More Progress, but Still, RIA or B/D?

I've had plenty of experience with broker/dealers over the years, some good and some frustrating. Since I plan to write and accept speaking engagements, I am concerned that B/D compliance could be an impediment to this. Do any of you have experience with this as it relates to your writing, speaking, radio programs, etc.? It seems that the increased scrutiny surrounding B/Ds over the past several years is simply a result of the scandals that have occurred. In the future, as the RIA channel grows, the pendulum could swing and the RIAs could experience something similar. Another factor in this decision is the type of client I am seeking. Generally speaking, it has been my experience that wealthier clients are more accepting of fee-based asset management than less wealthy clients. It seems that one of the biggest advantages a B/D has is the ability to offer commission-based products. Yet if I am managing larger accounts, the commission products may not be such a significant factor.

As I ponder this decision, I think back to the corporate environment I left, where these decisions have already been made. As an independent those decisions fall on me. So what to do? Hmmmm….. To borrow a phrase originated by Archimedes, the philosopher and math expert, as he ran into the streets?EUR"Eureka! I think as a result of arguing the pros and cons in writing, I've just made my decision.

Perhaps you'd consider telling your associates about this blog and making this a forum for those who desire to go–or are already in the process of going–independent. For those of you from the home office who want to recruit me to your B/D, I appreciate the interest, but maybe you should e-mail instead of using the blog comments–let's reserve this forum for practitioners.

Again, thanks for your indulgence and I welcome any comments you may have.