J.P. Morgan Partners with CAIS to Expand Adviser Access to Alternatives 

J.P. Morgan Asset Management is partnering with Capital Integrations Systems LLC, better known as CAIS, an alternative investment platform for independent financial advisers, to provide advisers access to J.P. Morgan’s alternative investment strategies.  

A private equity vehicle focused on small and mid-market secondaries and co-investments is now available on the CAIS Marketplace, with plans in place to add additional J.P. Morgan strategies to the platform over time. The funds listed on CAIS have undergone third-party due diligence by Mercer. 

J.P. Morgan will also gain access to CAIS’ online education platform, digital marketing support and integration with leading custodians, providers and fund administrators. J.P. Morgan is the latest in a series of new managers adding alternative strategies to the CAIS platform. 

Pontera and Independent Advisor Alliance Form Partnership 

Fintech company Pontera Solutions Inc. has formed a partnership with the Independent Advisor Alliance to enable IAA advisers to include workplace retirement account advisement into their holistic financial planning process.  

Through Pontera’s platform, IAA’s 140 partner firms can now view, analyze and assist in managing their clients’ 401(k)s and other workplace-sponsored retirement plan accounts.  

Pontera’s platform also integrates with SS&C Black Diamond and a dozen other fintech tools with the goal of improving workflows and the adviser and client experience.  

According to the announcement, the platform never shares client credentials and prohibits advisers from making disbursements, transfers or beneficiary changes that would constitute custody. 

AllianceBernstein Launches 2 Active Buffer ETFs 

AllianceBernstein L.P. announced the launch of its AB International Buffer exchange-traded fund and AB Moderate Buffer ETF on the Nasdaq Composite stock market index. Susquehanna International Group LLP is the lead market maker for the funds. 

BUFI and BUFM are both actively managed ETFs with investment objectives to seek a moderate level of capital appreciation while providing the potential for some downside protection against market declines.  

“[The] launch is a direct result of the ongoing interest in our first buffer ETF, AB Conservative Buffer ETF, the overall success of AB’s ETF platform and our clients’ increasing demand for additional strategies in the ETF wrapper,” said Noel Archard, AB’s global head of ETFs and portfolio solutions, in a statement. “We think it’s important to provide differentiated and adaptable products designed to help investors better navigate evolving market cycles.”