News from the Home Team

Empowering Your Practice & Celebrating Independence

We are excited to share the first edition of the Cantella newsletter since making the move to Cambridge. As we’ve explained, the goal of this move was to ensure Cantella kept its culture and remained in a strong position to support you and your business long-term.  In a world that keeps getting more automated and consolidated, we want you to be assured that you have a consistent team by your side.  You've always had our direct lines, and that's exactly how we like it.  Remember, we are your first line of resources and first line of defense – for anything, so please, make sure you lean on us. 

We’ve spent much of 2025 focusing our efforts updating marketing materials, and reestablishing regular lines of communication we had in place previously, as well as some new items – our webinar and roundtable series, lunch and learns, our new public-facing website (that now includes a page for advisors to post if they’re looking to add advisors to their team), our new Client Online Account Access Guide, as well as memos with resources and tips. Don't forget our annual Cantella Conference the day before Ignite – it's a great chance to connect, as well as satisfy your annual compliance meeting requirement.  PS - Next year we plan on being back at Ocean’s Edge in Brewster, MA…stay tuned!  

We're excited to share some other new resources designed to empower your practice, including our compliance-approved client newsletter (use as is, or white label and customize as much as you’d like) and we’ve partnered with Source to create a high quality, low cost and fast launch website.  You can use as is, with the Cantella logo and customize your information or you can choose to white label it with your DBA, URL, logo and colors. 

We are also very happy to welcome the newest member to the Cantella advisor family – Larry Albert – who joined us in mid-July.  Larry is located in Massachusetts and will be joining us at the conference so you’ll have the opportunity to meet him.  

We value your partnership and your feedback, as always. Thanks to those who participated in our first Operations Roundtable in May; your insights are invaluable.  We will be doing another roundtable shortly and have asked members of the Cedar Team, as well as representatives from other areas within Cambridge to join us.  We want an open and ongoing dialogue to ensure your voices are heard and we are united in our efforts to support your business.  

Thank you as always for your partnership.  If you have any questions on any of this please reach out to us.

Jennie

Tech Tips 

Pershing Alerts: Delivering real-time clearing firm updates to your inbox

At Cantella, driving efficiency isn’t just a goal—it’s part of our DNA. Keeping you informed on the ongoing status of work items and in-process business has traditionally required manual updates from the Cambridge Operations Team. But in 2024, Cambridge launched a Home Office processing efficiency initiative designed to eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort and streamline communication.

One major change involved eliminating the need for Operations to manually copy status updates from Pershing into the Cambridge workflow system, Paperwork Status Monitor (PSM). This allows the Operations team to spend less time on data entry and more time processing your business—resulting in faster turnaround times for new business and service items.

That said, Operations is far from hands-off. If a submission is deemed Not In Good Order (NIGO) by Cambridge, you’ll still be notified via PSM. Similarly, if Pershing flags an issue, the item will be returned to Cambridge, reviewed, and then posted in PSM for your attention. 

To eliminate delay and fill the gap on status updates, we highly recommend subscribing to real-time alerts in NetX360+. These alerts take your efficiency further by eliminating the time for receiving updates from Pershing via PSM and also reduces the need for follow-ups. Some alerts also deliver critical, time-sensitive calls to action—such as when a client writes a check from their Corestone non-retirement account but lacks sufficient liquid funds.

There are dozens of alerts available that you can elect individually or en masse. To subscribe to alerts and see what is available, follow the steps below.

1. Click the Alert Bell icon in the upper right of NetX360+

2. Click the icon next to All Notifications

3. Click Alerts Setup in the upper right of the Notification Center screen

4. if this is your first time setting up alerts, or you want to modify your delivery settings, click the Delivery Settings tab

5. Click Edit Delivery Settings in the upper right

6. Add your email and your mobile number.

7. Click Save.

8. After your changes have been Saved, click on Manage Subscriptions in the upper left.

9. Click Add New for the category Action Items, you should also review the alert options available in Status Change.

10. For Check writing Insufficient funds or Signature Violations, you can search AMA in the text input for Select Category/Request Types. Select the items in the Service Center >> AMA/Resource Checking section like the screenprint below. Take the opportunity to review other alerts available.

11. Click OK after the desired alerts are selected.

12. Select the Delivery Method in the highlighted dropdown and apply the method to all.

13. Click Save to finish.

Status Change alerts referenced in Step 8 should be reviewed. You will find critical status alerts that include Rejects for asset movements - ACH, Wires, Transfers. Also alerts for New Account and Maintenance items such as Pershing document review (e.g., Adoption Agreements or beneficiary updates for IRAs). 

Contact Cambridge Brokerage Tech for navigation support and the Cantella team for alert recommendations.

The Portfolio Point

Leveraging Professionally Managed Models for Client Success and Increased Efficiency

In wealth management, effectively navigating market volatility while reaching long-term goals is key. This is where the CAAP^®1 and Team Directed Models become invaluable. These professionally managed portfolios, which often use diverse asset strategies, are built to optimize returns for a specific level of risk. They actively help achieve portfolio stability and growth. Their design focuses on strong risk management and volatility smoothing by spreading investments across different asset classes, sectors, and regions. This diversification helps reduce extreme market swings, which is crucial for clients to stay invested and for their wealth to grow over time.

These models also make strategic and tactical adjustments, changing allocations based on current market conditions. This active management offers protection during downturns and helps find opportunities when markets recover, providing a disciplined approach beyond simple asset allocation. A significant, yet often overlooked, benefit is how they help with investor behavior. By having assets professionally managed, emotional decisions about investments are largely reduced. Clients are less likely to react impulsively to market noise when their money is managed within a structured strategy. Importantly, CAAP and Team Directed Models are designed with goal-aligned risk profiling, matching specific risk-return levels (like conservative, moderate, or aggressive). This allows you to align the model with your client's time horizon and specific retirement goals. Finally, regular rebalancing and oversight ensure the portfolio stays at its intended risk level, preventing overexposure to any single asset and protecting capital.

The CAAP platform offers a vast selection of over 50 managers and more than 400 models to support your clients' diverse retirement planning needs. 

Our Team Directed platform offers 3 top industry strategists with 40+ models across all styles.  This platform has the flexibility to include and bill on (or not) non-model holdings allowing you to sleeve in customized holdings, options for accounts $5,000 or less, no annual minimum account fee, the ability to dollar cost average and is competitively priced. 

Cantella’s team offers a consultative advisory and product platform offering and will assist with investment solutions, platform navigation, and case consultation, ensuring you have the tools and information to meet existing client needs, as well as attract new clients.  

¹CAAP^® is a registered mark of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. for its program for investment managers.

Compliance Corner

Navigating Third-Party Technology: Essential Guidelines for Financial Professionals

In today's fast-paced digital environment, leveraging technology is crucial for financial professionals. However, as you integrate new tools into your practice, it's vital to understand your responsibilities regarding compliance and data security. Cambridge published an “approved vendors” list, which is found on the Third-party Vendor Information Security Review page on cir2.com, and this also provides guidance for the use of third-party technologies. This list contains nearly 150 approved companies, including the most widely used vendors, each of which has gone through extensive due diligence review by Cambridge.  As such, you may use these vendors without providing notification to Cambridge. 

If you currently use a third-party vendor that is not on this list and that vendor has access to client or firm information, you will need to submit these vendors for approval by September 1, 2025.

Requests to initiate a technology vendor review should be submitted on the Third-Party Vendor Information Security Review page under the heading “Submit Review Request for Third-Party Vendor.” As part of the submission process, you will need to provide general contact information, a description of the intended usage, and describe the type of information the vendor has access to.

Upon receipt of the submission, Cambridge will begin its review, which includes an analysis of the following:

• Review of the vendor's cybersecurity controls and practices
• Review of client-facing materials and/or features
• Review of communication features

You may continue to use submitted vendors pending the Cambridge review process. If Cambridge for any reason cannot approve the vendor for continued use, you will have 120 days to cease use of the vendor’s services. If Cambridge approves the vendor, that vendor will be added to the Approved Third-Party Vendor List. 

Need Support?

For any questions regarding this process or for guidance on choosing the right technology: Call us at the home office; we're happy to help guide you!

Opportunity of the Month

Mid-Year Check-Ins: Building Trust and Driving Success

The mid-year mark presents a natural opportunity to re-engage with clients, assess progress, and recalibrate portfolios.  It is also an opportune time to begin or continue discussions surrounding tax-saving strategies including adjusting withholdings, maximizing retirement contributions or planning for charitable giving. 

Financial professionals who routinely interact with their clients outside of a singular annual review help clients stay focused, informed, and confident.  These regular check-ins demonstrate that you're paying attention beyond annual meetings and are actively involved in guiding their financial journey. By initiating these conversations, you demonstrate commitment, responsiveness, and personalized care—all of which build trust and longer-lasting relationships. A 2025 CapIntel survey revealed that 72% of investors prioritize trust when selecting a financial professional, valuing it more than investment performance. Additionally, 85% desire clear communication about their financial situation, and 80% expect personalized advice tailored to their unique circumstances.¹

In the present investment environment, clients increasingly seek more from their financial professional. Consistent, individualized communication with your clients helps prove your value as a trusted partner. These reviews aren’t just a good business practice; they’re a mark of exceptional service. Prioritizing your clients’ understanding of their overall financial picture not only helps them reach their goals, but also strengthens the trust and loyalty that drives long-term success.

¹https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121976392/en/CapIntel-Survey-Reveals-That-Trust-Not-Portfolio-Performance-is-Top-Priority-for-Investors-in-Advisor-Relationships?

Idle Cash Balance and Money Market Reports

Pershing and NFS have tools that offer greater visibility into client allocations of idle cash balances and money market balances. This can be particularly useful in identifying opportunities to redeploy excess cash into aligned investment strategies, especially when cash positions grow unintentionally over time due to dividend accruals, maturing securities, or client deposits.

These reports provide a clear breakdown of balances held in money market funds and cash held in core sweep vehicles—such as the bank sweep programs or money market core.

NFS Wealthscape Cash and Cash Equivalents

1. From the Menu in the upper right, locate the Intelligence, Reports & Alerts section. 

2. Click on Dashboard.

When the Dashboard screen loads, locate the Security Allocation Donut chart. You may need to scroll down.

Click on the View Report link or the Security Allocation donut chart to launch the report.

Click on the Cash & Cash Equivalents link in the report legend.

Once the report loads, you can re-order by clicking the column headers. You may also export the report as a spreadsheet or pdf in the upper right corner of the report.

Pershing NetX Cash and Cash Equivalents

Click on Accounts in the navigation bar located at the top of the screen.

Click on Accounts in the All Accounts section

You can customize your displayed columns by clicking on of the Grid Views icon. You may also rearrange your columns by dragging and dropping the column headers to the left or right.

Refer to the Total Balance column to identify cash available to trade balances that will exclude margin buying power (if applicable).

There are various other tools and reports you can use at both clearing firms as well to help identify money market and core sweep balances as well. If you need any assistance in extracting any reports or data, please contact our service team.

Cambridge Market Commentary

The market is always moving. Prepared weekly, Cambridge’s market summaries cover the latest news, data, activity, and trends happening in the investing world so you never miss a beat.

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