Merrill Advisor Transition Report 2026
Short answer: The UpTick Merrill Advisor Transition Report 2026 is a free, 10-page guide for Merrill financial advisors weighing a move. It covers Merrill’s net loss of 404 advisors in early 2026, the 2027 pay plan, deferred comp you would forfeit, Broker Protocol rules and where Merrill advisors go.
Inside the Merrill advisor transition report
- Merrill lost a net 404 advisors in the first half of 2026, the most of any wirehouse.
- The 2027 grid is unchanged, but the Growth Award bar rises to $7.5 million and a new Lending Growth Award arrives.
- Merrill’s recruiting loan balance rose nearly 50% in 2025.
- What you leave behind: deferred comp, notes and Bank of America relationships.
- A step-by-step move plan for Merrill advisors.
Get the free Merrill advisor transition report
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Questions this Merrill advisor transition report answers
- How many advisors are leaving Merrill?
- What changes in Merrill’s 2027 compensation plan?
- What happens to my Merrill deferred compensation if I leave?
- Does the Broker Protocol still apply at Merrill?
- Where do Merrill advisors go, and in which models?
- What are transition packages worth for Merrill advisors now?
- What does a clean exit from Merrill look like?
Our approach
This report is built from public, sourced data reported by InvestmentNews, WealthManagement.com, Financial Planning, ThinkAdvisor, American Banker and Cerulli Associates research, as of November 12, 2026. It does not promote any single firm or business model. UpTick Consulting Partners is paid by receiving firms, so our consulting is at no cost to advisors.
Related: Leaving Merrill Lynch · 2026 transition report · Advisor transition consulting
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About UpTick Consulting Partners: UpTick is a financial advisor recruiting firm and transition consultancy in Red Bank, New Jersey. UpTick is not an investment advisor and does not provide investment, tax or legal advice. 646.734.0334 · marc@uptickrecruiting.com · uptickrecruiting.com