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Creative Financial Designs, Inc.
Form ADV Part 2A
Disclosure Brochure
March 27, 2025
Creative Financial Designs, Inc.
2704 South Goyer Road
Kokomo, IN 46902
800.745.7776
765.453.9600
www.creativefinancialdesigns.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business
practices of Creative Financial Designs, Inc. If you have any questions about
the contents of this brochure, please contact us at 765.453.9600 and/or
www.creativefinancialdesigns.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.
Creative Financial Designs, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser.
Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or
training.
Additional information about Creative Financial Designs, Inc. is available on
the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. (CRD# 109032/SEC#: 801-
60153)
ITEM 2: MATERIAL CHANGES
The Material Changes section of this Brochure will be updated annually, or as
information herein becomes materially inaccurate. The following information
consists of the material changes made by the firm since its last updating
amendment, which was dated March 25, 2024.
•
•
• Modified the Self-Directed Management Platform program to remove the
custody services associated with that program. As such, the firm no longer
maintains custody of client assets in connection with its Self-Directed
Management Platform and is no longer subject to annual unannounced
audits of custody accounts/assets.
Increased the maximum fees that can be charged for certain planning
services.
Identifies that we may also do business, under certain circumstances, using
the name “Creative Portfolio Management” or “CPM”.
find a current copy of
this ADV Part 2A disclosure at
Clients may
www.creativefinancialdesigns.com. Clients may also request a complete copy of
our ADV Brochure and supplements by reaching out to the firm by phone (765-
453-9600) or by email (managedaccounts@creativefinancialdesigns.com). The
firm will provide you with a new brochure at any time without charge.
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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 ............................................................................... 6
Firm Description…………..……..……………………..…………………………6
Ownership ................................................................................................... 6
Amount of Assets Managed by Creative ……………………………………... 6
Investment Advisory Services Provided ...................................................... 6
Investment Managed & Advisory Account Services .................................... 7
Brokerage Management .............................................................................. 7
Descriptions and Account Minimums ........................................................... 7
Adviser Discretionary Management .......................................................... 10
General Provisions on Account Management ........................................... 10
American Funds Focused Description ....................................................... 13
Best in Class Description ........................................................................... 13
Biblical Faith Values CFD4 Description ..................................................... 14
Biblical Faith Values Combination Description .......................................... 15
Biblical Faith Values Eventide Focused Description .................................. 17
Biblical Faith Values Funds Description ................................................... 18
Biblical Faith Values Income Strategy Description .................................... 20
Biblical Faith Values Inspire Focused Description ..................................... 21
Biblical Faith Values Tax-Wise Strategy Description ................................. 22
Biblical Faith Values Timothy Focused Description ................................... 24
CFD4 Description ...................................................................................... 25
Combination Description ........................................................................... 26
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) Description ................................................ 26
Five Tool Description ................................................................................. 27
Fundamental Opportunities Description .................................................... 28
Funds Description ...................................................................................... 28
Global Description ..................................................................................... 29
Income Strategy Description ..................................................................... 29
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Large Cap Growth Description .................................................................. 30
Large Cap Value Description ..................................................................... 31
Progressive Trends Description................................................................. 32
Tax-Wise Strategy Description .................................................................. 33
Optional Cash Allocation (OCA) Description .............................................. 33
Allocate Over Time Option Description ...................................................... 34
Self-Directed Retirement Management Platform Description .................... 34
Variable Annuity Management Platform Description ................................. 35
Biblical Faith Values Strategy Variable Annuity Description ...................... 36
Hybrid Strategy Description ....................................................................... 36
Non-Discretionary Advisory Services Description...................................... 37
Conditions for Managing Accounts ............................................................ 37
Financial Planning Services ...................................................................... 38
ITEM 5. Fees and Compensation ..................................................................... 39
Brokerage Management Custodial Fee at NFS ......................................... 40
Managed Account Services Fees and Compensation ............................... 41
Brokerage Management Fees and Charges .............................................. 41
Self-Directed Retirement Management Platform Fees .............................. 43
Variable Annuity Management Platform Fees ........................................... 43
Non-Discretionary Advisory Services Fees ............................................... 44
Financial Planning Services Fees and Compensation ............................... 45
Comprehensive and Modular Financial Planning Services ........................ 45
ERISA Accounts ........................................................................................ 47
Other Fee-Paying Services ....................................................................... 47
Hourly Fee ................................................................................................. 47
Retainer Fee .............................................................................................. 48
Termination Provisions .............................................................................. 48
ITEM 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management .............. 48
ITEM 7: Types of Clients .................................................................................. 48
ITEM 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ....... 49
Education, Business Standards of Persons Giving or Determining Advice 49
Other Business Activities ........................................................................... 51
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Solicitor Activities ....................................................................................... 51
Other Activities of Staff Members and Investment Adviser Reps ............... 52
ITEM 9: Disciplinary Information ..................................................................... 52
ITEM 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ....................... 53
ITEM 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading ............................................................................................... 54
ITEM 12: Brokerage Practices ......................................................................... 54
Choice of Broker/Dealers ........................................................................... 54
Execution of Transaction............................................................................ 55
Soft Dollars/Referrals/Directed Brokerage ................................................. 56
ITEM 13: Review of Accounts and Financial Plans ........................................ 57
Review of Accounts ................................................................................. 57
Review of Financial Plans ........................................................................ 57
ITEM 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ...................................... 57
Client Solicitation ....................................................................................... 57
Third Party Asset Managers ...................................................................... 57
cfd Investments, Inc. .................................................................................. 58
ITEM 15: Custody .............................................................................................. 58
ITEM 16: Investment Discretion ..………………….....………………………….. 58
ITEM 17: Voting Client Securities .................................................................... 58
ITEM 18: Financial Information……………………………………………………. 59
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ITEM 4: ADVISORY BUSINESS
Firm Description
Creative Financial Designs, Inc. (hereinafter, “the firm” or “Creative”) is a
corporation formed according to the laws of the State of Indiana and an investment
advisor firm registered with the SEC in 1982. Creative typically does business
under its own name, however Creative may also do business as Creative Portfolio
Management or “CPM”. The firm provides a variety of services through its
investment adviser representatives. Creative is a privately owned SEC-registered
investment advisor.
Ownership
Creative is privately owned by several parties, including Brent Owens, who owns
approximately twenty-five percent, and the Mick Owens Family Trust, which owns
approximately Seventy-three percent. Brent Owens is also the President of the
firm and who also serves as an investment adviser representative of Creative. The
current trustees of the Mick Owens Family Trust are Mick Owens and Kathy
Owens. Mick Owens is the founder of Creative and serves as an investment
adviser representative of Creative.
The Mick Owens Family Trust and Brent Owens, are also significant stockholders
of a related company, cfd Investments, Inc., an SEC-registered broker/dealer and
member of FINRA and SIPC, and an insurance agency. (See Item 10: Other
Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations).
Mick Owens is also the principal owner of cfd Insurance Planners, a life and health
insurance agency, and cfd Tax Preparation and Bookkeeping Services, Inc., an
accounting practice. Additionally, cfd Realty, a real estate agency, is owned by
Mick’s wife, Kathy Owens.
Amount of Assets Managed By Creative
As of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the amount of client assets the
firm managed totaled $2,478,773,967. Of that total, $2,425,358,045 was managed
on a discretionary basis and $53,415,922 was on a non-discretionary basis.
Investment Advisory Services Provided
Creative offers discretionary investment management, non-discretionary advisory
services (including advice on investments and insurance), and financial planning
and consulting services.
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Investment Managed & Advisory Account Services
The firm’s investment management consists of three distinct service platforms:
Brokerage Management, Self-Directed Retirement Management, and Variable
Annuity Management. Brokerage Management is also divided into In-House
Brokerage Management and Adviser Discretionary Management. The firm also
provides non-discretionary investment advisory services.
When Creative provides investment advice to clients regarding retirement plan
accounts or individual retirement accounts, and only under such circumstances,
Creative is a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are
laws governing retirement accounts. The way Creative makes money creates
some conflicts with your interests, however Creative complies with applicable legal
and regulatory requirements.
Brokerage Management
Descriptions and Account Minimums
Under the In-House Brokerage Management platform, the firm manages a client’s
brokerage account according to the client’s selections of the investment strategy
and any allowable portfolio objective. The client will provide information to the
firm, including a client’s selected portfolio objective. Each available investment
strategy is unique, and can be invested using securities such as; common and/or
preferred stocks, bonds, government securities, other fixed income securities,
mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, options on any of the foregoing, certificates
of deposit and money market funds or other cash-like investments. This is not
intended as an exhaustive list of all of the types of investments that could be used
for portfolio strategies, and instead is a listing of some of the most commonly used
investment types. A more detailed listing of investments is provided in connection
with discussion about specific strategies, which are discussed in more detail
following.
In connection with certain management strategies, there may be the use of options
transactions. Additionally, though the firm does not typically invest based on
margin, investors may decide to make distributions utilizing margin instead of
liquidating positions in order to free up cash. Though the investor may decide to
use margin or options in their accounts, the use of these as part of a strategy does
increase risk with the account. Also, use of a margin account would increase costs
to the investor. These costs are described in the paperwork provided by the
selected custodian, and are not reflected in Creative’s documentation. Investors
are encouraged to evaluate the risks and fees associated with any investment
strategy before selecting that strategy.
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The firm primarily uses asset-class model allocations based on research with other
professional management models such as Morningstar (formerly Ibbotson), JP
Morgan, Goldman Sachs, PIMCO, Northern Trust, Vanguard, etc. Creative’s
models generally fall into five categories based on perceived risk models:
Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and
Aggressive, referred to as Portfolio Objectives. Available investments are
categorized according to the model guidelines and overall asset allocation is
determined taking those categorizations, and investment and portfolio research
into effect, in arriving at the respective model portfolio allocations. The Large Cap
Growth, Large Cap Value and Global investment strategies are focused on one
asset-class and not diversified across asset classes and asset types, while all
other asset-class model portfolios are diversified across asset classes and asset
types. The client can select from several In-House investment strategies with the
firm. They are as follows:
• American Funds Focused
-minimum $25k account size
• Best in Class
-minimum $25k account size
• Biblical Faith Values CFD4
-minimum $10k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Combination
-minimum $50k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Eventide Focused
-minimum $25k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Funds
-minimum $25k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Income
-minimum $50k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Inspire Focused
-minimum $25k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Tax-Wise
-minimum $100k account size
• Biblical Faith Values Timothy Focused
-minimum $25k account size
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• CFD4
-minimum $10k account size
• Combination
-minimum $50k account size
• Exchange Traded Funds
-minimum $25k account size
• Five Tool
-minimum $25k account size
• Fundamental Opportunities
-minimum $25k account size
• Funds
-minimum $25k account size
Income Strategy
•
-minimum $50k account size
• Progressive Trends
-minimum $25k account size
• Tax-Wise
-minimum $100k account size
For management that does not utilize multiple portfolio objectives based on
Creative’s traditional asset allocation models, the following options are available:
• Global
-minimum $25k account size
• Large Cap Growth
-minimum $25k account size
• Large Cap Value
-minimum $25k account size
Exceptions to minimum account size can be made on a case by case basis.
Creative also provides, from time to time, customized managed account services
whereby management & advisory services are provided apart from the strategies
described above. These are permitted and approved by Creative’s Management
Team on a case-by-case or other limited basis.
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Adviser Discretionary Management
Under the Brokerage Management Platform, approved investment adviser
representatives may manage client accounts directly, and may do so based on
consultation with the client as to their needs and objectives. The firm has
established procedures and guidelines for Adviser Discretionary Managed
accounts, and advisors are directed to provide services in accordance with the
client’s selected portfolio objective. Investment adviser representatives typically
provide custom management services, however some investment adviser
representatives have established strategies that they offer to clients. Clients
should understand the service offered by the investment adviser representative
when establishing an account, and can get that information from the investment
adviser representative. The descriptions of strategies and trading in this Form
ADV do not describe each investment adviser representative’s individual trading
and management style.
General Provisions on Account Management
Generally, in relation to managed accounts, client accounts must be established
with a registered broker/dealer. These services are available through accounts
established at cfd Investments, Inc. through National Financial Services, LLC.
(hereinafter, “NFS”). These services are also available through accounts
established at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (hereinafter “Schwab”), or such other
broker/dealer as selected by the client and approved by Creative.
Please note that the charges and fees applied by the broker/dealer relating to
account maintenance and services are not specifically or exhaustively described
herein. Clients are encouraged to review account-opening documentation,
statements, and other clearing firm documentation and related information
carefully to determine other fees or charges that apply and that are assessed by
their broker/dealer and/or associated clearing firms.
Investments and/or NFS,
To the extent that cfd investments is selected as the client’s broker/dealer, cfd
Investments, Inc. will receive compensation for services provided, and such
compensation shall be distinct from the advisory fees described herein. This
compensation can include, without limitation, transaction-based compensation,
asset-based compensation, compensation based on other services provided by
cfd
revenue share arrangements, and other
compensation, including 12b-1 fees. Additionally, NFS provides compensation to
cfd Investments, Inc. based on customer’s selections to have documents provided
to them electronically, instead of through the mail. In conjunction with Creative,
cfd Investments, has prepared a Conflicts of Interest Disclosure that identifies
material conflicts of interest relating to its practice. The Conflicts of Interest
Disclosure is also considered a disclosure of Creative, and is meant to augment
and further clarify this Form ADV2a, and is available on the firm’s website
(www.creativefinancialdesigns.com).
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With respect to accounts established at NFS, and to the extent that funds can be
deposited into cash equivalents, such funds will be deposited through use of the
FDIC sweep program or similar type vehicles. This is a default selection, but the
client may make a contrary election. A description of the program can be found
on cfd Investments, Inc. website (www.cfdinvestments.com). cfd Investments will
receive compensation for FDIC insured deposits through the program, subject to
the terms and conditions of the program. cfd Investments will also receive
compensation for money market sweeps. NFS sets the interest rate that
customers make under the FDIC Insured program, however cfd Investments
makes a selection, based on options made available by NFS. The selection that
cfd Investments makes does affect the amount of interest to customers, and also
affects the compensation that cfd Investments receives. This creates a conflict of
interest between Creative and clients. The amount of compensation to cfd
Investments, Inc. differs between the FDIC insured deposits and the money market
sweep programs.
Additionally, performance differs between these programs. With respect to all
standard (non-custom) strategies, Creative sets as the default option to have cash
positions swept into the FDIC insured deposits, subject to availability of the
program. This selection is made, as under certain market conditions, money
market positions could be valued less than $1 per share (meaning that a client
could lose money on the position) or may be subject to limited liquidity. Though
these market circumstances are rare, it is the intention that the cash portion of a
portfolio should be guaranteed by FDIC. Investors can opt out of this default
option, at their election. Additionally, different custom strategies may not follow
this default.
For funds utilized through the FDIC program, neither cfd Investments nor Creative
selects the banks that will be utilized. Clients may request that funds be deposited
into money market funds instead of the FDIC sweep program.
If a client’s managed brokerage account falls below the account minimum, the firm
reserves the authority to change the chosen strategy to one that is more conducive
to the management of assets at that level, or to discontinue management in its
entirety (e.g. client had $80k in the Combination strategy, and then withdrew $65k
from the account. Creative could move the assets to the CFD4 strategy or some
other suitable strategy or terminate management on the account). Creative
reviews accounts for adherence to the account minimum requirements at the end
of each calendar year, as distributions happen, or at such other time as Creative
may desire. Upon review, Creative will make strategy changes accordingly.
Clients can choose to change their strategies at any time, by providing written
notice to Creative, as long as the client’s investment in the strategy meets the
stated minimums for the strategy selected.
Unaffiliated custodians hold all client securities with Creative. (By way of
clarification, assets maintained in accounts with cfd Investments, Inc., an affiliate
11
of Creative, are maintained at custodians that are not affiliated with Creative or cfd
Investments, Inc.) Securities are held in the client’s name, or the name of the
applicable custodian or trust, in the case of qualified accounts. Clients can select
the custodian that they use for the establishment of an account, subject to
limitations imposed by Creative. The choice of custodian will affect what
investment options are available to a client, and the costs associated with a
particular investment, and the availability of specific investment. As such, model
portfolios maintained by Creative differ based on the custodian chosen by the
customer.
Product issuers may issue investments in varying share classes that often include
differences in internal expenses. Not all products are available through each
custodian that Creative utilizes. As a result, the same investment strategies as
maintained through different custodians may have different holdings. Creative
does not guarantee that the products’ lowest-cost share classes will be available
through each custodian utilized by Creative. Creative attempts to select for client
the lowest-cost available share class when engaging in mutual fund transactions
on behalf of the client. When it becomes known that lower cost share classes are
available than the product held by the client, the firm engages in a process to
convert the selected shares to the lowest-cost share-class available through the
applicable custodian. To the extent possible, Creative will attempt to conduct such
transactions at no cost to the client, and without any taxable event to the client. All
conversions are subject to the policies and procedures of the applicable account
custodian.
Additionally, different custodians have different policies and procedures, and they
may affect many items relating to the customer including, without limitation:
transaction fees, custodial fees, and other fees and expenses. Additionally, such
differences may also affect availability of investments and lowest share class
options. Clients are encouraged to discuss this matter with their financial
professional so as to understand these differences when selecting a custodian.
There are costs that are paid by investors in connection with their selection of a
custodian, and those costs vary between and among custodians. Services also
differ between and among custodians. Clients are responsible for all fees and
expenses charged by the custodian regarding their investment holdings. For a list
of fees and expenses, refer to information created by the respective custodians.
Clients may request to place reasonable restrictions on certain aspects of the
management of their accounts. For instance, clients may elect to retain certain
securities in their managed account and not have those assets be subject to sale
in the course of Creative’s management of the account. Clients may also elect, in
some circumstances, to have capital gains “distributed” to be taken over a
specified period of time. Creative charges its management fee inclusive of such
assets because of the additional work and considerations that must be afforded in
accommodating such client-imposed restrictions. The client can move any of the
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said assets to another non-managed account if desired to avoid additional fees.
Creative may, at times, allow additional special requests of the client regarding the
management of the client’s account.
Creative has several investment strategies whose titles include the word
‘Focused’. The term ‘Focused’ is used to let investors know such strategies will
be using the listed investment company’s investments more than in the strategy
options not identified as “Focused”. The actual holding in funds of the particular
fund family will vary, and the concentration level of the focused fund family will
fluctuate over time. It is the goal that at all times the Focused strategy will maintain
a higher concentration of the subject issuer’s products than the corresponding non-
focused strategies. Because of a concentration within one company’s investments,
this decreases diversification, increases investment overlap and increases risk.
American Funds Focused -- Description
The American Funds Focused investment strategy is a diversified strategy
focusing on the use of American Funds investments as the base of the diversified
portfolio. The strategy uses American Funds mutual funds and ETFs along with
other mutual funds and ETFs to fill in the completed allocation helping fully diversify
and add additional asset classes that American Funds may lack.
The screening process generally consists of in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s
risk characteristics, performance metrics, and management quality. These
groups of data are gathered utilizing industry standard software tools as well as
through needed communication with the fund’s managers. The funds selected
are typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of the
analytical metrics Creative examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 10 to 15
mutual funds and ETF’s are employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The
actual number varies by portfolio objective and is based on asset class exposure.
This strategy likely has additional investment risk with the higher concentration in
one fund family. Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose
from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive,
and Aggressive) and are modeled after Creative’ overall diversified asset class
models.
Best in Class – Description
The Best in Class investment strategy is a diversified strategy focusing on the use
of ETFs and likely few mutual funds and individual stocks. The strategy uses US
News investment research along with others to help determine the best investment
choices for each portfolio. The addition of using a limited number of individual
stocks, likely increases the overall portfolio risks. Five portfolio objectives are
available for the client to choose from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative,
Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and are modeled after
Creative’ overall diversified asset class models.
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The screening process for the Best-in-Class investment strategy focuses on
historical ETF performance, very low internal investment cost, and a goal of overall
lower portfolio risk and volatility. This information, along with an analysis of the
overall economic health to determine appropriate portfolio objective risk, filtered
through independent investment research companies of U.S. News and
Morningstar, Inc. U.S. News and Morningstar updates the investment information
monthly and the strategy compares investments on a monthly basis and makes
changes as necessary. The strategy looks to have 10-15 investments inside each
portfolio objective. The actual number of holdings varies by portfolio objective and
overall current investment strategy goals.
The Best in Class strategy monitors non-qualified account trading differently than
qualified accounts. The team analyzes trading more extensively in non-qualified
accounts to potentially reduce taxable gains. This means that qualified accounts
and non-qualified accounts may have different allocations and trading. Also, for
smaller accounts (under $25,000) in Best in Class strategy, different holdings may
be utilized and thus the allocations within larger accounts and smaller accounts
may differ.
Biblical Faith Values – CFD4 – Description
The Biblical Faith Values CFD4 strategy is part of the Biblical Faith Values series
of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series of available
strategies is a Biblical Responsible Investing (BRI) strategy. Under this strategy,
Creative utilizes certain, independent third-party asset screening programs and
communicates with fund companies in order to limit investments in companies that
engage in certain industries or support certain activities or lifestyles, or otherwise
contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The firm generally endeavors
to exclude investments in companies that engage in or participate in or support
industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, pornography,
abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally considered averse to
Biblical standards.
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk characteristics,
performance metrics, and management quality. These groups of data are
gathered utilizing industry-standard software tools as well as through needed
communication with the funds’ managers. The funds selected are typically those
that perform at the top of their category in terms of the analytical metrics Creative
examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 4 to 10 BRI mutual funds and ETF’s
may be employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The actual number varies
by portfolio objective and is based on asset class exposure. As BRI, by its nature,
restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less diversified strategy.
There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI strategy than a more-
14
diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider this potentially higher
level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy.
Due to a limited pool of available investments in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
Also, the avoidance of some industries, lifestyles, companies, etc. are subjective.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any and all companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above,
however, this strategy attempts to substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will
otherwise attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
The Biblical Faith Values CFD4 investment strategy attempts to invest in
accordance with the Biblical Faith Values limitations described prior, and to create
a likely simpler diversified portfolio based on mutual fund & ETF positions. This
strategy likely uses up to four asset classes (may be less or more given the
portfolio objective selected) and holding perhaps as few as four investments,
however, the firm’s Management reserves the right to increase and decrease each,
as it sees fit. Additional portfolio risk in this strategy occurs with less diversification
and investments and this strategy can be more volatile than other further
diversified strategies. Given the more limited holdings, there may be less
diversification in this portfolio than in some more standard diversified portfolios,
and that could add risk to the portfolio. Certain ETFs have additional market risks
in that they are not always highly traded and thus have less volume daily. Investors
are encouraged to consider this potentially higher level of risk and fees when
selecting the strategy. Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to
choose from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately
Aggressive, and Aggressive) and are loosely modeled after Creative Financial
Designs’ overall diversified asset class models.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
limited pool of available
in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Biblical Faith Values – Combination -- Description
The Biblical Faith Values Combination strategy is part of the Biblical Faith Values
series of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series of
15
independent
available strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes certain
software and
third-party asset screening programs and
communicates with fund companies in order to limit investments in companies that
engage in certain industries or support certain activities or lifestyles, or otherwise
contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The firm generally endeavors
to exclude investment companies that engage in or participate in or support
industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, pornography,
abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally considered averse to
Biblical standards.
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify an investment’s risk
characteristics, performance metrics, management quality (mutual funds/ETFs),
and fundamental attributes (stocks). These groups of data are gathered utilizing
industry-standard software tools as well as through needed communication with
the funds’ and the companies’ management. The investment management team
seeks to optimize the risk/return profile of the portfolio and maximize the benefits
of diversification by selecting categorically top-ranked funds and high-quality
stocks. In a given portfolio, approximately 10 to 15 mutual funds/ETFs and 10 to
20 stocks may be employed to achieve the strategy’s objective. The actual
numbers vary by portfolio objective and are based on asset class exposure. As
BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Certain ETFs have additional market
risks in that they are not always highly traded and thus have less volume daily.
Investors are encouraged to consider this potentially higher level of risk and fees
when selecting the strategy.
Due to a limited pool of available investments in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
Also, the avoidance of some industries, lifestyles, companies, etc. are subjective.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
The Biblical Faith Values Combination investment strategy attempts to invest in
accordance with the Biblical Faith Values limitations described prior, and to create
a diversified portfolio based on a combination of mutual funds, ETFs, and individual
equity positions. The investments selected are typically those that perform at the
top of their category in terms of analytical metrics the firm examines. From time to
time, not all of these categories will be reflected in the portfolio. The firm’s
management reserves the right to use or not use at any given time the three prior
mentioned investment vehicles. The addition of using a limited number of individual
stocks, likely increases the overall portfolio risks. Five portfolio objectives are
16
available for the client to choose from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative,
Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and are modeled after
Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class models.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
limited pool of available
in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Biblical Faith Values – Eventide Focused -- Description
The Biblical Faith Valued Eventide Focused strategy is part of the Biblical Faith
Values series of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series
of available strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes
certain software and independent third-party asset screening programs and
communicates with fund companies in order to limit investments in the stock of
companies that engage in certain industries or support certain activities or
lifestyles, or otherwise contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The
firm generally endeavors to exclude investment companies that engage in or
participate in or support industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco,
alcohol, pornography, abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally
considered averse to Biblical standards.
industry-standard software
tools as well as
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk characteristics,
performance metrics, and management quality. These groups of data are gathered
through needed
utilizing
communication with the funds’ managers. The ETF’s and funds selected are
typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of the analytical
metrics examined. In a given portfolio, approximately 15 BRI funds and ETF’s are
employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The actual number varies by
portfolio objective and is based on asset class exposure.
Due to a limited pool of available investments in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
Also, the avoidance of some industries, lifestyles, companies, etc. are subjective.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
17
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
The Eventide Focused investment strategy is centered on using the Eventide
companies’ mutual funds and ETFs. Eventide has several funds that attempt to
filter Biblically. Many of Eventide’s equity funds have an increased concentration
in the health-care sector and this may increase risk in the portfolio. The Eventide
mutual funds will typically be a sizeable portion of the portfolio and Creative’s
Management Team uses other mutual funds and possibly ETFs also BRI filtered
to make up the entire portfolio allocation to maximize diversification. The Eventide
Focused investment strategy will have additional market risks in that the BRI ETFs
may not always be as highly traded and thus have less volume as other ETFs
might have. The investments selected are typically those that perform at the top
of their category in terms of analytical metrics the firm examines. This strategy
likely has additional investment risk with the higher concentration in one fund
family. Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from
(Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and
Aggressive) and are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified
asset class models.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
limited pool of available
in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Biblical Faith Values – Funds – Description
The Biblical Faith Values Funds strategy is part of the Biblical Faith Values series
of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series of available
strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes certain software
and independent third party asset screening programs and communicates with
fund companies in order to limit investments in companies that engage in certain
industries or support certain activities or lifestyles, or otherwise contribute to or
endorse such industries or activities. The firm generally endeavors to exclude
investment companies that engage in or participate in or support industries or
lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, pornography, abortion, non-family
lifestyles and other factors traditionally considered averse to Biblical standards.
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk characteristics,
18
industry-standard software
tools as well as
performance metrics, and management quality. These groups of data are gathered
utilizing
through needed
communication with the funds’ managers. The funds selected are typically those
that perform at the top of their category in terms of the analytical metrics Creative
examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 8 to 15 BRI mutual funds and ETF’s
may be employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The actual number varies
by portfolio objective and is based on asset class exposure. As BRI, by its nature,
restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less diversified strategy.
There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI strategy than a more-
diversified strategy. Certain ETFs have additional market risks in that they are not
always highly traded and thus have less volume daily. Investors are encouraged
to consider this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy.
Due to a limited pool of available investments in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
Also, the avoidance of some industries, lifestyles, companies, etc. are subjective.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
The Biblical Faith Values Funds investment strategy attempts to invest in
accordance with the Biblical Faith Values limitations described above, and to
create a diversified portfolio based on mutual funds & ETF positions. The
investments selected are typically those that perform at the top of their category in
terms of analytical metrics the firm examines. Five portfolio objectives are
available for the client to choose from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative,
Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and are modeled after
Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class models.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
limited pool of available
in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
19
Biblical Faith Values – Income Strategy – Description
The Biblical Faith Values Income strategy is part of the Biblical Faith Values series
of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series of available
strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes certain software
and independent third party asset screening programs and communicates with
fund companies in order to limit investments in companies that engage in certain
industries or support certain activities or lifestyles, or otherwise contribute to or
endorse such industries or activities. The firm generally endeavors to exclude
investment companies that engage in or participate in or support industries or
lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, pornography, abortion, non-family
lifestyles and other factors traditionally considered averse to Biblical standards.
The Biblical Faith Values Income Strategy is designed to provide a diversified
income portfolio solution for clients. These portfolios are focused on generating
income with the goal of providing relatively stable yield given most market
conditions. The selection of the portfolio objective determines the percentage of
the portfolio that is in fixed income versus equities, with more equity exposure for
the more aggressive portfolio objectives.
The equity portion of the Income Strategy prioritizes individual stocks, but may
include ETFs or other funds, given the client’s selected portfolio objective. The
fixed income portion of the Income Strategy uses mutual funds, and ETFs, and in
rare occasions individual bonds. The fixed income and the equity portions are
described in more detail below.
The fixed income portion focuses on higher-quality income-based mutual funds
and ETFs, however, individual corporate and/or municipal bonds can be utilized to
build a portfolio designed to generate income. When individual bonds are used,
they are initially rated A or better. Creative’s Management Team looks for higher
credit quality bonds while also focusing on durations, maturities, diversification
across sectors (and if necessary, across multiple states for municipals), and of
course yield. Individual bond holdings if used will vary from account to account.
The equity portion of the portfolios (all but the Conservative portfolio, as it does not
include equities) are primarily focused on large cap and giant large cap value/blend
stocks. Creative uses Bloomberg, ValueLine, Dorsey Wright, and Morningstar
(and possibly other resources) to help search, identify, price, rank and determine
the diversified equities to use in any given account. The firm’s goal is to find price
stability using several key matrices such as and not limited to: financial strength,
safety ratings, yield, sectors, price points, dividend stability, etc. The number of
equity holdings are affected by the account size, but typically consist of
approximately 15-25 investments. The individual holdings and the number of
equities may vary from account to account and are diversified through various
sectors. Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from
20
(Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and
Aggressive).
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
in certain management strategies,
limited pool of available
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Given the more limited equity exposure, there may be less diversification in this
strategy than in other diversified strategies. This could add risk to the portfolio. If
used, holding individual bonds can also lead to additional risk given the economic
conditions. Owning fewer asset classes will produce less diversification in a
portfolio.
Biblical Faith Values – Inspire Focused -- Description
The Biblical Faith Values Inspire Focused strategy is part of the Biblical Faith
Values series of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series
of available strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes
certain software and independent third-party asset screening programs and
communicates with fund companies in order to limit investments in the stock of
companies that engage in certain industries or support certain activities or
lifestyles, or otherwise contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The
firm generally endeavors to exclude investment companies that engage in or
participate in or support industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco,
alcohol, pornography, abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally
considered averse to Biblical standards.
industry-standard software
tools as well as
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk characteristics,
performance metrics, and management quality. These groups of data are gathered
utilizing
through needed
communication with the funds’ managers. The ETF’s and funds selected are
typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of the analytical
metrics Creative examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 8 to 15 BRI funds
and ETF’s are employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The actual number
varies by portfolio objective and is based on asset class exposure.
21
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
in certain management strategies,
limited pool of available
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
The Inspire Focused investment strategy is centered on using the Inspire
companies’ ETFs. Inspire has several index ETFs that attempt to filter Biblically.
The Inspire ETFs will typically be a sizeable portion of the portfolio and Creative’s
Management Team uses other mutual funds and possibly ETFs also BRI filtered
to make up the entire portfolio allocation to maximize diversification. The
investments selected are typically those that perform at the top of their category in
terms of analytical metrics the firm examines. The Inspire Focused investment
strategy will have additional market risks in that the ETFs are not always highly
traded and thus have less volume as other ETFs might have. This strategy likely
has additional investment risk with the higher concentration in one fund family.
This creates additional risk when buying and selling these ETFs in larger amounts.
Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class
models.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
limited pool of available
in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Biblical Faith Values – Tax-Wise Strategy -- Description
The Biblical Faith Values Tax-Wise strategy is part of the Biblical Faith Values
series of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series of
available strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes certain
third party asset screening programs and
software and
independent
22
communicates with fund companies in order to limit investments in the stock of
companies that engage in certain industries or support certain activities or
lifestyles, or otherwise contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The
firm generally endeavors to exclude investment companies that engage in or
participate in or support industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco,
alcohol, pornography, abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally
considered averse to Biblical standards.
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk characteristics,
performance metrics, management quality and analysis of the tax implications of
a fund. These groups of data are gathered utilizing industry-standard software
tools as well as through needed communication with the funds’ managers. The
ETF’s and funds selected are typically those that perform at the top of their
category in terms of the analytical metrics Creative examines. In a given portfolio,
approximately 15 BRI funds and ETF’s are employed to achieve the strategy’s
objectives. The actual number varies by portfolio objective and is based on asset
class exposure.
The Biblical Faith Values Tax-Wise Investment Strategy is available for non-
qualified brokerage accounts and primarily uses ETFs and municipal mutual funds
available through custodians, though the firm may also choose to use other
investments to build the diversified portfolios. Muni mutual funds and ETF’s are
usually used for fixed income areas and ETF’s for the equity for the available
portfolios.
The goal for the strategy is to reduce the amount of taxable income, dividends,
and capital gains for the account. Using ETFs helps Creative use investments that
historically allow clients to keep more and reduce the potential amount of capital
gains passed through to accounts. Given the more limited holdings, there may be
less diversification in this portfolio than in some more standard diversified
portfolios, and that could add risk to the portfolio. Investors are encouraged to
consider this potentially higher level of risk when selecting the strategy. Five
portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class
models. Holdings will likely vary from account to account due to client’s capital
gains concerns.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
in certain management strategies,
limited pool of available
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
23
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Biblical Faith Values – Timothy Focused -- Description
The Biblical Faith Values Timothy Focused strategy is part of the Biblical Faith
Values series of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series
of available strategies is a BRI strategy. Under this strategy, Creative utilizes
certain software and independent third party asset screening programs and
communicates with fund companies in order to limit investments in the stock of
companies that engage in certain industries or support certain activities or
lifestyles, or otherwise contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The
firm generally endeavors to exclude investment companies that engage in or
participate in or support industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco,
alcohol, pornography, abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally
considered averse to Biblical standards.
industry-standard software
tools as well as
The screening process generally consists of the initial Biblically based moral
values screen, followed by in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk characteristics,
performance metrics, and management quality. These groups of data are gathered
through needed
utilizing
communication with the funds’ managers. The ETF’s and funds selected are
typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of the analytical
metrics Creative examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 8 to 15 BRI funds
and ETF’s are employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The actual number
varies by portfolio objective and is based on asset class exposure.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
in certain management strategies,
limited pool of available
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
Also, the avoidance of some industries, lifestyles, companies, etc. are subjective.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
The Timothy Focused investment strategy is centered on using the Timothy Plan
Mutual Funds and ETFs. The portfolios in this strategy will likely include a larger
amount of Timothy investments along with other ETFs and/or mutual funds also
BRI filtered to make up the entire portfolio allocation to help further diversify
24
portfolios. The investments selected are typically those that perform at the top of
their category in terms of analytical metrics the firm examines. Timothy
investments, especially the ETFs, will have additional market risks in that the ETFs
are not always highly traded and thus have less volume as other ETFs might have.
This creates additional risk when buying and selling these ETFs in larger amounts.
This strategy likely has additional investment risk with the higher concentration in
one fund family. Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from
(Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and
Aggressive) and are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified
asset class models.
investments
As BRI, by its nature, restricts certain investment options, it is considered a less
diversified strategy. There may be more risk and fees associated with the BRI
strategy than a more-diversified strategy. Investors are encouraged to consider
this potentially higher level of risk and fees when selecting the strategy. Due to a
limited pool of available
in certain management strategies,
governance requirements, etc., it is not always possible to exclude all investments
that might violate some of the standards that are described in the prior paragraph.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this strategy should substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will otherwise
attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
CFD4 -- Description
The CFD4 brokerage investment strategy uses mutual funds and ETFs likely using
as few or fewer than four asset classes (may be less or more given the portfolio
objective selected) and holding perhaps as few as four investments. Creative’s
Management reserves the right to increase and decrease each however.
Additional portfolio risk in this strategy occurs with less diversification and
investments and this strategy can be more volatile than other further diversified
strategies.
The screening process generally consists of in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s
risk characteristics, performance metrics, overall diversification and management
quality. These groups of data are gathered utilizing industry-standard software
tools as well as through needed communication with the fund’s managers. The
funds selected are typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms
of the analytical metrics Creative examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 4
to 10 mutual funds and ETF’s may be employed to achieve the strategy’s
objectives. Given the more limited holdings, there may be less diversification in
this portfolio than in some more standard diversified portfolios, and that could add
risk to the portfolio. Investors are encouraged to consider this potentially higher
level of risk when selecting the strategy. Five portfolio objectives are available for
the client to choose from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate,
25
Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and are loosely modeled after Creative
Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class models.
Combination -- Description
The Combination investment strategy focuses on diversification by using a
combination of mutual funds, ETFs, and limited individual equities to build the
respective investment portfolios. From time to time, not all of these investment
types will be reflected in the portfolio. Creative’s Management Team selects the
investments and investment types from the said categories based on internal
research.
The screening process generally consists of in-depth analysis to identify an
investment’s risk characteristics, performance metrics, management quality
(mutual funds/ETFs), and fundamental attributes (stocks). These groups of data
are gathered utilizing industry standard software tools as well as through needed
communication with the funds’ and the companies’ management. The investments
selected are typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of
analytical metrics the firm examines. The investment management team seeks to
optimize the risk/return profile of the portfolio and maximize the benefits of
diversification by selecting categorically top-ranked funds and high-quality stocks.
In a given portfolio, approximately 10 to 15 mutual funds/ETFs and 10 to 20 stocks
may be employed to achieve the strategy’s objective. The actual numbers vary by
portfolio objective and are based on asset class exposure.
The firm’s management reserves the right to use or not use at any given time of
the three prior mentioned investment vehicles. The addition of using a limited
number of individual stocks, likely increases the overall portfolio risks. Five
portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class
models.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) – Description
The ETF investment strategy is focused on using Exchange Traded Funds to
allocate a well-diversified portfolio within the given investment portfolios. Creative
Investment Team may add mutual funds to complete the allocation and if asset
classes are not available or do not meet the Team’s research requirements. The
screening process generally consists of in-depth analysis to identify a fund’s risk
characteristics, performance metrics, and management quality. The focus of the
ETF strategy is low cost with primarily passive ETF’s and well-diversified portfolios.
This group of data is gathered utilizing industry standard software tools as well as
needed communication with the fund’s managers. The investments selected
typically are those that perform at the top of their category in terms of our analytical
metrics. The actual number of ETFs employed in a given portfolio is approximately
26
10 to 15 investments. This varies on the level of asset class exposure primarily
depending on portfolio objective.
ETFs are normally a passive investment holding with potentially lower than
average internal expenses compared to actively traded mutual funds. Passive
investments have a tendency to track the indices they are modeled after. Five
portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class
models.
Five Tool – Description
The Five Tool brokerage investment strategy is designed to give clients a rules-
based, well-diversified management option while looking to maximize returns
given the selected portfolio objective. This strategy likely uses all nine asset-class
boxes for portfolio objectives Moderate, Moderate Plus, Moderately Aggressive,
Aggressive, and Aggressive Plus. The strategy will likely use fewer asset classes
in the Conservative and Moderately Conservative portfolio objectives, however,
the goal is to remain well–diversified. The strategy often opportunistically over-
weighs investments in tech, health care, or other selected more aggressive sectors
in order to bolster potential returns. This increased concentration does increase
risk in the portfolio. This strategy uses actively managed mutual funds and
potentially ETF’s to fill in the allocations of each portfolio objective with defined
rules to help filter for each style box, finding the best mutual fund investments
available through the applicable custodian.
The screening process for the Five Tool investment strategy is a rules-based
standard that focuses on historical performance, lower internal investment cost,
and superior historical returns compared to its industry peers. This information,
and more, is filtered through Morningstar, Inc., an independent investment
research company. Morningstar updates the investment information monthly and
the strategy compares investments on a monthly basis and makes changes as
necessary, sometimes just providing a portfolio rebalance. The strategy looks to
have 15-20+ active mutual funds and/or ETFs inside each portfolio objective with
the typical holding targeting 5%. The actual number of mutual fund and/or ETF
holdings varies by portfolio objective and asset class exposure.
The strategy attempts to use such mutual funds and/or ETFs that meet a 10-year
track record, initially ranked as a five-star according to Morningstar at the time of
purchase, Morningstar analyst rated as a gold, silver, or bronze, is highly ranked
compared to its appropriate asset class piers, and is lower trending in its internal
investment expense compared to other active mutual funds in the same asset-
class. Seven portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from
(Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderate Plus, Moderately
27
Aggressive, Aggressive and Aggressive Plus) and allocations are determined by
data analysis.
Fundamental Opportunities -- Description
The Fundamental Opportunities investment strategy is focused on using active
mutual funds and ETFs, but stocks and other investments (including some non-
traditional investments) can also be used. This strategy relies on macro-economic
analysis and forecasting to determine a tactical investment approach including
which asset classes, sectors, etc. to over and under-weight in the portfolio. The
Fundamental Opportunities strategy has significant flexibility to achieve its portfolio
objective. Its objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns that are superior to the
equivalent risk tolerance index. The process of this strategy is to use the top active
managers in every asset class to make each individual security selection. Macro-
economic forecasting provides a framework to determine which asset classes to
over or under weight in the portfolio. The vetting of each asset class manager
consists of both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of their process.
Given the flexibility of the strategy, at times the portfolio will be less diversified than
other diversified investment strategies. More active trading can also occur in this
strategy depending on market and economic data. Taxable accounts are treated
differently in that they are likely traded less than qualified accounts, thus attempting
to reduce capital gains especially short-term gains. Five portfolio objectives are
available for the client to choose from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative,
Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and allocations are
determined by data analysis.
Funds -- Description
The Funds Investment Strategy is focused on using mutual funds & ETFs that are
available from the respective custodians to allocate a well-diversified portfolio
within the given portfolio objectives.
The screening process generally consists of in-depth analysis to identify mutual
fund and ETF risk characteristics, performance metrics, and management quality.
These groups of data are gathered utilizing industry standard software tools as
well as through needed communication with the funds’ managers. The funds
selected are typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of the
analytical metrics examined. In a given portfolio, approximately 10 to 15 mutual
funds and ETFs are employed to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The actual
number varies by account size, portfolio objective, and is based on asset class
exposure.
Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ other diversified asset class models.
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Global – Description
The Global investment strategy uses mutual funds available through custodians
that target international and global asset categories. The strategy is concentrated
in the asset category listed and as a result brings more risk because of such. The
strategy is also only available under one portfolio objective and that is 100%
equities. The strategy does not generally diversify with fixed income holdings.
The screening process for the Global investment strategy focuses on active mutual
funds within the large-cap or mega large-cap global and international asset-
classes. The investment management team focuses on future value and growth
potential, historical performance, lower internal investment cost, and historical
superior returns compared to its industry peers and indices. The team also
compares stock holdings inside the eligible mutual funds to examine the portfolio
overlap and attempt to limit such overlap. This allows for multiple manager
philosophies, strategies, and all within the asset-class strategy. The strategy looks
to hold 7-12 active mutual funds in the portfolio and make investment selection
changes as it feels necessary. The investments selected are typically those that
perform at the top of their category in terms of analytical metrics the firm examines.
With the strategy being asset-class limited, volatility would be expected to be
higher than a fully diversified portfolio and thus, recommended as a secondary or
satellite portfolio to an overall investment portfolio.
Given the more limited holdings, there may be less diversification in this portfolio
than in some more standard diversified portfolios, and that could add risk to the
portfolio. Investors are encouraged to consider this potentially higher level of risk
when selecting the strategy. As a result of the above, the strategy is best fit for
clients looking to be aggressive in said asset category or as a secondary
investment strategy for the Client’s investments.
Income Strategy -- Description
The overall goal of the Income Strategy is to provide a diversified income portfolio
solution for clients. These portfolios are focused on generating income with the
goal of providing relatively stable yield given most market conditions. The
selection of the portfolio objective determines the percentage of the portfolio that
is in fixed income versus equities, with more equity exposure for the more
aggressive portfolio objectives.
The equity portion of the Income Strategy prioritizes individual stocks, but may
include ETFs or other funds, given the portfolio objective. The fixed income portion
of the Income Strategy uses mutual funds, and ETFs, and in rare occasions,
individual bonds. The fixed income and equity portions are described in more
detail below.
The fixed income portion focuses on higher-quality income-based mutual funds
and ETFs, however, individual corporate and/or municipal bonds can be utilized to
29
build a portfolio designed to generate income. When individual bonds are used,
they are initially rated A or better. Creative’s Management Team looks for higher
credit quality bonds while also focusing on durations, maturities, diversification
across sectors (and if necessary, across multiple states for municipals), and of
course yield. The client has the option to select tax-exempt municipal bonds for
their account, to harvest tax-exempt gains. Individual bond holdings if used will
vary from account to account.
The equity portion of the portfolios (all but the Conservative portfolio, as it does not
include equities) are primarily focused on large cap and giant large cap value/blend
stocks. Creative uses Bloomberg, ValueLine, Dorsey Wright, and Morningstar
(and possibly other resources) to help search, identify, price, rank and determine
the diversified equities to use in any given account. The firm’s goal is to find price
stability using several key matrices such as and not limited to financial strength,
safety ratings, yield, sectors, price points, dividend stability, etc. The number of
equity holdings are affected by the account size, but typically consist of
approximately 15-25 investments. The individual holdings and the number of
equities may vary from account to account and are diversified through various
sectors. Five portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from
(Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and
Aggressive).
Given the more limited equity exposure, there may be less diversification in this
strategy than in other diversified strategies. This could add risk to the portfolio. If
used, holding individual bonds can also lead to additional risk given the economic
conditions. Owning fewer asset classes will produce less diversification in a
portfolio.
Large Cap Growth – Description
The Large Cap Growth investment strategy uses mutual funds available through
custodians that focus on the large cap growth category. The strategy is
concentrated in the asset category listed and as a result brings more risk because
of such. The strategy is also only available under one portfolio objective and that
is 100% equities. The strategy does not generally diversify with fixed income
holdings.
The screening process for the Large Cap Growth investment strategy focuses on
active mutual funds within the large-cap growth or mega large-cap growth asset-
classes. The investment management team focuses on future growth potential,
historical performance, lower internal investment cost, and historical superior
returns compared to its industry peers and indices. The team also compares stock
holdings inside the eligible mutual funds to examine the portfolio overlap and
attempt to limit such overlap. This allows for multiple manager philosophies,
strategies, and ideas all within the asset-class strategy. The strategy looks to hold
7-12 active mutual funds in the portfolio and make investment selection changes
30
as it feels necessary. The investments selected are typically those that perform at
the top of their category in terms of analytical metrics the firm examines. With the
strategy being asset-class limited, volatility would be expected to be higher than a
fully diversified portfolio and thus, recommended for a secondary or satellite
portfolio to an overall investment portfolio.
Given the more limited holdings, there may be less diversification in this portfolio
than in some more standard diversified portfolios, and that could add risk to the
portfolio. Investors are encouraged to consider this potentially higher level of risk
when selecting the strategy. As a result of the above, the strategy is best fit for
clients looking to be aggressive in said asset category or as a secondary
investment strategy for the client’s investments.
Large Cap Value – Description
The Large Cap Value investment strategy uses mutual funds available through
custodians that focus on the large cap value category. The strategy is
concentrated in the asset category listed and as a result brings more risk because
of such. The strategy is also only available under one portfolio objective and that
is 100% equities. The strategy does not generally diversify with fixed income
holdings.
ideologies all within
The screening process for the Large Cap Value investment strategy focuses on
active mutual funds within the large-cap value or mega large-cap value asset-
classes. The investment management team focuses on future value and growth
potential, historical performance, lower internal investment cost, and historical
superior returns compared to its industry peers and indices. The team also
compares stock holdings inside the eligible mutual funds to examine the portfolio
overlap and attempt to limit such overlap. This allows for multiple manager
the single asset-class
philosophies, strategies, and
strategy. The strategy looks to hold 7-12 active mutual funds in the portfolio and
make investment selection changes as it feels necessary. The investments
selected are typically those that perform at the top of their category in terms of
analytical metrics the firm examines. With the strategy being asset-class limited,
volatility would be expected to be higher than a fully diversified portfolio and thus,
recommended as a secondary or satellite portfolio to an overall investment
portfolio.
Given the more limited holdings, there may be less diversification in this portfolio
than in some more standard diversified portfolios, and that could add risk to the
portfolio. Investors are encouraged to consider this potentially higher level of risk
when selecting the strategy. The strategy does not diversify with fixed income
holdings. As a result of the above, the strategy is best fit for clients looking to be
aggressive in said asset category or as a secondary investment strategy for the
client’s investments.
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Progressive Trends - Description
The Progressive Trends investment strategy is a diversified portfolio strategy
focusing on ETFs, however some mutual funds and other investments (including
non-traditional investments) may also be utilized. This strategy operates
differently with respect to the more conservative accounts than it does for
aggressive and moderately aggressive accounts.
The screening process, with respect to the conservative, moderately conservative
portfolios, the equity portion within the portfolios look to use and potentially
overweight investments where the underlying managers seek to use market-
timing, buffer, market-neutral, etc. investments. These investments use
investment strategies that normally attempt to lessen losses during market volatility
or weakening economic conditions. These investments attempt to decrease equity
exposure or equity exposure-based losses during such determined times by
moving to fixed income, cash, cash equivalents, transferring to what may be
considered safer stocks, option trading or any mixture of such listed and unlisted
strategies.
The screening process, with respect to the moderately aggressive and aggressive
portfolios, the strategy attempts to enhance returns by including sector-focused
investments in the portfolio. Sector investments look to find sectors attractive
given economic, financial, and international conditions, as well as other
factors. Fixed income holdings within the portfolios are also determined by market,
economic, and global conditions. The use of such investments and investment
strategies designed for market timing or sector specific may not always be
successful in their attempt to decrease potential losses or volatility, nor guarantee
gains, and can limit market gains and even increase risk of losses.
With respect to moderate portfolios, both of these screening processes are
employed, in varying concentrations from time to time, based on perceived market
conditions.
This investment strategy will not be as diversified as standard diversified firm
portfolios. This strategy likely has additional investment risk with the higher
concentration in fund families that focus on such type of investment goals, sector
specific, and increased internal investment cost. In each portfolio, approximately
7 to 15 mutual funds and ETF’s may be employed to achieve the strategy’s
objectives. The Progressive Trends investment strategy will have additional
market risks in that the ETFs are not always highly traded and thus have less
volume as other ETFs might have. This strategy is likely to have additional
investment risk with the higher concentration in one fund family. This creates
additional risk when buying and selling these ETFs in larger amounts. Five
portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
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are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class
models, except with respect to the more focused areas as discussed herein.
Tax-Wise Strategy -- Description
The Tax-Wise Investment Strategy is available for non-qualified brokerage
accounts and primarily uses ETFs and municipal mutual funds available through
custodians, though the firm may also choose to use other investments to build the
diversified portfolios. Muni mutual funds and ETFs are usually used for fixed
income areas and ETF’s for the equity for the available portfolios.
industry-standard software
tools as well as
The screening process generally consists of analyzing the tax implications of a
fund in addition to an in-depth analysis to identify its risk characteristics,
performance metrics, and management quality. These groups of data are gathered
through needed
utilizing
communication with the fund’s managers. The funds selected are typically those
that perform at the top of their category in terms of the analytical metrics Creative
examines. In a given portfolio, approximately 10 - 15 ETFs and mutual funds are
employed to achieve the strategy’s objective.
The goal for the strategy is to reduce the amount of taxable income, dividends,
and capital gains for the account. Using ETFs helps Creative use investments that
historically allow clients to keep more and reduce the potential amount of capital
gains passed through to accounts. Given the more limited holdings, there may be
less diversification in this portfolio than in some more standard diversified
portfolios, and that could add risk to the portfolio. Investors are encouraged to
consider this potentially higher level of risk when selecting the strategy. Five
portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from (Conservative,
Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Aggressive) and
are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ overall diversified asset class
models. Holdings will likely vary from account to account due to client’s capital
gains concerns.
Optional Cash Allocation (OCA) -- Description
With respect to most of the strategies described herein, Creative makes the
Optional Cash Allocation (OCA) available to its clients. Under OCA, a client may
select an additional portion of their funds (above the parameters in the associated
strategy) to be held in money markets or other cash equivalents, as determined by
Creative. This can be added or removed by the client at any time. To select this
option, client needs to allocate a minimum of $10,000.
Fees are charged on the entire portfolio value, regardless of the amount allocated
under the OCA. The client may move all or part of their assets to a non-managed
account to invest in cash equivalents on their own, in order to reduce fees.
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It is anticipated that the use of this allocation would be for a relatively short-term
time period. That said, it is the client’s choice about how long a client holds a
portion of their account under the OCA option.
Initial holding percentage will fluctuate over time with account value and pricing.
The type of holding used by the firm to allocate the cash portion may very over
time, and may not be a true cash-equivalent, but is likely to be a short-term fund
or other similar fund. For Biblical Faith Values accounts, there will not necessarily
be a BRI screen associated with this portion of the account, and such holding may
not necessarily be consistent with the social objectives of Biblical Faith Values
accounts.
Allocate Over Time Option -- Description
With respect to all of the strategies described herein, Creative makes the Allocate
Over Time option available for accounts greater than $50,000. If selected by the
client, Creative will not likely invest all of the client funds into the selected model
portfolio immediately. Instead, Creative will allocate the account more slowly,
usually over a 4 to 8-month timeframe, with the intention of investing funds during
pullbacks and in different months. Of course, pull-backs do not always occur, and
it is not always possible or feasible to limit purchases to periods of pull-
backs. Under such market conditions, Creative tries to invest based on the 4 to 8
month timeframe. During this transition period, the account may not be invested
according to the model portfolio, or selected portfolio objective, and may have
fewer and less-diversified holdings than would be normally the case in the same
portfolio. This does not guarantee a profit and could be detrimental to the portfolio
growth especially over the short-term. The Allocate Over Time option is available
for accounts valued at $50,000 or more.
Self-Directed Retirement Management Platform -- Description
In the Self-Directed Retirement Management platform, Creative’s investment
management staff manages certain assets held in clients’ 401k, 403b, 457, or
other company retirement plans where an individual employee is a participant in
the plan. The availability of this platform is limited to situations where Creative can
obtain a contract directly with the custodian of the assets, permitting management
to occur.
The Creative Team attempts to build diversified portfolios within the client’s
available investment options, which are limited based on selections by the plan
sponsor. Creative likely has no control over the available individual investment
choices within the plan options and will be limited to such limited options when
building a client’s portfolio.
The firm’s models generally fall into five portfolio objectives based on perceived
risk: Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive,
34
and Aggressive. Available plan investments are categorized according to the
Model guidelines, and overall asset allocation is determined taking those
categorizations into effect in arriving at the model portfolio allocations.
The firm has developed asset class based model allocations based on research
from other professional management models such as Morningstar (formerly
Ibbotson), JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Northern Trust, etc.
Variable Annuity Management Platform -- Description
Under the Variable Annuity Management platform, Creatives will actively manage
within the underlying subaccount options of the clients’ variable annuity
contracts/products. The service is not available with respect to all issuers’ variable
annuities. Creative has no control over the individual investment available within a
given variable annuity contract. Portfolios will be built based on the available
options and will be limited as a result of the available investment options.
The firm’s models generally fall into five portfolio objectives based on perceived
risk: Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive,
and Aggressive. Available investments are categorized according to the model
guidelines and overall asset allocation is determined taking those categorizations
into effect in arriving at the model portfolio allocations.
Creative manages the investments to build diversified portfolios within a client’s
variable contract. Creative has no part in the selection of the product, riders, etc.
The firm has developed asset class based model allocations based on research
from other professional management models such as Morningstar (formerly
Ibbotson), JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Blackrock, Northern Trust, etc.
Creative takes precautions designed to prevent the benefits of an annuity contract
(e.g. income benefits, withdrawal benefits, etc.) from being negatively impacted by
the management of the contracts, however, it is up to the client to determine what
effects, if any, will apply to a contract based on the management of the
contract/product. Particular attention should be paid to fees, and whether fees
should appropriately be taken directly from a contract, and the effect on the
contract if that is done.
that
is otherwise available
Creative can perform management services for a variety of variable annuity
contracts, including variable annuity contracts that are commissionable. If a
commissionable variable annuity contract
for
management under this program has paid a commission to cfd Investments, Inc.
and/or the investment adviser representative associated with the proposed
account, Creative will not provide investment management services with respect
to the variable annuity contract within two years of the inception date of the
applicable contract.
35
Biblical Faith Values Strategy – Variable Annuity -- Description
The Biblical Faith Values Variable Annuity strategy is part of the Biblical Faith
Values series of investment strategies for the firm. The Biblical Faith Values series
of available strategies is a Biblical Responsible Investing (BRI) strategy. Under
this strategy, Creative utilizes software and asset screening programs of
unaffiliated third parties in order to limit investment in the stock of companies that
engage in certain industries or support certain activities or lifestyles, or otherwise
contribute to or endorse such industries or activities. The firm generally endeavors
to exclude investment companies that engage in or participate in or support
industries or lifestyles relating to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, pornography,
abortion, non-family lifestyles and other factors traditionally considered contrary to
Biblical standards. (More Restrictive Paragraph, or maybe 2 paragraphs, needs
to be added in.)
Due to a lack of investments in certain management strategies, it is likely not
possible to exclude all investments that violate some of the standards that are
described above. Also, the avoidance of some industries, lifestyles, companies,
etc. are subjective. Additionally, Variable Annuities have limited sub-accounts, and
those sub-accounts can change from time-to-time. These limitations can restrict
application of this strategy, and this strategy cannot be effectively carried out for
any Variable Annuity that does not have a sufficiently diversified selection of sub-
accounts that meet the selection criteria. Due to these limitations, this strategy is
only available within the Nationwide Monumental Advisor Variable Annuity or upon
approval from the Creative Management Team for other such products as the firm
selects. Five investment portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose
from (Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive,
and Aggressive) and are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ other
diversified asset class models.
The firm does not make any claim that the investments in the model will fully
exclude any companies that could be excluded based on the criteria above.
Instead, this Strategy will attempt to substantially reflect Biblical Values, and will
otherwise attempt to follow the models established by Creative Financial Designs.
Hybrid Strategy -- Description
Available in only the Jackson National Life Elite variable annuity, unless approved
by Creative’s Management Team to use with other products, the Hybrid variable
annuity investment strategy looks to build a diversified portfolio using both
alternative type and historical available asset class subaccounts. As in any
variable annuity, the available investment options are selected by the product
issuer, and as this strategy is dependent on a particular product issuer, this creates
a risk that the firm may not continue this strategy depending of the choices made
by the issuer regarding the availability of a sufficient variety of investment options.
36
Five investment portfolio objectives are available for the client to choose from
(Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and
Aggressive) and are modeled after Creative Financial Designs’ other diversified
asset class models. Depending on the product and the portfolio objective chosen,
Creative’s Management Team determines the amount of each investment type to
use, however, focusing on reducing investment portfolio volatility. The goal of the
strategy is to reduce the overall portfolio risk using alternative investments along
with traditional investments; however, there is no guarantee that this objective will
be achieved.
Non-Discretionary Advisory Services -- Description
Creative provides non-discretionary advisory services to its clients whereby clients
may have variable annuity, insurance contract, brokerage or other such account.
Such non-discretionary investment advice is provided for a fee charged to the
client or contract/account. There are different methods used for the billing of fees,
and these differences are dependent upon the issuer of the underlying product.
Certain product issuers will collect fees in accordance with their policies and
procedures, which may mean that they are billed in arrears, and not in advance,
or may be billed other than quarterly, or may relate to average daily balance, or
the value at the end or the quarter, etc. These methods are based on the policies
and procedures of the underlying product issuer. To the extent that Creative is
billing for the fees, fees are billed based on end of the calendar quarter values and
in advance. In certain instances, fees may be charged to the contract/account, to
the client directly, through another managed account if allowed, via a bank or credit
card all at the client’s option. Charging fees to a contract may negatively affect
certain benefits/riders of a given contract, and it is up to the client to determine
what effects, if any, the payment method selected by the client will affect the
contract/product. As this is a non-discretionary advisory service, all transactions
are directed by the client.
Conditions for Managing Accounts
Creative may make exceptions to the minimum account size requirements in some
instances. Those exceptions may be made for a variety client-specific reasons,
which may include, but are not limited to such situations as a client having multiple
managed accounts with the firm, an anticipation of the client adding additional
assets at a future point in time, or such other circumstances as the firm may deem
applicable.
For the managed Self-Directed and Variable Annuity investment management
programs, the investment options are limited based on factors beyond the control
of Creative Financial Designs, and the management of those accounts is strictly
limited to the investment options available under the products being managed.
37
The fees charged by Creative for the Account is in addition to the fees charged by
the underlying investments, product fees, account fees, any custodial fees, etc. To
the extent that a client intends to restrict Creative from selling particular
investments for an extended period of time, regardless of whether the asset is
deposited into the account or purchased into the account, it may be more
economical for the client to hold the investment in a non-managed account. Clients
are advised that holding such restricted assets in the Account will result in an
obligation to pay management fees, transaction fees and custodial fees, as
applicable.
In addition, no fee adjustments are made during any calendar quarter for
appreciation or depreciation in the value of the Account. Additional fees may,
however, be assessed if cumulative deposits during a quarter equals or exceeds
10% of account value, and, a refund of fees will occur if a withdrawal equals or
exceeds 10% of account value. Clients are advised that they may be able to
purchase similar services separately from other service providers and the cost of
such services may be more or less than the program fee charged by Creative.
Financial Planning Services
Creative offers financial planning and consulting services. Creative provides
Comprehensive Financial Planning services and Modular Financial Planning
services.
Comprehensive Financial Planning includes in-depth fact-finding interviews that
are conducted and clients may elect to receive advice and/or services on a variety
of topics other than securities (e.g. budget analysis, etc.). The purpose of this
approach is to analyze a client’s financial situation, rather than just one or a few
select items.
Clients desiring a less comprehensive financial plan can choose to have a "Mini"
or "Modular" Plan created for them. It may consist of one or more of the following
services: Estate Analysis, Medicaid Planning, Government Benefit Planning,
Business Financial Plan, Investment Analysis, Tax Analysis, Income Funding
Analysis, Insurance Analysis, Education Funding Analysis, Retirement Analysis,
Accumulation Funding Analysis, Budget Construction/Analysis, Credit Negotiation,
and Special Project Work.
Advisory services can also be provided on an Ad-hoc or ongoing basis, and can
be paid through an hourly fee, or through a retainer fee arrangement.
Creative may provide advice regarding particular investments and securities, and
these may include investments currently owned by the client, or investments that
the firm or its Affiliates may have recommended to a client.
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The client is under no obligation to effect securities or insurance transactions
through Creative’s affiliates or related persons if they choose to act on or otherwise
implement any recommendations made in either a Comprehensive Financial Plan
or other Modular Plan.
ITEM 5: FEES AND COMPENSATION
Advisory fees are as set forth below with respect to the various programs and
services. Fees may be negotiable depending on such factors as, without limitation,
special needs or requirements of the client and/or the complexity or simplicity of
the work required.
Clients may elect to pay their fees directly to Creative via check and invoice, or
may elect to have Creative charge its fees directly to specified accounts when
possible, to annuity contracts when possible, or to a bank account, credit card or
debit card.
Creative does not charge performance-based fees under any advisory program,
nor does it share or participate in the gains or losses of client accounts.
The firm shall be paid such compensation for its services, and in such manner, as
described below. Until paid, the fees and expenses charged by the firm shall
constitute a lien upon the assets of the client’s managed account. In the event that
additional assets are deposited into a client’s managed account during a fee
period, the firm may, but is not obligated to charge the client an additional fee in
respect of the value of the additional assets, prorated for the number of days
remaining in such fee period. In connection with any withdrawal of assets from a
client’s managed account or upon termination of the client’s Investment
Management Agreement, the firm retains the right to complete any transactions
initiated or open as of the time thereof and to retain amounts in the client’s
managed account sufficient to effect such completion and to satisfy any amounts
owing by such client to the firm under the client’s Investment Management
Agreement, however and whenever arising.
To the extent permitted by law, cfd Investments, Inc., the affiliated broker/dealer of
the firm, receives compensation from the client for services provided to the client’s
account, and the exercise of discretion may affect services provided by and
compensation paid to its affiliate. Such compensation includes, without limitation,
ticket charges, asset-based pricing fees, custodial fees, or other miscellaneous
charges, paper delivery fees, including revenue share arrangements between cfd
Investments, Inc. and applicable custodians. The firm shall consider options that
limit such charges, and shall only engage in transactions that involve such charges
when it is deemed by the firm that such transactions are in the best interests of the
client, in accordance with the firm’s fiduciary duty.
39
More specifically, Clients pay certain fees and charges that are in addition to firm’s
fees. Such fees and charges, as applicable, include, but are not necessarily limited
to:
• Certain dealer-markups and odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, exchange
fees mandated by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any other
charges imposed by law with regard to any transactions in the client’s
account;
• Management and other fees on open-end and closed-end fund shares and
•
UITs;
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) fees and qualified retirement plan
account fees;
• Margin interest and Options fees;
• Custodial fees such as and not limited to account fees, check reordering
costs and fees, and other add-on features with charges;
• Platform-based fees;
• Statement Fee/Paper delivery fee;
• Any contingent deferred sales charge assessed by a product issuer;
• Other product company fees and expenses, including 12b-1 fees, custodial
fees, and other expenses.
Further, the advisory fee charged by the firm for the client’s account is in addition
to the fees charged by product issuers for certain products, including open-end
funds, closed-end funds, ETFs, UITs, Variable annuity sub accounts, etc. To the
extent that a client directs Creative to purchase particular investments, or restricts
Creative from selling particular investments for an extended period of time, it may
be more economical for the client to hold the investment in a non-managed
account. Additionally, such restrictions may increase the risk profile of the account.
Clients are advised that holding such restricted assets in the Account will result in
an obligation to pay management fees, transaction fees and custodial fees, as
applicable. To the extent that the customer is charged 12b-1 fees by a mutual fund
issuer based on funds maintained in the account, Creative shall not receive any
compensation with respect to such fees. cfd Investments, Inc., if selected as the
broker/dealer associated with the account, shall retain such 12b-1 fees, but only if
the custodian cannot return those fees to the client account. Neither Creative nor
any of its affiliates receives any 12b-1 compensation if cfd Investments, Inc. is not
the broker/dealer associated with the account. To the extent that another
broker/dealer is associated with the account, the 12b-1 fee would be paid to that
broker/dealer, and if that is the case, Creative would not be able to effect a refund
of such fee on behalf of the client. Any such refunds would be subject to the
policies and procedures of that broker/dealer.
Brokerage Management – Custodial Fee
For managed brokerage accounts that are maintained at NFS, there is a custodial
fee charged based on all assets in the client’s account. The custodial fee is
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charged as set forth in account-establishing documents, and is subject to a
minimum. Fees are calculated and charged monthly using the average daily
account balance for all assets in the client’s account, and are billed in arrears. This
calculation is subject to an $8 monthly minimum fee. The custodial fee covers
transaction costs.
cfd Investments, Inc., an affiliate of firm, charges this fee, and pays NFS for the its
custodial services in connection with client accounts. CFD retains a portion of the
custodial fee as its compensation to act as a broker/dealer regarding these
accounts. This compensation is in addition to the advisory fee that is collected and
retained by the firm. Additional clearing fees apply to the client’s account.
For managed brokerage accounts that are maintained at Schwab, there is a
custodial fee charged on certain assets, in accordance with their policies and
procedures. The custodial fee is charged as set forth in account-establishing
documents. Neither Creative nor any of its affiliates shares any compensation
based on this fee collected by Schwab.
Managed Account Services – Fees and Compensation
Brokerage Management – Fees and Charges
Under its Brokerage Management platform, Creative charges a fee based on the
value of all assets at the end of the calendar quarter and in advance. Asset
valuation for purposes of billing is based on the data compiled with the portfolio
management system, which may vary slightly from the account value as identified
by each custodian for the same time period.
Fees on these client accounts generally start at 0.50% of the assets under
management, and may increase up to a maximum of 2.00% annually. Please
understand that the 2.00% maximum figure described herein is charged by
Creative, but other managers that may be selected with respect to your account,
through packaged products or otherwise, may also charge fees, and that their fees
are in addition to any fee charged by Creative, as described herein. Additionally,
custodial fees, transaction fees, and other fees (whether transaction or asset
based), whether charged by affiliated or non-affiliated parties, are not considered
as part of the 2.00% maximum figure described herein.
All fees are negotiable.
The fees collected by Creative are used to compensate Creative and the
investment adviser representative for the services that are provided. Creative
reserves the right to pay its investment adviser representatives in different
amounts in proportion to the fee collected, based on, among other things, the type
of services that are provided, and the costs associated with, and aggregate income
generated from those services. These different compensation methods to
41
investment adviser representatives cause an incentive for investment adviser
representatives to recommend certain services over other services. More
discussion on this is set forth in the firm’s Conflict of Interest Disclosure, that is
located on Creative’s website (www.creativefinancialdesigns.com).
Brokerage Management services are provided for an annualized management fee
which is billed quarterly, in advance and is based on the value of the assets on the
final day of the quarter. When an account is opened during the quarter, the fee will
be prorated for the portion of the calendar quarter for which management services
were provided.
Creative and financial professionals will receive different compensation based on
the strategy selected by the client. This creates a conflict of interest for Creative
and its financial professionals. This is discussed in more detail in the Conflicts of
Interest Disclosure.
Although not required, Creative permits clients to select its affiliated broker/dealer,
cfd Investments, Inc., to effect securities transactions for their managed accounts.
The statement of fees and other charges as described herein is premised on the
idea that the client selects cfd Investments, Inc. and may not apply to accounts
held at other broker/dealers or custodians. In those instances, other fees will
apply.
In addition to other income discussed herein, cfd Investments, Inc. receives
compensation from various product issuers and other third parties in connection
with its corporate sponsorship program. These arrangements change from time
to time, and differ from sponsor to sponsor. These arrangements may include
fixed payments, payments based on the amount of business conducted with the
firm, payments based on the amount of assets held with a particular product issuer,
and/or other arrangements. These payments create a conflict of interest and could
provide an incentive to Creative and/or its Financial Professionals to recommend
that managed assets be held at cfd Investments, Inc. This conflict of interest is
mitigated by the fact that financial professionals do not receive remuneration based
on the revenue generated as part of the corporate sponsorship program. A list of
corporate sponsors for cfd Investments, Inc. can be found on cfd Investments’
website (www.cfdinvestments.com).
In addition to cfd Investments, Inc., Creative uses other broker/dealers including
Schwab and other approved custodians; Schwab and other approved custodians
are not affiliated with Creative.
The advisory fees charged for the management of accounts maintained at Schwab
and other approved custodians are consistent with the advisory fees described
herein; however, for other fees and expenses, including account opening and
maintenance fees, transaction fees, and other assorted fees, clients are directed
to materials produced by Schwab.
42
Self-Directed Retirement Management Platform – Fees
Under the Self-Directed Retirement Management Platform, Creative charges a fee
based on the value of the assets in a managed account. Asset valuation for
purposes of billing is based on the data compiled with the portfolio management
system, which may vary slightly from the account value as identified by each
custodian for the same time period. Fees on these accounts generally start at
0.50% of the assets under management and may increase up to a maximum of
1.50% annually.
To the extent that the investment adviser representative of Creative also serves as
a service provider to the plan, additional compensation may be received based on
those additional services provided.
There are different methods used for the billing of fees, and these differences are
dependent upon the custodian used for a particular retirement plan. Certain
custodians will collect Creative’s advisory fees in accordance with their policies
and procedures. If that is the case, see the product issuer’s policies and
procedures for the details of the billing methodology.
To the extent that Creative is billing for the fees, the fee is billed quarterly, in arrears
and is based on the value of the assets on the final day of the quarter. The annual
rate is as set forth in the customer’s Investment Management Agreement or
subsequent documentation signed by the client.
Fees may be charged to the participant through the plan, if permitted by the
custodian, to the participant directly, through another managed account if allowed,
via a bank or credit card all at the option of the participant/client.
All fees are negotiable.
Variable Annuity Management Platform – Fees
Under the Variable Annuity Management platform, Creative charges a fee based
on the value of the assets in a managed account. Asset valuation for purposes of
billing is based on the data compiled with the portfolio management system, which
may vary slightly from the account value as identified by each custodian for the
same time period. Fees on these accounts generally start at 0.50% of the assets
under management and may increase up to a maximum of 1.50% annually. This
fee does not include any charges of the issuing insurance company, which could
include internal expenses, M&E fees, maintenance fees, or other internal
expenses. Creative does not share in any fees charged by the issuing insurance
company.
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To the extent that the investment adviser representative of Creative also served
as the registered representative of cfd investments, and was involved in a sale or
ongoing servicing of certain annuity products, both cfd Investments, and the
registered representative may receive concessions, trails or other compensation
directly from the product issuer. Such payments will not be shared with Creative.
There are different methods used for the billing of fees, and these differences are
dependent upon the issuer of the underlying variable annuity. Certain variable
annuity issuers will collect Creative’s advisory fees in accordance with their policies
and procedures. If that is the case, see the product issuer’s policies and
procedures for the details of the billing methodology.
To the extent that Creative is billing for the fees, the Variable Annuity Management
services are provided for an annualized fee that is billed quarterly, in advance and
is based on the value of the assets on the final day of the quarter. When an account
is opened during the quarter, the fee will be prorated for the portion of the calendar
quarter for which management services were provided. The annual rate is
identified in the customer’s Investment Management Agreement or subsequent
documentation signed by the client.
In certain instances, fees may be charged to the contract, to the client directly,
through another managed account if allowed, via a bank or credit card all at the
client’s option. Charging fees to a contract may negatively affect certain
benefits/riders of a given contract, and it is up to the client to determine what
effects, if any, the payment method selected by the client will affect the
contract/product.
All fees are negotiable.
Non-Discretionary Advisory Services – Fees
Under the Non-discretionary Advisory Services platform, Creative charges a fee
based on the value of the assets in a client-selected account. Fees on these
accounts generally start at 0.50% of the assets under management and may
increase to a maximum of 1.50% annually.
The firm provides non-discretionary advisory services, which includes, without
limitation, direct-way investment and insurance accounts.
There are different methods used for the billing of fees, and these differences are
dependent upon the issuer of the underlying direct-way product. Certain product
issuers will collect our advisory fees in accordance with their policies and
procedures. If that is the case, see the product issuer’s policies and procedures
for the details of the billing methodology.
44
To the extent that Creative is billing the advisory fees, the advisory services are
provided for an annualized fee that is billed quarterly, in advance and is based on
the value of the assets on the final day of the quarter. When an account is opened
during the quarter, the fee will be prorated for the portion of the calendar quarter
for which management services were provided. The annual rate is fixed when a
client opens or modifies an account. The rate is identified in the customer’s
agreement.
In certain instances, fees may be charged to the contract/account, to the client
directly, through another managed account if allowed, via a bank or credit card all
at the client’s option. For annuities, charging fees to a contract may negatively
affect certain benefits/riders of a given contract, and it is up to the client to
determine what effects, if any, the payment method selected by the client will affect
the contract/product.
All fees are negotiable.
For all direct-way products, the product issuer may charge certain internal
expenses to the client. These charges are in addition to any advisory fees charged
by Creative. Creative does not share in any fees charged by the issuing direct-
way product issuer.
To the extent that the investment adviser representative of Creative also served
as the registered representative of cfd investments, and was involved in a sale or
ongoing servicing of certain annuity products, both cfd Investments, and the
registered representative may receive concessions, trails or other compensation
directly from the product issuer. Such payments will not be shared with Creative.
Financial Planning Services – Fees and Compensation
Comprehensive and Modular Financial Planning Services
Comprehensive Financial Plan fees are based on the client’s gross income as
reported on their most recent tax return. The total fee is fixed when the client signs
the Financial Planning Services Agreement.
Previous Year’s
Gross Income
Fee Range
Under $50,000
$50,000 but under $75,000
$75,000 but under $100,000
$100,000 but under $150,000
$150,000 but under $250,000
$250,000 and above
$700-2,000
$800-3,000
$900-4,000
$1,000-5,000
$1,100-10,000
$1,200-20,000
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Creative may charge up to 50% as a down payment, as specified on the Financial
Planning Services Agreement. Any remaining balance is due 30 days after the
plan is completed and made available to the client.
As an alternative, Creative may charge through a monthly payment plan.
Fees and payment schedules are negotiable and are set forth on the Financial
Planning Services Agreement between Creative and the client.
In the event that planning is not completed based on the actions of Creative or its
investment adviser representatives, any down payment will be returned to the
client. If the client cancels the service before completion, or rejects the plan
provided by Creative, the down payment is 50% refundable. There will be no
interest paid on any refunds under this provision.
For a "Mini" or "Modular" Plan, Creative charges fees ranging as noted below:
Service
Fee Range
1. Estate Analysis $600-20,000
$200-15,000
2. Medicaid Planning
3. Government Benefit Planning
$200-10,000
Business Financial Plan $600-20,000
4.
Investment Analysis $300-3,000
5.
6. Tax Analysis*
$300-3,000
Income Funding Analysis $150-3,000
7.
Insurance Analysis
8.
$150-3,000
9.
Educational Funding Analysis $150-3,000
10. Retirement Analysis $300-3,000
$150-3,000
11. Accumulation Funding Analysis
12. Budget Construction/Analysis $300-3,000
All fees are negotiable.
As a rule, with Modular Planning, the entire fee is due upon delivery of the analysis
or service and is generally not refundable.
The client is under no obligation to effect securities or insurance transactions
through the firm’s affiliates or related persons if they choose to act on or otherwise
implement any recommendations made in either a Comprehensive Financial Plan
or other Modular Plan.
Comprehensive and Modular Plan Fees are negotiable. The same or similar
services can be provided through hourly services or through retainer fee
arrangements. The use of comprehensive or modular planning service involves
46
more or less payment than other fee arrangements for the same or similar
services.
* With respect to the tax analysis identified previously, Creative provides guidance
and expectations about the tax consequences of certain investment decisions, but
Creative does not provide legal or tax advice, and will work with the attorney or
accountant of the client about any tax-related recommendations. Additional costs
charged by the client’s attorney and/or accountant (or by any other additional
outside services provider), is the responsibility of the client.
ERISA Accounts
Creative is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory clients that are employee benefit
plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs) pursuant to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), and regulations under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), respectively. As such, Creative is subject to
specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that
include among other things, restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation.
Other Fee-Paying Services
Clients may also be charged for resources received from Creative.
Hourly Fee
Client and Creative may agree to elect for an hourly fee arrangement for stated
services for the client. These likely specialty services can be billed up to $350 per
hour. Hourly fees are negotiable. In certain instances, the same or similar services
can likely be provided through comprehensive or modular planning services or
through retainer fee arrangements. The use of hourly fees for service involves
more or less payment than other fee arrangements for the same or similar
services.
Hourly fees are paid in arrears, after the service has been provided, and can be
charged at various frequencies, including, without limitation, one-time, monthly or
quarterly.
Hourly fees are negotiable. In certain instances, the same or similar services can
be provided through comprehensive or modular planning services, through
retainer fee arrangements, or through a flat-fee. The use of hourly fees for service
involves more or less payment than other fee arrangements for the same or similar
services.
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Retainer Fee
Client and Creative may agree to elect for a retainer fee payment option from $25
per month up to $2,500 per month, based on the agreed upon services provided
for the client. Retainer fees can be charged monthly or quarterly, and they are
charged in arrears. Creative will provide the services for such fee until the client
or the firm terminates the relationship.
Retainer fees are negotiable. In certain instances, the same or similar services
can be provided through comprehensive or modular planning services, through
hourly fee arrangements, or through a flat-fee. The use of retainer fees for service
involves more or less payment than other fee arrangements for the same or similar
services.
Termination Provisions
Termination of advisory services can be accomplished by written notice from one
party to another. Under any in-advance billed accounts, Creative will return to
client any unearned pre-paid advisory fees upon termination.
With respect to financial planning services, either party upon written notice may
terminate the Financial Planning Services Agreement. If, before the total fee has
been paid, the client is not satisfied and the plan cannot be modified, then one-half
of the total fee that has been collected will be refunded. If, after payment in full,
the client is not satisfied and the plan cannot be modified, then 50% of the total fee
will be refunded. Any claim for refund of a financial plan fee must be made within
sixty days of delivery of the completed plan to the client.
ITEM 6: PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
The firm and your representative do not accept performance-based fees for
investment management services.
The firm does not provide side-by-side management of mutual funds and other
assets.
ITEM 7: TYPES OF CLIENTS
Creative provides advisory services to retail and institutional investors, individuals,
including high net worth individuals and business entities, such as charitable
organizations, as well as to employer retirement and pension plans. For account
minimums, see Descriptions and Account Minimums and review the particular
service.
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ITEM 8: METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK
OF LOSS
Categorizations of assets are made using the Morningstar software, when
possible. Appropriate adjustments to the overall model portfolios are determined
by Creative’s Executive Investment Committee and the firm’s investment
management team, and are based upon assessments and views of then-current
or future forecasted market and industry circumstances, in addition to other
variables such as economic, demographic and geo-political events.
With respect to financial planning activities, Creative utilizes several professional
planning software programs, depending upon the client needs and desired scope
of services.
With all investments and investment strategies there is a risk of loss of investment
principal, and no guarantees are or can be made that any particular investment,
investment plan or strategy will fulfill its objective or prove to be profitable.
Education, Business Standards of Persons Giving or Determining Advice
The risks associated with a particular strategy are provided to each Client in
advance of investing Client accounts. Creative, through its investment adviser
representatives, work with each Client to determine their tolerance for risk as part
of the portfolio and strategy selection process. Past performance is not a
guarantee of future returns. Investing in securities and other investments involve
a risk of loss that each client should understand be willing to bear. Clients are
reminded to discuss these risks with their investment advisor representative.
With respect to Adviser Discretionary Management (ADM) accounts, approved
investment adviser representatives can provide management for clients directly.
The firm has established guidelines to assist advisors about how to manage client
assets. The firm’s guidelines are best practices, however investment adviser
representatives are ultimately responsible for the investment allocations in adviser
Discretionary Managed accounts, subject to the customers portfolio allocation
selection and any customization that the customer has directed.
ADM accounts are often provided on a customized basis, meaning that the
investment adviser representative has more flexibility to accept instructions from
the Client about particular holdings, frequency of trading, cash allocations, and
other restrictions and limitations than is typically afforded to clients through other
managed account strategies.
With respect to all other management, Creative utilizes an Executive Investment
Committee in determining the general strategies employed in the delivery of
investment advice provided to clients.
49
Biographies of the Executive Investment Committee members are set forth below:
Brent A. Owens, born in 1969, graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a
B.S. in Business Administration in 1992. He is a General Securities Principal and
a Financial Operations Principal. He has passed the following FINRA/state-
regulatory qualifying examinations: Series 7, Series 24, Series 27, Series 63 and
Series 65. He is an active member of the Financial Services Institute and the
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. Mr. Owens has been
President of the firm and cfd Investments, Inc. (a registered broker/dealer) since
1997. From 1992 to 1997, Owens served both the firm and cfd Investments, Inc.
in various capacities, including plan writing and investment management of the
firm’s managed accounts.
Kregg J. Rooze, born in 1974, graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in
Financial Counseling and Planning and Consumer Affairs in 1998. He is a General
Securities Principal and Vice President of the firm. He has passed the following
FINRA/state-regulatory qualifying examinations: Series 7, Series 24, and Series
63. He began working for firm in 1997. His experience includes plan writing, since
1999, Rooze served as the Managed Account Director of the firm.
Daniel K. Hale, born in 1972, graduated from the University of North Carolina -
Pembroke in 1995 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He also has an
Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Garden City Community College. He is a
General Securities Principal and an Options Principal, as well as Vice President of
cfd Investments, Inc. He has passed the following FINRA/state-regulatory
qualifying examinations: Series 4, Series 7, Series 24, Series 27, Series 62, and
Series 63. He has been working for cfd Investments, Inc. since 1995.
Mick Owens, born in 1946, graduated from Indiana State University in 1968 with a
B.S. in Mathematics. Owens is the founder of the firm and of cfd Investments, Inc.
Owens is also the founder of several companies that do not have material
interrelationships with the firm; cfd Insurance Planners, cfd Accounting Services,
and cfd Realty. Owens has obtained the CLU, ChFC, and CFP designations and
is a general securities principal. He has passed the following FINRA/state-
regulatory qualifying examinations: Series 7, Series 24, Series 63 and Series 65.
Chris Rockey, born in 1979, graduated from Butler University in 2001 with a B.S in
Physician Assistant Studies. Chris has worked in the financial services industry
since 2008 after working as an emergency department Physician Assistant for
more than 10 years. He works with individuals and small businesses to help them
formulate their financial goals and develop strategies to implement them. Rockey
has obtained the ChFC designation and has passed the following FINRA/state-
regulatory qualifying examinations: Series 7 and Series 66.
50
Other Business Activities
Solicitor Activities
Acting as Solicitor:
The firm may in some instances act as a solicitor for third party asset managers
and receive a fee for its solicitation activities. The fee received may include any of
the following: a portion of the asset management fee charged to the client, a
platform fee paid directly by third party asset manager, which may or may not be
based on the assets under management maintained by the asset manager. With
respect to certain third party asset managers, the fee described herein may be in
addition to fees associated with corporate sponsorship, revenue share or other
arrangements discussed elsewhere in this form ADV or other firm disclosures.
Acting as a Co-Advisor:
The firm may in some instances act as a Co-Advisor, whereby Creative may
provide advisory services along-side of a third party investment adviser. In such
arrangements, typically, the third-party investment adviser will be providing
management services, and the firm will engage in other advisory services in
connection with the client/account. Both the third-party asset manager and the firm
may charge a fee for the advisory services that each provides. That fee may be
combined or billed separately, depending on the policies and procedures of the
third party investment adviser. With respect to certain third party asset managers,
the fee described herein may be in addition to fees associated with corporate
sponsorship, revenue share or other arrangements discussed elsewhere in this
form ADV or other firm disclosures.
There are different methods used for the billing of fees, and these differences are
dependent upon the third party manager. Certain managers/custodians will collect
the advisory fees in accordance with their policies and procedures. If that is the
case, see the third party manager’s policies and procedures for the details of the
billing methodology.
To the extent that Creative is billing its fees, and to the extent that the third-party
investment advisor would so permit, the annualized fee that is billed quarterly, in
advance and is based on the value of the assets on the final day of the quarter.
When an account is opened during the quarter, the fee will be prorated for the
portion of the calendar quarter for which management services were provided. The
annual rate is fixed when a client opens or modifies an account. The rate is
identified in the customer’s agreement.
In certain instances, fees may be charged to the account, to the client directly,
through another managed account if allowed, via a bank or credit card all at the
client’s option.
Engaging Solicitors:
51
To the extent permitted under applicable law(s), the firm may pay a fee under its
referral program. The amounts paid and the persons eligible under the referral
program are provided for by written agreement. The amount is based on a
percentage of the fees it collects for investment advisory or financial planning
services.
Other Activities of Staff Members and investment adviser representatives
Most of the firm’s personnel and investment adviser representatives are registered
representatives of cfd Investments, Inc., a securities broker/dealer and affiliated
entity of Creative. For certain accounts, as otherwise described herein, cfd
Investments, Inc. acts as broker for securities transactions and, in those instances,
receives a portion of the custodial fee and/or transaction-based compensation.
Where an advisory client of Creative elects to effect securities transactions through
cfd Investments, Inc., in a non-managed account his or her investment adviser
representative, acting in the capacity of registered representative, will be
compensated thereon.
The client is not obligated to affect any transactions through cfd Investments, Inc.
but may choose to utilize the broker/dealer firm of their choice. Not all investment
strategies are available when using other broker/dealer firms and must be
approved for use before management can occur.
A client’s investment adviser representative or cfd Investments, Inc. may
occasionally purchase securities that are also recommended to other of Creative’s
clients. This situation almost universally entails publicly traded stocks, ETFs or
mutual funds, where there is little risk that Creative might disadvantage a client or
his or her investment adviser representative trading in advance of clients.
However, Creative’s investment adviser representatives are required to affect any
client transactions prior to affecting their own.
In addition to acting as investment adviser representatives of Creative and
registered representatives of its affiliate, cfd Investments, Inc., investment adviser
representatives may also have various other outside business activities, related to
the financial services industry or entirely unrelated. All outside business activities
of investment adviser representatives must be disclosed to, and approved by,
Creatives’ compliance department. Creative will make disclosure of potential
conflicts of interest to its clients relating to individual circumstances in such
situations.
ITEM 9: DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
In 2020, The Securities and Exchange Commission “SEC”
issued an
Administrative and Cease and Desist Order pursuant to Section 15(B) of the
Securities Exchange Act, and Sections 203(E) and 203(K) of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940. The Order found that Creative breached its fiduciary duty in
52
connection with its mutual fund share class selection practices and revenue
sharing payments by cfd Investments, Inc., its affiliated broker/dealer. The Order
identified that the payments of 12B-1 fees and revenue share arrangements to cfd
Investments, Inc., that were in effect from 2014 thru 2019. These arrangements
constituted a conflict of interest that was not fully disclosed in the form ADV.
Additionally, the compensation received by cfd Investments, Inc. was not fully
disclosed in the form ADV. The Order issued a monetary fine of $212,300, and
ordered disgorgement of $569,516 and prejudgment interest of $208,424.
found
on
the
Investment Adviser Public Disclosure
Other details related to this matter, or matters relating to affiliates of Creative, can
be
site
(www.adviserinfo.sec.gov) or FINRA’s brokercheck (www.brokercheck.com).
ITEM 10: OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES OR AFFILIATIONS
cfd
Investments,
Inc.
Creative has some common shareholders, officers and directors with cfd
Investments, Inc., cfd Insurance Planners, Inc. and other companies related only
by common ownership. No CFD company has a controlling ownership interest in
is an SEC-registered
any other CFD company.
Broker/Dealer and member of FINRA and is also an insurance agency. Cfd
Insurance Planners is a licensed life and health insurance agency. As disclosed
elsewhere, there is also cfd Realty [a real estate broker]. The objective is to make
the products and services of those companies available to clients, if desired, in
order to provide superior services and products toward achievement of clients’
overall financial goals. However, unless otherwise noted herein, clients are not
obligated to use either cfd Investments or any other affiliated entity in the course
of implementing advice given by Creative. For some management platforms,
clients are required to use the services of cfd Investments, Inc. as the
broker/dealer. While the firm believes that the fees, commissions and charges of
cfd Investments, Inc. are competitive with the industry norms and the negotiation
of commission rates is possible, clients may be able to obtain substantially similar
services from other industry broker/dealers at lesser cost.
Most registered representatives of cfd Investments are also investment adviser
representatives of Creative, and most investment adviser representatives of
Creative are also registered representatives of cfd Investments. This fact, along
with overlapping ownership previously discussed, creates a close relationship
between Creative and cfd Investments. Given the close relationship between cfd
Investments and Creative, cfd Investments and Creative have jointly created the
firm Customer Relationship Summary (Form CRS). Creative believes that this is
the best way of describing the relationships available with Creative. Additionally,
Creative has worked with cfd Investments on its Conflicts of Interest Disclosure,
which contains information relating to conflicts of interest that cfd Investments and
Creative have with respect to some of the services that are provided to retail
customers and investors. Please note that this information is available at
www.cfdinvestments.com and www.creativefinancialdesigns.com, and is intended
53
to be a disclosure of cfd investments, but to the extent that it relates to Creative’s
managed accounts held through a cfd Investments account, that disclosure
document is also considered to be a supplemental disclosure of Creative.
ITEM 11: CODE OF ETHICS -- PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT
TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL TRADING
Creative, its employees and investment adviser representatives are subject to the
firm’s Code of Ethics. The Code generally provides that in all of Creative’s business
the best interest of the client is primary. Conflicts of interest are to be avoided and,
where they cannot be avoided, acted upon in the client's best interests. The Code
further requires employees and investment adviser representatives to, among
other things, adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements and to protect the
confidential information of clients. This Code of Ethics also relates to investment
adviser representatives relative to their personal investment transactions, all of
which are monitored by the firm to ensure that personal trading does not interfere
with the obligations and responsibilities of the investment adviser representative
to the client. Clients may obtain a copy of the firm’s Code of Ethics upon request.
Specifically, investment adviser representatives are precluded from conducting
trading in their personal accounts or in the accounts prior to placing client
transaction the same securities, except to the extent that it relates to block trades
which are fully executed.
ITEM 12: BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Choice of Broker/Dealers
Clients may establish a brokerage account through an approved broker/dealer.
One option is for clients to utilize cfd Investments, Inc., which is a broker/dealer
affiliated with Creative. This option is available only to clients whose investment
adviser representative is also affiliated with cfd Investments, Inc. cfd Investments,
Inc. utilizes NFS as its clearing firm, which provides such services as transaction
execution, clearance, settlement and custody. Creative believes that the fees,
commission and other charges available through cfd Investments, Inc. are
competitive relative to the services provided. Clients may negotiate fees,
commissions and other charges.
For brokerage accounts established through NFS, asset-based pricing will apply
to the account, which will be a percentage of the value of an account, with an $8
minimum monthly charge. This charge will be applied to cover the custodial and
transaction-based fees associated with the managed account. This is not a “Wrap
Fee,” as the advisory fee associated with the management of the account is
separately identified and negotiated. Additionally, the financial adviser does not
share in any portion of the asset-based pricing fee. The asset-based pricing fee
is designed to offset those costs incurred by cfd Investments, Inc. based on the
54
fees charged by NFS for the custody and trading services that they provide, as
well as to provide the revenue to cfd Investments, Inc., that would approximate the
amount of revenue that would have been received were transaction-based pricing
still in place. Of course, it is doing so while at the same time diminishing the conflict
of interest that comes into place if Creative were to direct transactions for which
transaction-based compensation would be received by cfd Investments, Inc. cfd
Investments, Inc. will not receive any additional compensation based on a decision
of the manager to conduct more frequent transactions in a customer’s account.
As an alternative, clients may choose to establish an account through Schwab
acting as the broker/dealer. Creative may also make other broker/dealer
arrangements available from time to time. For the costs and expenses related to
Schwab, please check with the information made available by those Schwab, as
its fees and charges can change from time to time.
For brokerage accounts established through custodians other than NFS, the
customer will pay for the services of the custodian, and depending on how the
account is set up, that payment may be in the form of an asset-based fee, or in the
form of a transaction-based fee. Additional fees and charges may also apply.
Neither the financial professional nor Creative shares in any portion of custodian’s
fees.
If Creative approves other custodians, the details of fees and expenses associated
with such an account will be fully disclosed to the client upon any recommendation
to open up such an account.
Execution of Transactions
When effecting securities transactions for the In-House Brokerage Managed
Account platform, the firm’s personnel will generally effect transactions for all
clients utilizing block trading, (which provides the ability to aggregate securities
transactions for execution and then allocate the appropriate shares to Client
accounts). This will not advantage one client over that of another. When the type
or nature of the transaction is not conducive to the use of block trading, Creative
will conduct all of the transactions as close in time as practicable under the
prevailing circumstances. This practice will result in some clients obtaining
execution of their portfolio transactions earlier than other clients do and in periods
of market volatility, could result in differing execution prices for some clients for
transactions involving the same securities.
When effecting transactions through different custodians, transactions will be
conducted first at NFS, Schwab, and then at any remaining custodians.
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Soft Dollars/Referrals/Directed Brokerage
is
discussed
on
the
firm’s website
Except as otherwise identified herein, Creative does not accept products or
services that do not qualify for Safe Harbor outlined in Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as those services that do not aid in
investment decision-making or trade execution. That said, certain third party asset
managers provide payments to Creative or cfd Investments, Inc. in the form of
marketing support. Such payments are made to Creative for the purposes of
supporting training of its investment adviser representatives, and such third party
asset managers are identified as corporate sponsors. Information relating to
corporate
at
sponsors
www.creativefinancialdesigns.com.
Certain third party asset managers provide incentives to investment adviser
representatives, and these incentives can include the payment of additional funds
to investment adviser representatives, beyond the fee collected, as an offset of
costs paid by the investment adviser representatives in the performance of their
practices. These incentives may also include forms of non-cash compensation
which would generally be used to offset expenses related to marketing or training
activities. Discussions of these programs can be made available directly by our
investment adviser representatives, as applicable to the services that they
recommend. More information about these programs and arrangements are
discussed in the firm’s conflicts of interest disclosure, and in the financial
professional specific conflicts of interest disclosure. Please discuss this matter
with your investment adviser representative, if applicable.
With respect to managed advisory clients, Creative does not direct transactions to
any broker/dealer in return for any form of compensation or referrals. Creative
utilizes the brokerage services of cfd Investments, Inc. and generally recommends
that advisory clients utilize the services of this affiliated broker/dealer. As
discussed elsewhere in this document, cfd Investments, Inc. does receive
compensation based on accounts established through the broker/dealer and
through its clearing arrangement with NFS. Additional compensation is provided
to cfd Investments, Inc. based on the aggregate account value of accounts
established through NFS, which includes accounts established as managed
accounts through Creative.
Customers of investment adviser representatives that are not associated with cfd
Investments, Inc. cannot utilize NFS as their custodian for managed accounts.
Creative does provide services through other custodians, and investors will pay
fees and charges for transactions, or other services provided through such
custodians.
Financial planning clients are advised that they are free to use the broker/dealer
of their choice to implement financial planning recommendations. Clients should
be aware that a conflict of interest is present when utilizing cfd Investments, Inc.
56
for plan implementation transactions since their investment adviser representative
may be compensated for such securities transactions by the broker/dealer. That
compensation in their capacity as registered representatives is in addition to any
compensation they may receive from Creative in their capacity as investment
adviser representatives.
ITEM 13: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL PLANS
Review of Accounts
Managed accounts are reviewed by the Managed Accounts Department.
Investments and portfolio strategies are managed for investment and portfolio
ratings, drift, along with internal valuations on gains, losses, allocation, and
diversification, etc. Creative conducts its monitoring via independent software as
well as personal observations. In order to ensure that all portfolio transactions,
holdings and values are correct and current, Creative urges its clients to carefully
review all statements received directly from the independent financial institutions
and qualified custodians. Furthermore, Creative conducts reviews of trades and
managed accounts.
Review of Financial Plans
The firm’s home office staff reviews a sampling of financial plans including written
financial planning advice. Compliance and Supervision personnel also conduct
periodic reviews of investment adviser representative activities.
ITEM 14: CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Client Solicitation
Creative, from time to time, enters into solicitation agreements pursuant to which
it compensates third-party intermediaries for client referrals that result in the
provision of investment advisory services by Creative. Creative will disclose these
solicitation arrangements to affected investors, and any cash solicitation
agreements will comply with Rule 206(4)-3 under the Advisers Act. Solicitors
introducing clients to Creative may receive compensation from Creative, such as
a retainer, a flat fee per referral and/or a percentage of introduced capital. Such
compensation will be paid pursuant to a written agreement with the solicitor and
generally may be terminated by either party from time to time. The cost of any such
fees will be borne entirely by Creative and its investment adviser representatives
and not by any affected client.
Third Party Asset Managers or Co-Advisory Relationships
Creative enters into marketing arrangements with certain third-party asset
managers whereby Creative receives compensation and/or allowances in amounts
57
based either upon a percentage of the value of new or existing account assets of
clients referred to the third party asset manager by Creative, or a flat dollar amount.
Creative uses these funds to offset marketing expenses of Creative or its
investment adviser representatives.
cfd Investments, Inc.
Inc. and Creative.
Additionally, most
There is no formal client referral arrangement between cfd Investments, Inc. and
Creative, but there are clients of Creative that are also clients of cfd Investments,
Inc. and it can be understood that clients are being referred between cfd
Investments,
investment adviser
representatives of Creative are also registered representatives of cfd Investments,
Inc. These facts may be a consideration in a recommendation by Creative to utilize
cfd Investments, Inc. as its broker/dealer.
ITEM 15: CUSTODY
All client assets are held at qualified custodians who provide account statements
directly to clients per their stated way of receiving (through online access, email,
or mail). Clients have the choice of the custodian that they wish to have, and is
responsible to pay for all custodial, transaction fees, or other such fees as charged
by the custodian of their choice.
ITEM 16: INVESTMENT DISCRETION
Creative exercises discretion with respect to the Brokerage Management, Self-
Directed Retirement, and Variable Annuity Management platforms. Discretion
gives Creative the authority to determine the securities to be bought and sold
without obtaining specific client consent, unless a client of Creative specifically
restricts certain transactions in their accounts. For certain managed accounts it is
required that the clients maintain the account at a broker/dealer. Creative often
recommends cfd Investments to serve in that capacity, however a client may use
a third party broker/dealer approved by Creative.
the
firm generally recommends
Though
that planning clients utilize cfd
Investments, Inc. for securities transactions, the planning clients' choice of
broker/dealers to use for the implementation of securities transactions is the
client's decision.
ITEM 17: VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Creative does not vote proxies for its clients with regard to their securities holdings.
All client securities are held at their respective custodians in the name of the client
and therefore client custodians’ direct proxies to the clients themselves for voting.
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ITEM 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Creative does not require or solicit the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees six
months or more in advance. In addition, Creative is required to disclose any
financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its ability to meet contractual
commitments to clients. Creative has no disclosures pursuant to this topic.
59