First Advisors National
Frequently Asked Questions

We're an open book.

Every question you should ask before making this decision, answered plainly.

Answered Plainly

Everything you should ask.

Do you offer upfront payouts or financial assistance if I have an existing book of business?

Yes. We offer multiple ways to financially support your transition. Depending on your situation and the size of your AUM transfer, we can structure one of three options: an upfront lump-sum payment, an increased payout rate over a defined period, or a flat rate per million of AUM that successfully transfers. Each option has different advantages depending on your client retention rate, timeline, and personal goals. We'll walk through all three with you so you can choose the structure that works best for your book of business.

Yes. We offer multiple ways to financially support your transition. Depending on your situation and the size of your AUM transfer, we can structure one of three options: an upfront lump-sum payment, an increased payout rate over a defined period, or a flat rate per million of AUM that successfully transfers. Each option has different advantages depending on your client retention rate, timeline, and personal goals. We'll walk through all three with you so you can choose the structure that works best for your book of business.

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What are the advisor payout percentages at First Advisors National?

Advisor payouts at First Advisors National range from 65% to 90% of the client advisory fee, depending on your total AUM. Unlike most broker-dealers and RIA platforms that calculate payouts based on gross revenue, we base payouts on AUM, which means you are never penalized for discounting your fee or waiving it for select clients. The focus is simple: grow your AUM, and we pay you accordingly.

Advisor payouts at First Advisors National range from 65% to 90% of the client advisory fee, depending on your total AUM. Unlike most broker-dealers and RIA platforms that calculate payouts based on gross revenue, we base payouts on AUM, which means you are never penalized for discounting your fee or waiving it for select clients. The focus is simple: grow your AUM, and we pay you accordingly.

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Why does First Advisors National use Goldman Sachs as its primary custodian?

Goldman Sachs is not a typical RIA custodian, and that's intentional. While most custodians offer standard brokerage and account services, Goldman Sachs provides access to a significantly broader set of products and capabilities, particularly for advisors managing growth-stage clients. Among the most notable advantages:

  • Private lines of credit with interest-only payment options and rates well below typical margin rates, a powerful tool for clients who need liquidity without triggering a securities sale or margin call
  • A dedicated fixed income desk for direct bond access
  • Structured notes through both Goldman Sachs and their affiliate iCapital
  • Access to private equity and alternative investment vehicles
  • Institutional-grade reporting and client account infrastructure

For advisors at the $5M–$30M AUM level looking to deliver a truly differentiated client experience, Goldman Sachs as a custodian is a meaningful competitive advantage.

Goldman Sachs is not a typical RIA custodian, and that's intentional. While most custodians offer standard brokerage and account services, Goldman Sachs provides access to a significantly broader set of products and capabilities, particularly for advisors managing growth-stage clients. Among the most notable advantages:

  • Private lines of credit with interest-only payment options and rates well below typical margin rates, a powerful tool for clients who need liquidity without triggering a securities sale or margin call
  • A dedicated fixed income desk for direct bond access
  • Structured notes through both Goldman Sachs and their affiliate iCapital
  • Access to private equity and alternative investment vehicles
  • Institutional-grade reporting and client account infrastructure

For advisors at the $5M–$30M AUM level looking to deliver a truly differentiated client experience, Goldman Sachs as a custodian is a meaningful competitive advantage.

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What investments can I offer my clients through First Advisors National?

Through our primary custodian Goldman Sachs, you have access to one of the most comprehensive investment menus available to independent advisors:

  • Individual stocks and equities
  • Options
  • Private equity and alternative investments via Goldman Sachs and iCapital
  • Structured notes (Goldman Sachs and iCapital affiliated)
  • Fixed income: bonds via GS’s dedicated fixed income desk
  • Initial public offerings (IPOs)
  • Money market funds and CDs
  • Cash management solutions

Most independent advisors are limited to what a traditional custodian offers. FAN’s platform gives you institutional-grade access typically reserved for much larger firms.

Through our primary custodian Goldman Sachs, you have access to one of the most comprehensive investment menus available to independent advisors:

  • Individual stocks and equities
  • Options
  • Private equity and alternative investments via Goldman Sachs and iCapital
  • Structured notes (Goldman Sachs and iCapital affiliated)
  • Fixed income: bonds via GS’s dedicated fixed income desk
  • Initial public offerings (IPOs)
  • Money market funds and CDs
  • Cash management solutions

Most independent advisors are limited to what a traditional custodian offers. FAN’s platform gives you institutional-grade access typically reserved for much larger firms.

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What does it cost to join First Advisors National?

Our advisors pay a flat $100 per month, one of the lowest monthly commitments in the independent advisory space. That fee covers:

  • All state insurance and securities appointments
  • Annual IARD renewal
  • Our full technology stack
  • Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage up to $1,000,000 at no additional cost

Other RIA platforms charge $500 or more per month for comparable coverage. At First Advisors National, there are no hidden fees. What you see is what you pay.

Our advisors pay a flat $100 per month, one of the lowest monthly commitments in the independent advisory space. That fee covers:

  • All state insurance and securities appointments
  • Annual IARD renewal
  • Our full technology stack
  • Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage up to $1,000,000 at no additional cost

Other RIA platforms charge $500 or more per month for comparable coverage. At First Advisors National, there are no hidden fees. What you see is what you pay.

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Is there a community or support network for advisors at First Advisors National?

Yes, and we recognize that “community” means different things to different advisors. Some want full autonomy and prefer to operate independently. Others want regular connection with like-minded advisors to share ideas, referrals, and strategies. We support both “lone wolf” and “team player” mindsets, and everyone in between.

Additionally, we are actively building out our advisor community infrastructure, including a dedicated communication platform and peer network for advisors who want to stay connected. If you’re interested in being introduced to other advisors in our network before you commit, we’re happy to facilitate that conversation so you can evaluate the fit on your own terms.

Yes, and we recognize that “community” means different things to different advisors. Some want full autonomy and prefer to operate independently. Others want regular connection with like-minded advisors to share ideas, referrals, and strategies. We support both “lone wolf” and “team player” mindsets, and everyone in between.

Additionally, we are actively building out our advisor community infrastructure, including a dedicated communication platform and peer network for advisors who want to stay connected. If you’re interested in being introduced to other advisors in our network before you commit, we’re happy to facilitate that conversation so you can evaluate the fit on your own terms.

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How does First Advisors National compare to LPL Financial or a traditional broker-dealer?

The biggest difference between First Advisors National and a traditional broker-dealer like LPL is independence, payout structure, fee model, and flexibility. At a broker-dealer, advisors are typically constrained to that BD’s models and infrastructure, off-the-shelf products, in-house compliance, and arbitrary policy changes. At FAN, you control all facets of those business levers for the betterment of your own practice.

For advisors in the $5M–$30M AUM range specifically, this matters because at this stage of growth you are generally prevented from exercising meaningful independence at a traditional BD. FAN was built precisely for advisors at this inflection point who are ready to take ownership of their practice.

The biggest difference between First Advisors National and a traditional broker-dealer like LPL is independence, payout structure, fee model, and flexibility. At a broker-dealer, advisors are typically constrained to that BD’s models and infrastructure, off-the-shelf products, in-house compliance, and arbitrary policy changes. At FAN, you control all facets of those business levers for the betterment of your own practice.

For advisors in the $5M–$30M AUM range specifically, this matters because at this stage of growth you are generally prevented from exercising meaningful independence at a traditional BD. FAN was built precisely for advisors at this inflection point who are ready to take ownership of their practice.

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What AUM level do I need to join First Advisors National?

We work with independent financial advisors at any level of AUM; we have no hard minimum. Whether you're bringing over an existing book of $50,000,000+ or you're earlier in building your practice, what we truly value is a commitment to growing your practice. Our focus is on helping you move further than where you were before meeting us as your RIA platform. This means it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned advisor or at the inception point of your career. If you're unsure whether you qualify to join our independent RIA, contact us anytime and we'll be more than happy to schedule a call.

We work with independent financial advisors at any level of AUM; we have no hard minimum. Whether you're bringing over an existing book of $50,000,000+ or you're earlier in building your practice, what we truly value is a commitment to growing your practice. Our focus is on helping you move further than where you were before meeting us as your RIA platform. This means it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned advisor or at the inception point of your career. If you're unsure whether you qualify to join our independent RIA, contact us anytime and we'll be more than happy to schedule a call.

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How long does the transition process take to join FAN?

The timeline varies depending on your current firm, FINRA/state requirements, client paperwork, and your back office preparedness. However, on average, advisors complete the transition in as little as 2–3 weeks to several months. The process typically involves submitting a U5 at your current firm and simultaneously appointing with our firm. Once completed, you'll have access to our custodians and be introduced to your personal transfer team. We help guide you through each step and rely heavily on our custodians, who have teams in place to transfer clients "en masse" so you're not navigating it alone. Depending on the AUM transferring over and number of accounts, our custodians may be able to cover account closing and transfer fees for your clients.

The timeline varies depending on your current firm, FINRA/state requirements, client paperwork, and your back office preparedness. However, on average, advisors complete the transition in as little as 2–3 weeks to several months. The process typically involves submitting a U5 at your current firm and simultaneously appointing with our firm. Once completed, you'll have access to our custodians and be introduced to your personal transfer team. We help guide you through each step and rely heavily on our custodians, who have teams in place to transfer clients "en masse" so you're not navigating it alone. Depending on the AUM transferring over and number of accounts, our custodians may be able to cover account closing and transfer fees for your clients.

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