Upfront commissions on financial planning products. For example many life insurance plans, annuities, and other investment instruments pay out a large up front commission to the financial planner (salesman) who sells them to the client. This model can (not always) lead to the "advisor" selling you a plan that you didn't really need that is a more expensive one than your specific needs require so that they can get a bigger commission upfront. I much prefer the model that many other advisors use that is a small % up front and then yearly trailing commissions that are only made if you hold the investment vehicle with them still. This makes it so that I want to get you the best possible investment for your needs because if I don't then you'll leave as soon as your realize I didn't make choices in your best interest taking with you my future quarterly commission checks.