James Michael Franks, CFP | Financial Professional

Professional summary

Being a previously registered professional could mean that this person is no longer operating under the supervision of the SEC or FINRA.

That means that the Securities and Exchange Commission may not be able to oversee the services that this specific professional is providing.

James Michael Franks, CFP®, who also goes by Michael Franks, was a registered financial professional .

James is a previously registered financial professional and started their career in finance in 1999. James had worked at 4 firms and has passed the Series 66, SIE, Series 31, Series 7 and Series 24 exams.

Question & Answer

Are you a "fiduciary"?

No

Aliases

Michael Franks

Other business activities

Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.

The advisor shows no other business activity.

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

The CRS(Customer Relationship Summary) document is not provided.

Certified licenses

Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®

CFP^®

Certified Financial Planner

Experience

Past

December 3, 2007 - August 8, 2016

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH ADVISORS, INC.

RIA

CRD#: 134139

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Past

December 3, 2007 - August 8, 2016

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH, INC.

BD

CRD#: 39543

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Past

October 17, 2005 - December 4, 2007

COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK

RIA

CRD#: 8032

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Past

October 17, 2005 - December 4, 2007

COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK

BD

CRD#: 8032

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Past

May 21, 1999 - October 18, 2005

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

RIA

CRD#: 7556

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Past

April 20, 1999 - October 18, 2005

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

BD

CRD#: 7556

PURCHASE, NY

Primary Firm SEC Registration

This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".

CI

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH ADVISORS, INC.

CRD#: 134139 / SEC#: 801-63930

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (2/3/2005 Approved)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.

Visual representation of state registrations

This advisor is not registered in any state.

Don't see your state listed? The advisor may still be able to work with you under the federal De Minimis Rule, which allows up to five investment advisory clients in a state without registration. Some states, like TX, LA, NE, and NH, may still require registration or notice filing. Contact the advisor or their firm to confirm their investment advisory availability in your state.

Exams

State Security Law Exam

RR

IAR

Series 66

Date: 4/24/1999

Uniform Combined State Law Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

RR

SIE

Date: 8/8/2016

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

RR

Series 31

Date: 5/7/1999

Futures Managed Funds Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

RR

Series 7

Date: 4/19/1999

General Securities Representative Examination

Principal/Supervisory Exam

RR

Series 24

Date: 7/3/2006

General Securities Principal Examination

Current Firm

CI

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH ADVISORS, INC.

CRD#: 134139 / SEC#: 801-63930

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (2/3/2005 Approved)

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Contact information

Main Address

1776 Pleasant Plain Rd., Fairfield, IA 52556-8757

Mailing Address

Phone number

(641) 472-5100

Established

Firm type

Fiscal year end

# of Employees

3,361

SEC notice filing (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)

Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

CIRA ADV 2A (9/8/2025)

WEALTHPORT WRAP BROCHURE (9/8/2025)

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	438,414
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 102,413,096,032

Accountant surprise examination report

Filing Date	Form ADV-E Cover	Form ADV-E Report
12/09/2024	Cover Page	Report
04/29/2024	Cover Page	Report

Red Flags

Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.

Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.

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Advisor Monitoring

Firm Stability Insights

James M. Franks

Professional summary

Question & Answer

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

Certified licenses

Experience

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH, INC.

COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK

COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

Primary Firm SEC Registration

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH ADVISORS, INC.

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

Series 66

Date: 4/24/1999

SIE

Date: 8/8/2016

Series 31

Date: 5/7/1999

Series 7

Date: 4/19/1999

Series 24

Date: 7/3/2006

Current Firm

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH ADVISORS, INC.

Contact information

SEC notice filing (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Part 2 Brochures

Regulatory assets under management

Accountant surprise examination report

Red Flags

Company Information

CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH ADVISORS, INC.

TRUST BUT VERIFY

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