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

Exploring Account Fees and Bonuses: Highlights from Cetera and Avantax Webinar

Posted on October 24th, 2023 at 1:27 PM
Exploring Account Fees and Bonuses: Highlights from Cetera and Avantax Webinar

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

Cetera Financial Holdings senior management hosted an online seminar with Avantax Inc.'s financial advisors to address concerns raised by 3,100 advisors following Cetera's announcement earlier this month that it is acquiring the tax-specialized broker-dealer for $1.2 billion.

Avantax financial advisors likely inquired about the fate of an unpopular $60 annual fee implemented three years ago for advisers' accounts at outside money managers. This fee, known as," direct to fund," (DTF) among advisers, was a method for selling mutual funds directly to clients. Additionally, discussions were expected concerning the clearing firm currently used by Avantax Investment Services Inc., which presently clears trades through Fidelity's National Financial Services, while Cetera utilizes Pershing.

Another potential topic included the distribution of bonuses, referred to as, "transition assistance," in the industry, to Avantax financial advisors. These bonuses are customary in broker-dealer acquisitions to retain advisors and their client base. Questions concerning the bonus may arise because not all advisors are eligible for such bonuses, as clarified in Cetera's September 11th SEC filing announcing the Avantax acquisition. Cetera stated that they would provide transition assistance to certain firms as deemed appropriate, and the allocation of assistance would be at their discretion. Detailed information on this matter will be communicated separately in the coming weeks, as InvestmentNews reports.

 

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

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1779287606 Law
May 20, 2026
FINRA Sanctions Ameriprise for Supervisory Failures in Variable Annuity Exchanges

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Ameriprise Financial Services and ordered restitution to resolve allegations that the firm failed to adequately supervise certain variable annuity exchange recommendations.

1779216500 Law
May 19, 2026
SEC Fines Ally Invest Advisors Over Undisclosed Robo-Advisor Conflict

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed a $500,000 penalty on Ally Invest Advisors after finding that the firm failed to disclose a material conflict of interest tied to its Cash-Enhanced robo-advisor accounts.

1779206639 Law
May 19, 2026
Federal Court Upholds FINRA's Authority in Alpine Securities Challenge

A federal court has rejected a broad constitutional challenge to the authority of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), delivering a significant victory for the self-regulator and reinforcing its enforcement framework.