Congratulations and well done.  As an Indy, I would tell you that you've assessed your situation correctly.  Only you know what is the best fit for your personality and business, and I don't believe that anyone should go indy just for the money...you have to love the idea of truly running your own business...not being half-a--- in control like you are in a Jones office.  At any rate, it would probably be too early for you to go indy as the concensus I've seen is at least five years in the biz before you try it.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Listen....LEAVE on GOOD TERMS.  APOLOGIZE...tell your regional leader/AL you are sorry for doing this and that you would like to leave the door open for coming back.

Of course you will mean NONE of it--but it will help your case when they debate whether to come after you or not.

BRING IT!

Ct,

Recently left Jones and here is what my clients told me Jones was saying about me when I left.

1) "He will never make it"

2) "His new firm will MAKE you sell out of everything and you will HAVE to buy what his new company says to"

3) "Do you realize how many fees you will have to pay to move your account ?" By the way it is Jones that will be charging the transfer fees to the client...not your firm ( Is that their best reason to keep the client ??? )

4)  Even my old BOA, who knows better ( and I thought was ethical ) was piling on board...Unbelievable !!!

These are quotes from my clients that transferred and some of them were actually arguing with the TR. It is sad how ignorant/blind they are when it comes to what else is out there. I am only sad to say it took me longer than I would have liked for me to make the move. I feel like a new man !  

CT,

You are getting some great advice on here, especially from Zacko & da bears, they will come fast and hard to save their book...even though we all know it is your book.

As for the training fees, you will get nasty letters and a request for the training fees, negoiate they will negoiate.   Also, because they are loosing so many large producers you just might fly under the radar.........Good Luck

The funny thing is…When I left Jones, some spanish guy from ST. Louis named Raphael (who did not know the business that well), was the one calling to try and retain my clients. If you are going to a good firm, the compliance dept.  will handle negotiating, and paying your training costs.

My new indy office is VERY close to my old Jones office.  Keep this in mind.

Funny thing is immediately after I left--the call center at Jones contacted all my clients (within a few hours) and told them "We don't know where he is...but your money is safe here at Edward Jones"  It gets even better as after these phone calls clients immediately went to my old Jones office (those I hadn't spoken to yet) and asked about my whereabouts.  The response was: "he left suddenly and we have no idea where to find him".  All this while my new indy office is just steps away.  Clients who found their way to me..many times upset, ended up thinking much less of Jones and their lack of ethics.  Shame on them for upsetting and lying to widows who just wanted to keep their accounts with Zacko.

BTW, don't go indy wih less than 20 million..even 25 million.  I know people do it with less assets--but I would advise you to stay the extra year or two and get to a level where you have a larger asset base.  Even if you can't stand the firm..remember in the back of your mind that you are there to serve your clients and build a book.  The importance of ANY firm is secondary to your running a good business and helping your clients.

Zacko is dead on…my clients were pissed by the way Jones handled my leaving.

Let Jones do the talking, and the clients are still walking over to my office leaving Jones in the dust..........

If the client isn't smart enough to know how Jones covered up their problems, and never did completely disclose to them, do you really want someone that stupid as a client? I don't

Besides, maybe Doug "3 Mil" Hill was right, Edward Jones clients don't read the WSJ.............If, they are still doing business at the local 7-11 of wall street firms, let em stay and get churned and burned by the new guy, bend them over compliance will turn their head...who cares any way....Doug "3 Mil" Hill still gets his Millions.....................Ir gets a 38% payout, who's really getting bent over?