As Account Balances Decline, So Do Breakpoints

Investors who brought large balances to the table at brokerages or mutual fund companies have enjoyed breakpoints over the past few years. But with the market declining, many of those breakpoints will no longer apply, The Wall Street Journal reports.

“Clients can be experiencing higher fees,” said Rudolph Bayer, senior vice president of business development at Advisorport. “It’s a risk in this environment.”

According to Cerulli Associates, brokerage firms generally charge 3% of assets of $250,000 or less, 2.5% for the next $250,000, 2.25% for the next $250,000 above $500,000, 2% for the next $250,000 above $750,000 and 1.75% for $1 million or above.

Thus, an investor with $1 million or more would have paid about 2.44% in fees. Now, with the market down more than 50%, that investor’s fees would have climbed to 2.75% due to the depreciation in their account.