Overview
- Headquarters
- Baltimore, MD
- Total Firm Assets
- $124.3 billion
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $19.6 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $5,000,000
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (BROWN ADVISORY, LLC FIRM BROCHURE)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $5,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $5,000,001 | $10,000,000 | 0.75% |
| $10,000,001 | $25,000,000 | 0.50% |
| $25,000,001 | $100,000,000 | 0.35% |
| $100,000,001 | and above | 0.30% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | Below minimum client size | |
| $5 million | $50,000 | 1.00% |
| $10 million | $87,500 | 0.88% |
| $50 million | $250,000 | 0.50% |
| $100 million | $425,000 | 0.42% |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 39.08%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 2,484
- Total Client Accounts
- 26,390
- Discretionary Accounts
- 25,601
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 789
Services Offered
Services: Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Companies, Portfolio Management for Pooled Investment Vehicles, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Investment Advisor Selection
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 110181
Additional Brochure: BROWN ADVISORY, LLC FIRM BROCHURE (2026-03-31)
View Document Text
Form ADV Part 2A
Brown Advisory LLC
801-38826
901 South Bond Street, Suite 400
Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: (410) 537-5400
E-mail: compliancegroup@brownadvisory.com
Web: www.brownadvisory.com
March 25, 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Brown
Advisory LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
410-537-5400 or compliancegroup@brownadvisory.com. The information in this brochure has
not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Brown Advisory LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Brown Advisory LLC is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. The use of the terms
“registered investment adviser” or “registered” by us does not imply by itself any level of skill or
training. The oral and written communications we provide to you, including this brochure,
contain information you can use to evaluate us (and other advisers), which are factors in your
decision to hire us or to continue to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship.
ITEM 2 MATERIAL CHANGES
This brochure is the annual updating amendment to the prior brochure dated March 27, 2025.
This brochure contains material changes and enhanced disclosures in the following areas:
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•
•
•
•
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management – Alternative Investments-
Limited Allocations
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices –Trade Sequencing, Aggregation, and Allocation; Trade
Errors
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation – Custody Arrangements; Cash
Management Options
Item 16 – Investment Discretion – Receipt of Material Non-Public Information;
Participation in Corporate and Other Legal Actions
Clients may request a copy of the Form ADV Part 2A at any time without charge by sending a
written request to our Chief Compliance Officer at our Baltimore address or by e-mail to
compliancegroup@brownadvisory.com.
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ITEM 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 2 Material Changes ............................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 Table of Contents............................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4 Advisory Business .............................................................................................................................. 4
Item 5 Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................................... 7
Private Equity Funds – Firm Line of Credit .................................................................................................. 20
Item 6 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management .............................................................. 20
Item 7 Types of Clients ................................................................................................................................ 25
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ......................................................... 25
VALUATION RISK ..................................................................................................................................... 42
Item 9 Disciplinary Information .................................................................................................................. 43
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ....................................................................... 43
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................. 47
Item 12 Brokerage Practices ....................................................................................................................... 50
Item 13 Review of Accounts ....................................................................................................................... 60
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..................................................................................... 61
Item 15 Custody .......................................................................................................................................... 63
Item 16 Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................... 65
Item 17 Voting Client Securities .................................................................................................................. 66
Item 18 Financial Information ..................................................................................................................... 69
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ITEM 4 ADVISORY BUSINESS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BROWN ADVISORY
This Brochure relates to the investment advisory services offered by Brown Advisory LLC (“Brown
Advisory”, “the firm”, or “we”). Brown Advisory is registered with the SEC as an investment
adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Brown Advisory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brown Advisory Management LLC (“BAM”). BAM
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brown Advisory Group Holdings LLC (“BAGH”). Brown Advisory’s
controlling entity is Brown Advisory Incorporated (“BAI”). BAI is the managing member of BAM.
institutions,
DESCRIPTION OF ADVISORY SERVICES
Brown Advisory provides
investment
investment management services to
companies, high net worth individuals and families, endowments, foundations, other charitable
organizations, public/government-related clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, insurance
companies, corporations, individual retirement plans, trusts, estates, and other taxable individual
plans. We provide active investment strategies across equity, fixed income and balanced
portfolios. We also provide strategic advisory services to certain high net worth clients.
Typically, when providing investment management services, we have discretion to select
securities to buy and sell for a client’s account, subject to certain restrictions, limitations or other
requirements clients may impose with respect to their individual accounts. We will work with a
client to accommodate investment guidelines and restrictions so long as they do not interfere
materially with a portfolio manager’s ability to implement the investment and portfolio
construction process. We also provide non-discretionary advisory services.
Our Institutional equity investment strategies generally seek to provide clients with long-term
capital appreciation by actively selecting securities for investment in generally concentrated
portfolios. Our equity strategies are differentiated by (1) the market capitalization range of each
strategy’s portfolio holdings, (2) the geographic focus of each strategy, (3) the underlying style of
each strategy (i.e. growth, value, opportunistic, or income), or (4) consideration of sustainable
investing criteria. In addition to our internally managed equity strategies, we offer several sub-
advised strategies to our clients through U.S.-registered open-ended mutual funds, exchange
traded funds (“ETFs”), and separately managed accounts.
Our Institutional fixed income investment strategies generally seek to provide clients with long-
term capital appreciation by allocating capital to bonds that we believe have the potential to
maximize risk-adjusted returns. This philosophy is applied to our long-only fixed income
strategies within the context of maintaining a core stability of principal value. What differentiates
each of our long-only strategies is the maturity or duration band in which each strategy operates,
the allowance of below investment-grade bonds, the focus on taxable or tax-exempt bonds, and
consideration of sustainable investing criteria for certain strategies.
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Both our Institutional equity and fixed income investment strategies employ a bottom-up,
fundamental research approach in their security selection process.
The following are some of Brown Advisory’s significant equity strategies:
International Value Select
Flexible Equity
Global Leaders
Global Value Select
Large-Cap Growth
Large-Cap Sustainable Growth
Large-Cap Sustainable Value
Mid-Cap Growth
Small-Cap Growth
Small-Cap Fundamental Value
Sustainable International Leaders
Sustainable Small-Cap Core
The following are some of Brown Advisory’s significant fixed income strategies:
Intermediate Income
Enhanced Cash
Global Sustainable Total Return Bond
Global Sustainable Income Bond
Limited Duration
Mortgage Securities
Municipal Bond
Sustainable Core Fixed Income
Sustainable Short Duration Fixed Income
Tax-Exempt Sustainable Fixed Income
The following are some of the significant externally managed sub-advised strategies:
Japan Equity
Emerging Markets Select
Large-Cap Value
Strategic European Equity
In addition, Brown Advisory offers various customized and client-driven solutions. These
investment solutions draw from the universe of securities that are covered by our research to
build portfolios that are intended to meet various needs, such as value-based investing, outcome-
based investing and thematic investing. These strategies are available as separate accounts for
our Institutional and Private Client, Endowments & Foundations (“PCE&F”) clients.
For those clients who engage us for multi-strategy or balanced portfolio management, including
asset allocation and manager selection, we seek investments across asset classes which we
believe offer the ability to achieve the client’s long-term goals and outperform an applicable
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benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis over a full market cycle. We can use a combination of active
and passive strategies, liquid and illiquid, and an array of managers in a manner we believe serves
each client’s needs, subject to their investment guidelines, restrictions and other considerations.
Our balanced portfolio management clients have access to outside managers and internally
managed strategies and funds through an Investment Solutions platform. This service provides
clients access to a range of investment opportunities and asset classes, including global equities,
emerging market equities, global fixed income, high-yield fixed income, private investments,
commodities, hedge funds, real estate and strategies designed to achieve tax efficiencies. By
combining our selective Investment Solutions platform with our in-house resources, we seek to
optimize our customized portfolio management capabilities for clients.
Affiliates of Brown Advisory manage private funds that invest in public equity, private equity,
private credit, real estate, and hedge fund managers and in venture capital investments.
fiduciary circumstances. These services may
We also offer family office as well as strategic advisory services for clients with complex financial,
investment, and
include tax planning,
intergenerational wealth transfer (including trust and estate planning), philanthropic planning,
family business advisory and wealth structuring. Within our Endowments and Foundations
business, these services may include spend rate planning, planned giving support and other
services.
For those clients seeking an outsourced chief investment officer (“OCIO”) solution, we advise and
lead our non-profit partners through the complexities of their investments and asset
management to achieve their mission. If engaged to do so, we may employ a variety of
investment services, including developing investment policies and objectives, analyzing asset
allocation and diversification, researching and selecting investment managers, providing due
diligence and performance monitoring of managers and supplying periodic performance reports
and customized education. We may provide strategic support in terms of assistance with
governance, fiduciary matters, donor development and audit and tax matters. We may provide
operational support in terms of custodian relations, pricing and reporting of alternative
investments, quarterly review preparation and day-to-day administrative support.
CUSTOMIZATION OF ADVISORY SERVICES
We work with our clients to provide investment advice that meets their goals and objectives. Any
client-imposed limitations or guideline restrictions are defined and outlined in the client's
investment documentation and updated as necessary. These documents address a client’s
guidelines and objectives in greater detail. When clients provide us with their own investment
policy statements, we review the language to ensure it reflects our investment management
responsibility. When necessary, the language is adjusted and approved by both the client and
Brown Advisory before management of the account begins.
When Brown Advisory or one of its affiliates is the investment adviser to a pooled investment
vehicle, investment objectives, guidelines and any investment restrictions are not tailored to the
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needs of individual investors in those vehicles. Rather, they are described in the offering
documents for the vehicles.
WRAP FEE PROGRAMS AND MODEL DELIVERY
Brown Advisory is retained by sponsors of certain bundled “wrap-fee” arrangements. The
sponsors have primary responsibility for client communications and service and for executing
portfolio transactions. We provide investment management services to the clients of the
sponsors. Generally, clients pay a single, all-inclusive (or “wrap”) fee charged by the sponsor that
covers asset management, trade execution, custody, performance monitoring and reporting
through the sponsor. The sponsor typically pays Brown Advisory a portion of the wrap fee based
on the assets of clients invested in the applicable Brown Advisory strategy in the wrap fee
program.
Brown Advisory also provides investment advisory services for select model-based separately
managed account programs of unaffiliated managers and financial advisors. In these programs,
we typically provide a non-discretionary model portfolio to the program manager, who is then
responsible for executing transactions and coordinating account guidelines and restrictions with
the underlying separate account client. In exchange for these services, we receive a fee from the
unaffiliated manager or financial advisor.
Wrap accounts and model delivery accounts are not managed identically to Institutional
accounts. Purchases and sales that are implemented for Institutional accounts will not always be
reflected in wrap and model delivery accounts. Model delivery program sponsors typically retain
the ultimate discretion over how trades are implemented in client accounts. In addition, the
model delivery sponsors and wrap-fee program managers may impose guidelines and restrictions
that are different from those governing the strategy. For these reasons, clients should expect the
holdings of wrap and model delivery accounts to differ from one another and from that of the
relevant strategy.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
As of December 31, 2025, Brown Advisory had approximately $124.3 billion in assets under
management. Of that total, approximately $119.2 billion represents assets managed on a
discretionary basis and roughly $5.1 billion represents assets managed on a non-discretionary
basis. These values do not include client assets under management, administration or
advisement by our affiliated firms, including Brown Investment Advisory & Trust Company,
Brown Advisory Limited, Brown Advisory Investment Solutions Group LLC, Marylebone Partners
LLP (“Marylebone”), NextGen Venture Partners, LLC (“NextGen”), and Signature Financial
Management, Inc. (doing business as Brown Advisory) (“Signature”).
ITEM 5 FEES AND COMPENSATION
PRIVATE CLIENTS AND ENDOWMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS CLIENTS
We manage assets for PCE&F clients seeking discretionary portfolio management services. Each
client receives personalized investment management services from their respective portfolio
managers based on an analysis of the client's instructions, financial circumstances, income
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requirements, risk tolerance, investment objectives and other pertinent factors. In certain
circumstances, we provide clients with non-discretionary and administrative services.
Clients typically pay advisory fees based on a percentage of assets in their account(s). Fees may
be negotiated depending on the particular circumstances of the client, scope of services
provided, size of account(s), service levels, reporting and other arrangements, as agreed with
specific clients. In those instances, a client may pay more or less than the fees on our standard
fee schedules, and more or less than similar clients.
We receive management fees from our clients typically on a quarterly basis. Although most of
our clients pay in arrears, clients also may pay fees in advance. We will accept both. Fees do not
include fees for services performed by the client’s custodian. For those that pay in arrears, if the
management of the account commences at any time other than the beginning of a calendar
quarter, the first management fee is prorated based on the number of days of such calendar
quarter during which this agreement was in force. If an account terminates during a calendar
quarter, a pro-rata fee will be assessed based on the number of days in the quarter that the
account was under management. For those clients who pay in advance and terminate their
accounts, a final prorated fee will be calculated and the difference between the prepayment and
calculated fees earned will be refunded to the client.
Although we typically accept PCE&F clients with $5 million of investable assets or more, we
accept clients of smaller assignments depending on the client relationship, client service
requirements and certain circumstances.
Fees are generally based on the market value of a client’s assets. Provided below are the standard
annual fee schedules for the investment management services we currently offer for Private
Clients:
PRIVATE CLIENT PORTFOLIOS GREATER THAN $5 MILLION
1.00% on the first $5 million under management
0.75% on the next $5 million under management
0.50% on the next $15 million under management
0.35% on the next $75 million under management
0.30% on amounts over $100 million under management
In circumstances where a minimum is waived the following standard schedule generally applies:
PRIVATE CLIENT PORTFOLIOS LESS THAN $5 MILLION
1.25% on the first $3 million under management
1.00% on the next $2 million under management
ENDOWMENTS & FOUNDATIONS CLIENT PORTFOLIOS
For Endowments & Foundations clients, fees are negotiated with clients and vary by client size,
complexity and other factors. Maximum fees are generally 0.75% of assets under management.
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OCIO CLIENTS
We manage assets for nonprofit institutional clients seeking OCIO services. Each client receives
customized portfolios based on an analysis of the client's financial circumstances, income
requirements, risk tolerance, investment objectives and other pertinent factors, including client
instructions.
Clients typically pay advisory fees based on a percentage of assets in their account(s) (“OCIO
Fees”). Fees may be negotiated depending on the particular circumstances of the client, scope
of services provided, size of account(s), service levels, reporting and other arrangements, as
agreed with specific clients. In those instances, a client may pay more or less than the fees on our
standard fee schedules, and more or less than similar clients. Maximum fees are generally 0.30%
of assets under management.
We receive management fees from our clients typically on a quarterly basis. Although most of
our clients pay in arrears, clients also may pay fees in advance. We will accept both. Fees do not
include fees for services performed by the client’s custodian. For those that pay in arrears, if the
management of the account commences at any time other than the beginning of a calendar
quarter, the first management fee is prorated based on the number of days of such calendar
quarter during which this agreement was in force. If an account terminates during a calendar
quarter, a pro-rata fee will be assessed based on the number of days in the quarter that the
account was under management. For those clients who pay in advance and terminate their
accounts, a final prorated fee will be calculated and the difference between the prepayment and
calculated fees earned will be refunded to the client.
Assets subject to OCIO Fees that are invested in any Brown Advisory private equity partnerships
or similar private fund vehicle managed by Brown Advisory or one of its affiliates (each a “Brown
Advisory Private Fund”) generally will not be subject to the management fee charged by the
applicable Brown Advisory Private Fund.
In the event that a client’s OCIO relationship with Brown Advisory is terminated, assets that are
invested in a Brown Advisory Private Fund will become subject to the management fee (where
applicable) charged by the applicable vehicle.
AFFILIATED PRIVATE POOLED INVESTMENT FUNDS
Brown Advisory and its affiliates sponsor and manage private investment funds organized
primarily as private market fund-of-funds; venture capital funds and special purpose vehicles;
and hedge fund-of-funds. The fund-of-funds range across a number of asset classes, including
private equity, venture capital, growth equity, private credit, real estate and real assets.
Investors in private equity fund-of-funds managed by the firm or one of its affiliates typically are
subject to a management fee that is either i) a 0.40% per annum management fee or 2) a tiered
management fee structure that is based on an investor’s capital commitment. Under this tiered
structure, the management fees typically range from 0.0% per annum to 0.50% per annum. In
both cases, the applicable management fee is calculated based on one of two calculation
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methodologies, unless otherwise noted in the fund’s private placement memorandum or other
offering documents: 1) on an investor’s (i) capital commitments, and (ii) after the end of the
investment period, switching to the market value of capital account; or 2) on the lesser of (i)
invested capital or (ii) net assets of the fund. Management fees are typically paid by requiring
investors in firm-sponsored funds to make capital contributions in respect of such fees or
withholding the amount of such fees from investment proceeds that would otherwise be
distributable to the investors of such funds. Private equity investments by clients of the firm,
including firm-sponsored and non-firm-sponsored investments, are typically subject to the firm’s
account-level fee in addition to fees charged by the fund. Account-level fees may be negotiated
and typically are based on client assets under management or advisement.
Investors in private funds managed by the firm or one of its affiliates to facilitate venture capital
investments typically are subject to a management fee that generally ranges from 1.5% to 2% on
capital commitments and are charged a carried interest allocation that ranges from 10% to 20%
carried interest with respect to such investments. Investors in private funds managed by NextGen
formed to facilitate a single venture capital investment typically are subject to an annual
administrative services fee per investor as set forth in the applicable offering documents and also
are charged carried interest which can range from 0% to 20%, as negotiated by the investor. The
manner of calculation and application of the management fee, administrative services fee and
the carried interest allocations are disclosed in the offering documents for each such fund.
Investors in private funds managed by the firm or one of its affiliates to facilitate private equity
investments across a range of investment types and sectors are generally charged a carried
interest allocation of 3% with respect to such investments. Investors in these particular vehicles
are also subject to a contingent management fee wherein the investor will be required to pay a
management fee in the event that the investor’s investment advisory relationship with the firm
or one of its affiliates is terminated. Management fees are typically paid by requiring investors in
firm-sponsored funds to make capital contributions in respect of such fees or withholding the
amount of such fees from investment proceeds that would otherwise be distributable to the
investors of such funds. Carried interest allocations are typically deducted from investment
proceeds that would otherwise be distributable to the investors in the venture capital fund.
The firm typically charges investors in the hedge fund-of-funds or long-only equity partnerships
it manages a management fee. From time to time, an incentive fee is charged in addition to the
management fee, as set forth in the applicable offering documents. The management fees
typically range from 0.40% to 1.25% of the net asset value of the applicable fund per year,
typically are calculated and payable monthly in arrears and are deducted from an investor’s
capital account in the fund. Each fund’s private placement memorandum or other offering
document describes its fee structure in detail. Hedge fund-of-fund or long equity partnership
investments by clients of the firm, including with respect to firm-sponsored and non-firm-
sponsored alternative funds, also may be subject to an account-level fee, which may be
negotiated and which typically is based on client assets under management or advisement, as
described in the fund’s offering documents or the relevant investment management agreement
between the firm and the client.
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The management and incentive fees charged by private funds sponsored by Brown Advisory and
its affiliates are in addition to fees and expenses charged by the underlying funds and investments
in which each such fund invests, as applicable, details of which are set forth in the funds’ private
placement memoranda or offering documents. In addition, management fees, account-level fees
and carried interest allocations are subject to modification, waiver or reduction, at the election
of Brown Advisory or its affiliates.
In general, investors in private funds sponsored by Brown Advisory or its affiliates must make a
minimum investment in the fund, typically $100,000, as set forth in the offering documents.
However, the minimum investment is subject to waiver at the discretion of Brown Advisory or its
affiliates. Additionally, all investors in these funds must meet specific suitability and investor
eligibility requirements in order to invest. Specific opportunities may require higher levels of
investment. Finally, investors in both affiliated and unaffiliated alternative investments generally
bear additional, account-level fees imposed by Brown Advisory in respect of their investments.
These account-level fees are charged quarterly and typically are charged based on the value of
the alternative investment, as reported to Brown Advisory or the client by the fund in which a
client invests. Such account-level fees can be negotiated with a client and may be waived by
Brown Advisory for certain clients. As a general rule, valuations of alternative investment funds
are updated quarterly and therefore do reflect current market conditions. In addition,
investments in funds that in turn invest directly in portfolio companies typically receive an
updated valuation only when the portfolio company raises additional funds or adjusts its
valuation due to market conditions, later-round investments and other factors.
SEPARATELY MANAGED ACCOUNTS
For our PCE&F clients and OCIO clients, portfolio managers may construct portfolios by opening
separate accounts to utilize certain of the firm’s Institutional strategies. Brown Advisory may
impose minimum account requirements for these separate accounts. These account minimums
differ from the minimum investment requirements to open a separate account for an
Institutional client. Depending on the nature of the investment strategy, Private Client account
minimums needed to establish a separate account may be higher than those required for
Institutional clients, many of whom are unaffiliated financial services firms. In all cases, minimum
account sizes may be negotiated or waived entirely. Brown Advisory will take into account the
total relationship size, the anticipated size of the relationship, the fees paid by the client and
other factors in determining whether a minimum account size will apply. If a client does not
satisfy the minimum account size required to open a separate account, the applicable Brown
Advisory mutual fund, ETF or other pooled investment fund may be utilized. In such cases, the
client will pay an investment advisory fee in respect of such investment and will bear their
allocable share of fees and expenses of the affiliated mutual fund, ETF or other pooled
investment fund, as set forth in each fund’s prospectus, subject to the management fee rebate
procedures set forth below under “Fees from Affiliated Funds”. Brown Advisory has the right to
adjust or amend account minimum requirements from time to time, without notice to our clients.
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INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
We manage assets for Institutional clients seeking discretionary portfolio management services.
Each client receives investment management services based on agreed upon investment
objectives and policies.
Clients typically pay advisory fees based on a percentage of assets in their account(s). Fees may
be negotiated depending on the particular circumstances of the client, scope of services
provided, size of account(s), service levels, reporting requirements and other arrangements as
agreed with specific clients. In those instances, clients pay more or less than the fees on our
standard fee schedules, and more or less than similar clients.
Brown Advisory retains full discretion to negotiate minimums and fees in consideration of asset
levels, service requirements, and any other factors deemed relevant. Clients with multiple
accounts managed by Brown Advisory or clients who access Brown Advisory strategies through
intermediaries may receive a lower account minimum or lower effective rate due to the
combined level of assets. Brown Advisory, at its discretion, may agree to lower fees, waive
minimums on fees, provide lowest available fee arrangements or allow credits or offsets against
fees with respect to certain clients. Brown Advisory waives minimum investment requirements
from time to time, in its discretion. Accordingly, minimum investment restrictions may apply to
some clients and not to others.
Depending on the billing parameters, we receive management fees from our clients on a
monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Although most of our clients pay in arrears,
clients also may pay fees in advance. We will accept both. For those that pay quarterly in arrears,
if the management of the account commences at any time other than the beginning of a calendar
quarter, the first management fee is prorated based on the number of days of such calendar
quarter during which this agreement was in force. If an account terminates during a calendar
quarter, a pro-rata fee will be assessed based on the number of days in the quarter that the
account was under management. For those clients who pay in advance and terminate their
accounts, a final prorated fee will be calculated and the difference between the prepayment and
calculated fees earned will be refunded to the client. Fees do not include fees for services
performed by the clients’ custodian.
Provided below are the standard annual fee schedules for certain of the significant single strategy
investment management services we currently offer for Institutional Clients:
LARGE-CAP GROWTH (ACCOUNTS BELOW $150M)
0.70% on the first $25 million under management
0.50% on the next $25 million under management
0.40% on the next $100 million under management
LARGE-CAP GROWTH (ACCOUNTS ABOVE $150M)
0.465% on the first $150 million under management
0.30% on the next $100 million under management
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0.25% on the next $250 million under management
0.20% on amounts over $500 million under management
LARGE-CAP SUSTAINABLE GROWTH (ACCOUNTS BELOW $150M)
0.80% on the first $10 million under management
0.60% on the next $15 million under management
0.50% on the next $25 million under management
0.40% on amounts over $50 million under management
LARGE-CAP SUSTAINABLE GROWTH (ACCOUNTS ABOVE $150M)
0.46% on the first $150 million under management
0.43% on the next $100 million under management
0.40% on the next $250 million under management
0.35% on amounts over $500 million under management
FLEXIBLE EQUITY (ACCOUNTS BELOW $150 MILLION)
0.60% on the first $25 million under management
0.50% on the next $25 million under management
0.45% on the next $50 million under management
0.35% on the next $50 million under management
FLEXIBLE EQUITY (ACCOUNTS ABOVE $150 MILLION)
0.45% on the first $150 million under management
0.275% on the next $100 million under management
0.25% on the next $250 million under management
0.20% on amounts over $500 million under management
MID-CAP GROWTH (ACCOUNTS BELOW $150 MILLION)
0.75% on the first $50 million under management
0.50% on the next $50 million under management
0.475% on the next $50 million under management
MID-CAP GROWTH (ACCOUNTS ABOVE $150 MILLION)
0.58% on the first $150 million under management
0.45% on the next $100 million under management
0.425% on the next $250 million under management
0.35% on amounts over $500 million under management
SMALL-CAP GROWTH, SMALL-CAP FUNDAMENTAL VALUE, SUSTAINABLE SMALL-CAP CORE
1.00% on the first $25 million under management
0.90% on the next $25 million under management
0.80% on the next $50 million under management
0.70% on amounts over $100 million under management
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SMALL-CAP GROWTH, SMALL-CAP FUNDAMENTAL VALUE, SUSTAINABLE SMALL-CAP CORE (ACCOUNTS ABOVE
$150M)
0.65% on the first $150 million under management
0.625% on the next $100 million under management
0.60% on the next $250 million under management
0.55% on amounts over $500 million under management
GLOBAL LEADERS (MINIMUM OF $50 MILLION)
0.80% on the first $50 million under management
0.55% on the next $50 million under management
0.45% on the next $50 million under management
0.40% on amounts over $150 million under management
GLOBAL LEADERS (ACCOUNTS ABOVE $150M)
0.575% on the first $150 million under management
0.40% on the next $100 million under management
0.375% on the next $250 million under management
0.35% on amounts over $500 million under management
GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL VALUE (ACCOUNTS BELOW $150M)
0.80% on the first $50 million under management
0.55% on the next $50 million under management
0.45% on the next $50 million under management
0.40% on amounts over $150 million under management
GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL VALUE (ACCOUNTS ABOVE $150M)
0.575% on the first $150 million under management
0.40% on the next $100 million under management
0.375% on the next $250 million under management
0.35% on amounts over $500 million under management
SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL LEADERS (MINIMUM OF $50 MILLION)
0.80% on the first $50 million under management
0.55% on the next $50 million under management
0.45% on the next $50 million under management
0.40% on amounts over $150 million under management
LARGE-CAP SUSTAINABLE VALUE
0.60% on the first $25 million under management
0.50% on the next $25 million under management
0.40% on the next $50 million under management
ENHANCED CASH (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.20% on the first $50 million under management
0.15% on the next $50 million under management
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0.10% on amounts over $100 million under management
SUSTAINABLE SHORT DURATION (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.25% on the first $50 million under management
0.20% on the next $50 million under management
0.15% on amounts over $100 million under management
LIMITED DURATION (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.25% on the first $50 million under management
0.20% on the next $50 million under management
0.15% on amounts over $100 million under management
INTERMEDIATE INCOME (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.30% on the first $50 million under management
0.25% on the next $50 million under management
0.20% on amounts over $100 million under management
SUSTAINABLE CORE FIXED INCOME (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.30% on the first $50 million under management
0.25% on the next $50 million under management
0.20% on amounts over $100 million under management
MORTGAGE SECURITIES (MINIMUM OF $25 MILLION)
0.30% on the first $50 million under management
0.25% on the next $50 million under management
0.20% on amounts over $100 million under management
MUNICIPAL BOND (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.325% on the first $10 million under management
0.30% on the next $15 million under management
0.25% on amounts over $25 million under management
TAX-EXEMPT SUSTAINABLE FIXED INCOME (MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION)
0.325% on the first $10 million under management
0.30% on the next $15 million under management
0.25% on amounts over $25 million under management
ADVISORY SERVICES TO UNAFFILIATED FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRMS
We have several proprietary equity and fixed income investment strategies that are managed by
our team of portfolio managers and analysts. In addition to offering these strategies directly to
our clients through mutual funds, ETFs, collective investment trusts (CITs) and separate account
solutions that we manage, we distribute these investment solutions domestically and
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Insurance companies
internationally to a variety of unaffiliated financial services firms. These include but are not
limited to:
Global banks
Broker-dealers
Registered investment advisers
Wirehouses
Since our clients could simultaneously be clients of the unaffiliated financial services firms with
which we have relationships, they could have the option to purchase investment products that
we recommend, including our own products, through other brokers or agents that are not
affiliated with us, at lower cost.
We currently maintain contractual agreements with a number of unaffiliated financial services
firms. For these firms, we do one or more of the following:
Serve as an adviser or sub-adviser and provide investment management services in
connection with the management of a mutual fund, ETF or CIT sponsored by another
registered investment adviser;
Provide investment management and advisory services in connection with an unaffiliated
registered investment adviser’s use of our investment strategies for their separately
managed account program; and
Provide investment advisory services in the form of model portfolios for investment
strategies to other unaffiliated managers and financial advisers.
When we provide investment management and/or advisory services to unaffiliated financial
firms, we are typically compensated through a contractually agreed-upon fee schedule. The fee
schedules and arrangements with these firms vary depending on several factors. These factors
include but are not limited to the amount of assets under management, client servicing
requirements, the client type and the investment strategy for which investment management or
advisory services are provided.
FEE PAYMENT OPTIONS
There are two options clients may select to pay for our services:
Direct debiting (preferred): At the inception of the relationship and each billing period
thereafter, we will notify the client’s custodian of the amount of the management fee due
and payable to us through our fee schedule and contract. If clients choose this method,
they must provide written authorization to the custodian permitting our management fee
to be paid directly from the account(s) held by an independent custodian. The custodian
does not validate or check our fee or its calculation on the assets on which the fee is
based. The custodian will deduct the fee from the account(s) or, if the client has more
than one account, from the account designated to pay our advisory fees. Clients will
receive statements directly from their custodian showing all transactions, positions and
credits/debits into or from their account(s), including the advisory fee paid by the client
to us.
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Pay-by-check or wire: At the inception of the relationship and each billing period
thereafter, we will issue clients an invoice for our services. Clients will pay us by check or
wire transfer upon receipt of the invoice.
Fees may be payable in advance or arrears, depending on each client’s agreement.
ADDITIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES
Advisory fees payable to Brown Advisory do not include all the fees the client will pay when we
purchase or sell securities for the client’s account(s). The fee schedule pertains to separate
account management and does not include custody fees, fees and expenses associated with
collateral loans, any third-party administration expenses, brokerage charges, fund expenses,
taxes or other costs related to the purchase and sale of securities for a client’s account, including
available cash sweep options. Custody fees will vary depending on the custodian. All brokerage
charges and related transaction costs are charged to the account(s) as they occur. See Item 12 –
Brokerage Practices for additional information about our brokerage practices.
All fees paid to us for portfolio management services are separate from the fees and expenses
borne by any mutual funds, ETFs, CITs, limited partnerships or private funds in which client assets
are invested, including funds or partnerships advised by Brown Advisory or one of our affiliates.
The vehicle’s prospectus or offering document provides details of such fees and expenses, as well
as differences across share classes.
Clients invested in certain alternative investment vehicles will incur some or all of the following
expenses in addition to any management or similar fees paid in respect of the investment:
• Organizational, offering and marketing expenses;
• All costs, fees or expenses incurred in connection with:
investment or any sale or
o due diligence reviews of the investment or manager;
o negotiating, financing and documenting the
recapitalization of the investment;
o all brokers, accountants, tax advisors, administrators, lawyers, investment
bankers, consultants, auditors and other advisors;
o all regulatory filings or any claim, action, suit, proceeding or litigation of any kind
or nature;
o the administrator, the custodian, the depositary or any other fund service
providers; and
o any line of credit or borrowing incurred by the fund.
The foregoing examples of expenses associated with alternative investment vehicles are not
exhaustive. For details on private fund expenses, please refer to the offering documents for the
funds.
In addition, we receive fees from clients with respect to certain non-advisory services that we
provide to clients. In these cases, a client has the option to receive the service and will agree
upon the fee to be charged. Such services include reporting on private equity holdings and other
investments held outside of Brown Advisory, providing administrative services to certain clients,
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such as accounting and tax reporting, non-discretionary investment services, certain family office
services, and providing due diligence reports and other information with respect to investments
in private funds and unaffiliated advisers.
There are many fees and/or expenses that clients pay directly to third parties for any securities
purchased, sold or held in their account(s) under our management. Except as discussed in this
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation and Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation below,
we do not receive, directly or indirectly, any portion of these fees charged to the client. They are
paid to the client’s broker, custodian or the mutual fund(s) or other investment(s) the client
holds. These fees include brokerage commissions, transaction fees, exchange fees, regulatory
fees, advisory fees and administrative fees charged by mutual funds, ETFs, private funds or
private equity vehicles, custodial fees, deferred sales charges on mutual funds or annuities, odd-
lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund processing fees, legal fees and
commissions or mark-ups/mark-downs on security transactions.
COMPENSATION FOR SALE OF SECURITIES OR OTHER INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
We compensate employees for business development activity, including the attraction or
retention of client assets. In addition, certain colleagues receive a year-end incentive that is
derived from the accounts they manage. Several advisory board members have agreements
under which they may be compensated for referring potential clients to Brown Advisory. Certain
employees are eligible to receive performance-based compensation for certain transactions
initiated and executed by the Venture Capital team. This compensation arrangement has the
potential to incentivize members of the applicable investment teams to pursue certain
transactions. The performance bonus portion of a portfolio manager’s compensation is based
primarily on the overall performance returns of the portfolios they manage and secondarily on
their ability to retain and grow client assets. These factors are used to establish each manager’s
portion of the bonus pool. The size of the bonus pool is determined each year based upon the
profitability of the firm. Additionally, equity is a vital part of the overall compensation mix. Brown
Advisory awards equity to investment professionals in order to align our interests with those of
our clients, as we believe that equity in an investment management firm is ultimately an
investment in the performance of the underlying securities in clients’ portfolios.
FEES FROM AFFILIATED FUNDS
If Brown Advisory manages a balanced account for a client, and in other circumstances, both
affiliated and unaffiliated registered and private funds may be used or recommended. Fees and
expenses associated with these vehicles are detailed in the corresponding prospectuses and fund
offering documents. When clients hold Brown Advisory-sponsored mutual funds and/or ETFs in
an account that is charged an investment advisory fee by Brown Advisory or any of its affiliates,
Brown Advisory has policies and procedures in place designed to ensure that a client is credited
its approximate pro-rata share of the management fee paid to Brown Advisory by the affiliated
mutual fund or ETF as an offset against, and to the extent of, the client’s investment advisory fee
for the applicable billing period, unless otherwise noted in the fund’s prospectus or offering
document or otherwise negotiated. Exceptions to this practice apply if a fund is operating over
its expense cap or to the extent that the allocable share of the management fee to be deducted
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exceeds the client’s investment advisory fee for the applicable billing period. In cases where any
such mutual fund or ETF has exceeded its expense cap, the firm will cover the excess expenses
and reduce the quarterly rebate to clients to the extent of the expenses incurred by the affiliated
mutual fund or ETF. If the firm subsequently is able to recoup any such expenses allocable to an
affiliated mutual fund or ETF in excess of an expense cap, the firm will not increase the offset
amount over the investment advisory fee; these recouped expenses will be borne by the client.
Clients paying a Brown Advisory account-level investment advisory fee typically receive an offset
in an amount approximately equal to the client’s allocable share of management fees charged by
firm-sponsored mutual funds and ETFs in which the client invests, up to the amount of the
applicable account-level investment advisory fee. Typically, these fees are calculated and accrued
on a daily basis, while any such fee offsetting occurs on a quarterly basis consistent with
applicable rebates.
Brown Advisory benefits financially from investments in our proprietary products. Within mutual
funds, other fees,
including business management or shareholder servicing fees (i.e.,
administrative services fees) are charged as described in the prospectus and SAI. Shareholder
servicing fees are utilized to cover expenses related to ongoing servicing of existing
shareholders. The business management fees are utilized to offset business related expenses
incurred by such funds; some examples of these expenses include but are not limited to Board of
Trustee relations, officer functions, technology expenses, and overhead. Brown Advisory also
may benefit indirectly from investments in our proprietary products by receiving beneficial terms
from service providers to such products, where those service providers are engaged by Brown
Advisory in other capacities.
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‑
‑
To determine shareholder servicing fees, the firm classifies its internally managed and
sub
advised mutual funds into two categories, using each fund’s inception date as the basis for
classification. For mutual funds launched before 2013, Brown Advisory generally provides fee
offsets against shareholder servicing fees to ensure the client’s net expense ratio is aligned with
the lowest available share
class (i.e., Institutional share class). For funds launched in 2013 or
after, clients are typically invested in the share class that offers the lowest available net expense.
Certain custodians do not offer the lowest fee share classes offered in Brown Advisory’s mutual
funds and sub-advised mutual funds on their platforms. In these cases, clients will be invested in
the lowest share class available on the custodian’s platform, which may not be the lowest share
class offered by Brown Advisory. As a result, clients may incur higher fund expenses than they
would if the lowest
fee share class were accessible through their custodian. Therefore, clients
should not assume that their assets will be invested in the share class with the lowest possible
expense ratio.
For both registered and private funds, it is common for different share classes to maintain
different fees. Certain share classes receive more favorable fee structures. There is no guarantee
that a client will be invested in the lowest share class offered or receive terms as favorable as
those received by other clients of the firm. In addition, depending on the circumstances, and
from time to time, share class or fund minimums (either for private or mutual funds managed by
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Brown Advisory or one of its affiliates) are waived or lowered. Examples of these circumstances
include clients that maintain additional accounts or have a long-standing relationship with the
firm or employees who are also clients of the firm.
Please refer to the prospectus or offering documents of the corresponding Funds for additional
details.
Private Equity Funds – Firm Line of Credit
An affiliate of Brown Advisory has the ability to provide a line of credit to the private funds it
sponsors that facilitate investments in private equity managers, hedge fund managers and direct
venture capital and private equity investments. Brown Advisory can determine, in its sole
discretion, to extend credit to a private fund; however, it is not under an obligation to extend
credit to a private fund and some private funds may participate in the line of credit while other
private funds are not given the opportunity to borrow against the line of credit. In addition, where
a line of credit is extended, Brown Advisory receives a fee in the form of interest payments in
respect of money loaned to a private fund under the line of credit. This fee is borne by the
investors in the fund and is in addition to the other fees payable to Brown Advisory or one of its
affiliates as the managing member, general partner or investment adviser to the private fund.
Payments made by a private fund to satisfy an interest or maturity payment will decrease the
amount of capital in the private fund available for investment and will not produce any returns
for the investors. Brown Advisory can modify the maturity date or interest due on a loan at any
time in its sole discretion. These actions will disadvantage the private fund and its investors if
they cause a fund to forgo an investment opportunity in whole or in part in order to satisfy an
interest payment or payment due at term.
ITEM 6 PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
From time to time we will accept Institutional clients that wish to pay performance-based fees.
In addition, certain private funds advised by Brown Advisory or one of its affiliates charge carried
interest or a performance fee. The Private Placement Memoranda or other offering documents
for a private vehicle should be consulted for additional information.
Since most of our clients maintain tiered, asset-based fee schedules, this means some portfolio
managers are managing accounts for clients that compensate the firm according to an asset-
based fee schedule at the same time they are managing accounts for clients that compensate the
firm according to a portfolio’s investment performance relative to its benchmark or based on the
appreciation of a client’s investment within a given fund. By managing these two types of fee-
paying accounts at the same time, a portfolio manager is faced with certain potential conflicts.
These include:
An incentive for the portfolio manager to favor accounts for which the firm receives a
performance-based fee;
An increased chance that the portfolio manager’s strategy will experience style drift or
take on excessive risk if his or her compensation is tied to performance; and
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An incentive for the portfolio manager to allocate scarce investment opportunities to
clients that pay performance-based fees.
Brown Advisory maintains and enforces written policies and procedures designed to ensure that
allocation decisions are made in a manner Brown Advisory believes is consistent with its
obligations and fiduciary duties and that allocation decisions do not consistently advantage or
disadvantage particular clients, regardless of the fee arrangement. In addition, we have adopted
trading practices designed to address potential conflicts of interest inherent in proprietary and
client discretionary trading, including bunching and allocation.
Notwithstanding Brown Advisory’s allocation policies, the availability, amount, timing,
structuring or terms of investments available to particular client accounts with similar investment
objectives will differ in certain circumstances. Brown Advisory is from time to time presented
with opportunities to invest in privately offered securities, confidentially marketed securities,
initial and secondary offerings and follow-on offerings. Depending on the terms and timing of the
transaction, these securities offerings will be allocated only to applicable Brown Advisory-
sponsored mutual funds, ETFs, CITs or other pooled investment funds in order to reduce
administrative burdens or minimize operational risks or complexities. If more than one fund is
eligible to participate in a capacity-constrained securities offering, Brown Advisory will allocate
the available securities across the funds in a manner it deems to be fair and equitable. Separately
managed accounts following the same investment strategy as a participating mutual fund, ETF or
CIT will not receive an allocation in certain circumstances. Separately managed accounts will gain
exposure to such offerings when the securities begin trading in the public markets. In these cases,
separately managed accounts will not receive the benefits of price discounts or other benefits of
direct investments, such as reduced or zero brokerage commissions. Allocating such investments
to Brown Advisory mutual funds, ETFs, or other pooled investment funds will result in additional
fees payable to Brown Advisory and, in certain cases, better performance results.
To mitigate and manage risks of allocation decisions, we employ the following practices:
Subject to client guidelines and restrictions and applicable minimum investment
requirements for separate accounts, accounts managed according to a particular strategy
generally are incorporated into the same trade group for trade execution and allocation
purposes. This is designed to ensure that trading in an investment strategy is aggregated
across all related accounts to facilitate best execution. For equity strategies, we typically
aggregate orders for the same security across multiple accounts into a “block trade.” This
process is designed to provide equal treatment of all relevant clients, provides ease of
administration and facilitates the avoidance of information leakage that would be
detrimental to client trades. The average price per share of a block trade will be allocated
to each account that participates in the block trade. If a block order cannot be executed
in full at the same price or time, the securities actually purchased or sold by the close of
each business day will be allocated in a manner that is consistent with the initial pre-
allocation. This must be done in a way that does not consistently advantage or
disadvantage particular client accounts. For example, partial fills typically are allocated
pro rata among participating accounts. Under special circumstances, the trading desk can
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allocate a partial fill using a random fill function in such cases where it is deemed to be
fair and equitable. When limited offering amounts are available for particular securities,
our portfolio managers and business management determine which accounts could best
utilize the security based on a number of factors, including administrative ease and
minimizing operational risks. Once this is determined, the security is allocated on a pro-
rata basis among these particular accounts.
Reviews are undertaken to confirm that accounts conform to client suitability standards
as well as to determine if any security changes need to occur. Fund portfolio managers
regularly review investments to confirm that they are consistent with the fund's
objectives.
The firm’s Chief Investment Officers meet regularly with the relevant investment teams
to review performance and portfolio activity to evaluate whether portfolios are managed
to stated investment philosophies. Sector and security selection analysis, current
portfolio composition, trading activity and style-based portfolio analysis are considered
during the review process.
Aggregation and allocation procedures across fixed income portfolios have been designed
to ensure fair and equitable treatment across all applicable accounts. Portfolio managers
attempt to block multiple orders for the same security on the same side of the market
prior to releasing an order. In the event orders eligible for aggregation are not aggregated,
the Fixed Income traders will use best efforts to block these orders together. Orders
received after the full execution of an order (a done trade) are not blocked. Block orders
that are executed in their entirety will be allocated to each account that participated at
the trade execution price. If a block order cannot be executed in full at the time, the
securities actually purchased or sold will be allocated in a manner that is consistent with
the initial pre-allocation. This must be done in a way that does not consistently advantage
or disadvantage particular accounts. For example, partial fills typically are allocated pro
rata among participating accounts. Minimum increments and minimum piece sizes may
constrain or influence allocation decisions.
Alternative Investments – Limited Allocations
Certain Brown Advisory funds invest in private investments or limited investment opportunities.
In addition, from time to time, Brown Advisory or its personnel or affiliates are presented with
an alternative investment opportunity where the amount available for investment is limited or
fixed and client demand exceeds the amount available. Not all such opportunities are made
broadly available across Brown Advisory clients or funds. In some cases, opportunities are
available only to existing investors of a third-party sponsor or manager, or to investors with an
established investment history or contractual allocation rights with that sponsor; in those cases,
Brown Advisory may determine it is neither feasible nor appropriate to make the opportunity
available more broadly, and the allocation may be limited to those eligible investors. Further,
certain investments may be sourced for specific clients and, in those cases, Brown Advisory may
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restrict participation to the clients for whom the opportunity was sourced. In addition, Brown
Advisory may elect to exclude clients and other investors who do not pay an account-level fee.
When a limited-capacity opportunity is appropriate for broader consideration, Brown Advisory’s
Chief Investment Officer and other senior investment professionals (the “Allocation Committee”)
- or a delegated subcommittee chaired by the Chief Investment Officer - review the opportunity
and determine whether, and in what proportion, to allocate capacity among (i) Private
Alternative Funds, (ii) certain clients that share characteristics with those funds (e.g., ability to
close quickly, designated pool of capital for private investments, high degree of sophistication),
and (iii) Brown Advisory colleagues, clients and potential investors who have historically and
programmatically participated in alternative investments by sourcing, evaluating or otherwise
facilitating access to investments. Allocations among these groups may be pro rata or non-pro
rata depending on eligibility, suitability, minimum investment sizes, strategic considerations,
prior participation and the nature of the investment; the reviewing body is not required to
allocate to all three groups or to allocate on a pro rata basis.
To the extent capacity remains after the initial allocation amongst the three preliminary groups,
the Allocation Committee (or its subcommittee) evaluates other prospective investors based on
suitability factors, such as investment objectives, risk profile and diversification needs and, if
demand still exceeds capacity, may consider additional objective criteria (for example,
relationship size and the nature of the client’s relationship with Brown Advisory, including
whether the client pays an account-level fee). Where relevant, the allocation methods or
preferences of the underlying manager are also considered. If demand continues to exceed
capacity after applying these factors, Brown Advisory may allocate the opportunity using a
randomization algorithm or another approach that the Allocation Committee deems fair and
equitable. Brown Advisory maintains records of allocation decisions in accordance with its
record-retention policies.
Allocations for limited-capacity opportunities may include Brown Advisory colleagues (including
employees, officers and directors) as described above, which may reduce the capacity available
to other clients.
Collateralized Loans
Clients may elect to use some or all of their separate account assets to collateralize a loan
(referred to below as a “credit line loan” or “loan”), provided these clients meet certain eligibility
requirements. Specifically, clients will be required to execute separate loan documents with U.S.
Bank or another lender (referred to below as the “lender”).
Clients are responsible for independently evaluating if the loan is appropriate for their needs, the
lending terms are acceptable, and whether the loan will have potential adverse tax consequences
to the client. The decision whether to arrange a loan or draw down on a loan and how loan
proceeds are used is not encompassed within the client’s advisory relationship with Brown
Advisory. That relationship is governed exclusively by the loan documentation between the client
and the lender.
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Since a client’s separate account or subaccount will be pledged to support any loans extended
under the credit line program, clients will not be permitted to withdraw any of the assets in the
separate account unless there is a sufficient amount of collateral otherwise supporting the loans
(as determined by the lender in its sole discretion).
If a client participates in the credit line program, the client will pay interest and fees to the lender
separately and in addition to any separate account fees charged by Brown Advisory, which results
in compensation to the lender and not Brown Advisory. The fees and interest rate charged in
connection with a credit line loan from U.S. Bank or a different lender of the client’s choosing
may be higher than that charged by other lenders.
As Brown Advisory is compensated primarily through advisory fees paid on client accounts, we
have an incentive for clients to draw down on a credit line loan to meet liquidity needs rather
than sell securities in its advisory account which would reduce Brown Advisory’s advisory fee.
This presents a conflict of interest when addressing a client’s needs for liquidity. Brown Advisory
mitigates this conflict by training and supervising personnel to make investment decisions that
are in the client’s best interest.
In order to preserve sufficient collateral value to support the loan and avoid a margin call which
would reduce fee-based account assets, we have an incentive to invest the account in more
conservative investment choices, which could result in lower performance in certain market
conditions. We mitigate this conflict of interest through polices and supervisory procedures
designed to ensure that investment decisions are consistent with the client’s investment
strategies.
In general, credit line loans extended by U.S. Bank and other lenders are full recourse demand
loans and are "margin loans" subject to collateral maintenance requirements. If the required
collateral value is not maintained, the lender typically can require a client/borrower to post
additional collateral (commonly referred to as a "margin call") or repay part or all of the loan
and/or sell securities. With such loans, clients are personally responsible for repaying the credit
line loan in full, regardless of the value of the collateral.
Failure to promptly meet a request for additional collateral (a margin call) or repayment or other
circumstances (e.g., a rapidly declining market) could cause the lender to liquidate or instruct
Brown Advisory to liquidate some or all of the collateral to meet the credit line requirements or
to repay all or a portion of the outstanding margin or credit line obligations. It is possible that
neither Brown Advisory nor the client will be provided advanced notice of a liquidation or transfer
of securities that have been pledged as collateral. Furthermore, it is possible that neither Brown
Advisory nor the client is entitled to choose the securities to liquidated or transferred. Depending
on market circumstances, the prices obtained for the securities could be less than favorable.
Any required liquidations may result in adverse tax consequences. Neither Brown Advisory nor
the lender provide legal or tax advice. Clients should consult legal and tax advisors regarding the
legal and tax implications of margin borrowing and using securities as collateral for a loan.
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In the event of a forced liquidation described above, Brown Advisory will not act as investment
adviser to the client with respect to the liquidation of securities held in a separate account to
meet a credit line loan demand. The lender has the right to protect its own commercial interests
and take actions that may adversely affect the management of your account and related
performance.
Securities backed financing involves special risks (including, without limitation, being subject to
a margin call if certain collateral value requirements are not met) and is not suitable for everyone.
For further information, please see the lender’s Disclosure Statement. Clients are encouraged to
speak to Brown Advisory to the extent they have questions about how their account may be used
in connection with a credit line loan and how such arrangement should be taken into
consideration when discussing the management of the client’s account.
Although Brown Advisory does not receive direct compensation from U.S. Bank which is
specifically tied to collateral loans, please also see the disclosure regarding other compensation
arrangements set forth in Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation; Custody
Arrangements and Cash Management Options.
ITEM 7 TYPES OF CLIENTS
We typically provide investment management services to individuals and institutions. These
include:
1. High net worth individuals and families
2. Pooled vehicles, including registered investment companies, UCITS, collective investment
trusts and private funds
3. Endowments
4. Foundations
5. Charitable organizations
6. Public/government-related clients
7. Pension and profit-sharing plans
8. Insurance companies
9. Corporations and other businesses
10. Individual retirement plans
11. Trusts
12. Estates
13. Religious institutions
14. Other taxable individual accounts
ITEM 8 METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS
METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
As an investment adviser, we provide investment management services to individuals and
institutions through a variety of investment vehicles. These include mutual funds, ETFs, CITs,
model delivery, separate accounts and private funds. Different factors, including account type
and size, are used to determine which vehicle is most appropriate for the client. We utilize
different methods of analysis that are tailored to our investment strategies. As a general matter,
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we employ fundamental, bottom-up research utilizing proprietary and non-proprietary analysis
and data to arrive at investment advice. Several of our Institutional strategies incorporate
sustainable investing research as part of their investment analysis. Certain of these strategies,
which seek to deliver investment returns taking into consideration sustainable investing risks
and/or sustainable opportunities as a factor in the investment analysis, are considered to be part
of our sustainable investing platform and include both equity and fixed income solutions. Some
of our fund vehicles with sustainable investment objectives also employ exclusionary screens.
Set forth below are the primary investment strategies and methods of analysis that we utilize in
formulating investment advice or managing assets.
EQUITIES
Our equity investment strategies seek to provide clients with long-term capital appreciation by
actively selecting securities for investment in relatively concentrated portfolios. Our equity
strategies strive to outperform relevant benchmark indices over the long-term. For each of our
equity strategies, we employ a similar investment process and method of analysis. What
differentiates our equity strategies from each other are the strategy’s (1) market capitalization
range, (2) geographic focus, (3) underlying style (growth, value, opportunistic, or income), and
(4) consideration of sustainable investing criteria for certain strategies. We employ a bottom-up,
fundamental research approach to the identification, examination and eventual selection of
securities for our portfolios. Research is conducted by research analysts whose primary focus is
to research and analyze industries and companies. Portfolio managers utilize the research
provided by the research analysts and their own investment insights to buy and sell equity
securities and construct portfolios.
Individual position weightings are largely a function of our conviction regarding a security’s long-
term appreciation potential; securities with the greatest upside potential relative to downside
risk tend to be the largest positions in our portfolios. We manage position sizes actively, seeking
to trim fully valued holdings and deploying that capital into existing or new holdings with more
attractive valuations, in an effort we believe will optimize the portfolio from a risk/reward
perspective.
The following are some of Brown Advisory’s significant, internally managed equity strategies:
International Value Select
Flexible Equity
Global Leaders
Global Value Select
Large-Cap Growth
Large-Cap Sustainable Growth
Large-Cap Sustainable Value
Mid-Cap Growth
Small-Cap Fundamental Value
Small-Cap Growth
Sustainable International Leaders
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Sustainable Small-Cap Core
FIXED INCOME
Our fixed income strategies are actively managed and seek to provide risk-adjusted returns on
behalf of our clients that are primarily driven by income and capital appreciation. We apply this
philosophy to our fixed income strategies within the context of targeting core stability of principal
value. What differentiates each of our strategies are the maturity or duration objectives of each
strategy’s portfolio, the extent to which the strategy takes duration and curve positioning risk,
the extent to which the strategy allocates risk across fixed income asset classes, the focus of the
strategy on taxable bonds, tax-exempt bonds or both, and consideration of sustainable
investment criteria for certain strategies. Our process features top-down and bottom-up
research. The top-down research process is an ongoing assessment of potential macroeconomic
scenarios that inform portfolio construction and asset allocation decisions. The bottom-up
research process focuses on delivering best ideas within various sector coverage universes while
informing the top-down research process.
The following are some of Brown Advisory’s significant fixed income strategies:
Intermediate Income
Enhanced Cash
Global Sustainable Total Return Bond
Global Sustainable Income Bond
Limited Duration
Mortgage Securities
Municipal Bond
Sustainable Core Fixed Income
Sustainable Short Duration
Tax-Exempt Sustainable Fixed Income
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING PLATFORM
Brown Advisory defines sustainable investing strategies as those that consider sustainable
investment risks and opportunities in their investment decision-making process where that
research is considered to be material to long-term performance. The Institutional equity and
fixed income strategies on the firm’s sustainable investing platform seek to invest a significant
majority or greater of the assets they manage on behalf of clients in investments with
“sustainable drivers.” Investments with sustainable drivers are defined as those engaged in
sustainability-related activities, such as responsibly and efficiently managing resources, enabling
a more stable economy, and contributing to fair and stable societies in a manner that drives
improved financial outcomes or a competitive advantage for the investment.
Brown Advisory’s global Institutional equity and fixed income research teams include sustainable
investment strategists that specialize in sustainable investment research. These specialists are
primarily responsible for conducting bottom-up research on individual securities held in
sustainable investing strategies. Third-party data may also be utilized as a supplement to this
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research or to facilitate exclusionary screens in place for certain funds and/ or as agreed to with
an applicable client.
The sustainable investment research capabilities of the team include risk assessments,
opportunity assessments, labeled bond assessments and thematic and sector-focused research,
each of which can be utilized as applicable. In addition, information gathered through sustainable
investing focused company, issuer or stakeholder engagements can be used to inform the team’s
broader research. Although this research is incorporated into the investment process for
strategies categorized as sustainable, each of the firm’s Institutional strategy portfolio managers
have the option to leverage sustainable investment research as part of their investment decision-
making process. Some of the portfolio managers incorporate this research in a routine manner
while others leverage this research when they deem relevant.
Portfolio managers of those strategies not categorized as sustainable may elect to integrate
sustainable investment research to varying degrees, if at all.
internal
information
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Brown Advisory utilizes artificial intelligence (“AI”)–enabled applications and tools to support
certain aspects of its investment and business operations. These tools include third-party
technology solutions developed for Brown Advisory, as well as commercially available AI
applications. Brown Advisory also has developed certain proprietary AI-enabled applications
designed to enhance internal workflows and operational efficiency. Some of these tools
incorporate non-proprietary large language models and may be configured to query databases
containing publicly available information, licensed data, and Brown Advisory’s proprietary
in order to generate summaries, workflow
research and other
enhancements, or analytical outputs.
Applications used in connection with investment research are designed to enhance the efficiency
and organization of the research process but are not intended to replace Brown Advisory’s
fundamental, bottom-up investment approach, which is conducted by teams of investment
professionals who exercise independent judgment.
Brown Advisory’s use of AI tools is subject to risks, including the possibility that the underlying
data may be incomplete or inaccurate, that outputs may be erroneous, misleading, or biased, or
that confidential information could be exposed through cybersecurity incidents or unauthorized
access. Brown Advisory has adopted policies and procedures governing the evaluation, testing,
oversight, data protection, and appropriate use of AI-enabled tools; however, there can be no
assurance that such measures will fully eliminate the risks associated with the use of these
technologies.
BALANCED PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
For those clients who want to be invested in both equities and fixed income, we provide balanced
portfolio management. We also offer asset allocation advice for clients who want to pursue other
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investment strategies, such as alternatives, private equity and specific values-focused
investments.
We provide our clients with access to our Institutional strategies as well as to outside managers
through our Investment Solutions Group. This service provides clients access to a wider range of
investing opportunities and asset classes, including international equities, emerging-markets
equities, global fixed income, high yield fixed income, private investments, commodities, hedge
funds, real estate, and sustainable investing solutions across a variety of asset classes. By
combining our external manager research process with our extensive in-house resources, we
enhance our customized portfolio management capabilities for clients.
Investment Solutions Group provides clients with access to external
investment
Our
management capabilities. To establish the list of managers, we:
Follow a disciplined process of research, selecting and monitoring investment managers;
Identify strategies and managers that we believe have the potential to add value to a
client’s total portfolio;
Are proactive in identifying, researching and executing opportunities around the globe;
and
Leverage our network to access ideas and investing opportunities. Our network includes
but is not limited to attorneys and accountants, industry connections, foundations and
endowments, national and local government officials, research universities, board
directors and members, executives and business owners, consultants, investment
bankers, venture capital and private equity firms, and national and local decision makers.
Brown Advisory and its affiliates sponsor and manage private funds that provide exposure to
alternative investments and managers, including private equity, venture capital, private credit,
real estate, global macro and event-driven strategies. In the fund-of-fund business, the firm
seeks to invest with established, performance-oriented managers and firms.
OCIO SOLUTIONS
For those institutions and nonprofits seeking an OCIO solution, we advise and lead our non-profit
partners through the complexities of their investments and asset management. We employ a
variety of investment services as agreed upon with the client, including developing investment
policies and objectives, analyzing asset allocation and diversification, researching and selecting
investment managers, providing due diligence and performance monitoring of managers and
supplying periodic performance reports and customized education. Risk and liquidity are matters
of utmost importance and we provide various scenario analyses to help inform asset allocation
for certain of our OCIO clients. We use a combination of active and passive investment strategies,
public and private, across all asset classes to build a custom portfolio for each individual client
STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATION
As an independent investment advisory firm, we are committed to serving our clients’ needs and
goals. For those clients who are looking for a balanced approach to their investment portfolios,
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we offer strategic asset allocation. To determine the appropriate asset allocation for a client, we
begin with an analysis of each client’s financial situation, risk tolerance and investment objectives
and subsequently allocate the client’s assets into three components: an Operating Account, a
Core Portfolio and an allocation to certain Opportunistic Investments when such opportunities
are available. This approach seeks to provide clients with a comfortable cushion of liquid assets,
such that they do not feel pressure to dip into assets that have been invested for the long term.
Once this broad allocation is in place, we develop a more detailed investment plan that is tailored
to each client’s goals and is adjusted accordingly when client circumstances change or when
markets present extraordinary risks or opportunities. For many clients, we oversee a full portfolio
of investable assets. In other scenarios, we may manage just a single asset class for a client. This
may occur because the client maintains a distinct investment philosophy as a value investor or a
growth investor, or because we complement the client’s other managers. Strategic asset
allocation includes long-term investments in a mix of financial instruments. These include but are
not limited to equity securities, fixed income securities, money market instruments, mutual
funds, funds of funds and other alternative investments.
Strategic asset allocation seeks to meet a client’s return, cash flow, risk tolerance criteria, and is
some cases, values or mission-based criteria. It also considers other issues including: tax liability;
income/yield requirements; real estate holdings; organizational objectives; time horizon;
family/generational issues; single-stock risk; family issues; philanthropic mission; capital
requirements; and required distributions. A client’s strategic asset allocation plan is reviewed and
adjusted from time to time and takes into account changes in a client’s individual needs and
objectives. Using various simulation models, we estimate the future value of each proposed
portfolio over varying periods of time and under various market conditions and assumptions with
regard to the client’s cash flow requirements and spending patterns. Once the optimal plan is
identified for a particular client, we commit the strategic plan to writing and agree on the
objective criteria for judging its success in meeting the client’s objectives.
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
Our Investment Solutions Group and Strategic Asset Allocation capabilities include alternative
investments. Brown Advisory has a dedicated team responsible for sourcing and managing the
firm’s alternative investment and private equity strategies as well as an Operational Due
Diligence team to assess the non-investment risks of our commitments. Our alternative
investment program covers venture capital, private equity, private credit, real estate, real assets,
secondaries, hedge funds and other strategies.
While we believe that both core and opportunistic alternative investments, which allow for the
potential of enhanced returns and/or reduced risk, are important aspects of balanced portfolios,
we also adhere to the belief that alternative investment strategies should be tailored to each
client’s long-term goals and risk tolerance. Accordingly, among the factors we consider in
recommending alternative investment options are liquidity needs and concerns, risk tolerance,
long-term performance of private equity, hedge funds and venture capital relative to major
market indices, cyclicality of investment cycles, attractiveness/timeliness of industries and
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strategies, consideration of the higher fees that typically accompany alternative investments, tax
issues, alignment of interests and the ability to enhance returns through value creation.
As we assess the merits of alternative investment managers, we apply our knowledge of the
sectors in which we participate. We leverage our in-house research expertise, as well as the
insight of partner firms in industry sectors, and experienced partners who participate on
endowment, university and private school investment committees with active alternative
investment programs, to identify attractive managers, industries and markets. In addition, we
typically meet with the sponsors and managers of recommended alternative investment
opportunities; conduct interviews; and, as applicable, conduct portfolio reviews and financial
analysis.
STRATEGIC ADVISORY SERVICES
For many clients, we offer what we term “strategic advisory services,” which we define as the
wide range of services to assist with tax planning, intergenerational wealth transfer,
philanthropic planning, family business advisory, and wealth structuring. Many of our strategic
advisors are current or former attorneys or certified professional accountants who previously
specialized in trust and estate, tax, accounting or non-profit matters and are experienced in
working cooperatively with our clients’ attorneys, accountants, executive and family members,
board and committee members, staff, portfolio managers and account administrators to deliver
clients an integrated solution. Our strategic advisors attend regular client meetings, provide
proactive anticipatory advice on investment and tax issues, and coordinate activity with a client’s
legal counsel, accountants and other outside advisors. They communicate regularly with clients
and continually review their overall situations. As we actively manage a client’s portfolio, we will
evaluate alongside the client whether investment decisions are appropriate and in their best
interest. At all times we seek to manage clients’ assets and cash flow needs according to their
investment, risk and individual needs and objectives. Brown Advisory charges no additional fee
for these services.
As part of our strategic advisory services, from time to time we may assist clients with various
types of family advisory or family office services. Such services include, but are not limited to,
guidance with charitable and/or gift planning and philanthropic activities, as well as assistance
with budgeting and/or administration issues or tasks related to a family office or family
foundation.
RISK OF LOSS
All investments in securities include a risk of loss of the principal invested amount and any profits
that have not been realized. There is a risk that clients could lose all or a portion of their
investment in any of the above-mentioned strategies. An investment in a strategy is not a deposit
in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
other government agency. Financial markets fluctuate substantially over time. As recent global
and domestic economic events have indicated, performance of any investment is not
guaranteed. Although we do our best to manage and mitigate the risks, there are some risks that
we cannot control. We cannot guarantee any level of performance or that clients will not
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experience a loss in their account assets. Provided below is a description of the different risks to
which an investor is exposed depending on their portfolio holdings. Depending on the investment
strategies employed, different risks will be more applicable. Please note that the below risks do
not purport to be a complete explanation of all risks involved. Potential investors should read the
mutual fund prospectus or private placement memorandum in its entirety before investing in any
of our mutual funds or private funds.
EQUITY AND GENERAL MARKET RISK
Each equity strategy may invest in common stock. Common stock represents an equity
(ownership) interest in a company and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends.
Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer.
Common stock typically has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because
increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price. The
fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the
stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual
company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. The market value of all
securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based on the market’s perception of value
and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s
worth. If clients invest in an equity strategy, they should be willing to accept the risks of the stock
market and should consider an investment in the strategy only as a part of their overall
investment portfolio.
MARKET CONDITIONS AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
An investment strategy’s performance can be affected by deterioration in public markets and by
market events, such as the onset of the credit crisis in the summer of 2007, the Great Financial
Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Declining economic conditions may result in weak financial
results in investments. Conditions such as financial market volatility, illiquidity and/or decline, a
generally unstable economic environment (including as a result of a slowdown in economic
growth and/or changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates) and/or a deterioration in the
capital markets may negatively impact the availability of attractive investment opportunities for
our strategies, our ability to make investments, the performance and/or valuation of
investments, and/or a the ability to dispose of investments. Such conditions could result in
substantial or total losses for certain investments. In an economic slowdown, holding periods
may also become longer. The value of publicly traded securities may be volatile and difficult to
sell as a block.
Uncertainty around future political, legislative or administrative developments may cause
volatility in the U.S., as well as global economies and financial markets more generally, which in
turn may have an adverse effect on the values of investments and on our ability to execute on
our investment strategies.
INFLATION RISK; BANK EXPOSURE
Inflation risk is the risk that inflation diminishes the value of an investment over time. Over
time, the prices of resources and end-user products generally increase at the rate of inflation
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which at times can outpace the expected return on an investment and cause the value of the
investment to fall or underperform even if it generates positive income on an absolute basis.
Although inflation risk is particularly acute for bonds and other fixed income investments, it can
also impact investments in equity securities and other instruments where the underlying issuer
is sensitive to inflation risk. For example, issuers in manufacturing industries that rely on
suppliers are directly impacted by inflation in the form of increased cost of supplies needed to
manufacture their products. This can result in lower margins or losses, which in turn can cause
losses in the value of the company’s stock.
In addition, issuers such as banks and financial institutions that hold fixed income instruments
can be negatively impacted by periods of inflation, which can reduce the value of such holdings
and result in a loss of confidence in the institution. In such event, loss of depositor confidence
can lead to panic and ultimately could result in the affected bank becoming insolvent or facing
bankruptcy. In the event of a bank insolvency or bankruptcy, (i) equity investors in the bank or
its parent entity will lose all or nearly all of the value of their investment, (ii) debt investors in the
bank or its parent entity will suffer losses of all or a portion of their investment, and (iii)
depositors could lose up to the amount of their uninsured deposits with the bank. Conditions
causing such losses can develop rapidly and without warning, making it impracticable or
impossible to withdraw funds from or dispose of investments in such institutions before realizing
losses. This risk is particularly applicable to investments and deposits held in regional banks and
banks that are not systematically important to the U.S. economy.
More generally, periods of inflation, which are difficult to predict or hedge, can have a negative
impact on the overall equity and fixed income markets, which can lead to portfolio losses.
VALUE COMPANY RISK
Value investing carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for a
long time or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced. The
determination that a stock is undervalued is subjective; the market may not agree, and a stock’s
price may not rise to what we believe is its full value. If the market does not consider the stock
to be undervalued, then the value of a strategy’s holdings may decline, even if stock prices
typically are rising. The value of a strategy may also decrease in response to the activities and
financial prospects of an individual company.
GROWTH COMPANY RISK
An investment in growth stocks is susceptible to rapid price swings, especially during periods of
economic uncertainty. Growth stocks typically have little or no dividend income to cushion the
effect of adverse market conditions and may be particularly volatile in the event of earnings
disappointments or other financial difficulties experienced by the issuer. Securities of growth
companies can be more sensitive to the company’s earnings and more volatile than the market
in general.
MEDIUM CAPITALIZATION COMPANY RISK
Medium capitalization company stocks may have greater fluctuations in price than the stocks of
large companies. Further, stocks of mid-sized companies could be more difficult to liquidate
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during market downturns compared to larger, more widely traded companies. Medium
capitalization companies may have limited product lines or resources and may be dependent on
a particular market niche. Additionally, securities of many medium capitalization companies are
traded in the over-the-counter markets or on a regional securities exchange, potentially making
them thinly traded and less liquid and their prices more volatile than the prices of the securities
of larger companies.
SMALLER COMPANY RISK
If a strategy invests in smaller companies, an investment in that strategy has the following
additional risks:
Analysts and other investors typically follow these companies less actively, and therefore
information about these companies is not always readily available;
Securities of many smaller companies are traded in the over-the-counter markets or on a
regional securities exchange, potentially making them thinly traded and less liquid and
their prices more volatile than the prices of the securities of larger companies;
Changes in the value of smaller company stocks may not mirror the fluctuation of the
general market; and
More limited product lines, markets and financial resources make these companies more
susceptible to economic or market setbacks.
MICRO-CAP RISK
The prices of micro-cap securities are typically more volatile and their markets are less liquid
relative to larger market capitalization securities. Therefore, strategies investing in micro-cap
securities involve considerably more risk of loss, and their returns may differ significantly from
strategies investing in larger capitalization companies or other asset classes.
FOREIGN SECURITIES/EMERGING MARKET RISK
If a strategy invests in foreign securities and ADRs, an investment in that strategy has the
following additional risks:
Foreign securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities of U.S.
companies because foreign markets may be smaller and less liquid than U.S. markets;
Changes in foreign tax laws, exchange controls, investment regulations and policies on
nationalization and expropriation as well as political instability may affect the operations
of foreign companies and the value of their securities;
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates and currency transfer restitution may adversely
affect the value of the strategy’s investments in foreign securities, which are
denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar;
Foreign securities and their issuers are not subject to the same degree of regulation as
U.S. issuers regarding information disclosure, insider trading and market manipulation;
There may be less publicly available information on foreign companies, and foreign
companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards as
are U.S. companies;
Foreign securities registration, custody and settlements may be subject to delays or other
operational and administrative problems;
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Certain foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees may be higher than those in the
U.S.;
Dividends payable on foreign securities contained in a strategy’s portfolio may be subject
to foreign withholding taxes, reducing the income available for distribution; and
Prices for stock or ADRs may fall over short or extended periods of time.
If a strategy invests in emerging markets, an investment in that strategy has the following
additional risks:
Information about the companies in emerging markets is not always readily available;
Stocks of companies traded in emerging markets may be less liquid, and the prices of
these stocks may be more volatile than the prices of the stocks in more established
markets;
Greater political and economic uncertainties exist in emerging markets than in developed
foreign markets;
The securities markets and legal systems in emerging markets may not be well developed
and may not provide the protections and advantages of the markets and systems
available in more developed countries;
Very high inflation rates may exist in emerging markets and could negatively impact a
country’s economy and securities markets;
Emerging markets may impose restrictions on a strategy’s ability to repatriate investment
income or capital;
Certain emerging markets impose constraints on currency exchange, and some currencies
in emerging markets may have been devalued significantly against the U.S. dollar;
Governments of some emerging markets exercise substantial influence over the private
sector and may own or control many companies. As such, governmental actions could
have a significant effect on economic conditions in emerging markets; and
Emerging markets may be subject to less government supervision and regulation of
business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies.
SANCTIONS RISK
Economic sanctions laws in the United States and other jurisdictions prohibit Brown Advisory
from transacting with or in certain countries, with certain individuals and companies and dealing
in certain securities and instruments. These types of sanctions restrict Brown Advisory’s
investment activities and preclude us from trading in certain securities, including those securities
subject to sanctions that are held in client portfolios. Any failure by Brown Advisory to comply
with applicable sanctions could result in significant liability and reputational damage to the firm.
The United States and various other countries imposed broad sanctions in response to the
Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions are designed to isolate Russia from the
global financial system. Brown Advisory’s compliance with these sanctions laws means that client
portfolios will experience a loss to the extent that securities and instruments subject to sanctions
are held in the portfolios. In addition, these sanctions are likely to have a material adverse effect
on companies whose businesses are linked to Russia. Client portfolios with exposure to these
companies will experience a loss in the near term.
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CURRENCY RISK
The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases
as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency exchange
rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions
of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and
speculation.
REIT AND REAL ESTATE RISK
The value of a strategy’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may change in
response to changes in the real estate market. A strategy’s investments in REITs may subject it
to the following additional risks: declines in the value of real estate, changes in interest rates,
lack of available mortgage funds or other limits on obtaining capital and financing, overbuilding,
extended vacancies of properties, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes
in zoning laws and regulations, casualty or condemnation losses, and tax consequences of the
failure of a REIT to comply with tax law requirements. A strategy will bear a proportionate share
of the REIT’s ongoing operating fees and expenses, which may include management, operating
and administrative expenses.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES RISK
A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, right, warrant or other security
that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other
security of the same or a different issuer or cash within a particular period of time at a specified
price or formula. A convertible security typically entitles the holder to receive interest paid or
accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security
matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities
typically have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Convertible securities
ordinarily provide a stream of income with typically higher yields than those of common stock of
the same or similar issuers and typically rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital
structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible
securities typically do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the
underlying securities, although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any
dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities. A strategy’s investments in
convertible securities subject it to the risks that prevailing interest rates, issuer credit quality and
any call provisions may affect the value of the strategy’s convertible securities.
DERIVATIVES RISK
Derivatives are financial instruments that have a value which depends on, or is derived from, a
reference asset, such as one or more underlying securities, pools of securities, options, futures,
indexes or currencies. Derivatives may result in investment exposures that are greater than their
cost would suggest; in other words, a small investment in a derivative may have a large impact
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on a strategy’s performance. The successful use of derivatives typically depends on the
manager’s ability to predict market movements.
A strategy may use derivatives in various ways. It may use derivatives as a substitute for taking a
position in the reference asset or to gain exposure to certain asset classes; under such
circumstances, the derivatives may have economic characteristics similar to those of the
reference asset, and a strategy’s investment in the derivatives may be applied toward meeting a
requirement to invest a certain percentage of its net assets in instruments with such
characteristics. A strategy may use derivatives to hedge (or reduce) its exposure to a portfolio
asset or risk. A strategy may use derivatives for leverage or to manage cash.
Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this section, such as liquidity
risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and general market risks. A strategy’s use of derivatives may
entail risks greater than, or possibly different from, such risks and other principal risks to which
a strategy is exposed, as described below. Certain of the different risks to which a strategy might
be exposed due to its use of derivatives include the following:
Counterparty risk is the risk that the other party to the derivative contract will fail to make
required payments or otherwise to comply with the terms of the contract. In the event
that the counterparty to such a derivative instrument becomes insolvent, a strategy
potentially could lose all or a large portion of its investment in the derivative instrument.
Hedging risk is the risk that derivative instruments used to hedge against an opposite
position may offset losses, but they also may offset gains.
Correlation risk is the risk that derivative instruments may be mispriced or improperly
valued and that changes in the value of the derivatives may not correlate perfectly with
the underlying asset or security.
Volatility risk is the risk that because a strategy may use some derivatives that involve
economic leverage, this economic leverage will increase the volatility of the derivative
instruments, as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the underlying
currency, security, interest rate or other economic variable.
Credit derivatives risk is the risk associated with the use of derivatives, which is a highly
specialized activity that involves strategies and risks different from those with ordinary
portfolio security transactions. If the portfolio manager is incorrect in its forecast of
default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors, a strategy’s investment
performance would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques
were not used. Moreover, even if the portfolio manager is correct in its forecast, there is
a risk that a credit derivative position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset
or liability being hedged. A strategy’s risk of loss in a credit derivative transaction varies
with the form of the transaction.
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Segregation risk is the risk associated with any requirement, which may be imposed on a
strategy, to segregate assets or enter into offsetting positions in connection with
investments in derivatives. Such segregation will not limit a strategy’s exposure to loss,
and the strategy may incur investment risk with respect to the segregated assets to the
extent that, aside from the applicable segregation requirement, the strategy would sell
the segregated assets.
DEBT/FIXED INCOME SECURITIES RISK
The value of an investment in a fixed income strategy changes in response to changes in interest
rates. An increase in interest rates typically causes a fall in the value of the debt securities in
which the strategy invests. The longer the duration of a debt security, the more its value typically
falls in response to an increase in interest rates. The value of an investment in a fixed income
strategy typically changes in response to the credit ratings of the strategy’s portfolio of debt
securities. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating.
Typically, investment risk and price volatility increase as a security’s credit rating declines. The
financial condition of an issuer of a debt security held by a strategy can cause it to default or
become unable to pay interest or principal due on the security. A strategy cannot collect interest
and principal payments on a debt security if the issuer defaults.
NON-INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES RISK
Securities rated below investment grade, i.e., BA or BB and lower (“junk bonds”), are subject to
greater risks of loss of money than higher-rated securities. Compared with issuers of investment
grade fixed income securities, junk bonds are more likely to encounter financial difficulties and
to be materially affected by these difficulties.
CREDIT RISK
If a strategy invests in fixed income securities, the value of the client’s investment in the strategy
typically changes in response to the credit ratings of that strategy’s portfolio securities. The
degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Typically, investment
risk and price volatility increase as a security’s credit rating declines. The financial condition of an
issuer of a fixed income security held by a strategy may cause it to default or become unable to
pay interest or principal due on the security. A strategy cannot collect interest and principal
payments on a fixed income security if the issuer defaults. Investments in fixed income securities
that are issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal National Mortgage
Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks
involve credit risk, as they are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
INTEREST RATE RISK
If a strategy invests in fixed income securities, the value of the client’s investment in that strategy
will change in response to changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates typically causes
a fall in the value of the securities in which a strategy invests. The longer the duration of a fixed
income security, the more its value typically falls in response to an increase in interest rates.
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LIQUIDITY RISK
Certain fixed income securities held by a strategy are difficult (or impossible) to sell at the time
and at the price the portfolio manager would like. As a result, a strategy may have to hold these
securities longer than it would like and forego other investment opportunities. There is the
possibility that a strategy would lose money or be prevented from realizing capital gains if it
cannot sell a security at a particular time and price.
INVESTMENT COMPANY AND ETF RISK
Investments in open-end and closed-end investment companies, including ETFs (which may, in
turn, invest in bonds and other financial vehicles), involve substantially the same risks as investing
directly in the instruments held by these entities. However, the investment involves duplication
of certain fees and expenses. By investing in an investment company or ETF, the strategy
becomes a shareholder of that fund. As a result, investors in a strategy that invests in ETFs or an
open-end or closed-end investment company are indirectly subject to the fees and expenses of
the individual ETFs or funds. These fees and expenses are in addition to the fees and expenses
that investors in the strategy directly bear in connection with the strategy’s own operations. If
the investment company or ETF fails to achieve its investment objective, the strategy’s
investment in the fund adversely affect its performance. In addition, because ETFs and many
closed-end funds are listed on national stock exchanges and are traded like stocks listed on an
exchange, (1) the strategy may acquire or liquidate ETF or closed-end fund shares at a discount
or premium to their NAV, and (2) the strategy may incur greater expenses since ETFs often trade
at a bid-ask spread, and are thus subject to brokerage and other trading costs. Since the value of
ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, we may not be able to liquidate the holdings
at the most optimal time, adversely affecting performance.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES RISK
Mortgage-related securities are subject to prepayment risk as well as the risks associated with
investing in debt securities in general. If interest rates fall and the loans underlying these
securities are prepaid faster than expected, the strategy may have to reinvest the prepaid
principal in lower yielding securities, thus reducing the strategy’s income. Conversely, if interest
rates increase and the loans underlying the securities are prepaid more slowly than expected,
the expected duration of the securities may be extended, reducing the cash flow for potential
reinvestment in higher yielding securities.
TO BE ANNOUNCED (“TBA”) TRANSACTIONS RISK
TBA purchase commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased
declines prior to settlement date or if the counterparty does not deliver the securities as
promised.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES RISK
Although U.S. Government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they
are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Some obligations
issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example,
Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
39
Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities
issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to
purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or
guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported
by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. While the U.S. Government provides
financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be
given that the U.S. Government will always do so, since the U.S. Government is not so obligated
by law.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES RISK
Municipal securities risk generally depends on the financial status and credit quality of the issuer.
Changes in a municipality’s financial condition could cause the issuer to fail to make interest and
principal payments when due. A period in which a municipality experiences lower tax revenues,
decreased funding from state and local governments or a sustained economic downturn may
increase the risk of a credit downgrade or default. If such events were to occur, the value of the
security could decrease or be lost entirely and it may be difficult or impossible to sell the security
at the time and the price that normally prevails in the market. Interest on municipal obligations
may not be exempt from the federal alternative minimum tax.
NON-DIVERSIFICATION RISK
If a strategy is “non-diversified,” its investments are not required to meet certain diversification
requirements under federal law. A “non-diversified” strategy is permitted to invest a greater
percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a diversified strategy. Thus, the
strategy may have fewer holdings than other strategies. As a result, a decline in the value of those
investments would cause the strategy’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the
strategy held a more diversified portfolio.
MANAGEMENT RISK
Our strategies are actively managed, and our performance in these strategies may reflect our
ability to make decisions that are suited to achieving a strategy’s investment objective. As a
result, a strategy may not meet its investment objective based on the success or failure of the
portfolio managers to implement investment strategies and could underperform other similar
strategies with comparable investment objectives managed by other advisers.
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING RISK
Sustainable investing risk is the risk that a strategy managed to explicitly consider sustainable
investing criteria could underperform compared to similar strategies that do not use sustainable
investing criteria. Sustainable investing strategies may forego opportunities to buy certain
securities when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so or may sell securities for sustainable
investing-related reasons when it might be otherwise disadvantageous for it to do so. Sustainable
investing strategies may also focus on particular investment themes, which presents increased
risk over a more diversified portfolio by focusing investment choices within specific sectors that
may or may not perform as well as other industry sectors. There is a risk that the companies
selected for an sustainable investing strategy may not perform as expected in addressing
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sustainable investing considerations. A company’s sustainability performance could vary over
time, which could cause the strategy to fail to comply with sustainable investing objectives.
Interpretations of sustainable investing criteria, and therefore our investment decisions, may
vary over time or may be inconsistently applied. In making investment decisions, Brown Advisory
relies on information, data and value judgments from its internal research teams as well as third
party data providers that could be incomplete or erroneous.
Investing on the basis of sustainable investing criteria is qualitative and subjective by nature, and
there can be no assurance that the process utilized by Brown Advisory will reflect the beliefs or
values of any particular client. The data informing this process is derived from a variety of
sources, including the companies themselves and third-party sources. The data and qualitative
information are inherently subject to interpretation, restatement, delay and omission outside of
Brown Advisory’s control.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RISK
High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater expenses to a strategy, including
brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities
and reinvestments in other securities and may increase a client’s tax obligations.
PRIVATE PLACEMENT RISK
Privately issued securities are restricted securities that are not publicly traded. Accordingly, the
market liquidity for specific privately issued securities may vary. Delay or difficulty in selling such
securities may result in a loss to the strategy.
SHORT SELLING
Short selling involves selling securities that are not owned by the seller and borrowing the same
securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace the borrowed securities at
a later date. Short selling allows a portfolio to profit from declines in market prices to the extent
that such declines exceed the transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities.
However, since the borrowed securities must be replaced by purchases at market prices in order
to close out the short position, any appreciation in the price of the borrowed securities would
result in a loss upon such repurchase. Purchasing securities to close out the short position can
itself cause the price of the securities to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. Short-selling
exposes a portfolio to unlimited risk with respect to that security due to the lack of an upper limit
on the price to which an instrument can rise.
PRIVATE FUND RISK
Private investment funds are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
generally are not registered with any other regulatory authority. Accordingly, they are not subject
to certain regulatory restrictions and oversight to which other issuers are subject. There is little
public information available about their investments and performance. Moreover, as sales of
shares of private investment companies are typically restricted to certain qualified purchasers, it
could be difficult for a client to sell its shares of a private investment company at an advantageous
price and time. Since shares of private investment companies are not publicly traded, from time
41
to time it may be difficult to establish a fair value for the client’s investment in these companies.
Private investment funds may be entirely illiquid or subject to long and unpredictable investment
periods.
CYBER SECURITY RISK
The firm’s technology systems, and those of our critical third parties such as administrators,
custodians and auditors, may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses,
network failures, computer and telecommunications failures, infiltration by unauthorized
persons and security breaches, usage errors by their respective professionals, power outages and
catastrophic events such as fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. Although we
have implemented various measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, if our
systems are compromised, become inoperable or cease to function properly, the firm and its
affected advisory clients may have to make a significant investment to fix or replace them. The
failure of these systems and/or of a disaster recovery plan for any reason could cause a significant
interruption in the operations of the firm and its clients and result in a failure to maintain the
security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to
clients. Such a failure could harm a person’s reputation and subject the firm to legal claims,
regulatory finds and impair business and financial performance.
DATA AND INFORMATION RISK
Although Brown Advisory obtains data and information from third party sources that it considers
to be reliable, Brown Advisory does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy and/or completeness
of any data or information provided by these sources. Brown Advisory does not make any express
or implied warranties of any kind with respect to such data.
VALUATION RISK
There is significant uncertainty as to the valuation of illiquid and other difficult-to-value assets
and investments in client portfolios, including private equity and alternative investments,
promissory notes and other debt instruments and real assets. Brown Advisory has adopted a
pricing policy designed to provide valuation guidelines for such assets and investments. Valuation
procedures for illiquid and other difficult-to-value assets and investments held in fee-based client
accounts are more rigorous than valuation procedures for illiquid and difficult-to-value assets
and investments in client accounts that are not subject to asset-based fees.
Given the inherent subjectivity of fair value processes, the valuations of illiquid and difficult-to-
value assets and investments may not reflect the values that could be realized by a client. In
addition, Brown Advisory may not have access to current information or all material information
relevant to a valuation analysis and it may not be possible to consistently obtain up-to-date
valuations. In certain cases, Brown Advisory relies on valuation statements from external fund
managers and other third parties. Brown Advisory does not have the ability to assess the accuracy
of such valuations. As a result, valuations may be inaccurate or not reflective of current valuations
resulting in fee calculations that may be higher or lower than they would be if calculated on
current, accurate valuations. In certain circumstances, valuation techniques may need to be
modified in order to capture what Brown Advisory believes is current fair value. Finally,
42
performance calculations for clients who hold alternative and difficult-to-value assets and
investments will be inaccurate to the extent they rely on valuations that are not current or
accurate.
ITEM 9 DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
Neither Brown Advisory nor any of our supervised persons have been involved in any legal or
disciplinary events (i.e., criminal or civil action in a domestic, foreign or military court,
administrative proceeding before the SEC, any other federal regulatory agency, any state
regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization) that are material to evaluating our advisory
business or the integrity of our management.
ITEM 10 OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
BAGH, a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the parent company of BAI and BAM. BAI
serves as the manager of BAGH and the managing member of BAM. BAM is a holding company
that serves as the parent company to several Brown Advisory subsidiaries.
Brown Advisory is a registered investment adviser with the SEC and is a wholly owned subsidiary
of BAM. Brown Advisory is eligible to conduct certain activities with permitted types of clients
and registerable activities in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick in reliance on the
International Adviser Exemption.
FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT, COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR, COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR
REGISTRATION STATUS
Brown Advisory is not registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the
“CFTC”) as a Commodity Trading Advisor (“CTA”) or as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”).
Certain employees and members of management serve as “associated persons” of affiliates of
Brown Advisory that are registered with the CFTC as a CTA or CPO or are exempt from such
registration.
RELATED PERSONS
Brown Advisory has certain relationships or arrangements with related persons that are material
to its advisory business or its clients. Below is a description of such relationships and some of the
conflicts of interest that arise from them. Brown Advisory has adopted policies and procedures
reasonably designed to prevent, limit or mitigate conflicts of interest that may arise between
Brown Advisory and its affiliates.
AFFILIATIONS WITH INVESTMENT COMPANIES OR OTHER POOLED INVESTMENT VEHICLES
Brown Advisory has arrangements that are material to its advisory business with affiliated
investment companies. Brown Advisory serves as the investment adviser to affiliated mutual
funds, ETFs, CITs, investment trusts, and UCITS funds. We may also serve as the managing
member of private funds that invest in public and private securities.
Brown Advisory has arrangements to serve as adviser or sub-adviser to investment companies
and pooled investment vehicles sponsored by other unaffiliated financial services firms. As
43
adviser or sub-adviser for these firms, we serve as investment managers for vehicles that are
subsequently marketed to the clients of other firms. Although we manage portions of the funds,
the names of the funds typically reflect the name of the unaffiliated firm. While other investment
companies and pooled investment vehicles are clients of ours, the underlying clients in the funds
are clients of the unaffiliated firm.
Brown Advisory (Ireland) Limited is authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland to operate as a
management company for the purposes of the European Communities (Undertakings for
Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations.
AFFILIATIONS WITH OTHER INVESTMENT ADVISERS
Brown Advisory is affiliated with Brown Advisory Ltd., a UK-based investment adviser which is
authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and is also an SEC-registered
investment adviser.
Brown Advisory has the following other investment advisory affiliates:
BAISG is an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of BAM,
specializing in alternative investments and offering both discretionary and non-
discretionary investment advice primarily to various private investment funds it manages,
individuals and Institutional separate accounts.
NextGen (collectively with certain special purpose vehicles formed to serve as general
partners of its funds, “NextGen”) is a relying adviser of BAISG and serves as the general
partner or managing member for certain private investment funds. Various entities
formed to serve as general partners of BAISG and NextGen sponsored private funds are
also relying advisers of BAISG.
Signature Financial Management, Inc. (doing business as Brown Advisory) (“Signature”) is
a Virginia corporation and an SEC-registered investment adviser. Signature provides
integrated wealth management services to high net worth individuals and their families,
and to a small number of charitable trusts and foundations. Signature also serves as the
general partner for certain private investment.
In November 2025, Brown Advisory Limited and Brown Advisory International Partners
LLC acquired Marylebone, a London-based investment management firm specializing in
private market fund-of-funds, venture capital, and hedge fund-of-funds. Marylebone
operates as an affiliated investment adviser under the Brown Advisory umbrella and
retains its designation as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) approved by
the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
AFFILIATIONS WITH BANKING OR THRIFT INSTITUTIONS
Brown Advisory is affiliated with Brown Investment Advisory & Trust Company (“BIATC”) and
Brown Advisory Trust Company of Delaware, LLC (“BATCDE”).
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BIATC is a Maryland non-depository trust company that is subject to regulatory oversight by the
Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation of the State of Maryland. BIATC is a wholly
owned subsidiary of BAI and bears certain administrative and operating expenses on behalf of its
affiliates.
BATCDE is a Delaware limited-purpose trust company that is subject to regulatory oversight by
the Office of the State Bank Commissioner of the State of Delaware. BATCDE is a wholly owned
subsidiary of BAM. BALLC provides investment management services to trust clients of BATCDE.
BIATC and BATCDE provide trust and estate administration and related services to certain of
Brown Advisory’s clients.
limited partnerships formed to facilitate
investments made
AFFILIATIONS WITH SPONSORS OR SYNDICATORS OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
Certain of our affiliates serve as the general partner, managing member, and/or investment
manager of private vehicles and
investment
opportunities for clients. These vehicles invest in both public and private equity securities. We
and our affiliates solicit clients to invest in these vehicles. In addition, we, or an affiliate may
receive management and/or administrative fees for
in the private
partnerships and also are entitled to receive carried interest and other incentive fees and
allocations in respect of certain funds.
BAISG, NextGen, and Signature provide investment advisory services to private pooled
investment vehicles.
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS OR AFFILIATIONS
Brown Advisory (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. is Singapore private company that provides distribution and
marketing activities in connection with UCITS funds sponsored by Brown Advisory (Ireland)
Limited.
We have arrangements with unaffiliated investment advisers whereby they serve as sub-adviser
to investment companies and pooled investment vehicles sponsored by Brown Advisory. These
strategies are subsequently marketed to our clients. For these relationships, the sub-adviser
receives a fee equal to a rate in accordance with an agreed upon annual management fee
schedule.
We also maintain a relationship with Savano Direct Capital Partners, LLC, through an ownership
interest in Brown Savano JV, LLC (“BrownSavano”). BrownSavano was founded for the purpose
of providing partial liquidity and asset diversification to individual shareholders in later-stage
private companies. Certain employees of BALLC provide services to BrownSavano under an
agreement between BrownSavano and BAI.
Brown Advisory maintains a relationship with Blueprint Local LLC (“Blueprint Local”) through an
ownership interest in special limited partner entities that receive a share of a carried interest
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generated by certain opportunity zone funds managed by Blueprint Local. Previously, Brown
Advisory and Blueprint Local each had an interest in Blueprint Local Investments LLC (“Blueprint
Local Investments”), a platform established in 2018 to launch pooled investment vehicles
intended to qualify as “qualified opportunity funds,” as defined under the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act of 2017. Blueprint Local Investments was dissolved at the end of 2025 and its status as an
“Exempt Reporting Adviser” with the SEC was similarly withdrawn at that time.
MATERIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATING TO OTHER INVESTMENT ADVISERS
Brown Advisory, as the adviser to affiliated mutual funds and UCITS funds, delegates some or all
of its responsibilities as adviser to other affiliated and unaffiliated advisers. Brown Advisory
typically compensates other advisers out of the advisory fees it receives from the relevant funds.
In addition, Brown Advisory recommends and invests certain client accounts and funds in its
proprietary mutual funds and UCITS funds. As described in Item 5 – Fees and Compensation,
in connection with such
Brown Advisory generally does not charge dual-level fees
recommendations and investments. We are incentivized to allocate assets to affiliated funds
where we do not share management fees with sub-advisers. We address this conflict by adopting
policies designed to ensure that client assets are invested in line with their investment objectives
and guidelines.
Brown Advisory also recommends and invests certain client accounts and funds in products
offered by unaffiliated advisers. In certain circumstances, Brown Advisory or one of its affiliates
receives a financial benefit in the form of a share of the management fee and carried interest
allocations, as described in the applicable offering documents. Brown Advisory is incentivized to
allocate assets to unaffiliated advisers that are themselves (or whose principals and employees
are) clients of Brown Advisory or its affiliates. We address this conflict through disclosure to
clients and through our allocation policies and trading practices.
Brown Advisory receives compensation in connection with the management of private
investment funds managed by Brown Advisory or one of its affiliates. Such compensation can
include management fees, carried interest, incentive allocations and account-level advisory fees,
depending on the fund. Brown Advisory has an incentive to recommend affiliated private
investment funds over externally-managed private investment funds for which it does not receive
direct compensation. In addition, Brown Advisory is incentivized to recommend that its clients
invest in affiliated private investment funds that impose higher fees, or that have a carried
interest allocation to Brown Advisory, its personnel or one of its affiliates, relative to other
affiliated private funds.
Brown Advisory and its principals and employees receive notice of, or offers to participate in,
investment opportunities offered by unaffiliated advisers and their affiliates. Such opportunities
will generally not be required to be offered to clients unless a determination has been made that
any such opportunity is suitable for certain clients.
The firm offers an investment program to qualified clients and other investors with whom the
firm has a relationship to invest in venture capital investments. Typically, these investment
46
limited
investment opportunities
in growth-stage private
opportunities are offered as
companies. Eligible clients and investors elect to participate in this program at their own
discretion by committing to invest at least $25,000 in each investment opportunity. Participants
in the investment program receive a priority allocation to the investments offered under this
program and maintain investment discretion over any investments made. In order to remain
eligible to participate in this investment program, participants only may decline to invest in two
sequential investment opportunities presented. If an investor declines to invest in more than two
sequential investment opportunities in the program, the investor is no longer eligible to
participate in future investments. This program requirement is subject to waiver by Brown
Advisory. Brown Advisory colleagues and investment professionals participate in this program
and receive a priority allocation vis a vis other clients and investors who do not participate in the
program. Allocations made to Brown Advisory colleagues and investment professionals under
this program reduce the amount available for investment by the clients of the firm and its
affiliates.
ITEM 11 CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL TRADING
OVERVIEW OF OUR CODE OF ETHICS
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics in
order to discharge our legal obligations to our clients, to protect our business reputation and to
avoid even the appearance of impropriety in our investment activities on behalf of clients. While
we strive to avoid conflicts, we are cognizant that conflicts will nevertheless arise, and it is our
policy to fully and fairly disclose known material conflicts to our clients.
Our Code of Ethics details certain minimum expectations that we have for our employees. All
personnel, regardless of role, are expected to conduct the firm’s business in full compliance with
both the letter and the spirit of the law and any other policies and procedures that may be
applicable. On an annual basis, we require that each employee certify in writing that he or she
has read, understands and complies with our Code of Ethics Policy. Any violations regarding the
Code of Ethics must be brought to the attention of the Chief Compliance Officer. If it is
determined that an employee has violated the Code of Ethics, we will take such remedial action
as is deemed appropriate. Sanctions will vary but may include censure, forfeiture of profits,
limitation or prohibition of personal trading or termination of employment.
We will provide a copy of our Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request.
Clients may request a copy by contacting us at the address, telephone number or email on the
cover page of this document.
PERSONAL TRADING
Since we recognize that our employees should have an opportunity to develop investment
programs for themselves and their families, our Code of Ethics does not prohibit personal trading
by employees. As a result, we, our affiliates or related personnel may purchase or sell the same
or similar securities for our own accounts that we purchase, sell or recommend for client
accounts.
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Risks and conflicts that could arise as a result include but are not limited to:
Employees engage in unethical behavior.
Employees misuse material nonpublic information, including knowledge of upcoming
client transactions for their own benefit
Employees select investments for themselves that are also suitable for clients or
recommend in which they have a personal interest.
Clients receive less favorable prices than employees transacting in the same securities.
Abusive trading on the part of our advisory employees, including market timing.
While employees are permitted to trade within their own brokerage accounts, we have policies
and procedures in place designed to ensure that their personal trading does not violate our
fiduciary obligations to clients. Our Code of Ethics sets forth standards of conduct expected of
employees and addresses conflicts that arise from personal trading by employees. It provides
policies and procedures designed to ensure that employees conduct their personal securities
transactions in a manner that complies with the securities laws, rules and regulations. In addition,
it sets forth controls designed to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest between clients
and our employees.
PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
We, our affiliates or related personnel recommend to clients, or purchase or sell for client
accounts, securities in which we, our affiliates or related personnel have a material financial
interest. These include situations in which we, our affiliates or related personnel act as general
partner in a partnership in which we solicit client investments and/or act as an investment adviser
to an investment company or fund that we recommend to clients. Brown Advisory, its affiliates
and their respective employees and officers are permitted to invest for their own accounts in
various opportunities appropriate for investment by clients.
Conflicts that could arise include but are not limited to:
Officer, Director and Advisory Board Conflicts—Conflicts that involve a transaction to be
entered into by us for ourselves, or by us on behalf of our clients, in which one of the
officers, directors or board members of BAI has a material financial interest;
Equity Holder Conflicts—Conflicts that involve a transaction to be entered into by us for
ourselves, or by us on behalf of our clients, in which an equity holder of BAGH has a
material financial interest;
Client Conflicts—Conflicts that involve a transaction to be entered into by us for
ourselves, or by us on behalf of our clients, in which a client has a material financial
interest; and
To address these potential conflicts and protect and promote the interests of clients, we employ
the following policies and procedures:
We have adopted trading practices designed to address potential conflicts of interest
inherent in proprietary and client discretionary trading, including bunching and pro-rata
allocation.
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To further protect and promote the interests of clients, the Board of Directors of BAI has
established a Corporate Governance and Conflicts Committee that assists it in its
oversight of certain material conflicts of interest.
If we enter into a transaction on behalf of our clients that presents a material conflict of
interest, we have policies in place requiring that the conflict is disclosed to the client or
otherwise mitigated prior to the consummation of such transaction.
Employees must comply with our policy on the handling and use of material non-public
information. Employees are reminded that they may not purchase or sell, or recommend
the purchase or sale, of a security for any account while they are in possession of material
inside information. In addition, employees may not disclose confidential information
except to other employees who “need to know” that information to carry out their duties
to clients.
Employees are required to report to our Compliance team all outside business activities.
include board/committee memberships and obligations, employment
These
commitments, non-profit commitments, government commitments and other outside
business commitments.
To ensure that there is not intentional or unintentional front-running of purchasing
securities in client accounts, we may restrict trading stocks of companies in which we are
actively performing due diligence as near-term prospective candidates for purchase in our
portfolios.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Personal interests both inside and outside of Brown Advisory that could be placed ahead of our
obligations to clients could be the source of actual or potential conflicts of interest. Employees
must remain aware that just the opportunity to act improperly may create the appearance of
conflict and that conflicts may exist even in the absence of wrongdoing. Employees are required
to make a full and timely disclosure of any situation that could result in an actual or potential
conflict or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
To identify potential sources of conflicts of interest and to assess how those conflicts are
addressed by our compliance program, we perform regular reviews. This process has been
developed with input from and oversight by the Board of Directors of BAI, its Audit Committee,
and its Corporate Governance and Conflicts Committee. The potential conflicts of interest that
may be evaluated are (1) conflicts between the firm and our clients, (2) conflicts between our
employees and our clients, and (3) conflicts between different clients.
Conflicts of interest include:
• As a result of differences in client objectives, strategies and risk tolerances, Brown
Advisory may give different investment advice or make different recommendations to
clients that are authorized to invest in the same securities. In addition, investment advice
given to clients may differ between our affiliates and from portfolio manager to portfolio
manager.
• Certain of our service providers
investment advisers, accountants,
(including
administrators, custodians, lenders, bankers, attorneys and independent directors)
49
provide goods or services to, or have business, personal, financial or other relationships
with Brown Advisory and its affiliates. We have adopted policies designed to ensure that
service providers are evaluated and selected based on the quality of the services they
provide.
•
• Directors, officers and employees of Brown Advisory and its affiliates may serve on the
board of directors or hold another senior position with a corporation in which Brown
Advisory makes an investment on behalf of its clients. In such cases, the investment
opportunity available to clients may be limited or wholly restricted.
In allocating limited investment opportunities, Brown Advisory has an incentive to
allocate opportunities to larger clients, clients with whom we would like to develop a new
relationship, and clients paying a higher fee. We have adopted allocation policies
designed to ensure a fair and equitable allocation of limited investment opportunities
while preserving our ability to account for a range of considerations in making such
determinations.
ITEM 12 BROKERAGE PRACTICES
FACTORS CONSIDERED IN SELECTING OR RECOMMENDING BROKER-DEALERS FOR CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
We believe that fair treatment of all clients is paramount in the implementation of the portfolio
manager’s objectives. Thus, we are committed to achieving the best price and quality in the
marketplace based on the information available at the time of the trade, without systematically
disadvantaging one client over another.
Unless clients direct us otherwise or choose to use a custodian that requires all trades to be
directed to its platform, such as Charles Schwab or Fidelity, we allocate transactions to
unaffiliated broker-dealers for execution on markets at prices and commission rates that we
determine will be in the best interests of the client. We will select the broker-dealer to be used
for best execution based on a number of factors. Obtaining best execution is the top priority. To
the extent relevant under the circumstances, the following factors apply to our best execution
determination: price, commission, size of the order, difficulty of execution, degree of skill
required by the broker-dealer and trading/execution/clearing/settlement capabilities. The
trading desk also takes into account the following considerations:
The procurement of the lowest possible net cost, comprising the level of execution and
brokerage commission;
A decision by the trader as to the broker-dealer most qualified to provide superior
execution capabilities;
That broker-dealer business allocated for research services will be provided at a
reasonable commission rate in light of the quality of the research provided; and
The ability to settle trades in a timely manner.
We also take into account factors that are relevant to the specific broker-dealer, such as financial
stability, reputation, past history of prompt and reliable execution of client trades, operational
efficiency with which transactions are effected, access to markets, access to capital to
accommodate trades, access to initial and secondary offerings, ability to maintain confidentiality,
market knowledge, willingness and ability to make a market in a particular security, brokerage
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and research services provided or the ability to accommodate third-party research
arrangements, and overall responsiveness to our needs/willingness to work with us.
All client trades are allocated to a broker-dealer on our “Approved Broker List,” which is a list of
broker-dealers that the Best Execution Committee has approved for use as executing brokers for
client securities transactions. The Approved Broker List is maintained to facilitate the orderly and
consistent use of suitable broker-dealers for client transactions. In selecting broker-dealers, we
do not adhere to any rigid formulas but rather make a subjective determination after weighing a
combination of the factors listed above. The ultimate determination as to the broker-dealer to
select from the Approved Broker List on any given trade is made by the trader(s) responsible for
executing the transaction.
The broker-dealers with whom we trade fixed income securities are also on an Approved Broker
List. In order to obtain best execution, our fixed income traders place dealers in competitive
situations, utilizing offerings and bids from numerous local and national broker-dealers. The fixed
income traders review the market environment, the new issue calendar, secondary offerings and
historical relationships to help determine a competitive price for the bonds they are trading. The
quality of execution is ascertained by reviewing the bids and offerings received relative to recent
pricing data.
Our Best Execution Committee oversees the implementation of our best execution obligation.
The Committee was formed with the purpose of developing, implementing and evaluating our
trade management policies and procedures in order to satisfy our duty to seek best execution.
On a quarterly basis we review broker-dealer performance. We focus our best execution
evaluation efforts on how the broker-dealer performed over time. This takes into consideration
such qualitative factors as research provided, promptness of execution, ability of the broker to
execute and clear, market coverage provided by the broker and consistent quality of service from
the broker. As a complement to our periodic review of broker-dealers on the “Approved Broker
List,” we employ a third-party service provider to provide an independent source of quantitative
evaluations of equity trade execution information for the Committee. Reports typically examine
aggregate trading performance on a quarterly basis.
Where Brown Advisory is retained as an investment adviser under Wrap Programs sponsored by
broker-dealers or other financial institutions, transactions generally are executed by or through
the sponsor. In these cases, brokerage commissions are generally included in the “wrap” fee
charged to the client. Brown Advisory is unable to negotiate commissions or transaction costs
because the program sponsor is responsible for the execution of brokerage transactions, custody
and reporting services. Participation in wrap fee programs may cause clients to incur higher
commissions or transaction costs or receive less favorable net prices. Brown Advisory relies on
an outsourced investment operations provider to execute certain wrap trades and to
communicate certain updates to its model delivery clients.
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RESEARCH AND OTHER SOFT DOLLAR BENEFITS OVERVIEW
The safe harbor provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 allow
investment managers and advisers to receive research and additional products and services
beyond execution from broker-dealers and third parties in connection with client securities
transactions. This practice is commonly known as soft dollar benefits. In selecting broker-dealers
for trade execution, we consider not only available security prices and commission rates, but
other relevant factors such as the execution capabilities, research and other services that broker-
dealers provide. We believe this research and these additional services enhance our general
portfolio management capabilities. If research services are a factor in selecting a broker-dealer,
we must evaluate the commission paid in the context of the value of the brokerage and research
services we receive from the broker-dealer and determine that the amount is reasonable.
When we use client brokerage commissions (also referred to as soft dollars) to obtain research
or other products and services, we receive a benefit since we do not have to pay for the research,
products or services via hard dollars. In exchange for allocating commissions to certain broker-
dealers, we are credited for payment of expenses for which we might otherwise be charged
directly.
We can use soft dollar credits to pay for the research products and services provided by or paid
for by such broker-dealers. This creates an incentive for us to allocate more commission business
to broker-dealers who also provide research products and services than to broker-dealers who
only effect securities transactions.
Soft dollar credits are:
Used to obtain research products and services that are proprietary to and prepared by
the broker-dealer selected to effect a particular transaction;
Used to obtain third-party research products and services prepared or developed by an
independent research provider or
Allocated to a pool of “credits” as part of a commission sharing arrangement.
In recognition of the value and benefit of the research and product services provided to us by a
particular broker-dealer, we may, consistent with our duty to seek best execution, effect
securities transactions through a broker-dealer that cause a client to pay commissions higher
than those charged by another broker-dealer. For the broker-dealers with whom we maintain a
soft dollar relationship, we periodically determine the fair value of the research products and
services (proprietary or independent third party) we expect to receive and, as a result, establish
target levels of directed commissions that are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage
services and research products and services we receive.
In using research and related services from broker-dealers on a soft dollar basis, we are
confronted with several inherent risks. These include:
We can choose a broker-dealer to execute trades that charges a higher commission than
other possible broker-dealers;
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We can choose a broker-dealer for a client’s transaction that generates soft dollar credits
that will be used to benefit the adviser, or other clients, but not the client involved in the
transaction; and
The amount of client commissions paid is not reasonable in light of the value of the
products received or services rendered.
To manage and mitigate these risks, we have developed soft dollar policies and procedures to
comply with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our policy is that all soft dollar
transactions/arrangements will:
Comply with our best execution obligations, applicable law and individual client
guidelines;
Be reviewed by our Best Execution Committee following a good-faith determination that
the amount of commissions to be paid to the broker-dealer or Research Service Provider
is reasonable in relation to the value of services provided;
Be an appropriate use of clients’ commissions considering available alternatives; and
Be reviewed, including with respect to any “mixed-use” allocation, at least annually by
the Committee.
From a payment perspective, all soft dollar payments are made through the equity trading desk.
Fixed income portfolios do not generate soft-dollar credits.
TYPES OF RESEARCH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The types of research products and services received from third-party research and consulting
firms and/or broker-dealers include but are not limited to:
Information services that report on the availability and potential buyers or sellers of
securities
Meetings with management representatives of issuers and other analysts
Quantitative analytical software and other research-oriented software
Communications services pertaining to the execution, clearing and settlement of
transactions
Platforms for accessing company information and financials
Research or fundamental analysis on individual companies, securities and/or sectors
Bond analytics on fixed income portfolios, including duration, yield to maturity and
convexity
Credit ratings, research and risk analysis on municipals
Macro-economic research, including weekly reports and quarterly conference calls
Global market news services and financial publications
Securities quotation and data systems for capital markets
Expert network provider services that assist us in locating hard-to-find industry experts
COMMISSION SHARING ARRANGEMENTS
From time to time, we request broker-dealers that effect transactions for our clients to allocate
a portion of their commissions to a pool of soft dollar credits maintained by the introducing or
executing broker-dealer. At our direction, the introducing or executing broker-dealer will pay
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independent research providers (including other broker-dealers) for research products and
services from this pool of soft dollar credits. This type of arrangement is called a commission
sharing arrangement because the introducing or executing broker-dealer will share its
commission with an independent research provider to pay for research products and services.
Commission sharing arrangements are used to pay for proprietary and third-party research
products and services. For example, an introducing broker-dealer may offer access to a network
of many executing broker-dealers through which we can trade. In this case, rather than paying
the individual broker-dealer for research and services by placing trades, we direct the trade to
the introducing broker-dealer and request that the introducing broker-dealer pay the research
provider from the pool of “credits” accumulated. Because commission sharing arrangements
help separate the execution decision from the research decision, we believe that commission
sharing arrangements can help us achieve best execution for clients.
ALLOCATION OF SOFT DOLLAR BENEFITS
Research provided by broker-dealers is used for a broad range of accounts for which we have
investment management responsibility. We do not require that the use of soft dollar research be
limited to the accounts that generated the commissions. Research provided by broker-dealers is
commonly used to service accounts other than those paying for it directly. Although not all
research from broker-dealers will be useful to or benefit every account, we do not restrict soft
dollar benefits to service only those accounts that paid for the benefits. Client accounts differ
with regard to whether and to what extent they pay for research and brokerage services through
commissions. Subject to applicable law, brokerage and research services are used for the benefit
of any or all client accounts, including client accounts that do not pay commissions to the broker-
dealer relating to the brokerage and research service arrangements.
With respect to trading, our primary focus is on achieving best execution. Any soft dollar benefits
received as a result of trade execution are secondary. Since soft dollar research is used to service
accounts other than those paying for it directly, we do not allocate soft dollar benefits to client
accounts according to the soft dollar credits the accounts generate.
SOFT DOLLAR OVERSIGHT
We have policies and procedures in place for dealing with information received from third-party
firms. All research products and services, including any “mixed use” research products and
services between hard and soft dollars, must be approved by the Best Execution Committee,
which is responsible for determining whether the product or service falls within the safe harbor
requirements of Section 28(e), reviewing soft dollar payments versus budget and determining if
any adjustments need to be made. Trading practices, including broker selection and best
execution, are reviewed regularly by the Best Execution Committee to ensure adherence to firm
policy. On an annual basis, the Committee conducts a review of our soft dollar commitments,
including the allocation of any mixed-use research products and services between “hard” and
“soft” dollars. If a service or product has a non-research or execution function, such as
administration or marketing, as well as a research or execution component (i.e., the service or
product is for a “mixed use”), the Committee will assign an allocation percentage to the research
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and the non-research component. Only the research or execution portion will be paid by soft
dollars. The non-research component will be paid in hard dollars.
CLIENT REFERRALS
We do not allocate commissions to any person or company on the basis of business they might
direct to us. We will select broker-dealers to execute client orders that meet our obligation to
achieve best execution, that provide reliable order execution and research services and that
present low counter-party risk. It is against firm policy for any employee to suggest to any third
party that in return for referring business to us, we will direct brokerage commissions to that
third party or its affiliates.
Under no circumstances may any of our employees enter into an arrangement with any financial
institution, broker-dealer, prime broker, investment adviser or investment vehicle for the
purpose of directing brokerage commissions in exchange for either the sale of our products or
investing assets with us, including indirect compensation through “step outs” or similar
arrangements.
This policy does not prohibit directing portfolio transactions of any managed account or fund to
broker-dealers that also sell shares of our funds, provided that the broker-dealer fully meets best
execution criteria and the selection of that broker-dealer is not influenced by any arrangement
to sell shares of any of our investment products or any of our affiliates’ investment products or
funds. This policy also does not prohibit directed brokerage arrangements whereby a client of
ours has directed us to use a specific broker-dealer for a portion or all of that client’s transactions.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE
In certain cases, clients choose to retain discretion over the broker-dealer used to execute
transactions and/or the commission rate that the client will pay with respect to all or a portion
of the transactions to be effected by us. If a client directs the use of a specific broker-dealer for
execution of securities transactions, or selects a custodian that requires the direction of trades,
we will direct such transactions to the specified broker-dealer including our affiliate even when
we might be able to obtain a more favorable price and execution from another broker-dealer for
a transaction on behalf of such client’s account.
When a client instructs us to direct a portion of the transactions for its account to a designated
broker-dealer, the client has made a decision to retain some control over broker-dealer selection
and services. We will treat the direction as a decision by the client to retain, to the extent of the
direction, the discretion that otherwise would be given by the client to us to select broker-dealers
to effect transactions and the other terms of the trade for the client’s account. In some cases,
the client may have negotiated the commissions to be charged by the designated broker-dealer.
When clients direct us to use a specific broker-dealer for the execution of securities transactions
or selects a custodian that requires the direction of trades, the commissions charged may not be
the lowest available rates and may not be as low as the rate that we would have obtained for the
client had we been authorized to select the broker-dealers for the transactions. The client will
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not receive the potential benefits that other clients derive from aggregation of orders. In these
situations, we may be unable to obtain most favorable execution of client transactions. Since
directed brokerage accounts are not able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, the
client may receive less favorable prices and pay higher brokerage commissions. With respect to
execution, trades for accounts with directed brokerage arrangements are often executed after
block trades for accounts not having directed brokerage arrangements have been aggregated
and executed. Trades with directed brokers do not provide soft dollar benefits, such as research,
to Brown Advisory and its client accounts.
TRADE SEQUENCING, AGGREGATION, AND ALLOCATION
Brown Advisory attempts to sequence equity orders in such a manner as to obtain the best
outcome for all clients involved. In many instances, groups of accounts will need to effect
transactions in the same security or securities. A potential conflict of interest can arise if
transactions in one or more accounts closely follow related transactions in one or more other
accounts, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by
another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a
second account. Brown Advisory will generally not combine orders in the same equity security
that have been placed by different portfolio managers unless there are benefits to doing so in
anticipation of the liquidity profile of the security. Reasons for not combining orders include
different execution goals and parameters. Equity orders placed to raise cash for imminent client
withdrawals or comply with client investment guidelines will typically take precedence over other
orders.
Subject to client guidelines and restrictions, accounts managed according to a particular strategy
are incorporated into the same trade group for trade execution and allocation purposes. This
ensures that trading in an investment strategy is aggregated across all related accounts to
facilitate best execution. For equity strategies, we typically will aggregate orders for the same
security by multiple accounts into a “block trade.” We believe that this process provides equal
treatment of clients, provides ease of administration and facilitates the avoidance of information
leakage that could be detrimental to client trades. The average price per share of a block trade
will be allocated to each account that participates in the block trade. Discretionary advisory
accounts of our employees, affiliates and associated persons participate in block trades. Such
persons will receive the same average price as any other participant in the block trade. The firm
uses a single trading desk to support both Private Client and Institutional trading. When a Private
Client order overlaps with an institutional block trade, the default approach is to execute the
Private Client order independently. An exception may be made only if the trading desk
determines the Private Client order could materially affect the institutional block trade.
If a block order cannot be executed in full at the same price or time, the securities actually
purchased or sold by the close of each business day will be allocated in a manner that is consistent
with the initial pre-allocation. This must be done in a way that does not consistently advantage
or disadvantage particular client accounts. For example, partial fills typically are allocated pro
rata among participating accounts. The trading desk may allocate a partial fill using a random fill
function of the trading system in such cases where it is deemed to be fair and equitable.
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There are several circumstances in which client accounts may not be traded in the block, and will
not receive the benefits of trade aggregation. For example, client-directed trades generally are
not traded in a block trade, nor are accounts with investment guidelines that materially deviate
from the strategy, accounts that have substantial cash or liquidity requirements and accounts
that do not meet investment minimums required to participate in a strategy trade. In addition,
significant inflows and withdrawals generally are handled outside of an aggregated trading block.
Trading for these accounts generally requires individual analysis to ensure violations do not
occur, and this trading occurs after a block trade. From time to time, accounts are added to or
omitted from a block trade, depending on the level of analysis that we think is required to confirm
whether an account is eligible to participate in a given trade. Some client relationships include
investment guidelines that require client approval based on specific securities, security types,
security characteristics, or portfolio characteristics that require consultation before investment,
or guidelines that may require additional research beyond traditional research standards. It is
possible that accounts subject to such guidelines or restrictions will not be included in a block
trade. Depending on the circumstances, additional research and potentially client consultation
will be required to determine if the security is congruent with client guidelines. Every effort is
made to ensure that securities are not purchased in accounts with sustainable investing or
socially responsible investment guidelines until it has been determined their purchase would not
violate existing client investment guidelines. In cases when a trade for a particular security occurs
after a block trade, the accounts that are traded outside of the block will receive different terms
for trades in the same or similar securities, which terms can be less advantageous than those
received by the larger block trade. Similarly, the block trade itself generally will disadvantage
client accounts that are traded outside of the block.
Aggregation and allocation procedures across fixed income portfolios have been designed to
ensure fair and equitable treatment across all applicable accounts. Portfolio managers attempt
to block multiple orders for the same security on the same side of the market prior to releasing
an order. In the event orders eligible for aggregation are not aggregated, the Fixed Income will
use its best efforts to block these orders together. Orders received after the full execution of an
order (a done trade) are not blocked. Block orders that are executed in their entirety will be
allocated to each account that participated at the trade execution price. If a block order cannot
be executed in full at the time, the securities actually purchased or sold will be allocated in a
manner that is consistent with the initial pre-allocation. This must be done in a way that does
not consistently advantage or disadvantage particular accounts. For example, partial fills typically
are allocated pro rata among participating accounts. Minimum increments and minimum piece
sizes may constrain or influence allocation decisions.
When limited offering amounts are available for particular fixed income securities, our portfolio
managers determine which accounts could best utilize the security based on duration/maturity
and sector targets. Once this is determined, the security is allocated on a pro-rata basis among
these particular accounts.
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Non-proportional allocations occur in various situations, including in fixed-income securities due
to the availability of multiple appropriate or substantially similar investments in fixed income
strategies. In addition, the fact that certain personnel of Brown Advisory are dedicated to certain
client accounts is in certain cases a factor in determining the allocation of opportunities. The
implementation of a client’s trading strategy depends on a variety of factors, including the
portfolio managers involved in managing the account. Similarly, administrative or operational
considerations are taken into consideration in determining an allocation process. For example,
limited investment opportunities that require prompt execution or specialized custodian support
or expertise will not be allocated to certain clients or groups of clients. In such cases, allocation
decisions will take into account methods for executing transactions efficiently and in a manner
that is designed to benefit as many suitable clients as possible given the particular constraints.
One or more funds or other client accounts are intended to be Brown Advisory’s primary
investment vehicles focused on, or receive priority with respect to, a particular strategy or type
of investment (as determined in Brown Advisory’s discretion) as compared to other funds or
client accounts. Finally, allocations are adjusted under certain circumstances, for example where
pro rata allocations would result in de minimis positions or odd lots.
From time to time, certain Brown Advisory strategies invest in private investments or limited
investment opportunities, such as initial public offerings and direct listings. Depending on the
terms and timing of the transaction, these securities offerings will typically be allocated only to
applicable Brown Advisory-sponsored mutual funds, ETFs or other pooled investment funds in
order to reduce administrative burdens or minimize operational risks or complexities. If more
than one fund is eligible to participate in a capacity-constrained securities offering, Brown
Advisory will allocate the available securities across the funds in a manner it deems to be fair and
equitable. Separately managed accounts following the same investment strategy as a
participating mutual fund or ETF will typically not receive an allocation in certain circumstances.
If Brown Advisory determines that client accounts are eligible to participate in such private
investments or limited investment opportunities, the allocation of these investments across
client portfolios is conducted in the manner outlined in Item 6.
TRADING PRACTICES OF MODEL DELIVERY
In addition to providing investment advisory services via separate accounts, private funds, pooled
investment vehicles and investment companies, Brown Advisory also provides investment
advisory services to select model-based separately managed account and unified managed
account programs of unaffiliated managers and financial advisors.
The following procedure describes the practice for delivering models to unaffiliated model
program sponsors and is applied on a strategy-specific basis. Brown Advisory seeks to treat all
clients fairly and equitably by executing model changes for internally managed accounts on its
trading desk and commencing delivery of corresponding model changes to model-based
program sponsors in a contemporaneous fashion. This means that typically, at or near the same
time Brown Advisory begins to execute model changes within its own internally managed
accounts, it will begin to communicate model changes to model-based program sponsors. For
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certain strategies, Brown Advisory will communicate to model sponsors the full order size that has
been submitted to its trading desk. For certain strategies, Brown Advisory may communicate to
model sponsors only part of the order submitted to the trading desk, based on an estimation of
the amount of the order on a given day that will be completed for internally managed accounts.
Due to this contemporaneous process, there is no assurance that Brown Advisory trading on
behalf of its clients will not be disadvantaged by the trading activity of model program sponsors.
Brown Advisory attempts to maintain fair and equal treatment of model-based program sponsors
by delivering model changes to program sponsors in an order based on the results of
randomization. Certain model-based program sponsors with unique delivery requirements or
criteria (such as sponsors that require a minimum trade size above the trade order size that
Brown Advisory portfolio managers typically trade in) may not participate in the random delivery
process and will receive model changes after the completion of the randomly generated list.
Brown Advisory generally uses a third-party administrator to assist with delivery of certain
investment strategies to model-based program sponsors.
If there are circumstances in which Brown Advisory determines not to transmit investment
instructions to model sponsors at or near the same time it begins executing model changes within
its own internally managed accounts, Brown Advisory will execute the trade using rotation
procedures designed to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of clients.
Although Brown Advisory is responsible for providing the model portfolio, the firm typically is not
responsible for the unaffiliated manager’s or financial advisor’s portfolio implementation with
their respective clients. Given the contemporaneous transmission of model portfolios to
unaffiliated managers and execution of model changes within its own internally managed
accounts, trades executed by Brown Advisory’s trading desk may compete with trades placed by
unaffiliated managers and financial advisors for a given strategy. This competition has the
potential to expose trades to price movements, particularly with large orders or where securities
are thinly traded, which would therefore negatively impact clients. These competition concerns
are mitigated where the securities involved have significant trading volume and are highly liquid.
CROSS TRADING
A cross trade is typically defined as an instance where Brown Advisory causes the matching of
buy and sell orders for the same security between different accounts. Cross trades are also
deemed to include any prearranged or orchestrated transactions between two accounts that are
executed through external brokers. With respect to cross trading, we typically will allow cross
trading where the transaction would comply with applicable law, our policy and client-specific
guidelines, and be fair and equitable to both accounts. When an account is subject to ERISA, no
cross trades are permitted unless allowed by applicable regulations.
Cross trading can reduce the transaction costs for both the buying and selling accounts and may
allow for other beneficial efficiencies to clients. However, where an investment adviser has
discretion on each side of a transaction, cross trading presents a potential fiduciary conflict of
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interest. Cross trading may be appropriate if we meet our fiduciary obligations to clients on both
sides of the transaction and where best execution requirements are met.
TRADE ERRORS
Brown Advisory has adopted policies and procedures designed to identify, evaluate, and, where
appropriate, remediate administrative oversights or errors that may arise in connection with the
management of client accounts, consistent with applicable standards of care and relevant
governing documents. Such matters are reviewed and assessed on a case by case basis in the
firm’s discretion. Not all mistakes are treated as trade errors. Brown Advisory will generally net
gains and losses across a client’s accounts related to the same error. Where conflicts of interest
arise in resolving administrative oversights or errors, Brown Advisory seeks to mitigate these
conflicts through established policies, procedures, and supervisory oversight.
ITEM 13 REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
FREQUENCY AND NATURE OF PERIODIC REVIEWS OF CLIENT ACCOUNTS
Portfolio managers review their accounts on a regular basis. Reviews are undertaken to confirm
that portfolios conform to client suitability standards as well as to determine if any security
changes need to occur. Portfolio managers periodically review investments to confirm that they
are consistent with outlined investment objectives.
With respect to internally managed strategies and recommended externally managed strategies,
our Investment Solutions Group (“ISG”) performs regular reviews. ISG focuses on manager
selection and asset allocation. Criteria evaluated by ISG with respect to managers includes:
investment philosophy, portfolio construction, performance, and other operational and
investment diligence factors. ISG provides updates to the firm on a regular basis. In addition, our
Chief Investment Officers oversee the investment programs for our PCE&F and Institutional
businesses. Chief Investment Officers and the Head of Risk are charged with reviewing strategies
and portfolios from an investment and risk oversight perspective, independent of the portfolio
managers and other policy decision makers. Supervisory responsibilities of our Chief Investment
Officers also include oversight of Institutional portfolio managers, research analysts and related
functions. The Chief Investment Officers meet regularly with portfolio managers and members
of the investment team to review performance and portfolio activity to ensure that the teams
are managing the portfolios to stated investment philosophies. Sector and stock selection
analysis, current portfolio composition, trading activity and style-based portfolio analysis are all
considered during the reviews.
On a quarterly basis, fixed income client accounts are reviewed and monitored for performance
and deviation/variance. The portfolio team meets to review performance in detail in each
portfolio. Accounts that deviate from similarly managed accounts are reviewed for sources of
deviations. Variance reconciliation is required for every portfolio with an agreed course of action.
If necessary, steps are taken to eliminate deviations.
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FACTORS THAT TRIGGER A MORE FREQUENT REVIEW OF CLIENT ACCOUNTS
On a regular basis, we internally review our clients' accounts to ensure compliance with client
investment guidelines and policies.
Additional reviews may be triggered by changes in market conditions, by changes in client needs
and by maturity of client investments. We provide clients with personalized service in the
management of their securities portfolios. Since the size, structure and investment objectives of
accounts vary widely, the attention that must be given to accounts also varies.
FREQUENCY AND CONTENT OF REGULAR REPORTING TO CLIENTS
We provide reporting to clients on a quarterly basis unless specified otherwise by the client. The
standard sample reporting package that we prepare for clients typically includes the following
documents: relationship asset summary, asset allocation, performance summary, performance
detail, change in portfolio, portfolio summary, fixed income analysis, common stock analysis (if
relevant), realized gains and losses statement, income and expenses statement, purchase and
sale statement, and portfolio appraisal. At a minimum, the reports show assets held, current
market value and original cost. We also include an economic and market overview section in the
reporting package.
As desired, clients have the ability to access their statements as well as other communication
deliverables via TouchPoint, our client Web portal. Whenever possible, TouchPoint is used to
transmit sensitive documents, financial statements or other information pertaining to a client’s
Brown Advisory investment relationship.
Clients’ reporting needs often vary in frequency and content. More frequent and customized
reporting is available upon request. Customized reports may also include more specialized
reports, such as attribution analysis, sector- and security-level contribution to return and
portfolio turnover (additions and deletions). We typically meet with our Institutional and PCE&F
clients at least once a year. Portfolio managers also communicate with clients by letter, email
and telephone as needed.
ITEM 14 CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
We directly or indirectly compensate third parties for client referrals by entering into written
solicitation arrangements with third parties, in which case we compensate the third party for
making a client introduction. This compensation is typically based on a percentage of the client’s
annual management fee. From time to time, brokers employed by other firms will refer clients
to us, in which case we will compensate the broker for making the introduction. Historically, we
have compensated the broker based on a percentage of the client’s annual management fee. The
range of compensation has included a recurring payment of 25% to 33% of the client’s annual
management fee. The payment is made quarterly based on our billing cycle. These referral fee
payments do not cause an increase in the advisory fee paid by the client.
We also compensate our employees for business development activity, including for referring,
attracting and retaining client assets.
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From time to time, we receive indirect compensation from service providers or third-party
vendors in the form of entertainment, tickets to sporting events and gift cards. When received,
such compensation is evaluated to ensure it is reasonable in value and customary in nature, to
ensure that receipt does not present any material conflicts of interest.
OTHER COMPENSATION FROM CUSTODIANS AND AFFILIATES
Brown Advisory and its affiliates have relationships and agreements with certain preferred
custodians. Item 15 – Custody generally describes the basic nature of these relationships.
Brown Advisory and its affiliates have relationships and agreements with U.S. Bank pursuant to
which Brown Advisory and its affiliates receive fees from U.S. Bank or receive services from U.S.
Bank in exchange for payments Brown Advisory makes to U.S. Bank. In addition to the cash
management arrangement described below, U.S. Bank is one of the lenders in the lending
syndicate that provides the firm’s credit facility. Under the credit facility, U.S. Bank receives
interest payments and other fees payable in connection with the credit and lending provided to
Brown Advisory and certain of its affiliates. In addition, U.S. Bank served as the placement agent
in a private placement of notes Brown Advisory Management issued in 2021. U.S. Bank was paid
a fee by Brown Advisory Management for its role as placement agent.
This compensation, as well as the fee arrangement with U.S. Bank described in Item 15 – Custody,
create an incentive for Brown Advisory to recommend custody services provided by U.S. Bank to
its clients when other custodians could be better suited for a particular client or offer better
services or fees. Brown Advisory mitigates this conflict by evaluating the custody services
provided by U.S. Bank solely on quality of services provided and the operational efficiencies that
may be achieved.
CASH MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
While the First American Funds do not offer the highest net yields currently available in the
market, Brown Advisory believes these money market funds offer competitive fees and
performance for our clients, as well as offering administrative efficiencies because of their
operational connection to U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank’s affiliate has agreed to pay Brown Advisory a fee
that ranges from .13% to .135% and is based upon the value of client assets invested in those
funds, other than certain retirement account assets, which are excluded from the arrangement.
The arrangement applies only to client accounts custodied at U.S. Bank. This payment provides
Brown Advisory with an incentive to use the First American Funds money market funds as cash
sweep options (and U.S. Bank as custodian) and thus creates a conflict of interest. If a client
chooses to opt out of the First American Funds treasury and government money market funds as
their sweep option, cash will not be invested automatically in an overnight sweep. Instead, cash
may be invested in other money market funds by client portfolio management teams. Opting out
of the default First American Funds sweep option could result in a higher or lower yield than the
available cash sweep money market funds.
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SOFT DOLLARS
We receive compensation from other parties (“indirect compensation”) in the form of research
paid with “soft dollars” generated through a client account’s trading commissions. In accordance
with the investment management agreements we maintain with our clients, we make reasonable
efforts to see to it that a client account’s overall cost for securities trades is as low as possible
and that we do not pay a trading commission that is higher than reasonable in light of the services
provided in order to receive “soft dollar” credit.
ITEM 15 CUSTODY
CUSTODY
Situations where the firm is deemed to have custody of client assets include an employee or firm
affiliate serving as trustee or co-trustee of client accounts, where the firm operates under a
standing letter of authorization or instructs custodians on a client’s instruction to move assets to
third parties, where the firm or its employees otherwise may have access to client assets, or
where the firm or one of its affiliates serves as the general partner to a pooled investment fund.
In such cases, we undergo an annual surprise examination of client assets by an independent
auditor.
In addition, in many cases we have the authority to debit our clients’ custodial accounts for
management fees. We are deemed to have custody of those assets if, for example, we are
authorized and instructed by a client’s custodian to deduct our advisory fees directly from the
account or if we are granted authority to move money from a client’s account to another person’s
account. At all times, the custodial bank maintains actual custody of those assets.
MANAGEMENT FEE DIRECT-DEBITING PROCESS
During the account set-up process, clients identify in their custodial account agreement if they
want to pay their management fee directly from their custodial account or if they prefer a
different method. If they authorize us to initiate the withdrawal from their custodial account,
they also indicate the form of payment: either check from the custodian or wire from the
custodian. In these cases, we are deemed to have custody of their assets even though the
custodian maintains actually custody of the assets. If we are given the authority by the client, we
typically initiate the management fee withdrawal process during the third week following a
quarter-end period.
CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS
Brown Advisory clients have the option to use any custodian they believe appropriate. However,
Brown Advisory generally recommends that clients use Fidelity or U.S. Bank as a custodian to
take advantage of pre-negotiated custody fee rates and/or operational efficiencies.
Brown Advisory has agreements with Fidelity and U.S. Bank pursuant to which both firms serve
as preferred custodians for our clients. Clients of the firm and its affiliates who select Fidelity or
U.S. Bank as their custodian benefit from favorable custody fee schedules and operational
efficiencies that have been developed over the course of these relationships. Under its
agreement, U.S. Bank pays Brown Advisory a fee approximately equal to 0.21 basis points
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annually on non-retirement client assets held by U.S. Bank as custodian. If a client chooses to use
U.S. Bank, Brown Advisory will benefit from this fee, as well as potentially from payments
described above that result from the use of the First American funds as the cash sweep vehicle.
This fee creates a conflict of interest in that we have a financial incentive to continue to use U.S.
Bank as our preferred client custodian. We continually evaluate the services that U.S. Bank and
Fidelity provide to our clients and believe these arrangements serve our clients’ interests.
STATEMENTS SENT TO CLIENTS
At the end of each quarter, account statements and appraisals are sent to our clients. These
account statements and appraisals typically include the following information:
Account name and number
Cash balances
Name of each security held
Quantity of each security held
Market value of each security held
Additional reports are provided upon request.
In addition to our statements and appraisals, clients receive account statements directly from
their custodian on a quarterly basis. Our statements and appraisals include a legend urging clients
to compare custodial account statements to the periodic account statements and portfolio
reports received from us.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OUR STATEMENTS AND CUSTODIAL STATEMENTS
The statements clients receive from us can differ from the statements clients receive from their
custodian. Every month, we reconcile client accounts according to the security holdings and
transactions provided by their month-end custodial statement. Although security holdings and
transactions are reconciled, market values are not reconciled and can be different. This is
primarily a result of the method by which our portfolio accounting system associates prices to
securities. While the prices of fixed income securities tend to differ more across custodians, the
price of equity securities can differ across custodians as well. Since the same security can be
priced differently at different custodians, a standardized pricing hierarchy must be imposed on
the portfolio accounting system to ensure accurate, consistent and transparent reporting across
clients. Our pricing system has a pricing hierarchy whereby pricing vendors and custodians are
ranked by priority. If a security is valued by multiple vendors or custodians, the ultimate price
assigned to the security in the portfolio accounting system reflects the price used by the pricing
provider with the highest ranking. This means that if two accounts hold the same security and
have different custodians, our portfolio accounting system will value the security based on the
price used by the pricing provider that is higher up in the pricing hierarchy. The price will then be
applied to all accounts that hold the security. A client may discuss any questions regarding
account statements with us and/or their custodian.
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ITEM 16 INVESTMENT DISCRETION
We accept discretionary authority to manage securities accounts on behalf of our clients.
Typically, we manage client assets on a discretionary basis with the authority to determine for
each client what investments are made, as well as when and how they are made. For certain
clients, their assets may be invested in one or more model portfolios. Typically, there are no
limitations on the securities we will purchase or sell, the amount of the securities we will
purchase or sell, the broker or dealer we will use to execute a transaction and commission rates
paid.
LIMITATIONS ON DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions, limitations or other requirements with respect to
their individual accounts. Examples of common guideline restrictions include:
Limitations prohibiting the purchase of certain securities or industry groups;
Limitations on the purchase or sale of a particular type of security (taxable/tax-exempt);
Limitations on the purchase or sale of securities within a particular sector;
Limitations with respect to the weighted average maturity or duration for a portfolio; and
Limitations with respect to asset allocation for balanced portfolios.
Specific client investment restrictions limit our ability to manage those assets like other similarly
managed portfolios. This may impact the performance of the account relative to other accounts
and the benchmark index. These clients are informed that their restrictions may impact
performance.
PROCEDURES TO ENSURE GUIDELINE COMPLIANCE
Client-imposed investment restrictions and guideline limitations are identified and documented
during the account onboarding process. For institutional clients, we maintain investment policy
statements (“IPS”) that outline client objectives and guidelines in greater detail. When clients
provide their own IPS, we review the document to confirm that the stated guidelines align with
our investment management responsibilities. If revisions are necessary, the language is updated
and mutually approved prior to the commencement of account management.
To the extent feasible, client-specific pre-trade restrictions are coded into our trade order
management and compliance systems. As aggregated orders are entered, portfolio managers are
notified of any potential guideline breaches. Portfolio managers retain primary responsibility for
supervising adherence to these requirements. Our trade order management system also
supports ongoing oversight through automated guideline monitoring designed to facilitate
compliance with client and regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and enhance transparency.
Post-trade compliance testing is performed daily. For clients with socially responsible or
values-based investment guidelines, securities are evaluated for compliance at initial purchase
and on an annual basis thereafter. We utilize MSCI as an independent third-party provider to
apply rules-based screening intended to identify companies with potentially controversial
business activities that may conflict with client guidelines.
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RECEIPT OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION
Brown Advisory and its employees engage in activities that can result in obtaining material non-
public information. Employees in possession of material non-public information must contact the
Compliance team, which is authorized to take appropriate measures to prevent Brown Advisory
and its employees from unlawful trading on the basis of such information. These measures can
include information barriers or general restrictions on trading in the relevant issuer(s). When a
trading restriction is imposed by the Compliance team, Brown Advisory will not be able to direct
trades that it would otherwise make in client accounts, which could result in client accounts
experiencing losses or being otherwise disadvantaged.
PARTICIPATION IN CORPORATE AND OTHER LEGAL ACTIONS
Unless otherwise directed by a client, Brown Advisory provides instructions to custodians
regarding tender offers and rights offerings for securities held in client accounts. Brown Advisory
does not provide legal advice to clients and does not determine whether a client should join, opt
out of, or otherwise submit a claim with respect to any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies
or class actions involving securities held or previously held by the client.
ITEM 17 VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
For clients for whom Brown Advisory has voting discretion, Brown Advisory votes such proxies
consistent with its Proxy Voting Policy, which sets forth the firm’s standard approach to voting
on common proxy questions. In general, the Proxy Voting Policy is designed to ensure that we
vote proxies in the best interest of our clients, so as to promote the long-term economic value of
the underlying securities. Our proxy voting is informed by both financial and extra-financial data,
including consideration of any information we believe is material and applicable. Clients may
receive a copy of the Proxy Voting Policy at any time upon request. The Proxy Voting Policy is also
available on Brown Advisory’s website. Clients may, at any time, opt to change their proxy voting
authorization. Upon notice that a client has revoked Brown Advisory’s authority to vote proxies,
we will forward any relevant research obtained to the party that will assume proxy voting
authority, as identified by the client.
To facilitate the proxy voting process, Brown Advisory has engaged Institutional Shareholder
Services Inc. (“ISS”), an unaffiliated, third-party proxy voting service, to provide proxy research
and voting recommendations. In addition, Brown Advisory subscribes to ISS’s proxy vote
management system, which provides a means to receive and vote proxies, as well as services for
recordkeeping, auditing, reporting and disclosure regarding votes.
Proxy voting for our Institutional investment strategies is overseen by a Proxy Voting
Committee. Determining how a vote will be cast begins with the research analysts and,
ultimately, rests with the portfolio managers for each Brown Advisory Institutional equity
strategy. While the recommendations of ISS are used as a baseline for our voting in these cases,
especially for routine management proposals, Brown Advisory votes each proposal after
consideration on a case-by-case basis.
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Members of the Firm’s equity research team receive weekly notification of upcoming meetings
and proxy voting taking place at companies in their coverage. Fundamental research analysts
guide vote recommendations on management proposals, and sustainable investing research
analysts guide vote recommendations on shareholder proposals, with both groups working
together to consider the relevant issues. Final vote decisions ultimately are made by the portfolio
manager.
In the event that portfolio managers of different strategies disagree on the vote
recommendation for a company they all own, a split vote may be conducted. In general, this
disagreement is due to portfolio managers having unique views on an issue. When a split vote
occurs, the Fund associated with each strategy is voted in line with the portfolio manager’s
instruction. All other shares of the company held by Brown Advisory, including separately
managed accounts, are split in a manner that is proportionate to the relative number of shares
held across each institutional strategy. Split votes are reviewed by the Proxy Voting Committee,
and such votes are approved by the Firm’s General Counsel or designee.
When Brown Advisory exercises proxy voting authority for clients in the firm’s PCE&F business, the
firm’s Proxy Voting Operations team is responsible for arrangements with all custodial partners.
Unless otherwise agreed with a client, Brown Advisory’s Proxy Voting Policy is assigned by default
to our Advisory client accounts.
The following exceptions can apply to standard voting for PCE&F clients:
• Client Directed: A client may request to:
o Attend a meeting and vote
o Vote in line with account owner request
o Request a take no action or abstention
• No Voting: A client, during on-boarding, may request that voting ballots be mailed
directly to the account owner’s address.
• Holdings in Institutional Strategies: All holdings owned by our PCE&F clients that also are
held in Brown Advisory’s Institutional strategies are overseen and governed by the
voting practices detailed in the Institutional section.
• Client-specific Guidelines: Whereas we have a standard Proxy Voting policy default, we
have the capability to provide PCE&F clients with the option to customize their voting
preferences. Should a client desire a customized approach, the Brown Advisory client
team will work directly with the client, Brown Advisory Operations, and ISS to establish
and implement client-specific guidelines.
• No ISS Recommendations: If a client is invested in a company where ISS will not be
supplying voting recommendations (e.g., privately held companies), the analyst covering
the company will supply voting recommendations. Should the company not be covered
internally, the client’s portfolio manager will be notified and asked to instruct the vote.
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The following voting practices are applied to separately managed portfolios:
Brown Advisory Institutional strategies held in a separately managed account (SMA): Holdings
within Brown Advisory separately managed accounts are overseen and governed by the Proxy
Voting Committee and follow the protocols detailed in the Institutional investment strategy
proxy voting section discussed above.
Externally managed strategies held in a SMA: Holdings within an externally managed strategy
held as a separately managed account are set up with the delegated and/or appointed manager
for voting. In these cases, Brown Advisory yields voting authority to the appointed manager. In
certain circumstances, the appointed manager may not exercise voting authority. In such cases,
proxy voting will not be exercised.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A “conflict of interest” means any circumstance when the firm or one of its affiliates (including
officers, directors and employees), or in the case where the firm serves as investment adviser to
one of its registered mutual funds, when such fund (including its officers, directors and
employees), knowingly does a material amount of business with, receives material compensation
from, or sits on the board of, a particular issuer or closely affiliated entity and, therefore, may
appear to have a conflict of interest between its own interests and the interests of clients or Fund
shareholders in how proxies of that issuer are voted. For example, a perceived conflict of interest
may exist if an employee of the firm serves as a director of an actively recommended issuer, or if
the firm is aware that a client serves as an officer or director of an actively recommended issuer.
Conflicts of interest will be resolved in a manner the firm believes is in the best interest of the
client.
Brown Advisory votes proxies relating to such issuers in accordance with the following
procedures:
influence the firm’s decision-making
ROUTINE MATTERS AND IMMATERIAL CONFLICTS
The firm generally votes proxies for routine matters, and for non-routine matters that are
considered immaterial conflicts of interest, consistent with this its Proxy Voting Policy. A conflict
of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has
the potential to
in voting a proxy. Materiality
determinations will be made by the General Counsel or designee based upon an assessment of
the particular facts and circumstances.
MATERIAL CONFLICTS AND NON-ROUTINE MATTERS
If the firm believes that (a) it has a material conflict and (b) that the issue to be voted upon is
non-routine or is not covered by this Policy, then to avoid any potential conflict of interest:
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in the case of a Brown Advisory Mutual Fund or ETF, the firm informs the fund board for
a review and determination;
in the case of all other conflicts or potential conflicts, the firm may “echo vote” such
shares, if possible, which means the firm will vote the shares in the same proportion as
the vote of all other holders of the issuer’s shares; or
in cases when echo voting is not possible, the firm may defer to ISS recommendations,
abstain or vote in a manner the firm, in consultation with the General Counsel, believes
to be in the best interest of the client.
If the aforementioned options would not ameliorate the conflict or potential conflict, then Brown
Advisory will abstain from voting.
Clients can obtain a copy of our proxy voting policies and information on how we have voted
proxies by calling 1-800-645-3923 or by visiting the Brown Advisory website. If a client requests
this information, the Chief Compliance Officer or designee will prepare a written response to the
client that lists for each specific request:
The name of the issuer,
The proxy proposal voted on, and
How the client’s proxy was voted.
ITEM 18 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
We have never been the subject of a bankruptcy petition and are not aware of any financial
conditions that are reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet our contractual commitments
to our clients.
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