Football season is kicking off, and if you are an advisor considering a move, it is hard not to draw a parallel between this moment on the calendar and the two-minute drill.
In football, the two-minute drill is not about panic or desperation. It is where the boldest plays happen. The pace gets faster, decisions get sharper, and games are won by the players who stay calm, trust their preparation, and execute with confidence.
It is the same mindset advisors should adopt as the fourth quarter of the year nears.
Deals Are Still on the Table and They’re Big
Despite what the calendar says, firms are still in aggressive recruiting mode. Transition packages frequently exceed 300% of trailing 12-month production, and we have seen some truly exceptional deals pushing closer to and over 400%, as broker-dealers and RIAs work to bring in top talent before December 31.
Speed Is No Longer a Barrier
Worried there is not enough time to complete a move? Think again. Operational improvements over the past few years have dramatically shortened transition timelines:
- LPL averaged just 45 days per transition in 2023
- 87% of AUM was in motion by month two
- Many advisors are now fully operational on their new platform in 6 to 8 weeks
That means an advisor who starts exploring options in late August or even September can realistically transition, onboard clients, and enter the new year already running the new offense.
The Success Rates Are On Your Side
Cerulli reports that the average advisor retains approximately 80 to 90% of assets when changing firms. Those numbers climb even higher to 92 to 95% for top-quintile advisors with strong client relationships and portable books.
In fact, most advisors say clients are energized by the move, especially when the new platform offers better technology, more investment flexibility, or a lower fee structure.
Not Every Yard Is Worth Gaining
It is easy to view any AUM loss as a negative, but that is not always how the smartest advisors see it.
In practice, a portion of the assets that do not follow in a transition are tied to clients who:
- Drain resources disproportionate to the revenue they generate
- Are not aligned with your investment philosophy
- Demand time and attention that chokes growth
In that light, a little attrition is often addition by subtraction, freeing you to focus on scaling the most profitable, most aligned relationships inside your book.
This Is Not Garbage Time – It Is Go Time
If you are considering a move but have been hesitating because you worry you have run out the clock, remember this:
The best players do not wait out the two-minute drill, they win in it.
There is still plenty of time to make a strategic move this year. Deals are rich. Transition systems are fast. Client retention rates are high. Your next chapter could be up and running before the New Year’s Eve ball drops.
Curious how much you could land in an upfront deal and how quickly it could be done?
3xEquity secures multiple offers on your behalf, discreetly so you can compare your current payout to what is possible elsewhere. Start your two-minute drill today at 3xEquity.com/qs.
