Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. provides investment advisory, investment management, investment product underwriting, distribution and administrative services. It operates through distinct distribution business channels: Advisors channel, Wholesale channel and Institutional channel. The Advisors channel focuses on financial planning, serving primarily middle class and mass affluent clients. The Wholesale channels activities include retail fund distribution through brokers and dealers, registered investment advisors and retirement and insurance platforms. The Institutional channel manages assets in a variety of investment styles for a variety of types of institutions. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Overland Park, KS.