Business notebook: Investment firm earns host of awards

Investment firm Edward Jones recently earned recognition from several organizations and two magazines for its customer satisfaction, excellence in the industry and attention to associates.

SmartMoney Magazine named Edward Jones the No. 1 full-service brokerage firm in its June edition.

“Edward Jones bounds back into the top spot in our survey, in no small part because of its stock picking in 2011,” the magazine said.

The firm was also praised for receiving high marks for client satisfaction in independent studies, one of which was the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study.

The study ranked Edward Jones the highest in investor satisfaction based on problem resolution, commissions and fees, investment performance, account information and more. The firm has ranked highest in investor satisfaction for six of the last eight years.

Just as its investors are pleased with the company, its employees are as well. A second study by J.D. Power and Associates ranks Edward Jones “Highest in Employee Advisor Satisfaction among Financial Investment Firms.”

On the list, Edward Jones was 203 points ahead of the industry average and 37 points ahead of its nearest competitor, performing particularly well in technology and people categories.

The same feelings from the company’s employees are reflected in FORTUNE Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For 2012,” where Edward Jones is ranked No. 5.

Finally, Edward Jones was named the Advisory Solutions Firm of the Year by the Money Management Institute. An award was presented recently at the institute’s Gateway to Leadership awards dinner, where it was said that Edward Jones most exemplified overall excellence and contributed to the long-term success and sustainability of the wealth management industry.

• Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet will celebrate its 10th anniversary Saturday June 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To show appreciation for customers, the store will provide refreshments, offer giveaways of pet food samples and hold prize drawings that include cat and dog gift baskets.

• Lloyd Management was named one of the top 100 workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. The company placed 13th on the small company list. It is based in Mankato, Minn., and has rental properties throughout the state, including Goodhue County.

Tags: news, business, minnesota