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UBS has joined Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Merrill Lynch in unveiling updates comp plans for 2025 aimed at growth and profitability—but not without ruffling some feathers.
UBS made waves with its decision to abandon its unique team-based grid rate system in favor of what looks like a “Best Ball” approach, where team members’ payouts are based on the highest producer’s individual revenue. For some high-performing teams generating $10 million or more in revenue, the shift could mean pay cuts of roughly 4%. Lower-producing advisors will also feel the squeeze, with core payout grid rates trimmed by as much as four percentage points for brokers under $750,000 in production according to reporting by AdvisorHub.
To offset these cuts, UBS is offering a revamped growth award with bonuses of up to 4.5% of revenue for hitting targets like net new money and client relationship growth. Banking product payouts are also seeing a modest bump, such as lines of credit increasing to 15% from 11%.
UBS’s focus on profitability comes amid scrutiny of its lagging U.S. wealth unit, which posted a 12% profit margin last quarter compared to Morgan Stanley’s impressive 28%. With cost pressures mounting, some brokers feel the squeeze, leaving many to wonder if the grass might be greener elsewhere.
