Advice appreciated: First Republic vs Merrill Lynch/BofA

Jul 16, 2015 11:49 pm

Hello - my name is Garrett, I am 25 years old and I live in the Bay Area, CA. If you have a moment, I would greatly appreciate some advice. I am currently a micromanaged licensed banker (Series 6/63) at Wells Fargo and I am tired of being punished for refusing to open 10 checking accounts for my clients. 

Before I go any further, please keep in mind that I have a family. I am married with two daughters, 3yr and 7 months, and being 25 years old, I am trying to establish a foundation for my family as a husband and father. 

Long story short, I have two official offers.

1. Merrill Lynch as a full FA, after 6 months sit in a BofA branch going through their PMD program.

2. First Republic Bank as a private banker w/ S7. 

Merrill Lynch has more potential, however the salary gets reduced after the first year and success is not guaranteed even if I did follow that 500 day war the judge posted. I live in a very affluent area, however people do not want 25 year olds managing their accounts. I get it. I've seen less and experienced less. First Republic is not an FA position, but I will get my Series 7 and has stable salary. I would still have to send business to FA's instead of to my own portfolio. 

I have the option of possibly going back to WF Advisors as a branch FA but that would not be for at least a year or two, so I am not focusing on that now. 

What's your input? Should I roll the dice at ML and try to survive? Or go to First Republic, get my series 7, and go from there? 

I appreciate your help,

Garrett

Jul 23, 2015 8:32 pm

You should do First Republic Bank. Stability, and you can move into other areas