Overview
- Headquarters
- West Hartford, CT
- Total Firm Assets
- $11.1 billion
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $2.6 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $500,000
Recent Rankings
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (APELLA WEALTH PART 2A JUNE 2026)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.70% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $17,000 | 1.70% |
| $5 million | $85,000 | 1.70% |
| $10 million | $170,000 | 1.70% |
| $50 million | $850,000 | 1.70% |
| $100 million | $1,700,000 | 1.70% |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 84.90%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 3,591
- Total Client Accounts
- 24,058
- Discretionary Accounts
- 17,089
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 6,969
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 171106
Additional Brochure: APELLA WEALTH PART 2A JUNE 2026 (2026-06-26)
View Document Text
ITEM 1 - COVER PAGE
ADV Part 2A, Firm Brochure of
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
DBA APELLA WEALTH
65 MEMORIAL DRIVE, SUITE 340
WEST HARTFORD, CT 06107
P/ 860.785.2260
F/ 860.748.4961
WWW.APELLAWEALTH.COM
June 25, 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Apella Capital, LLC
(“Apella”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at 860.785.2260.
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, nor does registration imply a certain level of skill
or training. Additional information about Apella Capital, LLC (“Apella)” also is available on the SEC’s website
at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can search this site by the firm’s unique identifying IARD number. The IARD
number for Apella Capital, LLC is 171106.
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
JUNE 2026 | PAGE 1 OF 49
ITEM 2 - MATERIAL CHANGES
This brochure is updated from time to time to reflect material changes and may also be revised to clarify
or provide additional information.
Effective June 1, 2026, James J. Scanlan assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Apella Wealth, in
addition to his role as President.
Effective June 1, 2026, Patrick A. Sweeny stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Apella Wealth and
assumed the role of Chairman.
Apella Wealth is no longer an affiliate of Symmetry Partners.
Item 5 has been updated to clarify Apella’s billing policy for Held Away accounts.
QUESTIONS & CONCERNS
We encourage you to read this document in its entirety. Our Chief Compliance Officer, Timothy Richards,
remains available to address any questions or concerns regarding this Part 2A Brochure, including any
material change disclosure or information described below.
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
JUNE 2026 | PAGE 2 OF 49
ITEM 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 1 - COVER PAGE .................................................................................................................................................. 1
ITEM 2 - MATERIAL CHANGES ...................................................................................................................................... 2
ITEM 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 3
ITEM 4 - ADVISORY BUSINESS ...................................................................................................................................... 6
A. ABOUT OUR FIRM .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
B. TYPES OF ADVISORY SERVICES WE OFFER ...................................................................................................................... 6
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES ........................................................................................................................ 6
APELLA SELECT ............................................................................................................................................................... 7
TURNKEY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (“TAMP”) SERVICES ................................................................................. 8
HELD AWAY PORTFOLIO ADVICE ................................................................................................................................... 8
INDEPENDENT SUB-ADVISORY AND THIRD-PARTY MANAGER SERVICES ...................................................................... 9
FINANCIAL PLANNING & CONSULTING SERVICES .......................................................................................................... 9
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS ........................................................................................................................................... 12
APELLA ASCENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
C. CLIENT TAILORED SERVICES AND CLIENT IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS .............................................................................. 12
D. WRAP FEE PROGRAM .................................................................................................................................................. 13
E. REGULATORY ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................. 13
ITEM 5 - FEES AND COMPENSATION .......................................................................................................................... 14
A. FEE SCHEDULE .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES .............................................................................................................................. 14
TURNKEY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (“TAMP”) FEES ....................................................................................... 16
HELD AWAY PORTFOLIO ADVICE FEES ......................................................................................................................... 16
INDEPENDENT SUB-ADVISORY AND THIRD-PARTY MANAGER SERVICE FEES ............................................................. 17
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICE FEES ............................................................................................. 17
B. PAYMENT OF FEES ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
BILLING IN ADVANCE ................................................................................................................................................... 18
BILLING IN ARREARS .................................................................................................................................................... 18
BILLING BASED ON AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE............................................................................................................. 19
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE PAYMENT .............................................................................................................. 19
TURNKEY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (“TAMP”) FEE PAYMENT ........................................................................ 19
HELD AWAY PORTFOLIO ADVICE FEE PAYMENT .......................................................................................................... 19
INDEPENDENT SUB-ADVISORY AND THIRD-PARTY MANAGER SERVICE FEE PAYMENT .............................................. 20
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICE FEE PAYMENT .............................................................................. 20
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ORION ADVISER SERVICES, LLC ................................................................. 20
C. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIRD PARTY FEES .......................................................................................................... 20
ADDITIONAL FEES & EXPENSES .................................................................................................................................... 20
POOLED INVESTMENT FEES/EXPENSES ........................................................................................................................ 21
CUSTODIAL AND TRANSACTION FEES AND EXPENSES ................................................................................................. 21
D. PREPAYMENT OF FEES ................................................................................................................................................. 22
E. OUTSIDE COMPENSATION FOR THE SALES OF SECURITIES TO CLIENTS ....................................................................... 22
ITEM 6 - PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES & SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT ........................................................................ 22
ITEM 7 - TYPES OF CLIENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 22
GENERAL INFORMATION ON PORTFOLIOS ................................................................................................................... 23
MUTUAL FUND PORTFOLIOS ........................................................................................................................................ 23
ETF PORTFOLIOS .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
OPERATIONAL REQUESTS ............................................................................................................................................. 24
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ITEM 8 - METHODS OF ANALYSIS, STRATEGIES, & RISK OF LOSS ................................................................................. 24
A. METHODS OF ANALYSIS & INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ................................................................................................. 24
METHODS OF ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................................... 24
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ............................................................................................................................................ 25
B. MATERIAL RISKS INVOLVED ......................................................................................................................................... 29
RISKS FOR ALL FORMS OF ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................ 29
METHODS OF ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................................... 30
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ............................................................................................................................................ 30
C. RISKS OF SPECIFIC SECURITIES UTILIZED ...................................................................................................................... 32
USE OF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS ........................................................................................................................... 32
COMMODITY RISK ........................................................................................................................................................ 34
DERIVATIVES ................................................................................................................................................................ 34
EQUITY RISK ................................................................................................................................................................. 34
ETF & ETN RISK ............................................................................................................................................................ 34
FIXED INCOME & DEBT RISK (BONDS) .......................................................................................................................... 35
FOREIGN INVESTING RISK ............................................................................................................................................ 36
MUTUAL FUND OR ETF RISK ........................................................................................................................................ 36
ALTERNATIVE MUTUAL FUNDS .................................................................................................................................... 37
OPTIONS RISK ............................................................................................................................................................... 37
REAL ESTATE SECURITIES AND RELATED DERIVATIVES RISK ........................................................................................ 37
D. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER MATERIAL, SIGNIFICANT OR UNUSUAL RISKS ....................................................................... 38
COMPANY RISK ............................................................................................................................................................ 38
CYBERSECURITY RISK ................................................................................................................................................... 38
DEFLATION RISK ........................................................................................................................................................... 38
DEFAULT RISK .............................................................................................................................................................. 38
EVENT RISK .................................................................................................................................................................. 38
FREQUENT TRADING RISK ............................................................................................................................................ 38
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION RISK .......................................................................................................................... 39
INDUSTRY OR SECTOR RISK .......................................................................................................................................... 39
LEGACY HOLDING RISK ................................................................................................................................................. 39
LIQUIDITY RISK ............................................................................................................................................................. 39
MARKET RISK ............................................................................................................................................................... 39
PREPAYMENT RISK ....................................................................................................................................................... 39
REINVESTMENT RISK .................................................................................................................................................... 39
SECTOR RISK ................................................................................................................................................................. 39
SECURITIES LENDING RISK ........................................................................................................................................... 40
SHORT SALE RISK .......................................................................................................................................................... 40
TIMING RISK ................................................................................................................................................................. 40
ITEM 9 - DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION ...................................................................................................................... 40
A. CRIMINAL OR CIVIL ACTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 40
B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS ................................................................................................................................. 40
C. SELF-REGULATORY ORGANIZATION (SRO) PROCEEDINGS ........................................................................................... 40
ITEM 10 - OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS .......................................................................... 40
A. REGISTRATION AS A BROKER/DEALER OR BROKER/DEALER REPRESENTATIVE ........................................................... 40
B. REGISTRATION AS A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT, COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR, OR COMMODITY TRADING
ADVISOR .......................................................................................................................................................................... 40
C. REGISTRATION RELATIONSHIPS MATERIAL TO THIS ADVISORY BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS .. 41
D. SELECTION OF OTHER ADVISERS OR MANAGERS AND HOW THIS ADVISER IS COMPENSATED FOR THOSE SELECTIONS
......................................................................................................................................................................................... 41
ITEM 11 - CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION & INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS, & PERSONAL TRADING .............. 42
A. CODE OF ETHICS ........................................................................................................................................................... 42
B. RECOMMENDATIONS INVOLVING MATERIAL FINANCIAL INTERESTS .......................................................................... 42
C. INVESTING PERSONAL MONEY IN THE SAME SECURITIES AS CLIENTS ......................................................................... 42
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
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D. TRADING SECURITIES AT/AROUND THE SAME TIME AS CLIENTS’ SECURITIES ............................................................. 42
ITEM 12 - BROKERAGE PRACTICES ............................................................................................................................. 42
A. FACTORS USED TO SELECT CUSTODIANS AND/OR BROKER/DEALERS ........................................................................... 42
BROKERAGE FOR CLIENT REFERRALS ........................................................................................................................... 46
DIRECTED BROKERAGE ................................................................................................................................................ 46
B. AGGREGATING (BLOCK) TRADING FOR MULTIPLE CLIENT ACCOUNTS ......................................................................... 46
ITEM 13 - REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS .............................................................................................................................. 46
A. FREQUENCY AND NATURE OF PERIODIC REVIEWS AND WHO MAKES THOSE REVIEWS .............................................. 46
B. FACTORS THAT WILL TRIGGER A NON-PERIODIC REVIEW OF CLIENT ACCOUNTS ........................................................ 46
C. CONTENT AND FREQUENCY OF REGULAR REPORTS PROVIDED TO CLIENTS ................................................................ 47
ITEM 14 - CLIENT REFERRALS & OTHER COMPENSATION ............................................................................................ 47
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIRD PARTIES FOR ADVICE RENDERED TO CLIENTS (INCLUDES SALES AWARDS
OR OTHER PRIZES) ............................................................................................................................................................ 47
B. COMPENSATION TO NON – ADVISORY PERSONNEL FOR CLIENT REFERRALS ................................................................ 47
ITEM 15 - CUSTODY ................................................................................................................................................... 48
ITEM 16 - INVESTMENT DISCRETION .......................................................................................................................... 48
DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY ....................................................................................................................................... 48
ITEM 17 - VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES ........................................................................................................................ 49
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 49
A. PREPAYMENT OF FEES ................................................................................................................................................. 49
B. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY AND PREPAYMENT OF FEES ........................................................................................... 49
C. BANKRUPTCY ............................................................................................................................................................... 49
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
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ITEM 4 - ADVISORY BUSINESS
A. ABOUT OUR FIRM
Apella Capital, LLC has been in business since 2013 and became registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") in April of 2014 as an investment adviser, with its principal place of business
located in Connecticut. Apella Capital, LLC is managed by Patrick A. Sweeny, Chairman and James J.
Scanlan, President and CEO. In addition to Apella’s main office in West Hartford, CT, our Firm currently has
offices located in various locations throughout the United States.
This brochure is designed to provide detailed and precise information about each item noted in the table
of contents. Certain disclosures are repeated in one or more items, and other disclosures are referred
throughout to be as comprehensive as possible on the broad subject matters discussed.
Apella acknowledges that it is a fiduciary with respect to any investment advice. Apella strives to ensure
high standards of ethical conduct among its employees to protect the Firm’s clients and Firm reputation.
Within this brochure, specific terms in either are used as follows:
• Apella refers to Apella Capital, LLC.
•
•
“Firm,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Apella Capital, LLC.
“Adviser,” “Investment Adviser Representative,” and “IAR” refers to our professional representatives
who provide investment recommendations or advice on behalf of Apella Capital, LLC.
“You,” “yours,” and “Client” refers to Clients of Apella Capital, LLC and its advisers.
“Code” refers to our Firm’s Code of Ethics.
“CCO” refers to our Chief Compliance Officer.
•
•
•
B. TYPES OF ADVISORY SERVICES WE OFFER
Apella offers a variety of advisory services, which include discretionary and non-discretionary investment
management (with or without the use of third-party asset managers, please see Item 10.C within this
brochure for further information), held away portfolio advice, independent sub-advisory and third-party
money management services, and various financial planning & consulting services.. Apella also offers an
automated investment platform (“Automated Advisory Service”) called Apella Ascent, offered through
Betterment, a third-party custodial and technology solution. Before rendering any advisory services, Clients
must enter into one or more written Investment Advisory Agreements (“Agreements”), setting forth the
relevant terms and conditions of the advisory relationship.
We do not provide tax or legal advice. Tax services may be provided through the firm’s affiliated entity,
Apella Services, LLC. Clients are under no obligation to engage with Apella Services, LLC for tax services.
Apella Capital, LLC provides investment advisory services to certain broker-dealers’ customers (“Brokerage
Customers”) who provide written consent requesting to receive the firm’s advisory services. Brokerage
Customers have entered into a written advisory agreement with Apella Capital, LLC.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Apella’s advisory services may include the following: reviewing the Client’s investment portfolio at the
commencement of the Apella advisory relationship; assessing the Client’s investment needs and objectives;
investment policy planning and suitability; developing an asset allocation strategy designed to meet Client
objectives; ongoing monitoring of the performance of the accounts; implementation of asset allocation
strategy; reviewing accounts to ensure adherence to policy guidelines and rebalancing asset allocations
when Apella, deems such re-balancing appropriate for the Client; answering client inquiries; updating Client
information; and interviewing the Client at least annually to identify changes in the Client’s financial situation.
The Client should notify Apella promptly if the Client’s financial situation or investment objectives change.
With our discretionary relationship, we will change the portfolio as appropriate to help meet a Client’s
financial objectives. We trade Client portfolios based on our market views and the Client’s financial goals.
With a non-discretionary relationship, Apella will provide recommendations to help meet a Client’s financial
objectives, but we must obtain Client approval before making any transactions in a Client account.
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JUNE 2026 | PAGE 6 OF 49
APELLA SELECT
Apella Select services includes two distinct separately managed account (SMA) options. The Investable
Index Series targets popular equity indexes, while the Multi-Factor Strategies are designed to capture multi-
factor strategies comprised of individual stocks and ADRs.
INVESTABLE INDEX SERIES
Our Investable Index Series was designed to provide Apella clients with Model options that behave in a
manner similar to a broad-market index while, at the same time, allowing for customization and active
overlay management techniques through individual security ownership.
MULTI-FACTOR STRATEGIES
Our Multi-Factor Strategies are comprised of broadly diversified investment solutions that include
individual stocks and ADRs. These portfolios are constructed based on quantitative rules-based methods
that seek to capture specific factor premiums, such as Value, Momentum and Profitability, and will
rebalance on a regular basis to maintain intended diversification and factor exposures. Portfolios of
individual securities may be the appropriate solution for clients with tastes and preferences or needs that
are better met by these portfolios. The current offering includes strategies that cover the United States,
International, and Global geographies and can include factors such as Value, Momentum, and Profitability
(or Quality).
An Apella Financial Advisor may utilize either of these Models to serve several construction objectives
inside a Client portfolio. The Financial Advisor may wish to use these Models as a core module inside of a
larger core/satellite portfolio. These Models may also be suitable as a starting point to express a Client's
preferences for lifestyle- or religious- specific customizations that could otherwise not be expressed
through a pooled vehicle such as an ETF or Mutual Fund. Finally, these Models may be utilized as a tax-
aware module within a Client portfolio where specific tax lots of individual securities may be loss-harvested
(see Tax Overlay Management Services) while at the same time demonstrating index-like tracking
characteristics. While the Models themselves are not managed in a tax sensitive fashion, the structure does
help facilitate more effective tax management from the dispersion among a sample of the constituent
securities of an index as well as the potential for various tax lots for these securities.
COMPLETION PORTFOLIOS
As noted above, the Investable Index Series offers investment solutions that closely track the performance
of indices. In some cases, those solutions may not represent the entirety of a Client’s appropriate investment
solution. As such, Apella may offer model portfolios of mutual funds or ETFs that are intended to be paired
with various solutions offered in the Investable Index Series in order to achieve a total portfolio solution
consistent with a Client’s needs. Examples of what may be included in Completion Portfolios include
Emerging Market equity, small and micro-cap equity, high-turnover factor strategies like momentum, and
other sub-strategies of a portfolio that may not be offered in the Invest- able Index Series.
TAX OVERLAY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Apella can provide Tax Overlay Management services to Apella Select accounts. In providing Tax Overlay
Management services, we consider the tax consequences of transactions in a Client account and will adjust
our services accordingly. We attempt to accomplish tax-aware investment management through gain-loss
matching, harvesting losses and/ or gains, deferring gains until securities reach preferential tax status, and
avoiding imprudent wash sale transactions to improve the after- tax return while staying as consistent as
possible with the risk/return characteristics of the Client’s account Strategy.
Our ability to improve after-tax return depends on various factors beyond our control including economic
and market conditions, regulatory changes, actions taken by a Client's custodian broker-dealer, the
specifics of an account’s strategy, the starting portfolio in an account, a Client's tax circumstances, and
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
JUNE 2026 | PAGE 7 OF 49
mandates as communicated by the Client's Financial Advisor. Tax Overlay Management may cause the
actual performance in a Client account to vary from the "stated" performance of the Strategy’s Manager.
Tax Overlay Management services are provided in connection with the Apella Select Program and to
financial planning clients who receive services from one of Apella’s appropriately credentialed IARs. We do
not provide general tax planning advice or services outside of these types of client engagements unless
the client has hired Apella for comprehensive financial planning. To provide Tax Overlay Management
services, we rely solely on the information provided by the Client and their custodian broker-dealer. If that
information is inaccurate, incomplete, or not timely, our ability to provide Tax Overlay Management may be
adversely affected. We make no guaranty that taxes in any account will be reduced. If an account contains
mutual funds and/or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), our Tax Overlay Management services are generally
applied on the portion of the account containing equity securities and not to the portion that consists
predominantly of mutual funds and/or ETFs.
By default, accounts are managed without Tax Overlay Management Services unless specifically selected
by the Client's Financial Advisor. Please note that with Apella Select there are minimum investment levels.
TURNKEY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (“TAMP”) SERVICES
Apella will make their initial recommendation of the appropriate portfolio based on the Client’s risk tolerance,
time horizon, and Client profile. On an ongoing basis, we will review the portfolio selection and make
recommendations to modify the portfolio based on the Client’s changing circumstances.
Apella is compensated by advisory fees deducted quarterly in advance from the Client’s account by the
custodian and paid to Betterment LLC who in turn pays our Firm their stated advisory fee.
HELD AWAY PORTFOLIO ADVICE
Our held away portfolio services are designed to meet our Client’s financial goals, needs, and objectives
involving analysis of a Client’s investments, such as variable life insurance and annuity contracts, assets held
in employer-sponsored retirement plans, and/or qualified tuition plans (i.e., 529 plans) held externally from
our Firm. In these situations, Apella may direct or recommend allocating assets among the various
investment options available within the product.
Apella is engaged with unaffiliated third-party service providers, for Client accounts not directly held with
our recommended Custodian; but where our team has discretion and leverages an Order Management
System to implement asset allocation or rebalancing strategies on behalf of the Client. These are primarily
401(k) accounts, 403(b) accounts, 529 plans, variable annuities, and other assets not held with the
recommended Custodian. We regularly review the current holdings and available investment options in
these accounts, monitor the account, rebalance, and implement our Apella's strategies, as necessary.
The platform allows us to avoid being considered to have custody of Client funds since we do not have
direct access to Client log-in credentials to affect trades. We are not affiliated with the platform in any way
and receive no compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be provided to the Client,
allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once the Client account(s) is connected to the
platform, the Adviser will review the current account allocations and investment options. When we are
authorized with discretionary management, we will rebalance the account, considering Client investment
goals and risk tolerance, and any change in allocations will consider current economic and market trends.
The goal is to improve account performance over time, minimize losses during complex markets, and
manage internal fees that harm account performance. Client account(s) will be reviewed quarterly, and
allocation changes will be made, as necessary.
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PONTERA
Pontera is an independent service provider and is not affiliated with Apella. Pontera does not provide
investment advice to clients and does not have discretion to place trades on its own behalf. Apella remains
solely responsible for the investment advice it provides and for directing any allocation or rebalancing
activity carried out through the Pontera platform. The qualified plan sponsor, recordkeeper, or other
financial institution that holds the assets in a held away account continues to maintain custody of those
assets.
As part of our portfolio management services, we may utilize Pontera, a third-party technology platform, to
securely access and manage “Held Away Accounts” (such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other employer-
sponsored retirement plans) on behalf of our clients.
We regularly review the available investment options in these accounts, monitor them, and rebalance and
implement our strategies in the same way we do other accounts, though using different tools, as necessary.
The platform allows us to avoid being considered to have custody of Client funds since we do not have
direct access to Client log-in credentials to affect trades. We are not affiliated with the platform in any way
and receive no compensation from them for using their platform.
Apella will bill on Held Away Accounts in a manner and frequency as described in the Client’s Investment
Advisory Agreement.
INDEPENDENT SUB-ADVISORY AND THIRD-PARTY MANAGER SERVICES
If deemed appropriate, Apella will utilize the services of a Sub-Adviser (“SMA” or “Manager”) or Independent
Third-Party Manager (“ITPM” or “Manager”) to manage your accounts. Investment recommendations and
securities trading will only be offered by or through the chosen SMA or ITPM. Apella will not advise on any
specific securities concerning this service.
Before referring a Client to a Sub-Adviser or ITPM, Apella will conduct initial due diligence on SMA and
ITPMs and ongoing reviews of their management of Client accounts. To assist in selecting an SMA or ITPM,
we will gather information about the Client’s financial situation, investment objectives, and reasonable
restrictions imposed upon account management.
Apella will periodically review the Manager reports provided to the Client. We will periodically contact the
Client to review their financial situation and objectives, communicate information to the Manager as
warranted, and assist the Client in understanding and evaluating the services provided. The Client will be
expected to notify our Firm of any changes in their financial situation, investment objectives, or account
restrictions that could affect their financial standing.
By executing an Investment Advisory Agreement with Apella, the Client gives Apella the discretionary
authority to hire or fire the Manager and to allocate assets among Managers without obtaining consent.
The services provided by the SMA and ITPM include:
Implementation of an asset allocation
• Assessment of Client investment needs and objectives
•
• Delivery of suitable style allocations (e.g., Income, Large Cap, Small Cap, Growth, Value,
etc.)
• Facilitation of portfolio transactions
• Ongoing monitoring of investment vehicles’ performance
• Review of accounts for adherence to policy guidelines and asset allocation
• Reporting of Client account portfolio activity.
Each Manager has minimum account requirements that will vary between Managers. Account minimums
are typically higher for fixed-income accounts than for equity-based accounts. A complete description of
the Manager’s services, fee schedules, and account minimums will be disclosed in the Manager’s disclosure
brochure, which will be provided to you before or when an agreement for services is executed, and the
account is established. Further information about Apella’s engagement with third-party investment advisory
firms can be found in Item 10.D within this brochure.
FINANCIAL PLANNING & CONSULTING SERVICES
Apella offers financial planning & consulting services, which involve preparing a full written financial plan,
which may address one or several topics: Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning,
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
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Education Planning, Portfolios, and Allocation Review. An advisory Client may receive these services as part
of the bundled services offered under the established advisory agreement.
Alternatively, a Client seeking financial planning or consulting services only may receive these services on a
standalone basis for a fixed fee. Certain clients may require extensive and ongoing financial planning and
consulting services, which may extend beyond one year.
Financial planning clients may pay an on-going financial planning fee for the services provided. All financial
planning clients receive a written financial plan, providing the Client with a detailed financial plan designed
to achieve their stated financial goals and objectives. Implementation of financial plan recommendations is
entirely at the Client’s discretion.
In order to develop a comprehensive plan, the Apella IAR will:
• Determine and prioritize personal and financial goals, needs, and objectives.
• Gather the pertinent data and documents and conduct personal interviews with the Client
and professional advisers.
• Analyze and evaluate a Client’s overall financial situation.
• Develop and present investment and financial planning recommendations both verbally and
in writing.
•
Implement all investment and financial plans as directed by the Client.
• Monitor and adjust plans as needed and directed on an ongoing basis.
Depending on a Client’s objectives, the resulting formal written plan will cover general financial planning,
estate planning, educational fund planning, individual tax planning, retirement planning, risk management,
and insurance planning.
Financial Planning services provided to clients may include services such as:
• Analyze and evaluate the Client’s financial status – conduct interviews with the Client and
professional advisers.
• Develop and present investment and financial planning recommendations both verbally and
in writing, to include:
o Evaluating Cash flow and advise on budgeting and debt management.
o Evaluating and advising on tax, estate, and charitable giving.
o Evaluating and advising on retirement and college planning.
o Evaluating and advising on investment strategies and portfolio construction.
o Evaluating and advising on risk management and insurance planning.
o Developing and presenting divorce planning recommendations.
o Providing other financial planning services, as needed.
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Client is solely responsible for determining whether to implement
our financial planning recommendations. Our financial planning and consulting services do not involve
implementing transactions on your behalf nor include active and ongoing monitoring or management of
your investments or accounts.
The Client must execute a separate written agreement for investment management services if the Client
elects to implement any of our investment recommendations through Apella or retain Apella to monitor and
manage investments actively.
DPL FINANCIAL PARTNERS PLATFORM
As part of our comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services, we may recommend or
facilitate the use of commission-free insurance and annuity products available through DPL Financial
Partners (“DPL”). DPL is a third-party platform that provides access to a curated marketplace of low-cost,
no-commission insurance solutions from a variety of carriers. These products are designed to align with
fiduciary standards and support client-focused planning.
QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES
When providing any non-discretionary investment advisory services, we will solely be making investment
recommendations to the Sponsor, and the Sponsor retains full discretionary authority or control over assets
of the retirement plan. We agree to perform any non-discretionary investment advisory services to the
retirement plan as a fiduciary, as defined in ERISA Section 3(21)(A)(ii). We will act in good faith and with the
degree of diligence, care, and skill that a prudent person rendering similar services would exercise under
similar circumstances.
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When providing administrative services, we may support the Sponsor with plan governance and committee
education; vendor management and service provider selection and review; investment education; or plan
participant non-fiduciary education services. We agree to perform any administrative services solely in a
capacity that would not be considered a fiduciary under ERISA or any other applicable law.
When offering investment models to plan sponsors, under certain circumstances, we will act as a “fiduciary”
as defined under Section 3(21) of ERISA and Section 4975I (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”).
WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FIDUCIARY STATUS
Apella is considered a fiduciary under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. When we provide investment
advice to clients regarding their retirement plan account or individual retirement account, we are also
fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal
Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. We must act in the Client’s
best interest and not put our interests ahead of theirs. At the same time, how we make money conflicts with
Client interests.
A Client leaving an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan (and may
engage in a combination of these options):
•
•
leave the money in the former employer’s plan, if permitted,
roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are
permitted,
rollover to an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), or
•
• cash out the account value (which depending upon the Client’s age, could result
in adverse tax consequences).
Apella may recommend that a Client rollover plan assets to an IRA for which Apella provides investment
advisory services. As a result, Apella and its advisers may earn an asset-based fee on the rolled assets. In
contrast, a recommendation that a Client leave their plan assets with their previous employer or rollover
the assets to a plan sponsored by a new employer will result in no compensation to Apella. Therefore,
Apella has an economic incentive to encourage a Client to roll plan assets into an IRA that we will manage,
which presents a conflict of interest. To mitigate the conflict of interest, there are numerous factors that we
will consider before recommending a rollover, including but not limited to:
•
•
•
the investment options available in the plan versus the investment options
available in an IRA,
fees and expenses in the plan versus the fees and expenses in an IRA,
the services and responsiveness of the plan’s investment professionals versus
those of our Firm,
required minimum distributions and age considerations, and
• protection of assets from creditors and legal judgments,
•
• employer stock tax consequences, if any.
The Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address client questions regarding the supervision and
oversight of rollover and transfer assets.
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TAX PLANNING SERVICES
Tax planning services offered through Apella Services, LLC. Apella Capital, LLC assists clients in the
development of a multi-year income tax plan after careful consideration of a Client’s objectives and present
financial situation. This process begins with the preparation of a comprehensive financial plan. Based on
this analysis, we will recommend strategies to implement today that can have a positive impact on taxes
due in future years, especially during retirement. Tax return preparation is not included in this service but
can be obtained through Apella Services, LLC, a separate entity from Apella Capital at an additional cost.
Clients are under no obligation to use Apella Services for tax return preparation.
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
Apella has entered into a Joint Marketing Agreement with CFS Financial, LLC, an investment adviser
registered in the state of MA (Referring Firm”), whereby Apella co-sponsors college planning seminars with
Referring Firm. The purpose of the seminars is to educate participants regarding college funding options
and, for a planning fee, to guide individuals (“College Planning Clients”) through the college funding process.
Certain College Planning Clients have financial planning or investment advisory needs beyond the scope of
services provided by Referring Firm.
Referring Firm may refer such College Planning Clients to Apella for broader scope financial planning and/or
for ongoing investment advisory services. Referring Firm receives fees for services it provides and additional
compensation from Apella for referrals of clients for investment advisory services.
APELLA ASCENT
Apella offers investment advisory services through an automated investment platform (“Automated
Advisory Service”) called Apella Ascent. The Automated Advisory Service, delivered through a third-party
custodial and technology solution (described below, “Betterment”), utilizes proprietary algorithms to
construct, allocate, and rebalance client portfolios based on information provided by the Client, including
but not limited to investment objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial situation.
By enrolling in Apella Ascent, Client acknowledges and agrees that:
1.
Investment recommendations and portfolio management decisions are generated based
on algorithmic models and do not rely exclusively on direct human intervention for all
investment activities.
2. The client is responsible for providing accurate and updated financial information, and the
effectiveness of the Automated Advisory Service is contingent upon the accuracy of such
information.
3. Apella periodically reviews the algorithm’s effectiveness, but it does not provide ongoing
individualized investment advice outside of the automated framework.
4. Market conditions, economic factors, and unforeseen events may impact the performance
of automated investment strategies, and past performance does not guarantee future
results.
Apella reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Automated Advisory Services at its discretion,
with reasonable notice to clients, in accordance with applicable regulations.
C. CLIENT TAILORED SERVICES AND CLIENT IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS
Apella tailors our investment management and advisory services continuously to meet the needs of our
clients. We seek to ensure Client portfolios are managed consistently with those needs and objectives in
mind. We meet with Clients on an initial and ongoing basis to assess their specific risk tolerance, time
horizon, liquidity constraints, and other related factors relevant to managing their portfolios. Acting as a
Client’s investment adviser, the Apella IAR builds custom investment programs. The IAR collaborates with
the Client to develop objectives within suitable risk/reward parameters relative to the Client’s financial
circumstances and then develop an appropriate asset allocation strategy. The Apella IAR begins with a
model portfolio constructed for each specific investment strategy Apella offers, and then tailors the model
for each client, taking into account the Client’s individual needs, including Client requested restrictions, cash
needs, tax considerations, and other items, while generally remaining consistent with the Firm’s model for
that strategy.
There may be an opportunity to employ Client-requested restrictions on a case-by-case basis; any
proposed client requested restrictions should be provided to the Firm in writing in advance for its
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consideration. The Firm will also consider allowing clients to impose restrictions on investing in certain
securities or types of securities.
To further fine-tune our understanding of a Client’s risk tolerance, we utilize Nitrogen, a third-party vendor
tool, to assist in identifying the client’s risk tolerance.
Nitrogen technology assists financial planners in two critical tasks: (1) measuring the risk preferences of
investors and (2) applying these preference measurements to portfolio selection. Nitrogen summarizes an
investor’s mean-variance risk aversion on a 99-point scale. In connection with this output, the Nitrogen tool
“quantifies” the Client’s indicated investment risk tolerance through the illustration of expected return
(plus/minus) and investment volatility (investment variance), which uses past data to calculate expected
variance.
Apella may advise a Client about legacy positions or other investments in Client portfolios. Clients can limit
or restrict our trading and/or billing in these positions. A Client must notify Apella of any situation that would
impair our ability to manage Client accounts properly.
D. WRAP FEE PROGRAM
Apella does not sponsor or participate in a Wrap Program.
E. REGULATORY ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
As of April 30, 2026, we managed $8,775,871,443.00 in client assets on a discretionary basis and
$2,289,345,978.00 on a non-discretionary basis.
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ITEM 5 - FEES AND COMPENSATION
The Investment Advisory Agreement between a Client and Apella will outline the exact costs and other
terms related to the Client’s Accounts agreed upon between the parties.
Apella provides investment advisory services on a fee basis. Our standard fee is negotiable and is typically
based on a percentage of the client’s assets under management (“AUM”) and the scope and complexity of
the client’s overall advisory engagement. Our standard annual advisory fee for new client relationships is
up to 1.50% of assets under management, except as described below in Item 5.A. Fees are generally
charged quarterly in advance, based on the value of the account as of the last business day of the preceding
quarter, unless otherwise specified in the client’s Investment Advisory Agreement.
A. FEE SCHEDULE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES
Apella provides investment advisory services on a fee basis. Fees are negotiable and are typically based on
a percentage of the client's assets under management ("AUM") and the scope and complexity of the client's
overall advisory engagement. Our standard annual advisory fee for new client relationships is up to 1.50% of
assets under management. Fees vary based on account size, complexity of services, and other factors, and
are negotiable. The Firm has a minimum account size of $500,000 and retains the right to waive the
minimum account size at its discretion. Certain client accounts are subject to fee arrangements that differ
from the standard schedule, as further described below.
Advisory fees reflect the cost of delivering services determined at the time a client relationship is
established and may change over time. Clients who establish their fee arrangements in prior periods pay
rates that differ from those applicable to new client relationships (including new client relationships resulting
from advisory business acquisitions), which reflect changes in the cost-of-service delivery, operational
infrastructure, or other factors affecting the Firm’s cost structure at that time. Apella reserves the right to
adjust fees prospectively upon written notice to the client in accordance with the terms of the client’s
advisory agreement.
Investment Management Fees — Standard Fee Structure
Apella offers investment management services for an annual fee based on the amount of assets under
management. Fees are negotiable. The Firm's standard annual advisory fee schedule uses a tiered
breakpoint structure, under which the client's total AUM is divided into incremental bands and each band is
charged at the rate corresponding to that band. The rate applied to each increment decreases as total AUM
increases. The client’s fee schedule is set forth in Exhibit A to the client's Investment Advisory Agreement.
Apella's annual investment advisory fee may be higher than that charged by other investment advisers
offering similar services and programs. In addition to advisory fees, clients incur charges imposed at the
mutual fund or ETF level, including advisory fees and other fund expenses embedded in those products.
Investment Management Fees — Legacy Linear Fee Structure (Certain Acquired Accounts)
A subset of client accounts currently managed by the Firm are subject to a linear (or "total-AUM") fee
structure. These accounts reflect fee arrangements that were in place prior to the Firm's acquisition of the
advisory relationships associated with those accounts. The linear fee structure is not available to new clients
and is not offered as an alternative fee arrangement to clients whose accounts are subject to the standard
schedule.
Under the linear structure, a single annual rate — determined by the client's total AUM — applies to the
client's entire AUM balance, rather than to incremental bands. The applicable rate is identified in the client's
Investment Advisory Agreement and fee exhibit.
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How the Linear Fee Structure Differs from the Standard Tiered Structure:
Under the standard tiered structure, each band of AUM is charged at the rate applicable to that
increment only; lower rates apply solely to the portion of AUM above each threshold.
Under the linear structure, the single applicable rate applies to the client's entire AUM balance. As a
result:
• Moving into a higher AUM band lowers the rate applied to the total balance, which may produce a
lower total fee than under a tiered structure at the same AUM level.
• A decrease in AUM that moves an account into a lower band will result in a higher rate being applied
to the entire balance. Clients on a linear fee structure should be aware that a reduction in AUM near a
band threshold may result in a higher effective fee than if the account were subject to the standard tiered
structure.
Clients subject to the linear fee structure are identified as such in their Investment Advisory Agreement.
Clients with questions about the fee structure applicable to their account should contact the Firm.
Fee Arrangements for Clients Joining Apella Through Acquisitions
On a periodic basis, Apella acquires clients from other registered investment advisory firms through
purchase transactions. In connection with such acquisitions, Apella reviews the fee arrangements of
acquired clients to assess whether those fees are reasonable in light of the services provided, fees charged
to similarly situated existing Apella clients, and the current costs of delivering the advisory services
contemplated, which may result in newly acquired clients paying fees that are higher or lower than existing
Apella clients. Following the review, Apella may honor existing fee arrangements, or, where we determine
that the value of Apella’s services and costs exceed those of the acquired entity, may negotiate revised
arrangements, or establish new arrangements consistent with its standard fee schedule. Clients joining
Apella through an acquisition will be subject to fee arrangements that differ from Apella's standard fee
schedule, including rates that exceed our standard advisory fee for assets under management and rates up
to 1.70% on the first million. Where Apella’s analysis determines that an acquired client’s scope of services,
circumstances, and/or costs of service delivery merit the fee adjustment, Apella shall provide the client
written notice of the same. The specific fee arrangement applicable to each such client is documented in
the client's Investment Advisory Agreement. Clients are encouraged to review their fee exhibit and to
contact the Firm with any questions about the fees applicable to their account. All advisory fee
arrangements are negotiable.
Negotiated Fee Arrangements
The Firm may, in its discretion, negotiate advisory fees on an individual client basis. Any negotiated fee
arrangement that differs from the standard schedule is documented in the client's Investment Advisory
Agreement or a written fee addendum. The existence of fee variations across the Firm's client base —
including those arising from legacy arrangements and individually negotiated agreements — is disclosed
herein.
Fee Billing, Calculation, and Deduction
Advisory fees are generally calculated and billed quarterly, based on the market value of AUM as of the last
business day of the relevant calculation period. The billing cycle applicable to a given client's account —
whether in advance or in arrears — is specified in the client's Investment Advisory Agreement.
Quarterly in advance: Fees billed in advance are calculated based on the value of the account as of the last
business day of the preceding quarter.
Quarterly in arrears: Fees billed in arrears are calculated based on the value of the account as of the last
business day of the quarter just ended. The quarterly fee equals the applicable annual rate divided by four,
applied to the AUM on the calculation date.
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For accounts opened or terminated during a calendar quarter, fees are pro-rated based on the number of
days the account was under management during that quarter.
Fees are generally deducted directly from client accounts by the qualified custodian holding the client's
assets. The Firm does not receive client funds directly. The qualified custodian sends clients a statement at
least quarterly showing all amounts disbursed from the account, including advisory fees paid to the Firm.
Clients are responsible for verifying the accuracy of fees reflected on their custodial statements.
Other Costs and Expenses
The advisory fee does not cover all costs associated with managing a client's account. Clients may also
incur:
• Brokerage commissions and transaction costs charged by the custodian or executing broker;
• Management fees, 12b-1 fees, and operating expenses embedded in mutual funds, ETFs, or other
investment products held in the account;
• Custodial fees charged directly by the qualified custodian; and
• Charges for supplemental or optional services outside the scope of the standard advisory
relationship.
Conflicts of Interest Arising from Fee Arrangements
Because advisory fees are calculated as a percentage of AUM, the Firm has an economic incentive to
maintain or increase the AUM in client accounts. This creates a conflict between the Firm's financial interest
and a client's interest in receiving advice based solely on the client's financial circumstances and objectives.
The Firm addresses this conflict through its fiduciary obligations to clients, its written compliance policies,
and the supervisory and oversight structure described in this Brochure.
Where the Firm recommends a rollover, transfer, or consolidation of assets that would result in an increase
in AUM subject to the advisory fee, the Firm evaluates the costs and benefits of such recommendation and
documents its basis consistent with its fiduciary obligations.
APELLA SELECT
Clients are charged a fee of up to 25 basis points (0.25%) for portfolio management services.
An additional fee of 0.05% applies for tax overlay services. These fees are charged in
addition to the standard Apella Advisory fee. All fees are fully disclosed in the client
agreement and may vary based on the services provided. Clients utilizing Dimensional Fund
Advisers (DFA) will pay an additional 0.18% on all sub-advised assets, while clients utilizing
Vanguard will pay an additional 0.20% on sub-advised assets. However, if DFA sub-advised
accounts are invested in DFA-managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the management
fees otherwise payable to DFA for sub-advisory services will be waived on those ETF assets.
TURNKEY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (“TAMP”) FEES
Fees charged for Apella Ascent (through Betterment LLC) are .50% on assets under management. Clients
must consent in writing to have advisory fees debited directly from a Client’s investment account. With Client
input and on an on-going basis, Apella will make their initial recommendation of the appropriate portfolio
based on the Client’s risk tolerance, time horizon, and Client profile. On an ongoing basis, Apella will review
the portfolio selection and will make recommendations to modify the portfolio based on the Client’s
changing circumstances.
HELD AWAY PORTFOLIO ADVICE FEES
PONTERA
Clients are billed at their investment advisory disclosed fee on all assets including held-away assets
managed by Apella through Pontera.
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INDEPENDENT SUB-ADVISORY AND THIRD-PARTY MANAGER SERVICE FEES
A complete description of the SMA and ITPM’s services, fee schedules, and account minimums will be
disclosed in Manager's disclosure brochure, which will be provided to you before or when an agreement for
services is executed, and the account is established. Each third-party investment adviser is required under
federal securities laws to provide their clients, including SMA and ITPM Clients, with a Form ADV Part 2A
(“Adviser Brochure” or “this Brochure”) that includes disclosures, and among other things, the fees charged
to their clients.
The actual fee charged to the Client will vary depending on SMA or ITPM. All fees are calculated and
collected by the Manager, who will be responsible for delivering Apella’s portion of the fee paid by the Client.
With SMA and ITPMs, you may incur additional charges, including mutual fund sales loads, 12b-1 fees and
surrender charges, and IRA and qualified retirement plan fees.
There is a potential conflict of interest in using independent Managers if they pay us a portion of their
advisory fee and have met the conditions of our due diligence review. Apella is committed to always working
in the Client's best interest. There may be other Managers not affiliated with Apella that may be suitable for
a Client or may be more or less costly. As with any Adviser, no guarantees can be made that the SMA or ITPM
will achieve a Client's financial goals or objectives. Further, no guarantees of performance can be offered.
Clients should review the SMA or ITPM’s Brochure in its entirety, along with this Brochure, to fully understand
the services, fees, agreements, and risks surrounding these arrangements and fully understand that these
types of arrangements have layers of fees that may or may not be apparent without reading the SMA or
ITPM’s Brochure and this Brochure, along with the offering document/prospectus for underlining
investments.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICE FEES
Apella provides financial planning services under a fixed fee or an hourly fee arrangement. This arrangement
charges a mutually agreed-upon fee for financial planning services, ranging from $1,000 to $25,000,
depending upon the complexity of the services for which the Client engages Apella. This ongoing financial
planning & consulting is also provided at a fixed fee annually. The fixed fee is negotiable depending on the
services provided and is typically a one-time fee unless the client requests the services to continue beyond
the first year.
Fees may vary from the above depending on the time frame the client was introduced to Apella, or which
office location is servicing the client. In all cases, the fee for your engagement is specified in the financial
planning agreement. At Apella’s sole discretion, the Client may be required to pay the fee at the time the
agreement is executed; however, Apella does not require or solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees
per Client, six months or more in advance. The fee is considered earned upon delivery of the financial plan,
and any unpaid amount is immediately due.
If the Client terminates the financial planning services after entering into an agreement with Apella, the
Client will be invoiced and responsible for immediate payment of any hourly financial planning services
performed by us before receiving notice of termination. For financial planning services that we perform
under a fixed or hourly fee arrangement, the Client will be responsible for paying a pro-rated fixed fee
equivalent to the percentage of work completed. If there is a remaining balance of any fees paid in advance
after deducting fees from the final invoice, those remaining proceeds will be refunded to the Client.
DPL FINANCIAL PARTNERS PLATFORM
Apella does not receive commissions or compensation from DPL or any insurance carriers for
recommending or implementing insurance products. Our compensation is derived solely from the advisory
fees a Client pays Apella, as outlined in the advisory agreement, which may include advisory fees paid to
Apella for the provision of advisory services on certain insurance products. However, DPL may charge a
platform or access fee to our firm, which is not passed on to clients unless explicitly disclosed.
If an insurance product is implemented through DPL, the cost of the product itself (e.g., premiums, internal
expenses) is determined by the issuing insurance carrier and disclosed in the product documentation. We
will review all costs with you prior to implementation and ensure that any recommendation is in your best
interest.
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QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN FEES
Apella IARs charge an annual fee for accounts in a retirement program. The fee is negotiable, but will not
be over the maximum fee allowed, which is 0.80%.
In addition, Apella IARs charge a separate fee on assets in the Apella Select Program. The standard fee is
0.25% on assets under management within the program. This fee is in addition to the standard advisory fees
described above.
For Retirement Plan Advisory Services compensation, Apella charges an advisory fee as negotiated with
the Plan Sponsor and as disclosed in the Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans Consulting Agreement
(“Plan Sponsor Agreement”).
Typically, the billing period for these fees is paid quarterly. This fee is negotiable, but the terms and advisory
fee are agreed upon in advance and acknowledged by the Plan Sponsor Agreement or Plan Provider’s
account agreement. Fee billing methods vary depending on the Plan Provider.
Apella or the Plan Sponsor may terminate the Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice to the other party.
The Plan Sponsor is responsible for paying for the services rendered until the termination of the Agreement.
TAX PLANNING SERVICE FEES
The fee for tax planning services is negotiated and is dependent on the complexity and work involved. The
fee for a custom tax analysis will be determined based on the complexity of the Client situation. A fee will
be quoted and agreed upon before work commences. The fee is collected ½ up front and ½ upon delivery
and review of the plan.
The fee for tax return preparation is based on time spent preparing the Client’s returns and will be submitted
to the Client for payment when the tax return is complete.
B. PAYMENT OF FEES
BILLING IN ADVANCE
Certain Apella clients are billed quarterly in advance, based on the quarter-end values of a Client’s account
on the last trading day of the previous quarter. Advance-billed clients will be charged a partial fee for the
first quarter calculated in arrears. The first quarter fee will be based on the Client’s initial assets under
management (discretionary) or advisement (non-discretionary) and pro- rated from the latter to occur of 1)
the date the assets are transferred into the custodial account or 2) the date of the Investment Advisory
Agreement. In the event non-discretionary assets are not held with an Apella-approved custodian, such pro-
rated billing will begin on the date of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Accounts closed mid-quarter will
receive a pro-rated rebate. For clients billed based on prior period-end account values, there is no
adjustment made to Apella’s fee as a result of increases or decreases in account values during the billing
period. Fees payable upon establishment or termination of the account will be prorated for the portion of
the billing period during which the account is managed. A prorated refund will be given to the Client if the
relationship is terminated after fee payment and prior to the end of the billing period. Investments in pooled
investments made in client accounts, whether in mutual funds, exchange traded funds, limited partnerships,
or other structures, will include their own fees and expenses, including management and fund
administration fees, among others (as more fully described below). A complete explanation of all fees and
expenses charged by commingled funds is contained in each fund’s offering documents, which should be
read carefully.
As explained above, Apella has clients whose fees are deducted in advance. The first full quarter is
calculated in advance based on the quarter-end values of a Client’s account on the last trading day of the
previous quarter. The first quarter fee will be based on the Client’s initial assets under management and pro-
rated from the date the assets are traded in the account. Clients will be charged a partial fee for the first
quarter calculated in arrears. Accounts closed mid-quarter will receive a pro-rated rebate.
BILLING IN ARREARS
Certain other Apella clients are billed quarterly in arrears, based on the quarter-end values of a Client’s
account on the last trading day of the quarter. The first quarter fee will be based on the Client’s initial assets
under management and pro-rated from the date the assets are traded in the account. Should an account be
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terminated, the fee will be calculated based on the ending value of the previous day’s market value. Per the
advisory contract, the Client directs the Firm to direct the custodian to deduct fees from the account.
BILLING BASED ON AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE
Certain Apella clients are billed based on average daily balance. An account’s “average daily balance” is
determined by combining each day’s account balance for the prior billing period and then dividing that total
by the number of days in the period. For purposes of billing, the average daily balance is used as the account
value on which the advisory fee is based. Whether billed in advance or arrears, the average daily balance is
calculated over the period preceding the billing date.
The Client, depending on the custodian, may request that related accounts be combined in order to meet
fee break points and reduce the advisory fee charged. Apella will evaluate such requests on a case-by-
case basis. Apella reserves the right to waive the advisory fee for certain accounts, such as but not limited
to, employee accounts. The standard fee schedules and minimum account sizes indicated for the
investment management services are negotiable, and as a result, clients with similar assets may have
differing fee schedules and pay different fees. Clients who negotiate a flat fee schedule may or may not pay
a higher fee than those who pay under a tiered schedule, depending on asset levels. Clients will be charged
a fee on all assets (securities, cash, and cash equivalents), in the account unless otherwise agreed upon
between parties.
In the event Apella manages multiple related accounts, Apella and the Client may designate specific
account(s) to deduct advisory fees for the Client relationship.
Cash and cash equivalents, including money market funds, are subject to the agreed-upon advisory fee.
Clients should understand that the advisory fees charged on these balances may exceed the returns
provided by cash, cash equivalents, or money market funds, especially in low-interest rate environments.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE PAYMENT
Apella retains complete discretion to negotiate fees and may waive or impose different fees on any Client.
The Client will authorize the account's qualified Custodian(s) to deduct fees from the account and pay such
fees directly to Apella. All account assets, transactions, and advisory fees will be shown on the monthly or
quarterly statements provided by the Custodian. The Client should review their account statements received
from the qualified Custodian(s) and verify that appropriate investment advisory fees are being deducted.
The qualified Custodian(s) will not verify the accuracy of the investment advisory fees deducted. Apella may
aggregate related Client accounts to calculate the advisory fee applicable to the Client. The investment
management agreement will outline the fee charged to a Client and any breakpoints based on the level of
assets managed. The fees are subject to change with prior written notice to the Client.
APELLA SELECT FEE PAYMENT
Clients are charged a fee of up to 25 basis points (0.25%) for portfolio management services. In
addition, there is an extra fee of 0.05% for tax overlay services. These fees are charged in addition
to the standard Apella Advisory fee. All fees are fully disclosed in the client agreement and may
vary based on the services provided.
TURNKEY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (“TAMP”) FEE PAYMENT
The total fee for Betterment and our Firm will be deducted quarterly in advance from the Client’s account
by the custodian and paid to Betterment. Betterment will retain its portion of the fee and then send the
remainder of the advisory fee to our Firm.
HELD AWAY PORTFOLIO ADVICE FEE PAYMENT
PONTERA
Apella will bill on Held Away Accounts in a manner and frequency as described in the Client’s Investment
Advisory Agreement. Typically, fees for advisory services on Held Away Accounts will be billed to one or
more of Clients managed accounts. In the alternative, Client may arrange for invoicing and payment via
Adviser Pay.
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For Held Away Accounts, including accounts accessed through Pontera or other third-party data
aggregation platforms, account value information may be temporarily unavailable due to broken links, data-
feed interruptions, or other access issues. If account value information is unavailable as of the applicable
billing date, Apella may delay billing for the affected account until the account value can be obtained or
verified. Any delayed billing will be calculated based on the account value as of the valuation date specified
in the Client’s Investment Advisory Agreement, and not the value as of the later date on which access is
restored. If access to a Held Away Account is unavailable for an extended period, Apella will review the
circumstances to determine whether the account remained subject to Apella’s advisory services and
whether billing remains appropriate.
INDEPENDENT SUB-ADVISORY AND THIRD-PARTY MANAGER SERVICE FEE PAYMENT
Fees for sub-advisory services are typically billed to Client’s managed account(s) and remitted to the
respective sub-advisor.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICE FEE PAYMENT
The Client may pay the fees owed for the financial planning services by submitting payment directly via
Adviser Pay, Check, or by deducting the fee from an existing investment account. If the Client elects to pay
by automatic deduction from an existing investment account, they will provide written authorization to our
Firm for such a charge.
BETTERMENT
Clients engaging with the Firm through Betterment for Advisors will have their assets held at Betterment
Securities and may be subject to additional terms and disclosures provided by Betterment. The Firm does
not receive compensation from Betterment for recommending their services.
Clients utilizing Betterment for Advisors will pay an advisory fee to the Firm, as disclosed in their client
agreement. In addition, Betterment charges a platform fee for its services, which is separate from and in
addition to the Firm’s advisory fee. These fees are typically deducted directly from client accounts.
The Firm’s fee schedule and Betterment’s platform fees are fully disclosed in the client agreement and may
vary depending on the level of assets under management.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ORION ADVISER SERVICES, LLC
Apella has contracted with Orion Adviser Services, LLC (referred to as “Orion”) to utilize its technology
platforms to support data reconciliation, performance reporting, fee calculation and billing, research, client
database maintenance, quarterly performance evaluations, payable reports, web site administration,
models, trading platforms, and other functions related to the administrative tasks of managing client
accounts. Due to this arrangement, Orion will have access to client accounts, but Orion will not serve as an
investment adviser to our clients. Modern Wealth Management and ORION are non-affiliated companies.
Orion charges our Firm an annual fee for each account administered by Orion. Please note that the advisory
fee charged to the Client will not increase due to the annual fee our Firm pays to Orion. The annual fee is
paid from the portion of the management fee retained by our Firm.
C. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIRD PARTY FEES
ADDITIONAL FEES & EXPENSES
In addition to the advisory fees paid to Apella, clients also incur certain charges imposed by other third
parties, such as broker-dealers, Custodians, trust companies, banks, and other financial institutions. These
additional charges include securities, transaction fees, custodial fees, fees charged by the SMA, ITPM, and
Manager charges imposed by a mutual fund or ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) in a Client’s account, as
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses), deferred sales
charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes
on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Our brokerage practices are described at length in Item
12 below. Neither Apella nor its supervised persons accept commission compensation for selling securities
or other investment products. Further, we do not share any additional fees and expenses outlined above.
APELLA CAPITAL, LLC
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Apella’s investment strategies may include mutual and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Our policy is to
purchase institutional share classes of those mutual funds selected for the Client’s portfolio. The institutional
share class generally has the lowest expense ratio. The expense ratio is the annual fee that all mutual funds
or ETFs charge their shareholders. It expresses the percentage of assets deducted each fiscal year for funds
expenses, including 12b-1 fees, management fees, administrative fees, operating costs, and all other asset-
based costs incurred by the fund. Some fund families offer different classes of the same fund, and one share
class may have a lower expense ratio than another. Mutual fund expense ratios are in addition to our fees;
we do not receive any portion of these charges. If an institutional share class is not available for the mutual
fund selected, the adviser will purchase the least expensive share class available for the mutual fund. As
share classes with lower expense ratios become available, we may use them in the Client’s portfolio or
convert the existing mutual fund position to the lower-cost share class. Clients who transfer mutual funds
into their accounts with our Firm would bear the expense of any contingent or deferred sales loads incurred
upon selling the product. If a mutual fund has a frequent trading policy, the policy can limit a Client’s
transactions in fund shares (e.g., for rebalancing, liquidations, deposits, or tax harvesting). All mutual fund
expenses and fees are disclosed in the respective mutual fund prospectus.
When selecting investments for our clients’ portfolios, we might choose mutual funds from a Client’s
account Custodian’s Non-Transaction Fee (NTF) list. This means that the Custodian will not charge a
transaction fee or commission associated with the purchase or sale of the mutual fund.
The mutual fund companies that choose to participate in the Client’s Custodial NTF fund program pay a fee
to the Custodian to be included in the NTF program. The mutual fund owners bear the fee that a company
pays to participate in the program, as captured in the fund’s expense ratio. When choosing a fund from the
Client’s Custodial NTF list, we consider the expected holding period, position size, and expense ratio versus
alternative funds. Depending on our analysis and future events, NTF funds might not always be in the Client’s
best interest.
POOLED INVESTMENT FEES/EXPENSES
Fees paid to Apella for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses
charged by underlying pooled investments such as mutual funds and exchange traded funds. In the case
of mutual funds, these fees and expenses are described in each fund’s prospectus. These fees will generally
include a management fee, other fund expenses, and possible distribution fee. By policy, Apella does not
use mutual funds that charge sales charges or distribution fees. Expenses of a fund, including management
fees payable to the mutual fund manager and other expenses, will not appear as transaction fees on a
client’s Apella statement, as they are deducted from the value of the fund shares by the mutual fund service
provider.
Shareholder fees are fees charged directly to mutual fund investors in connection with trans- actions such
as buying, selling, or exchanging shares, or on a periodic basis with respect to account fees. An investor can
find these fees and charges listed in the “Fee Table” section of a mutual fund’s prospectus or summary
prospectus under the heading “Shareholder Fees.” ETFs do not charge these fees directly to investors, but
they may have several types of trans- action fees and costs.
Operating expenses are ongoing mutual fund and ETF costs such as investment advisory fees for managing
the fund’s holdings, marketing, and distribution expenses, as well as custodial, transfer agency, legal and
accountant’s fees. Operating expenses are regular and recurring fund-wide expenses that are typically paid
out of fund assets, which means that investors indirectly pay these costs. These expenses are identified in
the “Fee Table” section of a mutual funds or ETF’s prospectus or summary prospectus under the heading
“Annual Fund Operating Expenses.”
Certain mutual funds charge an early redemption fee if fund shares are sold prior to the particular fund’s
required holding period. Clients should refer to each fund’s prospectus for specific information regarding
early redemption fees.
CUSTODIAL AND TRANSACTION FEES AND EXPENSES
Clients will incur certain charges imposed by financial institutions and other third parties such as custodial
fees, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on broker- age accounts
and securities transactions. Additionally, clients may incur brokerage commissions and transaction fees.
Such charges, fees and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to the Apella asset-based fee. Please
refer to the charts below for custodian fee information.
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*The custodian’s fee information presented is based on sources deemed to be reliable and accurate at the
time of publication. Readers are advised to verify any information before making any financial decisions.
Apella is not affiliated with any custodian.
Charles Schwab Fees
Fidelity Fees
AXOS Fees
Asset-Based Pricing Only:
• 3 bps per account.
Asset Based Pricing:
• 3.5 bls quarterly, based on average
daily balance, billed in arrear
Custodian
Fees per
Account
Asset-Based Pricing:
$0 to $50,000 – 7 bps
$50,001 to $100,000 – 6 bps
$100,001 to $250,000 – 5 bps
$250,001 to $500,000 - 4 bps
Over $500,000- 3 bps
$5 minimum monthly fee
Transaction Based Pricing:
• Mutual Funds: $30 per trade
• Equities/ETFs: $0 (+$0.01/share if trade
is over 10,000 shares) if household is
$1M+ and signed up for eDelivery of
statements and confirms.
• $4.95 per trade (+$0.01/share if trade is
Transaction-Based Pricing:
• Mutual Fund Trade $9.99 for DFA
funds; $20.00 or $30.00 for other
mutual funds
• Equity/ETF Trade $0 /trade
over 10,000 shares) if under $1M
household and no eDelivery
Distribution
Fees
• ACH: No fee
• Wire: No fee
• Overnight Delivery of
• ACH: No Fee
• Wire: $15.00
• Overnight Delivery of Check: $8.00
• Check – No Fee
• Overnight Check Delivery - $8.50
• Wire - $25.00
• MoneyLink (ACH) - No Fee
Check: $20.00
• $75.00 per account
Termination
Fees
• Proceeds Sent to Client – No Fee*
• Full Transfer Out - $50.00
• Partial Transfer Out – No Fee
• IRA and Fidelity Retirement Plans:
$125.00
• Nonretirement accounts: $75.00
• HSA: $25.00
Delivery charge may apply (i.e., wire or
overnight fee)
Depending on the custodian, employees of Apella may benefit from lower transaction and custodial fees
relative to those fees paid by clients.
D. PREPAYMENT OF FEES
Accounts initiated or terminated during a calendar quarter will be charged a prorated fee based on the days
the Client account was open during that quarter. Any prepaid, unearned fees will be refunded upon
termination of any account. Effective April 1, 2023, Apella and its IARs will no longer participate in insurance
referrals.
While certain Apella IARs are licensed insurance agents, Apella does not sell any transaction-based
securities or insurance products. Nor does Apella receive any asset-based sales charges or service fees
from the sales of mutual funds that are in addition to the investment management asset-based fee
described above.
E. OUTSIDE COMPENSATION FOR THE SALES OF SECURITIES TO CLIENTS
There is nothing to disclose related to this item.
ITEM 6 - PERFORMANCE- BASED FEES & SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
Performance-based fees are based on a share of capital gains on or appreciation of the assets in a Client’s
account. Our Firm does not charge performance-based or other fees based on a share of capital gains or
appreciation of a Client's assets.
ITEM 7 - TYPES OF CLIENTS
Apella manages portfolios for individuals, high-net-worth individuals and families, estates, trusts,
foundations, endowments and charitable foundations, retirement plans, corporations, and other business
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entities, pension plans, 401k, 403b and similar account structures, among other types of clients. We provide
investment management and advisory services to multi-generational families using separately managed
accounts under a custodial relationship with an independent brokerage firm. The model strategies utilized
by Apella IARs cover a range of investment strategies that include equity and fixed income allocations in
varying percentages. The various model strategies are generally composed of pooled investments
including mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and other similar registered products.
Apella requires a minimum initial account value of $500,000 to engage us for services discussed in this
brochure. However, sometimes, at our sole discretion, we may accept smaller accounts based on various
criteria, such as anticipated future assets, related accounts, and other individual Client circumstances.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON PORTFOLIOS
There is typically a cash position in each portfolio. The cash positions will be invested in a money market
fund, which will vary depending on the custodian.
Changes to portfolio holdings which comprise the portfolios may have tax consequences. If a client sells
assets in a taxable account, they may have to pay tax on any gain. While Apella seeks to mitigate tax
exposure, when possible, clients may incur a taxable event in connection with Apella’s management of their
portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND PORTFOLIOS
Clients’ investments may not match exactly the target allocations for the applicable model portfolio due to a
variety of implementation factors, including but not limited to:
the custodian or trading platform’s own trading algorithm;
•
• any changes in price from the time the positions are calculated to the time they are actually
traded;
• certain custodians may eliminate positions with small allocations; and, Apella may
determine not to implement, for a given client, changes made to the applicable model
portfolio due to client-specific factors, such as the desire to avoid realizing capital gains or
otherwise.
The holdings comprising the model portfolios and the allocations to those holdings have changed over time
and may change in the future.
Please be advised that a Mutual Fund Portfolio which utilizes Vanguard mutual funds would subject
investors to the funds’ frequent trading limitations.
ETF PORTFOLIOS
Clients’ investments may not match exactly the target allocations for the applicable model portfolio due to a
variety of implementation factors, including but not limited to:
the custodian or trading platform’s own trading algorithm;
•
• any changes in price from the time the positions are calculated to the time they are actually
traded;
the fact that ETFs can only be purchased in whole shares:
•
• certain custodians may eliminate positions with small allocations entirely and Apella may
also determine not to implement, for a given client, changes made to the applicable model
portfolio due to client-specific factors, such as the desire to avoid realizing capital gains or
otherwise.
The holdings comprising the model portfolios and the allocations to those holdings have changed over time
and may change in the future.
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OPERATIONAL REQUESTS
Apella has adopted the following operational protocols which may affect the processing of a client’s account
and requests.
Some requests, including, but not limited to, distributions and liquidations, will ordinarily be processed on
the same day if received by Apella, in good order, by 12 noon EST. All requests received after 12 noon EST
will be handled on a best-efforts basis.
Please note that Apella will use its best efforts to invest deposits and process model change requests within
5 business days of receipt. Distributions from accounts may take up to 10 business days from receipt of
request due to settlement dates, administrative duties, and other involved institutions’ various timelines.
Please note that distributions or transfers related to the closing of an account may take up to 30 business
days.
Upon termination of an account, the custodian and/or Firm to which the client is transferring their account
to may not be able to hold the funds in which the client is currently invested.
ITEM 8 - METHODS OF ANALYSIS, STRATEGIES, & RISK OF LOSS
A. METHODS OF ANALYSIS & INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Apella uses a variety of investment approaches and techniques in managing client portfolios, with an
emphasis on the use of quantitative research and proprietary models to manage accounts, and to monitor
selected investments and performance against internal parameters. Apella primarily utilizes model
strategies designed internally and in collaboration with external partners to cover a wide range of
investment objectives, risk tolerances, and time horizons, while individually providing managed investment
allocations more closely tailored to a particular investor profile. The strategies vary in their equity and fixed
income exposures – and, within the equity allocations, further variance with respect to market capitalization
and style – and, within the fixed income allocations, further variance in credit quality and duration.
Apella employs proprietary and third-party technology platforms, including quantitative modeling and
optimization software, to assist in portfolio construction, risk analysis, tax management, and performance
reporting. These tools generate recommendations based on client objectives, market data, and algorithmic
processes. All investment decisions remain the sole responsibility of Apella, which reviews and approves
outputs prior to implementation. Reliance on such technology introduces model risk, data quality risk, and
outcomes.
potential
operational
disruptions,
which
may
affect
portfolio
Apella IARs manage the assets in client accounts and may invest a portion or all of a client’s assets in
accordance with model strategies. IARs may also customize portfolios to better address the client’s stated
investment objective, including but not limited to, tax sensitivity, allocation criteria, and liquidity
requirements. In some cases, when a client account is transitioned to Apella through one of Apella’s office
location locations, the client may remain in their legacy portfolio and continue to have that portfolio
managed by Apella. The Firm may use other funds and/or other investment vehicles apart from those
mentioned in this section based on the client’s unique circumstances. However, the primary investment
vehicles utilized by Apella are mutual funds or exchange traded funds and the primary methodology is
model based. Risks associated with these various vehicles are identified in Item 8.B, below.
Our Investment Advisory Representatives will generally use the following analysis methods to formulate
investment advice and manage Client assets. However, each IAR can manage its Client’s account as
necessary, and their specific analysis method may vary from below. Clients should acknowledge that
investing in securities involves the risk of loss, regardless of the strategies, that Clients should be prepared
to bear.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
in charts. The charts are analyzed using various
indicators to make
Technical analysis is a form of security analysis that uses price and volume data, typically displayed
graphically
investment
recommendations. Technical analysis has three main principles and assumptions: (1) The market discounts
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everything, (2) prices move in trends and countertrends, and (3) price action is repetitive, with specific
patterns recurring.
CYCLICAL ANALYSIS
In this type of technical analysis, we measure the movements of a particular stock against the overall market
to predict the security price movement.
CHARTING ANALYSIS
In this type of technical analysis, we review market and security activity charts to identify when the market
is moving up or down and to predict how long the trend may last and when that trend might reverse.
FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS
Fundamental analysis attempts to identify stocks offering sturdy growth potential at a competitive price by
examining the underlying company's business and conditions within its industry or the broader economy.
Investors have traditionally used fundamental analysis for longer-term trades, relying on metrics such as
earnings per share, price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-earnings growth, and dividend yield.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
Apella uses a proprietary optimization model that takes historical price performance, quantitative risk
metrics, and several other data points such as inputs and attempts to recommend securities that will
enhance the overall risk-reward characteristic of the whole portfolio.
MUTUAL FUND OR ETF ANALYSIS
Apella examines the experience and track record of the Manager of the mutual fund or ETF to determine if
that Manager has demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of time and in different economic
conditions.
Apella also looks at the underlying assets in a mutual fund or ETF to determine if there is a significant
overlap in the underlying investments held in other funds in the Client’s portfolio. Our Firm also monitors
the funds or ETFs to determine if they continue to follow their stated investment strategy.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Model portfolios incorporate multiple factors, or sources of an expected return premium, which are relevant
to multiple asset classes and all geographic regions. These model portfolios are comprised of open-end
mutual funds and/or ETFs offered by unaffiliated investment companies.
Apella’s equity strategies are primarily factor-based, broadly diversified across global markets, and do not
engage in market timing, or stock picking outside of what is entailed in the factor orientation of the portfolios.
Apella’s fixed income strategies are primarily focused on investment grade securities, but could include
below investment grade, or High Yield, allocations up to approximately its share of the overall market in
higher equity allocation portfolios.
The degree of interest rate risk, diversification among credit qualities, and inclusion of foreign bond issues
(whose foreign currency risk is largely hedged back to the U.S. dollar) increases across the asset allocation
spectrum as investor’s risk tolerance increases. Apella’s fixed income allocations for tax-sensitive investors
typically include a large proportion of municipal bonds due to the largely tax-exempt nature income from
these securities.
Apella does overweight or underweight at the asset class level in an effort to capture factor premiums that
academic research has shown have historically been available.
The methods of analysis and investment strategies are based on academic research into optimal investing,
with an emphasis on Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and Quantitative Methods of Analysis that extend from
MPT. The analysis methods may include the use of MPT metrics such as return, standard deviation, and
Sharpe Ratio, etc. Please see definitions of these terms below. Apella’s investment strategies consist of
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equity, fixed income components (or one or the other), and possibly also alternatives, and are comprised of
open-end mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and sub-advised accounts.
Apella may use any of the following investment strategies when managing Client assets and providing
investment advice:
MODERN PORTFOLIO THEORY
Modern Portfolio Theory is a method for investing assets in such a way as to maximize the amount of return
offered by the investment per unit of risk taken.
MPT Metrics: Modern Portfolio Theory metrics include return, standard deviation, and Sharpe Ratio.
Return: A measure of the amount the investment has earned as a percentage of the amount that was
invested.
Standard Deviation: A measure of volatility or the dispersion of returns that the investment has
experienced. A high standard deviation indicates a wide dispersion, which is considered to indicate a higher
risk than an investment with a low standard deviation.
Sharpe Ratio: A measure that combines return and standard deviation in an attempt to show the client the
amount of return the investment offered for the level of risk that was taken. Specifically, Sharpe ratio
measures the return of the investment over and above the return that could have been obtained in a
relatively risk-free investment instrument (such as Treasury Bills), divided by the standard deviation of that
additional return.
QUANTITATIVE METHODS OF ANALYSIS
Apella employs quantitative investment analysis techniques to both make its asset allocation decisions and
to assess ex post-performance of these asset allocation models. Regression analysis and holdings-based
analysis are the quantitative analysis methods used by Apella that are significant.
Regression Analysis: A statistical measure that attempts to determine whether there is a relationship
between two or more variables. Regression analysis is often used to determine whether the behavior of
one investment asset is dependent upon the behavior of one or more other assets, by quantitatively
analyzing their returns. For example, whether the performance of a certain mutual fund is dependent upon
the performance of the stock market in general.
Holdings-Based Analysis: An analysis of fund holdings that allocates underlying securities to various
segments based on chosen characteristics and measures how different the weight of the fund’s allocation
to that segment is from the benchmark’s weight to that segment.
APELLA SELECT
Apella Select services includes two distinct separately managed account (SMA) options. The Investable
Index Series targets popular equity indexes, while the Multi-Factor Strategies are designed to capture
multi-factor strategies comprised of individual stocks and ADRs.
INVESTABLE INDEX SERIES
Our Investable Index Series was designed to provide Apella clients with Model
options that behave in a manner similar to a broad-market index while, at the same
time, allowing for customization and active overlay management techniques
through individual security ownership.
MULTI-FACTOR STRATEGIES
Our Multi-Factor Strategies are comprised of broadly diversified investment
solutions that include individual stocks and ADRs. These portfolios are constructed
based on quantitative rules-based methods that seek to capture specific factor
premiums, such as Value, Momentum and Profitability, and will rebalance on a
regular basis to maintain intended diversification and factor exposures. Portfolios of
individual securities may be the appropriate solution for clients with tastes and
preferences or needs that are better met by these portfolios. The current offering
International, and Global
includes strategies that cover the United States,
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geographies and can include factors such as Value, Momentum, and Profitability (or
Quality).
The Apella Investment Advisor Representative may utilize either of these Models to serve
several construction objectives inside client portfolios. The IAR may wish to use these
Models as a core module inside of a larger core/satellite portfolio. These Models may also
be suitable as a starting point to express a Client's preferences for lifestyle- or religious-
specific customizations that could otherwise not be expressed through a pooled vehicle
such as an ETF or Mutual Fund. Finally, these Models may be utilized as a tax-aware module
within a Client’s portfolio where specific tax lots of individual securities may be loss-
harvested (see Tax Overlay Management Services) while at the same time demonstrating
index-like tracking characteristics. While the Models themselves are not managed in a tax
sensitive fashion, the structure does help facilitate more effective tax management from the
dispersion among a sample of the constituents securities of an index as well as the potential
for various tax lots for these securities.
COMPLETION PORTFOLIOS
As noted above, the Investable Index Series offers investment solutions that closely
track the performance of indices. In some cases, those solutions may not represent
the entirety of a client’s appropriate investment solution. As such, Apella may offer
model portfolios of mutual funds or ETFs that are intended to be paired with various
solutions offered in the Investable Index Series in order to achieve a total portfolio
solution consistent with a Client’s needs. Examples of what may be included in
Completion Portfolios include Emerging Market equity, small and micro-cap equity,
high-turnover factor strategies like momentum, and other sub-strategies of a
portfolio that may not be offered in the Investable Index Series.
TAX OVERLAY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Apella can provide Tax Overlay Management services to Apella Select accounts. In
providing Tax Overlay Management services, we consider the tax consequences of
transactions in a Client's account and will adjust our services accordingly. We
attempt to accomplish tax-aware investment management through gain-loss
matching, harvesting losses and/ or gains, deferring gains until securities reach
preferential tax status, and avoiding imprudent wash sale transactions to improve
the after- tax return while staying as consistent as possible with the risk/return
characteristics of your account’s Strategy.
Our ability to improve your after-tax return depends on various factors beyond our
control including economic and market conditions, regulatory changes, actions
taken by the Client's custodian broker-dealer, the specifics of your account’s
strategy, the Client’s starting portfolio, tax circumstances, and mandates as
communicated by IAR. Tax Overlay Management may cause the actual performance
in a Client’s account to vary from the "stated" performance of the Strategy’s Manager.
Tax Overlay Management services are provided in connection with the Apella Select
Program and to financial planning clients who receive services from one of Apella’s
appropriately credentialed IARs. We do not provide general tax planning advice or
services outside of these types of client engagements unless the client has hired
the Firm for comprehensive financial planning. To provide Tax Overlay Management
services, we rely solely on the information provided by the Client and their custodian
broker-dealer. If that information is inaccurate, incomplete, or not timely, our ability
to provide Tax Overlay Management may be adversely affected. We make no
guaranty that taxes in in a particular account will be reduced. If an account contains
mutual funds and/or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), our Tax Overlay Management
services are generally applied on the portion of the account containing equity
securities and not to the portion that consists predominantly of mutual funds and/or
ETFs.
By default, accounts are managed without Tax Overlay Management Services
unless specifically selected by your Financial Advisor. Please note that with Apella
Select there are minimum investment levels.
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WASMER SCHRODER
Wasmer Schroeder Strategies, offered by Schwab Asset Management, provide a range of fixed-income
investment options for investors seeking diversification and income generation. These strategies are
actively managed through separately managed accounts (SMAs) and include both taxable and tax-exempt
options.
Key Features:
• Actively Managed: Experienced portfolio managers make investment decisions
based on market analysis and research.
• Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs): Portfolios are tailored to individual
investor needs and goals.
• Taxable and Tax-Exempt Options: Choose strategies based on your tax situation.
• Diverse Investment Styles: Options span the duration, credit, and liquidity
spectrums.
Taxable Strategies:
• Short Duration Bond: Invests in short-term bonds for stability and liquidity.
•
Intermediate Bond: Focuses on intermediate-term bonds for a balance of
income and risk.
• Core Investment Grade Credit: Targets high-quality corporate bonds for a stable
income stream.
• Positive Impact Intermediate Bond: Invests in bonds that align with
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
QUANTINNO:
Quantinno is a registered investment adviser and financial technology company that specializes in tax-loss
harvesting and portfolio management strategies. One of their key offerings is a long/short extension
strategy designed to enhance traditional tax-loss harvesting approaches.
Tax-Loss Harvesting:
• This is a strategy where investors sell assets that have lost value to offset capital
gains taxes on assets that have gained value.
It helps reduce your overall tax burden and potentially improve after-tax returns.
•
Long/Short Extension:
• Quantinno’ s approach involves adding a long/short component to a traditional
long-only portfolio.
• Long positions: These are stocks that Quantinno believes will increase in value.
• Short positions: These are stocks that Quantinno believes will decrease in value.
By selling these stocks short, they profit if the price goes down.
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS (IPOs)
Apella Wealth may, on a limited basis, invest client assets in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) where deemed
appropriate and consistent with a client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance. IPO investments involve
significant risks, including, but not limited to, limited operating history, lack of publicly available information,
valuation uncertainty, and potentially heightened price volatility following the offering. There is no
assurance that IPO investments will be profitable.
Access to IPOs is often limited, and allocations may be constrained by factors outside of the firm’s control,
including availability through custodians or broker-dealers. As a result, not all clients will have the
opportunity to participate in IPOs, and allocations among participating clients may be made on a basis
deemed fair and equitable over time, which may result in some clients receiving more favorable allocations
than others.
In certain cases, conflicts of interest may arise if the firm, its related persons, or affiliated entities have
relationships with underwriters, broker-dealers, or other market participants involved in IPOs. Apella Wealth
seeks to mitigate such conflicts through its allocation policies and Code of Ethics.
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Investing in IPOs is speculative and should be considered only as part of a broader, diversified investment
strategy. Clients should carefully consider the risks and consult with their adviser regarding the
appropriateness of such investments.
MODEL MANAGER
Apella examines the Manager's experience, expertise, investment philosophies, and past performance to
determine if that Manager has demonstrated an ability to invest overtime and in different economic
conditions. Apella monitors the Manager’s underlying holdings, strategies, concentrations, and leverage as
part of our Firm’s periodic risk assessment. Additionally, as part of our due diligence process, Apella surveys
the Manager’s compliance and business enterprise risks.
LONG-TERM HOLDING
Apella purchases securities with the intent to hold them in the Client's account long-term (longer than one
year). In extreme circumstances, we may be forced to sell a fund completely within a year of buying it. An
example would be a fund Manager resigning, and we do not have confidence in the new management.
Also, fund positions may be trimmed occasionally to rebalance the portfolio.
STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATION
investment vehicles and asset classes, popularly
termed
The primary investment strategy used by Apella is based on the diversification of the Client's assets among
various
"Asset Allocation." Apella's
recommendations focus primarily on achieving a diversified portfolio of investment assets with desirable
risk and return characteristics. We meet regularly to evaluate new and reevaluate existing investment
opportunities. During these meetings, we deliberate on issues regarding the proper allocation of Client
assets based on current conditions.
TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION
Tactical asset allocation is an active management portfolio strategy that shifts the percentage of assets
held in various categories to take advantage of market pricing anomalies or strong market sectors. This
strategy allows portfolio Managers to create extra value by taking advantage of certain situations in the
marketplace. It is a moderately active strategy since Managers return to the portfolio's original asset mix
once reaching the desired short-term profits.
VALUE INVESTING
Value investing is buying stocks that trade at a significant discount to their intrinsic value. Value investors
achieve this by looking for companies on cheap valuation metrics, typically low multiples of their profits or
assets, for reasons not justified over the longer term. This approach requires a contrarian mindset and a
long-term investment horizon.
Value investing seeks to exploit the irrational behavior of emotional investors. Emotion is a constant feature
of investment markets through time. While the companies available to stock market investors change from
decade to decade, the human nature of the investors does not. Fear and greed remain ever-present and
frequently lead to poor investment decisions based on perception and emotion rather than reality.
Periodically these mispricings can become extreme (e.g., the tech bubble of the 1990s or, conversely, the
great depression of the 1930s); however, they exist to a greater or lesser extent in most markets. This creates
an opportunity for long-term value investors.
B. MATERIAL RISKS INVOLVED
RISKS FOR ALL FORMS OF ANALYSIS
Apella’s securities analysis method relies on the assumption that the companies whose securities we
purchase and sell, the rating agencies that review these securities, and other publicly available sources of
information about these securities, are providing accurate and unbiased data. While we are alert to
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indications that data may be incorrect, there is always a risk that the analysis may be compromised by
inaccurate or misleading information.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS RISKS
Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition of a company. This presents a risk
because a poorly managed or financially unsound company may underperform regardless of market
movement.
FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS RISKS
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and expected future
earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in stocks that are undervalued or
priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is that the market will fail to reach expectations of
perceived value.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS RISKS
Investment strategies using quantitative models risk that the investments may perform differently than
expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models, the weight placed on each factor,
changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical issues in the construction and implementation of the
models.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
MODEL MANAGER RISKS
Apella examines the Manager's experience, expertise, investment philosophies, and past performance to
determine if that Manager has demonstrated an ability to invest overtime and in different economic
conditions. Apella monitors the Manager’s underlying holdings, strategies, concentrations, and leverage as
part of our periodic risk assessment. Additionally, as part of our due diligence process, we survey the
Manager’s compliance and business enterprise risks.
LONG-TERM HOLDING RISKS
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that holding the security for this length of time may decline in
value before we decide to sell. We do not guarantee the future performance of the account or any specific
level of performance, the success of any investment decision or strategy we may use, or the success of the
overall management of the account. The Client understands that the investment decisions we make for the
Client’s account are subject to various market, currency, economic, political, and business risks and that
those investment decisions will not always be profitable. Clients are reminded that investing in any security
entails the risk of loss, which they should be willing to bear.
STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATION RISK
The primary investment strategy used by Apella is based on the diversification of the Client's assets among
various investment vehicles and asset classes, popularly termed "Asset Allocation." Our recommendations
focus primarily on achieving a diversified portfolio of investment assets with desirable risk and return
characteristics. We meet regularly to evaluate new and reevaluate existing investment opportunities.
During these meetings, we deliberate on issues regarding the proper allocation of Client assets based on
current conditions.
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TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION RISK
Tactical asset allocation is an active management portfolio strategy that shifts the percentage of assets
held in various categories to take advantage of market pricing anomalies or strong market sectors. This
strategy allows portfolio Managers to create extra value by taking advantage of certain situations in the
marketplace. It is a moderately active strategy since Managers return to the portfolio's original asset mix
once reaching the desired short-term profits.
VALUE INVESTING RISK
Value investing is buying stocks that trade at a significant discount to their intrinsic value. Value investors
achieve this by looking for companies on cheap valuation metrics, typically low multiples of their profits or
assets, for reasons not justified over the longer term. This approach requires a contrarian mindset and a
long-term investment horizon.
Value investing seeks to exploit the irrational behavior of emotional investors. Emotion is a constant feature
of investment markets through time. While the companies available to stock market investors change from
decade to decade, the human nature of the investors does not. Fear and greed remain ever-present and
frequently lead to poor investment decisions based on perception and emotion rather than reality.
Periodically these mispricings can become extreme (e.g., the tech bubble of the 1990s or, conversely, the
great depression of the 1930s); however, they exist to a greater or lesser extent in most markets. This creates
an opportunity for long-term value investors.
RISK OF LOSS
A Client’s investment portfolio is affected by general economic and market conditions, such as interest
rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic conditions, changes in laws, and national and
international political circumstances.
Investing in securities involves certain investment risks. Securities may fluctuate in value or lose value.
Clients should be prepared to bear the potential risk of loss. Our Firm will assist Clients in determining an
appropriate strategy based on their tolerance for risk.
While we are alert to indications that data may be incorrect, there is always a risk that our analysis may be
compromised by inaccurate or misleading information.
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT RISK
Due to its active management, a portfolio could underperform other portfolios with similar investment
objectives or strategies.
ALLOCATION RISK
A portfolio may use an asset allocation strategy to pursue its investment objective. There is a risk that a
portfolio’s allocation among asset classes or investments will cause a portfolio to lose value or cause it to
underperform other portfolios with a similar investment objective or strategy or that the investments
themselves will not produce the returns expected.
CONCENTRATION RISK
Strategies concentrated in only a few securities, sectors or industries, regions or countries, or asset classes
could expose a portfolio to greater risk. They may cause the portfolio value to fluctuate more widely than
a diversified portfolio. Overexposure to certain sectors or asset classes (e.g., MLPs, REITs, etc.) may be
detrimental to an investor if there is a negative sector move.
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MANAGEMENT RISK
An account is subject to the risk that judgments about the attractiveness, value, or potential appreciation of
the account’s investments may prove to be incorrect. If the selection of securities or strategies fails to
produce the intended results, the account could underperform other accounts with similar objectives and
investment strategies.
PERFORMANCE OF UNDERLYING MANAGER RISK
We select the mutual funds and ETFs in the asset allocation portfolios. However, we depend on the
Manager of such funds to select individual investments in accordance with their stated investment strategy.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING & ESG RISK
Clients utilizing responsible investing strategies and environmental, social responsibility, and corporate
governance (ESG) factors may underperform strategies that do not utilize responsible investing and ESG
considerations. Responsible investing and ESG strategies may operate by excluding certain issuers'
investments or by selecting investments based on compliance with factors such as ESG. This strategy may
exclude certain sectors or industries from a Client’s portfolio, potentially negatively affecting the Client’s
investment performance if the excluded sector or industry outperforms. Responsible investing and ESG are
subjective by nature. We may rely on analysis and ‘scores’ provided by third parties in determining whether
an issuer meets our standards for inclusion or exclusion. A Client’s perception may differ from Apella's or a
third party on how to judge an issuer's adherence to responsible investing principles.
VALUE INVESTING RISK
Value investing risk is the risk that value stocks do not increase in price, not issue the anticipated stock
dividends, or decline in price, either because the market fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic value or
because the expected value was misgauged. If the market does not recognize that the securities are
undervalued, the prices of those securities might not appreciate as anticipated. They also may decline in
price even though they are already undervalued in theory. Value stocks are typically less volatile than
growth stocks but may lag behind growth stocks in an up market.
C. RISKS OF SPECIFIC SECURITIES UTILIZED
Apella primarily recommends open-ended mutual funds and exchange traded funds. In addition, within the
Apella Select Program, Apella builds individual security portfolios using index-based screening. The
following are risks involved with these investments. As stated in Item 4, when a client is transitioned to
Apella, through one of its office locations, the client may remain in their legacy portfolio and is managed
accordingly. As such, Apella may use other investment vehicles. The risks associated with these vehicles
are also listed below.
USE OF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
If deemed appropriate for your portfolio, we may recommend "alternative investments.” Alternative
investments may include a broad range of underlying assets including hedge funds, private equity, venture
capital, registered, publicly traded securities, structured notes, and private real estate investment trusts.
Alternative investments are speculative, not suitable for all Clients, and intended for only experienced and
sophisticated investors who are willing to bear the high risk of the investment, which can include: loss of all
or a substantial portion of the investment due to leveraging, short-selling, or other speculative investment
practices; lack of liquidity in that there may be no secondary market for the fund and none expected to
develop; volatility of returns; potential for restrictions on transferring an interest in the fund; potential lack of
diversification and resulting higher risk due to concentration of trading authority with a single adviser;
absence of information regarding valuations and pricing; potential for delays in tax reporting; less regulation
and often higher fees than other investment options such as mutual funds. The SEC requires investors to be
accredited to invest in these more speculative alternative investments. Investing in a fund concentrating on
a few holdings may involve heightened risk and greater price volatility.
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ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT RISK
Alternative investments include other additional risks. Lock-up periods and other terms obligate clients to
commit their capital investment for a minimum period, typically no less than one or two years and
sometimes up to 10 or more years. Illiquidity is considered a substantial risk and will restrict the ability of a
Client to liquidate an investment early, regardless of the success of the investment. Alternative investments
are difficult to value within a Client’s total portfolio. There may be limited availability of suitable benchmarks
for performance comparison; historical performance data may also be limited.
In some cases, there may be a lack of transparency and regulation, providing an additional layer of risk.
Some alternative investments may involve the use of leverage and other speculative techniques. As a
result, some alternative investments may carry substantial additional risks, resulting in the loss of some or
all the investment. Using leverage and certain other strategies will result in adverse tax consequences for
tax-exempt investors, such as the possibility of unrelated business taxable income, as defined under the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Low trading volume, large positions, or legal restrictions are some conditions that could limit or prevent a
portfolio from selling securities or closing positions at desirable prices. Securities that are relatively liquid
when acquired could become illiquid over time. The sale of any such illiquid investment might be possible
only at substantial discounts or might not be possible at all. Further, such investments may take more work
to value.
ISSUER RISK
The risk is that an issuer of a security may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may
decline. Poor management decisions, competitive pressures, technological breakthroughs, reliance on
suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters,
or other events, conditions, or factors may cause inferior performance.
NON-LIQUID ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT RISK
From time to time, Apella will recommend to certain qualifying Clients that a portion of such Clients’ assets
be invested in private funds, private fund-of-funds, or other alternative investments (collectively, “Non-
liquid Alternative Investments”). Non-liquid Alternative Investments are not suitable for all our clients. They
are offered only to those qualifying clients for whom we believe such an investment is suitable and in line
with their overall investment strategy. Non-liquid Alternative Investments typically are available to only a
limited number of sophisticated investors who meet the definition of “accredited investor” under Regulation
D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or “qualified Client” under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 or “qualified purchaser” under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Non-liquid
Alternative Investments present special risks for our clients, including, without limitation, limited liquidity,
higher fees and expenses, volatile performance, no assurance of investment returns, heightened risk of
loss, limited transparency, additional reliance on underlying management of the investment, special tax
considerations, subjective valuations, use of leverage and limited regulatory oversight. When a Non-liquid
Alternative Investment invests part or all of its assets in real estate properties, there are additional risks that
are unique to real estate investing, including but not limited to: limitations of the appraisal value, the
borrower’s financial conditions (if a loan has obtained the underlying property), including the risk of
foreclosures on the property; neighborhood values; the supply of and demand for properties of like kind;
and certain city, state or federal regulations.
Additionally, real estate investing is also subject to possible loss due to uninsured losses from natural and
artificial disasters. The above list is not exhaustive of all risks related to an investment in Non-liquid
Alternative Investments. A more comprehensive discussion of the risks associated with a particular Non-
liquid Investment is set forth in that fund’s offering documents, which will be provided to each client
subscribing to a Non-liquid Alternative Investment for review and consideration. It is important that each
potential, qualified investor carefully read each offering or private placement memorandum before
investing.
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COMMODITY RISK
The fluctuation in the prices of commodities causes uncertainties about future market values and the size
of future income. These commodities may be grains, metals, gas, electricity, etc.
Investing in commodities is often through futures trading, where the risk of loss in these contracts can be
substantial. A Client and a Client’s advisor should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable
depending on a Client’s financial situation. Apella does not invest directly in commodities in client accounts
or in any of its Model Strategies, though commodities may be held in various mutual funds and ETFs.
Investments in commodities may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly
if the instruments involve leverage. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected
by charges in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors
affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes,
tariffs, international economic, political, and regulatory developments. Use of leveraged commodity-linked
derivatives creates the possibility for greater loss.
DERIVATIVES
Derivatives may be riskier than other types of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes
in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly
exceed the original investment. The use of derivatives may not be successful, resulting in investment losses,
and the cost of such strategies may reduce investment returns. Apella does not invest directly in derivatives
in client accounts or Model Strategies. Certain model funds and ETFs do invest in derivatives.
EQUITY RISK
Equity instruments are subject to equity market risk, the risk that common stock prices fluctuate over short
or extended periods. Equity securities have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities. The market
price of equity securities may increase or decrease, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Equity securities
may decline in value due to factors affecting markets, industries, sectors, or geographic regions represented
in those markets, or individual security concerns.
CAPITALIZATION RISK
Small-cap and mid-cap companies may be hindered due to limited resources or less diverse products or
services. Their stocks have historically been more volatile than the stocks of larger, more established
companies.
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS
When offered through the account Custodian, we may have the ability to request shares of initial public
offerings (“IPOs”) and secondary offerings for our clients. These are short-term, speculative investments
which are generally high risk in nature.
At this time, we will only request shares of an IPO (Initial Public Offerings) for a Client that has specifically
requested those shares.
If several Clients request the shares of an IPO, and we receive fewer shares than were requested, we must
allocate those shares among the participating Clients. The allocations are typically equal or proportionate
to the number of shares requested. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss that Clients should be
prepared to bear. See Item 8 for more detail on the risk associated with investing.
ETF & ETN RISK
ETFs and ETNs are, by definition, portfolios of securities. Although the unsystematic risk associated with
investments in ETFs and ETNs may be low relative to investments in securities of individual issuers, some
events can trigger sharp, and sometimes adverse, price movements in ETFs and ETNs unrelated to the
markets' general activities. These events include unexpected dividends, changes to regular dividend
amounts, announcements of rights offerings, and possible unexpected revisions to the net asset values of
the ETF and ETN. ETFs are subject to market risk, whereas ETNs are subject to both market risk and the
credit risk of the issuer of the ETN.
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Further, certain client accounts may hold (or short-sell) positions in volatility-related ETFs and ETNs.
Leveraged ETFs and mutual funds, sometimes labeled “ultra” or “2x,” for example, are designed to provide
a multiple of the underlying index’s return, typically daily. Inverse products are designed to provide the
opposite of the underlying index return, typically daily. These products differ and can be riskier than
traditional ETFs and mutual funds. Although these products are designed to provide returns that correspond
to the underlying index, they may not be able to exactly replicate the performance of the index because of
fund expenses and other factors. This is referred to as a tracking error. Continual re-setting of returns within
the product may add to the underlying costs and increase the tracking error. As a result, this may prevent
these products from achieving their investment objective. In addition, compounding of the returns can
produce a divergence from the underlying index over time, particularly for leveraged products. Return
distortions may be magnified in highly volatile markets with significant positive and negative swings. Some
deviations from the stated objectives to the positive or negative are possible and may or may not correct
themselves over time. These products use various strategies to accomplish their objectives, including
swaps, futures contracts, and other derivatives. These products may not be diversified and can be based on
commodities or currencies. These products may have higher expense ratios and be less tax-efficient than
more traditional ETFs and mutual funds.
ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks. Exchange
traded funds are subject to risks similar to those of stocks. Investment returns will fluctuate and are subject
to market volatility, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than
their original cost. ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (which may be higher or lower than NAV)
and are not individually redeemable from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. An investor
should consider investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. A description of these
risks can be found in each ETF’s prospectus.
FIXED INCOME & DEBT RISK (BONDS)
Debt securities are affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities
is likely to decrease. Conversely, when interest rates fall, the values of debt securities are likely to increase.
The values of debt securities may also be affected by changes in the issuing entities' credit rating or financial
condition.
CALL RISK
Some bonds allow the issuer to redeem the bond before its maturity date. If an issuer exercises this option
during declining interest rates, the proceeds from the bond may have to be reinvested in an investment
offering a lower yield and may not benefit from an increase in value due to declining rates. Callable bonds
are also subject to increased price fluctuations during market illiquidity or rising interest rates. Finally, the
capital appreciation potential of a bond will be reduced because the price of a callable bond may not rise
much above the price at which the issuer may call the bond.
CREDIT RISK
The credit rating of an issuer of a security is based on, among other things, the issuer’s historical financial
condition, and the rating agencies’ investment analyses at the time of rating. An actual or perceived
deterioration of the ability of an issuer to meet its obligations would harm the value of the issuer’s securities.
INTEREST RATE RISK
When interest rates increase, the value of the account investments may decline, and the account’s share
value may decrease. This effect is typically more pronounced for intermediate and longer-term obligations.
This effect is also typically more pronounced for mortgages and other asset-backed securities since the
value may fluctuate more significantly in response to interest rate changes. When interest rates decrease,
the account’s current income may decline.
MUNICIPAL BOND RISK
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Investments in municipal bonds are affected by the municipal market and the factors in the cities, states, or
regions where the strategy invests. Issues such as legislative changes, litigation, business and political
conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality, state, or territory, and fiscal challenges
can impact the value of municipal bonds. These matters can also impact the ability of the issuer to make
payments. Also, the public information about municipal bonds is less than that for corporate equities or
bonds. Additionally, supply and demand imbalances in the municipal bond market can cause deterioration
in liquidity and a lack of price transparency.
FOREIGN INVESTING RISK
Investments in securities of foreign issuers may involve risks, including adverse fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, political instability, confiscations, taxes, restrictions on currency exchange, difficulty in
selling foreign investments, and reduced legal protection. These risks may be more pronounced for
investments in developing countries.
EMERGING MARKETS RISK
The risks of foreign investing are heightened for securities of companies in emerging market countries. In
most cases, emerging market countries' economic and political structures do not compare favorably with
the U.S. or other developed countries regarding wealth and stability. Their financial markets often lack
liquidity. In addition to all the risks of investing in foreign developed markets, emerging market securities
are susceptible to governmental interference, local taxes on investments, restrictions on gaining access to
sales proceeds, and less efficient trading markets. These factors can make emerging market investments
more volatile and less liquid than investments in developed markets.
CURRENCY RISK
If an account invests directly in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that trade in and receive revenues in
non-U.S. currencies or in derivatives that provide exposure to non-U.S. currencies, it will be subject to the
risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries
may fluctuate significantly over short periods for several reasons, including changes in interest rates,
intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks, or supranational
entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political
developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, an account’s investments in non-U.S. currency-
denominated securities may reduce the account's returns. Foreign currency exchange transactions are
conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or
through entering forward contracts to purchase or sell the currency.
MUTUAL FUND OR ETF RISK
Our models and accounts may use certain ETFs and mutual funds to invest primarily in alternative
investments or strategies. Investing in these alternative investments and strategies may only be suitable for
some of our clients. These include special risks, such as those associated with commodities, real estate, and
leverage, selling securities short, use of derivatives, potential adverse market forces, regulatory changes,
and potential ill-liquidity. Special risks are associated with ETFs that invest principally in real estate securities,
such as sensitivity to changes in real estate values or changes in interest rates and price volatility due to the
ETF’s concentration in the real estate market.
The risks with mutual funds include the costs and expenses within the fund that can impact performance,
change of Managers, and the fund straying from its objective (i.e., style drift). Mutual funds have certain costs
associated with underlying transactions and operating costs, such as marketing and distribution expenses
and advisory fees. Mutual fund costs and expenses vary from fund to fund and will impact a mutual fund’s
performance. Additionally, mutual funds typically have different share classes, as further discussed below,
that trade at different Net Asset Values (“NAV”) as determined at the daily market close and have different
fees and expenses.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of a mutual
fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original
cost. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the
investment company carefully before investing. A description of these items can be found in each fund’s
prospectus.
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ALTERNATIVE MUTUAL FUNDS
Alternative Mutual Funds may employ the following strategies to create performance characteristics that
have low or no correlation to long-only investment options.
ONG/SHORT
Long/short investment strategies utilize short selling, which involves selling a security not owned in
anticipation that the security’s price will decline or to offset a similar long position in an attempt to either
hedge risk and/or capture a spread in return. Generally, both long and short trades are paired together in
an attempt to capture a performance spread, while reducing the systematic exposure to the underlying
asset class. This strategy could result in losses if the value of the securities held long decrease, and the value
of the securities sold short increase or if the spread in performance is other than expected.
COMMODITIES
Investing in commodities is often through futures trading, where the risk of loss in these contracts can be
substantial. The client and advisor should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable depending on
the client’s financial situation.
Investments in commodities may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities,
particularly if the instruments involve leverage. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may
be affected by charges in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates,
or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease,
embargoes, tariffs, international economic, political, and regulatory developments. Use of leveraged
commodity-linked derivatives creates the possibility for greater loss.
DERIVATIVES
Derivatives may be riskier than other types of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes
in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that
significantly exceed the original investment. The use of derivatives may not be successful, resulting in
investment losses, and the cost of such strategies may reduce investment returns.
OPTIONS RISK
Transactions in options carry a high degree of risk. A small market movement will have a proportionately
larger impact, which may work for or against the investor. The placing of certain orders, which are intended
to limit losses to certain amounts, may not be effective because market conditions may make it impossible
to execute such orders. Selling ("writing" or "granting") an option entails greater risk than purchasing options.
Although the premium received by the seller is fixed, the seller may sustain a loss well more than that
amount. The seller will also be exposed to the risk of the purchaser exercising the option and will be obliged
to settle it in cash or to acquire or deliver the underlying investment. The risk may be reduced if the option
is "covered" by the seller holding a corresponding position in the underlying investment or a future on
another option.
REAL ESTATE SECURITIES AND RELATED DERIVATIVES RISK
Client accounts may gain exposure to the real estate sector by investing in real estate-linked derivatives,
REITs, and common, preferred, and convertible securities of issuers in real estate-related industries. Each of
these types of investments are subject to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real
estate, including loss to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes and operating expenses,
zoning law amendments, changes in interest rates, overbuilding and increased competition, variations in
market value, and possible environmental liabilities.
REITs are subject to management fees and other expenses, and so investors, when investing in REITs, will
bear a proportionate share of the costs of the REITs’ operations. An investment in a REIT or a real estate-
linked derivative instrument that is linked to the value of a REIT is subject to additional risks, such as inferior
performance by the manager of the REIT, adverse changes to the tax laws or failure by the REIT to qualify
for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code. In addition, some REITs have limited diversification
because they invest in a limited number of properties, a narrow geographic area, or a single type of property.
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Furthermore, REITs are not diversified because they only operate in the real estate business and are heavily
dependent on cash flow. Also, the organizational documents of a REIT may contain provisions that make
changes in control of the REIT difficult and time-consuming.
D. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER MATERIAL, SIGNIFICANT OR UNUSUAL RISKS
Apella generally invests client cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of Deposit,
high-grade commercial paper, and/or government-backed debt instruments. Ultimately, Apella tries to
achieve the highest return on client cash balances through relatively low-risk conservative investments. In
most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money market account so that we may
debit advisory fees for our services related to our Asset Management and Comprehensive Portfolio
Management services, as applicable.
COMPANY RISK
The risk related to a Firm’s business plans, stock valuation, profitability, accounting practices, growth
strategy, and other factors particular to a company rather than the overall market. Some of these risks cannot
be predicted, such as the retirement or death of a senior executive, which may lead to negative performance
in the future.
CYBERSECURITY RISK
Increased Internet use makes a portfolio susceptible to operational and informational security risks. In
general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyberattacks include but
are not limited to infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code, gaining unauthorized
access to systems, networks, or devices through “hacking” or other means to misappropriate assets or
sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity failures or breaches
of third-party service providers may cause disruptions at third-party service providers and impact our
business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; the inability to transact business; violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, or penalties; reputational damage; unanticipated
expenses or other compensation costs; or additional compliance costs. Apella has an established business
continuity and disaster recovery plan and related cybersecurity procedures designed to prevent or reduce
the impact of such risks; there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems due in part to the evolving
nature of technology and cyberattack tactics.
DEFLATION RISK
When inflation or expectations are low, the value and income of an account’s investments in inflation-linked
securities could fall, resulting in losses.
DEFAULT RISK
Default risk refers to the risk that a company will be unable to repay its debts and can result in the loss of an
investor’s entire investment in a Firm. Should a company default and go into bankruptcy, equity holders are
at the highest risk as they are residual claimants and are the last in line to be repaid, with no requirements on
the issuing company to, if at all, repay shareholders for their investment. Uncollateralized bond holders also
bear a significant likelihood of sustaining significant losses should the company fail as they also have no
guaranteed claims on the company’s remaining assets. Asset backed bonds are bonds that are backed by
a company’s assets should default occur. These bonds offer lower rates of return due to the decrease in
potential losses should default occur.
EVENT RISK
The possibility is that an unforeseen event will negatively affect a company or industry and, thus, increase
security volatility.
FREQUENT TRADING RISK
A portfolio Manager may actively and frequently trade investments in a portfolio to carry out its investment
strategies. Frequent trading of investments increases the possibility that a portfolio, as relevant, will realize
taxable capital gains (including short-term capital gains, which are typically taxable at higher rates than
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long-term capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes), which could reduce a portfolio's after-tax
return. Frequent trading can also mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce a
portfolio's return. The trading costs and tax effects of portfolio turnover can adversely affect its performance.
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION RISK
If an account concentrates its investments in a particular geographic region or country, its performance is
closely tied to the market, currency, social, political, economic, environmental, and regulatory conditions
within that country or region. These conditions include anticipated or actual government budget deficits or
other financial difficulties, levels of inflation and unemployment, fiscal and monetary controls, and political
and social instability in such countries and regions. As a result, the account is likely to be more volatile than
an account with more geographically diverse investments.
INDUSTRY OR SECTOR RISK
An account that focuses its investments in specific industries or sectors is more susceptible to
developments affecting those industries and sectors than a more broadly diversified fund. Issuers in a single
industry can react similarly to market, economic, industry, social, political, regulatory, and other conditions.
For example, suppose an account has significant investments in technology companies. In that case, the
account may perform poorly during a downturn in one or more industries or sectors that heavily impact
technology companies.
LEGACY HOLDING RISK
Investment advice may be offered on any investment a Client holds at the start of the advisory relationship.
Depending on tax considerations and Client sentiment, these investments will be sold over time, and the
assets invested in the appropriate strategy. As with any investment decision, there is the risk that timing with
respect to the sale and reinvestment of these assets will be less than ideal or even result in a loss to the
Client.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that thinly traded securities will not be able to be traded at a fair market value when
the investor desires to make the trade. Although liquidity risk may be relatively small for large cap, highly
traded, securities, it does impact the risk associated with small cap securities. Negative events surrounding
smaller cap Firms with already thin trading markets can decrease the ability for investors to sell their
holdings at a fair market value. If an investor seeks to sell a security that suffers from high levels of liquidity
risk, it is possible that he will have to accept a price significantly lower than its fair market value.
MARKET RISK
Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific
events will cause the value of securities to rise or fall. Because the value of investment portfolios will
fluctuate, there is the risk that you will lose money, and your investment may be worth less upon liquidation.
Due to a lack of demand in the marketplace or other factors, an account may only be able to sell some or
all the investments promptly or may only be able to sell assets at desired prices.
PREPAYMENT RISK
Like call risk, this risk is associated with the early unscheduled principal repayment on a fixed-income
security. When the principal is returned early, future interest payments will not be paid. The proceeds from
the repayment may be reinvested in securities at a lower prevailing rate.
REINVESTMENT RISK
The possibility of investing a bond’s cash flows at a rate lower than the expected rate of return assumed at
the time of buying the bond. Reinvestment risk is high for bonds with long maturities and high coupons.
SECTOR RISK
The danger is that the stocks of many companies in one sector (like health care or technology) will fall in
price simultaneously because of an event that affects the entire industry.
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SECURITIES LENDING RISK
Securities lending involves the risk that a fund or ETF loses money because a borrower of fund or ETF
securities fails to return the securities promptly. The fund or ETF could also lose money if the value of the
collateral provided for loaned securities, or the value of the investments made with the cash collateral, falls.
These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the fund or ETF.
SHORT SALE RISK
A short sale is affected by selling a security that the seller does not own or selling a security that the seller
owns but which it does not deliver upon consummation of the sale. To make delivery to the buyer of a
security sold short, the prime broker or Custodian must borrow the security on behalf of the seller. In so
doing, it incurs the obligation to replace that security, whatever its price may be, at the time it is required to
deliver it to the lender. The seller must also pay the lender of the security any dividends or interest payable
on the security during the borrowing period and may have to pay a premium to borrow the security. This
obligation must, unless the seller then owns or has the right to obtain, without payment, securities identical
to those sold short, be collateralized by a deposit of cash or marketable securities with the lender. Short
selling is subject to the theoretically unlimited risk of loss because there is no limit on how much the price
of a security may appreciate before the “short” position is closed out.
Further, short sales of securities involve a form of investment leverage, and the amount of the portfolio’s
potential loss is theoretically unlimited.
TIMING RISK
The risk is that the investment needs to perform better after its purchase or sale. Moreover, if the Client
requires redemption, the Client may face a loss due to poor overall market performance or security
performance at that time.
The foregoing list of risk factors does not purport to be a complete enumeration or explanation of the risks
involved in an investment managed by Apella.
ITEM 9 - DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
Registered investment advisers are required to provide information about all disciplinary information that
would be material to a Client’s evaluation of our Firm or the integrity of its management. Clients should refer
to the Adviser’s Form ADV Part 2B Brochure Supplement. If the Client did not receive the Adviser’s Form
ADV Part 2B Brochure Supplement, the Client should contact the Chief Compliance Officer using the
information provided on the cover page of this Brochure. Our Chief Compliance Officer is available to
address any questions a Client or prospective client may have regarding the above or any information
outlined in this Brochure.
A. CRIMINAL OR CIVIL ACTIONS
Apella has nothing to report for this item.
B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
Apella has nothing to report for this item.
C. SELF-REGULATORY ORGANIZATION (SRO) PROCEEDINGS
Apella has nothing to report for this item.
ITEM 10 - OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
A. REGISTRATION AS A BROKER/DEALER OR BROKER/DEALER REPRESENTATIVE
Neither Apella nor its investment adviser representatives are registered as, or have pending applications to
become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
B. REGISTRATION AS A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT, COMMODITY POOL
OPERATOR, OR COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR
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Neither Apella nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications to become either a
Pool Operator, or Commodity Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. REGISTRATION RELATIONSHIPS MATERIAL TO THIS ADVISORY BUSINESS AND
POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS
Apella has no registration relationships material to this advisory business or possible conflicts of interest to
disclose.
D. SELECTION OF OTHER ADVISERS OR MANAGERS AND HOW THIS ADVISER IS
COMPENSATED FOR THOSE SELECTIONS
Apella may manage portfolios directly or may select third-party investment advisory firms (“External
Managers”) to manage specific portions of the allocation consistent with the overall asset allocation strategy
developed by Apella. External Managers are selected by Apella’s Investment Committee (the “Investment
Committee”) based on an evaluation of the investment advisory organization, including the organization’s
performance against selected benchmarks, investment style within a particular asset class, expenses, and
related factors.
The Investment Committee monitors the performance of External Managers, including managers’
adherence to investment style and continuing suitability with respect to model strategies and overall asset
allocation strategy, as well as overall expense levels. As part of this monitoring process, the Investment
Committee employs the services of various outside consulting and research providers to obtain
performance measurement, including index and peer group comparisons, and/or other services. The
Investment Committee continually monitors the capital markets and various asset classes. Periodically, the
Investment Committee may recommend adjustments to model strategies in seeking to avoid risk or gain
exposures associated with investment opportunities.
All External Manager (“sub-adviser”) fees are paid by the client and are disclosed on a separate fee
addendum and/or direct agreement with the sub-adviser.
Apella is not affiliated with DPL Financial Partners or any of the insurance carriers whose products are
available through the platform. Our use of DPL is solely to enhance our ability to deliver fiduciary-aligned
insurance solutions to our clients.
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ITEM 11 - CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION & INTEREST IN CLIENT
TRANSACTIONS, & PERSONAL TRADING
A. CODE OF ETHICS
Apella maintains a Code of Ethics to reinforce the fiduciary principles governing Apella and our employees.
The Code, among other things, requires all employees to act with integrity and ethics, and professionalism.
Policies against overreaching, self-dealing, insider trading, and conflicts of interest are outlined in our Code.
Our Code forbids employees from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, based on non-public
material information or communicating non-public material information to others violating the law.
Additionally, our Code sets forth restrictions and quarterly attestations on receiving gifts, outside business
activities, personal trading activity, maintenance of personal brokerage accounts, and other matters. The
Code is appropriately designed and implemented to prevent or eliminate potential conflicts of interest
between Apella, our employees and IARs, Clients, and investors. We always strive to make decisions in our
Client's best interest should a conflict of interest arise.
Clients should be aware that no set of rules, policies, or procedures can anticipate, avoid, or address all
potential conflicts of interest. Any exceptions to the Code require the prior approval of the CCO. We will
provide a copy of the Code to any Client or prospective client upon such written or verbal request. Such
requests should be directed to our CCO at the contact information listed in Item 1 - Cover Page of this
Brochure.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS INVOLVING MATERIAL FINANCIAL INTERESTS
Neither Apella nor its employees have any material financial interest in the securities it recommends to its
clients.
C. INVESTING PERSONAL MONEY IN THE SAME SECURITIES AS CLIENTS
Apella’s employees are allowed to invest in same securities that are recommended to clients. The securities
recommended by Apella are primarily shares of mutual funds and ETFs. They are generally not “reportable
securities,” and as such the Apella Code of Ethics does not ordinarily limit the ability of Apella’s employees
to invest in the same open-end mutual funds and ETFs that are recommended to clients. All Apella
employees are prohibited from profiting at the expense of clients and competing with clients with respect
to transactions in “reportable securities” as defined in Rule 204A-1(e) (10) under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940. Apella employees’ personal transactions in reportable securities are reviewed on a quarterly basis
to ensure compliance with all personal security transaction policies.
Employees of Apella Wealth are generally restricted from participating in IPOs without pre-clearance to
ensure that client interests are prioritized.
D. TRADING SECURITIES AT/AROUND THE SAME TIME AS CLIENTS’ SECURITIES
Apella does not participate in these types of transactions.
If the Company is purchasing/selling or considering for purchase/sale any Covered Security on behalf of
a client account, no Associated Person may effect a transaction in that Covered Security prior to the client
purchase/sale having been completed by the Company, or until a decision has been made not to
purchase/sell the Covered Security on behalf of the client account and in accordance with the Company’s
pre-clearance policy and restricted list, if any.
ITEM 12 - BROKERAGE PRACTICES
A. FACTORS USED TO SELECT CUSTODIANS AND/OR BROKER/DEALERS
At present, Apella has relationships with two primary custodians, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity, which are
operationally set up to maintain client accounts, and each client selects his or her own custodian. In
selecting its custodian, each client will be deemed to have directed Apella to affect any transactions in ETF
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shares and other individual securities through such broker as the client’s custodian may from time to time
direct. It should be noted that on occasion clients may have their assets held by TIAA-CREF. TIAA CREF is
limited to clients that are participants in employee sponsored retirement plans who utilize TIAA–CREF’s
services.
Apella seeks to recommend a Custodian-Broker who will hold Client assets and execute the transactions
on terms that are, overall, most advantageous compared to other available providers and their services.
Apella considers a wide range of factors, including, among others:
• Combination of transaction execution and asset custody services (without a separate fee for
custody).
• Capability to execute, clear, and settle trades (buy and sell securities for Client accounts).
• Capability to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check requests,
bill payments, etc.).
• The breadth of available investment products (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds
[ETFs], etc.).
• Availability of investment research and tools that assist us in making investment decisions.
• Quality of services.
• Competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, other fees, etc.) and willingness
to negotiate the prices.
• Reputation, financial strength, and stability.
• Prior service to Apella and our other Clients.
Availability of other products and services that benefit Apella, as discussed below (see “Products and
Services Available to Us from Schwab”).
We typically recommend that our Clients utilize Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Adviser Services ("Schwab"), a
registered broker-dealer (Member SIPC) as the qualified Custodian. Apella is independently owned,
operated, and unaffiliated with Schwab. Schwab will hold Client assets in a brokerage account and buy and
sell securities when we instruct them.
Betterment
As part of our investment management services, we utilize the Betterment for Advisors platform, a service
provided by Betterment LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Betterment for Advisors provides automated investment management, portfolio construction, tax-loss
harvesting, and rebalancing services. While Apella retains discretion over client accounts, Betterment
executes trades and provides custodial services through Betterment Securities, an SEC-registered
broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC.
Apella requires clients using Betterment for Advisors to custody their assets with Betterment Securities.
This arrangement may limit our ability to seek best execution or aggregate trades across custodians.
However, Apella believes Betterment’s services provide value through automation, tax efficiency, and low-
cost investment options.
While Apella recommends that clients use Schwab as a Custodian, clients must decide whether to do so
and open accounts with Schwab by entering into account agreements directly with them. The Client opens
the accounts with Schwab. The accounts will always be held in the Client's name and never in our Firm’s.
SpiderRock
Apella uses SpiderRock, an unaffiliated third-party options and trading platform, to help implement certain
investment strategies in client accounts. SpiderRock provides trading technology, analytics, and/or model-
based strategies that Apella uses when managing options or other derivatives as part of a Client’s overall
portfolio.
Nature of SpiderRock services
options overlays or
other derivatives
strategies where appropriate
SpiderRock provides algorithmic trading tools, analytics, and access to liquidity in listed equities, options,
and futures markets. Apella uses these tools to help monitor risk, generate and execute orders, and
manage
for a Client’s
investment objectives and risk tolerance. SpiderRock does not provide personalized investment advice
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to Apella’s clients and generally has no discretionary authority over client accounts except to the limited
extent necessary to implement the strategy Apella selects.
Fees and costs
Clients do not pay fees directly to SpiderRock; instead, Apella pays SpiderRock out of the advisory
fee or other compensation Apella receives, or out of account-level trading costs, depending on the
arrangement. Using SpiderRock may increase the overall cost of implementing certain strategies
compared to strategies that do not use this service, and clients should consider these additional costs when
evaluating whether to use a SpiderRock-based strategy.
Conflicts of interest
Because Apella pays SpiderRock for its services, Apella has financial incentive to allocate or retain client
assets in strategies that use SpiderRock rather than in other strategies or service providers that might be
less expensive or not incur these costs. If SpiderRock’s fee schedule includes volume or asset-based
pricing, Apella also has an incentive to increase or maintain the level of client assets using SpiderRock
strategies. Apella addresses these conflicts by reviewing SpiderRock against other available solutions,
monitoring performance and costs, and basing recommendations on each client’s investment objectives,
risk tolerance, and overall best interest.
Risks of SpiderRock strategies
Strategies implemented through SpiderRock often involve options and other derivatives, which can be
complex and may increase portfolio volatility, leverage, and the risk of loss. These strategies may perform
differently than traditional stock or bond investments, and there is no guarantee that SpiderRock’s models,
analytics, or trading tools will achieve their intended results or prevent losses. Clients who authorize the use
of SpiderRock strategies should be willing and able to accept the additional risks and potential costs
platform.
associated with
derivatives
and
the
use
of
a
third-party
trading
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO US FROM SCHWAB
Schwab Adviser Services™ (formerly called Schwab Institutional®) provides independent investment
advisory Firms and Clients with access to its institutional brokerage, trading, custody, reporting, and related
services, many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail customers. Schwab also makes
available various support services. Some of those services help us manage or administer our Clients’
accounts; others help us manage and grow our business. Schwab’s support services are typically available
on an unsolicited basis and at no charge to our Firm. These are typically considered soft dollar benefits
because there is an incentive to do business with Schwab. Receiving soft dollar benefits creates a conflict
of interest. We have established policies in this regard to mitigate any conflicts of interest. We believe our
selection of Schwab as Custodian-Broker is in the Clients' best interests. Our Firm will always act in the best
interest of our Clients and act as fiduciary in carrying out services to Clients. The following is a more detailed
description of Schwab’s support services:
SERVICES THAT BENEFIT OUR CLIENTS
Schwab's institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment products,
execution of securities transactions, and custody of Client assets. The investment products available
through Schwab include some we might not otherwise have access to or would require a significantly
higher minimum initial investment by our Clients. Schwab’s services described in this paragraph benefit our
Clients and their accounts.
SERVICES THAT MAY NOT DIRECTLY BENEFIT OUR CLIENTS
Schwab also makes other products and services available that benefit Apella but may not directly benefit
our Clients or their accounts. These products and services assist our Firm in managing and administering
our Clients’ accounts. They include investment research, both Schwab’s own and that of third parties. Apella
may use this research to service all or a substantial number of our Client's accounts, including accounts not
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maintained at Schwab. In addition to investment research, Schwab also makes available software and other
technology that:
• Provides access to Client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and
account statements).
• Facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple Client
accounts.
• Provide pricing and other market data.
• Facilitate payment of our fees from our Clients’ accounts.
• Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and Client reporting.
SERVICES THAT GENERALLY BENEFIT ONLY US
Schwab also offers other services to help Apella manage and further develop our business enterprise.
These services include:
• Educational conferences and events
• Consulting on technology, compliance, legal, and business needs
Publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
• Access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and insurance
providers
Schwab may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party vendors to
provide the services to Apella. Schwab may also discount or waive its fees for some of these services or
pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide Apella with other benefits, such as
occasional business entertainment for our personnel.
OUR INTEREST IN SCHWAB’S SERVICES
The availability of these services from Schwab benefits Apella because we do not have to produce or
purchase them. These services are not contingent upon Apella committing any specific amount of business
to Schwab in trading commissions. We believe our selection of Schwab as Custodian and Broker is in our
Client’s best interests.
• Some of the products, services, and other benefits provided by Schwab benefit
Apella and may not benefit our Client accounts. Our recommendation or
requirement that you place assets in Schwab's custody may be based, in part, on
the benefits Schwab provides to our Firm or our Agreement to maintain certain
Assets Under Management at Schwab and not solely on the nature, cost, or quality
of custody and execution services provided by Schwab.
• Apella places trades for our Clients' accounts subject to its duty to seek the best
execution and other fiduciary duties. Schwab's execution quality may be different
from other broker-dealers.
• Apella does not routinely recommend, request, or require that the Client direct us
to execute the transactions through a specified Custodian. Additionally, Apella
typically does not permit the Client to direct brokerage. We place trades for Client
accounts subject to our duty to seek the best execution and other fiduciary duties.
• We will aggregate trades for ourselves or our associated persons with your trades,
providing that the following conditions are met:
• Our policy for the aggregation of transactions shall be fully disclosed
separately to our existing Clients (if any) and the broker/dealer(s) through
which such transactions will be placed.
• We will only aggregate transactions if we believe that aggregation is
consistent with our duty to seek the best execution (which includes the duty
to seek the best price) for the Client and is consistent with the terms of our
investment advisory agreement.
• No advisory Client will be favored over any other Client; each Client that
participates in an aggregated order will participate at the average share
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•
price for all transactions in a given security on a given business day, with
transaction costs based on each Client's participation in the transaction.
• We will prepare a written statement (“Allocation Statement”) specifying the
participating Client accounts and how to allocate the order among those
Clients.
If the aggregated order is filled in its entirety, it will be allocated among
Clients per the allocation statement; if the order is partially filled, the
accounts that did not receive the previous trade's positions should be "first
in line" to receive the next allocation.
• Notwithstanding the preceding, the order may be allocated on a basis
different from that specified if all Client accounts receive fair and equitable
treatment. The reason for the difference in allocation will be documented
and reviewed by our Compliance Officer. Apella’s books and records will
separately reflect, for each Client account, the orders which are
aggregated, and the securities held by and bought for that account.
• We will not receive additional compensation or remuneration of any kind
because of the proposed aggregation; and
Individual advice and treatment will be accorded to each advisory Client.
•
BROKERAGE FOR CLIENT REFERRALS
We do not receive Client referrals from any Custodian or third party in exchange for using that broker-dealer
or third party.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE
Each client directs its own trades with respect to ETFs and other individual securities. As a result, the client
may incur higher commissions, greater spreads, or less favorable net prices than if the client had chosen a
different custodian and thereby directed Apella to execute ETF trades through another broker- dealer.
Apella may not be able to obtain best execution for such trades.
B. AGGREGATING (BLOCK) TRADING FOR MULTIPLE CLIENT ACCOUNTS
Although Apella does not aggregate trades for execution, Apella offices transmit instructions with respect
to transactions in mutual funds and ETFs to its clients’ custodians at various times throughout the day, and
instructions with respect to transactions on behalf of multiple clients with the same custodian may be
transmitted at the same time. Client transactions in ETFs may be held for part of a trading day until the next
regular transmission to their custodians, which may adversely affect the price at which they are affected. A
Client’s custodian may further aggregate such orders for execution.
Please note that trades are aggregated with each custodian separately. Depending on the number of
shares traded, the custodians may participate in a trade rotation process. The trade rotation process
provides objective preference to the custodian by submitting trades for each custodian in sequence
starting with a different custodian on each series of block trades. The starting custodian moves down one
position on the list at the start of each new trading day. The submission process for each custodian is done
in an efficient and timely manner. Axos is not part of the trade rotation process.
ITEM 13 - REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
A. FREQUENCY AND NATURE OF PERIODIC REVIEWS AND WHO MAKES THOSE REVIEWS
Apella reviews Client accounts and financial plans periodically, annually, and as needed. Our IARs will
monitor Client accounts regularly and perform annual reviews with each Client. All accounts are reviewed
for consistency with Client investment strategy, asset allocation, risk tolerance, and performance.
The Client receives a copy of each trade confirmation (unless the Client has authorized the Custodian to
suppress the confirmations) and the standard written account statement from the qualified account
Custodian every quarter.
B. FACTORS THAT WILL TRIGGER A NON-PERIODIC REVIEW OF CLIENT ACCOUNTS
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More frequent reviews may be triggered by changes in an account holder’s employment, tax, or financial
status. A material market event could also trigger a review. Our recommendations depend on the
information provided by the Client.
C. CONTENT AND FREQUENCY OF REGULAR REPORTS PROVIDED TO CLIENTS
Clients receive either a quarterly or monthly statement from the custodian. Apella may also provide clients
with quarterly performance reports. In addition, Apella has other tools it may use in connection with the review
of client accounts which may include, without limitation, research notes, white papers, and analysis on related
market event.
ITEM 14 - CLIENT REFERRALS & OTHER COMPENSATION
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIRD PARTIES FOR ADVICE RENDERED TO
CLIENTS (INCLUDES SALES AWARDS OR OTHER PRIZES)
As disclosed under Item 12 Brokerage Practices, we participate in the Custodian’s institutional customer
programs, and we may recommend a Custodian to our Clients for custody and brokerage services. There
is no direct link between our participation in the program and the investment advice we give to our Clients.
However, we receive economic benefits through our participation in the program that is typically not
available to any other independent advisers participating in the program. 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 certain institutional money Managers.
• Discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice management products or
services provided to us by third-party vendors.
Some of the products and services made available by Custodians through the program may benefit us but
may not benefit your account. These products or services may assist us in managing and administering
Client accounts, including accounts not maintained at our recommended Custodian. Other services made
available by the Custodian are intended to help us manage and further develop our business enterprise.
The benefits Apella or our IARs receive through participation in the program do not depend on the amount
of brokerage transactions directed to the Custodian. Due to these arrangements, our Client does not pay
more for assets maintained at Schwab. As part of our fiduciary duties to Clients, we always endeavor to put
our Client's interests first. Clients should be aware, however, that receiving economic benefits from Apella
or our IARs in and of itself creates a conflict of interest because the cost of these services would otherwise
be borne directly by us. These arrangements could indirectly influence our choice of Custodian for custody
and brokerage services. Clients should consider these conflicts of interest when selecting a Custodian. The
products and services provided by the Custodian, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of interest
are described above.
B. COMPENSATION TO NON – ADVISORY PERSONNEL FOR CLIENT REFERRALS
Apella has entered into joint marketing arrangements with certain registered investment advisory firms
(“Referral Firm”). Those firms may refer clients seeking college planning or broader financial planning
services to Apella, and Apella may compensate Referral Firm for those referrals. Although the firms
are not material to Apella’s overall business, the arrangements create a conflict of interest because
the firms may have an incentive to recommend Apella over other providers.
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Referral Firm receives a fee for referring Clients to Apella for investment advisory services. Therefore,
Referral Firm has a financial incentive to recommend Apella to its Clients over similar Firms that do not
compensate Referral Firm for referrals.
Clients referred by Referring Firm are subject to the same standard fee schedule as other Apella clients as
other clients serviced by the same Apella office location. A portion of the investment advisory fee earned
by Apella is then paid to Referral Firm. Given that Apella does not charge referred clients a higher fee than
those clients not referred by Referral Firm, the referral fee serves to reduce the net fee retained by Apella.
ITEM 15 - CUSTODY
Regulators have defined custody as having access to or control over Client funds or securities. As it applies
to our Firm, we do not have physical custody of funds or securities.
When it deducts fees directly from client accounts at a selected custodian, Apella will be deemed to have
limited custody of client assets and must have written authorization from the client to do so. Clients will
receive all account statements and billing invoices that are required in each jurisdiction, and they should
carefully review those statements for accuracy. In most cases, Clients have authorized Apella to deduct
fees from their accounts by acknowledging the fee calculation and billing processes described in their
Investment Advisory Agreement.
Additionally, Apella is deemed to have custody of the Client’s funds or securities when a Client has standing
authorizations with their Custodian to move money from an account to a third-party (Standing Letter of
Authorization or “SLOA”) and, under that SLOA, it authorizes us to designate the amount or timing of
transfers with the Custodian. The SEC has set forth standards to protect your assets in such situations, which
we follow. We do not have a beneficial interest in any of the accounts we are deemed to have Custody
where SLOAs are on file. In addition, account statements reflecting all activity on the account(s) are
delivered directly from the qualified Custodian to each Client or the Client’s independent representative at
least monthly. Clients should carefully review those statements and are urged to compare the statements
against reports received from us. When clients have questions about their account statements, they should
contact us, their Adviser, or the qualified Custodian preparing the statement.
Some of Apella’s employees serve as trustees on certain client accounts. Where that employee is not the
trustee due to a prior personal relationship with the client, the SEC considers Apella to have custody of the
account. These accounts are subject to an annual surprise examination by an independent accountant to
comply with the SEC’s rule on the custody of client assets.
When a Client opens an account with Apella, the assets are held with a qualified custodian. Clients will
receive monthly or quarterly account statements, depending on the custodian. Clients should review the
statements carefully for accurate information. In addition, Apella can provide advisers with quarterly
performance reports of clients’ accounts to share with clients. When reviewing this report, clients should
note that this report does not take the place of brokerage statements, any fund company statements, or
1099 tax forms. The client is urged to compare this report with the statement received from the custodian
covering the same period.
ITEM 16 - INVESTMENT DISCRETION
Apella can manage client portfolios on a discretionary or nondiscretionary basis, as detailed in the client
agreement for services. Apella has “discretion” over a Client account when Apella can independently select
the securities and amount of securities to be bought or sold in an account without obtaining prior consent
or approval from the Client. However, these purchases or sales may be subject to specified investment
objectives, guidelines, or limitations previously set forth by the Client and agreed to by Apella. Discretionary
authority will only be authorized upon full disclosure to the Client. The granting of such authority will be
evidenced by the Client’s execution of an Investment Advisory Agreement containing all applicable
limitations to such authority. All discretionary trades made by Apella will be in accordance with each Client’s
investment objectives and goals.
DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY
Upon receiving written authorization from the Client, our Firm provides discretionary investment advisory
services for Client accounts. For discretionary accounts, before engaging our Firm to provide investment
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advisory services, you will enter into a written Investment Advisory Agreement with us granting our Firm the
authority to supervise and direct, on an ongoing basis, investments per the Client's investment objective
and guidelines. In addition, our Client will need to execute additional documents required by the Custodian
to authorize and enable Apella, in its sole discretion, without prior consultation with or ratification by our
Client, to purchase, sell or exchange securities in and for the Client's accounts. We are authorized, at our
discretion and without prior consultation with the Client, to (1) buy, sell, exchange, and trade any stocks,
bonds, or other securities or assets and (2) determine the amount of securities to be bought or sold and (3)
place orders with the Custodian. Any limitations to such discretionary authority will be communicated to our
Firm in writing by the Client.
The limitations on investment and brokerage discretion held by our Firm are:
• For discretionary accounts, we require that we be given the authority to determine which
securities and the amounts to be bought or sold.
• Any limitations on this discretionary authority shall be in writing as indicated in the
Investment Advisory Agreement. Clients may change or amend these limitations as
required.
ITEM 17 - VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Unless Apella and the client otherwise agree in writing, Apella is precluded from, and the client shall be
responsible for:
a) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities the client beneficially owns shall
be voted; and
b) making all elections relative to any mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings, or other
events pertaining to the securities in the account.
The client authorizes and directs the custodian to forward to the client all proxies and shareholder
communications relating to the assets. Should a client wish to grant Apella discretion to vote proxies, the
client must do so in writing, and such voting authority will not be effective until accepted in writing by Apella.
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. PREPAYMENT OF FEES
Please see Item 5.D within this brochure. Apella does not require or solicit prepayment of more than $1,200
in fees per Client six months or more in advance. Therefore, we are not required to include a balance sheet
for the most recent fiscal year.
B. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY AND PREPAYMENT OF FEES
Neither Apella, nor its management has any adverse financial situations that would reasonably impair the
ability of Apella to meet Client contractual and fiduciary obligations and has not been the subject of
bankruptcy proceedings.
C. BANKRUPTCY
Neither Apella, nor any of its supervised persons, have been subject to a bankruptcy or financial
compromise.
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