For Financial Advisors
Beyond the IBD Island
An Independent Broker-Dealer gives you a platform. We give you a Partnership.
The Structural Problem
Why the IBD Model Is Failing Advisors
You built a practice worth being proud of. But the platform you built it on was not designed for you. Independent Broker-Dealers promise independence, but the reality is different: your billing options are rigid, your product access is restricted, and when you leave, the firm may retain the right to your client relationships.
Meanwhile, you shoulder 100% of the CIO responsibility with no model-linking infrastructure -- because the IBD model was built for product distribution, not fiduciary advice. The shift from IBD to RIA is not just a business decision. It is a structural upgrade to how you serve clients, how you get paid, and who owns the relationship.
IBD standard of care -- weaker than true fiduciary obligation
Products you can recommend are limited to the approved list
Leave the IBD, and the firm may retain your client relationships
The Bancroft Booth Advantage
Built for the Next Generation of Fiduciaries
Total Billing Sovereignty
Choose the fee structure that fits your clients and your practice. No rigid billing templates.
- — Traditional AUM billing
- — Flat-fee AUM arrangements
- — 0% AUM / 20% Performance with dual hurdle
- — Custom structures for unique practices
The Power of Model Linking
Stop acting as a part-time CIO. Link client accounts directly to our core models with institutional infrastructure.
- — Automated rebalancing infrastructure
- — Core model library access
- — Custom sleeve capability
- — Direct portfolio manager access
Transparent Economics
No hidden ticket charges or technology fees. Clean, predictable economics that let you focus on clients, not overhead.
- — 85% GDC payout
- — No production quotas
- — No technology or platform fees
- — No hidden ticket charges
Side by Side
The Old Guard vs. The New Standard
| Feature | The Independent B/D (IBD) | Bancroft Booth (RIA) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard of Care | Suitability / Reg BI (FINRA) | True Fiduciary (State/SEC) |
| Billing Flexibility | Rigid AUM / Commission | AUM, Flat, or 0/20 + Hurdle |
| CIO Responsibilities | You are the Solo Island | Model-Linked Support |
| Platform & Tech Fees | Hidden Ticket + Technology Charges | Transparent 85% GDC Payout |
| Compliance Tone | No, because of FINRA | Yes, here is how we do it |
| Client Ownership | Firm retains rights | You own your book |
| Product Access | Approved products list | Open architecture |
How It Works
Your Transition, Step by Step
Confidential Conversation
We learn about your practice, your clients, and your goals. No pressure, no pitch -- just a candid assessment of whether partnership makes sense.
Custom Proposal
You receive a personalized payout grid, model library access, and a detailed transition timeline tailored to your practice.
Coordinated Transition
We handle custodian transfers, compliance filings, and provide client communication templates. You focus on your relationships.
Partnership Begins
You are live with model linking, compliance support, and full billing sovereignty. Ongoing partnership, not a one-time onboarding.
Our Commitment
What We Will Never Ask You to Do
Meet Production Quotas
Your value is not measured by revenue targets or sales contests.
Sell Proprietary Products
No approved products list. No revenue-sharing arrangements that compromise your advice.
Surrender Client Ownership
Your clients, your data, your relationships. If you ever leave, they come with you.
Navigate Compliance Alone
Our compliance team works with you, not against you. "Yes, here is how" -- not "no, because FINRA."
Common Questions
What Advisors Ask Us
What happens to my existing clients when I transition?
Your clients come with you. You retain full ownership of your book, your client relationships, and your data. We provide transition support including custodian transfer coordination and client communication templates.
How does the 85% GDC payout work?
You receive 85% of gross dealer concessions with no hidden ticket charges, technology fees, platform fees, or production quotas. The payout is transparent and negotiable based on your practice size and growth trajectory.
What compliance support do you provide?
Our compliance approach is "Yes, here is how we do it" rather than "No, because of FINRA." We provide the compliance framework, technology stack, and ongoing support so you can focus on serving clients.
Can my clients access the Performance Partnership model?
Yes. Qualified clients per SEC Rule 205-3 can access our signature 0% management fee / 20% performance fee structure with client-selected hurdle rates. You retain billing flexibility to offer traditional AUM alongside performance-based models.
How long does the transition typically take?
Most transitions complete within 60 to 90 days from signed agreement to live accounts. We coordinate custodian transfers, compliance filings, and client communications throughout the process.
What about my Series 7 and Series 24?
As an RIA, we operate under the Investment Advisers Act rather than FINRA. Your Series 66 registration transfers. Series 7 and 24 are FINRA-specific and not required for RIA advisory work, though having passed those exams demonstrates significant industry knowledge.
Important Compliance Notice
Advisors must ensure performance-based fee models are only utilized for Qualified Clients as defined by SEC Rule 205-3. Bancroft Booth Capital Advisors provides the compliance framework, but individual suitability assessment remains the advisor's responsibility.
Get Started
Ready for a Cleaner Payout and a Smarter Model?
Let us talk Principal-to-Principal. Confidential conversation about your book, our models, and whether partnership makes sense.