Nexa Technologies, Inc. (www.nexatech.com), a leading provider of advanced trading solutions and subsidiary of Penson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNSN), today announced that it ranks 10th in the Securities Technology 50, a survey of top front-office vendors conducted by Securities Industry News in conjunction with the independent research firm, Financial Insights, an IDC company.

The study, which ran as a supplement to the October 16, 2006 issue of Securities Industry News, represents the first of what is slated to become an annual ranking examining the size, growth and prospects of various vendors across the capital markets technology sector. This year's survey examined the number of installed desktops; a quantifiable statistic and figure correlated roughly with market share. Each year's ranking will look at a different area of the industry with the goal of providing an extensive overview of the total securities marketplace.

?It is exciting to be recognized as a leading technology firm in such a prestigious survey that takes into account our competitors and industry peers,? said Eric Stoop, President, Nexa Technologies. ?Our ranking reveals to the industry what our customers already know; that we are a leader in the financial technology marketplace. I am proud to see the extent to which our desktop installations have penetrated the market and have confirmation that our product line of trading platforms, connectivity, and market data appeals to a wide range of clientele.?

?We are very proud of Nexa's rise in stature in the financial technology industry,? adds Daniel P. Son, President and Co-Founder, Penson Worldwide. ?Nexa's technology plays an important role in our clearing businesses, and yet they continue to grow as an independent provider of technology as well.?

About Nexa Technologies, Inc.: www.nexatech.com

Nexa Technologies, Inc., is a provider of online and direct access trading solutions. Founded in 1999, Nexa Technologies is a subsidiary of Penson Worldwide, Inc. Its comprehensive product set incorporates multi-asset direct access trading systems, FIX-compliant order routing, comprehensive data and market access to European & North American equity, options and derivatives exchanges and ECNs.

Nexa Technologies added historical intraday time series data into its product range in January 2005 when Penson Worldwide acquired Tick Data, Inc. The Tick Data division, which provides clean, reliable historical intraday time series data for the equities and futures markets, employs proprietary compression algorithms, price-filtering techniques, and ticker symbol mapping processes to produce complete, research-ready historical data. From efficient data collection and distribution to seamless integration with third-party analytical software, the Tick Data division removes the frustration from building and maintaining historical databases.

About Penson Worldwide: www.penson.com

The Penson Worldwide group of companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial Services Canada, Inc., Penson Financial Services, Ltd., Nexa Technologies, Inc. and Penson Financial Futures, Inc. among other companies. The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution, clearing, custody, settlement, and technology infrastructure products and services to securities firms and others servicing the securities industry. Penson Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has served the clearing needs of all types of broker/dealers since 1995. Penson is the flexible choice in global securities services(TM).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not based on current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Penson's actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Penson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.