Hello,

I am in the same boat AGE/WB about 50 Million trailing around 440,000. I am flying on my own dime to FiNet at STL. I don't know if it's more of the same but you get to keep your retention check. I can tell you from what I have heard that LPL looks and feels like the best. Great technology, best payout, best attitude. Your annuity production will go up by at least 20% by firing the middleman alone. If you do insurance you can keep 100% and go direct.   Downside:   You have to have some operational experience and be ready for some lonely times. I have owned my own business and it's tough. One of the greatest things about AG Edwards was the people. I will dearly miss our staff. Try and bring some guys/girls with you for company but stay away from any quick partnerships...Good Luck. Let me know what you find out. RJ is also worth a look.  

FiNet

One major concern you will have is that FiNet gives you a haircut if you drop below 20K a month LPL does not. LPL does not run insurance through the Grid. Wahovia will give you a haicut on all insurance and then another haircut by paying you 90% or less. LPL run's it direct. I can tell you more after my visit. Try and team up with another adivisor/lawyer/mortgage/CPA and lower your overhead. Be patient and make good decisions. Learn the systems better than your FA ...   Good Luck.

Been indy with LPL since market top, oct. 07, after a decade with AGE.  Very happy with lpl thus far, payout, services, home office staff, etc.    Not to mention my timing was good.  Have helped a few local AGE guys make the move over the past year.

  My payout is about 82% before branch expenses.  After all branch expenses, and crappy second half 08 production, I still netted over 60%.  That also includes my meals/entertainment as an expense, besides the other usual stuff.   Like indyone, I have part time assistant who works 25-30 hours a week.  So the cost is nowhere near the 50k.   Good luck with the decision.

[quote=eggman]

  Why would you not take 100% to go to another wirehouse?[/quote]   Because it is fools gold.    Most of the upfront money is in the form of a foregiviable loan or defferred comp.   At the end of it all you still don't own your book and that is where the real value is (approx 2X reoccurring and 1X transaction) and you sell when you are ready.   IndyEDJ

[quote=IndyEDJ][quote=eggman]

  Why would you not take 100% to go to another wirehouse?[/quote]   Because it is fools gold.    Most of the upfront money is in the form of a foregiviable loan or defferred comp.   At the end of it all you still don't own your book and that is where the real value is (approx 2X reoccurring and 1X transaction) and you sell when you are ready.   IndyEDJ[/quote]
Agree with Indy plus you dont know who will own you in a year. Or what your payout will be