Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 2006--H&R Block Financial Advisors (HRBFA) recruited four key hires with assets totaling $158 million under management in the month of November.

"Talented financial advisors, like our recent hires, are choosing HRBFA as a place to build their practice," said Joan Cohen, president of HRBFA. "Our recruiting effort was very solid in 2006 and we anticipate that we will continue to build momentum in 2007 as other established advisors hear about our business model, and find it attractive."

HRBFA provides its advisors access to millions of U.S. taxpayers through its sister business unit H&R Block. Through this relationship with H&R Block's tax professionals, advisors have the opportunity to grow their businesses while helping clients in a more comprehensive way, through tax-smart investment strategies.

An industry veteran with 20 years of experience, Rich Weiss joined HRBFA's Pittsburgh, Pa. branch. Weiss was previously with Smith Barney where he had $46 million in assets under management.

"At HRBFA, clients come first. All clients, regardless of account size, receive the highest quality service and attention," said Weiss. "The firm has a friendly, regional feel, while maintaining a national presence, which is very attractive to me; also access to high level management within the firm is exceptional."

Gregory C. Bravo, CFP joined HRBFA as manager for the Lake Oswego, Ore. branch. Bravo has 20 years of industry experience and was previously with Merrill Lynch.

"The opportunity to work with H&R Block's tax clients provides a great source of referrals to help grow my business," said Bravo, who represents nearly $39 million in assets under management. "The unique relationship between advisors and tax professionals does not exist anywhere else in the industry and that provides great opportunity for HRBFA."

Kevin Madden joined HRBFA's St. Charles, Ill. branch from Edward Jones where he spent nearly five years. Madden represents $38 million in assets.

"I'm excited to join a firm that puts the wind at my back and allows me to service my clients at a higher level," said Madden. "I now have the opportunity to deepen client relationships by offering a broader range of products and services, which means more satisfied clients."

Thomas Styczen joined HRBFA's Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. office and represented $36 million under management at his previous firm.

"I see working with the vast network of tax professionals as a major opportunity," said Styczen, who has been in the industry for seven years and joined the firm from A.G. Edwards. "HRBFA's integrated plan to provide quality financial services makes a lot of sense to me."

About H&R Block:

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE:HRB) is a leading provider of tax, financial, mortgage, accounting and business consulting services and products. H&R Block is the world's largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million tax returns since 1955. The company and its subsidiaries generated revenues of $4.9 billion and net income of $490 million in fiscal year 2006. In fiscal year 2007, it is operating in four principal business segments: Tax Services (income tax preparation and advice via in-office, online and software solutions); Mortgage Services (wholesale mortgage originations and loan servicing); Consumer Financial Services (investment and financial advisory services, retail mortgage loans, and banking products and services); and Business Services (tax, accounting and consulting services for midsized businesses). Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., H&R Block markets its services and products under three leading brands -- H&R Block, Option One and RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.

H&R Block Financial Advisors provides brokerage services and investment planning in the U.S. Services offered include traditional brokerage services, as well as annuities, insurance, fee-based accounts, online account access, equity research and focus lists, model portfolios, asset allocation strategies and other investment tools and information. H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC and member of the NYSE, SIPC and NASD.

CONTACT:
HRBFA Corporate Communications
Stacie Fleming, 816-512-2324
stacie.fleming@hrblock.com

SOURCE:
H&R Block Inc.