How our advisors are compensated
To build a strong working relationship with a financial advisor, it's important for you to understand how he or she makes a living. Below, you'll find an overview of how advisors are paid. For more details about advisors' compensation, please refer to the Client Relationship Guide.
We are proud of the value our advisors provide through our financial planning products and services. If you have questions at any time during your relationship, please ask your financial advisor or call (800) 882-1244.
Ameriprise Financial has 3 types of advisor relationships
The compensation Ameriprise financial advisors receive depends on several factors, including how they are affiliated with Ameriprise Financial.
| Employee financial advisors | Franchisee advisors | Associate financial advisors |
|---|---|---|
Employed by Ameriprise Financial Licensed registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial |
Licensed registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial, not employed by Ameriprise |
Employed by independent contractor franchisees Licensed registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial |
Receive salary, compensation and benefits from Ameriprise Financial |
Do not receive a salary from Ameriprise Financial |
Receive salary from the franchisee that employs them |
Represent approximately 25% of our financial advisors Available in person in your city or by phone in our headquarters location |
Represent approximately 60% of our financial advisors Available across the U.S. |
Represent approximately 15% of our financial advisors |
Commissions
A portion of the fees charged for our products and services go to financial advisors in the form of commissions. The amount varies based on financial advisor's type and level of sales activity, how the financial advisor is affiliated with Ameriprise Financial, and the fees paid by clients.
Referral fees
Financial advisors may also receive referral fees when their clients purchase certain banking products and services or Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance products.
Ameriprise Financial equity programs
We encourage all Ameriprise Financial employees and financial advisors to take an ownership stake in our future by holding stock in our parent company, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. To make this possible for financial advisors, we created three equity programs:
- In December 2005, eligible financial advisors qualified for a one-time future interest in Ameriprise Financial stock.
- In addition, independent contractor franchisee advisors may be eligible to defer a certain percentage of their compensation each year in exchange for a future interest in Ameriprise Financial stock, determined by product sales, including a minimum level of revenue generated from financial advisory fees.
- Some employee financial advisors receive restricted equity grants.
Incentives, training and education
Ameriprise Financial may, from time to time, offer contests, incentive programs, premiums or promotions to individual financial advisors or groups of financial advisors in particular areas. These programs may provide cash and/or non-cash compensation to financial advisors for sales of particular products or services.
These incentive programs and cash and/or non-cash compensation are strictly regulated by SEC and FINRA regulations, as well as the internal compliance policies of Ameriprise Financial.
Ameriprise Financial has promotional agreements with certain product companies. These companies may pay for training and educational events.
For employees and financial advisors, these events may be held at off-site locations and the travel, meals and accommodations may be paid for by the product company. Additionally, these companies may occasionally provide business or recreational entertainment or gifts of nominal value to employees and financial advisors.
Mortgage loan program compensation
Ameriprise Financial participates in a home lending program with EverBank®, an unaffiliated financial institution. Financial advisors may be authorized to provide loan origination services as part-time employees of EverBank. While acting in their capacity as mortgage originators, financial advisors are not acting on behalf of Ameriprise Financial. EverBank compensates financial advisors for services in connection with originating and processing loans. Ameriprise Bank may also compensate financial advisors for these services.