Europe, regulation, margin squeeze, market volatility, succession planning and … oh yes, the day-to-day pressures of running a business. We tick the list off so often, it's getting a bit cliché. But as with last year, we're not much further along in figuring out these issues. Lawsuits related to Medical Capital and other poorly thought-out products spelled trouble for certain broker-dealers last year, and a few shut their doors entirely. The field is a little less crowded, but for those doing it right, the confusion spells opportunity. With all that in mind, which broker-dealers are thriving, which are merely surviving and which are shutting their doors? We present the 2012 Broker-Dealer Reference Guide, a review of the top BDs in each major category to help you sort it all out and ensure a lasting and profitable relationship for you and your clients.