Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2006--Joining the nearly 200 advisors who have been added to the ranks of H&R Block Financial Advisors in the last year, the two-person team of Gary Sargent and Cliff Hodgman made the jump from Smith Barney to H&R Block Financial Advisors in the Kalamazoo, Mich., branch.

"This team brings 23 years of experience to our branch in Kalamazoo and represents annual production of nearly $700,000," Sr. VP National Sales Doug Aldridge said. "They are indicative of the caliber of people that are hearing of our growth opportunities and making the career choice to join us."

Regional Director Steve Belloli, who was active in the recruiting process, indicated the team felt they were not supported well by their previous management and believed that HRBFA, though a national firm, maintained a more regional feel.

"The access they had to leadership during the recruiting process was key to their decision. But it was the opportunity to grow their business through partnering with tax professionals that they viewed as the largest value proposition," Belloli said. "They see tax clients as their best opportunity to become million-dollar producers."

Manager Named to New Atlanta-Area Branch

The new Buckhead, Ga., branch of H&R Block Financial Advisors is now under the direction of Richard McGalliard. He joined the firm from Wachovia Securities where he was Sr. Vice President and Regional Manager. Aldridge said, "With 37 years in the industry, Richard's experience will help us expand our presence in the Atlanta area." McGalliard is an arbitrator for the NYSE and NASD and is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina.

According to Aldridge, HRBFA was successful in both recruiting and revenue growth in the last fiscal year. "We have aggressive goals in both recruiting and profitability for the coming 12 months and hiring experienced leaders such as Richard McGalliard along with recruiting teams like Gary Sargent and Cliff Hodgman will continue our momentum," he explained. HRBFA plans to hire 250 experienced advisors in their fiscal year beginning May 1, 2006.

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 $4.4 billion and net income of $624 million in fiscal year 2005 from operations in four principal business segments: tax preparation and advice via in-office, online and software solutions; investment and financial advisory services; retail and wholesale mortgage services; and tax/accounting/business consulting services for mid-sized 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: H&R Block Inc.
Dan Grubbs, 816-932-4894

SOURCE: H&R Block Inc.