Less visible, though just as much the lifeblood of the firm, are Merrill's client associates.
But we're not treated that way, and we're not stupid," an associate who recently left the firm said.
"Our client associates are essential to the fabric of the firm, how we serve clients and grow," a company representative said.
Yagyaev said client associates were "grossly underpaid" across the industry and their base should really be in the area of $80,000 to $90,000.
An advisor who recently left Merrill and worked with CAs said some were leaving for raises of about $30,000 to work at other banks.