They (WB) did not make it available to PRUSec reps a few years ago and it cost them in terms of retention.

Whether they (WB) make it available to AGE reps, I don't know. I would hope they learned a few things from the PRUSec merger.

Here's a website for a WB indy advisor team. I think Barb came over 5 or 6 years ago from MER(rill):

http://www.hudockmoyer.com

There might be some info on their website which is of interest to AGE advisors considering the indy route via WB. Barb and her team are happy thus far with their move.

When I was cold calling wachovia brokers for insight, 3 things happened:

1) Was sent to the branch manager = I hung up, no point
2) I spoke to a broker = good insight
3) Brokers in the FiNet division (indy) were told NOT to talk to AGE brokers, period. Some of them thought it be a good idea to hire $200-300K age prod to work for them, in their independent shop). Wacho wised up and told them to stop thinking.

[quote=Sedona]When I was cold calling wachovia brokers for insight, 3 things happened:

1) Was sent to the branch manager = I hung up, no point
2) I spoke to a broker = good insight
3) Brokers in the FiNet division (indy) were told NOT to talk to AGE brokers, period. Some of them thought it be a good idea to hire $200-300K age prod to work for them, in their independent shop). Wacho wised up and told them to stop thinking.
[/quote]

1.  Aren't the WS branch managers non-producing salaried positions?

2.  What did they say?

3.  Seems they aren't really "indy" if WS can tell them who to talk to.

[quote=Omirp222]

[quote=Sedona]When I was cold calling wachovia brokers for insight, 3 things happened:

1) Was sent to the branch manager = I hung up, no point
2) I spoke to a broker = good insight
3) Brokers in the FiNet division (indy) were told NOT to talk to AGE brokers, period. Some of them thought it be a good idea to hire $200-300K age prod to work for them, in their independent shop). Wacho wised up and told them to stop thinking.
[/quote]

1.  Aren't the WS branch managers non-producing salaried positions?

2.  What did they say?

3.  Seems they aren't really "indy" if WS can tell them who to talk to.

The broker bleed is an issue from the full serve to the indy. It was too with Pru brokers (I had several call my office looking for a desk over the years).

I'm not at all sure of the particulars, but I do know that SOME Pru Producers were allowed to go to Finet I met a guy who came over last year because his grandfather was about to die (not his real grandfather).

As to the level of indy... Don't confuse "independent" with "Anarchy". The deal you enter into says that you AND the firm agree to work with each other. The firm has the right of refusal to do business with anyone they choose (if you want to hired someone with a scorched up U4, they're most probably gonna say "We don't want to hold his license." all things are considered on a case by case in my experience, and they are fair and even handed, we've come to accomodations on a number of issues.) That's just part of being in business.

As I noted to others, my greatest competition is my firm. I have to be aware that I need to provide a workplace where my associates don't decide to go start their own office.

My second greatest competition is my firm in that there is/are Wachovia office(s) in my market and they are tough to beat for good producing FAs (they have a much bigger checkbook than I, but then, I have a few tricks in my sleeves too.)

And it's "Whom to talk to." or "With whom they may talk."

What does AGE stand for "Almost Got English!"?