Exhibit 99.1

Penson Worldwide, Inc. 1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1400 Dallas, Texas 75201 www.penson.com PRESS RELEASE

Penson Worldwide, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2010

Dallas, TX, February 10, 2011 — Penson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNSN) today reported improved results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010, with net revenues of $80.0 million increasing 15% from the third quarter of 2010 and the net loss declining significantly, to $3.2 million, or ($0.11) per share. Results included $1.8 million in certain non-operating expenses, equal to ($0.04) per share net of tax.

“We are pleased to report that during the fourth quarter, revenues increased by double digit percentages in all categories,” said Philip A. Pendergraft, Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, Penson Australia achieved profitability, business from the former Ridge correspondents outperformed expectations, and we reduced expenses in key areas. However, we will not be satisfied until we report profitable consolidated results. Based on the fourth quarter, we are headed in the right direction.”

Penson Canada Completes Broadridge Conversion

Penson also announced that as of February 6, 2011, Penson Financial Services Canada, Inc., based in Montreal, had become the first subsidiary to convert its securities processing technology to the Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR) platform. Penson Financial Services, Inc., based in Dallas, expects to complete the conversion of its correspondents in the third quarter. By moving these subsidiaries to the Broadridge platform, Penson expects to reduce annual costs $7-$10 million and improve overall scalability.

Additional 4Q10 Analysis (on a sequential quarter basis)

•		Non-interest revenues of $59.8 million increased 15% from the third quarter, with clearing and commission fees up 13%, “other” revenues up 26% and technology revenues up 11%. Growth reflects stronger trading volume in equities, options and futures. This compares to mixed average daily industry volume in the US (equities down 2%, options up 20%, and futures up 4%). Penson’s performance versus US industry metrics was enhanced by the re-engagement of active traders, and added volume from new correspondents in the US and Australia.
•		Net interest revenues of $20.2 million increased 12%. Growth primarily reflects an increase of 21%, or $1.4 billion, in interest earning average daily balances, partially offset by a 5 bps decline in interest spread. Penson’s performance was enhanced by additional assets from new correspondents and the pickup in activity among existing correspondents.
•		While net revenues increased 15%, total expenses remained virtually level on a reported basis. As a percentage of net revenues, pro-forma compensation expenses, which excludes certain non-operating expenses, declined to 36.0% from 41.6% and were at their lowest level in the last two years, reflecting Penson’s ongoing cost reduction program.

For Immediate Release

•		Fourth quarter expenses included $8.0 million of non-cash items that had a $5.2 million net after tax effect compared to $8.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in the third quarter. Fourth quarter non-operating expenses of $1.8 million reflect litigation and bad debt, severance related to headcount reductions, and costs to prepare subsidiaries for their technology conversion.
•		Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation, and excluding certain non-operating expenses) was $13.0 million in the fourth quarter compared to $3.7 million in the third quarter, and totaled $40.2 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2010.

Record Number of Correspondents

Penson had a record 430 revenue-generating correspondents at December 31, 2010, compared to 386 at September 30, 2010. Penson securities clearing operations added a net 42, for a total of 371. This included 34 modestly sized Australian correspondents added in November. Penson Futures added a net 2, for a total of 59. As of December 31, 2010, there was a “pipeline” of 30 new correspondents signed but not yet contributing to revenues.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Based on the size and composition of Penson’s interest-earning and interest-paying average balances for the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company estimates that each 25 basis point increase in the federal funds rate would benefit net interest revenue by approximately $1.3 million per quarter.

Conference Call

Penson will host a conference call on Friday, February 11, 2011, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Central Time) to discuss this news release and other related subjects. The call will be accessible live via a webcast on the Penson Investor Relations section of www.penson.com along with supporting materials. A webcast replay will be available shortly thereafter. Access the webcast link in advance to download any necessary software.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance to supplement the unaudited financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company presents non-GAAP measures when we believe that the additional information is useful and meaningful to investors. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of non-GAAP measures is not intended to be a substitute for, and should not be considered in isolation from, the financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

We have reported our results of operations both with and without the effect in the fourth quarter of 2010 of legal expenses to conclude certain outstanding matters in litigation, certain bad debt, costs to prepare subsidiaries for their technology conversion, and severance costs associated with a reduction in staff. We have also reported our results of operations both with and without the effect in the third quarter of 2010 of severance costs associated with a reduction in staff and costs to prepare subsidiaries for their technology conversion. We believe that, given the nature of these items, it is useful to state what our results of operations would have been without them so that investors can see underlying trends in our business.

EBITDAS (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by SEC Regulation G. The Company considers EBITDAS an important measure of our financial performance and of our ability to generate cash flows to service debt, fund capital expenditures and fund other corporate investing and financing activities. EBITDAS eliminates the non-cash effect of tangible asset depreciation and amortization, intangible asset amortization and stock-based compensation. The Company also considers “Adjusted EBITDA” (another non-GAAP financial measure as defined by SEC Regulation G) an important measure of our financial performance and of our ability to generate cash flows to service debt, fund capital expenditures and fund other corporate investing and financing activities. “Adjusted EBITDA” eliminates the effect in the fourth quarter of 2010 of legal expenses to conclude certain outstanding matters in litigation, certain bad debt, costs to prepare subsidiaries for their technology conversion, and severance costs associated with a reduction in staff, and in 2010 of severance costs associated with a reduction in staff, expenses related to the transactions with Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., legal expenses to conclude certain outstanding litigation, certain bad debt and costs to prepare subsidiaries for their technology conversion. EBITDAS and “Adjusted EBITDA” should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, pre-tax income, net income and cash flows from operating activities.

About Penson Worldwide

The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution, clearing, custody, settlement and technology infrastructure products and services to financial services firms and others servicing the global financial services industry. The Penson Worldwide group of companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial Services Canada Inc., Penson Financial Services Ltd., Nexa Technologies, Inc., Penson Futures, Penson Asia Limited, and Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd, among other companies. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Penson has served the clearing needs of the global financial services industry since 1995. Penson Worldwide — Building the Best Clearing and Execution Services Firm in the World. For more information, please visit: http://www.penson.com

Penson Financial Services, Inc. is a member of FINRA, New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Arca Exchange, NYSE Amex Equities, NYSE Amex Options, BATS Exchange, Direct Edge Exchanges (EDGA and EDGX), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), Chicago Stock Exchange, International Securities Exchange (ISE), NASDAQ OMX BX, NASDAQ OMX PHLX, NASDAQ Stock Market, NASDAQ LIFFE, LLC, National Stock Exchange, Options Clearing Corp. (OCC), Fixed Income Clearing Corp. (FICC), MSRB, National Securities Clearing Corp. (NSCC), DTC, ICMA, Euroclear, and SIPC. Penson Financial Services Canada Inc. is a participating organization with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the CNQ Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, is a member of the CIPF, CDCC and CDS and subscribes to various Canadian Alternative Trading Systems. Penson Financial Services Ltd. is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Penson Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd holds an Australian Financial Services License and is a Participant of ASX Limited, Australian Clearing House Pty Limited, ASX Settlement and Transfer Corporation Pty Limited. Penson Futures is a registered Futures Commission Merchant and clearing member at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange, Kansas City Board of Trade, Minneapolis Board of Trade, NYSE Euronext, NYSE Liffe USA, and ICE Futures.

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. 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.

Contacts: Gary Fishman (gary.fishman@anreder.com), Steven Anreder (steven.anreder@anreder.com), or Michael Shallo (michael.shallo@anreder.com), of Anreder & Company, at +1-212-532-3232

PENSON 4Q10 RESULTS

Penson Worldwide, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
		(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Revenues
Clearing and commission fees		$	42,901			$	34,826			$	153,188			$	145,045
Technology			5,167				5,410				20,419				23,793
Interest, gross			27,105				22,246				90,768				100,219
Other			11,768				19,266				46,242				55,103
Total revenues			86,941				81,748				310,617				324,160
Interest expense from securities operations			6,924				7,328				22,269				34,279
Net revenues			80,017				74,420				288,348				289,881
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits			29,063				27,780				119,749				113,101
Floor brokerage, exchange and clearance fees			11,395				7,666				40,362				32,385
Communications and data processing			18,935				11,572				60,268				45,442
Occupancy and equipment			8,278				7,385				32,191				29,417
Other expenses			7,746				8,823				34,165				33,356
Interest expense on long-term debt			9,530				4,303				30,829				10,344
			84,947				67,529				317,564				264,045
Income (loss) before income taxes			(4,930	)			6,891				(29,216	)			25,836
Income tax expense (benefit)			(1,726	)			2,550				(9,369	)			9,825
Net income (loss)		$	(3,204	)		$	4,341			$	(19,847	)		$	16,011
Earnings (loss) per share — basic		$	(0.11	)		$	0.17			$	(0.73	)		$	0.63
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted		$	(0.11	)		$	0.17			$	(0.73	)		$	0.63
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic			28,394				25,491				27,034				25,373
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted			28,394				25,651				27,034				25,591

PENSON 4Q10 RESULTS

Penson Worldwide, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In thousands)

		December 31,				December 31,
		2010				2009
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	138,614			$	48,643
Cash and securities — segregated under federal and other regulations			5,407,645				3,605,651
Receivable from broker-dealers and clearing organizations			257,036				225,130
Receivable from customers, net			2,209,373				1,038,796
Receivable from correspondents			129,208				74,992
Securities borrowed			1,050,682				1,271,033
Securities owned, at fair value			201,195				223,480
Deposits with clearing organizations			423,156				433,243
Property and equipment, net			37,743				34,895
Other assets			399,532				295,212
Total assets		$	10,254,184			$	7,251,075
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Payable to broker-dealers and clearing organizations		$	128,536			$	336,056
Payable to customers			7,498,626				5,038,338
Payable to correspondents			469,542				249,659
Short-term bank loans			338,110				113,213
Notes payable			259,729				132,769
Securities loaned			1,015,351				898,957
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value			115,916				97,308
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities			127,453				85,873
Total liabilities			9,953,263				6,952,173
Stockholders’ Equity
Total stockholders’ equity			300,921				298,902
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	10,254,184			$	7,251,075

PENSON 4Q10 RESULTS

Penson Worldwide, Inc.
Supplemental Data

		Three Months Ended																				Year Ended
		December 31,				March 31,				June 30,				September 30,				December 31,				December 31,
(in thousands)		2009				2010				2010				2010				2010				2010
Interest revenue
Interest on asset based balances		$	17,998			$	16,990			$	16,829			$	19,635			$	23,776			$	77,230
Interest on conduit borrows			4,234				3,659				2,932				2,021				2,074				10,686
Money market			14				(59	)			317				1,339				1,255				2,852
Total interest revenue			22,246				20,590				20,078				22,995				27,105				90,768
Interest expense
Interest expense on liability based balances			4,342				3,149				2,780				3,609				5,495				15,033
Interest on conduit loans			2,986				2,318				2,074				1,415				1,429				7,236
Total interest expense			7,328				5,467				4,854				5,024				6,924				22,269
Net interest revenue		$	14,918			$	15,123			$	15,224			$	17,971			$	20,181			$	68,499
Average daily balance (1)
Interest earning average daily balance		$	5,833,439			$	5,842,117			$	6,012,500			$	6,749,660			$	8,136,860			$	6,685,284
Interest paying average daily balance			5,244,733				5,343,046				5,565,131				6,132,368				7,381,684				6,105,557
Conduit borrow			528,583				628,684				615,696				583,871				545,523				593,444
Conduit loan			526,548				626,605				613,485				582,624				548,027				592,685
Average interest rate on balances (1)
Interest earning average daily balance			1.23	%			1.16	%			1.12	%			1.16	%			1.17	%			1.16	%
Interest paying average daily balance			0.33	%			0.24	%			0.20	%			0.24	%			0.30	%			0.25	%
Spread			0.90	%			0.92	%			0.92	%			0.92	%			0.87	%			0.91	%
Conduit borrow			3.20	%			2.33	%			1.90	%			1.38	%			1.52	%			1.80	%
Conduit loan			2.27	%			1.48	%			1.35	%			0.97	%			1.04	%			1.22	%
Spread			0.93	%			0.85	%			0.55	%			0.41	%			0.48	%			0.58	%
(1)  Excludes money market revenues and balances. Money market balances are not recorded on the PWI balance sheet.
Fed rate
Average			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%
Ending			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%			0.25	%

PENSON 4Q10 RESULTS

Penson Worldwide, Inc.

Non-GAAP Disclosure
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months				Year
		Ended				Ended
		December 31,				December 31,
		2010				2010
Net revenues, GAAP basis		$	80,017			$	288,348
Net loss, GAAP basis		$	(3,204	)		$	(19,847	)
Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax:
Broadridge transaction costs			—				2,462
Litigation and bad debt			647				1,741
Severance costs			178				4,181
Conversion costs			339				811
Net loss, as adjusted		$	(2,040	)		$	(10,652	)
Loss per share — basic, GAAP basis		$	(0.11	)		$	(0.73	)
Loss per share — basic, as adjusted		$	(0.07	)		$	(0.39	)
Loss per share — diluted, GAAP basis		$	(0.11	)		$	(0.73	)
Loss per share — diluted, as adjusted		$	(0.07	)		$	(0.39	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic			28,394				27,034
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted			28,394				27,034
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted, as adjusted			28,394				27,034

PENSON 4Q10 RESULTS

Penson Worldwide, Inc.

Reconciliation of net loss to EBITDAS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

		Three Months				Year
		Ended				Ended
		December 31,				December 31,
		2010				2010
Net loss		$	(3,204	)		$	(19,847	)
Income tax benefit			(1,726	)			(9,369	)
Depreciation			4,694				17,542
Amortization			1,043				3,247
Interest expense on long-term debt :
Cash interest expense			8,107				25,164
Noncash interest expense			1,423				5,665
Stock-based compensation			878				4,986
EBITDAS (1)			11,215				27,388
Broadridge transaction costs			—				3,029
Litigation and bad debt			995				2,564
Severance costs			274				5,991
Conversion costs			521				1,194
Adjusted EBITDA		$	13,005			$	40,166