I am not sure IF my post will be helpful for advice here? Thought I would post to see and maybe Etrade just might be appropriate for my needs?

I am 66, retired and I am thinking of looking for a new Investment Management planner. I have been with Raymond James a little over 2 years.
Currently my portfolio with RJ is a bit over $460,000.00. I am realizing after 2 years (I know smack me now!!)  that my "fees" (1.5%) & I feel are too much. I am looking to see If I can be at or below 1% by shopping around.
I dont feel comfortable making trades, and trying to manage my funds myself IF I panic sell, or make mistakes or buy the wrong stocks I could possibly make a mess of it.
I do self manage about 20% of my net worth at Schwab & Fidelity. I have about $120,000 in Schwab & fidelity combined BUT all in bonds, CD's, & the schwab smart portfolio.
I feel that I am getting Mercedes treatment with a portfolio that is nowhere near some of the high net worth customers my RJ FA has. Do I find value in that? yes.............. .50% more in fee value? .....possibly. I would kick myself IF I switch FA's and get someone impatient, not willing to re-explain if needed or want to "hurry up" and get to the next client & make me feel like I am not worth a lot of time because he / she has many other customers that have millions.
So far 2 other FA's have looked at my statements & both agree RJ has many good products in my brokerage accounts. Is it worth the extra .50% that they offer to do for me at 1% IF I switch FA's I COULD be worse off IF I am not careful. I feel I am getting value & honesty from my FA that may keep me there but at the 1.50 fee can and will add up over the next 15- 20 years and beyond.

Will I get the same attention as the "millionaires".. will a move to a new FA wll they really care about my itty bitty 450,000.00 when they get some 3, 4, 5 and even 10 million dollar customers??
Lastly, using https://www.finra.org/ I was able to see my FA who will call me back on Monday from Fidelity. He has 6 years of experience and has worked AT 3 FIRMS IN JUST 6 YEARS!! that SCARES ME!!!!! I prefer someone that has at least 15 years experience and no more than 2 employment moves. Does anyone else feel the same way?? I will listen to what he has to say but doubtful I will switch, as I BET in a year or two or three, he will move on...
Also, he has my statements and said he will send the information in and talk Monday. Where does he send it? It sounds like folks with more expertise figure out my current financials & he then gets the information back & sells me on using fidelity?? Am I correct? Perhaps someone from Fidelity can elaborate on that process? I most likely will pass on Fidelity because my nerves can't handle getting new FA's every 2 or 3 years. Also, will I get that Mercedes treatment with Fidelity? I doubt it.
Also, Today I did get a return call from my FA at RJ We went over my concerns and I was told my fees wont be able to be negotiated BUT........... once I hit 600,000.00 the fee will go down to 1.25% and when its at 1 million it will drop to 1% so,...................... staying with RJ will cost me the 1.25% unless I decide to take the $120,000.00 I self manage via schab & fidelity and move it to RJ.
My FA did say he could put me in mutual funds and park that 120,00.00 in a similar but more profitable and efficient way than how I have managed it so far. so............. IF I do that He can drop my fee by .25%

Posted Aug 14, 2026, 10:10 PM UTC

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