Pros
- Access to cutting-edge financial research, market data-- you can learn anything you put your mind to. If you want to learn about UBS's different investment platforms and model portfolios, the research is there. - Wholesaler lunch meetings to get their perspective on the markets and various products. - Very smart and amicable co-workers who are willing to help you with any questions you may have. - Lots of the financial advisors can be nice on a personal level. - Open door policy with management, you can go to them with whatever issues you have and they will do their best to help you solve them. They have lots of contacts with local attorneys, home office, and other advisors who may be able to provide some insight that was previously lacking. - Management pays/sponsors you for your licenses and exams. - Great name on your resume.
Cons
- Bureaucracy is huge-- can take a long time to get answers for certain client inquiries. - Advancement is nearly non-existent-- you will discover that management and financial advisors are at odds with how they pay you. Most likely, your salary will be split between the two, and both sides are trying to operate as lean as possible. This will cause you to stay stagnant. There are reasons why this overall nice office bleeds talent. There is no room for growth or advancement in pay, no matter what they tell you. In both sides (FAs and Management) not agreeing on what to pay you, you will stay stagnant and be told during yearly reviews that "there is less money this year for raises" or to "go to your financial advisor" if you want to negotiate a higher pay. They also believe in a very traditional, corporate, antiquated "pay your dues" style to advancement, where you could be working there forever and a day before seeing any sort of advancement. Sure, there are some dues to pay, but this approach simply isn't the way it works in today's job-hopping world. - Lots of cuts/going lean has resulted in many lay-offs. This has been reported on in various financial literature, as well. For instance, there is ZERO reason why a Registered Associate who is taking trades for their advisor's clients and wants to learn more about the markets should be switching on and off the switchboard. They are not being further compensated for taking on receptionist duties, or for covering various teams in this lean office when people are out sick or on vacation. We are told that we need to be "pre-approved" to work overtime and request it, when 99% of the time that's not how it goes. CSAs who sometimes stay late, stay based on NEED and aren't exactly planning on it. It's just the workflow of the day. Again, there are reasons why this good environment bleeds talent. Maybe more people should be salaried instead of hourly? - Your experience can vary greatly depending on the financial advisor(s) you work with and their client base. - It is up to you to stay on top of your team and management for advancement/pay raise opportunities when they come up.