Overview
Assets Under Management: $188 million
Headquarters: WALNUT CREEK, CA
High-Net-Worth Clients: 49
Average Client Assets: $4 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (FORM ADV PART 2A - FIRM BROCHURE)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.00% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $10,000 | 1.00% |
| $5 million | $50,000 | 1.00% |
| $10 million | $100,000 | 1.00% |
| $50 million | $500,000 | 1.00% |
| $100 million | $1,000,000 | 1.00% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 49
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 97.47
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $4 million
Total Client Accounts: 242
Discretionary Accounts: 242
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 304617
Last Filing Date: 2025-02-07 00:00:00
Website: https://cmadvisorgroup.com
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: FORM ADV PART 2A - FIRM BROCHURE (2025-05-15)
View Document Text
Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
May 2025
1283 Boulevard Way
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
www.cmadvisorgroup.com
Firm Contact:
Timothy Menez
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Capital
Management Advisor Group, LLC. If clients have any questions about the contents of this brochure,
please contact us at 925-935-8200 or tmenez@cmadvisorgroup.com. The information in this
brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission or by any State Securities Authority. Additional information about our firm is also
available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching CRD #304617.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of our firm
and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Clients are
encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise
clients for more information on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC is required to make clients aware of information that has
changed since the last annual update to the Firm Brochure (“Brochure”) and that may be important
to them. Clients can then determine whether to review the brochure in its entirety or to contact us
with questions about the changes.
Since the last annual amendment filing, we have no material changes to report.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Item 2: Material Changes ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business.................................................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees & Compensation ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management ........................................................................... 7
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements .................................................................................................... 7
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ................................................................... 8
Item 9: Disciplinary Information..................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations .................................................................................. 11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in ............................................................................................... 11
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................................................... 12
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ....................................................................................................... 15
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ..................................................................................................... 16
Item 15: Custody .................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 16: Investment Discretion ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 18: Financial Information ........................................................................................................................................ 17
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Our firm is dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of
investment advisory services. Our firm is a limited liability company formed under the laws of the
State of California in 2019 and has been in business as an investment adviser since that time. Our
firm is wholly owned by Timothy Menez.
The purpose of this Brochure is to disclose the conflicts of interest associated with the investment
transactions, compensation and any other matters related to investment decisions made by our firm
or its representatives. As a fiduciary, it is our duty to always act in the client’s best interest. This is
accomplished in part by knowing our client. Our firm has established a service-oriented advisory
practice with open lines of communication for many different types of clients to help meet their
financial goals while remaining sensitive to risk tolerance and time horizons. Working with clients to
understand their investment objectives while educating them about our process, facilitates the kind
of working relationship we value.
Types of Advisory Services Offered
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
As part of our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service clients will be provided asset
management and financial planning or consulting services. This service is designed to assist clients
in meeting their financial goals through the use of a financial plan or consultation. Our firm conducts
client meetings to understand their current financial situation, existing resources, financial goals, and
tolerance for risk. Based on what is learned, an investment approach is presented to the client,
consisting of individual stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, mutual funds and other public and private
securities or investments. Once the appropriate portfolio has been determined, portfolios are
continuously and regularly monitored, and if necessary, rebalanced based upon the client’s individual
needs, stated goals and objectives. Upon client request, our firm provides a summary of observations
and recommendations for the planning or consulting aspects of this service.
Our firm utilizes the sub-advisory services of a third party investment advisory firm or individual
advisor to aid in the implementation of an investment portfolio designed by our firm. Before selecting
a firm or individual, our firm will ensure that the chosen party is properly licensed or registered. Our
firm will not offer advice on any specific securities or other investments in connection with this service.
We will provide initial due diligence on third party money managers and ongoing reviews of their
management of client accounts. In order to assist in the selection of a third party money manager, our
firm will gather client information pertaining to financial situation, investment objectives, and
reasonable restrictions to be imposed upon the management of the account.
Our firm will periodically review third party money manager reports provided to the client at least
annually. Our firm will contact clients from time to time in order to review their financial situation
and objectives; communicate information to third party money managers as warranted; and, assist
the client in understanding and evaluating the services provided by the third party money manager.
Clients will be expected to notify our firm of any changes in their financial situation, investment
objectives, or account restrictions that could affect their financial standing.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Financial Planning & Consulting:
Our firm provides a variety of standalone financial planning and consulting services to clients for the
management of financial resources based upon an analysis of current situation, goals, and objectives.
Financial planning services will typically involve preparing a financial plan or rendering a financial
consultation for clients based on the client’s financial goals and objectives. This planning or
consulting may encompass Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Charitable
Planning, Education Planning, Corporate and Personal Tax Planning, Cost Segregation Study,
Corporate Structure, Real Estate Analysis, Mortgage/Debt Analysis, Insurance Analysis, Lines of
Credit Evaluation, or Business and Personal Financial Planning.
Written financial plans or financial consultations rendered to clients usually include general
recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the clients.
Implementation of the recommendations will be at the discretion of the client. Our firm provides
clients with a summary of their financial situation, and observations for financial planning
engagements. Financial consultations are not typically accompanied by a written summary of
observations and recommendations, as the process is less formal than the planning service. Assuming
that all the information and documents requested from the client are provided promptly, plans or
consultations are typically completed within 6 months of the client signing a contract with our firm.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
Our firm offers individualized investment advice to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management
clients. General investment advice will be offered to our Financial Planning & Consulting clients.
Our firm does not usually allow Comprehensive Portfolio Management clients to impose restrictions
on investing in certain securities or types of securities due to the level of difficulty this would entail
in managing their account. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
Our firm no longer offers a wrap fee program. All managed accounts are opened part of our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management service described herein.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of 12/31/2024, our firm manages $188,132,900 on a discretionary basis.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
The maximum annual fee charged for our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service will not
exceed 1.00% and is often less. Fees to be assessed will be outlined in the advisory agreement to be
signed by the Client. Annualized fees are billed on a pro-rata basis quarterly in arrears based on the
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
average daily value of invested assets during the quarter. Fees are negotiable and will be deducted
from client account(s). Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, our advisory fees shall be applicable to
cash and cash equivalents. Adjustments will be made for deposits and withdrawals during the
quarter. Our firm does not offer direct invoicing. As part of this process, Clients understand the
following:
a) The client’s independent custodian sends statements at least quarterly showing the market
values for each investment position in the assets and all account disbursements, including the
amount of the advisory fees paid to our firm;
b) Clients will provide authorization permitting our firm to be directly paid by these terms. Our
firm will send an invoice directly to the custodian; and
c) If our firm sends a copy of our invoice to the client, legend urging the comparison of
information provided in our statement with those from the qualified custodian will be
included.
Fees charged for third party manager services shall be in addition to our advisory fees. The third
party money managers we recommend will not directly charge you a higher fee than they would have
charged without us introducing you to them. Third party money managers establish and maintain
their own separate billing processes over which we have no control. In general, they will directly bill
you and describe how this works in their separate written disclosure documents.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses:
In addition to our advisory fees above, clients may also pay holdings charges imposed by the chosen
custodian for certain investments, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, separately managed
account, index fund, or exchange traded fund, which shall be disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (i.e.,
fund management fees, initial or deferred sales charges, mutual fund sales loads, 12b-1 fees,
surrender charges, variable annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, and other fund
expenses), mark-ups and mark-downs, spreads paid to market makers, fees for trades executed away
from custodian, wire transfer fees and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities
transactions. Our firm does not receive a portion of these fees.
Termination and Refunds:
Either party may terminate the advisory agreement signed with our firm for Comprehensive
Portfolio Management service in writing at any time. Upon notice of termination our firm will
calculate and bill for any remaining fees due based upon the pro rata number of days elapsed in the
current billing period.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
Our firm charges on an hourly or flat fee basis for financial planning and consulting services. The total
estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee charged, is based on the scope and complexity of our
engagement with the client. The maximum hourly fee to be charged will not exceed $500. Flat fees
will not exceed $10,000. The fee-paying arrangements will be determined on a case-by-case basis
and will be detailed in the signed consulting agreement. Our firm will not require a retainer exceeding
$1,200 when services cannot be rendered within 6 months.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Clients will incur transaction fees for trades executed by their chosen custodian, via individual
transaction charges. These transaction fees are separate from our firm’s advisory fees and will be
disclosed by the chosen custodian. TD Ameritrade, Inc. (“TD Ameritrade”) does not charge
transaction fees for U.S. listed equities and exchange traded funds.
Clients may also pay holdings charges imposed by the chosen custodian for certain investments,
charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, separately managed account (SMA) index fund, or
exchange traded fund, which shall be disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (i.e., fund management fees,
initial or deferred sales charges, mutual fund sales loads, 12b-1 fees, surrender charges, variable
annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, and other fund expenses), mark-ups and mark-
downs, spreads paid to market makers, fees for trades executed away from custodian, wire transfer
fees and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Our firm does not
receive a portion of these fees.
Termination & Refunds
Either party may terminate the advisory agreement signed with our firm for Comprehensive
Portfolio Management services in writing at any time. Upon notice of termination our firm will
process a pro-rata refund of the unearned portion of the advisory fees charged in advance.
Financial Planning & Consulting clients may terminate their agreement at any time before the
delivery of a financial plan by providing written notice. For purposes of calculating refunds, all work
performed by us up to the point of termination shall be calculated at the hourly fee currently in effect.
Clients will receive a pro-rata refund of unearned fees based on the time and effort expended by our
firm.
Commissionable Securities Sales
Our firm and representatives do not sell securities for a commission in advisory accounts.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
Our firm does not charge performance-based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
Our firm has the following types of clients: Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals.
Our requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us:
• Our firm requires a minimum account balance of $1,000,000 for our Comprehensive Portfolio
Management service. This minimum account balance requirement is generally not negotiable
and would be required throughout the course of the client’s relationship with our firm.
Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
The following methods of analysis & investment strategies are utilized by our firm when formulating
investment advice and/or managing client assets:
Our investment strategies are always governed by the client’s goals and time horizon for achieving
those goals. Our methods of analysis involve continually monitor the client’s underlying investment
portfolio to confirm it matches the stated time horizon. If the client’s goal time horizon is relatively
short, i.e. two years or less, the assets needed for that short-term goal are generally be directed to
less or non volatile investment classes. All long-term goals are directed into long-term holding that
generally provide more volatility and as a result more potential of long-term growth in value. Our
ongoing analysis focuses on investment manager experience, philosophies and disciplines of
management, investment research abilities, long-term performance, management fees and internal
compensation structure against industry piers
We prefer to invest our advisory client’s in the following securities in managing client accounts,
provided that such securities are appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the
client's investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
Mutual Funds: A mutual fund is a company that pools money from many investors and invests that
money in a variety of differing security types based on the objectives of the fund. The portfolio of the
fund consists of the combined holdings it owns. Each share represents an investor’s proportionate
ownership of the fund’s holdings and the income those holdings generate. The price that investors
pay for mutual fund shares are the fund’s per share net asset value (“NAV”) plus any shareholder fees
that the fund imposes at the time of purchase (such as sales loads). Investors typically cannot
ascertain the exact make-up of a fund’s portfolio at any given time, nor can they directly influence
which securities the fund manager buys and sells or the timing of those trades. With an individual
stock, investors can obtain real-time (or close to real-time) pricing information with relative ease by
checking financial websites or by calling a broker or your investment adviser. Investors can also
monitor how a stock’s price changes from hour to hour—or even second to second. By contrast, with
a mutual fund, the price at which an investor purchases or redeems shares will typically depend on
the fund’s NAV, which is calculated daily after market close.
The benefits of investing through mutual funds include: (a) Mutual funds are professionally managed
by an investment adviser who researches, selects, and monitors the performance of the securities
purchased by the fund; (b) Mutual funds typically have the benefit of diversification, which is an
investing strategy that generally sums up as “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Spreading
investments across a wide range of companies and industry sectors can help lower the risk if a
company or sector fails. Some investors find it easier to achieve diversification through ownership of
mutual funds rather than through ownership of individual stocks or bonds.; (c) Some mutual funds
accommodate investors who do not have a lot of money to invest by setting relatively low dollar
amounts for initial purchases, subsequent monthly purchases, or both.; and (d) At any time, mutual
fund investors can readily redeem their shares at the current NAV, less any fees and charges assessed
on redemption.
Mutual funds also have features that some investors might view as disadvantages: (a) Some investors
may pay sales charges, annual fees, and other expenses regardless of how the fund performs.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Depending on the timing of their investment, investors may also have to pay taxes on any capital
gains distributions they receive. This includes instances where the fund performed poorly after
purchasing shares.; (b) Investors typically cannot ascertain the exact make-up of a fund’s portfolio at
any given time, nor can they directly influence which securities the fund manager buys and sells or
the timing of those trades.; and (c) With an individual stock, investors can obtain real-time (or close
to real-time) pricing information with relative ease by checking financial websites or by calling a
broker or your investment adviser. Investors can also monitor how a stock’s price changes from hour
to hour—or even second to second. By contrast, with a mutual fund, the price at which an investor
purchases or redeems shares will typically depend on the fund’s NAV, which the fund might not
calculate until many hours after the investor placed the order. In general, mutual funds must calculate
their NAV at least once every business day, typically after the major U.S. exchanges close.
When investors buy and hold an individual stock or bond, the investor must pay income tax each year
on the dividends or interest the investor receives. However, the investor will not have to pay any
capital gains tax until the investor actually sells and makes a profit. Mutual funds, however, are
different. When an investor buys and holds mutual fund shares, the investor will owe income tax on
any ordinary dividends in the year the investor receives or reinvests them. Moreover, in addition to
owing taxes on any personal capital gains when the investor sells shares, the investor may have to
pay taxes each year on the fund’s capital gains. That is because the law requires mutual funds to
distribute capital gains to shareholders if they sell securities for a profit, and cannot use losses to
offset these gains.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock
market may increase and the account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market
may decrease and the account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that clients understand the risks
associated with investing in the stock market or “equities”, and that their assets are appropriately
diversified in investments. Clients are encouraged to ask our firm any questions regarding volatility
in order to better understand risk.
Inflation Risk: Inflation risk involves the concern that in the future, your investment or proceeds
from your investment will not be worth what they are today. Throughout time, the prices of resources
and end-user products generally increase and thus, the same general goods and products today will
likely be more expensive in the future. If the Consumer Price Index stays at its long-term trend of
approximately 3%, each dollar you own will lose approximately 20% of it current day purchasing
power and 60% percent over the average 30 year, two-person retirement period. The longer an
investment is held, the greater the chance that the proceeds from that investment will be worth less
in the future than what they are today. Said another way, a dollar tomorrow will likely get you less
than what it can today.
Longevity Risk: The fact remains that life expectancy continues to stretch out. The average two-
person retirement period is now 30 years and presents a significant risk of running out of funds
before running out of life if one is not educated to the risk and appropriately invested for the future.
Additionally, longer life means for many longer declining years in their health and quality of life. This
again presents the risk of not having the appropriate amount of liquid resources to manage latter or
end of life challenges.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Capital Risk: Capital risk is one of the most basic, fundamental risks of investing; it is the risk that
you may lose 100% of your money. All investments carry some form of risk and the loss of capital is
generally a risk for any investment instrument.
Economic Risk: The prevailing economic environment is important to the health of all businesses.
Some companies, however, are more sensitive to changes in the domestic or global economy than
others. These types of companies are often referred to as cyclical businesses. Countries in which a
large portion of businesses are in cyclical industries are thus also very economically sensitive and
carry a higher amount of economic risk. If an investment is issued by a party located in a country that
experiences wide swings from an economic standpoint or in situations where certain elements of an
investment instrument are hinged on dealings in such countries, the investment instrument will
generally be subject to a higher level of economic risk.
Mutual Fund Risk: When investing in a mutual fund, you will bear additional expenses based on
your pro rata share of the mutual fund’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of
management fees. The risk of owning a mutual fund generally reflects the risks of owning the
underlying securities the mutual fund holds. Clients will also incur brokerage costs when purchasing
mutual funds.
Interest Rate Risk: Certain investments involve the payment of a fixed or variable rate of interest to
the investment holder. Once an investor has acquired or has acquired the rights to an investment that
pays a particular rate (fixed or variable) of interest, changes in overall interest rates in the market
will affect the value of the interest-paying investment(s) they hold. In general, changes in prevailing
interest rates in the market will have an inverse relationship to the value of existing, interest paying
investments. In other words, as interest rates move up, the value of an instrument paying a particular
rate (fixed or variable) of interest will go down. The reverse is generally true as well.
Legal/Regulatory Risk: Certain investments or the issuers of investments may be affected by
changes in state or federal laws or in the prevailing regulatory framework under which the
investment instrument or its issuer is regulated. Changes in the regulatory environment or tax laws
can affect the performance of certain investments or issuers of those investments and thus, can have
a negative impact on the overall performance of such investments.
Strategy Risk: There is no guarantee that the investment strategies discussed herein will work under
all market conditions and each investor should evaluate his/her ability to maintain any investment
he/she is considering in light of his/her own investment time horizon. Investments are subject to
risk, including possible loss of principal.
Description of Material, Significant or Unusual Risks
Our firm generally invests client cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of
Deposit, high-grade commercial paper and/or government backed debt instruments. Ultimately, our
firm tries to achieve the highest return on client cash balances through relatively low-risk
conservative investments.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to the evaluation of our advisory business
or the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Timothy Menez is a licensed insurance agent. As such, he may offer insurance products and receive
customary fees as a result of insurance sales. A conflict of interest exists as these insurance sales
create an incentive to recommend products based on the compensation adviser and/or our
supervised persons may earn. To mitigate this potential conflict, Timothy Menez will act in the
client’s best interest.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in
Client Transactions & Personal Trading
As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material
facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of our clients at all times. Our fiduciary duty is the
underlying principle for our firm’s Code of Ethics, which includes procedures for personal securities
transaction and insider trading. Our firm requires all representatives to conduct business with the
highest level of ethical standards and to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times.
Upon employment with our firm, and at least annually thereafter, all representatives of our firm will
acknowledge receipt, understanding and compliance with our firm’s Code of Ethics. Our firm and
representatives must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all circumstances
that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to all clients. This disclosure
is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics. If a client or a potential client wishes to
review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy will be provided promptly upon request.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends, buys or sells for client accounts, securities in
which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest without prior disclosure to the
client.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also
recommended to clients. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place
client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which
is available upon request.
Related persons of our firm and clients are primarily invested in mutual funds. However, under some
circumstances, related persons of our firm and/or clients may be invested in individual securities.
Therefore, it is possible that related persons of our firm buy or sell securities for themselves at or about
the same time they buy or sell the same securities for client accounts. In order to minimize this conflict
of interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our
firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which is available upon request. Further, our related persons will refrain
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
from buying or selling the same securities prior to buying or selling for our clients in the same day. If
related persons’ accounts are included in a block trade, our related persons will always trade personal
accounts last.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Custodian & Brokers Used
Our firm does not maintain custody of client assets (although our firm may be deemed to have
custody of client assets if give the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts. See Item 15
Custody, below). Client assets must be maintained in an account at a “qualified custodian,” generally
a broker-dealer or bank. Our firm recommends that clients use the Schwab Advisor Services division
of Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (“Schwab”), a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, member SIPC, as the
qualified custodian. Our firm is independently owned and operated, and not affiliated with Schwab.
Schwab will hold client assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities when instructed.
While our firm recommends that clients use Schwab as custodian/broker, clients will decide whether
to do so and open an account with Schwab by entering into an account agreement directly with them.
Our firm does not open the account. Even though the account is maintained at Schwab, our firm can
still use other brokers to execute trades, as described in the next paragraph.
How Brokers/Custodians Are Selected
Our firm seeks to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold client assets and execute
transactions on terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available
providers and their services. A wide range of factors are considered, including, but not limited to:
•
•
•
combination of transaction execution services along with asset custody services (generally
without a separate fee for custody)
capability to execute, clear and settle trades (buy and sell securities for client accounts)
capabilities to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check
requests, bill payment, etc.)
• breadth of investment products made available (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange
traded funds (ETFs), etc.)
• availability of investment research and tools that assist in making investment decisions
•
quality of services
competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest rates, other
fees, etc.) and willingness to negotiate them
reputation, financial strength and stability of the provider
•
• prior service to our firm and our other clients
• availability of other products and services that benefit our firm, as discussed below (see
“Products & Services Available from Schwab”)
Custody & Brokerage Costs
Schwab generally does not charge a separate fee for custody services but is compensated by charging
commissions or other fees to clients on trades that are executed or that settle into the Schwab
account. In addition to commissions, Schwab charges a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or
“trade away” fee for each trade that our firm has executed by a different broker-dealer but where the
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
securities bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited (settled) into a Schwab account.
These fees are in addition to the commissions or other compensation paid to the executing broker-
dealer. Because of this, in order to minimize client trading costs, our firm has Schwab execute most
trades for the accounts.
Products & Services Available from Schwab
Schwab Advisor Services is Schwab’s business serving independent investment advisory firms like
our firm. They provide our firm and clients with access to its institutional brokerage – trading,
custody, reporting and related services – many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail
customers. Schwab also makes available various support services. Some of those services help
manage or administer our client accounts while others help manage and grow our business. Schwab’s
support services are generally available on an unsolicited basis (our firm does not have to request
them) and at no charge to our firm. The availability of Schwab’s products and services is not based
on the provision of particular investment advice, such as purchasing particular securities for clients.
Here is a more detailed description of Schwab’s support services:
Services that Benefit Clients
Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment products,
execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products available
through Schwab include some to which our firm might not otherwise have access or that would
require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by firm clients. Schwab’s services
described in this paragraph generally benefit clients and their accounts.
Services that May Not Directly Benefit Clients
Schwab also makes available other products and services that benefit our firm but may not directly
benefit clients or their accounts. These products and services assist in managing and administering
our client accounts. They include investment research, both Schwab’s and that of third parties. This
research may be used to service all or some substantial number of client accounts, including accounts
not maintained at Schwab. In addition to investment research, Schwab also makes available software
and other technology that:
• provides access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements);
facilitates trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts;
facilitates payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts; and
•
• provides pricing and other market data;
•
• assists with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Services that Generally Benefit Only Our Firm
Schwab also offers other services intended to help manage and further develop our business
enterprise. These services include:
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
• educational conferences and events
•
• publications and conferences on practice management and business succession; and
• access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance providers.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Schwab may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, Schwab will arrange for third-party
vendors to provide the services to our firm. Schwab may also discount or waive fees for some of these
services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide our firm with other
benefits, such as occasional business entertainment for our personnel.
Irrespective of direct or indirect benefits to our client through Schwab, our firm strives to enhance
the client experience, help clients reach their goals and put client interests before that of our firm or
associated persons.
Our Interest in Schwab’s Services.
The availability of these services from Schwab benefits our firm because our firm does not have to
produce or purchase them. Our firm does not have to pay for these services, and they are not
contingent upon committing any specific amount of business to Schwab in trading commissions or
assets in custody.
In light of our arrangements with Schwab, a conflict of interest exists as our firm may have incentive
to require that clients maintain their accounts with Schwab based on our interest in receiving
Schwab’s services that benefit our firm rather than based on client interest in receiving the best value
in custody services and the most favorable execution of transactions. As part of our fiduciary duty to
our clients, our firm will endeavor at all times to put the interests of our clients first. Clients should
be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by our firm or our related persons creates
a potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence our firm’s choice of Schwab as a custodial
recommendation. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when our firm chose to
recommend Schwab and have determined that the recommendation is in the best interest of our firm’s
clients and satisfies our fiduciary obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the
transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full range of a
broker-dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution capability, commission
rates, and responsiveness. Although our firm will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all clients,
our firm may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific client account
transactions. Our firm believes that the selection of Schwab as a custodian and broker is the best
interest of our clients. It is primarily supported by the scope, quality and price of Schwab’s services,
and not Schwab’s services that only benefit our firm.
Client Brokerage Commissions
Schwab does not make client brokerage commissions generated by client transactions available for
our firm’s use.
Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
Our firm does not direct client transactions to a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar
benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
Directed Brokerage
Our firm requires that clients direct us to execute through a specified broker-dealer. Our firm
requires the use of Schwab. Each client will be required to establish their account(s) with Schwab if not
already done. Please note that not all advisers have this requirement.
Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
A retirement or ERISA plan client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its account
through a specific broker or dealer in order to obtain goods or services on behalf of the plan. Such
direction is permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable expenses of the
plan incurred in the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise would be obligated and
empowered to pay. ERISA prohibits directed brokerage arrangements when the goods or services
purchased are not for the exclusive benefit of the plan. Consequently, our firm will request that plan
sponsors who direct plan brokerage provide us with a letter documenting that this arrangement will
be for the exclusive benefit of the plan.
Client-Directed Brokerage
Our firm does not allow client-directed brokerage outside our recommendations.
Aggregation of Purchase or Sale
Our firm provides investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which
portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment
objectives. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or
disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts, they are affected only when our firm believes
that to do so will be in the best interest of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations
occur, the objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts
involved. In any given situation, our firm attempts to allocate trade executions in the most equitable
manner possible, taking into consideration client objectives, current asset allocation and availability of
funds using price averaging, proration and consistently non-arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
Timothy Menez reviews accounts on at least an annual basis for our Comprehensive Portfolio
Management clients. The nature of these reviews is to confirm that the client’s account remains in
line with their goals and investment objectives as detailed in their written financial plan and
investment policy statement. Our firm may review client accounts more frequently than described
above. Among the factors which may trigger an off-cycle review are major changes in the client’s life
event or other requests by the client, etc. Our firm does not provide written reports to clients, unless
asked to do so. Verbal reports to clients take place on at least an annual basis when our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management clients are contacted.
Financial Planning clients do not receive reviews of their written plans unless they take action to
schedule a financial consultation with us. Our firm does not provide ongoing services to financial
planning clients, but are willing to meet with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
their plans, changes in their circumstances, etc. Financial Planning clients do not receive written or
verbal updated reports regarding their financial plans unless they separately engage our firm for a
post-financial plan meeting or update to their initial written financial plan.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Referral Fees
In accordance with Rule 206 (4)-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, our firm does not provide
cash or non-cash compensation directly or indirectly to unaffiliated persons for testimonials or
endorsements (which include client referrals).
Our firm receives compensation from Capital Group Private Client Services (PCS) for the referral of
our clients to utilize their separately managed account service offering. Referred clients will be
provided with a disclosure document outlining our compensation arrangements with PCS, as well as
their Form ADV 2A, Form CRS, and Privacy Policy. This compensation will not increase the amount
of fees the client would pay should they chose to engage PCS outside of this arrangement.
Item 15: Custody
Advisory Fee Deduction:
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets (which are maintained by a
qualified custodian, as discussed above), we are deemed to have custody of certain client assets if
given the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts, as further described below under
“Standing Instructions.” All our clients receive account statements directly from their qualified
custodian(s) at least quarterly upon opening of an account. We urge our clients to carefully review
these statements. Additionally, if our firm decides to send its own account statements to clients, such
statements will include a legend that recommends the client compare the account statements
received from the qualified custodian with those received from our firm. Clients are encouraged to
raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their assets and our custodial
recommendations.
Third Party Money Movement:
On February 21, 2017, the SEC issued a no‐action letter (“Letter”) with respect to Rule 206(4)‐2
(“Custody Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided
guidance on the Custody Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who has the power to disburse client
funds to a third party under a standing letter of instruction (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody. As
such, our firm has adopted the following safeguards in conjunction with our custodian:
• The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC
• The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s
form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from
time to time.
• The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as
a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and provides a
transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
• The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified
custodian.
• The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the
client’s instruction.
• The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party
of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
• The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
an executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, our firm is
authorized to execute securities transactions, determine which securities are bought and sold, and
the total amount to be bought and sold. Should clients grant our firm non-discretionary authority,
our firm would be required to obtain the client’s permission prior to effecting securities transactions.
Limitations may be imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of
discretion with our firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Our firm does not accept the proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies or
other solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are sent
to our firm, our firm will forward them to the appropriate client and ask the party who sent them to
mail them directly to the client in the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions
they may have about particular proxy votes or other solicitations.
Item 18: Financial Information
Our firm is not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
• Our firm does not require the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees when services cannot
be rendered within 6 months.
• Our firm does not take custody of client funds or securities.
• Our firm does not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary obligations to clients.
• Our firm has never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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Capital Management Advisor Group, LLC