From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law LLC: 
Raymond James Associates has marketed a recruitment deal to financial advisors which consists of an upfront cash payment between 50% to 125%. Additionally, the hurdles in order to meet back-end production goals under the deal are:
· Year 1: Hurdle – 70% of assets and revenue
Payout bonus: 25% of production
· Year 2: Hurdle – 90% of revenue
Payout bonus: 10% of production
· Year 3: Hurdle – 105% of revenue
Payout bonus: 10% of production
· Year 4: Hurdle – 125% of revenue
Payout bonus: 10% of production
· Year 5: Hurdle – 150% of revenue
Payout bonus: 5% of production
All proposed deals are negotiable and reflected in numerous agreements such as promissory note and employment agreements. Reps should retain qualified legal counsel to review those documents in advance of committing to transition to a new firm.
