I don’t know about you, but for me it’s that same feeling at the beginning of each New Year….you know, “Get your butt in the office, clear up your desk and get going again!”

It’s kind of a nagging thing (or an inner voice that tells me I have to get certain tasks completed before anything else can happen).

Well, last week I came across some very good advice which I am trying to practice. It was in a “Life Makeover” column by Cheryl Richardson, and I think it applies to anyone who wants to maximize production and still have the time to give themselves permission to relax and enjoy life.  Read more...

Well, here we are again. Another holiday season beginning. Can’t believe it has rolled around again…and what at year it has been! Can’t think of anyone who would not agree that it’s been quite a “ride.”

But you know what? We HAVE survived and the “doomsday” forecast of a year ago did not occur.

So, as I began Thanksgiving week and loaded up two cars with my wife, three kids, two dogs and 5 bikes and headed across the desert for the grandparents and California beaches, I reflected on those I needed to express my gratitude…  Read more...

But…

A “new” twist in the recruitment packages offered by MSSB tops the Merrill deal.

Basically, top producers recruited can conceivably earn up to 330% of their trailing 12 production, BUT, they’ve got to grow their business 50% over five years. This tops the Merrill deal announced in August that rewards asset growth only.

MSSB will reward assets and production growth. In order to fully understand the “bottom line” on this complicated package, you’ll need to read Helen Kearney’s November 12 article for On WALLSTREET.  Read more...

And you are correct; they were predominantly lower-producing advisors.

Citi’s January implementation of a two-tier system, which includes an automated commission-based service for “mass-affluent” clients and the FA fee-only service model forces advisors to transition to fees. (They are still allowed to use the commission only platform on their client’s behalf, but those sales are NOT credited to the advisors’ pay grids…what a “deal.”)

Most of Citi’s financial advisors don’t have near 100% of their assets under management in fee-based business. Oh, and the reps also have to sign 9 year contracts and be rearranged into a “team”…based on production, of course. Consequently, a lot of them are out the door.  Read more...