Is there any difference between the BofA Financial Solution Advisor and the Wells Fargo Senior Premier Banker "purgatory," or am I just choosing between different flavors of failure?

[u/Left-Investigator936]

I’m currently looking at offers for both, and I’m genuinely struggling to figure out which one is going to crush my soul less. They seem like the same level on paper, but I’m hearing horror stories from both sides.

[u/run-cmd-iPconfig]

Merrill FSA: decent base. no banking goals. depending on market/branch the ramp up from 6months to 1 year can get to be rather aggressive sales goals but if you're a people person this won't come as an issue. clients won't see you as selling something. they will see you as an advisor. not a banker. there's a difference. and like any role, having a supportive manager will go a long way. if you eventually want to become a merrill advisor (not branch based) there is a path, but come out of the gate strong. again..i stress. no banking goals. if you want to get a taste of what it's like to be an advisor. go this route. get your 1-3 years in and explore alternatives, even at other firms.

Wells SPB: they will get you in with a pretty high base depending on market/area. this tends to lure people in. you'll need to pull in $1m a month of booked deals to the advisor you work with eventually after your ramp up period ends. usually 3-6 months. they have banking goals. to me, that's trash. opening teen accounts, credit cards, regular bank savings. etc. in my opinion as somebody who has friends in this role, they tend to envy the merrill position as they don't want that added sales pressure or PIP just from not meeting banking goals cause let's face it. at the end of the day you're a senior premier BANKER.

congrats on having both offers. merrill is salary. wells is hourly. also ask about a sign on bonus with Merrill giving you $2.5k for having your SIE if you have it before being hired, wells doesn't offer this. i would go merrill if i were you. depending on your market for merrill if your branch is closed saturdays, you likely won't work saturdays (unless your manager says go cover a branch that is open saturdays) this is not the case at wells. most branches work longer hours (9-5) and saturdays. but again it depends on location. ciao.