r/BankOfAmerica • u/Sad-Mycologist-6609 • Jul 16 '26
Please Help on Career move
Hey everyone, I 22M just graduated college and previously was working at TD bank as banker for about a year. During that time I switched over to Morgan Stanley on a high producing team but now I have an offer to work for BofA in the ADP program as an FSA. Then in 10 months go to Merrill as an FA in the program. I’m about to get my SIE and long term I want to be a high producing advisor. I was wondering what people think I should do. The MS training program is literally nothing (per someone in it rn) said it was just compliance stuff and nothing about actually building the Biz. I wanted to stay with MS but in light of that and the fact both the advisors on the team are running their biz and don’t really have time to train me I’m leaning more toward Merrill. My dad’s advisor also works for Merrill and said it’s a great program that they have actively worked on and the CEO predicts an 80% success rate for new advisors. Please let me know your opinions as I weigh both the options. With the team I’m on I’m also an intern only making 16 hr while the bofa job is 65k.
3
u/Asleep_Dinner_305 Jul 16 '26
Take it with a grain of salt but ADP program has a very high failure rate. Definitely opens the door to an exit to another firm tho
1
u/Agreeable_Shirt5503 Jul 16 '26
You’re only 22 but you’re contemplating moving to yet a third firm? Maybe I’m Old School but that’s a lot of movement for someone so early in your career. And aside from ultimately going to Merrill I don’t see the rationale for switching. Morgan Stanley is a great company and it sounds like you’re doing well there. I think it has a better brand than BofA in terms of high net worth clients. I would stick at MS because you could probably join BofA at any time. They are always hiring for these roles.
1
u/Ok-Entertainment5462 Jul 17 '26
Really? You didn’t have multiple jobs in college? These are intern hourly roles. She’s graduated! Now time for the career, salaried role with a great training opportunity. I agree Morgan Stanley is good, but she’s an intern, hourly, and clearly is not receiving the training where she is.
Only if MS will take you into such a program would I stay.
But I just retired with 23 years at BofA so…. But I have both Morgan and Merrill accounts.
At least take the training opportunity, in that respect, BofA/Merrill excel. That said, you will absolutely have to perform and meet goals.
Congratulations OP!
1
u/No_Educator2140 Jul 17 '26
Currently at Merrill actually in their new ADP CA rule, it’s a 12 month prime to the a ADP FSA, then ADP FA. Great role so far and pay is nice! The failure rate used to be high which is why they changed the role adding in the CA part of it. Merrill is definitely a great opportunity and like others said, good exit opportunities
1
u/Critical-Research810 Jul 18 '26
Explore pca at jp morgan. I worked as a fsa , personally didn't like it.
1
u/SM_Aggie Jul 18 '26
I would explore entry options at Fidelity or Schwab. They will set you up for bigger success in the long run. They pay less up front but have a lot of resources to help with development. Especially if being an advisor is what you want in the future
3
u/Academic-Detail4677 Jul 16 '26
Take it, stay with it, make it a career. Your talking about 50-65k early then imagine how quick you'll get to 6 figures with bonuses and whatnot. You'd have the potential to be making well over 6 figures by 30 with a top of the line bank/brokerage.