Among advisors changing firms, the prevailing trend is away from Wall Street mainstays and toward greater independence — but that path is not for everyone. Before their move, he and three other team members had been managing $1.5 billion in client assets. Advisors, he said, can gain a good deal of independence by joining what he called "plug and play" firms. He said he considered many firms' transition packages but chose Merrill for reasons other than the transition deal it offered. Merrill often touts that connection as an advantage for advisors wishing to arrange loans and mortgages and provide banking services and products to clients.