2008 Broker Dealer of the Year - Cambridge Investment Research

Our Broker Dealer

In selecting a broker dealer, we did not want to associate with an entry-level firm that caters only to accountants or insurance agents. It was important to identify a world-class organization that elite full-time financial advisors were attracted to. We wanted true independence, outstanding compliance history, state-of-the-art technology and, for those who want it, assistance with building fee-based business.

Our search led us to Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. based in Fairfield, Iowa (www.joincambridge.com). After all, if Cambridge had the variety of products and level of service that top-tier independent advisors need, then the firm should be a great fit for The Professional Alliance.

Fortunately, Cambridge Investment Research had everything we were looking for:

1. The company is independent and plans to stay that way (nothing worse than waking up one morning to learn that your broker dealer has been acquired by an insurance company or other proprietary organization!).
2. Cambridge's compliance record is exemplary and every function- from advertising approval to auditing- is performed quickly and effectively.
3. Industry leading technology, including CLIC (Cambridge Logistics and Information Center), an integrated, Web-based interface to six complementary management modules; and CIRStatements, Cambridge's full-featured, next-generation account consolidation and reporting service.
4. Cambridge provides access to more than 50 money manager programs, including one of the lowest cost Rep-driven platforms in the industry (7-10 bps). Cambridge earns more than 55% of revenue from fees (#1 in the U.S.).

In fact, Cambridge Investment Research has a long history of exemplary service to the independent Registered Representatives. The firm has been selected as "Broker Dealer of the Year" by Investment Advisor magazine. It has received numerous accolades for its technology platforms and fee-based asset management services. And Cambridge possesses one of the best service ratios in the industry (there are now fewer than 5 Rep/Advisors for each support person).

The President of Cambridge Investment Research, Eric Schwartz, is regularly interviewed in financial magazines and some of those articles may be accessed below. As you read these interviews, we hope you will catch a glimpse of the independent, supportive philosophy that is so vital for a first-class independent broker/dealer.