The average payout at $400,000 annual production was 37% for firms using an annual grid and 40% for those firms using a monthly grid, according to the data.

Almost two thirds of the plans in the study paid some form of enhanced payment for fee based business, Bielan said. The amounts paid were quite significant, with some in the 40% to 50% range for fee based business, he added.

The financial advisers covered by the compensation plans accounted for about 40% of all advisers working in the financial institutions across the country, according to Kehrer Saltzman.

The research showed base salary and draw amounts, payout rates and their corresponding production levels. The study also revealed the effective payout rate to advisers inclusive of salary, and the special incentive components used to drive fee-based business, insurance and increase productivity.

The credit unions and other industry entities that participated in the study include:

• CUNA Brokerage Services in Waverly, Iowa
• $1.3 billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo.
• $1 billion Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union in Indianapolis
• $8.2 billion Golden 1 Credit Union in Sacramento, Calif.
• Navy Federal Financial Group, a subsidiary of $55 billion Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, Va.
• $4 billion Patelco Credit Union in Pleasanton, Calif.
• $1.5 billion Premier America Credit Union in Chatsworth, Calif.
• $2.3 billion Teachers Credit Union in South Bend, Ind.
• $2.1 billion Texas Dow Employees Credit Union in Lake Jackson, Texas
• $4 billion United Nations Federal Credit Union in Long Island City, N.Y.
• $4.9 billion VyStar Credit Union in Jacksonville, Fla.
• $1.8 billion Washington State Employees Credit Union in Olympia, Wash.