You’re getting too wrapped up in the money. I know it’s nice to think

about, but don’t make it about that.



The fact that the retention package went all the way down to 100K is a

HUGE thing for our corporate culture. It actually shows that they are

interested in keeping us intact. Never underestimate how that will

influence the future culture AND shape the what we become.   Sure, there

are going to be changes. We will lose some key people in St. Louis.

Account names and types will change. So what. Move to ML or MS and

the change will be horrible.



Take your check. Keep your options open and if after you’ve given it a

shot and it still isn’t good then leave.



I’m a firm believer that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I left AG for Merrill Lynch about 18 months ago.  They had been recruiting me for about 2 years.  When all was said and done, I felt that Merrill Lynch stood a bettter chance of being around than did AG.  Easy for me to say now. 

Are there any AGE folks out there who went to Merrill after a good
amount of time at AGE ? 5 years.

Did you like it ? I very much liked AG.  I like Merrill even more. 

Did your clients ?  My clients like working with me.  The only problem with Merrill Lynch is that the statments are a bit overwhelming at first.   

 Is everyone jealous of merril is that why this image in industry ?  The funny thing is all of the brokers at other firms who used to be at Merrill.  Noone leaves Merrill and has great things to say about us.  We had a guy at the AG Office who failed at Merrill and all he could do was bash them.  "They made me sell things.  The manger talked down to me."  Stuff like that.  He could never move past the idea that he just didn't cut it at the largest wirehouse in the world. 

18 months into the Merrill Culture, my only regret is not having the stones to make the move sooner.  My clients are better off.  Merrill Lynch is ahead of the curve of every major innovation in the industry.  We are the leader in Mutual Funds, SMAs, Structured Products and just about every other major category.  

We are  not the evil empire, we are simply what every other firm wishes that they were.  I would hope that the AG Edwards brokers would take a hard look at Merrill Lynch.  We are much more a fit for your business than what you are signing up for. 

[quote=Reggin]Take your check. Keep your options open and if after you've given it a shot and it still isn't good then leave. QUOTE]

It is important to point out that you will never have as easy a time making the change as you will during the takeover. It is easy to get people to move during this time. "I just didn't think that the kind of practice I run would fit in very well at Wachovia. They have a very different culture - more 'sales oriented', Mr. Client. Now the choice is yours, but in my opinion, the best place for me and for my clients is [Insert name here]. I was hoping that you would agree..."

It is a good time to move, but if you prime the pump, it wouldn’t be bad

later either.



“I’m not sure what the future will hold for Wachovia. If they have a very

different culture - more ‘sales oriented’, Mr. Client, then I’ll have to do

what’s right for my clients. Let’s see what happens, but rest assured that I

will take care of you no matter what.”

Well said, san fran broker!