ML PMD vs Internal Wholesaler

Hey

I would appreciate some sound advice as I'm debating on what would be the better move between becoming an advisor or wholesaler. I have always been interested in advising but as I have been working for a mutual fund company for the past year, I have learned a lot. I am trying to determine what will have the better career outlook five years from now.

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I was a PMD at Merrill. I recently resigned. I am looking at internal wholesaler positions. So we are probably in the general same place in terms of knowledge but I will tell you what I know.

5 years out as Financial Advisor. You'll probably make around 80k-150k depending on how much money you bring in. It's tough to make it as an advisor these days. You have to have people lined up and a great network or make 90 calls per day. I wouldn't recommend starting at Merrill.

Internal Wholesaler. It seems that it takes around 2 years in the job to get to External Wholesaler. Internals seem to make cold calls, emails to build relationships with FAs in order for the EW to close the deal or themselves. Pretty similar to FA except you are selling to a different customer. Pay is 40-50 plus bonus. I think bonus is around 5-15k (glassdoor). Some places pay higher. Externals make around 100k salary and 20k-100k in commissions I believe. That seems to be the case from what I have read. They build relationships with Advisors, represent the fund they work for, do a lot of presentations. I've sat through about 20 at Merrill from EW. Seems to be a cool gig.

PM me for more info.

 

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