Independent Brokers Independent Brokers are individuals, or “boutique” member firm employees, who provide execution services to house brokers, member or non-member broker-dealers. Independent brokers were commonly known as “$2 brokers,” servicing only the large brokerage houses. Today, independent brokers are the NYSE’s “agent entrepreneurs.” They help a house broker manage order flow on a busy day, conduct business directly for the public, or execute special orders for customers. Their income is derived purely from commissions. The number of independent brokers has more than doubled in the last decade in response to increased public demand for agency brokerage services on the floor of the NYSE.