This article is from the What Every Investor Should Know.
Broker-dealers vary widely in terms of the services and products which they offer their customers. Some have large staffs of professionals to research various types of investments and provide advice to customers. Some specialize in becoming expert with regard to companies located in a particular geographic region or in a particular industry. Some offer a wide variety of investment services and products in addition to corporate stocks and bonds. Investors should decide what services are important to them and choose a firm that meets their needs.
 
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