Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

Team Breakups Surge Among Financial Advisors Despite Firm Incentives

Posted on October 17th, 2024 at 1:28 PM
Team Breakups Surge Among Financial Advisors Despite Firm Incentives

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

In recent months, several high-profile departures have highlighted a growing trend: financial advisors are splitting from longtime teams and even family members to pursue opportunities with other firms. AdvisorHub reports that this movement underscores the limitations of economic incentives designed by wirehouses to encourage teaming.

For example, an 11-year Merrill Lynch advisor in New Jersey left his team, which included his father and brother, to establish his own advisory firm. Similarly, a Merrill advisor in Connecticut separated from his brother to join UBS, and a duo from UBS in Austin, Texas left a third senior advisor to move to Morgan Stanley.

According to AdvisorHub, those instances are part of a broader pattern where nearly 20 teams have split this year, driven by lucrative recruiting offers, personality conflicts, and the search for better prospects.

Nevertheless, many advisors still work in teams. According to Asher Cheses of Cerulli Associates, 46 percent of advisors are part of a team, rising to over 94 percent among those managing at least $500 million. AdvisorHub reports that firms like Merrill, Morgan Stanley, and UBS have higher rates, with Merrill aiming for all its 11,000 advisors to be on teams by 2030.

But the temptation is real. Recruiting bonuses have skyrocketed, reaching over 400 percent of trailing-12 production for top producers. The average age of advisors also impacts decisions, with senior advisors more inclined to stay for retirement deals while junior partners look to move.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I just wanted to say thanks again for preparing and executing my case in such a professional manner. It was a pleasure to watch two professionals take such pride in their work, as well as becoming personally in tune with your client (Me). I would personally recommend you and your firm to anyone.

John O.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1782497406 Law
June 26, 2026
FINRA Seeks to Make Remote Inspection Program Permanent

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is seeking approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to make its pandemic-era remote inspections program permanent before the current pilot is scheduled to expire in June 2027, according to AdvisorHub and FINRA's summary of its recent Board of Governors meeting.

1782400213 Law
June 25, 2026
SEC Alleges Illinois Investment Adviser Misappropriated Investor Funds and Concealed Losses

According to a litigation release published on SEC.gov, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged John Sterling Myers and his firms, Sterling Capital, LLC and Sterling Capital Management, LLC, with orchestrating a multi-year fraud involving investor funds held in a pooled investment vehicle.

1782320106 Law
June 24, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former Broker Over Undisclosed Business Activities, Annuity Recommendation, and Customer Data Violations

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former registered representative Clayton K.