Cambridge launches fee-only RIA

BridgePort Financial Solutions can provide smaller RIAs with support in areas such as technology, practice management and outsourcing.

Cambridge Investment Research Inc., a Fairfield, Iowa-based independent firm, has created a fee-only registered investment advisor in an effort to attract small independent firms.

BridgePort Financial Solutions, which launches with $1 billion in assets under advisement, can provide smaller RIAs with support in areas such as technology, practice management, outsourcing solutions, and succession and acquisition.

“BridgePort is our newest solution for fee-only financial advisors interested in taking that next step,” Jeff Vivacqua, president of growth and development at Cambridge, said in a statement.

“We created BridgePort with the smaller RIA business owner in mind; for many firms that fall into this category, it may make sense to streamline operations and accelerate their growth pattern by becoming part of a larger group,” he continued. “That is why we created this standalone firm, it is a different business model than Cambridge.”

According to the statement, small firms can strike a deal with BridgePort that involves full ownership of their business or a minority or majority stake. They can also choose to retain their own branding or adopt BridgePort’s branding.

Eddie Rollins, a former partner at Horizon Investments who led its distribution efforts, was named managing director of BridgePort.