Are regional firms a good option for disaffected branch managers?

I think that most ex-branch managers coming from the major wirehouse will find the change is more a culture change than anything else. Most will embrace the change.

Branch managers and smaller producers are being squeezed out in this post-consolidation period. We see many folks looking for another home that has the same "look and feel" as the one that they "joined" but not the one they are with now. Smaller regional firms have a great family-feel, but may not be in a position to offer a compelling deal to entice the quality folks that are looking. It all comes down to fit and due diligence. There is a site that offers market color on most of the hiring firms as well as transition advice. www.DealMentors.com is free and confidential. You don't need to log in or anything. Good luck to all who are looking!

Most brokers that were going to move have moved. Some moved for the money, (whored themselfs) with no regard to their clients. Others looked for a firm that would not have to explain or appoligize to the client why they were jumping from 1 wirehouse , to another with the SAME track record. Most regionals didn't take TARP money, the ones that did more than likely won't be around at the next "burst of the bubble(s)". The brokers that have stayed put are reaping the rewards of not moving picking up the clients that did not move with a broker that jumped ship(probaly cause he inherited)and taking a chance of loosing clients plus get a "retention pkg." for not jumping ship! And some are just toooooo lazy to make a move. There are still some that need to move and do it sooner than later, the 300K broker with LOS 7 are in fair shape now but maybe not in 2012! Two kind of brokers are moving 1 the $MM producer (for the money) and the lower end producer 300K and below co's they can't make a living on 25% commission. But the regionals can still make a profit with this level of production.