To help it grow its advisor force 9 percent this year, Edward Jones has developed an enhanced transition package for current successful financial advisors who join the firm.
As of December 31, 2008, Edward Jones included 12,155 financial advisors – including some in Britain and Canada. Its 9-percent growth target would mean that 1,094 advisors would be added in 2009. And over the next following three years (2010-2012), the broker-dealer would like to grow 10 percent a year.
The average experienced advisor coming on board now has slightly below $40 million in assets under management, according to Edward Jones Partner Phill Leathers, and about $235,000 in yearly gross dealer concessions.
"We hired 31 [veteran] producers in '08, and in '09 are at 34 through March 15," he says.
"We believe everything from our client-focused philosophy and offerings to our unique partnership structure and steadfast plans to grow our branch network makes now an exceptional time for successful financial advisors to learn more about bringing their careers to Edward Jones," explains Leathers, who is in charge of advisor recruiting for the St. Louis-based firm.
This enhanced transition package includes:
- An income guarantee based on assets under management;
- A monthly asset-based bonus for the first six months;
- A production-based bonus in the second six months;
- Access to a transition specialist at no charge; and
- No long-term commitments or payback schedules.
Those current financial advisors eligible for the program are required to have at least three years of FA experience, $150,000 in trailing 12-month gross production and $20 million of client assets under management.
