsunami Disaster in South Asia and East Africa at No Charge

Business Wire, Jan 13, 2005

NEW YORK -- Company Expands Siebert Charitable Stock Donation Program Originally Developed To Assist Victims of Florida Hurricanes As Investors Show Interest In Also Donating Stock To Other Causes

To make it easier for investors who would like to donate stock as a way of contributing to the ongoing earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in South Asia and East Africa, Muriel Siebert, Chairman and President of Siebert Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:SIEB), parent of the stock brokerage firm, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., today announced that the firm will sell stock donated to involved relief organizations and charities free of commission charges. The announcement by Siebert represents an expansion of last year's Charitable Stock Donation Program launched with the American Red Cross and other charities to help Florida hurricane victims.

"We started this program to increase the value of donations to those in need," said Muriel Siebert. "I am proud and gratified that so many investors have responded to our program by making stock donations to help the victims of the Florida Hurricanes," she added. "Now, after receiving many inquiries and handling numerous stock donations for investors seeking to contribute to the American Red Cross' tsunami relief efforts, we have decided to expand our original concept. We want to help maximize the value of stock donations to charities and other organizations providing relief in South Asia and East Africa, thereby getting more aid to the needy."

"Muriel Siebert has once again joined forces with the American Red Cross to respond to an urgent humanitarian crisis," said Skip Seitz, Senior Vice President of Growth and Integrated Development of the American Red Cross. "Their innovative generosity will allow us to bring help and hope to so many suffering in the affected areas."

Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. has been handling the liquidation of stock donations for no commission for a number of charitable and non-profit organizations for years. In 2004 alone, Siebert handled over $26 million in stock donations for charities at no cost. Siebert has been selling stock donated to the American Red Cross without commission charges through the Siebert Charitable Stock Donation Program since last fall.

Investors who would like to make stock donations to benefit the tsunami relief effort in South Asia and East Africa can do so through the American Red Cross (visit www.redcross.org), or they can have their charities contact Siebert to participate in the program. Investors who wish to donate are not required to have Siebert accounts and can contact Siebert at 800-872-0711 for more information about the Siebert Charitable Stock Donation Program.

About Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., and Siebert Financial Corp

Siebert is the only discount broker to rank in Smartmoney's top three discount brokers for the past seven years. It also received Kiplinger's number one online broker ranking in 2004 and 2002 and is the only broker to rank in Kiplinger's top three in its five most recent surveys (1999-2002 and 2004). SiebertNet, the firm's online brokerage service, was ranked one of Barron's four-star online brokerage sites for three years from 2002-2004.

Siebert Financial Corp. is a holding company which conducts all its brokerage operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. ("Siebert"). A member of the New York Stock Exchange, Siebert was one of the first stock brokerage firms in the U.S. to adopt a discounted commission schedule on May 1, 1975, when discounting was first permitted. Siebert conducts its municipal investment banking activities through Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., LLC, a separate affiliate specializing in municipal and financial advisory services.

Siebert is based in New York City with additional retail branches in Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Surfside and Naples, Florida; Beverly Hills, California; and Jersey City, New Jersey. In addition, Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. has offices in New York City, Oakland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Chicago, Detroit and Anchorage.

Siebert does not provide legal or tax advice. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding potential tax implications of donations or sales of securities. Siebert and the American Red Cross are not affiliated companies. SmartMoney is the Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business, a joint publication of the Hearst Corp. and Dow Jones & Co., Inc. Kiplinger's is published by Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Barron's is published by Dow Jones & Co., Inc. Statements in this press release concerning the Company's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses or other financial items, together with other statements that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, changes in general economic and market conditions, fluctuations in volume and prices of securities, changes and prospects for changes in interest rates and demand for brokerage and investment banking services, increases in competition within and without the discount brokerage business through broader service offerings or otherwise, competition from electronic discount brokerage firms offering greater discounts on commissions than Siebert, prevalence of a flat fee environment, decline in participation in equity or municipal finance underwriting, decreased ticket volume in the discount brokerage division, limited trading opportunities, increases in expenses, changes in net capital or other regulatory requirements. As a result of these and other factors, Siebert may experience material fluctuations in its operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition, operating results, and stock price, as well as other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in "forward-looking statements" are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such "forward-looking statements," and the Company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained herein or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to such "forward-looking statements" to reflect future events or developments. An investment in Siebert involves various risks, including those mentioned above and those, which are detailed from time to time in Siebert's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Copies of the company's SEC filings may be obtained by contacting the company or the SEC.