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Altrius Capital Management, Inc.
39555 Orchard Pl, Suite 600
Novi, Michigan, 48375
Telephone: 252-638-7598
Facsimile: 252-635-6739
www.altrius-capital.com
July 21, 2025
FORM ADV PART 2A
BROCHURE
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Altrius Capital
Management, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, contact us at (252) 638-
7598. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Altrius Capital Management, Inc. is also available on the SEC's website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The searchable IARD/CRD number for Altrius Capital Management, Inc. is 121529.
Altrius Capital Management, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Registration with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or
training.
Item 2 Summary of Material Changes
Form ADV Part 2 requires registered investment advisers to amend their brochure when information becomes
materially inaccurate. If there are any material changes to an adviser's disclosure brochure (“Brochure”), the
adviser is required to notify you and provide you with a description of the material changes.
The following material changes have been made to Form ADV Part 2A since Altrius Capital Management,
Inc.’s last update of this disclosure statement issued on March 26, 2025:
Item 4: Updated to reflect the firm has relocated to Novi, Michigan
Cover Page: Updated the address of the firm
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Item 3 Table of Contents
Item 2 Summary of Material Changes .............................................................................................. 1
Item 3 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. 2
Item 4 Advisory Business ................................................................................................................. 3
Item 5 Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................................... 5
Item 6 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ................................................... 7
Item 7 Types of Clients .................................................................................................................... 8
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ............................................... 8
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ....................................................................................................... 11
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................................. 12
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ....... 12
Item 12 Brokerage Practices .......................................................................................................... 13
Item 13 Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................... 14
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ......................................................................... 14
Item 15 Custody ............................................................................................................................. 15
Item 16 Investment Discretion ........................................................................................................ 16
Item 17 Voting Client Securities ..................................................................................................... 16
Item 18 Financial Information ......................................................................................................... 16
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Item 4 Advisory Business
Altrius Capital Management, Inc. (“Altrius”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser based in Novi, Michigan.
Our firm was founded in 1997 and is organized as a Subchapter S-corporation under the laws of the State of
North Carolina. We have been providing investment advisory services since 2004. James M. Russo is our
principal owner. We have been delivering global balanced investment management services to a broad range
of clientele for more than a decade and seek to provide diversified investment management services utilizing
our fundamentally based, value oriented, and risk managed investment management process. With an
economics underpinning and a value-based philosophy, our investment management process is focused on
finding the best solutions for investors across markets in an effort to deliver risk managed out performance
over the short and long term.
As used in this Brochure, the words "we", "our" and "us" refer to Altrius and the words "you", "your" and "client"
refer to you as either a client or prospective client of our firm. Also, you may see the term Associated Person
throughout this Brochure. As used in this Brochure, our Associated Persons are our firm's officers, employees,
and all individuals providing investment advice on behalf of our firm.
Investment Management Services
We provide discretionary investment management services in accordance with your individual investment
objectives. In the event you decide to engage our firm to provide investment management services (which
may include certain financial planning and/or consulting services), you will be required to enter into a written
agreement with us setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement, describing the scope of the
services to be provided, and the fees to be paid.
If you participate in our discretionary portfolio management services, we require you to grant our firm
discretionary authority to manage your account. This authorization includes deciding which securities to buy
and sell, when to buy and sell, and in what amounts, in accordance with your investment program, without
obtaining your prior consent or approval for each transaction. Discretionary authority is typically granted by
the investment advisory agreement you sign with our firm, a power of attorney, and/or trading authorization
forms. You may limit our discretionary authority (for example, limiting the types of securities that can be
purchased for your account) by providing our firm with your restrictions and guidelines in writing.
Account supervision is guided by your stated objectives (balanced, conservative balanced, and equity tilted
balanced). We will assist you with identifying your investment objectives by assessing your risk tolerance
based upon your age, income, need for cash flows, investment goals, and emotional tolerance for volatility.
Strategies are then developed and implemented through an optimal combination of investments. When
constructing portfolios, we will determine how to allocate funds across different assets classes and securities.
Refer to the Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations section below for disclosures on investments in
our affiliated mutual fund(s).
We will also provide you with reports, at least quarterly, that generally include relevant account and/or market-
related information such as an inventory and appraisal of account holdings, and investment performance. We
may provide additional reports at your request. We encourage you to reconcile our reports with those received
from the qualified custodian. If you find your holdings differ between these two statements, call our main office
number located on the cover page of this Brochure.
In providing the contracted services, we are not required to verify any information we receive from you or from
your other professionals (e.g., attorney, accountant, etc.) and we are expressly authorized to rely on the
information you provide. You must promptly notify our firm if your financial situation, goals, objectives, or needs
change of if you wish to impose or change any reasonable restrictions on our management of your account(s).
Financial Planning
Financial planning defined services will typically involve providing a variety of services, principally advisory in
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nature, to you regarding the management of your financial resources based upon an analysis of your individual
needs. At the inception of the client relationship, we will establish your objectives by collecting data and
reviewing your financial information and circumstances. Once such information has been reviewed and
analyzed, written reports designed to achieve your stated financial goals and objectives will be produced and
presented to you. The primary objective of this process is to allow us to assist you in developing a strategy for
the successful management of income, assets and liabilities in meeting your financial goals and objectives.
Financial plans may incorporate recommendations with respect to cash flow, assets and liabilities, asset
allocation, insurance analysis, education funding, retirement planning, estate planning, tax strategies, asset
protection, real estate, charitable giving, equity compensation, and small business planning. Additionally,
financial planning services include periodic reviews and assistance to you in implementing the plan as mutually
agreed upon. Financial plans are based on your financial situation at the time the plan is presented and are
based on the financial information disclosed by you to us. You are advised that certain assumptions may be
made with respect to interest and inflation rates and the use of past trends and performance of the market
and economy. Past performance is in no way an indication of future performance. We cannot offer any
guarantees or promises that your financial goals and objectives will be met. As your financial situation, goals,
objectives, or needs change, you must notify us promptly. Financial planning is offered through an ongoing
relationship, or, in narrowly defined circumstances, a limited scope defined service relationship.
Advisory Consulting Services
Some clients may need general consulting services on specific securities and non-securities related
investments. Such services may include some modular financial planning functions, or more general advice.
We do not offer legal or tax counsel. At your request, we will provide professional references in these and
associated areas.
Consulting services may include, but are not limited to, risk assessment/management, education funding, or
financial decision making/negotiation. Through this limited engagement, you agree to hold our firm and our
Associated Persons harmless from any liability arising out of any area(s) that we were not expressly contracted
to review and/or analyze. Fees and fee-paying arrangements for general consulting services are negotiated
on a case-by-case basis. In the event you decide to engage our firm for advisory consulting services, you will
be required to enter into a written engagement letter with us describing the scope of the services to be provided
and the fees to be paid.
Pension Consulting Services
We offer pension consulting services to employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries based upon the needs of
the plan and the services requested by the plan sponsor or named fiduciary. In general, these services may
include an existing plan review and analysis, plan-level advice regarding fund selection and investment
options, and/or education services to plan participants regarding risk tolerance and investment choices.
Advisory Services to Retirement Plans
As disclosed above, we offer various levels of advisory and consulting services to employee benefit plans
(“Plan”) and to the participants of such plans (“Participants”). The services are designed to assist plan
sponsors in meeting their management and fiduciary obligations to Participants under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). Pursuant to adopted regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor
under ERISA Section 408(b)(2), we are required to provide the Plan's responsible plan fiduciary (the person
who has the authority to engage us as an investment adviser to the Plan) with a written statement of the
services we provide to the Plan, potential conflicts of interest, the compensation we receive for providing those
services, and our status (which is described below).
The services we provide to your Plan and related compensation are described below in Item 5, and in the
service agreement that you have previously signed with our firm. We do not reasonably expect to receive any
other compensation, direct or indirect, for the services we provide to the Plan or Participants. Nonetheless, if
we receive any other compensation for such services, we will (i) offset the compensation against our stated
fees, and (ii) promptly disclose the amount of such compensation, the services rendered for such
compensation and the payer of such compensation to you.
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In providing services to the Plan and Participants, our status is that of an investment adviser registered under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and we are not subject to any disqualifications under Section 411 of
ERISA. In performing fiduciary services, we are acting as a fiduciary of the Plan as defined in Section 3(21)
under ERISA, only. In all cases, our status as a fiduciary under ERISA is clearly disclosed in the agreement
you previously signed. If there is any discrepancy between the disclosures in this paragraph and the
agreement, the agreement shall govern.
For purposes of complying with the U.S Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) Prohibited Transaction Exemption
2020-02 (“PTE 2020-02”) where applicable, Altrius acts a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of ERISA
and/or the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), as applicable, in providing investment advice to a client regarding
a client’s retirement plan account or individual retirement account.
Altrius benefits financially from the rollover of client assets from a retirement account to an account that Altrius
manages or provides investment advice, because the assets increase Altrius’ assets under management and,
in turn, Altrius’ advisory fees. As a fiduciary, Altrius only recommends a rollover when we believe it is in the
client’s best interest.
At the opening of a rollover IRA account, Altrius shall conduct a fiduciary review of the client’s current
retirement plan account to consider if the rollover is in the client’s best interest. Considerations shall include
fees and expenses, available services, investment options, RMD deferral options, penalty-free withdrawal,
and loan provisions.
Sub-Advisory Services Offered to Other Registered Investment Advisers
Altrius serves as sub-adviser to Altrius Global Dividend ETF (the “Fund”), Ticker: DIVD. The Fund is an actively
managed Exchange Traded Fund (“ETF”) seeking long-term capital growth of capital and income by investing
in dividend-paying equity securities. The Fund is comprised of thee fundamental building blocks: Global Macro
Analysis, Value, and Total Return. The Fund is designed to provide distributable income by capturing company
dividends and distributing them at the end of each month. The strategy aims to participate with rising markets,
perform in sideways markets, and protect by providing income in down markets.
Altrius may also act as a sub-advisor to advisers unaffiliated with Altrius. These third-party advisers would
outsource portfolio management services to Altrius. This relationship will be memorialized in each contract
between Altrius and the third-party adviser.
Types of Investments
Accounts are normally managed using individual common stocks and bonds, ETFs, master limited
partnerships and real estate investment trusts on an asset allocation basis. Additionally, we may recommend
other types of investments since each client has different needs and different tolerances for risk. We may also
advise you on any type of investment held in your portfolio at the inception of our advisory relationship, or on
specific types of investments at your request.
You may request that we refrain from investing in particular securities or certain types of securities. You must
provide these restrictions to our firm in writing.
Assets Under Management
As of January 31, 2025, we provide continuous management services on $612,801,577 in discretionary assets
and $13,964,209 in non-discretionary assets.
Item 5 Fees and Compensation
Investment Management Services
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Our fee for investment management services is based on a percentage of your assets we manage and is set
forth in the following annual fee schedule:
Account Asset Value
First $500,000
Next $500,000
Over $1 million
Fees (Annualized)
1.40%
1.00%
0.80%
In special circumstances, and in our sole discretion, we may negotiate a lesser management fee based upon
certain criteria (i.e., the amount of work involved, amount of assets placed under our management, attention
required in managing the account, etc.). For this fee, clients will receive asset allocation advice, money
management, financial planning and custodial services. However, clients are made aware that transaction
charges for trades made are paid in addition to the annual management fee.
Our portfolio management fee is billed and payable quarterly in advance based on the value of your account
on the last day of the previous quarter. For the initial quarter of investment management services, the first
quarter's fees will be calculated on a pro-rata basis, which means the advisory fee is payable in proportion to
the number of days in the quarter for which you are a client.
When appropriate, we combine the account values of family members living in the same household to
calculate the applicable advisory fee. For example, when applicable, we combine account values for you and
your minor children, joint accounts with your spouse, and other types of related accounts. Combining account
values increases total assets, which may result in your paying a reduced advisory fee based on the available
breakpoints in our fee schedule stated above.
You may make additions to and withdrawals from your account at any time, subject to our right to terminate
your account. You may withdraw account assets on notice to our firm, and subject to the usual and customary
securities settlement procedures. However, we design our portfolios as long-term investments and asset
withdrawals may impair the achievement of your specific investment objectives.
We will deduct our fee directly from your account through the qualified custodian holding your funds and
securities. We will provide you with a quarterly performance report that contains a summary of fees and how
they were calculated. We will deduct our advisory fee only when you have given our firm written authorization
permitting the fees to be paid directly from your account. Further, the qualified custodian will deliver an account
statement to you at least quarterly. These account statements will show all disbursements from your account.
You should review all statements for accuracy. We will also receive a duplicate copy of your account
statements.
You may terminate our portfolio management agreement by submitting 30 days' written notice to our firm,
which is effective upon our receipt. You will incur a pro-rata charge for services rendered prior to the
termination of our portfolio management agreement, which means you will incur advisory fees only in
proportion to the number of days in the calendar quarter for which you were a client. If you have pre-paid
advisory fees that we have not yet earned, you will receive a pro-rated refund of those fees.
Advisory Consulting Services
Fees and fee-paying arrangements for general consulting services are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
In the event you decide to engage our firm for advisory consulting services, you will be required to enter into
a written engagement letter with us describing the scope of the services to be provided and the fees to be
paid.
You may terminate our advisory consulting services agreement by submitting 30 days' written notice to our
firm, which is effective upon our receipt. You will incur a pro-rata charge for services rendered prior to the date
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of termination. If you have pre-paid advisory fees that we have not yet earned, you will receive a pro-rated
refund of those fees.
Advisory Services to Retirement Plans
Fees and fee-paying arrangements for retirement plan services are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Where we provide continuous asset management services, our fees and fee-paying arrangements are based
on the tiered fee schedule and other information disclosed above at Investment Management Services. With
respect to our Pension Consulting Services, we charge an annual fee of 0.5% of the value of the plan.
The agreed upon services, relevant fees, and fee-paying arrangements will be disclosed in the executed
service agreement.
You may terminate our retirement plan services agreement by submitting written notice to our firm, which is
effective upon our receipt. You will incur a pro-rata charge for services rendered prior to the termination of our
retirement plan services agreement, which means you will incur advisory fees only in proportion to the number
of days in the calendar quarter for which you were a client. If you have pre- paid advisory fees that we have
not yet earned, you will receive a pro-rated refund of those fees.
Sub-Advisory Services Offered to Other Registered Investment Advisers
We are paid a percentage of assets under management by the Principal Advisers. Fees and fee-paying
arrangements are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Fees and Expenses
As part of our investment advisory services to you, we may invest, or recommend that you invest, in mutual
funds and ETFs. The fees that you pay to our firm for investment advisory services are separate and distinct
from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds or ETFs (described in each fund's prospectus) to their
shareholders. These fees will generally include a management fee and other fund expenses. You will also
incur transaction charges and/or brokerage fees when purchasing or selling securities. These charges and
fees are typically imposed by the broker-dealer or custodian through whom your account transactions are
executed. We do not share in any portion of the brokerage fees/transaction charges imposed by the broker-
dealer or custodian. Certain Altrius employees accept compensation for the sale of securities or other
investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of ETFs or mutual
funds. To fully understand the total cost you will incur, you should review all the fees charged by mutual funds,
ETFs, our firm, and others. For information on our brokerage practices, refer to the Brokerage Practices
section of this Brochure.
We may trade client accounts on margin. Fees for advice and execution on these securities are based on the
total asset value of the account, which includes the value of the securities purchased on margin. This could
create a conflict of interest where we may have an incentive to encourage the use of margin to create a higher
market value and therefore receive a higher fee. The use of margin may also result in interest charges in
addition to all other fees and expenses associated with the security involved. You are encouraged to contact
our firm at the telephone number on the cover page of this Brochure to discuss any questions you may have
regarding your account statement.
Item 6 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
We do not accept performance-based fees or participate in side-by-side management. Performance- based
fees are fees that are based on a share of capital gains or capital appreciation of a client’s account. Side-by-
side management refers to the practice of managing accounts that are charged performance- based fees
while at the same time managing accounts that are not charged performance-based fees. Our fees are
calculated as described in the Advisory Business section above and are not charged on the basis of a share
of capital gains upon, or capital appreciation of, the funds in your advisory account.
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Item 7 Types of Clients
We offer investment advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates,
charitable organizations, corporations, investment companies, separately managed accounts, and other
business entities. In general, we require a minimum of $500,000 in investible liquid assets to open and
maintain an advisory account. At our discretion, we may waive this minimum account size. For example, we
may waive the minimum if you appear to have significant potential for increasing your assets under our
management, or where a smaller account is tied to a larger client relationship. We may also combine accounts
for you and your minor children, joint accounts with your spouse, and other types of related accounts.
From time to time, Altrius may recommend to clients who do not meet the minimum to participate in a managed
discretionary relationship, that they invest in the Fund. This presents a conflict of interest as Altrius receives
a fee for providing sub-advisory services to the Fund. Altrius does not charge any separate fees or
commissions from trades placed for these clients in the Fund. Clients are provided with this disclosure when
presented with the recommendation.
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
We may use one or more of the following methods of analysis or investment strategies when providing
investment advice to you:
Fundamental Analysis - involves analyzing individual companies and their industry groups, such as
a company’s financial statements, details regarding the company’s product line, the experience and
expertise of the company’s management, and the outlook for the company’s industry. The resulting
data is used to measure the true value of the company’s stock compared to the current market
value.
Long Term Purchases - securities purchased with the expectation that the value of those securities
will grow over a relatively long period of time, generally greater than one year.
Short Term Purchases - securities purchased with the expectation that they will be sold within a
relatively short period of time, generally less than one year, to take advantage of the securities’
short-term price fluctuations.
Our investment strategies and advice may vary depending upon each client’s specific financial situation. As
such, we determine investments and allocations based upon your predefined objectives, risk tolerance, time
horizon, financial horizon, financial information, liquidity needs, and other various suitability factors. Your
restrictions and guidelines may affect the composition of your portfolio.
The use of margin transactions is not a fundamental part of our overall investment strategy, but we may use
this strategy upon client request.
Our strategies and investments may have unique and significant tax implications. However, unless we
specifically agree otherwise, and in writing, tax efficiency is not our primary consideration in the management
of your assets. Regardless of your account size or any other factors, we strongly recommend that you
continuously consult with a tax professional prior to and throughout the investing of your assets.
Your account custodian, and our portfolio performance management and accounting software, will default to
the FIFO accounting method for calculating the cost basis of your investments. You are responsible for
contacting your tax adviser to determine if this accounting method is the right choice for you. If your tax adviser
believes another accounting method is more advantageous, provide written notice to our firm immediately and
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we will alert your account custodian of your individually selected accounting method. Note that decisions about
cost basis accounting methods will need to be made before trades settle, as the cost basis method cannot be
changed after settlement.
Research Processes
In providing advisory services, research is conducted internally utilizing information obtained from a wide
variety of sources and all professional staff members actively participate in the company’s research effort.
Increasingly, the internet and new databases provide a wealth of ideas and information to enhance our
research. The priority is for analysts to build up their knowledge and insights on an industry or company and
to exploit the vast wealth of information that is increasingly available.
Industry research is used to supplement the company’s own research efforts. Our analysts research
investments on a continuous basis. Primary resources used by our analysts and portfolio managers include
Thomson Reuters and Morningstar.
Performance Advertising
We advertise our past performance and claim compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards
(“GIPS®”).
Risk Analysis
No investment is free of risk. Current and prospective investors are cautioned that investments in securities
involve risk of loss, including the possibility of a complete loss of the amount invested, and that they should
be prepared to bear these risks. Based on the types of investments that Altrius may recommend, all investors
should be aware of certain risk factors, which include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the following
paragraphs.
Artificial Intelligence
Altrius does not utilize artificial intelligence in the portfolio management process, still, recent technological
advances in generative artificial intelligence and machine learning technology (collectively, “Artificial
Intelligence”) pose risks to Altrius and its clients. Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science focused
on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence; this includes, among
other things, methods for analyzing, modeling, and understanding language, as well as developing algorithms
that can learn to perform various tasks. Altrius and the companies in which clients invest could be further
exposed to the risks of Artificial Intelligence if third-party service providers or any counterparties, whether or
not known to Altrius, also use Artificial Intelligence in their business activities. Altrius cannot control third-party
operations, product development, or service provision.
Artificial Intelligence is generally highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and it
is not possible or practicable to incorporate all relevant data into the model that Artificial Intelligence utilizes
to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error — potentially
materially so — and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the
effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence. To the extent that Altrius or the companies in which clients invest are
exposed to the risks of Artificial Intelligence, any such inaccuracies or errors could have adverse impacts on
a client’s performance.
Cybersecurity and Business Continuity Risk
Altrius has a policy in place to respond to a Significant Business Disruption (SBD). In the event of an SBD,
our policy is to safeguard our employees’ lives and Altrius prosperity, to conduct a rapid financial and
operational assessment, to recover quickly and resume operations swiftly, to protect Altrius’ books and
records, and to allow Altrius clients to transact business seamlessly. If it is determined Altrius is unable to
continue its business, Altrius will assure clients prompt access to their funds and securities. Altrius has taken
significant steps to reduce the impact of business interruptions resulting from a wide variety of potential events.
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The Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and other related policies and procedures are meant to reduce any
business downtime. These plans put in place the resources, personnel, equipment, and procedures designed
to minimize operational downtime. The BCP involves defining the mission critical systems and is designed to
document the information and procedures needed to safeguard business operations and restore the
necessary operations after any natural or man-made disaster event.
Dividend-Paying Common Equity Security Risk
Clients will normally receive income from dividends that are paid by issuers of client investments. The amount
of the dividend payments may vary and depends on performance and decisions of the issuer. Poor
performance by the issuer or other factors may cause the issuer to lower or eliminate dividend payments to
investors. Additionally, these types of securities may fall out of favor with investors and underperform the
broader market. Depending upon market conditions, dividend-paying securities may not be widely available
or may be highly concentrated in only a few market sectors.
Emerging Markets Risk
Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure
to those securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory
conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments. For example, developing and
emerging markets may be subject to (i) greater market volatility, (ii) lower trading volume and liquidity, (iii)
greater social, political and economic uncertainty, (iv) governmental controls on foreign investments and
limitations on repatriation of invested capital, (v) lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial
reporting standards, (vi) fewer protections of property rights, (vii) restrictions on the transfer of securities or
currency, and (viii) settlement and trading practices that differ from those in U.S. markets. Each of these factors
may impact the ability to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and
price for shares and cause the investments to decline in value.
Equity Market Risk
Overall stock market risks may affect the value of the investments in equity strategies causing the market
value of securities to move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause
a security to be worth less than the price that was originally paid, or less than it was worth at an earlier time.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, an industry, or a sector of the economy or the market as a whole. Equity
markets are affected by factors such as economic growth and market conditions, interest rates, currency
exchange rates and political events in the U.S. and abroad, as well as the expectations market participants
have of those factors.
ETF Risks
The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities of the ETF. The
client will bear additional expenses based on your pro rata share of the ETF’s operating expenses. The
performance of ETFs is subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The price of the ETFs
will fluctuate with the price of the underlying securities that make up the funds. In addition, ETFs have a trading
risk based on the loss of cost efficiency if the ETFs are traded actively and a liquidity risk if the ETFs have a
large bid-ask spread and low trading volume. The price of an ETF fluctuates based upon the market
movements and may dissociate from the index being tracked by the ETF or the price of the underlying
investments. An ETF purchased or sold at one point in the day may have a different price than the same ETF
purchased or sold a short time later.
Foreign Investment Risk
Altrius may invest in foreign securities, including non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities traded outside of the
United States and U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States. Returns
on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S.
securities.
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Investments in Master Limited Partnership (“MLP”) Units Risk
An investment in MLP units involves some risks which differ from an investment in the common stock of a
corporation. Holders of MLP units generally have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the
partnership. The value of the client’s investment in MLPs depends largely on the MLPs being treated as
partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an MLP does not meet current legal requirements to
maintain partnership status, or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes, it would be taxed as a
corporation and there could be a material decrease in the value of its securities.
Investments in Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
Investment in REITs will subject the client to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real
estate, including losses from casualty or condemnation, and changes in local and general economic
conditions, supply and demand, interest rates, zoning laws, regulatory limitations on rents, property taxes and
operating expenses.
Natural & Unavoidable Events Risk
Global markets are interconnected, and events like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, forest fires and similar
natural disturbances, war, terrorism or threats of terrorism, civil disorder, public health crises, and similar “Act
of God” events have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have
adverse long-term and wide-spread effects on the world economies and markets generally. Clients may have
exposure to countries and markets impacted by such events, which could result in material losses.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk
Investing in securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk than customarily is
associated with investing in larger, more established companies. These companies’ securities may be more
volatile and less liquid than those of more established companies. Often small- and mid-capitalization
companies and the industries in which they focus are still evolving and, as a result, they may be more sensitive
to changing market conditions.
Value-Style Investing Risk
Value stocks can perform differently from the market as a whole and from other types of stocks. Value stocks
may be purchased based upon Altrius’ belief that the stock may be out of favor. Value investing seeks to
identify stocks that have depressed valuations, based upon a number of factors which are thought to be
temporary in nature, and to sell them at superior profits should their prices rise in response to resolution of the
issues which caused the valuation of the stock to be depressed. While certain value stocks may increase in
value more quickly during periods of anticipated economic upturn, they may also lose value more quickly in
periods of economic downturn. Furthermore, there is the risk that the factors which caused the depressed
valuations are longer term or even permanent in nature, and that their valuations may fall or never rise. Finally,
there is the increased risk in such situations that such companies may not have sufficient resources to continue
as ongoing businesses, which would result in the stock of such companies potentially becoming worthless.
The market may not agree with Altrius’ assessment of a stock’s intrinsic value, and value stocks may fall out
of favor with investors for extended periods of time.
For further specific risks associated with the Altrius Global Dividend ETF, clients should review the prospectus of
the Fund.
Item 9 Disciplinary Information
Altrius has been registered and providing investment advisory services since 2004 and James M. Russo, our
Managing Member, has been engaged in the financial services industry since 1997. Neither our firm nor any
of our Associated Persons have been subject to any disciplinary action.
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Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
We have not provided information on other financial industry activities and affiliations because we do not have
any relationship or arrangement that is material to our advisory business or to our clients with any of the types
of entities listed below.
1. Broker-dealer, municipal securities dealer, or government securities dealer or broker.
2. Investment company or other pooled investment vehicle (including a mutual fund, closed-end
investment company, unit investment trust, private investment company or "hedge fund," and
offshore fund).
3. Other investment adviser or financial planner.
4. Futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, or commodity trading advisor.
5. Banking or thrift institution.
6. Accountant or accounting firm.
7. Lawyer or law firm.
8. Insurance company or agency.
9. Pension consultant.
10. Real estate broker or dealer.
11. Sponsor or syndicator of limited partnerships.
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Altrius has adopted a Code of Ethics for all supervised persons of the firm describing its high standard of
business conduct, and fiduciary duty to its clients. The Code of Ethics includes provisions relating to the
confidentiality of client information, a prohibition on insider trading, a prohibition against disseminating rumors
or other false information, restrictions on the acceptance of significant gifts and the reporting of certain gifts
and business entertainment items, and personal securities trading procedures, among other things. All
supervised persons at Altrius must acknowledge the terms of the Code of Ethics annually, or as amended.
We anticipate that, in appropriate circumstances, consistent with clients’ investment objectives, we will
recommend to investment advisory clients or prospective clients the purchase or sale of securities in which
we, our affiliates and/or clients, directly or indirectly, may have a position of interest. A conflict of interest arises
when the securities Altrius’s employees buy or sell are the same securities Altrius is buying of selling or holding
for our clients. Our employees and other persons associated with Altrius are required to follow our Code of
Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable laws, officers, members and employees of Altrius and
its affiliates may trade for their own accounts in securities which are recommended to and/or purchased for
our clients.
The Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities and interests of
our employees will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the best interest of advisory clients and (ii)
implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing employees to invest for their own accounts. It
is the expressed policy of Altrius that no person employed by Altrius may purchase or sell any security prior
to a transaction(s) being implemented for an advisory client’s account, and therefore, preventing such
employees from benefiting from transactions placed on behalf of an advisory client’s accounts.
Under the Code certain classes of securities have been designated as exempt transactions, based upon a
determination that these would materially not interfere with the best interest of Altrius’ clients. In addition, the
Code requires pre-clearance of many transactions, and restricts trading in close proximity to client trading
activity. Nonetheless, because the Code of Ethics in some circumstances would permit employees to invest
in the same securities as clients, there is a possibility that employees might benefit from market activity by a
client in a security held by an employee. Employee trading is continually monitored under the Code of Ethics,
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and to reasonably prevent conflicts of interest between Altrius and its clients.
A full copy of Altrius Capital Management’s Code of Ethics is available upon request to the CCO at (252) 638-
7598.
Item 12 Brokerage Practices
We recommend that securities be purchased through the facilities of Charles Schwab Institutional, a division
of Charles Schwab, Inc. (“Charles Schwab”), member FINRA/SIPC. We participate in the Charles Schwab
Institutional Customer Program for advisers (“Institutional Program”). Charles Schwab is an independent and
unaffiliated SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. Charles Schwab offers independent
investment advisers services that include custody of securities, trade execution, clearance and settlement of
transactions. We receive some benefits from Charles Schwab through our participation in these programs. In
addition to the benefits disclosed below, we may receive benefits such as assistance with conferences and
educational meetings from product sponsors. Refer to Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation for
additional disclosures on this topic.
In suggesting a broker-dealer we will endeavor to select those brokers or dealers that will provide the best
services at the lowest commission rates possible. The reasonableness of commissions is based on several
factors, including the broker's ability to provide professional services, competitive commission rates, volume
discounts, execution price negotiations, and other services. However, it may be the case that the
recommended broker charges a higher fee than another broker charges for a particular type of service, such
as commission rates. Clients may utilize the broker/dealer of their choice and have no obligation to purchase
or sell securities through such broker as the firm recommends. In recognition of the value of research services
and additional brokerage products and services Charles Schwab provides, you may pay higher commissions
and/or trading costs than those that may be available elsewhere. Refer to Item 14 Client Referrals and Other
Compensation for additional disclosures on this topic.
Best execution is not measured solely by reference to commission rates. Paying a broker a higher commission
rate than another broker might charge is permissible if the difference in cost is reasonably justified by the
quality of the brokerage services offered. We do not obligate ourselves to seek the lowest transaction charges
in all cases except to the extent that it contributes to the overall goal of obtaining the best results for your
account. While we endeavor at all times to put your interest first as part of our fiduciary duty, you should be
aware that the receipt of additional benefits themselves creates a potential conflict of interest.
We may also use other executing brokers for the purchase and/or sale of bonds when suitable. We do not
receive any benefits from these executing brokers.
Directed Brokerage
Except where we provide advisory services to certain 401(k) plans, or act as sub-advisor on an SMA platform,
we require you to direct our firm to execute transactions through Charles Schwab. As such, we may be unable
to achieve the most favorable execution of your transactions and you may pay higher brokerage commissions
than you might otherwise pay through another broker-dealer that offers the same types of services. Not all
advisers require their clients to direct brokerage.
If you choose to direct our firm to use a particular broker, you should understand that this might prevent our
firm from aggregating trades with other client accounts or from effectively negotiating brokerage commissions
on your behalf. This practice may also prevent our firm from obtaining favorable net price and execution. Thus,
when directing brokerage business, you should consider whether the commission expenses, execution,
clearance, and settlement capabilities that you will obtain through your broker are adequately favorable in
comparison to those that we would otherwise obtain for you.
Block Trades
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Transactions for each client may be affected independently, unless we decide to purchase or sell the same
securities for several clients at approximately the same time. We may, but are not obligated to, combine
multiple orders for shares of the same securities purchased for advisory accounts we manage (this practice
is commonly referred to as “block trading”). We will then distribute a portion of the shares to participating
accounts in a fair and equitable manner. The distribution of the shares purchased is typically proportionate to
the size of the account, but it is not based on account performance or the amount or structure of management
fees. Subject to our discretion regarding factual and market conditions, when we combine orders, each
participating account pays an average price per share for all transactions and pays a proportionate share of
all transaction costs on any given day. Accounts owned by our firm or persons associated with our firm may
participate in block trading with your accounts; however, they will not be given preferential treatment.
Item 13 Review of Accounts
Investment Management Services
We monitor client portfolios as part of an ongoing process while regular account reviews are conducted
periodically. You are encouraged to discuss your needs, goals, and objectives with our firm, and to keep us
informed of any changes in this information. Additional reviews may be conducted at your request, or based
on various circumstances, including, but not limited to, contributions and withdrawals, year-end tax planning,
market moving events, changes in your financial situation, and/or, changes in your risk/return objectives.
The individuals conducting reviews may vary from time to time, as personnel join or leave our firm.
You will receive transaction confirmation notices and regular summary account statements, at least quarterly,
directly from your account custodian. We will also provide you with reports, at least quarterly, that generally
include relevant account and/or market-related information such as an inventory and appraisal of account
holdings, and investment performance. We may provide additional reports at your request. Refer to the
Brokerage Practices section above for additional information on this topic.
We encourage you to reconcile our reports with those received from the qualified custodian. If you find your
holdings differ between these two statements, call our main office number located on the cover page of this
Brochure.
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We may directly compensate non-employee (outside) consultants, individuals, and/or entities (“Solicitors”) for
client referrals. In order to receive a cash referral fee from our firm, Solicitors must comply with the
requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate. If you were referred to our firm by a Solicitor, you
should have received a copy of this Brochure along with the Solicitor’s disclosure statement at the time of the
referral. If you become a client, the Solicitor that referred you to our firm will receive a percentage of the
advisory fee you pay our firm for as long as you are a client with our firm, or until such time as our agreement
with the Solicitor expires.
Alternatively, the Solicitor may receive a one-time, flat referral fee upon your signing an advisory agreement
with our firm. You will not pay additional fees because of this referral arrangement. Referral fees paid to a
Solicitor are contingent upon your entering into an advisory agreement with our firm. This creates a conflict of
interest because the Solicitor has a financial incentive to recommend our firm to you for advisory services.
However, you are not obligated to retain our firm for advisory services. Comparable services and/or lower fees
may be available through other firms.
Altrius previously received client referrals from TD Ameritrade through participation in TD Ameritrade Advisor
Direct (the “referral program”). Before its purchase by Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade was a discount broker-
dealer independent of, and unaffiliated with our firm; we do not have an employee or agency relationship
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between them or Charles Schwab. TD Ameritrade established the referral program as a means of referring its
brokerage customers and other investors seeking fee-based personal investment management services or
financial planning services to independent investment advisers. Neither TD Ameritrade nor Charles Schwab
supervises our firm and has no responsibility for our management of your portfolios or our other advice or
services.
We no longer participate in TD Ameritrade’s nor Charles Schwab’s referral programs; however, Charles
Schwab continues to receive an on-going fee for clients which were referred to Altrius. This fee was usually a
percentage (not to exceed 25%) of the advisory fee that referred clients pay our firm (“Solicitation Fee”).
Charles Schwab also receives the Solicitation Fee on any advisory fees received by our firm from any of a
previously referred client's family members, including a spouse, child or any other immediate family member
who resides with the referred client and who hired our firm on the recommendation of such referred client. We
did not charge clients referred through Advisor Direct any fees or costs higher than our standard fee schedule
offered to our clients or otherwise pass Solicitation Fees on to referred clients.
As disclosed above under Item 12 Brokerage Practices, we participate in Charles Schwab’s Institutional
Customer Program ("Institutional Program"), and we may recommend Charles Schwab to clients for custodial
and brokerage services. There is no direct link between our participation in the program and the investment
advice we give to our clients, although we receive economic benefits through our participation in the program
that are typically not available to Charles Schwab retail investors. These benefits include the following products
and services (provided without cost or at a discount): receipt of duplicate client statements and confirmations;
research related products and tools; consulting services; access to a trading desk serving adviser participants;
access to block trading (which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions for execution and then
allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts); the ability to have advisory fees deducted directly from
client accounts; access to an electronic communications network for client order entry and account
information; access to mutual funds with no transaction fees and to certain institutional money managers; and
discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice management products or services
provided to our firm by third-party vendors. Charles Schwab may also have paid for business consulting and
professional services received by our Associated Persons. Some of the products and services made available
by Charles Schwab through the program may benefit our firm but may not benefit our client accounts. These
products or services may assist us in managing and administering client accounts, including accounts not
maintained at Charles Schwab. Other services made available by Charles Schwab are intended to help us
manage and further develop our business enterprise. The benefits received by our Firm or our Associated
Persons through participation in the program do not depend on the amount of brokerage transactions directed
to Charles Schwab. As part of our fiduciary duties to our clients, we endeavor at all times to put the interests
of our clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by our firm or our
Associated Persons in and of themselves creates a potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence
our choice of Charles Schwab for custody and brokerage services.
Item 15 Custody
Altrius does not maintain custody of client assets. On February 21, 2017, the SEC issued further clarification
and guidance regarding the Custody Rule, which includes seven conditions that must be met to avoid the
Rule's surprise examination requirement. The firm's custodian Charles Schwab has implemented procedures
to assist in complying with the new guidance.
Associated Persons of the firm will not be able to change the address of record, primary phone number
or e-mail address for client accounts.
Charles Schwab will only permit internal journals of like titled accounts. All other internal transfers or
third-party money movement requests must be authorized in writing by client in the form of a signed
Letter of Authorization.
Charles Schwab will no longer accept verbal like-titled wire requests from advisers. Wire requests must
be authorized in writing by client in the form of a signed Letter of Authorization.
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The firm does not keep Standing Letters of Authorization for any clients and requires written
instructions in the form of a signed Letter of Authorization at the time of a third-party money movement
request.
As paying agent for our firm, your independent custodian will directly debit your account(s) for the payment of
our advisory fees. This ability to deduct our advisory fees from your accounts causes our firm to exercise
limited custody over your funds or securities. We do not have physical custody of any of your funds and/or
securities. Your funds and securities will be held with a bank, broker-dealer, or other independent, qualified
custodian. You will receive account statements from the independent, qualified custodian(s) holding your
funds and securities at least quarterly. The account statements from your custodian(s) will indicate the amount
of our advisory fees deducted from your account(s) each billing period. You should carefully review account
statements for accuracy.
To the extent you receive invoices from our firm you should compare our invoices with the statements from
your account custodian(s) to reconcile the information reflected in each statement. If you have a question
regarding your account statement or if you did not receive a statement from your custodian, contact our firm
at (252) 638-7598.
Item 16 Investment Discretion
Before we can buy or sell securities on your behalf, you must first sign our discretionary management
agreement, a power of attorney, and/or trading authorization forms.
You may grant our firm discretion over the selection and amount of securities to be purchased or sold for your
account(s) without obtaining your consent or approval prior to each transaction. You may specify investment
objectives, guidelines, and/or impose certain conditions or investment parameters for your account(s). For
example, you may specify that the investment in any particular stock or industry should not exceed specified
percentages of the value of the portfolio and/or restrictions or prohibitions of transactions in the securities of
a specific industry or security. Refer to the Advisory Business section above for more information on our
discretionary management services.
Altrius’ non-discretionary assets are not billed a fee, but Altrius can transact buys and sells at the client’s
direction. In most of these cases, Altrius has a signed advisory agreement with the client and manages most
of the assets with discretion. Since the non-discretionary assets are held outside of Altrius, they are not billed
or traded against our Investment Policy Statement model. Other assets that are considered non-discretionary
are those for which beneficiary accounts are opened. These remain non-discretionary until they are rolled out
or the beneficiary elects to become a client.
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
As a matter of firm policy and practice, Altrius does not have any authority to and does not vote proxies on
behalf of clients. Our clients retain the responsibility for receiving and voting proxies for any and all securities
maintained in their portfolios. Altrius may provide advice to clients regarding the voting of proxies.
A full copy of Altrius Capital Management’s Proxy Voting Policy is available upon request to the CCO at (252)
638-7598.
Item 18 Financial Information
Registered investment advisors are required in this Item to provide you with certain financial information or
disclosures about their financial condition. Altrius is not subject to any financial commitment or condition that
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is reasonably likely to impair its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to clients and has not
been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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