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Form ADV Part 2A: Firm Brochure
Item 1 - Cover Page
BIP Wealth, LLC
3575 Piedmont Road NE
Building 15, Suite 730
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
(404) 495-5230
www.bipwealth.com
October 13, 2025
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of BIP Wealth, LLC. If you
have any questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (404) 495-5230, or by email
at bipcompliance@bipwealth.com. The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or by any state securities authority. Additional
information about BIP Wealth, LLC is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can
search this site using a unique identifying number, known as a CRD number. The CRD number for BIP
Wealth, LLC is 143208.
The information contained in this Brochure relates only to specific questions requested by the SEC. This
document is not, and is not intended to be, a marketing brochure. It is also not designed to provide detailed
information about all aspects of BIP Wealth’s business. Registration with the SEC and other state securities
authorities as a registered investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
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Item 2: Material Changes
Form ADV Part 2 requires registered investment advisers to amend their brochure when information
becomes materially inaccurate. If there are any material changes to an adviser's disclosure brochure, the
adviser is required to notify you and provide you with a description of the material changes.
Since the last update on August 29, 2025, the firm has made the following update to this brochure:
•
In Item 10, added that certain individuals at BIP are registered representatives of a broker-dealer as
well as advisory representatives of another registered investment adviser.
A copy of the firm’s Brochure is available, free of charge, on the website at www.bipwealth.com, by email
at bipcompliance@bipwealth.com, or by calling BIP at 404.495.5230.
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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 ....................................................................................................................... 5
Firm Description ......................................................................................................................................................5
Principal Owners .....................................................................................................................................................5
Types of Advisory Services .....................................................................................................................................5
Assets Under Management .....................................................................................................................................6
Tailored Relationships .............................................................................................................................................6
Termination of Agreement .......................................................................................................................................8
Item 5: Fees and Compensation .............................................................................................................. 8
Description ..............................................................................................................................................................8
Assessment of Asset-Based Fees for BIP Clients .................................................................................................10
Custodial Fees .......................................................................................................................................................10
Expense Ratios .....................................................................................................................................................10
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees ........................................................................................................... 10
Sharing of Capital Gains ........................................................................................................................................10
Item 7: Types of Clients .......................................................................................................................... 10
Description ............................................................................................................................................................10
Account Minimums ................................................................................................................................................10
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss .............................................. 11
Methods of Analysis ..............................................................................................................................................11
Mutual Fund Policies and Procedures ..................................................................................................................11
Investment Strategies ............................................................................................................................................12
Risk of Loss ...........................................................................................................................................................12
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................ 13
Legal and Disciplinary ............................................................................................................................................13
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .............................................................. 14
Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ...........................................................................................................14
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading . 15
Code of Ethics .......................................................................................................................................................15
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions .......................................................................................................15
Personal Trading ...................................................................................................................................................16
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................. 16
Selecting Brokerage Firms ....................................................................................................................................16
Best Execution .......................................................................................................................................................17
Order Aggregation .................................................................................................................................................17
Relationships with Investment Product Providers ..................................................................................................17
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................. 18
Periodic Reviews ...................................................................................................................................................18
Regular Reports ....................................................................................................................................................18
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................................. 18
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Incoming Referrals ................................................................................................................................................18
Referrals Out .........................................................................................................................................................20
Item 15: Custody ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Account Statements...............................................................................................................................................19
Standing Letter of Instruction .................................................................................................................................19
Performance Reports ............................................................................................................................................20
Item 16: Investment Discretion .............................................................................................................. 20
Discretionary Authority for Trading ........................................................................................................................20
Limited Power of Attorney......................................................................................................................................20
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ........................................................................................................... 20
Proxy Votes ...........................................................................................................................................................20
Item 18: Financial Information ............................................................................................................... 20
Financial Condition ................................................................................................................................................20
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Description
BIP Wealth, LLC ("BIP”) was founded in 2007.
BIP offers personalized investment advisory services to investors that include investment and
financial planning for retirement, estate planning, tax planning, funding for education, charitable
gifting, and other financial goals. A BIP representative meets with a prospective client to discuss
the prospective client’s financial situation, their investment goals, risk tolerance and investment
time horizon to develop an overall plan. BIP’s services include ongoing monitoring and
management of client accounts. BIP managed portfolios are reviewed at least quarterly but may be
reviewed more often due to a client request, or if material information is received that changes the
client’s financial situation.
BIP charges an annual fee, billed monthly, for its investment advisory services, and is based on
the value of the client assets BIP has under management. The firm does not sell annuities or
insurance, or invest in any mutual funds, stocks or bonds that pay a commission to the firm.
BIP may recommend other professionals such as estate attorneys, accountants, and insurance
professionals who engage directly with BIP clients on an as-needed basis. Conflicts of interest will
be disclosed to the client in the unlikely event they should occur.
The initial meeting between a BIP representative and prospective client, which may be in person
or by telephone, is free of charge and is considered an exploratory interview to determine the
extent to which financial planning and investment management may be beneficial to the
prospective client.
Principal Owners
BIP Managing Partner, LLC, which is owned by Mark A. Buffington and William J. Harris, is the
principal owner of BIP Wealth. Mr. Harris is the CEO of BIP Wealth. Mr. Buffington is not an
employee or manager at BIP Wealth.
Types of Advisory Services
BIP provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services.
BIP may provide advice on limited partnerships and other entities that invest in common equity,
preferred securities, or debt of private companies. BIP or its related persons may have a financial
interest in these partnerships.
With respect to any account for which BIP meets the definition of a fiduciary under Department of
Labor rules, BIP acknowledges that both BIP and its Related Persons are acting as fiduciaries.
Additional disclosure may be found elsewhere in this Brochure or in the written agreement between
BIP and Client.
BIP also acts as an investment advisor to retirement plans.
BIP also provides investment advisory services to pooled investment vehicles. BIP Bay Point
Fund I-QP, LLC and BIP Bay Point Fund I-AI, LLC (collectively, the “BIP Bay Point Funds”) are
exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”), and state securities laws. BIP Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of BIP Wealth, LLC, is the Manager
of the BIP Bay Point Funds and is responsible for making investment and withdrawal decisions for
the BIP Bay Point Funds. The BIP Bay Point Funds are managed in accordance with the
investment objectives and strategies described in the private placement memoranda.
BIP provides investment advisory services to 401k plans. A separate fee schedule is applicable
to these types of clients and can be found in Item 5 – Fees & Compensation.
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Assets Under Management
As of December 31,2024, BIP managed $4,460,675,379 in assets for 2,879 clients. Of this total
$3,269,213,816 was managed on a discretionary basis, and $1,191,461,563 was managed on a
non-discretionary basis.
Tailored Relationships
The BIP advisory relationship is initiated with a consultative meeting, or series of meetings,
between a BIP Personal Wealth Advisor and the client to determine the prospective client's
financial situation. Summary information is documented in our client information and portfolio
management system called BIOS. More detailed information may also be recorded in
MoneyGuide Pro or eMoney, which are financial planning software applications.
BIP analyzes a prospective client’s financial situation at two levels. The household level is the basis
for financial planning analysis and is the most comprehensive view of the client’s needs. Within
the household the client may have several portfolios, each consisting of several accounts that are
managed to a specific level of risk. For instance, the husband may be more risk tolerant, allowing
for a more aggressive portfolio for his accounts, while the spouse is less risk tolerant and requires
a more conservative approach.
Portfolios primarily consist of public market securities, and the most common vehicles are mutual
funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). Some portfolios may utilize individual bonds, including,
but not limited to, corporate bonds, government bonds, municipal bonds, and CDs.
Individual stocks may be used to a small degree, based on client preference. Common stock
holdings are usually limited to legacy holdings that the client owned before becoming a client of
BIP. Some portfolios may utilize stock options, usually to reduce risk by protecting against
downside market movements or to generate income.
BIP manages two “buy-write” strategies, which are run as separately managed accounts and block
traded at Charles Schwab and Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). BIP Hedged Equity is a global equity strategy
that owns index ETFs intended to provide coverage of the global equity markets. It sells options
against a portion of the underlying equity with the goal of reducing the volatility by about one-third
when compared to owning the underlying index ETFs alone. BIP Hedged Yield is a domestic
equity strategy that owns a large cap U.S. equity ETF and sells call options against the entirety of
the underlying equity with the goal of reducing the volatility by about three-fourths when compared
to owning the underlying index ETFs alone.
For investors who are a Qualified Investor (“Accredited Investor”, “Qualified Client”, or “Qualified
Purchaser”) under the SEC guidelines, portfolios may also consist of alternative investment
opportunities, also known as private market securities or alternative investments. Private market
securities may be of several types including equity and debt investments. BIP or one of its affiliates
may serve as General Partner for private market investments. Private market securities are not
bought on a discretionary basis. There are additional risks including illiquidity and lack of disclosure
when compared to public market securities. These risks are described in the offering documents
of each investment. The investor agrees to bear such risks by executing the subscription
documents.
Our general guideline is that private market equities, based on their “fair value” as determined by
the entity managing such private market equities, should represent approximately one-third of the
total investment in equity for most households. Exceptions to the rule will be common and will be
made based on individual client circumstances, such as a high projected income or previous
experience with private investments. Some clients may not own any private securities, either
because they are not Qualified Investors or because they are not willing to accept the additional
risks.
Each portfolio is customized on several dimensions to be most appropriate for the client’s individual
situation, goals, and risk tolerance. The first dimension of customization is the allocation between
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equity and fixed income investments in the portfolio. This allocation decision is the most important
determinant of risk and volatility.
The second dimension is the public market equity style. We call these Accumulation, Balanced,
or Distribution. This style is chosen by assessing whether the portfolio will be receiving cash in
excess of 3% per year for additional investment, be somewhat stable in terms of deposits and
withdrawals, or will be distributing cash in excess of 3% per year.
Different public market equity styles should have similar returns, but different levels of tax
efficiency. They could also be rebalanced more or less frequently to keep liquidity at the target
levels.
Finally, the third dimension is the public market fixed income style, which is also chosen based on
whether the portfolio will be receiving cash, be somewhat stable, or be distributing cash. Different
public market fixed income styles should have similar returns but may have different levels of
short-term volatility from credit risk, currency risk, and inflation risk. Portfolios will also be managed
based on an asset location analysis that places more tax-efficient investments in taxable accounts
and less tax-efficient investments in tax-deferred or tax-free accounts.
Once the public market equity and fixed income investments have been determined, a decision
as to the appropriateness of private market securities will be made. If it is determined that a client
is ineligible to invest or is not interested in investing in private market securities, the needs of the
portfolio will be met through public sector investments only.
Restrictions and guidelines imposed by a client may impact the composition and performance of
portfolios. As a result, performance of portfolios within the same investment objective may vary
slightly. The client should not expect that the performance of his/her custom portfolio(s) will be
identical to any other individual portfolio performance.
BIP presents the investment plan/portfolio design for the client’s individual circumstances. The
fees associated with the portfolio are outlined and reviewed. Clients are provided assistance in
completing the required paperwork to establish the necessary accounts with a qualified custodian.
All the household and portfolio design choices are reviewed in detail with the client in a face-to-
face or telephone meeting at least once per year, or however often the client prefers. The
performance of each portfolio and the chosen risk levels are documented each quarter and
distributed to clients via email or mail, and then reviewed with the client as necessary throughout
the year.
BIP has a strategy, BIP Institutional Reserve, that gives companies an additional solution to
keeping assets at a traditional bank. The strategy consists of a portfolio of U.S. Treasury securities
with maturities of six months or less, in addition to securities investing in Floating Rate Treasury
Notes. Cash balances are invested in the Fidelity Treasury Money Market Fund. The minimum to
open an account with this investment objective is $250,000. For assets invested in the BIP
Institutional Reserve strategy, there is a separate fee schedule that is applicable and is disclosed
in Item 5.
Types of Agreements
Prior to engaging BIP to provide investment advisory services, the client will be required to enter
into an Investment Advisor Agreement (IAA) with BIP. The IAA will set forth the terms and
conditions of the engagement. It will also describe the scope of the services to be provided and
the fees for such services.
BIP’s Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), a copy of this Brochure and the firm’s Privacy
Policy will be provided to clients prior to, or contemporaneously with, the execution of the IAA
between each client and BIP. The client’s custodian account documents include an authorization
that allows the custodian of any of his/her accounts to debit the account(s) the amount of BIP’s
advisory fee and remit the fee to BIP. The authorization will remain valid until a written revocation
of the authorization is received by BIP or the account custodian. In connection with this fee
deduction process, the custodian will send to the client a statement, at least quarterly, indicating:
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•
•
all amounts dispersed from the account, and
the amount of advisory fees paid directly to BIP.
Termination of Agreement
Either the client or BIP may terminate the services described above with a written, ten (10)-day
notice to the other. Any charges incurred prior to termination will be charged pro rata based upon
the period covered. Termination requests may be sent to BIP at the following address:
BIP Wealth, LLC
3575 Piedmont Road NE, Building 15, Suite 730
Atlanta, GA 30305
Attention: Bill Harris, Co-Founder, CEO
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Description
Asset Management Fees
BIP calculates advisory fees based on a percentage of total assets under BIP management,
including both public and private market securities. The fee schedule is as follows:
Account(s) Value
Less than $1,000,000
$1,000,000 to $4,999,000
$5,000,000 to $9,999,999
$10,000,000 to $14,999,999
$15,000,000 to $19,999,999
$20,000,000 to $24,999,999
$25,000,000 to $49,999,999
$50,000,000 or more
Annual Advisory Fee Percentage
See notes in following paragraph
0.95%
0.85%
0.75%
0.70%
0.60%
0.50%
0.40%
The minimum portfolio value is generally set at $1,000,000. If BIP agrees to an asset management
relationship for a portfolio valued at less than $1,000,000, the annual fee rate is 0.95%, however,
the account will be subject to a $4,000 minimum annual fee ($1,000 per quarter). BIP may, at its
discretion, make exceptions to the fee schedule or negotiate special fee arrangements where BIP
deems it appropriate under the circumstances. For example, BIP may charge a lesser or no
advisory fee based upon certain criteria (i.e., employees and family of employees, anticipated future
additional assets, related accounts, account composition, etc.). No increase in BIP’s fees will be
effective without thirty (30) days’ prior written notification to the client.
The more assets BIP manages for a client, the more the client will pay in fees. However, BIP has
breakpoints in the fee schedule, so as client assets grow the percentage fee paid by the client
declines as the breakpoints are met. The value of public market assets is reported by the custodians
using their pricing services and is not guaranteed by BIP. The value of an account for the purpose
of pricing may exclude the negative value of any short positions or margin balances.
Advisory fees charged on private market assets are based on the Fee Schedule above. The value
of private market assets is described as follows:
• The value of private market assets bought before July 1, 2024, will be the lesser of (a) the
most recent Fair Market Value (FMV) as provided by the investment sponsors or (b) the
aggregate amount of funds called as of the close of business the day prior to the billing
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period.
• For private market assets bought after June 30, 2024, the value will be based on the most
recent FMV as provided by the investment sponsors.
• For private market assets structured as a Business Development Company (BDC), the
value will be calculated based on the most recent Net Asset Value (NAV) as provided by
the investment sponsors.
Retirement Plans
When BIP acts as an investment adviser to employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as
employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, BIP calculates advisory fees based on a percentage of total
assets in the retirement plan. Public market asset values are reported by the custodians using
their pricing services and are not guaranteed by BIP.
Plan Value
Less than $2,000,000
$2,000,000 to $10,000,000
$10,000,000 and above
Annual Advisory Fee Percentage
0.60%
0.50%
0.40%
BIP Institutional Reserve strategy
As mentioned in Item 4, the firm offers the BIP Institutional Reserve strategy as a cash management
account for companies. The fee schedule for this strategy is as follows:
Account Value
Annual Advisory Fee Percentage
$250,000 - $24,999,999
0.25%
$25,000,000 - $49,999,999
0.15%
$50,000,000 or more
0.10%
Other Consulting Fees and Tax Services
For specific consulting projects or other unique opportunities to serve clients, BIP may charge a fee
on a flat rate or other basis. Some of these opportunities include preparation of tax returns for
clients by a Certified Professional Accountant. Such fees for these services will be agreed upon
at the time of the engagement.
Private Fund Fees
BIP does not receive compensation for advisory services to the BIP Bay Point Funds.
Administrative fees may be charged as described in the offering documents, but those fees would
be paid directly to BIP Holdings, LLC. You should refer to the subscription agreement and other
documents for a complete description of the fees, investment objectives, risks, and other relevant
information associated with investing in the BIP Bay Point Funds. The BIP Bay Point Funds
undergoes a surprise exam annually by an independent Public Accounting firm.
Wrap Fee Program
BIP Wealth is a sponsor of a wrap fee program, which is a type of investment program that
provides clients with access to several asset allocation models for a single fee that includes
administrative fees, management fees, and commissions. The wrap fee program is no longer
available to clients who are not already in the program. Wrap fee program clients have a different
fee schedule than above. Details about the wrap fee program are found in BIP Wealth’s Form ADV
Part 2A – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure. A copy of this brochure is available by email
at bipcompliance@bipwealth.com, or by calling BIP at 404.495.5230.
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Assessment of Asset-Based Fees for BIP Clients
Advisory fees will be billed monthly in arrears and calculated using the average daily balance of
asset values for the prior month. In the event of a termination of the advisory relationship during a
month, BIP will bill the advisory fee to the client for the partial month using the average daily
balance.
Most clients prefer to authorize the account custodian to have BIP’s advisory fees debited from
their account(s) and remit the fees to BIP. If so desired, the client may choose to be billed directly
by BIP for BIP’s fees, in which case the client will be sent an invoice. Payments are due 15 days
after the invoice is delivered to the client.
Custodial Fees
Custodians may charge transaction fees on purchases or sales of investment securities. These
transaction charges are usually small and incidental to the purchase or sale of a security. We
believe the selection of the security is more important than the nominal fee that the custodian
charges to buy or sell the security. (See Item 12: Brokerage Practices)
Expense Ratios
Mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other investment company securities generally charge
a management fee for their services as investment managers. The management fee is called an
expense ratio. For example, an expense ratio of 0.50 means that the fund company charges for
their services 0.5% of the value of the security purchased. These fees are in addition to the fees
paid by you to BIP.
Performance figures quoted by fund companies in various publications are generally calculated
after their fees have been deducted.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees
Sharing of Capital Gains
BIP does not have any performance-based fee arrangements. “Side-by-Side Management” refers to a
situation in which the same firm manages accounts that are billed based on a percentage of assets
under management and at the same time manages other accounts for which fees are assessed on a
performance fee basis. Because BIP has no performance-based fee accounts, it has no side-by-side
management.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Description
BIP generally provides investment advice to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans and
various entities (such as corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies) through which
individuals and families hold investment assets.
Client relationships may vary in scope and length of service.
Account Minimums
BIP imposes a minimum account value of $1 million. Occasionally, BIP will accept accounts below
the account minimum for clients with highly illiquid net worth, clients that are young and upwardly
mobile/emerging affluent and related accounts of family members. BIP has a minimum Advisory
Fee of $4,000 per year for accounts falling below the minimum asset size.
Certain investment programs/products recommended by BIP may also impose minimum
investment amounts or other conditions for participation in such programs/products. Such other
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conditions will be separate and distinct from those that may be imposed by BIP.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
As described earlier, BIP will invest in a variety of investment types as appropriate. Security
analysis methods may include statistical analysis which includes time series regression analysis
to assess the impact of various independent variables on historical returns. In certain cases, BIP
may use fundamental analysis which involves the Internet, financial newspapers and magazines,
inspections of corporate activities, research materials prepared by others, corporate rating
services, annual reports, prospectuses, filings with the SEC, and company press releases.
Mutual funds and ETFs are generally evaluated and selected based on a variety of factors,
including, as applicable and without limitation, past performance, fee structure, portfolio manager,
fund sponsor, overall ratings for safety and returns, and other factors.
Please see “Mutual Fund Policies and Procedures” below.
Fixed income investments may be used to fulfill liquidity or income needs in a portfolio, to generate
price appreciation, or to add a component of capital preservation. BIP may evaluate and select
individual bonds, but more likely will use mutual funds and ETFs, based on a number of factors
including, without limitation, sector or type, credit rating, yield, and duration.
Alternative investments, also referred to as private market securities, are generally used to create
diversified exposure to smaller and newer companies that are not represented in the
public markets. They also can be used to target a specific area of the market when a private
equity or debt offering is a particular company. Private market investments are non-discretionary
and the BIP Personal Wealth Advisor (PWA) will discuss the risks involved with clients based on
analyzing and evaluating the client’s financial position and goals.
The BIP Investment Committee serves as the initial screen of private investments. After that,
PWAs will work with their clients to determine how potential investments may fit into the risk and
return objectives for each client.
The Funds seek to provide investors with consistent above-average risk-adjusted returns with low
volatility, primarily by investing in loans or other debt instruments and income-producing assets or
otherwise identifying sectors and securities that the Manager believes can be purchased at a
discount to their long-term intrinsic value. Strategies and risks related to the Funds are more fully
described in the offering documents.
Mutual Fund Policies and Procedures
Mutual Fund Share Class Selection
All of BIP’s open-ended mutual funds are bought and sold at the Net Asset Value (NAV). We do
not utilize mutual funds where our clients pay a sales load. Even when we buy or sell a Class A
share mutual fund, the sales loads are not assessed on our custodians’ platforms (Fidelity and
Schwab). Our custodians offer many retail share classes of mutual funds without the front-end
loads or back-end loads that would increase the cost to the client beyond the stated fund operating
expenses. BIP does not receive any commissions, transaction fees, loads, 12b-1 fees, or any
share of the expense ratio of any mutual funds it trades or holds in client accounts.
BIP’s Portfolio Managers (PMs) place trades in mutual funds after performing an analysis of each
client’s unique situation. BIP’s BIOS (client information and portfolio management system)
contains data fields that allow PWAs to communicate unique circumstances to BIP’s PMs. Before
every trade, PMs evaluate the client’s situation and attempt to select mutual fund share classes
with the lowest overall cost of ownership. The PMs review includes the client’s financial goals, their
portfolio goals, and portfolio allocation, as well as input from the client and PWAs to determine the
best option for the client.
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Investment Strategies
Investments are determined based upon the client’s investment objectives, risk tolerance, net
worth, net income, time horizon, tax situation and various suitability factors. These unique
characteristics are documented in BIOS (client information and portfolio management system) and
MoneyGuide Pro (financial planning software) at the onset of the BIP relationship and revisited at
each client review and updated, as necessary.
This information becomes the basis for the strategic asset allocation plan which we believe will
best meet the client’s stated long-term, personal financial goals. The investment advice we provide
is based upon investment strategies which incorporate the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory.
The utilization of several different asset classes as part of an investor’s portfolio is emphasized,
as this has been shown to usually affect a reduction in portfolio volatility over long periods of time.
We diversify our clients’ assets among various assets and then among individual investments,
following the strategy agreed to by the client. We rebalance portfolios periodically, at our discretion,
based on how far the client portfolio has deviated from its target and the costs to the client,
including transaction costs and taxes.
Our investment approach is firmly rooted in the belief that markets are fairly efficient, and that
investors’ gross returns are determined principally by asset allocation decisions. We almost always
utilize no-load, low-cost, tax-efficient, well-diversified equity and fixed income mutual funds,
exchange traded funds (ETFs), individual bonds and other similar investments to develop globally
diversified portfolios.
Key Investment Philosophies
Following is a summary of our key investment philosophies, which we believe help provide the
best long-term risk/reward return for our clients:
• Broad and global diversification optimizes the risk/return ratio. Mutual funds and ETFs
enable much broader diversification than is feasible with individual securities. Fee-only
service reduces conflicts and aligns the interests of BIP with those of our clients.
• Passively managed funds including index funds and ETFs from low-cost leaders provide
a greater likelihood of success than actively managed funds and should represent the
majority of the portfolio.
• Driving costs out of the investment process allows clients to retain more of their wealth.
• Small and value stocks have been shown to provide superior returns over time and around
the world.
• Covered call strategies can create attractive risk/reward dynamics.
Risk of Loss
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Our investment
approach is to educate clients on these risks and select only those investments commensurate
with the risks the investor accepts. Investors face the following investment risks:
• Management Risks: While BIP manages client investment portfolios based on BIP’s
experience, research and proprietary methods, the value of client investment portfolios
will change daily based on the performance of the underlying securities in which they are
invested. Accordingly, client investment portfolios are subject to the risk that BIP allocates
client assets to individual securities and/or asset classes that are adversely affected by
unanticipated market movements, and the risk that BIP’s specific investment choices could
underperform their relevant indexes.
•
Interest Rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to
fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less
attractive, causing their market values to decline.
• Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to tangible
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and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external factors
independent of a security’s particular underlying attributes. For example, political,
economic, and social conditions may trigger negative market events.
•
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as much
as a dollar next year, because purchasing power erodes at the rate of inflation.
• Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the dollar
against the currency of the investment’s originating country. This is also referred to as
exchange rate risk.
• Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have to
be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This primarily relates to
fixed income securities (bonds).
• Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular
company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies depend on finding oil and
then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can generate a profit. They carry a higher
risk of profitability than an electric company, which generates its income from a steady
stream of customers who buy electricity no matter what the economic environment is like.
• Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized product.
For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties are not.
• Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’s operations increases the
risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its repayment obligations
in good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan
obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
• Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies with lower market capitalization
may have a higher risk of default and/or loss of principal. As a result, small company
stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies
are also more vulnerable than larger companies are to adverse business or economic
developments, and they may have more limited resources.
• Private Investment Risk: As appropriate, BIP may recommend to a client to invest a
portion of the portfolio in private market investments. In many cases, a related party to BIP
serves as general partner, or in another managerial capacity, which results in a conflict of
interest. The value of client portfolios will be based on the value of private market
investments in which they are invested, the success of each of which will depend heavily
upon the efforts of their respective managers. When the investment objectives and
strategies of a manager are out of favor in the market, or a manager makes unsuccessful
investment decisions, the private market investments managed by the manager will lose
money. A client account could lose a substantial percentage of its value if the investment
strategies of the private market offerings in which it is invested are out of favor at the same
time. The same is true if several of the managers make unsuccessful investment
decisions.
• Value Investment Risk: Stocks trading at various price-to-book ratios may perform
differently. Following a value-oriented investment strategy over any period may cause the
portfolio to underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
• Covered Call Risk: Selling covered calls reduces the volatility of a covered call strategy
under most market conditions; however, volatility under extreme market conditions may
not adequately reduce the risk of the portfolio.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Legal and Disciplinary
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Registered investment advisors are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events of their firm or certain management personnel which would be material to
our clients’ evaluation of the firm or the integrity of the firm’s management of their investment portfolio.
BIP does not have any required disclosures under this item.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
BIP Capital, LLC, doing business as BIP Ventures, and BIP Capital Management Services, LLC
are affiliated with BIP Wealth. LAGO Asset Management, LLC is also affiliated with BIP Wealth.
BIP Capital became a Registered Investment Advisor on April 2, 2018, BIP Capital Management
Services became a Registered Investment Advisor on July 29, 2020, and LAGO Asset
Management became a Registered Investment Advisor on July 29, 2022. BIP Capital, BIP Capital
Management Services, and LAGO Asset Management create limited partnerships, limited liability
companies, special purpose vehicles, business development companies, or other similar
structures to invest in private equity, private debt, or other unregistered securities. BIP Wealth may
offer clients the opportunity to participate in one or more of these offerings. BIP Wealth has a
conflict of interest when it offers investments from these affiliated entities. Offerings may include
single-deal investment opportunities where the client determines whether to participate based on
the merits of the underlying investment, or through one or more private fund offerings where BIP
Capital, BIP Capital Management, or LAGO Asset Management has discretionary authority to
make investment decisions based on strategy, mandate, and/or objectives set forth in the offering
documents. Terms, conditions, fees, expenses, risks, and other material disclosures are provided
to investors in each investment’s offering documents. In addition, BIP Wealth also offers
opportunities to invest in unaffiliated private market securities that have been approved by BIP’s
Investment Committee.
Certain advisors at BIP are also registered representatives of The Strategic Finance Alliance, Inc.
(“SFA”), a broker-dealer, as well as advisory representatives of Strategic Blueprint, LLC (“Strategic
Blueprint”), a registered investment adviser. SFA and its registered representatives offer securities
and financial products in addition to rendering investment advice. Certain advisors at BIP are also
licensed to sell insurance products with the states in which they do business, and are appointed
by various insurance companies, including through SFA’s affiliated insurance agency, SFA
Insurance Services, Inc.
As stated earlier, BIP Holdings, LLC serves as the Manager of the BIP Bay Point Funds. The BIP
Bay Point Funds invest in funds managed by Bay Point Advisors. The BIP Bay Point Funds are
not currently open to new investors.
If a conflict of interest arises when managing the withdrawals (requesting the sale of shares) from
the BIP Bay Point Funds, the following will help BIP Holdings, LLC mitigate, but not eliminate, any
conflicts:
• We will not request the sale of shares unless we believe such decision is in the best
interest of the investors;
• We may, at our sole discretion, use a third party, such as a pricing service, to resolve
conflicts concerning the fairness of price or value; and
• We have established policies and procedures to guard against unlawful and inappropriate
disclosure and use of material, nonpublic information.
Sub-Advisory Accounts
BIP may recommend products or services managed or offered by other investment advisers or
third parties that may or may not be affiliated with BIP. Such products or services are customarily
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referred to as "sub-advisory accounts".
A sub-advisory account is essentially a traditional brokerage account managed by another
investment adviser. In the context of BIP services, BIP may refer its clients to outside investment
advisers who would perform specific investment advisory or portfolio management services for
client accounts. Specific services and fees related to such programs will be available in the outside
adviser's current disclosure documents.
The selection of investment managers may be provided on a discretionary or non-discretionary
basis where BIP has the authority to hire or fire the investment manager, and BIP’s fee may be
paid by the sub-advisor. The decision to hire or fire a particular investment manager will be based
upon continued suitability and performance of a client's account.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
At BIP, we take great pride in our commitment to serving our clients’ needs and the integrity with
which we conduct our business. In recent history, the financial services industry has come under
significant scrutiny, especially in the inherent responsibility of financial professionals to behave in
the best interests of their clients.
BIP has developed a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) as a means of memorializing our vision of
appropriate and professional conduct in carrying out the business of providing investment advisory
services. Our Code addresses issues such as the following:
• Standards of conduct and compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Protection of material non-public information
• Addressing conflicts of interest
• Employee disclosure and reporting of personal securities holdings and transactions
• The firm’s initial public offering and private placement policy
• The reporting of violations of the Code
• Enforcement of the Code
As outlined above, BIP has adopted procedures to protect client interests when its associated
persons invest in the same securities as those selected for or recommended to clients. In the event
of any identified potential trading conflicts of interest, BIP’s commitment is to place client interests
first.
BIP maintains policies regarding participation in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) and private
placements to comply with applicable laws and avoid conflicts with client transactions. If a BIP-
associated person wishes to participate in an IPO or invest in a private placement, he or she must
submit a pre-clearance request and obtain the approval of BIP’s Chief Compliance Officer or
compliance designee.
A copy of BIP’s Code of Ethics will be furnished upon request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
As noted elsewhere in this Brochure, BIP’s affiliates and/or officers serve as general partners,
managing members or in other similar capacities of several investment-related private market
securities which may be recommended to BIP clients. When serving in such capacities, certain
BIP affiliates and/or officers have financial interests in the investing entities.
BIP or its personnel may invest for their own accounts or have a financial interest in the same
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securities or private market securities that BIP recommends or acquires for the accounts of its
clients and may engage in transactions that are the same as or different than transactions
recommended to or made for client accounts. Such transactions are permitted if effected, pre-
cleared and reported to compliance with BIP’s policy on personal securities transactions. Generally,
personal securities transactions will not be pre-cleared when an order for the same or a related
security is pending for the account of the client. BIP’s compliance personnel review reports of
personal transactions in securities by BIP personnel quarterly or more frequently if required.
Personal Trading
None of BIP’s investment adviser representatives may affect for himself or herself or for his or her
immediate family (i.e., spouse, minor children, etc.; collectively, “covered persons”) any
transactions in a security that is being actively recommended to any of BIP’s clients, unless in
accordance with the firm’s procedures, as outlined in the Code of Ethics.
It is the primary intent of the preceding procedures to ensure that the best interests of BIP clients
are always served.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting Brokerage Firms
BIP is not a broker-dealer. BIP recommends that all client accounts be maintained at custodian
firms that are unaffiliated with BIP. This is done to protect the client and provide the ability to control
and view assets without solely relying on BIP’s reporting.
Although not all-inclusive, BIP recommends the following brokers of record and their corresponding
custodian:
Broker of Record
Custodian
Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC
National Financial Services, LLC
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
n/a
Inspira Financial Trust, LLC
Factors that BIP considers in recommending to clients’ certain broker-dealers or custodians
include the entity’s financial strength, reputation, transaction execution, pricing, and service. In
return for executing securities transactions through certain broker-dealer/custodians, BIP receives
various support services that assist BIP in its investment decision-making process for all BIP’s
clients.
BIP participates in the institutional advisor programs (each a “Program”) offered by Fidelity
Investments (“Fidelity”) and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), collectively (“the Brokers”).
The Brokers offer their Programs to independent investment advisers. The Programs include such
services as custody of securities, trade execution, clearance, and settlement of transactions. BIP
receives some benefits from the Brokers through its participation in the Programs. BIP is
independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with the Brokers.
BIP recommends Fidelity or Schwab to clients for custody and brokerage services. While there is
no direct link between BIP’s participation in the Programs and the investment advice it gives to its
clients through its participation in the Programs, BIP receives economic benefits that are typically
not available to retail investors. These benefits generally include, without limitation, the following
products and services (provided without cost or at a discount): receipt of duplicate client statements
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and confirmations; research related products and tools; consulting services; access to a trading
desk serving program participants; access to block trading (which provides the ability to aggregate
securities transactions for execution and then allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts);
the ability to have advisory fees deducted directly from client accounts; access to an electronic
communications network for client order entry and account information; access to mutual funds
with no transaction fees and to certain institutional money managers; and discounts on compliance,
marketing, research, technology, and practice management products or services provided to BIP
by third party vendors. The Brokers may also pay for business consulting and professional services
received by BIP’s related persons.
Some of the products and services made available by the Brokers through the Programs may
benefit BIP but may not directly benefit its client accounts. These products or services may assist
BIP in managing and administering client accounts, including accounts not maintained at the
Brokers. Other services made available by the Brokers are intended to help BIP manage and
further develop its business enterprise. The benefits received by BIP or its personnel through
participation in the program do not depend on the amount of brokerage transactions directed
to the Brokers. As part of its fiduciary duties to clients, BIP always endeavors to put the interests
of its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by BIP
or its related persons in and of itself creates a potential conflict of interest and may indirectly
influence BIP’s choice of the Brokers for custody and brokerage services.
Directed Brokerage
The client may direct BIP to use a particular broker-dealer (subject to BIP’s right to decline and/or
terminate the engagement) to execute some or all transactions for the client’s account. In such an
event, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for the account with the broker-dealer and
BIP will not seek better execution services or process from other broker-dealers to be able to
“batch” the client’s transactions for execution through other broker-dealers or be able to “batch”
the client’s transactions for execution through other broker-dealer orders for other accounts
managed by BIP. As a result, the client can pay higher commissions or other transaction costs, or
greater spreads, or receive less favorable net prices on transactions for the account than would
otherwise be the case.
Best Execution
In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not always the lowest possible cost, but
whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
range of a broker-dealer’s services, including factors such as execution, capability, commission
rates and responsiveness. Accordingly, although BIP will seek competitive rates, it may not
necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for the client’s account transactions.
BIP reviews the execution of trades at each broker-dealer at least quarterly. The review process is
documented in the BIP Compliance Manual. Trading fees charged by the custodians are also
reviewed at least quarterly as the trades are reviewed. BIP does not receive any portion of the
trading fees.
Order Aggregation
Most trades are mutual funds or ETFs where trade aggregation does not garner any client benefit.
However, there may be situations where BIP decides to purchase or sell the same securities for
several clients at approximately the same time. BIP may (but is not obligated to) combine or “batch”
such orders to obtain best execution or to negotiate more favorable transaction rates. BIP will not
receive any additional compensation or remuneration because of the aggregation.
Relationships with Investment Product Providers
Following a stringent interview process, BIP was granted access by Dimensional Fund Advisers
(DFA) to its mutual funds. DFA is an Austin, Texas-based mutual fund company with over 100
separate funds in aggregate and $777 billion of firm-wide assets under management (as of
December 31, 2024).
While there is no direct linkage between the investment advice given and the approval of BIP to
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access the mutual funds of DFA, BIP receives benefits from DFA. These benefits, which are also
received by other Registered Investment Adviser firms granted access to the DFA funds include:
• Attendance at seminars hosted by DFA at which the investment products of DFA are
explained, academic instruction is given on asset allocation strategies, and financial
planning and practice management is given. BIP pays all the travel and hotel costs for
members and staff attending these seminars. DFA provides, at no charge to BIP or the
other attendees at such seminars, the speakers and facilities for the seminar, occasional
luncheons or dinners, and the materials handed out at the seminar.
• Access to the “financial adviser” portion of the DFA website (www.dfaus.com), which
contains additional academic research, practice management articles, newsletters,
educational video presentations, software, and investment returns data.
• Use of the DFA Returns and DFA Allocation Evaluator software programs and
accompanying data, which can be utilized to ascertain how different asset classes (as
represented by various indices) and different mutual funds of DFA have performed over
time and which provide a method for calculation based upon historical results of rate of
return and standard deviation for those assets classes and mutual funds.
• Various print materials (including article reprints and DFA brochures).
• Occasional practice management conferences and telephone conferences with DFA’s
team members to discuss specific issues relating to academic research, investment
theory, practice development (marketing), and management issues.
We are under no obligation to recommend the mutual funds of Dimensional Fund Advisers to our
clients. We recommend the mutual funds of DFA, or other mutual fund companies, or other
investment products only when we believe they best suit our client’s objectives. We do not provide
any payment to DFA for the access provided to our clients. DFA does not pay BIP any monetary
compensation to recommend the funds of DFA.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
Managed portfolios are reviewed at least quarterly but may be reviewed more often if requested
by the client, upon receipt of information material to the management of the portfolio, or at any
time such review is deemed necessary or advisable by BIP. These factors may include, but are not
limited to, the following: change in general client circumstances (marriage, divorce, retirement); or
economic, political, or market conditions. Additional triggering factors could be performance on an
individual account being an outlier to the performance of accounts with similar investment
objectives.
Regular Reports
Quarterly written reports are provided to clients, detailing investment allocations and performance.
The primary custodian, (typically Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab, or Inspira Financial),
provides quarterly statements that itemize client account holdings and activities. Any reports that
advisors send to clients must contain a legend urging clients to compare the advisor-provided
reports to the statements that the client receives directly from the custodian.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Incoming Referrals
BIP is fortunate to receive many client referrals. The referrals come from current clients, estate
planning attorneys, accountants, personal friends of employees and other similar sources. The
firm does not compensate for most of these referrals.
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There is a limited number of solicitor agreements with strategic partners.
For clients introduced by third parties, BIP DOES NOT charge fees or costs greater than the fees
or costs BIP charges its advisory clients who were not introduced by the third-party solicitors and
have similar portfolios under management with BIP. In other words, being introduced to the firm
from a solicitor will have no influence whatsoever on the fees charged to clients.
BIP has received client referrals from Schwab previously through its participation in Schwab’s
AdvisorDirect. Schwab is a broker-dealer independent of and unaffiliated with BIP. There is no
employee or agency relationship between the two firms. Schwab established AdvisorDirect as a
means of referring its brokerage customers and other investors seeking fee-based personal
investment management services or financial planning services to independent investment
advisors. Schwab does not supervise BIP and has no responsibility for BIP’s management of client
portfolios or BIP’s other advice or services. BIP pays Schwab an on-going fee for each successful
client referral. This fee is usually a percentage (not to exceed 25%) of the advisory fee that the client
pays to BIP (“Solicitation Fee”). BIP will also pay Schwab the Solicitation Fee on any advisory fees
received by BIP from any of a referred client’s family members, including a spouse, child or any
other immediate family member who resides with the referred client and hired BIP on the
recommendation of such referred client. BIP will not charge clients referred through AdvisorDirect
any fees or costs higher than its standard fee schedule offered to its clients or otherwise pass
Solicitation Fees paid to Schwab to its clients. For information regarding additional or other fees
paid directly or indirectly to Schwab, please refer to Schwab’s AdvisorDirect Disclosure and
Acknowledgement Form.
BIP’s participation in AdvisorDirect raises conflicts of interest. Schwab has referred clients through
AdvisorDirect to investment advisors that encourage their clients to custody their assets at
Schwab. Consequently, BIP has an incentive to recommend to AdvisorDirect clients that the
assets under management by BIP be held in custody with Schwab and to place transactions for
client accounts with Schwab. In addition, BIP has agreed not to solicit clients referred to it through
AdvisorDirect to transfer their accounts from Schwab or to establish brokerage or custody
accounts at other custodians, except when its fiduciary duties require doing so. BIP’s
participation in AdvisorDirect does not diminish the execution of trades for client accounts.
Referrals Out
While BIP may refer clients to other professionals (e.g., accountants, lawyers, etc.), BIP does not
receive a referral fee or other compensation for doing so.
Item 15: Custody
Account Statements
All assets are held at qualified custodians, which provide account statements at least quarterly to
clients on-line or mailed to their address of record.
Standing Letter of Instruction
BIP is deemed to have custody of client assets because of clients authorizing BIP to distribute assets
from their accounts to a specific named recipient in accordance with a standing letter of instruction.
BIP is complying with the SEC No-Action Letter dated February 21, 2017 (Investment Adviser
Association) allowing firms who comply with all the provisions of the no-action-letter to forego the
annual surprise custody examination. For most of BIP’s clients, BIP deducts quarterly fees directly from
client accounts at each custodian, which would also give BIP custody.
Private Fund
Because BIP Holdings, LLC, a related company, serves as the Manager of a private fund (outlined
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in “Advisory Business”) and, therefore, has authority over client assets that are invested in the
private funds, BIP is considered to have custody of client funds that are invested in such private
funds. In such an instance, a third-party financial institution (e.g., a bank or registered broker-
dealer) shall be appointed as the qualified custodian for the assets of the private funds.
Additionally, BIP complies with the reporting requirements and has a surprise exam performed
annually by an independent Public Accounting firm.
Performance Reports
Clients are urged to compare the account statements received directly from their custodians to the
Quarterly Portfolio Report (QPR) provided by BIP.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Discretionary Authority for Trading
As described above under Item 4 - Advisory Business, BIP manages portfolios on a discretionary
basis. Having discretion gives BIP permission to transact in each client’s account without needing
to contact the client for permission. Discretionary authority is given by signing the BIP Advisory
Agreement and signing the custodian’s applications.
BIP will have authority to exercise its full discretion over the following areas without restrictions:
•
•
the specific securities to be bought or sold on the client’s behalf.
the number of shares and/or the dollar amount of securities to be bought or sold on the
client’s behalf.
BIP will make recommendations it believes are appropriate for the client’s investment plan. BIP will
observe any other specific limitations that may be imposed by the client in relation to this
discretionary authority.
Investments in private market securities are non-discretionary, which means the client must
authorize all private market transactions prior to any trade execution.
Limited Power of Attorney
For discretionary accounts, a Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) is signed by the client as part of
the custodian’s account application, giving BIP the authority to carry out various activities in the
account including trade execution, the ability to request checks from a client’s account in the client’s
name and sent to the address of record, and the withdrawal of advisory fees directly from the
account. The client may limit the terms of the LPOA to the extent consistent with their Advisory
Agreement with BIP and the requirements of the client’s custodian. BIP’s discretionary relationship
is further described in BIP’s Advisory Agreement with the client under #1 “Nature of Services
Provided”.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Proxy Votes
BIP does not vote proxies for client accounts.
Item 18: Financial Information
Financial Condition
BIP does not require, nor solicit, prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six months or
more in advance, and therefore has no disclosure required for this item.
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