Over the past decade, many advisors have come to recognize that the ability to control how they run their business and service their clients is more attainable in the independent space. And they see significant value in being able to access the best of the industry’s resources (like shopping the Street for the best loan terms or investment options) and not being limited to their firm’s selection of offerings.
Now that a good majority of employee advisors are nearing free agency as a result of the complete amortization of retention deals, they are naturally beginning to explore their options. Many yearn for the freedom and flexibility that independence offers, yet face a dilemma because they are not quite ready to make what they perceive as a seismic jump at this time. But, they are still looking for ways to better serve their clients and position their business, and feel they cannot do so at their current firm. An “interim move” to another wirehouse or a regional firm can allow these same advisors to get their ducks in a row before going independent.
