How sweet it is.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s recently unveiled recruitment deal offers top producers up to 330% of their trailing-12 production. But, in order to reap the maximum rewards, advisors need to grow their business by 50% over five years.

In August, Merrill Lynch unveiled a similar package rewarding advisors for growing their business 50% over five years. However, the Merrill deal only rewards asset growth, rather than a combination of assets and production growth recognized by MSSB.

“This is a “me too” move by Morgan Stanley,” says Houston-based recruiter Rick Peterson. “Everyone is saying the same thing: we’re back to business as normal, let’s grow this thing.”

The deal keeps targets for transferring assets essentially the same for the first three years, with additional growth incentives included for the fourth and fifth year.

The package is constructed like this: New recruits are given 140% of their trailing-12 production upfront. If an advisor then reaches 70% of his original production in the first 14 months at MSSB he will get an additional 20% bonus. On top of that, if the advisor transfers 70% of his prior assets in the same time period he will get another 20% bonus.

In year two, if the advisor reaches 85% of his prior production he will get a bonus of 20% of his current trailing-12 production. On the other hand, if the advisor has 85% of his prior assets by this time he will get a bonus of 15% of his current trailing-12. If the advisor reaches both the production and asset targets he can get a bonus of 35% of his current trailing-12.

By the third year, if the advisor has hit 100% of his prior production he will get a 20% bonus. And, if he has reached his prior asset figure, he will receive a 15% bonus.

In the fourth year, if the advisor has managed to increase his production by 25% of his original, and is now producing 125% of his original production figure, he’s up for a 25% bonus. If he has 125% of his prior assets he’ll get 15%, for a maximum 40% bonus.

In year five, if the advisor has hit 150% of his original production he’s due another 25% bonus; and if he oversees 150% of his original asset figure he will get another 15% bonus.

The maximum recruitment package any single advisor can get is 330% over the five years.

Mindy Diamond, a recruiter based in Chester, N.J., says this deal closes the gap with the Merrill Lynch deal, and also “gives advisors more time to hit their stride and participate in their growth,” she says.

Peterson expects UBS and Wells Fargo Advisors to unveil similar deals soon. He also expects a greater emphasis on growth at the regional firms.

An MSSB spokesperson declined to comment on the new deal. “Our recruiting is competitive with everyone else’s on the Street,” she said.