Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2006--Joining several high-profile hires to H&R Block Financial Advisors, 18-year Smith Barney veteran Andy Kistler was recently hired away to take the reigns of the Southeast division of the growing firm.

"Andy's 18 years at Smith Barney were characterized by significant growth in each unit he managed," said Joan Cohen, President of H&R Block Financial Advisors. She indicated that Kistler doubled the assets under management in the Smith Barney branch he managed in Washington, D.C. "Through excellent recruiting and management, Andy was able to grow revenues per advisor 36 percent in the six-year period in Washington. We are expecting Andy to similarly impact the six regions of our Southeast division."

"I am here because I saw an opportunity at HRBFA to build on a unique and superior business model designed to serve middle America," Kistler said. He will report to Doug Aldridge, Sr. VP National Sales.

Prior to Kistler, H&R Block Financial Advisors brought on board Aldridge, a 28-year pro and one-time senior executive at Wachovia, to lead its national sales force. Recently, this advisory unit of H&R Block also hired Kevin Rooker, a 25-year industry veteran from JP Morgan Chase to coordinate the firm's business develop efforts; and Bill Meyer, one of the creative minds from Charles Schwab, to lead the client experience team.

Kistler began his career right out of college with Merrill Lynch in Charlotte, N.C., as an account executive where he earned the Executive Club recognition. He joined Smith Barney in 1988 as a branch manager in Albany, Ga., where he was the youngest vice president-branch manager in all of Smith Barney. Kistler moved up to lead branches in Savannah, Ga.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and eventually to Washington, D.C.

"We hired Andy for both his recruiting skills and his management ability so he can drive growth in the six regions he will oversee," Aldridge said. "His experience in driving fee-based business and hiring highly-productive advisors will be critical to continuing the success that division has experienced."

HRBFA plans to hire 250 experienced advisors in their fiscal year which began 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.