Were the Grass Greener . . .

An intriguing question has been included on the Broker/Dealer of the Year ballot for years. In addition to rating their own B/D, voters are asked: If you were to affiliate with another broker/dealer, which would it be, and why? This year, as in the recent past, two broker/dealers were named more often than any other: LPL and Commonwealth. Why LPL? Reps from other B/Ds cited its good reputation, name recognition, its product "breadth and depth," and its technology platform. For Commonwealth, reps cited similar qualities: reputation, technology, and rep friendliness. Perhaps not surprisingly, a number of reps said "either Commonwealth or LPL."

Two other broker/dealers received significant mentions as well: Raymond James and NEXT Financial.