Fidelity Investments has launched Options for Independence, a program designed for advisors with fee and commission-based businesses looking to go independent.

While advisors are able to work with a broker-dealer of their choice, Fidelity also said that it has established strategic relationships with several independent broker-dealer firms to help support breakaway brokers who decide to establish a registered investment advisor but need to keep their commission business with a separate broker-dealer.

For those advisors choosing a hybrid model the new program features a “client service experience leader” who is a single point of contact for National Financial Services, it broker-dealer clearing business and Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services its RIA custody business.

 “Many brokers continue to go independent, in part driven by the evolving range of options available to them,” said Sanjiv Mirchandani, president of National Financial.  “But with more options, and a blurring of the lines between what were once very distinct and different models, going independent can be a complex decision.”

Fidelity said that it has helped more than 500 broker teams transition to independence since the beginning of 2007.

The trend of breakaway advisors continues to gain steam particularly among advisors to the wealthy.

Fidelity has also launched a new advertising and marketing campaign targeting advisors looking to go independent. The campaign, with the tagline “I want independence,” encompasses print and online advertising and a micro site at fidelity.com/goindependent.