I cannot comment on CIR, but am an active rep at SAI.

There has been significant improvement since the lawsuit settlement.  Business processing seems to have become much easier.  If you get the paperwork right the first time, the business will go through.  However, if you make a mistake on the paperwork (e.g. miss a date or signature), you will spend a significant amount of time sorting things out.  There is not an efficient process to fix mistakes.   I get upset about this occasionally, but since the mistake originated on my desk, I can't complain too much about this.

SAI will hold itself out as a dual clearing firm, Pershing and NFS.  It is really a NFS firm, that has a relationship with Pershing so that it can recruit reps who already use Pershing.  The entire operations staff seems to know more about how NFS operates than how Pershing does. 

Finally, if you have the production, get contracted directly with SAI, not one of their independent OSJs/Third Pary Marketers.   I am contracted through one of their OSJs/Third Party Marketers and they provide nothing of value.

Steve

As far as Cambridge, I know that have very high min production requirements. The BD is littered with $1 Million + producers and higher. If you produce $500K, or less, you are basically put on the back burner. Their fees are also very high... so high, in fact, I have been told that there is no reason to affiliate with Cambridge unless you produce a million in GDC. That came from a recruiter who recruits for them, independently. Hope this helps. Good luck.