Raymond James dips toe into commission-free trades

As industry race-to-zero accelerates, the broker-dealer offers free trades to small group of RIAs.
OCT 21, 2019
Raymond James Financial Inc. is the latest brokerage to slash charges on trades and is eliminating transaction fees for stocks, exchange-traded funds and options for the firm's small Investment Adviser Division. Unlike many of its competitors, Raymond James has no meaningful direct to consumer business. This change has an impact only on the fee-based accounts managed and sold by the registered investment advisers who use Raymond James to custody client assets. A source who asked not to be identified confirmed the new effort at Raymond James. A Raymond James spokesman declined to comment. [Recommended video: What advice industry needs to do as nation's diversity evolves] Raymond James' main business is servicing retail-focused brokers and financial advisers who are registered with the firm's two broker-dealers, Raymond James & Associates Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services Inc. The question remains whether the more than 8,000 advisers working on those platforms will eventually see commissions slashed for their trades. The race to zero commissions kicked off at the start of the month when Charles Schwab Corp. erased commissions on certain online trades. It was quickly followed by TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., E*Trade Financial Corp. and Fidelity Investments. And on Monday, Bank of America Corp.'s Merrill Lynch unit said it was greatly expanding free trades for certain clients who use online or mobile platforms. The business news website CNBC.com first reported the news about Raymond James.

Latest News

Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says
Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says

A new analysis finds long-running fiscal woes coupled with impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stand to erode the major pillar for retirement income planning.

SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families
SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families

Caz Craffy, whom the Department of Justice hit with a 12-year prison term last year for defrauding grieving military families, has been officially exiled from the securities agency.

Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?
Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?

After years or decades spent building deep relationships with clients, experienced advisors' attention and intention must turn toward their spouses, children, and future generations.

UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock
UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock

The customer’s UBS financial advisor allegedly mishandled an options strategy called a collar, according to the client’s attorney.

Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors
Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors

An expansion to a 2017 TCJA provision, a permanent increase to the standard deduction, and additional incentives for non-itemizers add new twists to the donate-or-wait decision.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.