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Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
March 2026
Castle Wealth Planning
1105 Chapala St., Suite 4
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
www.castlewealthplanning.com
Firm Contact:
Nathan Cultice, CFP®
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Castle Wealth
Planning, LLC dba, Castle Wealth Planning. If clients have any questions about the contents of this
brochure, please contact us at (805) 962-5630 or Nate@castlewp.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 #141601.
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
Castle Wealth Planning is required to notify clients of any information that has changed since the last
annual update of the Firm Brochure (“Brochure”) that may be important to them. Clients can request
a full copy of our Brochure or contact us with any questions that they may have about the changes.
We have amended Item 17 below to disclose that we no longer vote proxies for client accounts.
Additionally, we have added language to Item 8 below describing risks pertinent to our use of options
in certain client accounts.
ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
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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 ..................................................................................................................... 6
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management .............................................................. 8
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements ................................................................................... 8
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ........................................................ 8
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .............................................................................................................. 15
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations .................................................................... 15
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in .............................................................................. 15
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................... 16
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ..................................................................................... 20
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ................................................................................... 21
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................... 22
Item 17: Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 22
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................ 23
ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
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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 2006 and has been in business as an investment adviser since that time. Our
firm is wholly owned by Nathan Cultice.
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.
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
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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.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
Our firm provides retirement plan consulting services to employer plan sponsors on an ongoing
basis. Generally, such consulting services consist of assisting employer plan sponsors in establishing,
monitoring and reviewing their company's participant-directed retirement plan. As the needs of the
plan sponsor dictate, areas of advising may include:
•
• Establishing an Investment Policy Statement – Our firm will assist in the development of a
statement that summarizes the investment goals and objectives along with the broad
strategies to be employed to meet the objectives.
Investment Options – Our firm will work with the Plan Sponsor to evaluate existing
investment options and make recommendations for appropriate changes.
•
• Asset Allocation and Portfolio Construction – Our firm will develop strategic asset allocation
models to aid Participants in developing strategies to meet their investment objectives, time
horizon, financial situation and tolerance for risk.
Investment Monitoring – Our firm will monitor the performance of the investments and
notify the client in the event of over/underperformance and in times of market volatility.
• Participant Education – Our firm will provide opportunities to educate plan participants
about their retirement plan offerings, different investment options, and general guidance on
allocation strategies.
In providing services for retirement plan consulting, our firm does not provide any advisory services
with respect to the following types of assets: employer securities, real estate (excluding real estate
funds and publicly traded REITS), participant loans, non-publicly traded securities or assets, other
illiquid investments, or brokerage window programs (collectively, “Excluded Assets”). All retirement
plan consulting services shall be in compliance with the applicable state laws regulating retirement
consulting services. This applies to client accounts that are retirement or other employee benefit
plans (“Plan”) governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”). If the client accounts are part of a Plan, and our firm accepts appointment to provide
services to such accounts, our firm acknowledges its fiduciary standard within the meaning of Section
3(21) or 3(38) of ERISA as designated by the Retirement Plan Consulting Agreement with respect to
the provision of services described therein.
Portfolio Monitoring:
Our Portfolio Monitoring Service provides for general asset allocation guidance within parameters of
a plan held with outside custodians. Our firm will evaluate the securities offered and advise clients
on suggested allocations based on their wholistic financial picture. This service is solely consultative
in nature and involves no on-going supervision, trading, or discretion with respect to securities
transactions. Clients are responsible for placing and executing their own trades, either on their own
or with another investment adviser. We provide non-continuous and periodic outside account
monitoring.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
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Our firm offers individualized investment advice to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management
clients. General investment advice will be offered to our Financial Planning & Consulting and
Portfolio Monitoring clients.
Each Comprehensive Portfolio Management client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions
on the types of investments to be held in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities
or types of securities may not be possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing
the account.
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 does not offer or sponsor a wrap fee program.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
Our firm manages $203,141,770 on a discretionary basis, and $33,293,603 on a non-discretionary
basis for a total of $236,435,373 in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
The maximum annual fee charged for this service will not exceed 1%. 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 value of the account(s) on the last day of the quarter.
Fees are negotiable and will be deducted from client account(s). In rare cases, our firm will agree to
directly invoice. Further, it is important to note that our firm assesses advisory fees on all assets
held in client managed accounts including cash and cash equivalents unless agreed upon otherwise
in writing. 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 security included 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, a legend urging the comparison of
information provided in our statement with those from the qualified custodian will be
included.
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
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engagement with the client. The maximum hourly fee to be charged will not exceed $250. 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.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
Our Retirement Plan Consulting services are billed a fee based on the percentage of Plan assets under
management. The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee charged, is based on the scope and
complexity of our engagement with the client. Fees will not exceed 1% of plan assets under
management. The fee-paying arrangements will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will be
detailed in the signed consulting agreement.
Portfolio Monitoring:
The maximum annual fee charged for this service will not exceed 0.50%. Annualized fees are billed
on a pro-rata basis quarterly in arrears based on the value of the account(s) on the last day of the
quarter. Fees are negotiable. Clients will either be directly billed for our portfolio monitoring service
according to the terms outlined in their executed agreement or be deducted from one of the clients’
managed account(s). 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 security included 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, a legend urging the comparison of
information provided in our statement with those from the qualified custodian will be
included.
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. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), 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, index fund, or exchange traded fund, which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses), distribution
fees, surrender charges, variable annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, 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 pro-rata advisory
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fees for services rendered to the point of termination will be charged. If advisory fees cannot be
deducted, our firm will send an invoice for due advisory fees to the client.
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;
• Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations;
• Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and/or Other Business Types
Our requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us:
• Our firm requires a minimum account balance of $250,000 for our Comprehensive Portfolio
Management. Generally, this minimum account balance would be required throughout the
course of the client’s relationship with our firm, however, this may be waiver at managements
discretion.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or managing
client assets:
Fundamental Analysis: The analysis of a business's financial statements (usually to analyze the
business's assets, liabilities, and earnings), health, and its competitors and markets. When analyzing
a stock, futures contract, or currency using fundamental analysis there are two basic approaches one
can use: bottom up analysis and top down analysis. The terms are used to distinguish such analysis
from other types of investment analysis, such as quantitative and technical. Fundamental analysis is
performed on historical and present data, but with the goal of making financial forecasts. There are
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several possible objectives: (a) to conduct a company stock valuation and predict its probable price
evolution; (b) to make a projection on its business performance; (c) to evaluate its management and
make internal business decisions; (d) and/or to calculate its credit risk.; and (e) to find out the
intrinsic value of the share.
When the objective of the analysis is to determine what stock to buy and at what price, there are two
basic methodologies investors rely upon: (a) Fundamental analysis maintains that markets may
misprice a security in the short run but that the "correct" price will eventually be reached. Profits can
be made by purchasing the mispriced security and then waiting for the market to recognize its
"mistake" and reprice the security.; and (b) Technical analysis maintains that all information is
reflected already in the price of a security. Technical analysts analyze trends and believe that
sentiment changes predate and predict trend changes. Investors' emotional responses to price
movements lead to recognizable price chart patterns. Technical analysts also analyze historical
trends to predict future price movement. Investors can use one or both of these different but
complementary methods for stock picking. This presents a potential risk, as the price of a security
can move up or down along with the overall market regardless of the economic and financial factors
considered in evaluating the stock.
Investment Strategies We Use
We use the following strategies in managing client accounts, provided that such strategies are
appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
• Long Term Purchases (Securities Held At Least a Year);
• Short Term Purchases (Securities Sold Within a Year);
Preferred Securities
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:
Individual Securities
• ETF’s
• Mutual Funds
•
• Municipal Bonds
• Corporate Bonds
Cash & Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents generally refer to either United States dollars
or highly liquid short-term debt instruments such as, but not limited to, treasury bills, bank CD’s and
commercial papers. Generally, these assets are considered nonproductive and will be exposed to
inflation risk and considerable opportunity cost risk. Investments in cash and cash equivalents will
generally return less than the advisory fee charged by our firm.
Cryptocurrency Trusts and ETFs: Some securities we recommend have unique risks. Specifically,
we may recommend investment in digital (crypto) currency products. These products are typically
structured as a trust which pools capital together to purchase holdings of digital currencies however,
in certain instances these are also structured as Exchange Traded Funds. Such products are
extremely volatile and are suitable only as a means of diversification for investors with high risk
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tolerances. In the case of Cryptocurrency Trusts, these securities carry very high internal expense
ratios, and often sell at a significant premium or discount to the market value of their underlying
holdings. Security is also a concern for digital currency investments which make them subject to the
additional risk of theft. Clients should also be aware of additional risks associated with
cryptocurrency trusts such as but not limited to, regulatory risk, risk associated with the loss of
private keys which could result in a partial or total loss of the underlying asset, existence of
cryptocurrency forks which can have an adverse effect on the value of the specific versions of
cryptocurrencies held by the trust, as well as liquidity risk due to the cryptocurrency trusts trading
in over-the-counter markets. For additional information about Cryptocurrency trusts CWP
recommends that clients review the Risk Factor Section of the form 10-K of any Cryptocurrency Trust
recommended to clients. CWP will further provide a comprehensive list of risk factors at clients’
request for any ETF or Cryptocurrency Trusts.
Debt Securities (Bonds): Issuers use debt securities to borrow money. Generally, issuers pay
investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the
security and/or at maturity. Alternatively, investors can purchase other debt securities, such as zero
coupon bonds, which do not pay current interest, but rather are priced at a discount from their face
values and their values accrete over time to face value at maturity. The market prices of debt
securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality, and maturity. In
general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest
rates fall. Bonds with longer rates of maturity tend to have greater interest rate risks.
Certain additional risk factors relating to debt securities include: (a) When interest rates are
declining, investors have to reinvest their interest income and any return of principal, whether
scheduled or unscheduled, at lower prevailing rates.; (b) Inflation causes tomorrow’s dollar to be
worth less than today’s; in other words, it reduces the purchasing power of a bond investor’s future
interest payments and principal, collectively known as “cash flows.” Inflation also leads to higher
interest rates, which in turn leads to lower bond prices.; (c) Debt securities may be sensitive to
economic changes, political and corporate developments, and interest rate changes. Investors can
also expect periods of economic change and uncertainty, which can result in increased volatility of
market prices and yields of certain debt securities. For example, prices of these securities can be
affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the
security or other assets or indices. (d) Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions
entitling their issuers to redeem them at a specified price on a date prior to maturity. If an issuer
exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate market, the account would have to replace the
security with a lower yielding security, resulting in decreased income to investors. Usually, a bond is
called at or close to par value. This subjects investors that paid a premium for their bond risk of lost
principal. In reality, prices of callable bonds are unlikely to move much above the call price if lower
interest rates make the bond likely to be called.; (e) If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its
obligations to pay interest or principal or is the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the account may
incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.; (f) There may be little trading in
the secondary market for particular debt securities, which may affect adversely the account's ability
to value accurately or dispose of such debt securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of debt
securities.
Our firm attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the client’s portfolio
and by credit analysis of each issuer, as well as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate
and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that our firm will be successful in doing
so. Credit ratings for debt securities provided by rating agencies reflect an evaluation of the safety of
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principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency's
view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect
actual outcomes. There can be a lag between the time of developments relating to an issuer and the
time a rating is assigned and updated.
Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership position in a company. Equity securities
typically consist of common stocks. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on, among other
things, events specific to their issuers and market, economic and other conditions. For example,
prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties
(such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices. There may be little trading in
the secondary market for particular equity securities, which may adversely affect our firm 's ability
to value accurately or dispose of such equity securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of equity
securities. Investing in smaller companies may pose additional risks as it is often more difficult to
value or dispose of small company stocks, more difficult to obtain information about smaller
companies, and the prices of their stocks may be more volatile than stocks of larger, more established
companies. Clients should have a long-term perspective and, for example, be able to tolerate
potentially sharp declines in value.
Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”): An ETF is a type of Investment Company (usually, an open-end
fund or unit investment trust) whose primary objective is to achieve the same return as a particular
market index. The vast majority of ETFs are designed to track an index, so their performance is close
to that of an index mutual fund, but they are not exact duplicates. A tracking error, or the difference
between the returns of a fund and the returns of the index, can arise due to differences in
composition, management fees, expenses, and handling of dividends. ETFs benefit from continuous
pricing; they can be bought and sold on a stock exchange throughout the trading day. Because ETFs
trade like stocks, you can place orders just like with individual stocks - such as limit orders, good-
until-canceled orders, stop loss orders etc. They can also be sold short. Traditional mutual funds are
bought and redeemed based on their net asset values (“NAV”) at the end of the day. ETFs are bought
and sold at the market prices on the exchanges, which resemble the underlying NAV but are
independent of it. However, arbitrageurs will ensure that ETF prices are kept very close to the NAV
of the underlying securities. Although an investor can buy as few as one share of an ETF, most buy in
board lots. Anything bought in less than a board lot will increase the cost to the investor. Anyone can
buy any ETF no matter where in the world it trades. This provides a benefit over mutual funds, which
generally can only be bought in the country in which they are registered.
One of the main features of ETFs are their low annual fees, especially when compared to traditional
mutual funds. The passive nature of index investing, reduced marketing, and distribution and
accounting expenses all contribute to the lower fees. However, individual investors must pay a
brokerage commission to purchase and sell ETF shares; for those investors who trade frequently,
this can significantly increase the cost of investing in ETFs. That said, with the advent of low-cost
brokerage fees, small or frequent purchases of ETFs are becoming more cost efficient.
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
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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) Investors must
pay sales charges, annual fees, and other expenses regardless of how the fund performs. 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.
Options: An option is a financial derivative that represents a contract sold by one party (the option
writer) to another party (the option holder, or option buyer). The contract offers the buyer the right,
but not the obligation, to buy or sell a security or other financial asset at an agreed-upon price (the
strike price) during a certain period of time or on a specific date (exercise date). Options are
extremely versatile securities. Traders use options to speculate, which is a relatively risky practice,
while hedgers use options to reduce the risk of holding an asset. In terms of speculation, option
buyers and writers have conflicting views regarding the outlook on the performance of a:
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• Call Option: Call options give the option to buy at certain price, so the buyer would want the
stock to go up. Conversely, the option writer needs to provide the underlying shares in the
event that the stock's market price exceeds the strike due to the contractual obligation. An
option writer who sells a call option believes that the underlying stock's price will drop
relative to the option's strike price during the life of the option, as that is how he will reap
maximum profit. This is exactly the opposite outlook of the option buyer. The buyer believes
that the underlying stock will rise; if this happens, the buyer will be able to acquire the stock
for a lower price and then sell it for a profit. However, if the underlying stock does not close
above the strike price on the expiration date, the option buyer would lose the premium paid
for the call option.
• Put Option: Put options give the option to sell at a certain price, so the buyer would want the
stock to go down. The opposite is true for put option writers. For example, a put option buyer
is bearish on the underlying stock and believes its market price will fall below the specified
strike price on or before a specified date. On the other hand, an option writer who sells a put
option believes the underlying stock's price will increase about a specified price on or before
the expiration date. If the underlying stock's price closes above the specified strike price on
the expiration date, the put option writer's maximum profit is achieved. Conversely, a put
option holder would only benefit from a fall in the underlying stock's price below the strike
price. If the underlying stock's price falls below the strike price, the put option writer is
obligated to purchase shares of the underlying stock at the strike price.
The potential risks associated with these transactions are that (1) all options expire. The closer the
option gets to expiration, the quicker the premium in the option deteriorates; and (2) Prices can move
very quickly. Depending on factors such as time until expiration and the relationship of the stock
price to the option’s strike price, small movements in a stock can translate into big movements in the
underlying options.
Covered Calls: The risks associated with this type of strategy involve having the underlying stock
called away. Each contract has a strike price at which the writer of the contract agrees to allow the
purchaser call the stock away from the writer. This can create a taxable event whereby the writer of
the option is required to recognize a capital gain on the underlying security. Furthermore, the market
price could appreciate beyond the strike price, forcing the writer to sell their holdings below current
market value.
Uncovered Options: Uncovered option writing is suitable only for the knowledgeable investor who
understands the risks, has the financial capacity and willingness to incur potentially substantial
losses, and has sufficient liquid assets to meet applicable margin requirements. If the value of the
underlying instrument moves against an uncovered writer’s options position, our firm may request
significant additional margin payments. If an investor does not make such margin payments, we may
be forced to close stock or options positions in the investor’s account.
The potential loss of uncovered call writing is unlimited. The writer of an uncovered call is in an
extremely risky position and may incur large losses if the value of the underlying instrument
increases above the exercise price.
As with writing uncovered calls, the risk of writing uncovered put options is substantial. The writer
of an uncovered put option bears a risk of loss if the value of the underlying instrument declines
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below the exercise price. Such loss could be substantial if there is a significant decline in the value of
the underlying instrument.
Private Equity: Private equity is an equity investment into non-quoted companies. The private
equity investor looks at an investment prospect as investing in a company as opposed to investing in
a company's stock. Private equity funds hold illiquid positions (for which there is no active secondary
market) and typically only invest in the equity and debt of target companies, which are generally
taken private and brought under the private equity manager's control. Risks associated with private
equity include but are not limited to:
• Funding Risk: The unpredictable timing of cash flows poses funding risks to investors.
Commitments are contractually binding and defaulting on payments results in the loss of
private equity partnership interests. This risk is also commonly referred to as default risk.
• Liquidity Risk: The illiquidity of private equity partnership interests exposes investors to
asset liquidity risk associated with selling in the secondary market at a discount on the
reported NAV.
• Market Risk: The fluctuation of the market has an impact on the value of the investments held
in the portfolio.
• Capital Risk: The realization value of private equity investments can be affected by numerous
factors, including (but not limited to) the quality of the fund manager, equity market
exposure, interest rates and foreign exchange.
• Localized Risks: Changes in population, the local economy as well as environmental issues
and area specific risks may cause the investments to lose value.
• Conflicts of Interest: Various conflicts of interest may exist between the various stakeholders
of a private equity investment, such as conflicts between the participants and its management
company which could have adverse effects on the ultimate returns of the investment.
• Valuation Risk: CWP obtains quarterly fair value estimates from pooled investment vehicles,
however, CWP does not receive audited financials on an annual basis. A risk exists as there
may be a material difference between the fair value estimate provided by the sponsor, the
true value of the underlying assets and the ultimate value for which the underlying assets
may be sold when liquidated.
Additional risks exist associated with these types of investments, CWP will actively monitor these
risks through the obtention and review of the offering memorandums. CWP will further provide a
comprehensive list of risk factors material to Client’s when requested and always highly recommends
that Clients review the Risk Factors of any given investment prior to investing.
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, and that their assets are appropriately diversified in
investments. Clients are encouraged to ask our firm any questions regarding their risk tolerance.
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
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conservative investments. In most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money
market account so that our firm may debit advisory fees for our services related to our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management, and Portfolio Monitoring services, as applicable.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Our firm or a management member was involved in an administrative proceeding before the SEC,
any other federal regulatory agency, any state regulatory agency, or any foreign financial regulatory
authority in which our firm or a management person:
Our firm was found to have been involved in a violation of Section 204 of the Advisers Act and Rules
204-1 and 204-5 thereunder for failing to abide by the rules related to the form CRS filing
Requirement as well as the form CRS Delivery Requirement. As such, our firm was ordered to cease
and desist from committing or causing any violations and future violations of Advisers Act Section
204 and Rules 204-1 and 204-5. Our firm was further censured and require to pay a civil money
penalty in the amount of $25,000.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Our firm has no other financial industry activities and affiliations to disclose.
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.
Our firm recognizes that the personal investment transactions of our representatives demands the
application of a Code of Ethics with high standards and requires that all such transactions be carried out
in a way that does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, our firm also believes that if
investment goals are similar for clients and for our representatives, it is logical, and even desirable, that
there be common ownership of some securities.
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In order to prevent conflicts of interest, our firm has established procedures for transactions effected by
our representatives for their personal accounts1. In order to monitor compliance with our personal
trading policy, our firm has pre-clearance requirements and a quarterly securities transaction reporting
system for all of our representatives.
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.
Likewise, 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 from buying
or selling securities that will be bought or sold in client accounts unless done so after the client execution
or concurrently as a part of a block trade.
Additionally, our firm will occasionally cross client bonds when a client holding a bond needs liquidity
and another client has a need for a bond with similar characteristics. This is done to the direct benefit of
our clients as we work with their qualified custodian to obtain the bid ask quote on each CUSIP, and are
able to cross them at a price in between, eliminating the costs that would otherwise have been incurred
in the spread.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets, we are deemed to have custody of
certain client assets if given the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts (see Item 15
Custody, below). Client assets must be maintained by a qualified custodian. Our firm seeks to
recommend a custodian who will hold client assets and execute transactions on terms that are overall
most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their services. The factors
considered, among others, are these:
• Timeliness of execution
• Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
• Research services provided
• Ability to provide investment ideas
• Execution facilitation services provided
• Record keeping services provided
1 For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse,
his/her minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our
associate controls, including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in.
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• Custody services provided
• Frequency and correction of trading errors
• Ability to access a variety of market venues
• Expertise as it relates to specific securities
• Financial condition
• Business reputation
• Quality of services
With this in consideration, our firm has an arrangement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), a
qualified custodian from whom our firm is independently owned and operated. Schwab offers services
to independent investment advisers which includes custody of securities, trade execution, clearance
and settlement of transactions. Schwab enables us to obtain many no-load mutual funds without
transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal transaction charges. Schwab does not charge
client accounts separately for custodial services. Client accounts will be charged transaction fees,
commissions or other fees on trades that are executed or settle into the client’s custodial account.
Transaction fees may be charged via individual transaction charges. These fees are negotiated with
Schwab and are generally discounted from customary retail commission rates. This benefits clients
because the overall fee paid is often lower than would be otherwise.
Schwab may make certain research and brokerage services available at no additional cost to our firm.
Research products and services provided by Schwab may
include: research reports on
recommendations or other information about particular companies or industries; economic surveys,
data and analyses; financial publications; portfolio evaluation services; financial database software and
services; computerized news and pricing services; quotation equipment for use in running software
used in investment decision-making; and other products or services that provide lawful and appropriate
assistance by Schwab to our firm in the performance of our investment decision-making responsibilities.
The aforementioned research and brokerage services qualify for the safe harbor exemption defined in
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Schwab does not make client brokerage commissions generated by client transactions available for
our firm’s use. The aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage
accounts for which our firm has investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be
compelled to purchase the same or similar services at our own expense.
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.
Our clients may pay a transaction fee or commission to Schwab that is higher than another qualified
broker dealer might charge to effect the same transaction where our firm determines in good faith
that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided to the client as a whole.
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
ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
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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.
Soft Dollars
Aside from the benefits outlined in this section of the Brochure, our firm does not receive soft dollars
in excess of what is allowed by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The safe harbor
research products and services obtained by our firm will generally be used to service all of our clients
but not necessarily all at any one particular time.
Client Brokerage Commissions
In addition to the benefits described above, Schwab also makes available to our firm other products
and services that benefit our firm. These benefits may include national, regional or investment
adviser specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab. Other potential benefits
may include occasional business entertainment of personnel of our firm by Schwab personnel,
including meals, invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of
entertainment, some of which may accompany educational opportunities. Some of these products
and services assist our firm in managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include software
and other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client account data
(such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and allocation of
aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts), provide research, pricing information and
other market data, facilitate payment of our fees from clients’ accounts, and assist with back-office
training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services may be
used to service all or some substantial number of our accounts, including accounts not maintained at
Schwab. Schwab also makes available to our firm other services intended to help our firm manage
and further develop our business enterprise. These services may include professional compliance,
legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice management, information
technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee benefits providers, human capital
consultants, insurance, and marketing. Schwab may also make available, arrange and/or pay vendors
for these types of services rendered to our firm by independent third parties. Schwab may discount
or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a
third-party providing these services to our firm. While, as a fiduciary, our firm endeavors to act in
our clients’ best interests, our recommendation/requirement that clients maintain their assets in
accounts at Schwab may be based in part on the benefit to our firm of the availability of some of the
foregoing products and services and other arrangements and not solely on the nature, cost, or quality
of custody and brokerage services provided by Schwab, which creates a potential conflict of interest.
As a result of receiving such products and services for no cost, our firm may have an incentive to
continue to place client trades through broker-dealers that offer soft dollar arrangements/the
aforementioned services and products. This interest conflicts with the clients' interest of obtaining
the lowest commission rate available. Therefore, our firm must determine in good faith, based on the
best execution policy stated above that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of
the services provided by such executing broker-dealers.
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Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
All soft dollars arrangements must be approved in writing by our Chief Compliance Officer. A brief
description of the purpose of the soft dollar arrangement outlining the benefits received by our firm
and clients along with any noted concerns about increased costs to our clients and how such concerns
were alleviated will be maintained on file. Our Chief Compliance Officer undertakes a review of
parties which propose to pay our firm in soft dollars and analyzes a number of criteria. When deciding
whether to approve or disapprove of a soft dollar relationship, the following criteria is reviewed: the
broker-dealer's business reputation and financial position and our ability to consistently execute
orders professionally and on a cost effective basis, provide prompt and accurate execution reports,
prepare timely and accurate confirms, deliver securities or cash proceeds promptly and provide
meaningful research services that are useful to us in investment decision-making or other desired
and appropriate services. Our Chief Compliance Officer also annually reviews all our soft dollar
relationships for appropriateness, benefits to our clients, etc.
At times, a product or service our firm would like to purchase with soft dollars may have a "mixed
use", meaning that a portion of the product is used to provide bona fide research as part of the
investment decision-making process and part of it may be used for a non-research purpose. In these
situations, our Chief Compliance Officer will make a pro-rata allocation of the cost of such service
based on our evaluation of the research and non-research uses of the product. The cost of the product
must be paid using both hard and soft dollars, the hard dollars being paid by our firm for the non-
research portion and soft dollars for the research portion. For services that have a "mixed use", our
Chief Compliance Officer will make a fair and reasonable determination as to how much of the cost
may be paid with soft dollars. The basis for such determination shall be documented and will include
an explanation as to how the computation of such percentage was reached. Our Chief Compliance
Officer’s computation shall be retained in our firm’s files along with any records used to determine
the “mixed use” percentages. Whenever there is a substantial change in the use of “mixed use”
services, our Chief Compliance Officer will reevaluate such services. Providers of services that have
a "mixed use" will be directed to either bill the paying broker for such service and the broker will be
directed to bill us for the non-research portion, or to send separate bills to us and the paying broker
for the appropriate amounts.
As a fiduciary, our firm has an obligation to obtain "best execution" of clients' transactions under the
circumstances of the particular transaction. Consequently, notwithstanding the safe harbor provided
under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, no allocation for soft dollar payments
shall be made unless best execution of the transaction is reasonably expected to be obtained.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not direct brokerage in exchange for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
Neither our firm nor any of our firm’s representatives have discretionary authority in making the
determination of the brokers-dealers and/or custodians with whom orders for the purchase or sale
of securities are placed for execution, and the commission rates at which such securities transactions
are effected. Our firm routinely requests that clients direct us to execute through a specified broker-
dealer. Our firm recommends 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.
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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.
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
Our management personnel or financial advisors review accounts on at least a annual basis for our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management and Portfolio Monitoring clients. The nature of these reviews
is to learn whether client accounts are in line with their investment objectives, appropriately
positioned based on market conditions, and investment policies, if applicable. 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 and Portfolio Monitoring
clients are contacted.
Our firm may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors which
may trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events, requests
by the client, etc.
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
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.
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Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Our firm receives economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services
made available to our firm and other independent investment advisors that have their clients
maintain accounts at Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit our firm, and the related
conflicts of interest are described above (see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices). The availability of
Schwab’s products and services is not based on our firm giving particular investment advice, such as
buying particular securities for our clients.
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).
Item 15: Custody
Deduction of Advisory Fees:
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 “Third
Party Money Movement.” 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 authorization (“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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• 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.
Third party money managers selected or recommended by our firm may vote proxies for clients.
Therefore, except in the event a third party money manager votes proxies, clients maintain exclusive
responsibility for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities
beneficially owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to the client’s
investment assets. Therefore (except for proxies that may be voted by a third party money manager),
our firm and/or the client shall instruct the qualified custodian to forward copies of all proxies and
shareholder communications relating to the client’s investment assets.
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Item 18: Financial Information
Inclusion of a Balance Sheet
Our firm does not require nor is prepayment solicited for more than $1,200 in fees per client, 6
months or more in advance. Therefore, our firm has not included a balance sheet for our most recent
fiscal year.
Disclosure of Financial Condition
Our firm has nothing to disclose in this regard.
Bankruptcy Petition
Our firm has nothing to disclose in this regard.
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