Cambridge Investment Research

Cambridge Investment Research Incorporation is a United States-based broker-dealer and asset management firm headquartered in Fairfield, Iowa. The company was founded in 1981 and mainly works as a broker-dealer, but also manages investment assets through its subsidiary Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.

Cambridge Investment Research
Company typePrivate
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1981; 43 years ago (1981)
FounderEric Schwartz
Headquarters,
Key people
Eric Schwartz
(Chairman)
Amy Lynn Webber
(CEO & President)
ProductsBroker-dealer services
Asset management
AUMUS$100 billion (2019) [1]
ParentCambridge Investment Group
Websitewww.cir2.com

It is one of the largest independent broker-dealers in the United States.

History

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Cambridge Investment Research was founded in 1985 by Eric Schwartz.[2] As of 2010 it was still controlled by its founder, and was one of the biggest broker/dealers in the US.[2]

In January 2017, Schwartz stepped out of the CEO role and was made Executive Chairman, and Amy Webber was made CEO in addition to her role as president.[3]

As of 2017, the company was structured as a holding company, Cambridge Investment Group, Inc., that comprised multiple broker-dealers and registered investment adviser subsidiaries, including: Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.[3]

In April 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with failing to adequately supervise an employee who defrauded at least 47 advisory clients and engaged in unsuitable trading in some clients’ accounts. The company settled the case by paying a $225,000 penalty.[4]

Webber joined the FINRA Board of Governors in August 2017.[5]

Investments

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The company's top 5 holdings as of March 2017 were:[6]

Number Security Number of shares Percentage of portfolio
1. Vanguard Index Funds 1,465,520 5.41 %
2. Vanguard Star Fund Vg Tl 4,621,250 3.92 %
3. iShares Trust 519,318 2.1 %
4. Vanguard Charlotte Funds 1,991,962 1.84 %
5. Vanguard Bond Index Funds 1,166,494 1.61 %

References

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  1. ^ "Cambridge Advisors Surpass $100 Billion in Assets under Advisement". AP NEWS. April 30, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Maxey, Daisy (19 October 2010). "Wealth Adviser Rides Alone, Proudly". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
  3. ^ a b "Press release: Cambridge Announces Senior Level Promotions". Cambridge via Business Wire. January 3, 2017.
  4. ^ "SEC Administrative Proceeding: File No. 3-17195" (PDF). SEC. April 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Press release: FINRA Announces Governor Elections and Appointments | FINRA.org". FINRA. August 22, 2017.
  6. ^ "Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. – 2017 Stock Picks and Performance – Insider Monkey". Insider Monkey. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.