For the 16th consecutive year, Edward Jones ranked No. 1 in Registered Rep. magazine's annual survey of the nation's eight largest financial services firms.

The magazine randomly selects financial advisers nationwide and asks them to rank their firms in various categories.

Ninety-six percent of the Edward Jones financial advisers surveyed said they see themselves working for Edward Jones two years from now. And Edward Jones' overall score was 9.4 out of 10 possible points. The overall average for all firms was 7.4.

Under the firm's five-year plan, Managing Partner Jim Weddle said the firm will increase the number of financial advisers by 8 to 10 percent. As of December, the firm has grown at a clip of 9.3 percent.

"This would make for a global adviser army of 12,000 dually registered financial advisers, an impressive cohort," the magazine wrote.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Every aspect of the firm's business -- from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices -- is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work, the company said in a news release.

The local advisers are Greg Grimshaw (235-9098) in Pinehurst, Craig Stokes (692-8628) in Southern Pines, Miranda Meares (947-5214) in Carthage and Eric Megert (692-3411) in Southern Pines.