View Document Text
Blueprint Partners, LLC
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Blueprint Partners, LLC. If
you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (231) 668-4147 or by email at:
chris@blueprint.family. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Blueprint Partners, LLC is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.advisorinfo.sec.gov. Blueprint Partners, LLC’s CRD number is: 312902.
10238 E Cherry Bend Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 668-4147
chris@blueprint.family
www.blueprint.family
Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 04/21/2025
i
Item 2: Material Changes
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment on January 31, 2024, of
Blueprint Partners, LLC are described below. Material changes relate to Blueprint Partners, LLC’s
policies, practices or conflicts of interests.
• None.
ii
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes .................................................................................................................................. ii
Item 3: Table of Contents................................................................................................................................. iii
Item 4: Advisory Business................................................................................................................................. 2
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................................................... 4
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ................................................................. 7
Item 7: Types of Clients..................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss .............................................................. 7
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................................... 10
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................................ 11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................12
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ...........................................................................................................................13
Item 13: Review of Accounts ............................................................................................................................ 15
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation .......................................................................................16
Item 15: Custody ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 16: Investment Discretion ....................................................................................................................... 17
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ............................................................................................ 17
Item 18: Financial Information ....................................................................................................................... 17
iii
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Blueprint Partners, LLC (hereinafter “Blueprint”) is a Limited Liability Company
organized in the State of Michigan. The firm was formed in February 2021, and the
principal owners are Christopher Dale Millward and Jonathan Erik Gruber.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
Blueprint offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance of each client. Blueprint creates an Investment
Policy Statement for each client, which outlines the client’s current situation (income, tax
levels and risk tolerance levels). Portfolio management services include, but are not
limited to, the following:
Investment strategy
Asset allocation
Risk tolerance
•
•
•
Personal investment policy
Asset selection
Regular portfolio monitoring
•
•
•
Blueprint evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk
tolerance levels and time horizon. Risk tolerance levels are documented in the Investment
Policy Statement, which is given to each client.
Blueprint seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the
fiduciary duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of Blueprint’s economic,
investment or other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, Blueprint
attempts to avoid, among other things, investment or trading practices that systematically
advantage or disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, Blueprint’s policy is
to seek fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its
clients to avoid favoring one client over another over time. It is Blueprint’s policy to
allocate investment opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and
prudent among its clients on a fair and equitable basis over time.
Selection of Other Advisors
Blueprint offers certain of its investment management services through a third-party
managed account platform operated by Envestnet. The platform allows investment
advisors, such as the Firm, to manage client assets through managed accounts on the
Envestnet Platform. Client assets may be allocated to custom model portfolios constructed
by the Firm or among various Independent Managers offering advisory services through
the Envestnet Platform. Blueprint conducts due diligence on any third-party investment
2
advisor, which may involve one or more of the following: phone calls, meetings and review
of the third-party advisor's performance and investment strategy. Blueprint then makes
investments with a third-party investment advisor by referring the client to the third-party
advisor. Blueprint will review the ongoing performance of the third-party advisor as a
portion of the client's portfolio.
Pension Consulting Services
Blueprint offers consulting services to pension or other employee benefit plans (including
but not limited to 401(k) plans). Pension consulting may include, but is not limited to:
identifying investment objectives and restrictions
o
o providing guidance on various assets classes and investment options
o recommending money managers to manage plan assets in ways designed to
achieve objectives
o monitoring performance of money managers and investment options and making
recommendations for changes
o recommending other service providers, such as custodians, administrators and
broker-dealers
o creating a written pension consulting plan
These services are based on the goals, objectives, demographics, time horizon, and/or risk
tolerance of the plan and its participants.
Financial Planning
Financial plans and financial planning may include but are not limited to: investment
planning; estate planning; business planning; life insurance; tax concerns; retirement
planning; college planning; and debt/credit planning.
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
Blueprint generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, fixed income securities,
equities, ETFs (including ETFs in the gold and precious metal sectors), treasury inflation
protected/inflation linked bonds, non-U.S. securities and insurance products including
annuities. Blueprint may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when
applicable.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
Blueprint offers the same suite of services to all of its clients. However, specific client
investment strategies and their implementation are dependent upon the client Investment
Policy Statement which outlines each client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk
tolerance levels). Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain securities or types
of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs.
3
D. Wrap Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated fee that
includes management fees, transaction costs, fund expenses and other administrative fees.
Blueprint does not participate in any wrap fee programs.
E. Assets Under Management
Blueprint has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts:
Non-discretionary Amounts:
Date Calculated:
$ 0.00
$ 257,768,883.00
January 2025
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
$0 - $1,000,000
1.00%
$1,000,001 - $2,000,000
0.85%
$2,000,001 - $3,000,000
0.75%
$3,000,001 - $5,000,000
0.65%
$5,000,001 – And up
0.50%
The firm bills in advance, which means the advisory fee is calculated using the value of the
assets in the Account on the last business day of the prior billing period.
These fees are generally negotiable, and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the
client’s advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a
full refund of Blueprint's fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory
Contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract
immediately upon written notice.
Selection of Other Advisors Fees
Blueprint will receive its standard fee on top of the fee paid to the third-party advisor. This
relationship will be memorialized in each contract between Blueprint and each third-
4
party advisor. The fees will not exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency.
Specifically, Blueprint may direct clients to Envestnet CRD# 111694. These fees are
negotiable. The fee schedule is a blended fee schedule and advisory fees are based on the
average daily balance of the client’s account.
Blueprint fee schedule is as follows:
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
$0 - $1,000,000
1.00%
$1,000,001 - $2,000,000
0.85%
$2,000,001 - $3,000,000
0.75%
$3,000,001 - $5,000,000
0.65%
$5,000,001 – And up
0.50%
Envestnet CRD# 111694 fee schedule is as follows:
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
All Assets
0.04% - 0.50%
For services provided by Blueprint and Envestnet, the client will be charged no more than
1.50% of AUM. These fees are generally negotiable, and the final fee schedule will be
memorialized in the client’s advisory agreement between Envestnet and the client.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for a full refund of Blueprint’s fees,
within five business days of signing the contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the
contract generally upon written notice.
Pension Consulting Services Fees
The rate for pension consulting services is up to 0.50% of the plan assets for which
Blueprint is providing such consulting services. These fees are negotiable.
Financial Planning Fees
Fixed Fees
The negotiated fixed rate for creating client financial plans is up to 0.20% of a client’s net
worth with a minimum fee of $1,000.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for a full refund of Blueprint’s fees,
within five business days of signing the Financial Planning Agreement. Thereafter, clients
may terminate the Financial Planning Agreement generally upon written notice.
5
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Portfolio Management Fees
Asset-based portfolio management fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts
with client's written authorization on a quarterly basis. Fees are paid in advance.
Payment of Selection of Other Advisors Fees
Fees for selection of Envestnet as third-party advisor are withdrawn directly from the
client's accounts by Envestnet with client's written authorization. Fees are paid quarterly
in advance.
Payment of Pension Consulting Services Fees
Pension consulting fees are withdrawn directly from the client’s accounts with client’s
written authorization or may be invoiced and billed directly to the client and clients may
select the method in which they are billed. Fees are paid quarterly in arrears.
Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Financial planning fees are paid via check and wire.
Fixed financial planning fees are paid 100% in advance, but never more than six months
in advance.
C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third-party fees (i.e. custodian fees,
brokerage fees, mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and
distinct from the fees and expenses charged by Blueprint. Please see Item 12 of this
brochure regarding broker-dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
Blueprint collects fees in advance. Refunds for fees paid in advance but not yet earned will
be refunded on a prorated basis and returned within fourteen days to the client via check
or return deposit back into the client’s account.
For all asset-based fees paid in advance, the fee refunded will be equal to the balance of
the fees collected in advance minus the daily rate* times the number of days elapsed in the
billing period up to and including the day of termination. (*The daily rate is calculated by
dividing the annual asset-based fee rate by 365.)
6
Fixed fees that are collected in advance will be refunded based on the prorated amount of
work completed at the point of termination.
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Neither Blueprint nor its supervised persons accept any compensation for the sale of
investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of
mutual funds.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Blueprint does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital gains
on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Blueprint generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
Individuals
High-Net-Worth Individuals
Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans
❖
❖
❖
There is no account minimum for any of Blueprint’s services.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of
Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
Blueprint’s methods of analysis include Fundamental analysis and Modern portfolio
theory.
Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial
health of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio
expected return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a
given level of expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset
classes.
7
Investment Strategies
Blueprint uses long term trading.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be
prepared to bear.
B. Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and
expected future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in
stocks that are undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is that
the market will fail to reach expectations of perceived value.
Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given
two portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one.
Thus, an investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected
returns. Conversely, an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more risk.
The exact trade-off will be the same for all investors, but different investors will evaluate
the trade-off differently based on individual risk aversion characteristics. The implication
is that a rational investor will not invest in a portfolio if a second portfolio exists with a
more favorable risk-expected return profile – i.e., if for that level of risk an alternative
portfolio exists which has better expected returns.
Investment Strategies
Long term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to
its nature, the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk
that will typically surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the
investments. These risks include but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk,
interest rate risk, economic risk, market risk, and political/regulatory risk.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be
prepared to bear.
C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment strategy.
The investment types listed below (leaving aside Treasury Inflation Protected/Inflation
Linked Bonds) are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government
agency.
8
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you
may lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower
investment returns. The funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock
“equity” nature.
Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a
future payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The
value of equity securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each company,
industry conditions and the general economic environments.
Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount
of the payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government
debt securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured
products, such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds
may be the best-known type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market
is volatile and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond
prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term
securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and
credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. The risk of default on treasury
inflation protected/inflation linked bonds is dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting
(extremely unlikely); however, they carry a potential risk of losing share price value, albeit
rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed income securities also include the
general risk of non-U.S. investing described below.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock
exchanges, similar to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss (sometimes
up to a 100% loss in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the
lack of transparency in products and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the
possibility of inadequate regulatory compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include trading
risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks associated with a change in authorized
participants and non-participation of authorized participants, risks that trading price
differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price fluctuation and disassociation from
the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular trading adds cost to your
portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that is one of the typical benefits of ETFs.
Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even
paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the
relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same
level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading
conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily
volume of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded
in ETFs based on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks
of their underlying securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in
smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as
applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange
rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs
that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector, are
generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with
9
that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex
investment strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold,
Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal) specifically
may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among them (1) large sales by the
official sector which own a significant portion of aggregate world holdings in gold and
other precious metals, (2) a significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold
or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators and
investors. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks
because of fees, expenses and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount
to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes). The
degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another, and losses may be
magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them.
Each ETF has a unique risk profile, detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar
material, which should be considered carefully when making investment decisions.
Annuities are a retirement product for those who may have the ability to pay a premium
now and want to guarantee they receive certain monthly payments or a return on
investment later in the future. Annuities are contracts issued by a life insurance company
designed to meet requirements or other long-term goals. An annuity is not a life insurance
policy. Variable annuities are designed to be long-term investments, to meet retirement
and other long-range goals. Variable annuities are not suitable for meeting short-term
goals because substantial taxes and insurance company charges may apply if you withdraw
your money early. Variable annuities also involve investment risks just as mutual funds
do.
Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and
economic change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in
accounting and the lesser degree of accurate public information available.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities
involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
10
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither Blueprint nor its representatives are registered as, or have pending applications
to become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity
Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither Blueprint nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications to
become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or Commodity
Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business
and Possible Conflicts of Interests
Christopher Dale Millward is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to
time, will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware
that these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of
interest, as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered
investment advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the
sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to
utilize the services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's
activities outside of Blueprint.
Christopher Dale Millward and Jonathan Erik Gruber are the owners of Blueprint Legacy
LLC and GM LLC.
Jonathan Erik Gruber is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to time,
will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that
these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest,
as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment
advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the sale of
commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to utilize the
services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's activities
outside of Blueprint.
Jonathan Erik Gruber is the owner of MaxJack LLC.
Stacy Lynn Hendrickson is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to
time, will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware
11
that these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of
interest, as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered
investment advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the
sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to
utilize the services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's
activities outside of Blueprint.
Stacy Lynn Hendrickson is the owner of SH Legacy, LLC.
Ann Maureen Bollinger is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to time,
will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that
these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest,
as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment
advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the sale of
commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to utilize the
services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's activities
outside of Blueprint.
Ann Maureen Bollinger is the owner of Boann, LLC and Boann II, LLC.
D. Selection of Other Advisors or Managers and How This Advisor
is Compensated for Those Selections
Blueprint has discretion to choose third-party investment advisors to manage all or a
portion of the client's assets. Clients will pay Blueprint its standard fee in addition to the
standard fee for the advisors to which it directs those clients. This relationship will be
memorialized in each contract between Blueprint and each third-party advisor. The fees
will not exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency. Blueprint will always act in
the best interests of the client, including when determining which third-party investment
advisor to recommend to clients. Blueprint will ensure that all recommended advisors are
licensed or notice filed in the states in which Blueprint is recommending them to clients.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
Blueprint has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited
Purchases and Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted
Transactions, Prohibited Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment,
Confidentiality, Service on a Board of Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with
Laws and Regulations, Procedures and Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting
Violations, Compliance Officer Duties, Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual
Review, and Sanctions. Blueprint's Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any
client or prospective client.
12
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
Blueprint does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related
person to Blueprint or Blueprint has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of Blueprint may buy or sell securities for themselves
that they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives
of Blueprint to buy or sell the same securities before or after recommending the same
securities to clients resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they
provide to clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest. Blueprint will always
document any transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest and will never
engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are
being bought or sold.
D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’
Securities
From time to time, representatives of Blueprint may buy or sell securities for themselves
at or around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives
of Blueprint to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients
resulting in representatives profiting from the recommendations they provide to clients.
Such transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, Blueprint will never engage
in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of Blueprint buy or
sell securities at or around the same time as clients.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians
Custodians will be recommended based on Blueprint’s duty to seek “best execution,”
which is the obligation to seek to execute securities transactions for a client on terms that
are the most favorable to the client under the circumstances. The client will not necessarily
pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and Blueprint may also consider
the market expertise and research access provided by the payment of commissions,
including but not limited to access to written research, oral communication with analysts,
admittance to research conferences and other resources provided by the brokers to aid in
the research efforts of Blueprint. Blueprint will never charge a premium or commission on
transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-dealer/custodian.
Blueprint will recommend clients to use Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc.
13
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
Blueprint has access to research, products, or other services from its custodian in
connection with client securities transactions (“soft dollar benefits”) consistent with
(and not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may consider these benefits in recommending
brokers. There can be no assurance that any particular client will benefit from any
particular soft dollar research or other benefits. Blueprint benefits by not having to
produce or pay for the research, products or services, and Blueprint will have an
incentive to recommend a broker dealer based on receiving research or services.
Clients should be aware that Blueprint’s acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result
in higher commissions charged to the client.
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
Blueprint receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for
using that broker-dealer or third party.
3. Clients Directing Which Custodian to Use
Blueprint may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a specified
custodian. Clients must refer to their advisory agreements for a complete
understanding of how they may be permitted to direct brokerage. If a client directs
brokerage, the client will be required to acknowledge in writing that the client’s
direction with respect to the use of brokers supersedes any authority granted to
Blueprint to select brokers; this direction may result in higher commissions, which
may result in a disparity between free and directed accounts; and trades for the client
and other directed accounts may be executed after trades for free accounts, which may
result in less favorable prices, particularly for illiquid securities or during volatile
market conditions. Not all investment advisors allow their clients to direct brokerage.
B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
If Blueprint buys or sells the same securities on behalf of more than one client, it might,
but would be under no obligation to, aggregate or bunch, to the extent permitted by
applicable law and regulations, the securities to be purchased or sold for multiple clients
in order to seek more favorable prices, lower brokerage commissions or more efficient
execution. In such case, Blueprint would place an aggregate order with the broker on
behalf of all such clients in order to ensure fairness for all clients; provided, however, that
trades would be reviewed periodically to ensure that accounts are not systematically
disadvantaged by this policy. Blueprint would determine the appropriate number of shares
to place with brokers and will select the appropriate brokers consistent with Blueprint’s
duty to seek best execution, except for those accounts with specific brokerage direction (if
any). When Blueprint does not or cannot aggregate trades, clients may receive
14
less favorable prices, pay higher brokerage commissions, or experience less efficient trade
execution.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes
Those Reviews
A random sample of client accounts for Blueprint's advisory services provided on an
ongoing basis are reviewed at least annually by Christopher D Millward, CCO, with regard
to clients’ respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All accounts at Blueprint
are assigned to this reviewer.
All financial planning accounts are reviewed upon financial plan creation and plan delivery
by Christopher D Millward, CCO. Financial planning clients are provided a one- time, or
ongoing if desired, financial plan concerning their financial situation. After the
presentation of the plan, there are no further reports. Clients may request additional plans
or reports for a fee.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client
Accounts
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).
With respect to financial plans, Blueprint’s services will generally conclude upon delivery
of the financial plan.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of Blueprint's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and fees.
This written report will come from the custodian. Blueprint will also provide at least
quarterly a separate written statement to the client.
Each financial planning client will receive the financial plan upon completion.
15
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice
Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
Blueprint does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party
for advice rendered to Blueprint's clients.
With respect to Schwab, Blueprint receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and
custody services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These
services generally are available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited
basis, at no charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the advisor’s clients’
assets are maintained in accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include
brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody,
research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, 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. For
Blueprint client accounts maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge
separately for custody services but is compensated by account holders through
commissions or other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are
executed through Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
Schwab also makes available to Blueprint other products and services that benefit
Blueprint but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national,
regional or Blueprint specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab
Advisor Services. Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment
of personnel of Blueprint by Schwab Advisor Services personnel, including meals,
invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of
entertainment, some of which may accompany educational opportunities. Other of these
products and services assist Blueprint in managing and administering clients’ accounts.
These include software and other technology (and related technological training) that
provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account
statements), facilitate trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for
multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide research, pricing information and other
market data, facilitate payment of Blueprint’s fees from its clients’ accounts (if applicable),
and assist with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client
reporting. Many of these services generally may be used to service all or some substantial
number of Blueprint’s accounts. Schwab Advisor Services also makes available to
Blueprint other services intended to help Blueprint manage and further develop its
business enterprise. These services may include professional compliance, legal and
business consulting, publications and conferences on practice management, information
technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee benefits providers,
human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Schwab may make
available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to Blueprint by
independent third parties. Schwab Advisor Services may discount or waive fees it would
otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third- party
providing these services to Blueprint. Blueprint is independently owned and operated and
not affiliated with Schwab.
16
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
Blueprint does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory
personnel for client referrals.
Item 15: Custody
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, Blueprint will
be deemed to have limited custody of client's assets and must have written authorization from the
client to do so. Clients will receive all account statements and billing invoices that are required in
each jurisdiction, and they should carefully review those statements for accuracy.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Blueprint does not have discretion over client accounts at any time.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
Blueprint will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive
proxies directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy
questions to the issuer of the security.
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
Blueprint neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client,
six months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet
with this brochure.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to
Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither Blueprint nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to
reasonably impair Blueprint’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
17
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
Blueprint has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
18