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Career night @ Merrill Lynch

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Jul 12, 2011 1:18 pm

Zwing,

You only need to meet your hurdles. After the hurdles are met you can devote more money to managed money. Also assets you put into front load funds, annuities, stocks,etc. whatever pays you a nice upfront commission can be moved a few years down the road to managed money.

BTW, Managed money is not all it is cracked up to be. I got burned on managed money. What is the effect on your managed money products when the market goes down by 50+ %? What is the effect on your fee's? What is the effect on your income?

When the market went down 50% in 2008-2009 my income went down by a commensurate amount. The same will happen to you if you put all your eggs in the managed money basket.

Jul 12, 2011 10:38 pm

Willy, that is seriously interesting feedback. Had someone asked me what would happen to my income in a 50% market drop I would have had the correct answer, but asking myself the question never crossed my mind.

That is a smart comment. Thanks.

[quote=willywonka]

Zwing,

You only need to meet your hurdles. After the hurdles are met you can devote more money to managed money. Also assets you put into front load funds, annuities, stocks,etc. whatever pays you a nice upfront commission can be moved a few years down the road to managed money.

BTW, Managed money is not all it is cracked up to be. I got burned on managed money. What is the effect on your managed money products when the market goes down by 50+ %? What is the effect on your fee's? What is the effect on your income?

When the market went down 50% in 2008-2009 my income went down by a commensurate amount. The same will happen to you if you put all your eggs in the managed money basket.

[/quote]

Jul 13, 2011 5:48 am

 They gave a presentation and then the forum was open for Q&A. I asked a lot of questions to try and get noticed. Following that I handed my portfolio to the FA's assistant and was given a piece of paper with her contact informatuon. There are two FIAT exams and then it's on to four interviews. I'm supposed to email her to set up an appointment to take the exams, Since 2008 there's only been 3 PMD's that have been hired. A tell tale sign of the how competitive it is. 

anyone take FIAT tests? no calcs apparently

Jul 13, 2011 5:48 am

 They gave a presentation and then the forum was open for Q&A. I asked a lot of questions to try and get noticed. Following that I handed my portfolio to the FA's assistant and was given a piece of paper with her contact informatuon. There are two FIAT exams and then it's on to four interviews. I'm supposed to email her to set up an appointment to take the exams, Since 2008 there's only been 3 PMD's that have been hired. A tell tale sign of the how competitive it is. 

anyone take FIAT tests? no calcs apparently

Jul 14, 2011 1:23 pm

That's a really competitive complex. Our complex seems to hire 3 PMDs a month. Wondering if they only hired 3 or are only 3 LEFT? If correct,  I would suggest that to be a very good sign for you if you can get on board since I would guess the OMT sets those select PMD's are provided with a great deal of  resources and access to senior FA's to push you through the program.

Also, confused about your terminology - Did you mean the RD or Director's assistant?  I have not heard of an FA hiring  PMDs.

Google "basic math  fractions decimal calculations" and there are a few pages that will help refresh. My understanding is that Series 7 math is most of the test.  They want to see if you have the basic competencies to pass the 7/66.

Good luck!