The rules for the Broker-Dealers of the Year remained the same in our 21st annual contest. Only producing representatives of the broker-dealers that appeared in our June 2011 directory were eligible to vote in online balloting from June 1 through July 1, 2011. This year there was a total 5,407 valid votes from 46 different broker-dealers. Those BDs that received the highest number of votes from their own reps were deemed Broker-Dealers of the Year in four different divisions based on the number of reps. This ensured the BDs in each division competed against similar-sized rivals.