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

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us. When we realized this was a very bad investment - we did not know where to turn for help. Then we received your name. When we called you - you were so kind to us and then agreed to help us. For this we are so very grateful. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more people like the two of you in it. We will always remember all the help and kindness you have shown us. Thank you so very very much for everything.

Wayne and Judy S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

January 14, 2026
FINRA Fines and Suspends Wells Fargo Advisor Over Fictitious Expense Claims

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined and suspended a Wells Fargo Advisors representative in Waco, Texas, after finding that he submitted fictitious business expense claims, according to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter.

January 12, 2026
Florida Man Indicted in $36 Million Investment Fraud Scheme

According to news sources, federal prosecutors allege that a Florida man orchestrated a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that funded a luxury lifestyle built on stolen investor money, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

January 9, 2026
FINRA Sanctions Former Wells Fargo Advisor for Profile Falsification and Unauthorized Trading

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplined former Wells Fargo Advisors broker James E. Holmes III for misconduct tied to his falsifying customer information and unauthorized trading.