EX-4.1






EXHIBIT 4.1




NON-NEGOTIABLE

PROMISSORY NOTE




$5,000,000



New York, NY

August 13, 2008




FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., and its successors and
assigns (hereinafter called the “Maker”), unconditionally promise(s) to pay to Mark Mettelman and
Robert Bruderman, as Representatives of the shareholders of Triad Advisors, Inc., and any
successor Representatives (hereinafter the “Holder”), the principal sum of FIVE MILLION AND NO/100
DOLLARS ($5,000,000), together with interest on the principal balance hereof from time to time
outstanding, when and as set forth below:



1. Until the Maturity Date (as defined below)(unless the maturity is accelerated prior thereto
pursuant to the terms of this Note), the principal amount outstanding under this Note shall bear
interest at the rate per annum equal to two and fifty-one hundredths percent (2.51%), compounded
quarterly (the “Contract Rate”).



2. Interest shall be charged on the principal balance hereof from time to time outstanding and
shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 365 day year.



3. Except as provided in Section 7.6 of the Merger Agreement (as defined in the Pledge
Agreement referred to below), principal and interest shall be payable in lawful money of the United
States, by wire transfer, to the account of the Holder which Holder shall designate in writing to
the Maker from time to time. Until the Maturity Date, or earlier if the maturity is accelerated
prior thereto, principal and interest shall be due and payable in twelve (12) equal quarterly
installments with each such installment in the combined amount of $433,856.34. If not accelerated
prior thereto in accordance with the terms hereof, eleven (11) quarterly installments of principal
and accrued interest shall be due and payable beginning on November 13, 2008 and the twelfth
(12th) installment, together with all then accrued and unpaid interest hereon, shall be
due and payable on the Maturity Date. If the date upon which any payment hereunder is due is not a
business day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding business day. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the obligation of Maker to make any payments under this
Note shall be subject to the off-set rights set forth in Section 7.6 of the Merger Agreement (as
defined below) and no such exercise of these rights by Maker shall be deemed an Event of Default
(as defined below).



4. If not accelerated or prepaid prior thereto in accordance with the terms hereof, the full
principal balance of this Note shall be due and payable on August 12, 2011 (the “Maturity Date”).



5. The Maker waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of protest and all requirements
necessary to hold it liable as Maker. Any failure of the Holder to exercise any right hereunder
shall not be construed as a waiver of the right to exercise the same or any other right at any time
and from time to time thereafter.



6. This Note may be prepaid in full or in part at any time without premium or penalty;
provided, however, that any and all prepayments shall be applied first to any costs
and expenses then due to the Holder, then to accrued and unpaid interest, and then to outstanding
principal payments due, in the order of maturity.



7. As used in this Note, the term “Obligations” shall mean (i) the principal balance of and
accrued interest on this Note; and (ii) all other obligations and liabilities arising under this
Note or under the Pledge Agreement (referred to herein below).



8. The following shall constitute an event of default (each an “Event of Default”):



(a) Any failure to make payment of principal or interest under this Note when due for more
than five (5) business days after the giving of written notice to the Maker; or



(b) The Maker shall: (i) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, file a petition in
bankruptcy, petition or apply to any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, receiver or any
trustee, or a substantial part of any of its properties or assets, or shall commence any proceeding
under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation
law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; or if there shall have been
filed any such petition or application, or any such proceeding shall have been commenced against
the Maker in which an order for relief is entered or which remains undismissed for a period of
ninety (90) days or more; or the Maker by any act or omission shall indicate its consent to,
approval of or fail to timely object to any such petition, application or proceeding or order for
relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, or any trustee for the Maker or any substantial
part of any of its properties or assets, or shall suffer any such custodianship, receivership or
trusteeship to continue undischarged for a period of ninety (90) days or more; (ii) generally not
pay its debts as such debts become due or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they
mature; or (iii) be “insolvent”, as such term is defined in the Bankruptcy Code, § 11 U.S.C. §
101(31).



Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which shall be continuing, the Holder may take any
or all of the following actions: (i) declare the Obligations to be due and payable and (ii) take
any and all actions and pursue any and all remedies when and as may be permitted by this Note or
the Pledge Agreement or by applicable law.



9. EACH OF THE MAKER AND THE HOLDER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES
ANY RIGHT IT OR THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION (INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ANY CLAIMS, CROSS-CLAIMS, OR THIRD PARTY CLAIMS) ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS NOTE, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN.



The Maker hereby specifically authorizes any action brought upon the enforcement of this Note
by the Holder to be instituted and prosecuted in either the Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County,
Florida or the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, at the election
of the Holder. The Maker hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of the State and
Federal courts of Florida in any action instituted by the Holder arising under or related to this
Note.



10. This is the “Note” referred to in (i) that certain Share Pledge Agreement dated the date
of this Note, by and among the Maker and the Holder (the “Pledge Agreement”) and (ii) the Merger
Agreement as defined in the Pledge Agreement. This Note is secured by the Pledged Shares referred
to in the Pledge Agreement, reference to which is hereby made for a description of the Pledged
Shares and the rights of the Holder in respect of such Pledged Shares.



11. This Note is to be construed and enforced according to the internal laws of the State of
Florida, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.



12. Each provision of this Note is intended to be severable and the invalidity or illegality
of any portion of this Note shall not affect the validity or legality of the remainder hereof.



13. This Note is not assignable or otherwise transferable by the Maker nor are its obligations
hereunder assumable without the prior consent of the Holder, unless the Maker agrees to remain
liable for all the Obligations. This Note is non-negotiable and may not be assigned or otherwise
transferred by the Holder without the prior consent of the Maker.



MAKER:



Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.



By: /s/ Joseph Giovanniello, Jr.

Name: Joseph Giovanniello, Jr.

Title: Secretary