At ESI, our commitment has always been to provide you with the best platform, technology and support to help grow your business and serve your clients effectively. As the industry evolves, we must make adjustments to ensure we continue to offer the resources and stability you rely on and have come to expect from us.
As you know, the cost of doing business continues to rise and ESI’s expenses are not immune to these increases. Effective January 1, 2026, we will be implementing updates to our fee structure and commission grid. These changes are driven by:
- Increased cost of technology/investments in technology to enhance your digital tools, compliance efficiencies, your experience and service for your clients.
- Rising regulatory and operational costs, including FINRA regulatory fees, all necessary to maintain the highest level of compliance and service.
- A focus on long-term sustainability, ensuring we remain a reliable partner for years to come.
To address these changes effectively, ESI must continually assess and adjust its payout schedule and Affiliation Fee. During these assessments, we also consider the firm’s growth in key areas, including gross sales, commission and fee revenue, and the number of financial advisors. Thanks to growth across these metrics, we were able to defer changes initially planned for 2025.
Planned Changes for 2026:
ESI Affiliation Fee
Affiliation Fees will increase to:
- $1,950 for Broker Dealer and RIA
- $1,700 for RIA-only
We continue to take pride in our low affiliation fees which remain competitive even after these increases. In fact, ESI’s affiliation fees rank in the bottom third when compared to our competitors.
Our tech a la carte philosophy supports our efforts in keeping fees low, allowing our reps to only pay for what they truly need.
ESI Commission Schedule:
Changes to the Commission Schedule and payout thresholds are reflected below. Advisory business payout will not be impacted.
2026 Commission Schedule:
For comparison, ESI’s current Commission Schedule:
We hope this advance notice gives you ample time to prepare and strategize to meet our shared objectives.
Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. Together, we can navigate these changes and continue to grow.
