... soon to say how many of its some 17,000 brokers Merrill will retain, says Daniel Sarch of Leitner Sarch Consultants in White Plains, N.Y. “The full story on that script is not going to be finished until ... Read more . . .

Merrill Lynch executives Dan Sontag, head of Americas Wealth Management, and John Hogarty, COO, released the 2009 Financial Advisor Comp Plan yesterday afternoon. Read more . . .

“This is a luxury Merrill and Bank of America are not going to pay for,” said Danny Sarch, a recruiter in White Plains, NY “Training has fallen out of favor ... Read more . . .

... standard deal is higher than others," he said. Even with the industrywide surge in recruiting brokers, some say a dropping off is inevitable. Danny Sarch, of recruiting firm Leitner Sarch Consultants, ... Read more . . .

While hiring and training of new brokers has slowed to a crawl, demand for experienced brokers is a different matter. Read more . . .

... Nobody's been able to come up with one," said Danny Sarch, founder of Leitner Sarch ... Moy, attorney, Outten & Golden LLP, New York, Danny Sarch, president, Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd ... Read more . . .

... with Wells Fargo. "I see very few people of substance considering Wachovia right now, based on some of its past problems," said Danny Sarch, president of recruiting firm Leitner Sarch Consultants. ... Read more . . .

“Being a branch manager is tough,” said Danny Sarch, a recruiter in White Plains, NY “Every broker under you has a put option on your career. Read more . . .

Like any labor market, this one comes down to supply and demand and a number of forces are in line to start pushing values down. Read more . . .

Merrill Lynch's new owner joins the protocol, but will it be enough to keep advisors from leaving? Read more . . .

Just a few months ago, working for Merrill Lynch was the pinnacle of achievement for many in the Merrill herd: Eighty percent of Broker Report Card respondents from Merrill said their firm was the best in the business. Only Edward Jones, where advisors are so fiercely loyal that it has become the butt of industry jokes, scored higher on this scale (94 percent). Even now after a near-death experience. Read more . . .

Advisers have a stronger interest in moving to the independent broker-dealer or RIA model, said Danny Sarch, founder of Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

Radio interview with Danny Sarch on recruiting trends. Read more . . .

... to a bank holding company. Yet, some say questions about the firm remain. "I think people still view them as worrisome, with their ability to stay independent," said Danny Sarch, a recruiter ... Read more . . .

Keeping your book of clients intact when switching firms has never been a cakewalk, but it sure isnÂ’t getting any easier. Read more . . .

"The supply and demand issue ... will drive deals down," said Danny Sarch, founder of Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

... environment of chaos in the financial services industry, a broker-owned firm "is very compelling," said Danny Sarch, a recruiter in White Plains, NY Advisers ... Read more . . .

Competition for recruits is so hot these days that nearly half of the financial advisors from the wirehouse and regional firms have been offered checks to switch firms, according to a new survey from Fidelity Investments and National Financial. Read more . . .

Another recruiter agrees. "This will make brokers less anxious in the short term," said Danny Sarch, a principal with Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

The wealth management landscape has been reshaped and advisors are contemplating their future. Read more . . .

Merrill included a particularly tough non-compete clause as part of the retention package, said Danny Sarch, a recruiter based in White Plains, NY That may fly ... Read more . . .

If you are an advisor at Merrill Lynch or Wachovia, youÂ’re wondering what your retention bonus is going to be. Read more . . .

... once considered "safest of the safe" have turned illiquid. "Certain percentages (of brokers who are thinking of moving) only consider a big name now that big names have gotten tainted," said Danny Sarch ... Read more . . .

As we head into the final months of the year, volatility in the markets remains unchecked, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been bailed out and (as I write this) Lehman is the next firm on the verge. Read more . . .

A firm that's hemorrhaging money isn't the only reason advisors leave. Company polices and management attitudes also play a part. Read more . . .

Wall Street’s ugly industry stumbles will likely result in a stream of broker defections next year as advisors seek to distance themselves from sullied firms and recoup stock losses attached to their golden handcuffs. . . . Read more . . .

As the reality of this week sinks in, Merrill Lynch advisors are asking themselves the question many never thought they would: should I stay or should I go? Read more . . .

The landscape of Wall Street and the wealth management industry were dramatically reshaped just since the close of business Friday and the markets are getting set for a tumultuous opening Monday. Read more . . .

So why did John Thain do it? Well, he didnÂ’t have much of a choice. Read more . . .

... of calls from advisers this morning seeking help and wanting to know what their options are,’’ said Danny Sarch, president of Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

"I think it is wonderful news for the brokers," said Danny Sarch, a recruiter in White Plains, NY "It puts the burden back on the firm and off the broker. Read more . . .

The mobility of advisors in the industry is just one part of the overall trend of transparency, which will only increase. Read more . . .

The storm is mostly over, so keep a clear eye out for your best opportunity—and don't jump just to jump. Read more . . .

Danny Sarch: Firms look to match young brokers with veterans, he says. "It is a bigger problem going forward," said Danny Sarch, president of Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

The fall of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Read more . . .

Transition deals can be very good for you, if you understand how they work. Read more . . .

... could be an indication of more prudent, cautious thinking by a broker-dealer's management, said Danny Sarch, founder of Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

... Stearns succeeded because brokers always had relationships with people on [trading] desks," said Danny Sarch, founder of Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

Bear Stearns reached a deal Sunday to sell itself to J.P. Morgan—at a fire-sale price. J.P. Morgan will pay $2 a share for the teetering bank, less than one-tenth of the price that its shares were trading for on Friday. That day, Bear’s stock plunged 47 percent to close at $30. Just a year ago, Bear shares were trading at $170. Recruiters say Bear advisors are very determined to leave, but the deal at least buys them some time to look for a new home. Read more . . .

"People on Wall Street are smiling for the first time in a while," said Danny Sarch, principal at Leitner Sarch Consultants Ltd. Read more . . .

Brokerage firms are fighting for the top 2% of financial advisors. But can the industry afford to take this short-term strategy as the number of producers continues to dwindle? Read more . . .

Here we are again, with an overheated recruiting market on top of a scandal. Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it: Three lessons from 2000 to 2002 can help advisors. Read more . . .

Eight industry headhunters face off over the fallout at Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney, the biggest compensation packages and expectations for the new year at our Ninth Annual Recruiters Roundtable. Read more . . .