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Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV
Firm Brochure
December 3, 2025
Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC
SEC File No. 801-81107
167 S. Main Street
Thiensville, WI 53092
21090 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
phone: 262-242-4487
toll free: 800-239-4487
website: www.blackhawk-capital.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Blackhawk Capital
Partners, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at 262-
242-4487. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority. Registration with the SEC or
state regulatory authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
Item 2: Material Changes
This Firm Brochure is our disclosure document prepared according to regulatory requirements
and rules. Consistent with the rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material
changes to this and subsequent Brochures within 120 days of the close of our business fiscal
year. Furthermore, we will provide you with other interim disclosures about material changes as
necessary.
There are no material changes to this Brochure from the last annual update issued on February
26, 2025.
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................................................ 6
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ......................................................... 11
Item 7: Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ................................................. 11
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ........................................................................................................................... 26
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................................ 26
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ........................................................................................................................................................... 28
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................... 30
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................... 37
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ........................................................................................ 38
Item 15: Custody .......................................................................................................................................................... 38
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................... 39
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................................ 39
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................................ 40
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC
Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC (“Blackhawk” and/or “the firm”) is a limited liability company
organized in the state of Wisconsin. This firm was organized in May 2011 and has been in
business since June 2011, and the principal owners are Kevin Blake Perlberg and Donald William
Tendick III.
B. Advisory Services Offered
Blackhawk is an independent asset management and financial planning firm offering a variety of
financial services to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans,
trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities.
B.1. Investment Supervisory Services
Blackhawk offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. Investment Supervisory Services
include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪
Investment strategy
▪ Personal investment policy
▪ Asset allocation
▪ Asset selection
▪ Risk tolerance
▪ Regular portfolio monitoring
Blackhawk evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance
levels and time horizon. Blackhawk will generally request discretionary authority from clients in
order to select securities and execute transactions without permission from the client prior to
each transaction.
For its discretionary asset management services, Blackhawk receives a limited power of attorney
to effect securities transactions on behalf of its clients that include securities and strategies
described in Item 8 of this brochure.
In addition to providing Blackhawk with information regarding their personal financial
circumstances, investment objectives and tolerance for risk, clients have the right to provide the
firm with any reasonable investment restrictions that should be imposed on the management of
their portfolio, and to promptly notify the firm in writing of any changes in such restrictions or in
the client's personal financial circumstances, investment objectives, goals and tolerance for risk.
On a quarterly basis, Blackhawk’s reports to clients will remind clients of their obligation to
inform the firm of any such changes or any restrictions that should be imposed on the
management of the client’s account. Blackhawk will also contact clients at least annually to
determine whether there have been any changes in a client's personal financial circumstances,
investment objectives and tolerance for risk.
From time to time, Blackhawk and client may choose to utilize a TPMM when it is deemed
appropriate. TPMM’s are registered investment advisors that are not affiliated with Blackhawk.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
B.2. Third-Party Money Manager Services
Third-Party Money Manager (TPMM) services may be offered in various ways, but generally are
structured either as (i) solicitor arrangements in which Blackhawk receives a solicitor fee for
referring client accounts to a TPMM; or (ii) sub-advisory where Blackhawk may utilize one or
more TPMM’s to manage all or a portion of a client’s account. Blackhawk will assist in both the
selection of one or more TPMM’s as well as planning the investment strategy when it is deemed
appropriate. This will be determined by the same criteria in which we manage assets (income,
tax levels, risk tolerance, etc.). Under this type of relationship clients will receive additional
disclosure documents from the TPMM as well as sign an additional advisory agreement. This
type of relationship will involve an additional fee to the TPMM (which may or may not be
negotiable) and can be terminated at any time. While Blackhawk does not have a minimum
investment amount, certain TPMMs may.
B.3. Wealth/Financial/Business Planning
Wealth plans and wealth planning/financial planning may include, but are not limited to, the
following types of services:
▪ Tax Planning Recommendations
▪ Employee Benefits Analysis
▪ Asset Protection Planning
▪ Corporate Structure Analysis
▪
Investment Analysis
▪ Succession Planning Review
▪
Insurance Analysis
▪ E&O/Malpractice Analysis
▪ Retirement Planning
▪ Outsourcing Analysis
▪ Estate Plan Document Review
Clients will receive a written or oral report (depending on the client’s preference) providing a
basic financial plan designed to help achieve their stated financial goals and objectives. Based
on the client’s needs, financial planning services may include (but are not limited to) the
following:
▪ Preparation of a recommended asset allocation that serves to diversify the client's
portfolio among different categories of investments, such as domestic and international
small, medium, and large capitalization securities; corporate and government fixed
income (short-, intermediate-, and long-term maturities); emerging market securities (i.e.,
foreign issuers); real estate investment trusts; and such other alternative asset categories
that are suitable in light of the client's investment goals, objectives, and risk tolerance.
▪ Preparation of an investment policy statement setting forth the client’s investment plan,
with specific direction in terms of diversification requirements, tax issues, estate planning
issues, risk tolerance, retirement, and other identified objectives of the client, including a
targeted rate-of-return objective.
▪ Preparation of a retirement plan that serves to identify whether the client is saving
enough and investing in a way that meets retirement objectives in light of the client's
financial circumstances and risk tolerance.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
▪ Preparation of cash flow projections to ensure that the client can meet daily living
expenses and obligations.
▪
Insurance planning to meet the needs of the client, taking into account family, business,
and other financial objectives of the client.
Blackhawk gathers required information through in-depth personal interviews and
questionnaires. Information gathered includes a client's current financial status, investment
objectives, future goals, and attitudes toward risk. Related documents supplied by the client are
carefully reviewed, and a report is prepared covering one or more of the above-mentioned
topics as directed by the client.
B.4. Selection of Other Advisers
As part of its portfolio management services, Blackhawk may recommend one or more third-
party separate account managers to manage all or a portion of the client's investment portfolio.
Factors taken into consideration when making recommendations include, but are not limited to,
the separate account manager’s performance, investment strategies, methods of analysis,
advisory and other fees, assets under management, and the client's financial objectives and risk
tolerance. Blackhawk would generally retain authority to hire/fire the separate account manager
and regularly monitors the performance of the separate account manager to ensure its
management and investment style remain aligned with the client's objectives and risk tolerance.
Blackhawk has a sub-advisory agreement with an unaffiliated registered investment adviser and
platform provider. Blackhawk accesses various investment strategies made available through the
separate account manager’s investment platform. Blackhawk determines which strategies the
client assets are to be invested in, and thereafter the separate account manager implements all
trades necessary to cause such assets to be invested in the strategies.
Blackhawk continuously manages any separate account manager relationship and regularly
monitors the client's account(s) for performance metrics and adherence to the client's
investment objectives. Each separate account manager maintains a separate disclosure
document that Blackhawk will provide to the client. The client should carefully review the
separate account manager's disclosure document for information regarding fees, risks and
investment strategies, and conflicts of interest. The separate account manager’s fee will be in
addition to the advisory fees charged by Blackhawk.
B.5. Model Portfolio Provider
The firm may operate as a model portfolio provider delivering Blackhawk Dividend Growth
Strategy through one or more third-party platforms. The firm, as part of its model provider
agreement, uploads its model to the third-party platform(s), who then has the responsibility and
discretion to implement the model portfolio and subsequent changes to such model portfolio to
underlying client accounts. The goal of the model is to provide capital appreciation and income
from dividends.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
B.6. Sub-Adviser Services
The firm may operate as a sub-adviser managing the Blackhawk Dividend Growth Strategy
through one or more third-party financial institutions (i.e., investment advisers and broker-
dealers) and third-party asset management platforms. The terms of such sub-adviser
arrangement will be memorialized in a written sub-adviser agreement between Blackhawk and
third-party financial institution or asset management platform sponsor.
C. Client-Tailored Services and Client-Imposed Restrictions
Each client’s account will be managed on the basis of the client’s financial situation and
investment objectives and in accordance with any reasonable restrictions imposed by the client
on the management of the account—for example, restricting the type or amount of security to
be purchased in the portfolio.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
Blackhawk does not participate in wrap fee programs, where brokerage commissions and
transaction costs are included in the asset-based fee charged to the client
E. Client Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, the firm had $336,415,616 in discretionary assets under management
and $2,423 in non-discretionary assets under management.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Methods of Compensation and Fee Schedule
A.1. Investment Advisory & Separate Account Manager Fees
Your management fee is agreed upon between you and your Investment Advisory
Representative (hereinafter “IAR”) and established in your agreement. Because your
management fee may be negotiated, it therefore may be higher or lower than the management
fee paid by other clients of your IAR or the management fee charged to other clients for similar
services.
Your management fees are based upon the percentage of assets within your custodian account
at the end of the prior quarter. Please be advised the firm uses a third-party vendor, Orion
Advisor Technology (“Orion”), for its advisory client billing. The statement values used by Orion
are based upon trade date, whereas Schwab’s statement values are based upon settled trades.
As a result, the values used by Orion versus those used by Schwab may be higher. Typically,
there is a three (3) business day differential between trade date and settlement date. Your
management fee includes all fees and charges for the services of the IAR relating to their
management of your account. Your IAR may separately provide and bill for other services as
otherwise agreed to by you and your IAR.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
The total managed account fee will include Blackhawk’s advisory fee (maximum 3.0%, which is
negotiable), plus a sub-adviser strategy fee/platform fee if the separate account manager
platform is utilized (separate account manager’s fee portion is non-negotiable). The client’s
custodian statement will show two separate line items: Blackhawk’s fee and the separate account
manager’s fee.
Blackhawk offers access to a proprietary investment strategy. As a result, Blackhawk has an
economic incentive to utilize its proprietary model strategy versus those available through the
separate account manager.
Model manager/strategy fees may change. Clients will be required to approve in writing any
model manager/strategy change that results in an increased fee. Please ask your IAR for a
current list of model strategies and their costs. In consideration for such services, the separate
account manager will charge a program fee that includes the investment management fee of
the model providers, the administration of the program, and trading, clearance and settlement
costs. Clients should note that comparable services may be available elsewhere at more
favorable pricing. Clients are encouraged to discuss with their IAR the most appropriate tier of
services, given the client’s needs and the applicable cost given the client’s investment goals and
objectives.
In addition to the management fee, a quarterly fee in the amount of $12.50 will be charged to
each account to cover costs and expenses of Orion for the administration of the account
(including data feed and reconciliation services, fee calculation matters, performance and
reporting services, and other technology support services).
Asset-based fees are always subject to the investment advisory agreement between the client
and Blackhawk, and if the separate account manager’s platform is utilized, in the separate
Portfolio Confirmation Form clients are required to sign prior to implementation of their
portfolio. Such fees are payable quarterly in advance. The fees will be prorated if the investment
advisory relationship commences otherwise than at the beginning of a calendar month.
Adjustments for contributions of $20,000 or more to a client’s portfolio are prorated for the
quarter in which the change occurs; no adjustments will be made for withdrawals.
A client investment advisory agreement may be canceled at any time by the client, or by
Blackhawk with written notice to the client. Upon termination, any unearned, prepaid fees will be
promptly refunded. Refunds are given on a prorated basis, based on the number of days
remaining in a quarter at the point of termination. Fees that are collected in advance will be
refunded based on the prorated amount of work completed up to the day of termination within
the quarter terminated. The fee refunded will be the balance of the fees collected in advance
minus the daily rate* times the number of days in the quarter up to and including the day of
termination. (*The daily rate is calculated by dividing the quarterly AUM fee by the number of
days in the termination quarter). The client has the right to terminate an agreement without
penalty within five business days after entering into the agreement.
A.2. Wealth/Financial Planning Fees
Financial planning fees will be billed at the maximum rate of $250 per hour or a fixed fee
mutually agreed upon by the client and Blackhawk. For fixed fee arrangements, Blackhawk will
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
provide the prospective client with an estimate of the fixed charges prior to finalizing the
financial planning agreement. Estimates will be based upon a good faith estimate of the number
of hours to complete the assignment multiplied by the hourly rate and re-evaluated at a later
point as discussed above.
Fees are generally paid in advance based on the estimated number of required hours, but never
more than six months in advance. The client will be billed directly for such services. Invoices will
be mailed out on a periodic basis reflecting completed work performed. Clients seeking to
terminate this service must do so in writing. Fees that are charged in advance will be refunded
based on the prorated amount of work completed at the point of termination. The fee refunded
will be the balance of the fees collected in advance minus the hourly rate times the numbers of
hours of work that has been completed up to and including the day of termination. Clients may
terminate their contracts without penalty within five business days of signing the advisory
contract.
A.3. Model Provider Service Fees
Blackhawk model provider fee is a maximum of .42% basis points for the model provider service.
Fees may be negotiated with the platform sponsor.
A.4. Sub-Adviser Fees
Blackhawk sub-adviser fees are negotiated with the client-facing adviser or third-party asset
management platform and memorialized in a written sub-adviser agreement. Generally, those
fees would be a maximum of .70%. Fees may be negotiated with the platform sponsor.
B. Client Payment of Fees
B.1. Payment of Investment Advisory Fees
Blackhawk requires clients to authorize the direct debit of fees from their accounts. Exceptions
may be granted subject to the firm’s consent for clients to be billed directly for our fees. For
directly debited fees, the custodian’s periodic statements will show each fee deduction from the
account. Clients may withdraw this authorization for direct billing of these fees at any time by
notifying us or their custodian in writing.
Blackhawk will deduct advisory fees directly from the client’s account provided that (i) the client
provides written authorization to the qualified custodian, and (ii) the qualified custodian sends
the client a statement, at least quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed from the account.
The client is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the fee calculation, as the client’s custodian
will not verify the calculation.
B.2. Payment of Wealth/Financial Planning Fees
Hourly financial planning fees are paid via check in advance, but never more than six months in
advance. Fees that are charged in advance will be refunded based on the prorated amount of
work completed at the point of termination.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
Fixed wealth/financial planning fees are paid via check in advance, but never more than six
months in advance, with the remainder due upon presentation of the plan. Fees that are
charged in advance will be refunded based on the prorated amount of work completed at the
point of termination.
B.3. Payment of Model Provider Service Fees
Payment for model provider service fees is pursuant to the model provider’s agreement.
C. Additional Client Fees Charged
All fees paid for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and
expenses charged by exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, separate account managers, broker-
dealers, and custodians retained by clients. Such fees and expenses are described in each
exchange-traded fund and mutual fund’s prospectus, each separate account manager’s Form
ADV and Brochure and Brochure Supplement or similar disclosure statement, and by any
broker-dealer or custodian retained by the client. Clients are advised to read these materials
carefully before investing. If a mutual fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an initial
or deferred sales charge as further described in the mutual fund’s prospectus. A client using
Blackhawk may be precluded from using certain mutual funds or separate account managers
because they may not be offered by the client's custodian.
Please refer to the Brokerage Practices section (Item 12) for additional information regarding the
firm’s brokerage practices.
D. Prepayment of Client Fees
Blackhawk generally requires fees to be prepaid on a quarterly basis. Blackhawk’s fees will either
be paid directly by the client or disbursed to Blackhawk by the qualified custodian of the client’s
investment accounts, subject to prior written consent of the client. The custodian will deliver
directly to the client an account statement, at least quarterly, showing all investment and
transaction activity for the period, including fee disbursements from the account.
A client investment advisory agreement may be canceled at any time by the client, or by
Blackhawk with written notice to the client. Upon termination, any unearned, prepaid fees will be
promptly refunded. The fee refunded will be the balance of the fees collected in advance minus
the daily rate* times the number of days in the quarter up to and including the day of
termination. (*The daily rate is calculated by dividing the quarterly AUM fee by the number of
days in the termination quarter). The client has the right to terminate an agreement without
penalty within five business days after entering into the agreement.
E. External Compensation for the Sale of Securities to Clients
Blackhawk’s advisory professionals are compensated based upon a percentage of the collected
advisory fee revenue. Certain personnel are registered with an unaffiliated broker-dealer and
may be paid sales, service or administrative fees for the sale of mutual funds or other investment
products. In addition, Blackhawk’s advisory professionals may receive commission-based
compensation for the sale of securities and insurance products. Investment adviser
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
representatives, in their capacity as a United Planners Financial Services registered
representative, are prohibited from earning an advisory fee on the securities value transferred
from an advisory client’s United Planners Financial Services brokerage account unless
commissions earned on such securities transactions occurred at least a 12–18 months prior to
the transfer. Please see Item 10.C. for detailed information and conflicts of interest.
F. Important Disclosure – Custodian Investment Programs
Please be advised that certain of the firm’s investment adviser representatives are registered
with a broker-dealer and/or the firm is a broker-dealer or affiliated with a broker-dealer. Under
these arrangements, we can access certain investment programs offered through the broker-
dealer that offer certain compensation and fee structures that create conflicts of interest of
which clients need to be aware. As such, the investment adviser representative and/or the firm
may have an economic incentive to recommend the purchase of 12b-1 or revenue share class
mutual funds offered through the broker-dealer platform rather than from the investment
adviser platform.
The firm utilizes certain custodians/broker-dealers. Under these arrangements we can access
certain investment programs offered through such custodian(s) that offer certain compensation
and fee structures that create conflicts of interest of which clients need to be aware. Please note
the following:
Limitation on Mutual Fund Universe for Custodian Investment Programs: Please note that as a
matter of policy we prohibit the receipt of revenue share fees from any mutual funds utilized for
our advisory clients’ portfolios. There are certain programs in which we participate where a
client’s investment options may be limited in certain of these programs to those mutual funds
and/or mutual fund share classes that pay 12b-1 fees and other revenue sharing fee payments,
and the client should be aware that the firm is not selecting from among all mutual funds
available in the marketplace when recommending mutual funds to the client.
Conflict Between Revenue Share Class (12b-1) and Non-Revenue Share Class Mutual Funds:
Revenue share class/12b-1 fees are deducted from the net asset value of the mutual fund and
generally, all things being equal, cause the fund to earn lower rates of return than those mutual
funds that do not pay revenue sharing fees. The client is under no obligation to utilize such
programs or mutual funds. Although many factors will influence the type of fund to be used, the
client should discuss with their investment adviser representative whether a share class from a
comparable mutual fund with a more favorable return to investors is available that does not
include the payment of any 12b-1 or revenue sharing fees given the client’s individual needs
and priorities and anticipated transaction costs. In addition, the receipt of such fees can create
conflicts of interest in instances (i) where our adviser representative is also licensed as a
registered representative of a broker-dealer and receives a portion of 12b-1 and or revenue
sharing fees as compensation – such compensation creates an incentive for the investment
adviser representative to use programs which utilize funds that pay such additional
compensation; and (ii) where the custodian receives the entirety of the 12b-1 and/or revenue
sharing fees and takes the receipt of such fees into consideration in terms of benefits it may
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
elect to provide to the firm, even though such benefits may or may not benefit some or all
of the firm clients.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Blackhawk does not charge performance-based fees and therefore has no economic incentive to
manage clients’ portfolios in any way other than what is in their best interests.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Blackhawk offers its investment services to various types of clients including individuals, high-
net-worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations,
insurance companies, corporations, and other business entities.
Blackhawk does not require a minimum account size.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Blackhawk uses a variety of sources of data to conduct its economic, investment and market
analysis, such as financial newspapers and magazines, economic and market research materials
prepared by others, conference calls hosted by mutual funds, corporate rating services, annual
reports, prospectuses, and company press releases. It is important to keep in mind that there is
no specific approach to investing that guarantees success or positive returns; investing in
securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
Blackhawk and its investment adviser representatives are responsible for identifying and
implementing the methods of analysis used in formulating investment recommendations to
clients. The methods of analysis may include quantitative methods for optimizing client
portfolios, computer-based risk/return analysis, technical analysis, and statistical and/or
computer models utilizing long-term economic criteria.
▪ Optimization involves the use of mathematical algorithms to determine the appropriate
mix of assets given the firm’s current capital market rate assessment and a particular
client’s risk tolerance.
▪ Quantitative methods include analysis of historical data such as price and volume
statistics, performance data, standard deviation and related risk metrics, how the security
performs relative to the overall stock market, earnings data, price to earnings ratios, and
related data.
▪ Technical analysis involves charting price and volume data as reported by the exchange
where the security is traded to look for price trends.
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▪ Computer models may be used to derive the future value of a security based on
assumptions of various data categories such as earnings, cash flow, profit margins, sales,
and a variety of other company specific metrics.
In addition, Blackhawk reviews research material prepared by others, as well as corporate filings,
corporate rating services, and a variety of financial publications. Blackhawk may employ outside
vendors or utilize third-party software to assist in formulating investment recommendations to
clients.
A.1. Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds, Individual and Fixed Income Securities
and Third-Party Separate Account Managers
Blackhawk may recommend no-load and load-waived mutual funds and individual securities
(including fixed income instruments). Blackhawk may also assist the client in selecting one or
more appropriate manager(s) for all or a portion of the client’s portfolio. Such managers will
typically manage assets for clients who commit to the manager a minimum amount of assets
established by that manager—a factor that Blackhawk will take into account when
recommending managers to clients.
A description of the criteria to be used in formulating an investment recommendation for
mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities (including fixed-income securities), and managers is set
forth below.
Blackhawk has formed relationships with third-party vendors that
▪ provide a technological platform for separate account management
▪ prepare performance reports
▪ perform or distribute research of individual securities
▪ perform billing and certain other administrative tasks
Blackhawk may utilize additional independent third parties to assist it in recommending and
monitoring individual securities, mutual funds, and managers to clients as appropriate under the
circumstances.
Blackhawk reviews certain quantitative and qualitative criteria related to mutual funds and
managers and to formulate investment recommendations to its clients. Quantitative criteria may
include
▪
the performance history of a mutual fund or manager evaluated against that of its peers
and other benchmarks
▪ an analysis of risk-adjusted returns
▪ an analysis of the manager’s contribution to the investment return (e.g., manager’s
alpha), standard deviation of returns over specific time periods, sector and style analysis
▪
the fund, sub-advisor or manager’s fee structure
▪
the relevant portfolio manager’s tenure
Qualitative criteria used in selecting/recommending mutual funds or managers include the
investment objectives and/or management style and philosophy of a mutual fund or manager; a
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
mutual fund or manager’s consistency of investment style; and employee turnover and efficiency
and capacity.
Quantitative and qualitative criteria related to mutual funds and managers are reviewed by
Blackhawk on a quarterly basis or such other interval as appropriate under the circumstances. In
addition, mutual funds or managers are reviewed to determine the extent to which their
investments reflect any of the following: efforts to time the market, engage in portfolio
pumping, or evidence style drift such that their portfolios no longer accurately reflect the
particular asset category attributed to the mutual fund or manager by Blackhawk (all negative
factors in implementing an asset allocation structure).
Blackhawk may negotiate reduced account minimum balances and reduced fees with managers
under various circumstances (e.g., for clients with minimum level of assets committed to the
manager for specific periods of time, etc.). There can be no assurance that clients will receive any
reduced account minimum balances or fees, or that all clients, even if apparently similarly
situated, will receive any reduced account minimum balances or fees available to some other
clients. Also, account minimum balances and fees may significantly differ between clients. Each
client’s individual needs and circumstances will determine portfolio weighting, which can have
an impact on fees given the funds or managers utilized. Blackhawk will endeavor to obtain equal
treatment for its clients with funds or managers, but cannot assure equal treatment.
Blackhawk will regularly review the activities of mutual funds and managers utilized for the
client. Clients that engage managers or who invest in mutual funds should first review and
understand the disclosure documents of those managers or mutual funds, which contain
information relevant to such retention or investment, including information on the methodology
used to analyze securities, investment strategies, fees and conflicts of interest.
A.2. Material Risks of Investment Instruments
Blackhawk may invest in open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds for the vast
majority of its clients. In addition, for certain clients, Blackhawk may effect transactions in the
following types of securities:
▪ Equity securities
▪ Mutual fund securities
▪ Exchange-traded funds
▪ Fixed income securities
▪ Corporate debt securities
▪ Municipal securities
▪ U.S. government securities
▪ Variable annuities
▪ Oil and gas interests
▪ Private equity
▪ REITs
▪
Interval funds
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
▪ Structured notes
▪ Digital assets
A.2.a. Equity Securities
Investing in individual companies involves inherent risk. The major risks relate to the
company’s capitalization, quality of the company’s management, quality and cost of the
company’s services, the company’s ability to manage costs, efficiencies in the manufacturing
or service delivery process, management of litigation risk, and the company’s ability to create
shareholder value (i.e., increase the value of the company’s stock price). Foreign securities, in
addition to the general risks of equity securities, have geopolitical risk, financial transparency
risk, currency risk, regulatory risk and liquidity risk.
A.2.b. Mutual Fund Securities
Investing in mutual funds carries inherent risk. The major risks of investing in a mutual fund
include the quality and experience of the portfolio management team and its ability to create
fund value by investing in securities that have positive growth, the amount of individual
company diversification, the type and amount of industry diversification, and the type and
amount of sector diversification within specific industries. In addition, mutual funds tend to be
tax inefficient and therefore investors may pay capital gains taxes on fund investments while
not having yet sold the fund.
A.2.c. Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)
ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange.
An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index.
Some examples of ETFs are SPDRs®, streetTRACKS®, DIAMONDSSM, NASDAQ 100 Index
Tracking StockSM (“QQQs SM”) iShares® and VIPERs®. The funds could purchase an ETF to gain
exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market. The funds, as a shareholder of another
investment company, will bear their pro-rata portion of the other investment company’s
advisory fee and other expenses, in addition to their own expenses.
Investing in ETFs involves risk. Specifically, ETFs, depending on the underlying portfolio and its
size, can have wide price (bid and ask) spreads, thus diluting or negating any upward price
movement of the ETF or enhancing any downward price movement. Also, ETFs require more
frequent portfolio reporting by regulators and are thereby more susceptible to actions by
hedge funds that could have a negative impact on the price of the ETF. Certain ETFs may
employ leverage, which creates additional volatility and price risk depending on the amount of
leverage utilized, the collateral and the liquidity of the supporting collateral.
Further, the use of leverage (i.e., employing the use of margin) generally results in additional
interest costs to the ETF. Certain ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore have additional
volatility and liquidity risk. Volatility and liquidity can severely and negatively impact the price
of the ETF’s underlying portfolio securities, thereby causing significant price fluctuations of the
ETF.
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A.2.d. Fixed Income Securities
Fixed income securities carry additional risks than those of equity securities described above.
These risks include the company’s ability to retire its debt at maturity, the current interest rate
environment, the coupon interest rate promised to bondholders, legal constraints,
jurisdictional risk (U.S or foreign) and currency risk. If bonds have maturities of ten years or
greater, they will likely have greater price swings when interest rates move up or down. The
shorter the maturity the less volatile the price swings. Foreign bonds have liquidity and
currency risk.
A.2.e. Corporate Debt
Fixed income securities carry additional risks than those of equity securities described above.
These risks include the company’s ability to retire its debt at maturity, the current interest rate
environment, the coupon interest rate promised to bondholders, legal constraints,
jurisdictional risk (U.S or foreign) and currency risk. If bonds have maturities of ten years or
greater, they will likely have greater price swings when interest rates move up or down. The
shorter the maturity the less volatile the price swings. Foreign bonds also have liquidity and
currency risk.
A.2.f. Municipal Securities
Municipal securities carry additional risks than those of corporate and bank-sponsored debt
securities described above. These risks include the municipality’s ability to raise additional tax
revenue or other revenue (in the event the bonds are revenue bonds) to pay interest on its
debt and to retire its debt at maturity. Municipal bonds are generally tax free at the federal
level, but may be taxable in individual states other than the state in which both the investor
and municipal issuer is domiciled.
A.2.g. U.S. Government Securities
U.S. government securities include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and by U.S.
government agencies and instrumentalities. U.S. government securities may be supported by
the full faith and credit of the United States.
A.2.h. Variable Annuities
Variable Annuities are long-term financial products designed for retirement purposes. In
essence, annuities are contractual agreements in which payment(s) are made to an insurance
company, which agrees to pay out an income or a lump sum amount at a later date. There are
contract limitations and fees and charges associated with annuities, administrative fees, and
charges for optional benefits. They also may carry early withdrawal penalties and surrender
charges, and carry additional risks such as the insurance carrier's ability to pay claims.
Moreover, variable annuities carry investment risk similar to mutual funds. Investors should
carefully review the terms of the variable annuity contract before investing.
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A.2.i. Oil and Gas Interests
Oil and gas investments take many forms, including limited partnership interests, ownership of
fractional undivided interests in leases, and general partnerships. Tax consequences and
investor liability vary according to the type of program. True general partnerships in which
investors actively participate in the operations of the venture are not securities. A general
partner, however, is personally liable for partnership debts. This type of investment is very
speculative, is a highly illiquid investment, and can have a long holding period.
A.2.j. Private Equity
Private equity is an ownership interest in a company or portion of a company that is not
publicly owned, quoted, or traded on a stock exchange. Private equity takes an ownership
interest in a company with the goal of enhancing the company's value by bringing about
change. Compared to public equity, long-term results of private equity investments are less
dependent on overall market performance. Private equity investments are subject to certain
risks such as market and investment style risk. Investments are highly illiquid and subject to
greater risk. These risks include lack of liquidity, lack of valuation transparency, conflicts of
interest, higher management fees, and complex tax structures. Private equity investments may
require a longer holding period and are highly speculative and may result in a loss of invested
capital. The strategies discussed may only be appropriate for certain qualified investors.
A.2.k. REITs
A REIT is a company that owns and typically operates income-producing real estate or related
assets. These may include office buildings, shopping malls, apartments, hotels, resorts, self-
storage facilities, warehouses, and mortgages or loans. Unlike other real estate companies, a
REIT does not develop real estate properties to resell them. Instead, a REIT buys and develops
properties primarily to operate them as part of its own investment portfolio. Many REITs are
registered with the SEC and are publicly traded on a stock exchange. These are known as
publicly traded REITs. Others may be registered with the SEC but are not publicly traded. These
are known as non- traded REITs (also known as non-exchange traded REITs). Risks associated
with investing a non-publicly traded REIT include lack of liquidity, lack of share price
transparency, distributions being paid from offering proceeds and borrowings, and conflicts of
interest.
A.2.l. Interval Funds
An interval fund is a type of investment company that periodically offers to repurchase its
shares from shareholders. That is, the fund periodically offers to buy back a stated portion of
its shares from shareholders. Shareholders are not required to accept these offers and sell
their shares back to the fund.
Legally, interval funds are classified as closed-end funds, but they are very different from
traditional closed-end funds in that:
▪ Their shares typically do not trade on the secondary market. Instead, their shares are
subject to periodic repurchase offers by the fund at a price based on net asset value.
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▪ They are permitted to (and many interval funds do) continuously offer their shares at a
priced based on the fund’s net asset value.
An interval fund will make periodic repurchase offers to its shareholders, generally every three,
six, or twelve months, as disclosed in the fund’s prospectus and annual report. Interval funds
are not liquid, meaning they are not easily converted into cash. Just as the fund will offer to
repurchase a percentage of the fund at intervals, the investor is limited to selling shares at
intervals. In other words, interval funds have limited liquidity. As a result interval funds are only
appropriate for clients who do not have short term cash needs. The price that shareholders will
receive on a repurchase will be based on the per share NAV determined as of a specified (and
disclosed) date. Note that interval funds are permitted to deduct a redemption fee from the
repurchase proceeds, not to exceed 2% of the proceeds. The fee is paid to the fund, and
generally is intended to compensate the fund for expenses directly related to the repurchase.
Interval funds may charge other fees as well. An interval fund’s prospectus and annual report
will disclose the various details of the repurchase offer. Before investing in an interval fund,
you should carefully read all of the fund’s available information, including its prospectus and
most recent shareholder report.
A.2.m. Structured Notes
What are Structured Notes?
Structured notes are fixed income securities that are issued by financial institutions with
returns that are linked to or based on, among other things, equity indices, a single equity
security, a basket of equity securities, interest rates, commodities, debt securities, exchange
traded funds, and/or foreign currencies (a “Structured Note”). The security, asset, or index on
which a Structured Note is based is often called the "Reference Instrument." Structured Notes
have a fixed maturity date and include two components – a bond component and an
embedded derivative. While some Structured Notes offer substantial protection of invested
principal, others offer limited or no principal protection.
The embedded derivatives within Structured Notes adjust the note's risk/return profile by
including additional modifying structures that can increase potential returns. The return
performance of a Structured Note typically tracks the return profile of the underlying debt
obligation and the derivative that is embedded within it. Instead of simply paying straight
fixed or floating interest, Structured Notes can offer interest payments that are tailored to
specific indices and/or rates. The derivative securities that are embedded in the Structured
Note can also positively or negatively affect the redemption value and final maturity of the
security.
Depending on complexity, risk profile, and numerous other factors, Structured Notes often pay
interest or coupon rates that are above the prevailing market rate. Many Structured Notes cap
or limit the amount of upside participation in the Reference Instrument or underlying asset,
particularly in cases where the Structured Note offers principal protection or pays interest that
is above-market. Structured Notes are typically issued by investment banks or their affiliates
and feature a fixed maturity date.
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Structured Notes are not suitable for everyone. All investors assume full credit risk of the
security’s issuer and/or guarantor. This means that the investor may lose all the monies
invested, including all initial amounts invested as principal protection may not apply, if the
issuer and/or the guarantor become insolvent or fail in any way.
Each Structured Note involves varying degrees of risk and unique suitability issues that
investors must consider before investing in such securities. Structured Notes involve important
legal and tax consequences and investment risks, which each investor should discuss with
qualified financial, accounting, and tax advisors regarding the suitability of the specific
Structured Note in light of each investor’s particular circumstances.
Understanding the Risk Factors
Before investing in any Structured Note security, it is important that you obtain and read the
pricing supplement, accompanying prospectus, and prospectus supplements to ensure that
you understand the risks associated with the specific Structured Note that you are purchasing.
Payment terms vary significantly for each Structured Note depending on the structure and
component of the specific security. While some Structured Notes may pay interest prior to
liquidation, others may include payments only upon maturity. Additionally, rates of return vary
based on many factors, including the performance of the underlying securities, assets, indices,
and/or commodities.
As discussed in the risk factor explanation below, you are also advised that, in cases where the
return on the underlying securities is positive, payment may be limited if the structure includes
a cap on the percentage return for the underlying security or depending on how the
percentage increase for the underlying security is calculated as of the determination date. You
are also advised that it may be difficult to sell or liquidate the Structured Note or underlying
security as there may be little or no secondary market for such securities, and independent
market pricing may be limited or unavailable and market values may vary based on a variety of
factors affecting the underlying securities or assets. Such factors may include, among other
things: time to maturity; appreciation or depreciation of underlying securities; market volatility;
interest rate fluctuations; and myriad other events that may positively or negatively affect the
value of underlying securities, indices, or assets.
Issuer Credit Worthiness. Unless a Structured Note is specifically stated to be 100% principal
protected or FDIC insured, some or all of your invested principal may be at risk. The return of
your principal is guaranteed only to the extent specified in the specific offering terms for the
Structured Note security you are purchasing and is specifically subject to the credit and
creditworthiness of the issuer and the underwriter. If there is a negative return on the
underlying security or Reference Instrument, then you may receive an amount that is less than
your invested principal at maturity and you could lose up to the percentage indicated in your
initial investment terms. In some cases, you may end up owning the underlying security at a
price that is lower than the original purchase price.
Issuance price and note value. The price you will pay for a Structured Note at the time of
issuance will often be higher than the fair market value of the Structured Note on the date of
issuance. The cover page of the offering prospectus discloses the Issuer’s estimated value of
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the Structured Note in order to enable you to note the difference between the issuance price
and the issuer’s estimated value of the note. The issuance price of the note is typically higher
than the estimated market value of the note because issuers include in the initial price the
costs for selling, structuring, and/or hedging their exposure on the note. Additionally,
Structured Notes often may not be resold on a daily basis, which makes it difficult to value
them, particularly given their complexity as compared to other financial products.
Liquidity. With the exception of Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”), Structured Notes are
typically not listed on any national securities exchange and can be difficult to sell, trade, or
liquidate, especially in any large quantity or within any limited period of time. Although some
Structured Notes are listed on national securities exchanges, such securities are often thinly
traded and difficult to sell, trade, or liquidate. As a result, the issuing financial institution’s
broker-dealer affiliate or the broker-dealer distributor of the note may be the only potential
buyers for your Structured Note, and many issuers often specifically disclaim their intention to
repurchase or make markets in the notes that they issue. If you choose to invest in a
Structured Note, you must be prepared to hold the note until it reaches the maturity date or
bear the risk of selling the note at a discount to its value at the time of sale.
Payoff structure. Structured notes often have complicated payoff structures that make it
difficult to accurately assess their value, risk, and growth potential over the term of the note. It
can be complex to determine each note’s performance as the payoff structures and features
vary considerably among different notes. For example, payoff structures may be leveraged,
inverse, or inverse-leveraged, which can result in larger returns or losses for the investor. You
should review the prospectus and pricing supplements carefully for each Structured Note to
ensure that you thoroughly understand how the payoff on each note will be calculated. For
example, the payoff on Structured Notes can depend on:
▪ Participation rates: Many Structured Notes provide a minimum payoff of the invested
principal plus an additional payoff amount to the investor. This is calculated by
multiplying the increase in the Reference Instrument by a fixed percentage, which is
often called the “participation rate.” The participation rate determines how much of the
increase in the Reference Instrument will be paid to you a purchaser of the Structured
Note.
▪ Capped maximum returns: Some Structured Notes provide payments that are linked to a
Reference Instrument with a leveraged or enhanced participation rate, but the payoff
amount is capped at a pre-set maximum payoff amount. This means that the investor
does not participate in any increase in the Reference Instrument above the maximum
payoff level.
▪ Knock-in feature: Structured Notes often include a pre-specified threshold for the
Reference Instrument that is called a knock-in feature (also known as a barrier or trigger)
that affects the payout return on the note. If the Reference Instrument falls below a pre-
specified level during the term of the note, you could lose some or all of your principal
investment at maturity. You could also lose the coupon payments scheduled throughout
the term of the note.
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▪ Credit Rating: While many Structured Notes, Reference Instruments, and underlying
securities may be assigned a credit rating from a national rating organization, many
Structured Notes and underlying securities have no credit rating. To the extent that a
particular credit rating may pertain to the creditworthiness of the issuer, it is not
necessarily indicative of the risk associated with a specific Structured Note or Reference
Instrument, index, or asset. The presentation of a credit rating in relation to any
Structured Note or underlying security may not indicate or reflect the safety of the
principal invested or the potential investment returns associated with your investment.
Such credit ratings may not affect or enhance the likely performance of the Structured
Note investment.
Tax
The Structured Note investment may be treated as a "contingent payment debt instrument"
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, even in cases where any accrued interest
is not payable until maturity, investors may be required to accrue such interest as ordinary
income based on the "comparable yield" of the underlying securities as determined by the
underwriter. We strongly recommend that you consult your tax advisor regarding such tax
treatment and implications prior to purchasing any Structured Note security.
A.2.n. Digital Assets
Purchasing and investing in digital, virtual or crypto currencies, coins and tokens, and similar
or related investments (collectively, for purposes of these Special Risks, “Digital Asset
Investments”) is speculative and involves significant risks. Certain of those risks are identified
below, however, these risks likely are not exhaustive and are in addition to the general market,
economic, industry and financial performance risks that affect valuations of other investment
types and classes. The Client understands that because Digital Asset Investments’ markets are
continually evolving at a rapid pace, it is impossible to identify all of their risks or to project
which risks may become the most meaningful.
Lack of regulatory guidance; Significant volatility. There is no clear tax or regulatory guidance
and oversight on issuers of Digital Asset Investments and the use of Digital Asset Investments
as trading and investment vehicles. Further, the issuance of various Digital Asset Investments
may not have been effected in accordance with all applicable laws, such as those imposed by
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission (“CFTC”). This may expose a holder of one or more Digital Asset Investments to
significant risks. Further, digital assets, such as bitcoin, have experienced significant
fluctuations in market value and trading prices. These fluctuations have been, and are
expected to continue to be, very volatile. This volatility may lead to considerable levels of risk,
and therefore the Client should carefully consider the level of risk that the Client is
comfortable bearing.
Regulatory changes or actions may restrict the issuance, use and transfers of Digital Asset
Investments, and platforms that facilitate the issuance and trading of Digital Asset Investments.
Until recently, little or no regulatory attention has been directed toward digital assets by U.S.
federal and state governments, foreign governments and self-regulatory agencies. As Digital
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Asset Investments have grown in popularity and in market size, the Federal Reserve Board, U.S.
Congress and certain U.S. agencies (e.g., the CTFC, FinCEN and the SEC) are examining the
operations and practices of Digital Asset Investments issuers, users, wallet providers and
platforms that facilitate the issuance or secondary trading of Digital Asset Investments (such
platforms, collectively, “Platforms”). Certain state regulators have also initiated examinations of
the issuers of Digital Asset Investments, industry participants and Platforms. Both the SEC and
the CFTC have begun to assert regulatory authority over Digital Asset Investments and trading
and ownership of such assets and have brought enforcement actions against certain issuers.
To the extent that any Digital Asset Investment is determined to be a security, commodity
future or other regulated asset, or to the extent that a U.S. or foreign government or quasi-
governmental agency exerts regulatory authority over the digital currency industry in general,
the issuance of Digital Asset Investments, trading and ownership, transactions involving the
purchase and sale of such assets may be adversely affected, which could adversely affect the
value and liquidity of all or certain types of Digital Asset Investments. The effect of any future
regulatory change on Platforms or Digital Investment issuers and industry participants in
general is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and adverse to the
value and liquidity of all or certain types of Digital Asset Investments.
Digital Asset Investments are subject to significant valuation risks. Particularly because Digital
Asset Investments are typically not backed by hard assets or any governmental entity, and do
not represent an equity or debt instrument, they are subject to significant valuation risk –
which is the risk that such assets are priced incorrectly due to factors such as incomplete data,
projections that do not prove to be accurate, significant market speculation, market instability
or human error. There is no assurance that any Digital Investment owned in the Account could
be sold or transferred for the value established or assigned for it at any time, and it is possible
that various Digital Asset Investments would incur a loss because they are sold at a discount to
its assigned, or believed, value.
The unregulated nature and lack of transparency surrounding the operations of Platforms may
cause the marketplace to lose confidence in such exchanges. The Platforms on which bitcoin and
other Digital Asset Investments trade are relatively new and, in some cases, unregulated.
Furthermore, while many prominent Platforms provide significant information regarding their
ownership structure, management teams, corporate practices and regulatory compliance,
many other exchanges do not provide this information. As a result, the marketplace may lose
confidence in digital asset exchanges, including prominent exchanges that handle a significant
volume of digital asset trading. In recent years there have been a number of Platforms that
have closed due to fraud, business failure or security breaches; additionally, larger Platforms
have been targets for hackers and malware and may be more likely to be targets of regulatory
enforcement action. A lack of stability in the digital asset exchange markets and the closure or
temporary shutdown of such exchanges due to fraud, business failure, hackers or malware, or
government-mandated regulation may reduce confidence in the Digital Investment
marketplace in general and result in greater volatility in the Digital Investment marketplace.
These potential consequences would adversely affect the stability of the value and liquidity of
all or certain Digital Asset Investments.
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The Platforms may be subject to extensive and complex regulatory regimes. Platforms that
facilitate the primary or secondary issuance of Digital Asset Investments may be subject to
extensive federal, state and local regulation, non-compliance with which could have a negative
impact on the Adviser’s ability to acquire Digital Asset Investments through the Platforms or to
sell them for the Account. For example, the Platforms may be required to be registered as a
broker-dealer, authorized to operate an alternative trading system, be registered as a stock
exchange or register with the CFTC. If the Platforms do not comply with applicable laws, they
could be subject to sanction and compelled to cease operations, which may have an adverse
effect on the Adviser’s ability to execute an investment strategy involving Digital Asset
Investments.
The further development and acceptance of digital currencies is subject to a variety of risks.
Digital currencies are a new and rapidly evolving asset of which blockchain technology is a
prominent, but not unique, part. The growth of the digital currency industry in general, and
distributed ledger technology that supports such digital currencies in particular, is subject to a
high degree of uncertainty. The factors affecting the further development of digital currencies,
as well as distributed ledger technology, include further growth in the adoption and use of
digital currencies; government and quasi-government regulation of digital assets and their
use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of the Platforms that facilitate
their issuance and secondary trading; the maintenance and development of the open-source
software protocol of certain blockchain networks used to support digital currencies; changes
in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; the availability and popularity
of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, including new means of
using fiat currencies; and general economic conditions and the regulatory environment
relating to digital currencies.
Beneficial holders of Digital Asset Investments typically do not have voting or governance rights
in the issuer of such assets. Typically, Digital Asset Investments do not afford a holder with any
voting rights or other management or control rights in the issuer or the particular protocol or
project. Therefore, the beneficial holders of such assets are not able to exercise any control or
voting influence over any significant actions of the issuer or the applicable project, such as a
sale of its assets or winding up of the project.
Beneficial holders of Digital Asset Investments typically do not have distribution rights. Digital
Asset Investments typically do not represent an equity stake in the issuer or a given project,
and thus holders of such Digital Asset Investments typically do not have distribution or
dividend rights. Therefore, holders do not have liquidation rights otherwise commonly
afforded to stockholder holders in a corporation organized under the laws of the states of the
United States.
The tax characterization of investing and trading in Digital Asset Investments is uncertain and
may result in adverse tax consequences for beneficial holders. The tax characterization of Digital
Asset Investments is uncertain. An investment in, or transactions involving, Digital Asset
Investments may result in adverse tax consequences to investors, including withholding taxes,
income, corporation or profit taxes, value-added taxes or goods and services taxes, stamp
duties or other forms of transactional taxes, and tax reporting requirements.
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A lack of a central regulatory authority and structure and the global nature of digital assets and
blockchain technologies limit legal remedies and recourses. Because there is a lack of a central
regulatory authority and structure and due to the global nature of digital assets and
blockchain technologies, a holder of Digital Asset Investments may have no legal remedies or
recourse against issuers, other users, holders, purchasers or sellers of Digital Asset
Investments, and any other person or entity that may interfere with any Digital Asset
Investments owned by the holder, or a holder’s digital wallet.
There is no existing trading market for certain Digital Asset Investments and an active trading
market may not develop. Certain Digital Asset Investments that may be identified by a
representative of IHT may be a new issue of digital tokens for which there is no established
public market. Although the issuer of such Digital Asset Investments may intend to list those
assets on certain Platforms that facilitate secondary trading, there can be no assurance that
such exchanges will accept the listing of the applicable Digital Asset Investments or maintain
the listing if accepted. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop or, if a
secondary market does develop, that it will provide the holders of those Digital Asset
Investments with liquidity of investment or that it will continue for the life of the particular
digital asset. The liquidity of any market for many Digital Asset Investments will depend on a
number of factors, including:
▪
the number of holders;
▪
the performance and financial condition of the issuer or applicable project;
▪
the market for similar digital tokens;
▪
the interest of traders in making a market in the specific Digital Asset Investments; and
▪
regulatory developments in the digital token or cryptocurrency industries.
The digital token market is a new and rapidly developing market which may be subject to
substantial and unpredictable disruptions that cause significant volatility in the prices of digital
tokens. There are no assurances that the market, if any, for any or all Digital Asset Investments
will be free from such disruptions or that any such disruptions may not adversely affect a
holder’s ability to sell certain or all Digital Asset Investments.
Risks associated with Digital Asset Investments issued by foreign issuers or projects. The adviser
may invest directly or indirectly in the Digital Asset Investments issued by foreign issuers. Such
investments may involve risks not ordinarily associated with exposure to instruments or assets
of U.S. issuers. Foreign issuers or projects may be subject to less governmental supervision and
regulation than exists in the U.S.; conversely, foreign regulatory regimes applicable to the
Digital Investment space and industry may be more complex and more restrictive than those
in the U.S., resulting in higher costs associated with such investments, and such regulatory
regimes may be subject to interpretation or change without prior notice to issuers and
operators in the industry. For example, in September 2017 China announced that initial coin
offerings are illegal in China and that all fundraising activity involving digital token sales
should be halted and the Financial Services Commission in the Republic of Korea also recently
prohibited initial coin offerings in the Republic of Korea. In addition, digital token financing
and trading platforms are prohibited from undertaking conversions of coins with fiat
currencies in China, meaning that digital tokens cannot be used as currency in the market.
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Further, foreign issuers of Digital Asset Investments and operators of Platforms may not be
subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to
those in the U.S. The Account’s exposure to Digital Asset Investments issued by foreign issuers
may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net
return on such investments.
Intellectual property rights claims may adversely affect the operation of prominent blockchains
and crypto assets in general. Third parties may assert intellectual property claims relating to the
holding and transfer of digital assets and their source code. Regardless of the merit of any
intellectual property or other legal action, any threatened action that reduces confidence in
digital assets or the ability of end-users to hold and transfer various digital assets may
adversely affect an investment strategy focused on Digital Asset Investments. Additionally, a
meritorious intellectual property claim could prevent the Adviser or other end-users from
accessing a specific blockchain network or holding or transferring digital assets that utilize
those blockchains, which could force the liquidation of the certain digital assets held in the
Account or that are a part of the Adviser’s investment strategy or cause the value of such
digital assets to significantly decline. As a result, an intellectual property claim against large
participants on certain blockchain networks could adversely affect the value and liquidity of all
of certain Digital Asset Investments.
Many Digital Asset Investments may be subject to malfunction or function in an unexpected or
unintended manner. Digital Asset Investments, and any network with which they are
interacting, may malfunction or function in an unexpected or unintended manner. This may be
caused by the applicable Digital Investment itself, the Ethereum protocol, other networks, or a
number of other causes, some of which are unforeseeable. Any malfunction or unintended
function could result in the complete loss with respect to the affected Digital Investment.
There is risk of theft and fraud, both at the custodian or any third-party exchanges at which
Digital Asset Investments may be custodied. Although the third parties utilized to custody
Digital Asset Investments are expected to employ significant security measures and diversify
risk on any particular exchange, there is risk of hacking from outside criminals at the exchange
level as well as any third-party custodian, which could lead to the loss of some or all client
funds.
B. Investment Strategy and Method of Analysis Material Risks
Our investment strategy is custom-tailored to the client’s goals, investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and personal and financial circumstances.
B.1. Margin Leverage
Although Blackhawk, as a general business practice, does not utilize leverage, there may be
instances in which exchange-traded funds, other separate account managers and, in very limited
circumstances, Blackhawk will utilize leverage. In this regard please review the following:
The use of margin leverage enhances the overall risk of investment gain and loss to the client’s
investment portfolio. For example, investors are able to control $2 of a security for $1. So if the
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price of a security rises by $1, the investor earns a 100% return on their investment. Conversely,
if the security declines by $.50, then the investor loses 50% of their investment.
The use of margin leverage entails borrowing, which results in additional interest costs to the
investor.
Broker-dealers who carry customer accounts require a minimum equity requirement when
clients utilize margin leverage. The minimum equity requirement is stated as a percentage of the
value of the underlying collateral security with an absolute minimum dollar requirement. For
example, if the price of a security declines in value to the point where the excess equity used to
satisfy the minimum requirement dissipates, the broker-dealer will require the client to deposit
additional collateral to the account in the form of cash or marketable securities. A deposit of
securities to the account will require a larger deposit, as the security being deposited is included
in the computation of the minimum equity requirement. In addition, when leverage is utilized
and the client needs to withdraw cash, the client must sell a disproportionate amount of
collateral securities to release enough cash to satisfy the withdrawal amount based upon similar
reasoning as cited above.
Regulations concerning the use of margin leverage are established by the Federal Reserve Board
and vary if the client’s account is held at a broker-dealer versus a bank custodian. Broker-dealers
and bank custodians may apply more stringent rules as they deem necessary.
B.2. Short-Term Trading
Although Blackhawk, as a general business practice, does not utilize short-term trading, there
may be instances in which short-term trading may be necessary or an appropriate strategy. In
this regard, please read the following:
There is an inherent risk for clients who trade frequently in that high-frequency trading creates
substantial transaction costs that in the aggregate could negatively impact account
performance.
B.3. Short Selling
Blackhawk generally does not engage in short selling but reserves the right to do so in the
exercise of its sole judgment. Short selling involves the sale of a security that is borrowed rather
than owned. When a short sale is effected, the investor is expecting the price of the security to
decline in value so that a purchase or closeout of the short sale can be effected at a significantly
lower price. The primary risks of effecting short sales is the availability to borrow the stock, the
unlimited potential for loss, and the requirement to fund any difference between the short credit
balance and the market value of the security.
B.4. Technical Trading Models
Technical trading models are mathematically driven based upon historical data and trends of
domestic and foreign market trading activity, including various industry and sector trading
statistics within such markets. Technical trading models, through mathematical algorithms,
attempt to identify when markets are likely to increase or decrease and identify appropriate
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entry and exit points. The primary risk of technical trading models is that historical trends and
past performance cannot predict future trends, and there is no assurance that the mathematical
algorithms employed are designed properly, updated with new data, and can accurately predict
future market, industry, and sector performance.
C. Security-Specific Material Risks
There is an inherent risk for clients who have their investment portfolios heavily weighted in one
security, one industry or industry sector, one geographic location, one investment manager, one
type of investment instrument (equities versus fixed income). Clients who have diversified
portfolios, as a general rule, incur less volatility and therefore less fluctuation in portfolio value
than those who have concentrated holdings. Concentrated holdings may offer the potential for
higher gain, but also offer the potential for significant loss.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There is nothing to report on this item.
B. Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report on this item.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report on this item.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Broker-Dealer or Representative Registration
Neither Blackhawk nor its affiliates are registered broker-dealers and do not have an application
to register pending.
Certain members and registered advisory personnel of Blackhawk are registered representatives
of United Planners Financial Services. Please see Item 10.C below for further information and
possible conflicts of interest.
B. Futures or Commodity Registration
Neither Blackhawk nor its affiliates are registered as a commodity firm, futures commission
merchant, commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor and do not have an
application to register pending.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
C. Material Relationships Maintained by this Advisory Business and
Conflicts of Interest
C.1. Broker-Dealer Registration
Managers, members, and registered personnel of Blackhawk are associated persons of United
Planners Financial Services (“United Planners”), a FINRA-registered broker-dealer and member of
SIPC. Blackhawk has a 0.27 percent ownership interest United Planners. This presents a conflict
of interest in that Blackhawk has an interest in United Planners’ business. Furthermore,
Blackhawk professionals who effect transactions for advisory clients may receive transaction or
commission compensation from United Planners. The recommendation of securities transactions
for commission creates a conflict of interest in that Blackhawk is economically incented to effect
securities transactions for clients. Although Blackhawk strives to put its clients’ interests first,
such recommendations may be viewed as being in the best interests of Blackhawk rather than in
the client’s best interest. Blackhawk advisory clients are not compelled to effect securities
transactions through United Planners.
Under the rules and regulations of FINRA, United Planners has obligations to maintain records
and perform other functions regarding certain aspects of the investment advisory activities of its
registered representatives in relation to certain advisory accounts for which its registered
representatives provide investment advice.
In order to fulfill its obligations, United Planners has established a list of approved Third Party
Custodians (TPC) and Third Party Money Managers (TPMM) and it has arranged to obtain the
required cooperation from them to ensure the business is properly structured. Therefore, these
TPCs and TPMMs may be utilized for accounts directly advised by registered representatives of
United Planners who are investment advisor representatives of a registered investment advisor
other than United Planners.
In most instances, United Planners will collect (commonly referred to as a “paying agent”) the
investment advisory fee remitted to the investment advisor by the TPC or TPMM. United
Planners will retain a portion of the investment advisory fee as an assessment to the investment
advisor (not the client) for the functions United Planners is required to effectuate pursuant to
FINRA rules. The United Planners assessment to the investment advisor has no impact to
execution or brokerage charges to the client or the investment advisory fee the client has
agreed to pay the investment advisor pursuant to the client’s advisory agreement.
In certain situations, and when applicable, a portion of the United Planners assessment may be
reallowed to other registered representatives of United Planners who are also responsible for
the supervision of other registered representatives and who assist United Planners with their
oversight responsibilities.
C.2. Insurance Sales
Certain managers, members, and registered employees of Blackhawk are licensed insurance
agents. With respect to the provision of financial planning services, Blackhawk professionals may
recommend insurance products offered by such carriers for whom they function as an agent and
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
receive a commission for doing so. Please be advised there is a potential conflict of interest in
that there is an economic incentive to recommend insurance and other investment products of
such carriers. Please also be advised that Blackhawk strives to put its clients’ interests first and
foremost. Other than for insurance products that require a securities license, such as variable
insurance products, clients may utilize any insurance carrier or insurance agency they desire. For
products requiring a securities and insurance license, clients may be limited to those insurance
carriers that have a selling agreement with Blackhawk’s employing broker-dealer.
D. Recommendation or Selection of Other Investment Advisors and
Conflicts of Interest
Blackhawk may engage third-party separate account managers to manage all or a portion of the
client's assets. Blackhawk’s fees are separate and distinct from the separate account managers it
utilizes. Blackhawk will always act in the best interests of the client, including when determining
which separate account managers to recommend and/or utilize for clients. Clients are under no
obligation to use any third-party provider recommended by Blackhawk and may use the
provider of their choice. Blackhawk does not recommend separate account managers or other
investment products in which it receives any form of referral compensation from the separate
account manager or investment product sponsor.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics Description
In accordance with the Advisers Act, Blackhawk has adopted policies and procedures designed
to detect and prevent insider trading. In addition, Blackhawk has adopted a Code of Ethics (the
“Code”). Among other things, the Code includes written procedures governing the conduct of
Blackhawk's advisory and access persons. The Code also imposes certain reporting obligations
on persons subject to the Code. The Code and applicable securities transactions are monitored
by the chief compliance officer of Blackhawk. Blackhawk will send clients a copy of its Code of
Ethics upon written request.
Blackhawk has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the interests of its clients are
given preference over those of Blackhawk, its affiliates and its employees. For example, there are
policies in place to prevent the misappropriation of material non-public information, and such
other policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with federal and state securities
laws.
B. Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest and
Conflicts of Interest
Blackhawk does not engage in principal trading (i.e., the practice of selling stock to advisory
clients from a firm’s inventory or buying stocks from advisory clients into a firm’s inventory). In
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addition, Blackhawk does not recommend any securities to advisory clients in which it has some
proprietary or ownership interest.
C. Advisory Firm Purchase or Sale of Same Securities Recommended to
Clients and Conflicts of Interest
Blackhawk, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations
and retirement plans established by it may purchase or sell the same securities as are purchased
or sold for clients in accordance with its Code of Ethics policies and procedures. The personal
securities transactions by advisory representatives and employees may raise potential conflicts
of interest when they trade in a security that is:
▪ owned by the client, or
▪ considered for purchase or sale for the client.
Such conflict generally refers to the practice of front-running (trading ahead of the client), which
Blackhawk specifically prohibits. Blackhawk has adopted policies and procedures that are
intended to address these conflicts of interest. These policies and procedures:
▪
require our advisory representatives and employees to act in the client’s best interest
▪ prohibit fraudulent conduct in connection with the trading of securities in a client
account
▪ prohibit employees from personally benefitting by causing a client to act, or fail to act in
making investment decisions
▪ prohibit the firm or its employees from profiting or causing others to profit on
knowledge of completed or contemplated client transactions
▪ allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner
▪ provide for the review of transactions to discover and correct any trades that result in an
advisory representative or employee benefitting at the expense of a client.
Advisory representatives and employees must follow Blackhawk’s procedures when purchasing
or selling the same securities purchased or sold for the client.
D. Client Securities Recommendations or Trades and Concurrent Advisory
Firm Securities Transactions and Conflicts of Interest
Blackhawk, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations,
and retirement plans established by it may effect securities transactions for their own accounts
that differ from those recommended or effected for other Blackhawk clients. Blackhawk will
make a reasonable attempt to trade securities in client accounts at or prior to trading the
securities in its affiliate, corporate, employee or employee-related accounts. Trades executed the
same day will likely be subject to an average pricing calculation (please refer to Item 12.B.3
Order Aggregation). It is the policy of Blackhawk to place the clients’ interests above those of
Blackhawk and its employees.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
A.1. Custodian Recommendations
Blackhawk may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with Charles Schwab &
Co. (“Schwab”), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. Although Blackhawk may
recommend that clients establish accounts at the custodian, it is the client’s decision to custody
assets with Schwab. Blackhawk is independently owned and operated and not affiliated with
custodian. For Blackhawk client accounts maintained in its custody, the custodian generally does
not charge separately for custody services but is compensated by account holders through
commissions and other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are
executed through the custodian or that settle into custodian accounts.
Blackhawk considers the financial strength, reputation, operational efficiency, cost, execution
capability, level of customer service, and related factors in recommending broker-dealers or
custodians to advisory clients.
In certain instances and subject to approval by Blackhawk, Blackhawk will recommend to clients
certain other broker-dealers and/or custodians based on the needs of the individual client, and
taking into consideration the nature of the services required, the experience of the broker-dealer
or custodian, the cost and quality of the services, and the reputation of the broker-dealer or
custodian. The final determination to engage a broker-dealer or custodian recommended by
Blackhawk will be made by and in the sole discretion of the client. The client recognizes that
broker-dealers and/or custodians have different cost and fee structures and trade execution
capabilities. As a result, there may be disparities with respect to the cost of services and/or the
transaction prices for securities transactions executed on behalf of the client. Clients are
responsible for assessing the commissions and other costs charged by broker-dealers and/or
custodians.
A.1.a. How We Select Brokers/Custodians to Recommend
Blackhawk seeks to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold client assets and execute
transactions on terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available
providers and their services. We consider a wide range of factors, including, among others, the
following:
▪ combination of transaction execution services along with asset custody services
(generally without a separate fee for custody)
▪ capability to execute, clear, and settle trades (buy and sell securities for client accounts)
▪ capabilities to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers,
check requests, bill payment, etc.)
▪ breadth of investment products made available (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-
traded funds (ETFs), etc.)
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▪ availability of investment research and tools that assist us in making investment
decisions
▪ quality of services
▪ competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest rates,
other fees, etc.) and willingness to negotiate them
▪
reputation, financial strength, and stability of the provider
▪
their prior service to us and our other clients
▪ availability of other products and services that benefit us, as discussed below
A.1.b. Client’s Custody and Brokerage Costs
For client accounts that the firm maintains, the custodian generally does not charge clients
separately for custody services but is compensated by charging commissions or other fees on
trades that it executes or that settle into the custodian’s accounts. The custodian’s commission
rates applicable to the firm’s client accounts were negotiated based on the firm’s commitment
to maintain a certain minimum amount of client assets at the custodian. This commitment
benefits the client because the overall commission rates paid are lower than they would be if
the firm had not made the commitment. In addition to commissions, the custodian charges a
flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or “trade away” fee for each trade that the firm has
executed by a different broker-dealer but where the securities bought or the funds from the
securities sold are deposited (settled) into the client’s custodian account. These fees are in
addition to the commissions or other compensation the client pays the executing broker-
dealer. Because of this, in order to minimize the client’s trading costs, the firm has the
custodian execute most trades for the account.
A.1.c. Soft Dollar Arrangements
Blackhawk does not utilize soft dollar arrangements. Blackhawk does not direct brokerage
transactions to executing brokers for research and brokerage services.
A.1.d. Institutional Trading and Custody Services
The custodian provides Blackhawk with access to its institutional trading and custody services,
which are typically not available to the custodian’s retail investors. These services generally are
available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so
long as a certain minimum amount of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts
at a particular custodian. The custodian’s brokerage services include the execution of securities
transactions, custody, research, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are
otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly
higher minimum initial investment.
A.1.e. Other Products and Services
Custodian also makes available to Blackhawk other products and services that benefit
Blackhawk but may not directly benefit its clients’ accounts. Many of these products and
services may be used to service all or some substantial number of Blackhawk's accounts,
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including accounts not maintained at custodian. The custodian may also make available to
Blackhawk software and other technology that
▪ provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account
statements)
▪
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client
accounts
▪ provide research, pricing and other market data
▪
facilitate payment of Blackhawk’s fees from its clients’ accounts
▪ assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting
The custodian may also offer other services intended to help Blackhawk manage and further
develop its business enterprise. These services may include
▪ compliance, legal and business consulting
▪ publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
▪ access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance
providers
The custodian may also provide other benefits such as educational events or occasional
business entertainment of Blackhawk personnel. In evaluating whether to recommend that
clients custody their assets at the custodian, Blackhawk may take into account the availability
of some of the foregoing products and services and other arrangements as part of the total
mix of factors it considers, and not solely the nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage
services provided by the custodian, which may create a potential conflict of interest.
A.1.f. Independent Third Parties
The custodian may make available, arrange, and/or pay third-party vendors for the types of
services rendered to Blackhawk. The custodian may discount or waive fees it would otherwise
charge for some of these services or all or a part of the fees of a third party providing these
services to Blackhawk.
A.1.g. Additional Compensation Received from Custodians
Blackhawk may participate in institutional customer programs sponsored by broker-dealers or
custodians. Blackhawk may recommend these broker-dealers or custodians to clients for
custody and brokerage services. There is no direct link between Blackhawk’s participation in
such programs and the investment advice it gives to its clients, although Blackhawk receives
economic benefits through its participation in the programs that are typically not available to
retail investors. These benefits may include the following products and services (provided
without cost or at a discount):
▪ Receipt of duplicate client statements and confirmations
▪ Research-related products and tools
▪ Consulting services
▪ Access to a trading desk serving Blackhawk participants
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▪ 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
▪ Discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice management
products or services provided to Blackhawk by third-party vendors
The custodian may also pay for business consulting and professional services received by
Blackhawk’s related persons, and may pay or reimburse expenses (including client transition
expenses, travel, lodging, meals and entertainment expenses for Blackhawk’s personnel to
attend conferences). Some of the products and services made available by such custodian
through its institutional customer programs may benefit Blackhawk but may not benefit its
client accounts. These products or services may assist Blackhawk in managing and
administering client accounts, including accounts not maintained at the custodian as
applicable. Other services made available through the programs are intended to help
Blackhawk manage and further develop its business enterprise. The benefits received by
Blackhawk or its personnel through participation in these programs do not depend on the
amount of brokerage transactions directed to the broker-dealer.
Blackhawk also participates in similar institutional advisor programs offered by other
independent broker-dealers or trust companies, and its continued participation may require
Blackhawk to maintain a predetermined level of assets at such firms. In connection with its
participation in such programs, Blackhawk will typically receive benefits similar to those listed
above, including research, payments for business consulting and professional services received
by Blackhawk’s related persons, and reimbursement of expenses (including travel, lodging,
meals and entertainment expenses for Blackhawk’s personnel to attend conferences
sponsored by the broker-dealer or trust company).
As part of its fiduciary duties to clients, Blackhawk endeavors at all times to put the interests of
its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by
Blackhawk or its related persons in and of itself creates a potential conflict of interest and may
indirectly influence Blackhawk’s recommendation of broker-dealers such as Schwab for
custody and brokerage services.
A.1.h. The Firm’s Interest in Schwab’s Services
The availability of these services from the custodian benefits the firm because the firm does
not have to produce or purchase them. The firm does not have to pay for the custodian’s
services so long as a certain minimum of client assets is kept in accounts at the custodian. This
minimum of client assets may give the firm an incentive to recommend that clients maintain
their accounts with the custodian based on the firm’s interest in receiving the custodian’s
services that benefit the firm’s business rather than based on the client’s interest in receiving
the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution of client transactions. This
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is a potential conflict of interest. The firm believes, however, that the selection of the custodian
as custodian and broker is in the best interest of clients. It is primarily supported by the scope,
quality, and price of the custodian’s services and not the custodian’s services that benefit only
the firm.
A.2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
Blackhawk does not engage in the practice of directing brokerage commissions in exchange for
the referral of advisory clients.
A.3. Directed Brokerage
A.3.a. Blackhawk Recommendations
Blackhawk typically recommends Schwab as custodian for clients’ funds and securities and to
execute securities transactions on its clients’ behalf.
A.3.b. Client-Directed Brokerage
Occasionally, clients may direct Blackhawk to use a particular broker-dealer to execute
portfolio transactions for their account or request that certain types of securities not be
purchased for their account. Clients who designate the use of a particular broker-dealer
should be aware that they will lose any possible advantage Blackhawk derives from
aggregating transactions. Such client trades are typically effected after the trades of clients
who have not directed the use of a particular broker-dealer. Blackhawk loses the ability to
aggregate trades with other Blackhawk advisory clients, potentially subjecting the client to
inferior trade execution prices as well as higher commissions.
B. Aggregating Securities Transactions for Client Accounts
B.1. Best Execution
Blackhawk may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with Schwab, a FINRA-
registered broker-dealer, member SIPC, to maintain custody of clients’ assets and to effect
trades for their accounts. Such accounts will be prime broker eligible so that if and when the
need arises to effect securities transactions at broker-dealers ("executing brokers") other than
with the client’s current custodian, such custodian will accept delivery or deliver the applicable
security from/to the executing broker. Schwab charges a “trade away” fee which is charged
against the client account for each trade away occurrence. Other custodians have their own
policies concerning prime broker accounts and trade away fees. Clients are directed to consult
their current custodian for their policies and fees.
Blackhawk, pursuant to the terms of its investment advisory agreement with clients, has
discretionary authority to determine which securities are to be bought and sold, the amount of
such securities, the executing broker, and the commission rates to be paid to effect such
transactions. Blackhawk recognizes that the analysis of execution quality involves a number of
factors, both qualitative and quantitative. Blackhawk will follow a process in an attempt to
ensure that it is seeking to obtain the most favorable execution under the prevailing
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circumstances when placing client orders. These factors include but are not limited to the
following:
▪ The financial strength, reputation and stability of the broker
▪ The efficiency with which the transaction is effected
▪ The ability to effect prompt and reliable executions at favorable prices (including the
applicable dealer spread or commission, if any)
▪ The availability of the broker to stand ready to effect transactions of varying degrees of
difficulty in the future
▪ The efficiency of error resolution, clearance and settlement
▪ Block trading and positioning capabilities
▪ Performance measurement
▪ Online access to computerized data regarding customer accounts
▪ Availability, comprehensiveness, and frequency of brokerage and research services
▪ Commission rates
▪ The economic benefit to the client
▪ Related matters involved in the receipt of brokerage services
Consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities, Blackhawk seeks to ensure that clients receive best
execution with respect to clients’ transactions by blocking client trades to reduce commissions
and transaction costs. To the best of Blackhawk’s knowledge, these custodians provide high-
quality execution, and Blackhawk’s clients do not pay higher transaction costs in return for such
execution. Commission rates and securities transaction fees charged to effect such transactions
are established by the client’s independent custodian and/or broker-dealer. Based upon its own
knowledge of the securities industry, Blackhawk believes that such commission rates are
competitive within the securities industry. Lower commissions or better execution may be able
to be achieved elsewhere.
Blackhawk typically buys bonds utilizing its current executing brokers. A list of such executing
brokers are available upon request. Generally, for sell transactions, the firm trades through
Schwab if it’s a liquid position where the firm can obtain favorable pricing. For less liquid fixed
income securities, the firm will obtain bids from its executing broker relationships, including
Schwab. Please note that for trades executed away from Schwab, Schwab charges, in addition to
its customary transaction fee, a trade-away fee of $20, which the client bears. This trade-away
fee is higher than the normal custodian transaction charge, but we believe the services provided
as well as the bond inventory available to the firm through such executing brokers outweighs
the trade-away cost and provides a tangible benefit to our clients.
B.2. Security Allocation
Since Blackhawk may be managing accounts with similar investment objectives, Blackhawk may
aggregate orders for securities for such accounts. In such event, allocation of the securities so
purchased or sold, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, is made by Blackhawk in the
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manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to
such accounts.
Blackhawk’s allocation procedures seek to allocate investment opportunities among clients in
the fairest possible way, taking into account the clients’ best interests. Blackhawk will follow
procedures to ensure that allocations do not involve a practice of favoring or discriminating
against any client or group of clients. Account performance is never a factor in trade allocations.
Blackhawk’s advice to certain clients and entities and the action of Blackhawk for those and
other clients are frequently premised not only on the merits of a particular investment, but also
on the suitability of that investment for the particular client in light of his or her applicable
investment objective, guidelines and circumstances. Thus, any action of Blackhawk with respect
to a particular investment may, for a particular client, differ or be opposed to the
recommendation, advice, or actions of Blackhawk to or on behalf of other clients.
B.3. Order Aggregation
Orders for the same security entered on behalf of more than one client will generally be
aggregated (i.e., blocked or bunched) subject to the aggregation being in the best interests of
all participating clients. Subsequent orders for the same security entered during the same
trading day may be aggregated with any previously unfilled orders. Subsequent orders may also
be aggregated with filled orders if the market price for the security has not materially changed
and the aggregation does not cause any unintended duration exposure. All clients participating
in each aggregated order will receive the average price and, subject to minimum ticket charges
and possible step outs, pay a pro rata portion of commissions.
To minimize performance dispersion, “strategy” trades should be aggregated and average
priced. However, when a trade is to be executed for an individual account and the trade is not in
the best interests of other accounts, then the trade will only be performed for that account. This
is true even if Blackhawk believes that a larger size block trade would lead to best overall price
for the security being transacted.
B.4. Allocation of Trades
All allocations will be made prior to the close of business on the trade date. In the event an
order is “partially filled,” the allocation will be made in the best interests of all the clients in the
order, taking into account all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the size of each
client’s allocation, clients’ liquidity needs and previous allocations. In most cases, accounts will
get a pro forma allocation based on the initial allocation. This policy also applies if an order is
“over-filled.”
Blackhawk acts in accordance with its duty to seek best price and execution and will not
continue any arrangements if Blackhawk determines that such arrangements are no longer in
the best interest of its clients.
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B.5. Blackhawk-Managed Portfolios and Model Rotation
Blackhawk’s managed portfolios reside at its institutional custodian. When Blackhawk
implements one or more trades through its sole institutional custodian, such trades are
prepared, reviewed, and submitted and in a block trade where assets are then allocated to
clients at an average price.
When Blackhawk serves as a model provider to third-party platforms, we upload our models in a
fair and equitable manner. To ensure equitable treatment among platforms, we will rotate
between platforms as applicable. For example, model #1 upload will be disseminated to
Platform A first and then Platform B. Model #2 upload, irrespective of intervening time-period,
would first be disseminated to Platform B and then Platform A. The cycle would be repeated as
necessary.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Schedule for Periodic Review of Client Accounts or Financial Plans and
Advisory Persons Involved
For individual client engagements, accounts are reviewed by investment adviser representative
servicing the client’s account. The frequency of reviews is determined based on the client’s
investment objectives, but reviews are conducted no less frequently than annually. For asset
management accounts, the portfolio manager reviews at least quarterly.
Financial planning clients receive their financial plans and recommendations at the time service
is completed. There are no post-plan reviews unless engaged to do so by the client.
B. Review of Client Accounts on Non-Periodic Basis
Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes in
client's financial situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical move, or
inheritance).
B.1. Review of Model Portfolios
Model portfolios are reviewed daily to stay appraised of any potential position changes and risk
management procedures. Model portfolios rebalance at least monthly.
C. Content of Client-Provided Reports and Frequency
The firm reports to the client on a quarterly basis or at some other interval agreed upon with the
client, information on contributions and withdrawals in the client's investment portfolio, and the
performance of the client's portfolio measured against appropriate benchmarks (including
benchmarks selected by the client).
Each client will receive at least quarterly from the custodian as well as Blackhawk a written report
that details the client’s account including assets held and asset value which will come from the
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
custodian. The custodian’s statement is the official record of the client’s securities account and
supersedes any statements or reports created on behalf of the client by Blackhawk.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided to the Advisory Firm from External Sources
and Conflicts of Interest
Blackhawk does not receive economic benefits for referring clients to third-party service
providers.
B. Advisory Firm Payments for Client Referrals
Blackhawk does not pay for client referrals.
Item 15: Custody
Blackhawk is considered to have custody of client assets for purposes of the Advisers Act for the
following reasons:
▪ The client authorizes us to instruct their custodian to deduct our advisory fees directly
from the client’s account.
▪ Our authority to direct client requests, utilizing standing instructions, for wire transfer of
funds for first-party money movement and third-party money movement (checks and/or
journals, ACH, Fed-wires). The firm has elected to meet the SEC’s seven conditions to
avoid the surprise custody exam, as outlined below:
1. The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes
the client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or
the third party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be
directed.
2. The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified
custodian’s form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a
specified schedule or from time to time.
3. The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction,
such as a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and
provides a transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
4. The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s
qualified custodian.
5. The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity
of the third party, the address, or any other information about the third party
contained in the client’s instruction.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
6. The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming
the instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
7. The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a
related party of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the
investment adviser.
Individual advisory clients will receive at least quarterly account statements directly from their
custodian containing a description of all activity, cash balances, and portfolio holdings in their
accounts. Blackhawk urges its clients to compare the account balance(s) shown on their account
statements to the quarter-end balance(s) on their custodian's monthly statement. The
custodian’s statement is the official record of the account.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients may grant a limited power of attorney to Blackhawk with respect to trading activity in
their accounts by signing the appropriate custodian limited power of attorney form. In those
cases, Blackhawk will exercise full discretion as to the nature and type of securities to be
purchased and sold, the amount of securities for such transactions, the executing broker to be
used, and the amount of commissions to be paid. Investment limitations may be designated by
the client as outlined in the investment advisory agreement. In addition, subject to the terms of
its investment advisory agreement, Blackhawk may be granted discretionary authority for the
retention of independent third-party investment management firms. Investment limitations may
be designated by the client as outlined in the investment advisory agreement. Please see the
applicable third-party manager’s disclosure brochure for detailed information relating to
discretionary authority.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Blackhawk does not take discretion with respect to voting proxies on behalf of its clients. All
proxy material will be forwarded to the client by the client’s custodian for the client’s review and
action. Clients may contact the firm with questions regarding proxies they have received.
Blackhawk will endeavor to make recommendations to clients on voting proxies regarding
shareholder vote, consent, election or similar actions solicited by, or with respect to, issuers of
securities beneficially held as part of Blackhawk supervised and/or managed assets. In no event
will Blackhawk take discretion with respect to voting proxies on behalf of its clients.
Except as required by applicable law, Blackhawk will not be obligated to render advice or take
any action on behalf of clients with respect to assets presently or formerly held in their accounts
that become the subject of any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies.
From time to time, securities held in the accounts of clients will be the subject of class action
lawsuits. Blackhawk has no obligation to determine if securities held by the client are subject to
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure
a pending or resolved class action lawsuit. Blackhawk also has no duty to evaluate a client’s
eligibility or to submit a claim to participate in the proceeds of a securities class action
settlement or verdict. Furthermore, Blackhawk has no obligation or responsibility to initiate
litigation to recover damages on behalf of clients who may have been injured as a result of
actions, misconduct, or negligence by corporate management of issuers whose securities are
held by clients.
Where Blackhawk receives written or electronic notice of a class action lawsuit, settlement, or
verdict affecting securities owned by a client, it will forward all notices, proof of claim forms, and
other materials to the client. Electronic mail is acceptable where appropriate and where the
client has authorized contact in this manner.
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
Blackhawk does not require the prepayment of fees of $1200 or more, six months or more in
advance, and as such is not required to file a balance sheet.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Advisory Firm’s Ability
to Meet Commitments to Clients
Blackhawk does not have any financial issues that would impair its ability to provide services to
clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions During the Past Ten Years
There is nothing to report on this item.
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Part 2A of Form ADV: Blackhawk Capital Partners, LLC Brochure