Morgan for relatively new licensed rep?

If you’re licensed and been in production, why are you asking about their training?  

I am licensed but not at a full service firm. Apples/Oranges comparison. I was under the impression that one is generally brought on in these instances for the same “program” or ramp up period with the 4 month licensing portion lopped off.

Have you looked at AGE/Wach

I have due to the fact that nearly everyone that I’ve EVER spoken to at either organization (AGE especially) has had nothing but positive comments. Unfortunately in my geographic area neither are hiring during the merger process. (I’ve cold called/emailed one branch manager from each.) I get the impression if you make it at Morgan it’s great. Most of the people cut that I’ve known definitely deserved it, if not sooner. (400k under management 8 months post licensing or NO accounts four months after licensing for example with two reps in a nearby branch.) UBS is out after a recent interview. They neither hired myself nor 4 other potential reps (two others with license) who took the assessment. SB is out until I hear from MS since the recruiter wants me to only do the bank version, not wire. Merrill is a possibility in my area, just referred by a current rep, but really interested in specific Morgan branch so trying to see it through to conclusion first.  Any comments, specifically those about changes recently at MS are appreciated.

SB is out until I hear from MS since the recruiter wants me to only do the bank version, not wire.

Regarding SB, the recruiter was one internal to the company, not a hired gun. I have spoken to the manager at the branch in my area and he’s responsible (not sure if formally or informally) for the region in addition to his branch, including part of the bank territory. I got a very odd feeling about what’s going on there and would much rather start at MS or ML.

I know two guys that I went through training at AGE in my class that jumped ship to MS just after the merger was announced. They regret it at this point. Since the sub prime debacle and some other MS internal issues THE HEAT IS ON. One said he had jumped from the frying pan into the fire. If you don’t hit your quarterly quota you are history in short order. They have been firing rookies left and right in his region. If after what they did a couple years back, basically fire mid to lower producers and keep their book, is any indication how they feel about anybody but top producers I would think twice. I think MS is a great firm and its system is second to none. If you go that way you better produce beyond the goals or you are just a piece of cold meat that will get the boot in a heartbeat.

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I second gaddock’s voice.  Just interviewed with MS and BOM said pretty much you will produce 250,000 per quarter or you are out; said he didn’t care how much he liked me but that business was business.  I am new to the industry, so I didn’t feel that I was up for that type of challenge. He seemed shocked when I turned down the second interview.  I think if you are up to the challenge, it is a great firm to work for.  I have a few friends there that are happy and have been there for 10yrs or so.

250k per quarter? Do you mean that this is the asset number that is the firm “not getting cut” minimum? If that’s so, it’s 1MM per year. How could you possibly get by on that anyway? I’ve got a couple accounts that will easily hit that… if they’re getting really extreme like cutting no matter what to take accounts then that’s a different story.

I have no first hand experience with MS but I’ve spoken to a few reps there.  It sounds like the training is weak at best, non-existent at worst.  they’ve got a prestigious name and that’s about it.  At least around here anyway.

[quote=cerpen]I second gaddock’s voice.  Just interviewed with MS and BOM said pretty much you will produce 250,000 per quarter or you are out; said he didn’t care how much he liked me but that business was business.  I am new to the industry, so I didn’t feel that I was up for that type of challenge. He seemed shocked when I turned down the second interview.  I think if you are up to the challenge, it is a great firm to work for.  I have a few friends there that are happy and have been there for 10yrs or so.

I heard the word “produce” in our conversation surrounding the 250K but he probably meant AUM which is doable.

Yeah, that was my confusion.  I have heard that there was a previous goal for someone in training that was 4MM AUM for the year, which included the 4 month licensing period. Apparently this is in the process of being changed to (or has already been changed to) 4.8MM over the year beginning AFTER licensing. Since I am already licensed, I’d say a minimum of 5MM AUM would be applicable for the year. I suppose the 250k is the “autocut” level per quarter. 

[quote=cerpen]I heard the word “produce” in our conversation surrounding the 250K but he probably meant AUM which is doable.[/quote]

Your potential BOM “probably meant” AUM?  Minimum requirements are NOT something you want to be uncertain about when you are interviewing or making career decisions, nor is this any time to be bashful.  Speak up - ask questions. 

There is absolutely no way they were referring to production with the 250K number. I have a cousin who works for MS and he loves it. He started in his mid twenty’s and made it however that was awhile ago (he is about 40 now). He said that the vast majority of the guys in his training program washed out but that more of them quit then were fired. 

I think if you are going to make it in this industry one company is about as good as the next, if someone is willing to give you a shot take it.  Once you get your foot in the door bust your butt everyday and hope for a little luck.

Just curious though, how receptive has everyone been to the fact that you are jumping ship after such a short period of time?

Short period of time? After a year in a position isn’t one a vet in this industry?!  To be honest, the issue hasn’t even come up since it’s easily explained.  I was looking for a wire last year and got an offer from ML after three weeks at a different firm. (Well known national discounter…decent gig short term.) I wanted to jump but went with the philosophy that it’s not a good idea to have any job under a year on your U4. I can at least explain away the move with a desire to be at a full service firm, which is what I wanted to begin with.

Yes, after a year in this biz you are a vet.  And after a year of marriage you are automatically qualified to become a marriage couselor. 

I was joking about the large turnover rate at firms, not my longevity in the industry at a whole. I know in my current role at least that’s the case. If you haven’t left in a years time, you’re the equivilant of Hal Holbrook in Wall St.

[quote=xbanker]If you haven’t left in a years time, you’re the equivilant of Hal Holbrook in Wall St. [/quote]

If you want to leave, go ahead and leave.  But don’t try and say one year with a firm is a long time.  That’s just silly.

Maybe in your one full year of experience one year seems like a long time, but that ain’t saying much.

I was recently in the MS training program and my district was definitly looking for reasons to let the trainees go.  I had AUM of 550k with a 250K account on it’s way (ACATS were signed) and they let me (and every other trainee in the district) go because I didn’t hit the 600k minimum AUM for your first quarter, first quarter revenue minimum was $4500.00 (which I had over $5400.00 not counting my incoming account).  Point is, if you think you can hit the numbers it’s a great place, but right now, they aren’t doing any probabtion periods or cutting you any slack.

brain.ra, Where are you now? The one positive aspect of being in such a difficult program with that reputation is that everyone knows it and considers getting cut no big deal. I’ve heard a manager say he liked that someone “had the balls to try Morgan.”  Getting cut from Joe’s regional firm for lack of production would probably raise an eyebrow but I don’t think anyone will see your situation as a negative in the same way.

I agree with you xbanker, I actually hide a recruiter from ML calling me before MS let me go and now I’m trying to decide between taking the position with merrill or going with a more corporate type job with fidelity.  I posted a topic under the rookie section asking for advice between the two jobs and i’m getting some good feedback.

No prob at all. I was hired by ML a little over a year ago but unfortunately it took them so long that I was already in my current role at a firm similar to Fidelity. Go with ML. Discount land is a dead end, and there would be NO reason at all to bring clients of your own to that environment. The few people who would start your career at a wire would just be one drop in the bucket before starting over again in the next quarter at Fido, Chuck, TD, Scottrade, etc.

Your story is pretty much the case…I was in a large branch and saw about 300 trainees get blown out over 6 years.  Maybe 3-4 have survived.  I would say those odds are bad, I would go in a different direction.  This business is dead, especially for new people.  I think once this generation of people 50 years and up now, pass on, this business will be almost extinct.  Pretty sure in 50 years people will look back and say “there were actually people who sold you investment products/ideas and you paid for that”? 

As long as people have fear and greed we will have a job. As each day goes by and things are more global the need for a pro gets larger and larger.

Your story is pretty much the case…I was in a large branch and saw about 300 trainees get blown out over 6 years. Maybe 3-4 have survived. I would say those odds are bad, I would go in a different direction. This business is dead, especially for new people. I think once this generation of people 50 years and up now, pass on, this business will be almost extinct. Pretty sure in 50 years people will look back and say “there were actually people who sold you investment products/ideas and you paid for that”?