2025 is shaping up to be an especially promising year for financial advisors considering a move to a new firm. Industry veterans will tell you there’s never a perfect time to change broker-dealers. Markets are always shifting, and there are always reasons to stay put. Yet current conditions make now one of the strongest windows in recent memory for a transition.

The advisor movement momentum that began accelerating last year hasn’t let up. If anything, it’s still a mover’s market. Even amid volatile markets and global uncertainty, top-producing teams are continuing to make big moves in 2025. Why? In part because firms are dangling some of the richest transition deals and recruitment incentives we’ve seen in years. Many broker-dealers are upping the ante with significant signing bonuses and aggressive recruitment campaigns to attract talent.

In short, while there may never be a “perfect” moment, 2025 offers a near-perfect convergence of opportunity and incentive for advisors ready to take the leap.

Overcoming the Fear: Most Advisors Wish They’d Moved Sooner

If you’ve been contemplating a change but find yourself hesitating, you’re not alone. Many advisors talk themselves out of making a move due to fear of the unknown. Whether it’s concern over client reactions, the hassle of transition, or simply inertia, it’s natural to be cautious. Change can be scary, and the fear of the unknown often makes people settle for a “good enough” status quo.

However, in hindsight, advisors who do overcome those fears and transition rarely regret it. In fact, a common refrain from those who have moved is, “I wish I had done it sooner.” The worst-case scenarios that kept you up at night — losing clients, disruption to your business — tend not to materialize in reality. Clients are typically far more loyal to you than to your firm’s logo.

Consider a recent real-world example. A $5 billion AUM team left a wirehouse for another firm, confident their clients would follow — and they did. It underscored a truth that applies to solo advisors and billion-dollar teams alike. Assets move because relationships move.

In other words, if you’ve built strong client trust, most of your clients will stick with you through a transition. Don’t let fear be the reason you settle for “good enough” and miss the chance to find a great firm where you’re truly happy. As one 3xEquity article put it, good is the enemy of great. It’s time to embrace the change. Don’t let fear keep you from achieving your long-term goals.

Why 2025 Has Been And Will Continue To Be A Great Time to Make a Move

Not only are advisors increasingly happy after they move, the environment in 2025 is making the decision to move even more compelling. Here are a few reasons why this year stands out:

• Record-High Transition Offers: Competition for advisor talent remains fierce. Firms large and small are offering some of the most generous transition packages ever. From upfront signing bonuses to enhanced payout grids, the financial incentives to switch firms are surging. Advisors who explore the market are often pleasantly surprised by how rich the offers have become.

• Strong Transition Momentum: The advisor movement that gained steam in 2024 is still in full swing. Despite economic crosswinds, advisors across the spectrum — from wirehouse teams managing billions to solo independents — are on the move. This sustained momentum means firms remain highly motivated to recruit, and they’re investing in making transitions smoother.

The upshot: you won’t be an outlier for considering a move this year. In fact, you’d be riding a wave that shows no sign of breaking.

Two Windows of Opportunity: When to Consider Moving

Every advisor’s situation is unique, but industry experience highlights two particularly advantageous times in a career to make a move.

During a High-Growth Phase

If your practice is in expansion mode — adding clients, increasing AUM, or evolving your services — you need a firm that can support and amplify that growth. A telltale sign is when your current broker-dealer relationship is hindering your ability to grow or serve clients optimally. In that case, staying put could mean another year of missed opportunities.

Transitioning during a growth spurt can position you to accelerate even further with the right partner. Moving to a firm with better technology, broader product offerings, or a more supportive culture can help you hit the ground running and continue your upward trajectory.

In short, don’t let your firm’s limitations cap your potential. A well-timed move can be a catalyst for even greater growth.

10–12 Years Before Retirement (The “Double Payday” Strategy)

Advisors in the home stretch of their career — roughly a decade out from retirement — have a unique opportunity to maximize the value of their life’s work. By switching firms about 10 to 12 years before retirement, you can secure a substantial transition bonus now and still have enough runway to grow your business further before selling or retiring.

It’s often called a “double payday” strategy. You collect an upfront recruitment deal as an immediate reward. Then later, when you’re ready to retire, you execute your succession or sale and receive another payout. This approach isn’t about working extra years. It’s about monetizing your business twice.

If you’re around a decade from your planned exit, a well-planned move now can set you up for that second payday down the road, all while giving you a fresh platform to build value in the interim.

Just be sure to have a solid succession plan in place so that when the time comes to retire, you reap the full benefits of the growth and retention efforts you’ve made at the new firm.

Be Strategic and Proactive in Planning

One key lesson from all the advisors who’ve successfully transitioned is that the best moves are strategic, not reactive. Don’t jump just because everyone else is or because of momentary frustrations. Instead, approach your potential transition the same way you advise clients to approach investments — with due diligence, clear goals, and a long-term vision.

Define what you want in a new firm. Better tech? More independence? Higher payout? A specific culture? Then consider what problems you need to solve. Compliance headaches? Limited product suite? Lack of succession support?

By knowing your non-negotiables, you can weigh opportunities more objectively.

Also, timing matters in a practical sense. If you’re aiming to capitalize on this strong 2025 window, start laying groundwork sooner rather than later. Large transitions can take months to execute, from due diligence and contract negotiation to account transfers. Being proactive gives you the luxury of planning your move around optimal dates rather than scrambling against a deadline.

Top advisors move not because of knee-jerk reactions, but because they’ve thought through their next step in the context of their career strategy. Control your narrative. Make the move on your terms, aligned with your goals, rather than as a reaction to someone else’s agenda.

Partner with Experts for a Smooth Transition

The logistics and emotions of a transition can be daunting, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. This is where a firm like 3xEquity becomes invaluable as a partner and advocate.

Transition consultants act as objective guides in the process. They bring industry intelligence, handle the comparisons, and ensure you stay in the driver’s seat. For example, 3xEquity can confidentially solicit multiple offers from top broker-dealers on your behalf while you remain completely anonymous.

This means you get real, data-backed insights into what your move is worth in today’s market without tipping off your current firm or committing to anything. More importantly, experienced consultants help you weigh each offer not just by the headline dollar amount, but by how well each option aligns with your values, growth plans, and client needs.

They’ve seen hundreds of deals and can decode the fine print, helping you avoid pitfalls and negotiate the best terms possible.

At the end of the day, leveraging a resource like 3xEquity gives you knowledge and peace of mind. Their team will help you evaluate offers, uncover your priorities, and chart a path forward — confidentially, and with no obligation. You remain in control of the decision, but you gain a safety net of expertise and up-to-the-minute offer data to ensure you’re making the most informed choice.

Ready to Seize the 2025 Opportunity?

There may never be a “perfect” time to change firms. But 2025 offers a compelling window of opportunity. The combination of robust transition deals, sustained advisor movement momentum, and the lessons learned from those who’ve gone before you all point to one conclusion — if you’ve been on the fence, it’s worth seriously exploring your options.

Don’t let fear or timing myths paralyze you. With the right strategy and the right support team, a well-planned move can elevate your practice and set you up for long-term success.

Take control of your future. If you’re curious what opportunities are out there for you, engage in some due diligence and conversation. A confidential inquiry costs nothing but could reveal the next great chapter of your career.

3xEquity is here to help — from providing real-time offer data to coaching you through each step — so you can move forward on your terms.

Ready to explore your possibilities?
Start with a safe, no-obligation step: visit 3xEquity.com/qs to see what your ideal move in 2025 might look like.