LPL Financial Services is the largest independent brokerage firm in the US. In 1989, Linsco (Boston) and Private Ledger (San Diego) merged to form LPL Financial Services. The company is self-clearing and provides services in stocks and bonds, mutual funds, commodities, options, annuities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and other investment vehicles. LPL supports over 10,000 independent registered representatives at more than 6,000 branch offices nationwide.