Howard Lutnick Departs Cantor Fitzgerald to Serve as U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Cantor Fitzgerald Income Trust names Brandon Lutnick as Chairman and William Ferri as CEO in leadership transition.

March 07, 2025

Leadership Transition at Cantor Fitzgerald Income Trust

Leadership is shifting at Cantor Fitzgerald Income Trust, Inc. (CFIT) following Howard Lutnick’s confirmation as the 41st U.S. Secretary of Commerce. With his appointment, Lutnick has stepped down as Chairman, Board Member, and CEO of CFIT, effective March 1, 2025. His departure is unrelated to any internal disputes or disagreements.

Brandon Lutnick Appointed as Chairman

To maintain stability, the Board of Directors has appointed Brandon Lutnick as Chairman, effective March 5. With a background in equity sales, trading, and corporate strategy, he has played a central role at Cantor Fitzgerald in recent years, leading its special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and overseeing key initiatives. His appointment ensures continuity as CFIT moves forward.

William Ferri Steps in as CEO

The Board also named William Ferri as the new CEO. Ferri, who has spent decades in asset management, joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 2022 after more than 25 years at UBS, where he helped drive record growth and profitability. His leadership at Cantor Fitzgerald Asset Management has positioned him to step into the CEO role and guide the company’s next phase.

February 2025 Distributions Announced

Beyond these leadership changes, CFIT has announced February 2025 distributions for shareholders. The Board set an annualized gross distribution rate of $1.55 per share, with payments scheduled for March 6, 2025. Shareholders can receive distributions as cash or reinvest them through the company’s reinvestment plan.

These moves keep CFIT on course, balancing leadership transition with operational consistency. With new leadership in place, the company remains focused on delivering for investors while adapting to an evolving market landscape.