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WRAP BROCHURE
Alliance Financial (CRD 319679), brochure dated March 18, 2026. Text extracted from the firm's SEC Form ADV Part 2 brochure.
View firm on SEC ↗ · Current Form ADV (PDF) ↗
Alliance Financial
Wrap Fee Program Brochure
This wrap fee program brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Fox
Financial, Inc DBA Alliance Financial. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
us at (610) 376-5981 or by email at: kevin.m.fox@lpl.com. 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 Alliance Financial is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Alliance Financial’s CRD number is: 319679.
1105 Berkshire Blvd., Ste 120
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(610) 376-5981
https://www.alliancefinancialofpa.com/
kevin.m.fox@lpl.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 03/18/2026
Item 2: Material Changes
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment of Alliance
Financial on March 8, 2025 are described below. Material changes relate to Alliance Financial’s
policies, practices or conflicts of interests.
• LPL Financial may have access to certain confidential information (e.g., financial
information, investment objectives, transactions and holdings) about AF’s clients in order
to supervise certain activities of AF, even if the client does not establish any account
through LPL. (Item 9)
• LPL Financial is responsible for supervising certain activities of AF. LPL charges a fee of
up to 10 basis points to AF for this oversight. This presents a conflict of interest in that AF
has a financial incentive to recommend that clients maintain accounts with LPL rather
than another custodian in order to avoid the oversight fee. (Item 9)
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ........................................................................................................................ 4
Item 5: Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................. 6
Item 6: Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation ............................................................................ 6
Item 7: Client Information Provided to Portfolio Managers .............................................................. 14
Item 8: Client Contact with Portfolio Managers .................................................................................. 14
Item 9: Additional Information .............................................................................................................. 14
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Alliance Financial (hereinafter “AF”) provides advisory services through certain programs
sponsored by LPL Financial LLC ("LPL"), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer. AF
provides its wrapped services pursuant to this brochure through the Strategic Wealth
Management Program ("SWM") which allows AF to direct and manage specified client assets at
LPL. For more information regarding the LPL programs, including more information on the
advisory services and fees that apply, the types of investments available in the programs and the
potential conflicts of interest presented by the programs please see the program account packet
(which includes the account agreement and LPL Form ADV program brochure) and the Form
ADV, Part 2A of LPL or the applicable program.
In addition to the wrap fee program, AF offers a variety of advisory services, which include
financial planning, consulting, and investment management services under different
arrangements than those described herein. Other services besides the wrap fee program are
described in AF’s ADV Part 2A brochure.
A. Description of Services
AF provides portfolio management to clients under this wrap fee program as sponsor
and portfolio manager.
Total Assets Under Management
Annual Fee
$1 - $99,999
1.75%
$100,000 - $249,999
1.70%
$250,000 - $499,999
1.65%
$500,000 - $749,999
1.55%
$750,000 - $1,249,999
1.50%
$1,250,000 - $4,999,999
1.30%
$5,000,000 - AND UP
1.20%
These fees are generally negotiable, and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the
client’s advisory agreement.
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. The advisory fee is calculated using the value of the assets on
the last business day of the prior billing period. Refunds for any fees paid in advance but
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not yet earned will be refunded on a prorated basis and returned promptly to the client
via check, return deposit back into the client’s account, or another means as requested by
the client. 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 360.)
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for full refund of AF’s fees, within
five business days of signing the Investment Advisory Contract. Thereafter, clients may
terminate the Investment Advisory Contract immediately upon written notice.
B. Contribution Cost Factors
The program may cost the client more or less than purchasing such services separately.
There are several factors that bear upon the relative cost of the program, including the
trading activity in the client’s account, the adviser’s ability to aggregate trades, and the
cost of the services if provided separately (which in turn depends on the prices and
specific services offered by different providers).
C. Additional Fees
Clients who participate in the wrap fee program will not have to pay for transaction or
trading fees. AF will charge clients one fee and pay all transaction fees using the fee
collected from the client. However, clients are still responsible for custodial account fees
charged by LPL, which are referenced in the LPL documents provided to clients prior to
or upon account opening. Accounts participating in the wrap fee program are not charged
higher advisory fees based on trading activity, but clients should be aware that AF has an
incentive to limit trading activities for those accounts since the firm absorbs those
transaction costs.
Certain other fees are not included in the wrap fee and are paid for separately by the client.
These include, but are not limited to, margin costs, charges imposed directly by a mutual
fund or exchange traded fund, fees associated with “step out” transactions if the account
uses different custodians or broker-dealers, deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials,
transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on
brokerage accounts and securities transactions.
D. Compensation of Client Participation
Neither AF, nor any representatives of AF receive any additional compensation beyond
advisory fees for the participation of clients in the wrap fee program. However,
compensation received may be more than what would have been received if client paid
separately for investment advice, brokerage, and other services. Therefore, AF may have
a financial incentive to recommend the wrap fee program to clients.
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Item 5: Types of Clients
AF generally offers advisory services to the following types of clients:
❖ Individuals
❖ High-Net-Worth Individuals
❖ Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans
❖ Charitable Organizations
❖ Corporations or Business Entities
There is no account minimum for wrap accounts.
Item 6: Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation
A. Selecting/Reviewing Portfolio Managers
AF will not select outside portfolio managers for management of this wrap fee program.
AF will be the sole portfolio manager for this wrap fee program.
AF will use industry standards to calculate portfolio manager performance.
AF reviews the performance information to determine and verify its accuracy and
compliance with presentation standards. The performance information is annually and is
reviewed by AF.
B. Related Persons
AF and its personnel serve as the portfolio managers for all wrap fee program accounts.
This is a conflict of interest in that no outside adviser assesses AF’s management of the
wrap fee program. However, AF addresses this conflict by acting in its clients’ best
interest consistent with its fiduciary duty as sponsor and portfolio manager of the wrap
fee program.
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C. Advisory Business
AF offers ongoing wrap fee portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. AF 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:
•
•
•
Determine investment strategy
Asset allocation
Assessment of risk tolerance
•
•
•
Personal investment policy
Asset selection
Regular portfolio monitoring
AF evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance
levels and time horizon.
AF will request discretionary authority from clients in order to select securities and
execute transactions without permission from the client prior to each transaction.
Risk tolerance levels are documented in the Investment Policy Statement, which is
completed with each client.
Portfolio management accounts participating in the wrap fee program will not have to
pay for transaction or trading fees. AF will charge clients one fee and pay transaction fees
using the advisory fee collected from the client. Certain other fees are not included in the
wrap fee and are paid for separately by the client. These include, but are not limited to,
margin costs, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund or exchange traded fund,
deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic
fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions.
Accounts participating in the wrap fee program are not charged higher advisory fees
based on trading activity, but clients should be aware that AF has an incentive to limit
trading activities for those accounts since the firm absorbs those transaction costs. To
address this conflict, AF will always act in the best interest of its clients consistent with its
fiduciary duty as an investment adviser.
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
AF generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, equities, fixed income
securities, ETFs, ETFs in the gold and precious metal sectors, real estate funds, REITs, non-
U.S. securities, Commodities, hedge funds, private equity funds, and insurance products
including annuities. AF may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when
applicable.
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Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money
creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires
us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special
rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations
(give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in
your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
AF offers the same suite of services to all of its clients. However, specific client investment
strategies and their implementation are dependent upon the 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.
However, if the restrictions prevent AF from properly servicing the client account, or if
the restrictions would require AF to deviate from its standard suite of services, AF
reserves the right to end the relationship.
Wrap Fee Programs
As discussed herein, AF sponsors and acts as portfolio manager for this wrap fee program.
AF manages the investments in the wrap fee program but does not manage those wrap
fee accounts any differently than it would manage non-wrap fee accounts. The fees paid
to the wrap account program will be given to AF as a management fee.
Amounts Under Management
AF has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-Discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$ 271,808,136
$ 0.00
December 2025
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Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
AF 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.
Clients paying a performance-based fee should be aware that investment advisers have
an incentive to invest in riskier investments when paid a performance-based fee due to
the higher risk/higher reward attributes.
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
AF’s methods of analysis include charting analysis, cyclical analysis, fundamental
analysis, modern portfolio theory, quantitative analysis and technical analysis.
Charting analysis involves the use of patterns in performance charts. AF uses this
technique to search for patterns used to help predict favorable conditions for buying
and/or selling a security.
Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial
health of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market data; primarily price and volume.
Cyclical analysis involves the analysis of business cycles to find favorable conditions for
buying and/or selling a security.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from qualitative
considerations such as the character of management or the state of employee morale, such
as the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of sales, and so on.
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
assets.
Investment Strategies
AF uses long term trading, short term trading, short sales, margin transactions and
options trading (including covered options, uncovered options, or spreading strategies).
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
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Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
Charting analysis strategy involves using and comparing various charts to predict long
and short-term performance or market trends. The risk involved in using this method is
that only past performance data is considered without using other methods to crosscheck
data. Using charting analysis without other methods of analysis would be making the
assumption that past performance will be indicative of future performance. This may not
be the case.
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.
Technical analysis attempts to predict a future stock price or direction based on market
trends. The assumption is that the market follows discernible patterns and if these
patterns can be identified then a prediction can be made. The risk is that markets do not
always follow patterns and relying solely on this method may not take into account new
patterns that emerge over time.
Cyclical analysis assumes that the markets react in cyclical patterns which, once
identified, can be leveraged to provide performance. The risks with this strategy are two-
fold: 1) the markets do not always repeat cyclical patterns; and 2) if too many investors
begin to implement this strategy, then it changes the very cycles these investors are trying
to exploit.
Quantitative Model Risk: Investment strategies using quantitative models may perform
differently than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models,
the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical
issues in the construction and implementation of the models.
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
AF uses long term trading, short term trading, short sales, margin transactions and
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options trading (including covered options, uncovered options, or spreading strategies).
Long term investing 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.
Short term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability, and inflation, in addition to
the long-term investing risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect investment
performance, particularly through increased brokerage and other transaction costs and
taxes.
Short sales entail the possibility of infinite loss. An increase in the applicable securities’
prices will result in a loss and, over time, the market has historically trended upward.
Margin transactions use leverage that is borrowed from a brokerage firm as collateral.
When losses occur, the value of the margin account may fall below the brokerage firm’s
threshold thereby triggering a margin call. This may force the account holder to either
allocate more funds to the account or sell assets on a shorter time frame than desired.
Options transactions involve a contract to purchase a security at a given price, not
necessarily at market value, depending on the market. This strategy includes the risk that
an option may expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value, as well as the
possibility of leveraged loss of trading capital due to the leveraged nature of stock options.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
AF's use of short sales, margin transactions and options trading generally holds greater
risk of capital loss. Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any
investment strategy. The investment types listed below are not guaranteed or insured by
the FDIC or any other government agency.
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
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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. Because ETFs use "authorized
participants" (APs) as agents to facilitate creations or redemptions (primary market), there
is a risk that an AP decides to no longer participate for a particular ETF; however, that
risk is mitigated by the fact that other APs can step in to fill the vacancy of the
withdrawing AP [an ETF typically has multiple APs] and ETF transactions predominantly
take place in the secondary market without need for an AP. Like other liquid securities,
ETF pricing changes throughout the trading day and there can be no guarantee that an
ETF is purchased at the optimal time in terms of market movements. Moreover, due to
market fluctuations, ETF brokerage costs, differing demand and characteristics of
underlying securities, and other factors, the price of an ETF can be lower that the
aggregate market price of its cash and component individual securities (net asset value –
NAV). An ETF is subject to the same market risks as those of its underlying individual
securities, and also has internal expenses that can lower investment returns.
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.
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.
Real Estate exposure (including REITs) entails several kinds of risk that are inherent in
the real estate sector, which historically has experienced significant fluctuations and cycles
in performance. Specifically, revenues and cash flows may be adversely affected by:
changes in local real estate market conditions due to changes in national or local economic
conditions or changes in local property market characteristics; competition from other
properties offering the same or similar services; changes in interest rates and in the state
of the debt and equity credit markets; the ongoing need for capital improvements; changes
in real estate tax rates and other operating expenses; adverse changes in governmental
rules and fiscal policies; adverse changes in zoning laws; the impact of present or future
environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws.
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Hedge Funds often engage in leveraging and other speculative investment practices that
may increase the risk of investment loss; can be highly illiquid; are not required to provide
periodic pricing or valuation information to investors; May involve complex tax
structures and delays in distributing important tax information; are not subject to the
same regulatory requirements as mutual funds; and often charge high fees. In addition,
hedge funds may invest in risky securities and engage in risky strategies.
Annuities are retirement products for those who may have the ability to pay a premium
now and want to guarantee they receive certain payments or a return on investment in
the future. Annuities are contracts issued by a life insurance company designed to meet
requirement 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.
Private equity funds carry certain risks. Capital calls will be made on short notice, and
the failure to meet capital calls can result in significant adverse consequences, including
but not limited to a total loss of investment.
Commodities are tangible assets used to manufacture and produce goods or services.
Commodity prices are affected by different risk factors, such as disease, storage capacity,
supply, demand, delivery constraints and weather. Because of those risk factors, even a
well-diversified investment in commodities can be uncertain.
Options are contracts to purchase a security at a given price, risking that an option may
expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value. An uncovered option is a type
of options contract that is not backed by an offsetting position that would help mitigate
risk. The risk for a “naked” or uncovered put is not unlimited, whereas the potential loss
for an uncovered call option is limitless. Spread option positions entail buying and selling
multiple options on the same underlying security, but with different strike prices or
expiration dates, which helps limit the risk of other option trading strategies. Option
transactions also involve risks including but not limited to economic risk, market risk,
sector risk, idiosyncratic risk, political/regulatory risk, inflation (purchasing power) risk
and interest rate risk.
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.
Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
AF will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive
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proxies directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all
proxy questions to the issuer of the security.
Item 7: Client Information Provided to Portfolio Managers
All client information material to managing the portfolio (including basic information, risk
tolerance, sophistication level, and income level) is provided to the portfolio manager. The
portfolio manager will also have access to that information as it changes and is updated.
Item 8: Client Contact with Portfolio Managers
AF does not restrict clients from contacting portfolio managers. AF’s representatives can be
contacted during regular business hours using the information on the Form ADV Part 2B cover
page.
Item 9: Additional Information
A. Disciplinary Action and Other Financial Industry Activities
Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
As registered representatives of LPL Financial, Kevin Michael Fox, Thomas Alan Drexler,
Eric McFadden Mischler, Stephanie Lynn Baity and Jacqueline Learned Powell accept
compensation for the sale of securities. As a result of this relationship, LPL Financial may
have access to certain confidential information (e.g., financial information, investment
objectives, transactions and holdings) about AF’s clients in order to supervise certain
activities of AF, even if the client does not establish any account through LPL. If you
would like a copy of the LPL Financial privacy policy, please contact us at (610) 376-5981
or by email at: kevin.m.fox@lpl.com.
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Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool
Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither AF 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.
Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business and
Possible Conflicts of Interests
Kevin Michael Fox, Thomas Alan Drexler, Eric McFadden Mischler, Stephanie Lynn Baity
and Jacqueline Learned Powell are registered representatives of LPL Financial 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 adviser. AF always acts in the best interest of the client, including with respect
to the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are free to obtain these
services or products through another provider and always have the right to utilize or
decline the services of any AF representative in such individuals outside capacity.
Kevin Michael Fox, Thomas Alan Drexler, Eric McFadden Mischler, Stephanie Lynn Baity
and Jacqueline Learned Powell are independent licensed insurance agents and from time
to time may offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware
that these services may involve a conflict of interest; however, AF always acts in the best
interest of the client. Clients are free to obtain these services or products through another
provider and always have the right to utilize or decline the services of any AF
representative in such individuals outside capacity.
Kevin Michael Fox acts as a pension consultant and from time to time may offer clients
advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these services may
involve a conflict of interest; however, AF always acts in the best interest of the client.
Clients are free to obtain these services or products through another provider and always
have the right to utilize or decline the services of any AF representative in such
individuals outside capacity.
Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser is
Compensated for Those Selections
AF may direct clients to third-party investment advisers to manage client assets. Clients
will pay AF its standard fee in addition to the advisory fee of the third-party adviser. AF
will always act in the best interests of the client, including when determining which third-
party investment adviser to recommend to clients, and the aggregate advisory fee will not
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exceed any limit imposed by regulatory agencies. AF will confirm that all recommended
advisers are licensed, notice filed, or exempt in the states in which AF is recommending
them to clients.
B. Code of Ethics, Client Referrals, and Financial Information
Code of Ethics
AF 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. AF’s Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any client or
prospective client.
Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
AF does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which AF, or a related
person has a material financial interest.
Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of AF may buy or sell securities for themselves that
they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
AF 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. AF 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.
Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’ Securities
From time to time, representatives of AF may buy or sell securities for themselves at or
around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
AF to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients resulting in
representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients. Such
transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, AF will never engage in trading
that operates to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of AF buy or sell securities at
or around the same time as clients.
Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews
Accounts are reviewed at least annually by the investment adviser representative
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assigned to the account, with regard to clients’ respective investment policies and risk
tolerance levels.
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).
Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Statements are produced each month for accounts with financial activity, and quarterly
for accounts with value by the custodian.
Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to Clients
AF receives without cost from LPL Financial administrative support, computer software,
related systems support, as well as other third-party support which allows AF to better
monitor client accounts maintained at LPL Financial and otherwise conduct its business.
While these services generally help AF conduct its advisory business, each specific benefit
may not necessarily benefit each client. These benefits include conferences, seminars and
other educational and networking activities.
AF will require clients in the wrap program to use LPL Financial. AF considers LPL
Financial’s market expertise and research access, including but not limited to access to
written research, oral communication with analysts, admittance to research conferences
and other resources when recommending or requiring that clients maintain accounts with
LPL Financial. However, clients should be aware of this conflict and take it into
consideration when deciding whether to custody their assets in a brokerage account at
LPL Financial.
AF and/or its Dually Registered Persons are incented to join and remain affiliated with
LPL Financial and to recommend that clients establish accounts with LPL Financial. LPL
also provides other compensation to AF and its Dually Registered Persons, including but
not limited to, bonus payments, repayable and forgivable loans, stock awards and other
benefits.
The receipt of any such compensation creates a financial incentive for your representative
to recommend LPL Financial as custodian for the assets in your advisory account. We
encourage you to discuss any such conflicts of interest with your representative before
deciding to custody your assets at LPL Financial.
As stated previously, individuals associated with AF are licensed as registered
representatives of LPL Financial. As a result of this licensing relationship, LPL Financial
is responsible for supervising certain activities of AF to the extent AF manages assets at a
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broker/dealer and custodian other than LPL Financial. LPL Financial charges a fee of up
to 10 basis points to AF for this oversight. This presents a conflict of interest in that AF has
a financial incentive to recommend that you maintain your account with LPL Financial
rather than another custodian in order to avoid the oversight fee. However, to the extent
AF recommends you use LPL Financial for such services, it is because AF believes that it
is in your best interest to do so based on the quality and pricing of the execution, benefits
of an integrated platform for brokerage and advisory accounts, and other services
provided by LPL Financial.
Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
AF does not compensate non-advisory personnel (solicitors/promoters) for client
referrals.
Balance Sheet
AF neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance and therefore does not need to include a balance sheet with
this brochure.
Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet
Contractual Commitments to Clients
AF does not have any financial condition that would impair its ability to meet contractual
commitments to clients.
Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
AF has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
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