View Document Text
ADV Part 2A / Firm Brochure
Portfolio management services for
private and individual investors
BFI Infinity Ltd.
Bergstrasse 21
P.O. Box
8044 Zürich
Switzerland
Zürichstrasse 103e
P.O. Box
8123 Ebmatingen
Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 806 2210
Fax +41 58 806 2211
info@bfiwealth.com
www.bfiwealth.com
March 2025
1/18
SEC File Number: 801-72602
Form ADV Part 2A / Firm Brochure
March, 2025
BFI Infinity Ltd. (“BFI”) is a registered investment advisor (“RIA”) with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
“Advisers Act”). This Form ADV Part 2A, the “Brochure”, provides information about the qualifications
and business practices of BFI, as required by the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the SEC or by any state
securities authority. There is no specific level of skill or training required to register as a RIA with the
SEC. Most provisions of the Advisers Act and of this Brochure do not apply to our non-U.S. clients.
Additional information about BFI is also available on the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us by telephone at
+41 58 806 2210 or by e-mail at info@bfiwealth.com.
March 2025
2/18
Item 2 - Material Changes
This Brochure is divided in two sections: 2A and 2B, respectively. Part 2A provides information on BFI
Infinity Ltd. (“BFI”) and is provided to BFI’s Clients before or upon becoming such, whereas part 2B
provides information on the different teams of Supervised Persons of BFI, and can be provided upon
request.
If there are any material changes at BFI, such changes will be recorded in this section of this
Brochure. An updated version of this Brochure reflecting such changes will be provided to all Clients
(or a communication with a summary thereof), or upon request at any time.
Material Changes:
There have not been any material changes at BFI since the last filing of the ADV2A, which occurred in
July of 2024.
March 2025
3/18
Item 3 - Table of Contents
Item 1 - Cover Page …………...……………….………………………….……………….……..…………………………..……….1
Item 2 - Material Changes .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4 - Advisory Business .......................................................................................................................... 5
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................................... 7
Item 6 - Performance Based Fees ............................................................................................................ 10
Item 7 - Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................ 10
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ................................................. 10
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information .............................................................................................................. 13
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................. 13
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ........ 15
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................. 16
Item 13 - Review of Accounts and Reporting .......................................................................................... 17
Item 15 - Custody ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................. 18
Item 18 - Financial Information ................................................................................................................ 18
March 2025
4/18
Item 4 - Advisory Business
The Advisory Firm
BFI Infinity Ltd. (hereafter ‘BFI’) was incorporated under Swiss law in 2011, previously under the
name BFI Wealth Management (International) Ltd., and is a registered investment advisor with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940. BFI is
also licensed as a professional Portfolio Manager by the Swiss Financial Market Authority (FINMA),
and an Exempt International Adviser in the provinces of British Columbia and Québec, in Canada.
BFI is a wealth management firm that focuses on the needs and objectives of international clients,
but predominantly North American clients or other international clients with a North American link
who may require specific considerations in the management of their assets, and who want to
diversify and invest their assets internationally (for example structures with US beneficiaries,
shareholders, settlors, policyholders, etc.). BFI also serves as the investment adviser to private
pooled investment vehicles as described further below.
BFI is owned 30% by Mr Daniel Zurbrügg a Swiss citizen, and 70% by BFI Capital Group Ltd., a Swiss
holding company that, via its subsidiaries, has been providing an array of wealth management
services to international investors since 1993.
Advisory Services
BFI provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management services (“Advisory Services”).
A Client who engages BFI to receive Advisory Services signs a portfolio management mandate
(“Client” and “Mandate”, respectively) that gives BFI a limited power of attorney to manage the
investments of one or more of the Client’s investment account(s) held by the Client at a Custodian
Bank, on behalf of the Client and in line with the investment strategy specified by the Client.
We work with our Clients to evaluate and establish their specific needs and goals. While we focus
primarily on advising Clients regarding their investment strategies and the management of their asset
portfolios, our advisors also recognize the importance of proper risk management and wealth
planning in conjunction with a Client’s investment strategies. Therefore, where adequate, BFI may
advise Clients on ways to enhance the benefits of their overall wealth management plan, and BFI
may access and utilize the services of selective affiliated or third-party specialists (tax attorneys, tax
accountants, trustees, insurance advisors, etc.) as needed.
BFI is not registered as a securities broker-dealer and, therefore, does not provide brokerage
services. Any and all brokerage services are conducted via third-party entities.
Discretionary Mandates
Under a Discretionary Mandate, BFI is authorized to manage the assets on a fully discretionary basis
and in accordance with the Client’s investment strategy specifications, and subject to pre-defined
restrictions, if any. Unless agreed otherwise, BFI phases-in the Client’s cash under the Mandate into
the selected investment strategy over a reasonable period of time, unless markets prevent BFI from
doing so.
March 2025
5/18
BFI manages different standard or special investment strategies, with different investment objectives
and risk profiles. It is important to understand that BFI can take actions for one investment strategy
that may be different from the actions we take for others. Thus, BFI is not obligated to buy or sell for,
or recommend to a Client, an investment that BFI may buy or sell for, or recommend to another
Client.
No guarantees of performance are offered. Investments involve risk, including the possible loss of
principal. See Item 8 below for more details on ‘Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk
of Loss’.
Non-Discretionary Mandate
For our Clients with Non-Discretionary Mandates, we provide a trade-by-trade basis advice, tailored to
each Client depending on individual needs and profile.
The Client will be solely responsible for making all final investment decisions and BFI will not have
any discretionary investment authority over the Client’s account, neither guarantee any performance
for the same. Investments involve risk including the possible loss of principal. See Item 8 below for
more details on ‘Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss’.
Private Pooled Investment Vehicles
BFI also provides its investment advisory services to a number of private pooled investment vehicles,
namely various sub-funds of the VIP Select Funds SICAV p.l.c., and the AltAlpha Strategies SICAV p.l.c.
(hereafter “VIP and AA Funds”). Some employees as well as affiliates of BFI are involved with the VIP
and AA Funds in different functions.
The VIP and AA Funds are incorporated in Malta as SICAVs (investment companies with variable
capital). They are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority and licensed as Professional
Investor Funds. The VIP and AA funds engage separate and distinct professional fund administration
services and are audited annually by BDO Malta.
investment management mandates, which specify the
BFI provides its investment advisory services to the different VIP and AA Funds under specific and
separate
investment objectives and
investment restrictions as set forth in the relevant offering documentation.
Investment Advisors
Generally, BFI’s investment advisors (“Advisors”) are full-time employees compensated on the basis
of a fixed salary. BFI does also employ Advisors who are compensated on the basis of a variable
compensation model for the services they provide under any given Mandate they are involved with
(i.e. investment advice, relationship management, etc.). The variable compensation model does not
increase the Mandate fee, which is agreed upon with the Client.
All Advisors, irrespective of the employment model used, are supervised and trained in line with our
firm’s SEC compliance program.
March 2025
6/18
Third-Party Asset Managers and Sub-Advisors
Where suitable, BFI may occasionally and in good faith employ the services of a third-party asset
manager to advice BFI on a sub-advisory basis for all or part of a Mandate. Under such
circumstances, the Client’s fees will generally not be affected. If the sub-advisory arrangement were
to affect the fees agreed upon with the Client, BFI will get the Client’s written permission prior to
engaging such third-party manager.
Alternatively, BFI may also refer the Client to a third-party asset manager outright. Under such
circumstances, it is at the Client’s sole discretion to decide whether to enter into a business
relationship with any such managers. The contractual arrangement with such managers will be
independent and separate of any business dealings with BFI. Although at the time of this ADV BFI
does not have any referral agreements with such third-party asset managers, BFI may decide to enter
into such an arrangement at its sole discretion and be compensated accordingly.
Client Restrictions
BFI, where suitable, permit Clients to impose restrictions on their investment strategies. For example,
certain securities or types of securities can be excluded from a Client’s portfolio.
Assets Under Management
As of February 1, 2025, BFI has a total of US$ 649’646’417 of assets under management.
This figure includes all Client assets in Discretionary and Non-Discretionary Mandates placed under
management of BFI, and is not restricted to “securities portfolios” also known as “Regulatory assets
under management” in ADV1
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation
Fees for Advisory Services
For all types of our Clients, those with Discretionary Mandates as well as those with Non-
Discretionary Mandates, BFI is compensated with a fee that is based on a pre-specified percentage
of the value of Client assets placed under management with BFI. Under certain circumstances a
Performance Fee may apply. Please refer to Section 6 for more information on Performance Fees.
Standard Annual Rates for Discretionary Mandates
The standard annual fees for Discretionary Mandates range from 0.80% to 1.50% of assets under
management. Certain investment strategies result in a higher level of work and analysis than others.
The actual fee package applied to Discretionary Mandates will depend on (1) the volume of assets
placed in the respective Mandate and (2) the investment strategy chosen by the Client. A fixed
minimum fee per Mandate would apply. BFI reserves the right to negotiate fees with the Client that
deviate from the standard fees.
March 2025
7/18
Standard Annual Rates for Non-Discretionary Mandates
The standard annual fees for Non-Discretionary Mandates range from 1.25% to 1.50% of assets
under management. The detailed and applicable fee schedule is available from BFI. A fixed minimum
fee per Mandate would apply. BFI reserves the right to negotiate fees with the Client that deviate
from the standard fees.
Advisory Fees applicable to VIP and AA Funds
Under the investment management agreement between BFI and each of the VIP and AA Funds, BFI
will receive an annual management fee, and depending upon the individual fund governing
documents, BFI may also receive a performance fee, if applicable. The specific management fee
applicable to each VIP and AA Funds, as well as the frequency of the payment, are set forth in the
applicable Fund Offering documentation.
Some of the VIP and AA Funds are formed as so-called “fund-of-funds” (i.e. funds that invest in a
portfolio of other funds). Investors in such fund-of-funds are advised that the respective VIP and AA
Funds encounter a second layer of costs.
Advisory Services Fee Invoicing
The aforementioned fees are generally charged directly to the Client’s Custodian Bank account. As
part of the Mandate, the Client authorizes BFI to send an invoice to the Client’s Custodian Bank(s) for
payment of the investment advisory fee.
The fees are generally charged in the Mandate’s reference currency, quarterly in arrears and
calculated on the basis of the average value of the assets under management for each particular
quarter, as calculated by our portfolio management system.
Whenever there is insufficient liquidity in the Mandate’s reference currency to cover fees, the
required liquidity will be created either by converting cash from a different currency available in the
portfolio, or by liquidating one or more securities to the extent needed to cover such fees. This
process may generate additional costs for the Mandate.
The Mandate can be terminated by the Client without penalty at any time and in line with the notice
period, if any, and as described in the Mandate Terms and Conditions.
For clients resident in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, fees are subject to Swiss VAT at the rates in
force at that time.
Other Types of Fees or Expenses
Other Compensation for Advisory Services
The aforementioned fees cover exclusively BFI’s Advisory Services. BFI takes no other fees for its
Advisory Services unless agreed otherwise with the Client.
March 2025
8/18
As discussed in Item 4 above, BFI may receive compensation for the selection of and referral to third-
party asset managers.
Due to the volume of business that BFI and its sister companies do with a number of Custodian
Banks and broker-dealers (‘Preferred Institutions’), BFI’s Clients generally benefit from special terms
and arrangements with those institutions.
With some “Preferred Institutions” BFI Clients receive “All-in fees”. All-in fees refer to an arrangement
where the Custodian Bank charges a pre-agreed annual fee that generally covers all of the Preferred
Institution’s custody, transaction and brokerage fees. Third-party brokerage fees are not included in
the All-in fee and are therefore charged separately and on top of the All-in fees. BFI will, in any case,
strive to obtain competitive All-in fees for its Clients. No commissions (so-called “retro-cessions”) are
paid to BFI.
BFI is not registered as a securities broker-dealer. Therefore, BFI does not provide any securities
brokerage services, and neither BFI nor its Supervised Persons charge Clients any transaction-based
fees or accept compensation for the sale of securities. Brokerage commissions, transaction fees,
custodian fees, and other related costs and expenses which may be incurred by the Client under the
Mandate are exclusive and in addition to BFI’s Advisory Services fees, and agreed upon by the Client
and the Custodian Bank directly.
Account Management Fees
Under certain circumstances, BFI may charge an Account Management Fee which covers account
handling services that may be only indirectly related to the actual investment management. This may
be the case, for example, when Clients engage BFI to provide independent monitoring and
consolidated reporting services, which are independent and / or part of an investment mandate
given to a third-party asset manager.
Third-Party Fees, Cost and Taxes
Clients may incur third-party charges such as stamp duties, taxes, commission charges, currency
exchange charges and other fees charged by third-party entities or regulatory authorities.
Third-party brokers charge fees to execute securities transactions or commissions when acting as
agent, or they charge a mark-up on transactions when acting as principal. Mutual funds and
exchange traded funds may charge up-front fees and internal management fees, which are generally
disclosed in the fund prospectus.
These kinds of third-party commissions and fees are passed on to our Clients. BFI does not reduce its
Advisory Services fees to offset any of these fees, costs or expenses.
Fees for other services
BFI may from time to time refer its Clients, with their consent, to affiliated or to non-affiliated third
parties for additional services, such as accounting, reporting or legal counsel. BFI does not receive
any compensation or fees for such referrals.
March 2025
9/18
BFI may provide its Clients with access to other products and services that are not part of its
standard Advisory Services and, therefore, may not be covered by a Client’s Mandate. Such services
may include global custody solutions and the like. Such services will be priced separately in
accordance with the applicable fee schedules.
BFI also reserves the right to charge hourly fees for services that are outside of the scope of its
standard Advisory Services. Such fees are based primarily on the complexity of the service provided
and are agreed to with the Client in advance. Hourly fees generally range from CHF250 to CHF500
per hour depending primarily on the qualification and experience of the employee(s) involved. Fees
may be waived, discounted, and/or negotiated at the discretion of BFI.
Item 6 - Performance Based Fees
BFI can charge a performance fee upon agreement with the Client and provided the Client is at least
an Accredited Investor. Such performance fee will be a percentage of the of annual net asset growth
of the portfolio. On negative market trends it is possible that the net asset value will amount to less
than the historic highest value when a performance fee was charged last. In this instance no
performance fee will be calculated until the net asset value will exceed the previously highest historic
value (high watermark). Any other performance-based fee calculation model will be agreed on a case-
by-case basis and with the Client’s consent, and in any event, for performance fees related to the
investment advice provided to the VIP and AA Funds, are described in detail on each Fund Offering
Memorandum.
Item 7 - Types of Clients
BFI’s advisory services are provided typically to high-net worth individuals and families. Also to
international institutions that require US investment considerations because of a link to US persons
(trusts, foundations, insurance companies, small corporations or similar entities).
Although the typical Mandate with BFI starts at CHF 1’000’000 we may enter into agreements with
Clients for lesser account sizes.
Furthermore, BFI provides its investment advisory services for pooled investment vehicles.
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Investment Strategies and Methods of Analysis
Discretionary Mandates
We offer discretionary Clients a variety of investment strategies depending of their respective needs
and objectives.
March 2025
10/18
For Discretionary Mandates, we generally focus on allocating investments among various asset
classes, following a top-down1, big picture2 investment approach, with the strategic asset allocation
decision being the biggest source of returns.
Our analysis methods may include, but are not limited to, fundamental, quantitative and technical
research.
BFI will regularly review and may adjust the asset allocation and investment holdings of each of the
strategies at our discretion and in response to our analysis of economic, political and market
conditions.
We seek international diversification in an effort to enhance portfolio return while trying to diversify
risks. We could also employ hedging strategies to alter the asset and/or currency exposure of
Discretionary Mandate portfolios to try to protect the Clients' assets against market events likely to
have a negative impact on performance.
funds, exchange
traded
funds,
Our Clients’ Discretionary Mandate portfolios include various instruments such as, but not limited to,
cash, equity securities, corporate debt securities, commercial papers, certificates of deposit,
municipal and governmental securities, mutual
(physical)
commodities, (physical) precious metals, future contracts, forward contracts, derivatives and
alternative investments such as hedge funds, funds of hedge funds and private equity vehicles. In
the context of hedge funds, in selecting fund managers and in ongoing due diligence and continued
monitoring, we may use quantitative and qualitative analysis, an interview process, on-site visits
where possible, and conference calls, as well as information available from industry professionals
and available as part of our research.
Non-Discretionary Mandates
For our Clients with Non-Discretionary Mandates, we provide a trade-by-trade basis advice, tailored to
each Client depending on individual needs and profile. We aim at responding within a reasonable
time frame to the Client’s correspondence and telephone calls requesting to discuss BFI’s views and
recommendations regarding the big picture, advisable general asset allocation and investments and
related investment options and strategies. BFI will discuss the foregoing with the Client at reasonable
length. BFI may also, but is not obligated to, contact the Client from time to time (by phone, email,
letter, or other means) with recommendations that we believe could be appropriate for the Client
based on the Client’s investor profile.
We provide advice on various instruments such as, but not limited to, cash, equity securities,
corporate debt securities, commercial papers, certificates of deposit, municipal and governmental
securities, mutual fund shares, exchange traded funds, (physical) commodities, (physical) precious
metals, future contracts, forward contracts, derivatives and alternative investments such as hedge
funds, funds of hedge funds and private equity vehicles.
1 “Big picture” refers to the review of the behavior of the aggregate economy. We examine factors such as unemployment,
national income, rate of growth, gross domestic product, inflation and price changes both in isolation and combination in order
to analyze the state of and fortunes for an economy
2 “Top down” approach starts by looking at the topic from a very broad perspective and then gradually focuses in or more
detailed sub-topics that are identified from the broad view.
March 2025
11/18
Under the Non-Discretionary Mandate, the Client will be solely responsible for making all final
investment decisions.
Risk of Loss
Clients should always keep in mind that all types of investments in financial instruments involve
risks, including the potential loss of the total investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future
performance. Clients should never assume that future performance of any specific investment or
investment strategy will be profitable.
Our analysis methods generally rely on the assumption that the securities and other investments we
purchase and sell, the rating agencies that review them, and other publicly-available sources of
information about such securities or markets, provide accurate data. 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.
Other usual material risks relating to investments include, but are not limited to:
• Market Risk – market price of securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or
unpredictably, and can lead clients to lose up to their whole investment. Market risk exists in
all types of investments.
• Currency risks – form of risk that generally arises from the change in price of one currency
against another. Whenever clients have assets or business operations across national
borders, they face currency risk if their positions are not hedged. Currency risks may not be
always hedged.
• Commodities Risk – commodities prices can be very volatile and show important fluctuation
on short periods of time.
• Liquidity Risk – a particular security or other instrument is difficult to trade. An illiquid asset
may reduce the returns because the investor may not be able to sell the assets at the time
desired for an acceptable price, or might not be able to sell the assets at all.
• Credit/Counterparty Risk -- possibility that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security, a
bank or the counterparty of a derivatives contract will default on its obligation to pay interest
and/or principal, which could cause an investor to lose money.
• High Yield Risk -- lower-quality debt securities (those of less than investment grade quality,
commonly known as “high yield bonds” or “junk bonds”) are riskier, speculative and involve
greater risk of default.
•
Interest Rate Risk – debt securities fluctuate in value as interest rates change. The general
rule is that if interest rates rise, the market prices of debt securities will usually decrease and
vice versa.
March 2025
12/18
• Foreign/Emerging Markets – foreign securities may involve the risk of loss due to political,
economic, regulatory, and operational uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and generally
higher credit risks for foreign issuers. Clients should be aware that all of these risks may be
heightened in emerging markets more specifically. Investing in foreign or emerging markets is
generally intended only for clients who are able to bear and assume this increased risk that
they represent.
• Lack of Control – BFI does not control the individual investments made by funds selected for
investment by BFI. BFI cannot guarantee that such funds will be successful or will not result
in substantial losses.
• Cybersecurity Risk – As with any entity that stores data, and while BFI takes steps to protect
the data we store, we may be victim of cybercrime, such as unauthorized access to our stored
data that includes client data.
We strive to mitigate the above risks by monitoring, among others, the markets, economic conditions,
industries concerns and changes
to general outlooks on corporate earnings, regulatory
developments, monetary and fiscal policy, changes to interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment in general.
Different financial instruments involve different levels of exposure to risk and may be inappropriate
to your circumstances or risk appetite.
Instruments”,
available
in
website
SwissBanking.ch,
or
Further information on investment risks can be found in the Booklet “Risks Involved in Trading
Financial
under
the
www.swissbanking.ch/_Resources/Persistent/6/1/3/c/613cf17d17e7628788b2135114e5d399e
822778d/SBA_Risks_Involved_in_Trading_Financial_Instruments_2019_EN.pdf
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information
BFI and its Advisors have not been involved in any legal or disciplinary events that would be material
to a Client’s evaluation of the company or its Advisors.
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Material Relationships or Arrangements & Material Possible Conflicts of Interest
As mentioned earlier in this Brochure, BFI is owned by BFI Capital Group Ltd. (70%) and Mr Daniel
Zurbrügg (30%). Both owners have affiliations as detailed further down, and that can raise conflicts
of interest.
Clients should be aware that the receipt of any additional compensation by BFI, its management
persons, Supervised Persons or affiliated companies creates a conflict of interest that can impair the
objectivity of our firm and the aforementioned individuals when making advisory recommendations.
March 2025
13/18
BFI Capital Group Ltd
BFI Capital Group Ltd. is a holding company. Next to its ownership interest in BFI Infinity Ltd., it also
holds ownership interest in BFI Consulting Ltd. and BFI Bullion Ltd., hereafter “Group Companies”. In
order to protect our Clients’ interests and mitigate conflicts of interest, the services of BFI are kept
distinct from those of any Group Companies, and they are provided for separate, distinct and typical
compensation. BFI will seek to ensure the proper separation of client records, advice and
recommendations. Information will be segregated as necessary.
Some officers and employees of the Group Companies are Supervised Persons of BFI, via
corresponding agreements with the Group Companies. Such persons are supervised by and abide to
the compliance program of BFI.
The services of the Group Companies may at times be recommended by BFI, where appropriate, to its
Clients. Conversely, the Group Companies may at times recommend the services of BFI. No Client is
obligated to use the services of Group Companies. The
implementation of any or all
recommendations is solely at the discretion of the Client.
VIP and AA Funds
Affiliated persons to BFI provide services to, or sponsor VIP and AA Funds. Depending on the selected
investment strategy, assets in BFI’s Clients’ accounts may hold investments in the VIP and AA Funds.
Any investment in any such funds will be made by BFI only when it is in the best interest and meets
the investment objective of the Client.
For Clients of BFI that invest in the VIP and AA Funds within their mandates with BFI, BFI has
endeavored to ensure preferential share classes, and where not possible, at least observes that the
VIP and AA Funds investment management fee is equal or better than similar funds in the market.
Other
Some of BFI’s Advisors provide investment advice or portfolio management services outside the
scope of their work for BFI. Any such activities must first be approved by BFI, who will assess whether
such activities would post conflicts of interest for BFI Clients, and how any such conflicts could be
mitigated and disclosed, as applicable.
Additional information about BFI business and affiliates
Additional information on the Group Companies and BFI Capital can be obtained at the BFI Capital
website at www.bficapital.com.
Furthermore, and as noted above, BFI also completes a Form ADV, Part 1, which contains additional
information about its business and its affiliates. This document is filed with the SEC and is publicly
available through the SEC’s website:
http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Search/iapd_OrgSearch.aspx
March 2025
14/18
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
BFI has adopted a written Code of Ethics (‘the Code’) that is applicable to all Supervised Persons of
BFI. Clients may obtain a copy of the Code upon request.
Focus on Advice in the Client’s Best Interest
Among other things, the Code requires BFI’s Supervised Persons to act in our Clients’ best interests,
abide by all applicable regulations, avoid even the appearance of insider trading, and report on
personal securities transactions.
Supervised Persons of BFI are not compensated with sales commissions. The employee incentive
system of BFI does not focus solely on sales, instead it enforces a culture of personal advice and
tailored solutions.
Below are some of the steps we take in enforcing our focus in advice and client’s best interest:
• We require that our Supervised Persons seek prior approval of any outside remunerated
activity, especially if in the area of portfolio management services, so that we may ensure that
any conflicts of interests in such activities are properly addressed, and we periodically
monitor such activities to verify that any conflicts of interest continue to be properly
addressed by our firm;
• Supervised Persons must report their private trading activities on a quarterly basis to confirm
they do not engage in transactions that go against our internal policies and code of ethics;
• We do not, in the context of Discretionary Mandates invest in IPO’s; and securities with low
market volumes are generally avoided. Supervised Persons’ investments in low market value
securities that may from time to time be selected for our portfolios, require pre-clearance;
• We continually educate our Supervised Persons regarding their responsibilities as fiduciaries.
• We do not buy for BFI securities from our Clients, neither sell to our Clients securities owned
by BFI.
•
If the event that BFI would recommend or invest in a security where an affiliate has a
connection (refer to Item 10 on Affiliates above), we would only do it if we believe it is in the
best interest of the Client.
Key Standards and Procedures
BFI’s management monitors and manages internal standards and procedures in order to maintain
operational integrity and compliance.
March 2025
15/18
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices
Selection of Custodians and Trading Counterparties
BFI has worked extensively, and has developed good working relationships and steady processes,
with a number of Swiss and foreign Custodian Banks and other custodian financial institutions
(Custodian Banks) who provide services and infrastructure that in our view fits the needs of
international investors (“Preferred Institutions”). Furthermore, due to the existing relationship and the
volume of business we have with those institutions, we can negotiate and have obtained special
terms for our Clients (as discussed in Item 5).
Historically, BFI has concluded that the Preferred Institutions are as good as, or better than, the other
firms that have been considered. BFI generally recommends that its Clients arrange for their assets
to be held under custody with a Preferred Institution, if in our view they could fit the Client’s
investment needs. Clients however are not obligated to take our recommendation.
Under certain circumstances BFI may accept Mandates where Clients elect to have their accounts
held in custody by firms other than the Preferred Institutions.
BFI does not offer any direct securities brokerage services. BFI places its trade orders with the
Custodian Bank. Each Custodian Bank has its own policies and procedures with regard to brokerage
and BFI will generally have no discretion in selecting the broker-dealer that ultimately makes the
trade in the market. Certain types of securities or commodities may also be traded via specialized
third-party brokers or trading platforms.
BFI does not guarantee best execution as BFI does not act as the Custodian Bank or the broker
dealer executing the trade. Nevertheless, the Preferred Institutions that BFI works with aim at
providing all trades at best execution terms in accordance with the local practice and regulation.
BFI monitors best execution periodically. Best execution is the process of seeking the best price
available to our Clients and does not necessarily mean achieving the lowest possible price or
transaction cost. In determining best execution, we consider a variety of factors such as commission
rates in the market place, service on trade capability, execution and trade solving, reputation of the
Custodian Bank, applicable local regulation, etc.
Trade Errors
To the extent trade errors occur, we seek to ensure that Clients’ best interests are served. We aim at
solving trade errors within reasonable time while ensuring the Client is not disadvantaged.
Aggregated Trades
BFI can aggregate Client trades in the sense that when a security is being bought or sold for more
than one Client, that trade will be bundled accordingly and placed for execution with the respective
Custodian Bank(s) as a “batch trade”.
March 2025
16/18
Use of Soft Dollars
BFI currently does not make use of “soft dollars”. BFI may in the future make use of “soft dollars” to
obtain research and brokerage services.
Item 13 - Review of Accounts and Reporting
Review of Accounts
The portfolios of all Clients are reviewed regularly, and at minimum on quarterly basis to confirm that
the accounts are invested in line with the Clients’ defined strategies, to control cash levels, or for any
irregularities.
The accounts are also reconciled, at least on a quarterly basis against data delivered by the Clients’
Custodian Banks.
Reporting
Custodian Banks send at least annually, a portfolio statement directly to Clients, in the method
agreed between the Clients and their Custodian Banks.
In addition, BFI employs an in-house portfolio administration system and performance analysis tools
that allow us to provide Clients with a variety of account and performance reports.
The reports produced by BFI include a listing of the allocation of the assets in the Client account
among various asset classes, the valuation of the same and the investment performance of the
investments made under the Client’s Mandate. Clients should carefully review these statements and
should contact BFI if they believe there are any discrepancies or mistakes.
Item 14 - Client Referrals and Other Compensation
BFI can enter into referral agreements with individuals or firms and pay a referral fee for identifying
and or introducing Clients to BFI. Such referral payment is generally a percentage of the Mandate fee
of the specific account. The referral agreement will not result in the Client being charged any fees
over and above the normal Mandate fee.
Item 15 - Custody
Clients’ accounts are held in custody by Custodian Banks as discussed in item 12 above.
Item 16 - Investment Discretion
BFI accepts discretionary authority to manage assets in Clients’ Accounts. The details for our
Discretionary Mandate services are provided in section 4 “Advisory Business” and in section 8
“Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss”.
March 2025
17/18
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities
BFI does not have the authority to vote Client proxies. If BFI inadvertently receives any proxy materials
on behalf of a Client, BFI will promptly forward such materials to the Client.
Item 18 - Financial Information
BFI has never filed for bankruptcy and is not aware of any financial condition that is expected to
affect its ability to manage Client accounts. The management of BFI believes that we are financially
sound.
March 2025
18/18