LPL Financial Services announced today it has agreed to buy Uvest Financial Services of Charlotte, N.C.
   The deal combines LPL, the nation's largest independent brokerage firm, with one of the largest providers of independent, non-proprietary third-party brokerage services to financial institutions.
   The deal is expected to close later this year pending regulatory approval, according to the companies. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
   The combined company will generate about $250 million in annual revenues and serve more than 700 financial institutions nationwide, according to the two companies.
   Under terms of the deal, Uvest management will remain intact and continue to operate at its Charlotte headquarters. Uvest president and chief operating officer Dan Arnold will become CEO of Uvest and assume oversight and responsibility for LPL's Financial Institution Services (FIS) business.