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Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
February 2026
Cove Private Wealth, LLC
Oyster Bay, New York, 11771
www.coveprivatewealth.com
Firm Contact:
Joseph C. Capezza, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Cove Private
Wealth, LLC. If clients have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
516-588-1123. 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 #316866.
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
Cove Private Wealth, LLC 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.
•
Since our last annual amendment filing on 01/14/2025, we have the following change(s) to report:
We have added details regarding the risks of alternative investments to Item 8 of this
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 ....................................................... 7
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements ............................................................................. 7
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ................................................ 7
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ......................................................................................................... 16
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations ............................................................ 16
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation, or Interest in ....................................................................... 17
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ............................................................................................................... 18
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
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Our firm provides 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 Delaware in
2021 and has been in business as an investment adviser since that time. Our firm is located in New
York and owned by Mr. Capezza indirectly through JCPW, LLC and Mr. Whalen indirectly through
JWPW, LLC.
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 using 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.
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.
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•
•
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.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
Our firm offers individualized investment advice to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management
clients. Each Comprehensive Portfolio Management client can 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.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
Our firm does not offer or sponsor a wrap fee program.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, our firm manages $455,483,465on a discretionary basis and $0 on a non-
discretionary basis.
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Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
Maximum Blended Tier Fee Schedule
Fee %
Assets Under Management
First
$10,000,000.00
1.00%
Next
$15,000,000.00
0.85%
Next
$25,000,000.00
0.70%
Over
$50,000,000.00
0.60%
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 monthly in arrears based on the time-weighted daily average value
of account (s) during the previous month. Our firm may bill on cash unless otherwise agreed in
writing. In rare cases, our firm will agree to directly invoice. Fees are negotiable and will be deducted
from client account(s). As part of this process, Clients understand the following:
a)
b)
c)
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;
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
If our firm sends a copy of our invoice to a client, the invoice will urge the client to compare
the information provided in our statement with those from the qualified custodian.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
Our Retirement Plan Consulting services are billed 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 based on a percentage of managed Plan assets
will not exceed 0.20%. The fee-paying arrangements will be determined on a case-by-case basis and
will be detailed in the signed consulting agreement.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
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.
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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
fees for services rendered up 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.
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
Types of Clients:
Our firm’s types of clients include:
•
•
•
Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals;
Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations; and
Pension and Profit Sharing Plans.
Account Requirements
Our firm requires a minimum account balance of $5,000,000 for our Comprehensive Portfolio
Management service. Generally, this minimum account balance requirement is negotiable and would
be required throughout the course of the client’s relationship with our firm.
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:
Charting:
In this type of technical analysis, our firm reviews charts of market and security activity in
an attempt to identify when the market is moving up or down and to predict how long the trend may
last and when that trend might reverse.
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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
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.
Technical Analysis
: A security analysis methodology for forecasting the direction of prices through
the study of past market data, primarily price and volume. A fundamental principle of technical
analysis is that a market's price reflects all relevant information, so their analysis looks at the history
of a security's trading pattern rather than external drivers such as economic, fundamental and news
events. Therefore, price action tends to repeat itself due to investors collectively tending toward
patterned behavior – hence technical analysis focuses on identifiable trends and conditions.
Technical analysts also widely use market indicators of many sorts, some of which are mathematical
transformations of price, often including up and down volume, advance/decline data and other
inputs. These indicators are used to help assess whether an asset is trending, and if it is, the
probability of its direction and of continuation. Technicians also look for relationships between
price/volume indices and market indicators. Technical analysis employs models and trading rules
based on price and volume transformations, such as the relative strength index, moving averages,
regressions, inter-market and intra-market price correlations, business cycles, stock market cycles
or, classically, through recognition of chart patterns. Technical analysis is widely used among traders
and financial professionals and is very often used by active day traders, market makers and pit
traders. The risk associated with this type of analysis is that analysts use subjective judgment to
decide which pattern(s) a particular instrument reflects at a given time and what the interpretation
of that pattern should be.
Duration Constraints
: Our firm adhere to a discipline of generally maintaining duration within a
narrow band around benchmark duration to limit exposure to market risk. Our portfolio
management team rebalances client portfolios to their current duration targets on a periodic basis.
The risk of constraining duration is that the client may not participate fully in a large rally in bond
prices.
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Qualitative Analysis:
A securities analysis that uses subjective judgment based on unquantifiable
information, such as management expertise, industry cycles, strength of research and development,
and labor relations. Qualitative analysis contrasts with quantitative analysis, which focuses on
numbers that can be found on reports such as balance sheets. The two techniques, however, will often
be used together in order to examine a company's operations and evaluate its potential as an
investment opportunity. Qualitative analysis deals with intangible, inexact concerns that belong to
the social and experiential realm rather than the mathematical one. This approach depends on the
kind of intelligence that machines (currently) lack, since things like positive associations with a
brand, management trustworthiness, customer satisfaction, competitive advantage and cultural
shifts are difficult, arguably impossible, to capture with numerical inputs. A risk in using qualitative
analysis is that subjective judgment may prove incorrect.
Sector Analysis:
Sector analysis involves identification and analysis of various industries or
economic sectors that are likely to exhibit superior performance. Academic studies indicate that the
health of a stock's sector is as important as the performance of the individual stock itself. In other
words, even the best stock located in a weak sector will often perform poorly because that sector is
out of favor. Each industry has differences in terms of its customer base, market share among firms,
industry growth, competition, regulation, and business cycles. Learning how the industry operates
provides a deeper understanding of a company's financial health. One method of analyzing a
company's growth potential is examining whether the number of customers in the overall market is
expected to grow. In some markets, there is zero or negative growth, a factor demanding careful
consideration. Additionally, market analysts recommend that investors should monitor sectors that
are nearing the bottom of performance rankings for possible signs of an impending turnaround.
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:
Our firm may buy securities for your account and hold them for a relatively
long time (more than a year) in anticipation that the security’s value will appreciate over a long
horizon. The risk of this strategy is that our firm could miss out on potential short-term gains that
could have been profitable to your account, or it’s possible that the security’s value may decline
sharply before our firm decides to sell.
Asset Allocation:
The implementation of an investment strategy that attempts to balance risk versus
reward by adjusting the percentage of each asset in an investment portfolio according to the
investor's risk tolerance, goals and investment time frame. Asset allocation is based on the principle
that different assets perform differently in different market and economic conditions. A fundamental
justification for asset allocation is the notion that different asset classes offer returns that are not
perfectly correlated, hence diversification reduces the overall risk in terms of the variability of
returns for a given level of expected return. Although risk is reduced as long as correlations are not
perfect, it is typically forecast (wholly or in part) based on statistical relationships (like correlation
and variance) that existed over some past period. Expectations for return are often derived in the
same way.
An asset class is a group of economic resources sharing similar characteristics, such as riskiness and
return. There are many types of assets that may or may not be included in an asset allocation strategy.
The "traditional" asset classes are stocks (value, dividend, growth, or sector-specific [or a "blend" of
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any two or more of the preceding]; large-cap versus mid-cap, small-cap or micro-cap; domestic,
foreign [developed], emerging or frontier markets), bonds (fixed income securities more generally:
investment-grade or junk [high-yield]; government or corporate; short-term, intermediate, long-
term; domestic, foreign, emerging markets), and cash or cash equivalents. Allocation among these
three provides a starting point. Usually included are hybrid instruments such as convertible bonds
and preferred stocks, counting as a mixture of bonds and stocks. Other alternative assets that may be
considered include: commodities: precious metals, nonferrous metals, agriculture, energy, others.;
Commercial or residential real estate (also REITs); Collectibles such as art, coins, or stamps;
insurance products (annuity, life settlements, catastrophe bonds, personal life insurance products,
etc.); derivatives such as long-short or market neutral strategies, options, collateralized debt, and
futures; foreign currency; venture capital; private equity; and/or distressed securities.
Fixed Income:
Fixed income is a type of investing or budgeting style for which real return rates or
periodic income is received at regular intervals and at reasonably predictable levels. Fixed-income
investors are typically retired individuals who rely on their investments to provide a regular, stable
income stream. This demographic tends to invest heavily in fixed-income investments because of the
reliable returns they offer. Fixed-income investors who live on set amounts of periodically paid
income face the risk of inflation eroding their spending power.
Some examples of fixed-income investments include treasuries, money market instruments,
corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, municipal bonds and international bonds. The primary risk
associated with fixed-income investments is the borrower defaulting on his payment. Other
considerations include exchange rate risk for international bonds and interest rate risk for longer-
dated securities. The most common type of fixed-income security is a bond. Bonds are issued by
federal governments, local municipalities and major corporations. Fixed-income securities are
recommended for investors seeking a diverse portfolio; however, the percentage of the portfolio
dedicated to fixed income depends on your own personal investment style. There is also an
opportunity to diversify the fixed-income component of a portfolio. Riskier fixed-income products,
such as junk bonds and longer-dated products, should comprise a lower percentage of your overall
portfolio.
The interest payment on fixed-income securities is considered regular income and is determined
based on the creditworthiness of the borrower and current market rates. In general, bonds and fixed-
income securities with longer-dated maturities pay a higher rate, also referred to as the coupon rate,
because they are considered riskier. The longer the security is on the market, the more time it has to
lose its value and/or default. At the end of the bond term, or at bond maturity, the borrower returns
the amount borrowed, also referred to as the principal or par value.
Option Writing
: 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 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:
o
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 if 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
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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.
o
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.
Preferred Securities
We prefer to invest our advisory clients 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:
Alternative Investments:
Hedge funds, commodity pools, Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”),
Business Development Companies (“BDCs”), and other alternative investments involve a high degree
of risk and can be illiquid due to restrictions on transfer and lack of a secondary trading market. They
can be highly leveraged, speculative and volatile, and an investor could lose all or a substantial
amount of an investment. Alternative investments may lack transparency as to share price, valuation
and portfolio holdings. Complex tax structures often result in delayed tax reporting. Compared to
mutual funds, hedge funds and commodity pools are subject to less regulation and often charge
higher fees and may require “capital calls” which would require additional investment. Alternative
investment managers typically exercise broad investment discretion and may apply similar
strategies across multiple investment vehicles, resulting in less diversification.
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. Most 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
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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.
Index Fund:
A mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) designed to follow certain preset rules
so that the fund can track specified basket of underlying investments. Those rules may include
tracking prominent indexes like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average or implementation
rules, such as tax-management, tracking error minimization, large block trading or patient/flexible
trading strategies that allows for greater tracking error, but lower market impact costs. Index funds
may also have rules that screen for social and sustainable criteria. An index fund’s rules of
construction clearly identify the type of companies suitable for the fund. The most known index fund,
the S&P 500 Index Fund, is based on the rules established by S&P Dow Jones Indices for their S&P
500 Index. Equity index funds would include groups of stocks with similar characteristics such as the
size, value, profitability and/or the geographic location of the companies. A group of stocks may
include companies from the United States, Non-US Developed, emerging markets or Frontier Market
countries. Additional index funds within these geographic markets may include indexes of companies
that include rules based on company characteristics or factors, such as companies that are small, mid-
sized, large, small value, large value, small growth, large growth, the level of gross profitability or
investment capital, real estate, or indexes based on commodities and fixed-income. Companies are
purchased and held within the index fund when they meet the specific index rules or parameters and
are sold when they move outside of those rules or parameters. Think of an index fund as an
investment utilizing rules-based investing. Some index providers announce changes of the
companies in their index before the change date and other index providers do not make such
announcements.
Index funds must periodically "rebalance" or adjust their portfolios to match the new prices and
market capitalization of the underlying securities in the stock or other indexes that they track. This
allows algorithmic traders to perform index arbitrage by anticipating and trading ahead of stock
price movements caused by mutual fund rebalancing, making a profit on foreknowledge of the large
institutional block orders. This results in profits transferred from investors to algorithmic traders.
One problem occurs when a large amount of money tracks the same index. According to theory, a
company should not be worth more when it is in an index. But due to supply and demand, a company
being added can have a demand shock, and a company being deleted can have a supply shock, and
this will change the price. This does not show up in tracking error since the index is also affected. A
fund may experience less impact by tracking a less popular index
Individual Stocks
: A common stock is a security that represents ownership in a corporation. Holders
of common stock exercise control by electing a board of directors and voting on corporate policy.
Investing in individual common stocks provides us with more control of what you are invested in and
when that investment is made. Having the ability to decide when to buy or sell helps us time the
taking of gains or losses. Common stocks, however, bear a greater amount of risk when compared to
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certificate of deposits, preferred stock, and bonds. It is typically more difficult to achieve
diversification when investing in individual common stocks. Additionally, common stockholders are
on the bottom of the priority ladder for ownership structure; if a company goes bankrupt, the
common stockholders do not receive their money until the creditors and preferred shareholders
have received their respective share of the leftover assets.
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) 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 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
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
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.
Money Market Fund
: Money market funds have relatively low risks, compared to other mutual
funds (and most other investments). By law, they can invest in only certain high quality, short-term
investments issued by the U.S. Government, U.S. corporations, and state and local governments.
Money market funds try to keep their net asset value (NAV), which represents the value of one share
in a fund, at a stable $1.00 per share. However, the NAV may fall below $1.00 if the fund’s investments
perform poorly. Investor losses have been rare, but they are possible. Money market funds pay
dividends that generally reflect short-term interest rates, and historically, the returns for money
market funds have been lower than for either bond or stock funds. That is why “inflation risk,” the
risk that inflation, will outpace and erode investment returns over time, and can be a potential
concern for investors in money market funds.
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:
•
•
•
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.
Private Funds
: A private fund is an investment vehicle that pools capital from a number of investors
and invests in securities and other instruments. In almost all cases, a private fund is a private
investment vehicle that is typically not registered under federal or state securities laws. So that
private funds do not have to register under these laws, issuers make the funds available only to
certain sophisticated or accredited investors and cannot be offered or sold to the general public.
Private funds are generally smaller than mutual funds because they are often limited to a small
number of investors and have a more limited number of eligible investors. Many but not all private
funds use leverage as part of their investment strategies. Private funds management fees typically
include a base management fee along with a performance component. In many cases, the fund’s
managers may become “partners” with their clients by making personal investments of their own
assets in the fund. Most private funds offer their securities by providing an offering memorandum or
private placement memorandum, known as “PPM” for short.
The PPM covers important information for investors and investors should review this document
carefully and should consider conducting additional due diligence before investing in the private
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
fund. The primary risks of private funds include the following: (a) Private funds do not sell publicly
and are therefore illiquid. An investor may not be able to exit a private fund or sell its interests in the
fund before the fund closes.; and (b) Private funds are subject to various other risks, including risks
associated with the types of securities that the private fund invests in or the type of business issuing
the private placement.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
(“REITs”):
REITs primarily invest in real estate or real estate-
related loans. Equity REITs own real estate properties, while mortgage REITs hold construction,
development and/or long-term mortgage loans. Changes in the value of the underlying property of
the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property taxes, interest rates, tax laws, and regulatory
requirements, such as those relating to the environment all can affect the values of REITs. Both types
of REITs are dependent upon management skill, the cash flows generated by their holdings, the real
estate market in general, and the possibility of failing to qualify for any applicable pass-through tax
treatment or failing to maintain any applicable exempted status afforded under relevant laws.
REITs involve a high degree of risk and can be illiquid due to restrictions on transfer and lack of a
secondary trading market. They can be highly leveraged, speculative and volatile, and an investor
could lose all or a substantial amount of an investment. Additionally, they may lack transparency as
to share price, valuation, and portfolio holdings as they are subject to less regulation and often charge
higher fees.
Structured Products:
Structured products are designed to facilitate highly customized risk-return
objectives. While structured products come in many different forms, they typically consist of a debt
security that is structured to make interest and principal payments based upon various assets, rates,
or formulas. Many structured products include an embedded derivative component. Structured
products may be structured in the form of a security, in which case these products may receive
benefits provided under federal securities law, or they may be cast as derivatives, in which case they
are offered in the over-the-counter market and are subject to no regulation.
Investing in structured products includes significant risks, including valuation, lack of liquidity, price,
credit and market risks. The relative lack of liquidity is due to the highly customized nature of the
investment and the fact that the full extent of returns from the complex performance features is often
not realized until maturity.
Another risk with structured products is the credit quality of the issuer. Although the cash flows are
derived from other sources, the products themselves are legally considered to be the issuing financial
institution's liabilities. Most structured products are from high-investment-grade issuers only. Also,
there is a lack of pricing transparency. There is no uniform standard for pricing, making it harder to
compare the net-of-pricing attractiveness of alternative structured product offerings than it is, for
instance, to compare the net expense ratios of different mutual funds or commissions among broker-
dealers.
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.
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Cove Private Wealth, 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.
Company Risk:
When investing in stock positions, there is always a certain level of company or
industry specific risk that is inherent in each investment. This is also referred to as unsystematic risk
and can be reduced through appropriate diversification. There is the risk that the company will
perform poorly or have its value reduced based on factors specific to the company or its industry.
For example, if a company’s employees go on strike or the company receives unfavorable media
attention for its actions, the value of the company may be reduced.
Equity (Stock) Market Risk:
Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations
and, volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers
change. If you held common stock, or common stock equivalents, of any given issuer, you would
generally be exposed to greater risk than if you held preferred stocks and debt obligations of the
issuer.
ETF & Mutual Fund Risk:
When investing in an ETF or mutual fund, you will bear additional
expenses based on your pro rata share of the ETF’s or mutual fund’s operating expenses, including
the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF or mutual fund generally
reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities, the ETF, or mutual fund holds. Clients will also
incur brokerage costs when purchasing ETFs.
Manager Risk:
There is always the possibility that poor security selection will cause your
investments to underperform relative to benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment
objective.
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. 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 services.
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
Our firm has no other financial industry activities and affiliations to disclose.
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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 always act solely in the best interest of each of our clients. 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 always comply with all federal and state securities laws. 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 demand 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.
To prevent conflicts of interest, our firm has established procedures for transactions effected by our
1
. To monitor compliance with our personal trading policy,
representatives for their personal accounts
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. 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. 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.
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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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
Item 15
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets, we are deemed to have custody of
Custody
certain client assets if given the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts (see
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
, 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
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 Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions
(“Goldman Sachs”), Bank of America and Citi Bank as a qualified custodians for client accounts. Goldman
Sachs Advisor Solutions has recently bought Folio Investments, Inc. (“Folio”), putting Folio Investments,
Inc. under the Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions name. Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions and Goldman
Sachs & Co. LLC (“GS&Co.”) are both subsidiaries of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Custody clearing and
certain brokerage services are provided by Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions, an SEC registered broker-
dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. Additional brokerage services offered by Goldman Sachs Advisor
Solutions are provided by GS&Co., which is an SEC registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, and
member FINRA/SIPC. (Together Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Bank of
America and Citi Bank are referred to as “Custodians”). Our firm is independently owned and operated.
Our custodians offers services to independent investment advisers which includes custody of
securities, trade execution, clearance, and settlement of transactions. Our custodians enables us to
obtain many no-load mutual funds without transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal
transaction charges. Our custodians 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 Custodians and are generally discounted from customary retail
commission rates. This benefits clients because the overall fee paid is often lower than would be
otherwise.
For our clients’ accounts maintained at Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions, Goldman Sachs does not
charge clients separately for custody/brokerage services. Goldman Sachs is compensated as part of
a platform fee, which is charged for a suite of platform services, including custody, brokerage, and
sub-advisory services provided by Folio. The platform fee is an asset-based fee charged as a
percentage of assets in the client’s Goldman Sachs account. Clients utilizing the Goldman Sachs
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
platform may pay a higher aggregate fee than if the investment management, brokerage, and other
platform services are purchased separately. Nonetheless, for those clients participating in the
Goldman Sachs platform, we have determined that having Goldman Sachs execute trades is
consistent with our duty to seek “best execution” of client trades.
Our Custodians may make certain research and brokerage services available at no additional cost to
our firm. Research products and services provided by our Custodians 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 our Custodians 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.
Our Custodians do 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 always endeavor 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
custodial recommendation. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when our firm chose to
recommend our Custodians 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 our Custodians that is higher than another
qualified broker dealer might charge to affect 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.
Our clients may pay a commission for trade away transactions for custodians not custodied at our
firms Custodians.
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.
Soft Dollars
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
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
Our Custodians do 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 custodian in return for soft dollar benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage 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 affected. Our firm routinely recommends that clients direct us to execute through a specified
broker-dealer. Each client will be required to establish their custodial account(s) if they haven’t already
done so. Please note that not all advisers have this requirement.
Client-Directed Brokerage
Our firm allows clients to direct brokerage outside our recommendation. Our firm may be unable to
achieve the most favorable execution of client transactions. Client directed brokerage may cost
clients more money. For example, in a directed brokerage account, clients may pay higher brokerage
commissions because our firm may not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, or
clients may receive less favorable prices.
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 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 an annual basis for our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management 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,
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
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.
Retirement Plan Consulting clients receive reviews of their retirement plans for the duration of the
service. Our firm also provides ongoing services where clients are met with upon their request to
discuss updates to their plans, changes in their circumstances, etc. Retirement Plan Consulting clients
do not receive written or verbal updated reports regarding their plans unless they choose to engage
our firm for ongoing services.
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.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions (“Goldman Sachs”)
The availability of the services from Goldman Sachs benefits us because we do not have to produce
or purchase them. This is a potential conflict of interest. We believe, however, that our selection of
Goldman Sachs as custodian and broker is in the best interests of our clients. Our selection is
primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of Goldman Sachs services (see “Selecting a
Brokerage Firm”).
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:
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
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.
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 votes client proxies unless otherwise noted in writing by the client. Our firm understands
our duty to vote client proxies and to do so in the best interest of our clients. Furthermore, it is
understood that any material conflicts between our interests and those of our clients with regard to
proxy voting must be resolved before proxies are voted. Our firm subscribes to a proxy monitor and
voting agent service offered by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”),
which includes access to proxy analyses. However, our firm will generally vote in accordance with
the recommendations of the board of directors but may vote in a different fashion on particular votes
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Cove Private Wealth, LLC
if our firm determines that such actions are in the best interest of our clients. Where applicable, our
firm will consider any specific voting guidelines designated in writing by a client.
Our firm will defer to instruction from clients in all voting matters. Records of all issues and votes are
maintained and reported to clients as requested.
Our firm recognizes that under certain circumstances our firm may have a conflict of interest
between us and our clients. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, situations where
our firm or one or more of our affiliates, including officers, directors and employees, has or is seeking
a client relationship with the issuer of the security that is the subject of the proxy vote. Our firm shall
periodically inform our employees that they are under an obligation to be aware of the potential for
conflicts of interest on the part of our firm with respect to voting proxies on behalf of funds, both as
a result of our employee’s personal relationships and due to circumstances that may arise during the
conduct of our business, and to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention
of the proxy manager. Our firm shall not vote proxies relating to such issuers on behalf of client
accounts until our firm has determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method of
resolving such conflict of interest has been agreed upon by our management team. A conflict of
interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the
potential to influence our decision-making in voting a proxy. Materiality determinations will be based
upon an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. If our firm determines that a conflict
of interest is not material, our firm may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of a conflict. If
the conflict of interest is determined to be material, the conflict shall be disclosed to our management
team and our firm shall follow the instructions of the management team.
Clients may request a copy of our written policies and procedures regarding proxy voting and/or
information on how particular proxies were voted by contacting our Chief Compliance Officer, Joseph
C. Capezza, Jr., by phone at (516) 588-1123.
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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