Twelve Lincoln Financial Network Advisors Join Women in Insurance & Financial Services 2014 Circle of Excellence

Lincoln Financial Network (LFN), the retail wealth management affiliate of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC), today announced that twelve of the firm’s top female advisors have qualified for the Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) 2014 Circle of Excellence. The WIFS Circle of Excellence elevates and promotes the outstanding income accomplishments of WIFS members.

WIFS, an organization devoted to attracting, developing and advancing the careers of women in the financial services industry, had 157 qualifiers for the 2014 Circle of Excellence with a combined reported income of $43.5 million. Qualifiers are placed in six tiers based on income levels.

This year, LFN affiliated advisors comprised half of all qualifiers in the top two tiers. Karen DeRose of Chicago, Ill. qualified in the Diamond tier ($1 million and above). Colleen M. Bowler of Dallas, Texas, Betty Harris Custer of Madison, Wis., Dianna Parker of Dallas, Texas and Bridget R. Yeung of Sugar Land, Texas qualified for Emerald ($750 thousand). Elizabeth Liechty of Millersville, Md., Anne M. Machesky of Edina, Minn. and Judy Smith of San Diego, Calif. qualified for Sapphire ($500 thousand). Regina Beatty of Greensburg, Penn., Melanie Shanty of Lutherville, Md., and Stacey Spedden-Irrgang of Hunt Valley, Md. qualified for Ruby ($250 thousand). Andrea Gellert of Davie, Fla. qualified for Topaz ($75 thousand).

The Circle of Excellence qualifier with the highest reported income will be the honored recipient of the Infinity Award presented at the WIFS National Conference in Orlando, Fla., October 22-25.

“We are thrilled to see our advisors thrive as leaders in the marketplace,” said David Berkowitz, president of Lincoln Financial Network. “I applaud the achievements of this group and know that they will continue to inspire the advancement of all women in our industry.”

About Lincoln Financial Network

Lincoln Financial Network is the marketing name for the retail sales and financial planning affiliates of Lincoln Financial Group and includes Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, both members of FINRA and SIPC. Consisting of almost 8,000 representatives, agents, and full-service financial planners throughout the United States, Lincoln Financial Network professionals can offer financial planning and advisory services, retirement services, life products, annuities, investments, and trust services to affluent individuals, business owners, and families.

About WIFS

More than 75 years strong, Women in Insurance & Financial Services, headquartered in Albany, NY, is the only organization in the insurance and financial services industry exclusively devoted to supporting the careers of women and helping them succeed in this business. The WIFS mission is to attract, develop, and advance the careers of women in the financial services industry. Over 1000 WIFS members throughout the country receive value from monthly education programs, local chapters in over 30 US markets, annual national conference, professional development, member discounts, and corporate partnerships. For more information about WIFS and upcoming programs, visit www.wifsnational.org or contact Deborah Duffy, Executive Director at 866-264-WIFS (9437).

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