Overview
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL
- Average Client Assets
- $19.0 million
- SEC CRD Number
- 288566
Recent Rankings
Forbes 2025: 10
Forbes 2024: 14
Barron's 2025:
2
Barron's 2024:
3
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (CRESSET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC FORM ADV2A (""DISCLOSURE BROCHURE"") AND APPENDIX 1 (""WRAP FEE BROCHURE""))
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $5,000,000 | 1.25% |
| $5,000,001 | $10,000,000 | 0.90% |
| $10,000,001 | $25,000,000 | 0.80% |
| $25,000,001 | $50,000,000 | 0.70% |
| $50,000,001 | and above | 0.60% |
Minimum Annual Fee: $25,000
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $25,000 | 2.50% |
| $5 million | $62,500 | 1.25% |
| $10 million | $107,500 | 1.08% |
| $50 million | $402,500 | 0.80% |
| $100 million | $702,500 | 0.70% |
Clients
- HNW Share of Firm Assets
- 88.38%
- Total Client Accounts
- 32,894
- Discretionary Accounts
- 31,788
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 1,106
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Pooled Investment Vehicles, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Pension Consulting, Investment Advisor Selection, Educational Seminars
Regulatory Filings
Additional Brochure: CRESSET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC FORM ADV2A (""DISCLOSURE BROCHURE"") AND APPENDIX 1 (""WRAP FEE BROCHURE"") (2026-03-27)
View Document Text
Item 1: Cover Page
Cresset Asset Management, LLC
Form ADV Part 2A – Brochure
March 27, 2026
This Form ADV Part 2A (“Brochure”) provides information about the qualifications and
business practices of Cresset Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, also conducting advisory business under the names of Cresset, Cresset Capital,
Cresset Sports & Entertainment, and CH Investment Partners (“Cresset,” the “Adviser,”
“us” or “we”). If you have any questions about the content of this Brochure, please
contact us at (312) 429 – 2400 or by email at info@cressetcapital.com.
Cresset is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”). The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified
by the SEC or by any state securities authority. Registration as an investment adviser
does not imply any specific level of skill or training. This Brochure provides information
about Cresset to assist you in determining whether to retain the Adviser.
Additional information about Cresset and its advisory persons is available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with our firm name or our CRD#
288566.
444 West Lake Street, Suite 4700
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: 312.319.9659
Email: info@cressetcapital.com
cressetcapital.com
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
1
Item 2: Material Changes
Cresset’s most recent update of this Brochure was made on October 29, 2025. This annual
Brochure amendment contains certain updated disclosures, summarized below:
•
•
•
•
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation: additional disclosure clarifies that certain Funds advised
by Cresset will bear, in accordance with their respective governing documents,
organizational and operational expenses, including professional fees, fund administration
costs, and, in certain cases, compensation and overhead of employees providing finance,
tax, accounting, operations, and other services to the Funds.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss: disclosure
regarding the Adviser’s use of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning and the
associated risks.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations: disclosure of a new financial
affiliate relationship as a result of an affiliate’s acquisition of Monticello Associates, LLC.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities: updated to reflect the Adviser’s current policies
surrounding proxy voting.
No material changes were made to the Wrap Fee Program supplement to this Brochure
(incorporated herein by reference as Appendix 1) since the Adviser’s last annual update, filed
on March 28, 2025.
From time to time, we may amend this Brochure to reflect changes in our business practices,
changes in regulations and routine annual updates as required by the securities regulators.
This complete Brochure or a Summary of Material Changes shall be provided to each Client
annually and if certain material changes occur.
Cresset encourages all current and prospective Clients to carefully read this Brochure in its
entirety and to discuss any questions you may have with us.
Capitalized terms are defined hereinafter.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
2
Item 3: Table of Contents
Contents
Item 1: Cover Page .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................................................... 8
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management............................................................ 13
Item 7: Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................................. 14
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss .................................................... 14
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................................. 34
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................................ 34
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...... 38
Item 12: Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................................. 43
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................... 45
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ......................................................................................... 46
Item 15: Custody .......................................................................................................................................................... 49
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................... 49
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................................ 50
Item 18: Financial Information .................................................................................................................................. 51
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
3
Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Information
Founded by Avy Stein and Eric Becker in March 2017, Cresset Asset Management, LLC (the
“Adviser”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). Cresset is a subsidiary of CCM Midco, LLC, which is in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Cresset Capital Management, LLC (“CCM”). CCM is governed by a board of directors, and is
operated by the Co-Chairman, Executive Managing Directors, Chief Investment Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance
Officer, and Chief Growth Officer.
Services Offered
We provide investment advisory and family office services to individuals, high net worth
individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, pooled
investment vehicles (the “Funds”), and other business entities (each a “Client”). Our advisory
services are provided to individual, joint, retirement, trust and estate, separately managed
accounts (“SMAs”) (each a Client “Account” or “Portfolio”). These services include wealth
management, which generally encompasses a combination of comprehensive financial planning
and either discretionary or non-discretionary investment advisory services (further described
below).
Investment Advisory Services
Prior to engaging the Adviser to provide investment advisory services, each Client is required to
enter into one or more agreements with the Adviser that define the terms, conditions, authority,
and responsibilities of the Adviser and the Client. Pursuant to such engagement agreements,
Cresset provides continuous and ongoing investment advice and portfolio management
services. These services can include:
• Establishing an Investment Strategy – Cresset, in consultation with the Client, will develop
a strategy that seeks to achieve the Client’s goals and objectives.
• Asset Allocation – Cresset will develop a strategic asset allocation that is targeted to meet
the investment objectives, time horizon, financial situation, and risk tolerance for each
Client.
• Portfolio Construction – Cresset will develop a portfolio for the Client that is intended to
•
meet the stated goals and objectives of the Client.
Investment Management and Supervision – Cresset will provide investment management
and ongoing oversight of the Client’s portfolio.
Discretionary vs. Non-Discretionary Account Management
Clients retain Cresset on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. In providing
discretionary management services, Cresset maintains a limited power of attorney to effect
securities transactions on behalf of a Client without the Client’s prior approval in accordance with
the Client’s investment objectives. Such discretionary authority and engagement will continue
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
4
until a Client notifies us otherwise in writing. Clients reserve the right to limit our discretionary
authority by providing us with written communication that details restrictions and other
guidelines. In some cases, Accounts may gain indirect exposure to a restricted security through
investments in pooled investment vehicles, such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds
(“ETFs”), index funds, or other commingled or model-based investment strategies. These
vehicles are typically managed by third parties, and their underlying holdings are not selected or
controlled by Cresset on a security-by-security basis.
We also offer services on a non-discretionary basis, whereby we are required to obtain Client
consent prior to executing any trades on their behalf. Accordingly, such Clients maintain ultimate
decision-making authority with respect to the purchase or sale of investments in their Account(s).
As a result of maintaining this authority, existing and prospective Clients should be aware that
the timing and execution of trades could be adversely impacted. For example, in situations where
Cresset seeks consent from a Client, Cresset’s ability to aggregate that trade with other Client
orders could be limited, which may result in an execution price that differs from any aggregated
trades.
Monitoring and Adjustment
Cresset seeks to provide advice and services tailored to meet each Client’s individual needs, life
circumstances, and investment goals. We engage with each Client to determine their investment
objectives, risk tolerance, time horizons and liquidity needs. Clients can impose reasonable
restrictions and guidelines on investing in certain securities, types of securities or industry
sectors.
As part of our services, we monitor investments and securities in Accounts on a regular and
continuous basis, unless otherwise agreed, and make adjustments and reallocations as
necessary due to changes in market conditions and the Client’s circumstances as communicated
to us. We generally meet with Clients annually, or more frequently, depending on each Client’s
needs.
Private Fund Advisory Services
Cresset also provides investment advisory and management services to the Funds that are
exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”) and whose securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”). Investment advice is provided to the Funds as Clients of the Adviser, and not
individually to the investors in the Funds. In general, those investment advisory services consist
of sourcing, structuring, and negotiating investments and dispositions (as applicable), monitoring
the performance of investments, and performing certain administrative services, in accordance
with the applicable Fund’s governing documents, private placement memorandum or disclosure
document, subscription agreement, ancillary agreements, and all amendments thereto (the
“Governing Documents”).
In general, Funds are established to primarily invest in one or more investment vehicles advised
by third-party investment managers, including certain affiliates of Cresset (each an “underlying
fund” or “underlying funds”, as applicable, of a “Third-Party Manager”), while other Funds may
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
5
be established to make direct investments. In each case, we research diligence, and make a
determination as to an investment recommendation, as further described in Item 8 below.
For detailed information on a particular Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and
guidelines, please refer to such Fund’s Governing Documents.
Financial Planning or Consulting Services
Cresset also provides financial planning services as a component of its wealth management
services. Such services generally involve a comprehensive evaluation of the Client’s financial
situation and the creation of a financial plan for the Client, which is designed to assist the Client
in achieving their financial goals and objectives. We gather information through interviews and
reviews of documents provided by the Client, including questionnaires as deemed necessary.
Information gathered includes, among other things, the Client’s current financial status, future
goals, investment objectives, risk tolerance and family circumstances.
A financial plan typically addresses one or more of the following areas:
• Financial Position – Understanding a Client’s current financial situation. Sources of
•
•
evaluation include the Client’s income, expenses, assets and liabilities, among others.
Investment Planning – Determining a suitable way to structure investments to meet the
Client’s financial goals, and determine the appropriate account type (e.g., joint tenants, IRA,
Roth IRA).
Income Tax Planning – Evaluating a Client’s current tax situation to help minimize the
Client’s taxes and find more profitable uses for any extra income generated.
• Retirement Planning – Assessing a Client’s retirement needs to help him/her determine
how much to accumulate, as well as distribution strategies designed to create a source of
income during retirement years.
• Estate Planning – Reviewing the Client’s cash needs at death, income needs of surviving
dependents, and estate planning goals.
• Education Planning – Reviewing the educational needs for the Client and his/her family,
along with planning for educational expenses.
A financial plan could require the services of a specialist. Cresset may recommend to Clients
certain third-party service providers, but the Client is under no obligation to use any service
provider recommended by us. Likewise, the Client is under no obligation to act on our financial
planning recommendations.
Clients may also engage the Adviser to provide investment consulting services pursuant to an
engagement agreement. Under such arrangements, the Adviser provides recommendations,
advice, and other services as set forth in the engagement agreement but does not have the
authority to take action on behalf of the Client. Subject to the above, investment consulting
services are provided in accordance with the directions of the Client.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
6
Family Office Services
A Cresset affiliate, Cresset Family Office, LLC (“CFO”), offers family office services in
conjunction with the Adviser’s provision of investment advisory services. CFO services are
provided pursuant to an engagement agreement which may provide for separate fees in
connection therewith. Such services encompass both strategic and tactical advisory consulting
including but not limited to:
• Wealth Strategy and Asset Protection
• Family Governance
• Liquidity and Exit Planning
• Learning and Development
• Philanthropic Consulting
• Tax Planning and Projections
• Estate Planning Analysis
• Banking, Lending, and Credit Consulting
• Lifestyle Services
• Bill Pay
• Risk Management
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Cresset also provides consulting retirement plan advisory services to retirement plans (each a
“Plan”) and their respective company sponsors (the “Plan Sponsor”). Certain of these services
are provided by Cresset serving in the capacity as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). In accordance with ERISA Section 408(b)(2),
the Plan Sponsor is provided with a written description of Cresset’s fiduciary status, the specific
services to be rendered and all direct and indirect compensation the Adviser reasonably expects
under the engagement. The Adviser will not take discretion over Plan assets when providing
these services (i.e., Cresset will not act as an investment manager under ERISA 3(38)). The
Adviser acts as an investment consultant pursuant to ERISA 3(21).
The Adviser’s retirement plan advisory services are designed to assist the Plan Sponsor in
meeting its fiduciary obligations to the Plan and its Plan participants. Each engagement
agreement is customized to the needs of the Plan and Plan Sponsor. Services can include:
Investment Policy Statement Design and Monitoring
Investment Monitoring Services
• Vendor Analysis
• Plan Participant Education
•
•
• Performance Reporting
• Ongoing Investment Recommendation
• Benchmarking Services
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
7
Termination of Services
In general, an engagement agreement can be terminated by either party at any time, by
providing advance written notice to the other party. The Client can terminate the agreement
within five (5) business days of signing the engagement agreement at no cost to the Client if the
Client first received this Brochure at the time of signing. After the five-day period, the Client will
incur charges for bona fide advisory services rendered to the point of termination and such fees
will be due and payable by the Client. The engagement agreement with the Adviser is non-
transferable without the Client’s prior consent.
Wrap Fee Program
Cresset sponsors and operates a wrap fee program (“Cresset One Fee Program”) whereby it
serves as the sole portfolio manager. As of October 2023, the Cresset One Fee Program is
generally no longer offered to new Clients and continues only to be offered for the benefit of
Clients then currently in the program, closely affiliated relationships to those Clients, and in
certain extraordinary circumstances.
Under the Cresset One Fee Program, certain brokerage execution services, administrative
expenses, and other fees and expenses are combined and charged together along with the
investment advisory fee paid to Cresset. Accordingly, such program participants generally pay
a higher or lower overall fee than if these services were paid for separately, depending on the
volume of trading and other fees associated with the Client account during the year. For
additional important information, please see Appendix 1 – “Wrap Fee Program Brochure,” which
is included as a supplement to this Brochure.
Client Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, Cresset managed $78,936,263,960 in Client assets, of which
$77,154,210,754 are managed on a discretionary basis and $1,782,053,206 are managed on a
non-discretionary basis.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
The following paragraphs detail the typical fee structures and compensation methodologies for
services provided by the Adviser. However, fees are negotiated in different amounts with each
Client based on a number of factors including, among other considerations, the aggregate assets
under management, the complexity and type of the services to be provided, and the overall
relationship such Client has with the Adviser. For example, certain legacy Clients who transferred
to Cresset from an unrelated third-party adviser often have fee structures and billing processes
that differ from the structures described herein. Clients should review their engagement
agreement for information related to fees and compensation.
Advisory Fees
As compensation for rendering investment advisory and wealth management services, Cresset
is generally paid quarterly (the “billing period”), either in advance or in arrears of the billing
period, pursuant to the terms of the engagement agreement. If billed in advance, advisory fees
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
8
are generally based on the market value of assets held in Accounts as of the last day of the prior
quarter. If billed in arrears, investment advisory fees are generally based on the quarter’s
average daily fair market value of the assets held in the Accounts. The investment advisory fee
in the first billing period of services is prorated. There are instances where engagements involve
a flat annual fee with respect to the type of account or services provided. When applicable,
advisory fees are calculated by applying the annual billing rate to the total managed assets,
multiplied by the percentage of time in the billing period over the calendar year, which is typically
quarterly.
The Adviser’s current standard fee schedules are as follows:
Top-Tier Fee
Waterfall Fee
Fair Market Value of Managed Accounts
Annualized Rate*
Annualized Rate*
$0 million to $5 million
1.25%
1.25%
$5 million to $10 million
1.10%
0.90%
$10 million to $25 million
0.90%
0.80%
$25 million to $50 million
0.80%
0.70%
$50+ million or more
0.70%
0.60%
*Minimum Fee is the lesser of $25,000 or 2.00% of Managed Assets.
Investment advisory fees that are based on the market value of managed assets could be
subject to a minimum annual fee of $25,000 (not to exceed 2.00% annually) in certain
circumstances. Fees may be negotiable at the discretion of the Adviser. Securities held in
accounts managed by Cresset will be independently valued by the applicable custodian.
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are generally valued using the
most recently received information; in the case of the Funds, such investments are typically
valued by the underlying fund, its Third-Party Manager, and/or the Fund’s fund administrator.
Clients are generally permitted to make additions to and withdrawals from their Accounts at any
time, subject to the Adviser’s right to terminate the accounts as set forth in the respective
engagement agreement. When the investment advisory fee is billed in advance, if there are
significant managed assets deposited into or withdrawn from an Account after the beginning of
a billing period, the fee payable with respect to such managed assets may be adjusted in the
next billing period to reflect the adjustment to the fee based on the change in assets held in the
Account. The Adviser’s methodology for determining the fee adjustment is on a per Account
basis and netting all billable securities and cash deposits/withdrawals that settle in the Account
on a given day of $100,000 or more. Any pro rata portion of any fee paid in advance will be
promptly refunded in the event of the termination of the engagement agreement prior to the
end of the billing period.
Pursuant to written Client authorization, advisory fees are deducted directly from a managed
account held by a custodian, whereby Cresset advises the applicable custodian in writing of the
amount of the fees to be deducted for the applicable Account at the beginning or end of the
respective billing period. Clients will be provided with a statement, at least quarterly, from the
custodian reflecting the deduction of the advisory fee. We urge all Clients to carefully review the
advisory fees shown in the custodial statements.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
9
If the Client account does not contain sufficient cash or cash equivalents to pay the advisory
fees due, Cresset has authority to sell or redeem securities in sufficient amounts to cover those
fees. In most cases, however, Clients can reimburse their Account for advisory fees paid unless
the Account is an ERISA or IRA account.
• Use of Independent Managers – Clients who use a separate, independent money manager
will typically incur additional fees pursuant to such relationship and Clients should refer
directly to the disclosures and/or fee schedule provided by such manager. The
engagement agreement may give Cresset the authority to hire and terminate such
managers on the Client’s behalf. The ability to access certain independent managers could
be limited by the types of accounts which are generally subject to account minimums as
determined by such independent managers. Further, the Client can access certain
independent money managers directly, and in such cases, could access such services at
lower costs than available through Cresset.
• Unaffiliated Private Fund Investments – For unaffiliated funds (i.e., funds managed by
Third-Party Managers), the Client is required to complete the applicable subscription
agreement and other required documents to establish these investments. Typically, Cresset
debits its advisory fees for providing investment advisory services with respect to these
relationships directly from the Account designated by the Client. For certain of these funds,
the Adviser may not receive updated investment valuations prior to its fee billing
calculation. In such instances, the Adviser will use the most recent valuation available for
the calculation of its advisory fees.
• Affiliated Private Fund Investments – With respect to the Funds that are managed or
advised by Cresset or one of its affiliates, the Client is required in each case to complete
the applicable subscription agreement and other required documents to establish these
investments. Clients in these Funds will generally be assessed an advisory fee with respect
to their investment in the Fund, which is calculated as described above and will be debited
from the Account(s) designated by the Client. However, some of these Funds pay the
Adviser a management fee that may be based on a percentage of capital commitments,
invested capital, or net asset value of the Fund, and a Client invested in such a Fund will
indirectly bear a portion of such management fee. In addition, if a Client paying an advisory
fee ceases to be a Client of the Adviser or its affiliates, that person will become subject to a
management fee at the Fund level that may be based on a percentage of capital
commitments, invested capital, or net asset value of the Fund. Because fund managers
generally charge investors fees and expenses, Clients invested in the Funds will frequently
incur additional fees and expenses in excess of the advisory fee and management fees
described above. Such additional fees and expenses are disclosed in the Fund’s Governing
Documents.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
10
Private Fund Fee Structure
Cresset and its affiliates receive compensation from the Funds. Depending on the underlying
agreements with the Fund and its Governing Documents, this compensation can include:
• Advisory fees payable to Cresset
• Management fees payable to Cresset or its affiliate
• Performance-based fee (or “carried interest”) payable to Cresset, its affiliates (please see
Item 6 – Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management) or a non-affiliated third-
party.
In addition to the above, each Fund bears certain expenses as described in the Governing
Documents. As the fees and expenses incurred by each Fund vary, prospective and current
investors should review the applicable Fund’s Governing Documents for a description of all
relevant fees and expenses to be paid by or allocable to an investor in a Fund.
Funds managed by Cresset will generally bear certain organizational and other expenses as
specified in the Governing Documents, which may include a fee payable to the Adviser for
certain direct and indirect operational costs and expenses otherwise borne by the Adviser on
behalf of such fund. Examples of such organizational and other expenses include, without
limitation: professional fees directly attributable to a specific Fund, such as legal fees and audit
fees; insurance premiums; fund borrowings; indemnification obligations; expenses relating to
legal and regulatory compliance; fees, costs and expenses relating to the administration of any
fund, including expenses that may also relate to the Adviser's administration and operational
support for the Fund and its assets, including without limitation those incurred in connection
with the preparation of financial statements, tax returns, K-1s, administration of assets, financial
planning and treasury activities; fees, costs and expenses incurred in the preparation of and
providing access to fund reports and information (including through websites or other portals)
and related operational, secretarial or postage expenses (including technology and other
administrative support); and general and administrative costs (including base salary, incentive
compensation, and an allocated portion of overhead – such as benefits costs and payroll taxes
- of certain employees). To the extent permitted by the applicable Fund’s Governing
Documents, Fund expenses may also include costs that support the administration of the
Funds and activities generally, including expenses that may also relate to the Adviser's
administration and operational support for the Fund.
As noted above, certain Funds pay or otherwise bear the costs and expenses associated with
administration of Funds and their assets, including base salary, incentive compensation, and
an allocated portion of overhead – such as benefits costs and payroll taxes of certain
employees (the “Applicable Employees”). Applicable Employees estimate their time engaged
in a variety of matters that can be generally categorized as relating to (i) administration of
Funds, (ii) administration of Fund assets, and (iii) administration of non-Fund related activities.
The time estimates are aggregated for all Applicable Employees across the categories for
purposes of calculating the portion of the aggregate compensation and overhead of all
Applicable Employees that is allocable to the applicable Fund, which, for the avoidance of
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
11
doubt, is limited to clauses (i) and (ii) above. Cresset bears the portion of compensation and
overhead of Applicable Employees that is allocable to non-Fund related activities (if any).
Compensation of each Applicable Employee will generally include three elements: (a) base
salary and incentive compensation; (b) payroll taxes and (c) healthcare and other benefits
costs. Cresset determines compensation of Applicable Employees in accordance with
internally established methodologies. Cresset may not obtain pricing information from
unaffiliated third-party service providers and accordingly compensation and overhead of
Applicable Employees charged to a Fund could be in excess of the cost of comparable services
if they were to be provided in an arm’s length transaction. While the Cresset employee group
included in the scope of Applicable Employees is generally limited at present to finance, tax,
accounting, and operations, Cresset expects from time to time, to expand the scope of
Applicable Employees to apply to additional Cresset employees (or categories of personnel)
devoting time to fund administration matters, including potentially in-house attorneys,
compliance professionals, accountants and tax advisers engaged in legal and regulatory
compliance.
For more detailed information on the fees, expenses, and compensation received by the
Adviser, Fund investors should refer to the applicable Fund’s Governing Documents.
Investment Consulting Services
Investment consulting services are generally provided for a fixed or flat fee, project-based fee,
or asset-based fee. Consulting fees are negotiable based on the nature and complexity of the
services provided and the overall relationship with Cresset and/or its affiliates. Fees are billed
as provided for in the engagement agreement.
Family Office Services
Family office services are generally offered through CFO for a fee which is generally payable on
a quarterly basis at the beginning or end of each quarter and/or as agreed upon with the Client
in the engagement agreement. Family office services may be bundled with investment advisor
services. The Adviser or CFO reserves the right to negotiate the respective fee, taking into
consideration several factors, including, for example, the nature and complexity of the services
to be provided and the overall relationship with the Adviser. Family office fees are invoiced and
due upon receipt of the invoice or as otherwise set forth in the engagement agreement.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Fees for retirement plan advisory services are billed in the same manner as all investment
advisory services as explained above pursuant to the terms of the engagement agreement,
subject to custodial or Plan Sponsor requirements. Retirement plan advisory fees range up to
2% annually based on several factors, including: the complexity of the services to be provided,
the level of assets to be managed, and the Client’s overall relationship with the Adviser. Fees
are negotiable depending on the size and complexity of the Plan. Cresset is permitted to
directly invoice the advisory fee to the Plan Sponsor or to deduct such fee amounts from the
Plan assets, depending on the terms of the engagement agreement.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
12
Performance-Based Fees
As set forth in Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management, Cresset
charges performance-based fees for certain Accounts.
Other Fees & Costs
Except for those accounts enrolled in the Cresset One Fee Program, Clients generally bear the
costs and expenses associated with holding investments, custodial fees, any independent
manager fees (as further described below), brokerage fees (please see Item 12 – Brokerage
Practices), fees and expenses related to mutual funds, ETFs, and Funds, applicable transaction
fees, and other related costs and expenses. Except as provided above with regard to the Funds,
the Adviser does not receive any portion of these costs or fees.
Compensation for Sale of Securities
Cresset does not buy or sell securities to earn commissions and does not receive any
compensation for securities transactions in any Account, other than the investment advisory
fees noted above.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side
Management
Performance-Based Fees
Performance-based fees are fees, which are based on the share of capital gain or capital
appreciation of a Client's account. Under certain engagements, Cresset is entitled to
performance-based fees based on a percentage of the annualized return and in excess of certain
adjustments pursuant to the terms of the engagement agreement.
Although Cresset is typically not entitled to performance-based fees from any Fund it provides
investment advice to or otherwise provides services to, in some cases, Cresset or an affiliate of
Cresset is entitled to a performance-based fee (or “carried interest”) on one or more Fund’s
profits in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Fund’s Governing Documents. The
carried interest amount and how it is calculated varies by Fund. However, most carried interest
amounts are generally equal to a percentage of the investment proceeds distributable to
investors in excess of their capital invested, their allocable share of fees and expenses and a
preferred return. Carried interest is paid out of cash otherwise distributable to investors.
Additional information regarding the calculation of such fees is fully disclosed in the applicable
Fund’s Governing Documents.
Investors should understand that the receipt of performance-based fees creates a conflict of
interest as the Adviser has the potential to receive higher compensation. Performance-based
fees create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments that are riskier or more speculative
than might otherwise be the case in the absence of such an arrangement. Additionally, the
Adviser may be incentivized to favor and devote more time and effort to managing investments
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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when there is a potential for receipt of carried interest. In allocating investments, the Adviser has
an incentive to favor Funds with higher potential for carried interest distributions to the Adviser
or its affiliates over Funds with lower potential for carried interest.
The Adviser seeks to mitigate these conflicts through disclosures in this Brochure, additional
disclosures in the applicable Governing Documents, as well as through the Adviser’s Code of
Ethics and policies and procedures contained in its Compliance Manual.
Side-by-Side Management
Side-by-side management refers to the practice of managing Accounts that are charged
performance-based fees alongside other Accounts that are not charged a performance-based
fee. The Adviser has arrangements which result in side-by-side management of Accounts.
Cresset has policies and procedures in place which seek to ensure that all Accounts are treated
fairly and equitably. Investment decisions are made to meet the individual needs and objectives
of the Clients.
Item 7: Types of Clients
As discussed in Item 4 – Advisory Business above, Cresset provides investment advisory and
family office services to individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans,
charitable organizations, corporations, other business entities, and pooled investment vehicles.
Cresset generally does not impose a minimum size for establishing a relationship although it may
impose a minimum annual fee as stated above.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies,
and Risk of Loss
Cresset offers broadly diversified investment solutions customized to reflect unique Client
circumstances. We take a disciplined approach to investment management, with particular
attention to risk management, diversified asset allocation, Third-Party Manager selection and
oversight, tax consequences, and fee considerations. For purposes of this Brochure, Third-Party
Managers are independent, unaffiliated investment advisers retained by Cresset to provide
investment management for a portion of a Client’s assets and may be used to customize and
enhance a Client’s portfolio based on the Client’s objectives, constraints, and overall financial
circumstances.
When making investment recommendations, Cresset considers each Client's total financial
picture, including without limitation: existing assets, assets not managed by Cresset, liquidity
needs, goals, and risk tolerance. Cresset develops an overall financial strategy, identifies the
asset management resources suited to the Clients' needs, and manages the allocation of Client
assets among those resources. Cresset's investment team is available to work with the Client
advisory teams to construct asset allocation plans and recommendations customized to address
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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each individual Client situation. When asset allocation plans are finalized, Portfolios invest among
various asset classes, including cash/cash equivalents, domestic/international public equities
(e.g., small-, mid-, and/or large –cap), fixed income (e.g., investment grade, high yield, municipal,
domestic and international), derivatives, and alternatives (e.g., specialized fixed income, hedge
funds, private real estate holdings, venture capital, private equity, private credit and/or debt
investments). If appropriate, Cresset will also recommend specific types of investments for a
Client’s Portfolio, including common stocks, bonds, various types of pooled investment vehicles
including, but not limited to, ETFs, mutual funds and Funds.
We use active and passive management strategies. In developing our investment platform, for
certain strategies and Third-Party Managers, members of the investment team, with oversight
from the appropriate Cresset investment committee, conduct both quantitative and qualitative
reviews in an effort to identify leading investment strategies. Quantitative measures focus on
the history and evolution of each Managers’ respective discipline and outcomes. Qualitative
considerations can include the size, tenure, evolution and structure of the underlying
organization; the tenure and contributions of the investment team; the internal management
processes and controls; and the history and growth of assets under management. For a group
of selected Third-Party Managers, these reviews are augmented with ongoing contact and
oversight.
Within a Client’s Portfolio, we generally employ one or more of the strategies detailed below as
well as other investment strategies. Within a Portfolio, we can invest in individual securities, utilize
other Third-Party Managers through separate accounts and/or invest in pooled vehicles. Many
of the strategies detailed below are offered through managed accounts with Third-Party
Managers through separate accounts or funds. Notwithstanding, a limited number of wealth
advisors can include in Client Portfolios certain investments and strategies not reviewed in the
manner described above.
Private Funds
The Funds, including via one or more underlying funds, will seek investments across a variety of
asset classes, including public equities of various types (e.g., small-cap, large-cap and non-U.S.
securities), specialized fixed income, hedge funds, private real estate holdings, venture capital,
and private equity and debt investments. The Adviser manages each Fund based on the
investment objectives, policies and guidelines as set forth in the respective Fund’s Governing
Documents and not in accordance with the individual needs or objectives of any particular
investor therein. In general, investors in the Funds are not permitted to impose restrictions or
limitations. However, the Funds themselves have entered into and could in the future enter into
side letters or other written agreements with one or more Fund investors which have the effect
of establishing rights under, or altering, modifying, or changing the terms of interest held by
investors. Certain types of side letters create a conflict of interest among the Adviser and
investors, and/or among investors themselves.
There are Funds created for Clients to access investment vehicles sponsored by Third-Party
Managers. In such instances, investment objectives and strategies would be disclosed in the
Governing Documents.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Client investments managed by Cresset will fluctuate based on the performance of our
investment strategies and the outcomes of our research, analysis, and security selection
decisions.
Investment Strategies and Related Risks
The investment strategies and risks summarized below are not intended to be comprehensive
or exhaustive. For additional important information, please refer to the applicable Fund’s
Governing Documents, including Risk Factors and Conflicts of Interest sections. For Third-Party
Manager strategies, including separately managed accounts, mutual funds, interval funds, and
ETFs, please review the applicable third-party’s ADV, prospectus, or other documentation.
There can be no assurance that Clients will achieve their investment objectives or that the
recommended Funds and/or Third-Party Manager strategies will be profitable.
Investing in securities involves a substantial degree of risk, including the risk of complete loss.
Nothing in this Brochure is intended to imply, and no one is or will be authorized to represent,
that our investment strategies are low risk or risk free. The various risks outlined below are not
the only risks associated with our investment strategies and processes and will not necessarily
apply to each Client or investor.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities among the Funds: The Adviser generally allocates
investment opportunities among its Funds in accordance with its Investment Allocation Policy in
effect at such time and in a manner that is fair, consistent and equitable over time, and does not
discriminate unfairly against or operate to the advantage of any particular Fund.
The Adviser will generally consider participation in all appropriate investment opportunities
under consideration in the context of the purpose and scope of each Fund’s objectives and,
generally, Funds that have substantially similar investment strategies will be allocated
appropriate investment opportunities on a pro rata basis; provided that, notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Adviser may evaluate and consider such factors as it considers relevant in
determining whether a particular investment opportunity is suitable for each Fund and the
relevant allocation thereto, including, but not limited to: (i) the Fund’s existing portfolio and
anticipated portfolio construction, including investment strategy, stated strategy objectives,
investment guidelines and risk management guidelines, (ii) the Fund’s available cash and liquidity
needs, including timing of capital deployment or other funding considerations, and including, with
respect to the Funds, any investment period expiration or similar timing considerations, (iii) the
Fund’s ability to borrow, including the cost of any such borrowing, and any applicable leverage
limits, (iv) regulatory or jurisdictional differences among Funds (including tax treatment, tax
structuring and ERISA status), (v) any pre-existing contractual investment allocation and priority
obligations, as agreed with certain Funds from time to time, (vi) any pre-existing related
investment in an affiliated issuer, manager or investment fund or other product, (vii) constraints
imposed by third parties, including the sponsor of an underlying fund investment, that restrict
the number of investors, the regulatory or tax status of participating investors, and capacity
limits in the relevant investment opportunity, (viii) existing relationships among certain advisory
teams or affiliates and the issuer or source of such investment opportunity, and (ix) other similar
investment opportunities available at such time and any of the foregoing factors or similar
considerations applicable thereto, each as applicable; and provided, further that the relevance
of each allocation factor will vary from investment opportunity to investment opportunity and
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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over time, with no single factor consistently outweighing the others.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents can be held at any given time. Available
cash and cash equivalents generally will be held in Accounts at third-party financial institutions
(which may not bear interest or generate income). Access to invested cash and cash equivalents
may be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. Cash balances could be
impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or other adverse conditions in the financial
markets occur.
Equities: An equity investment generally involves buying stocks of individual companies in return
for receiving a future payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock
increases. The value of equity securities may fluctuate in response to the specific situations of
each company, the industry conditions and the general economic environment. Exposure to
equity securities may include the following risks, among others:
• Market Capitalization Risk: Market Capitalization refers to the total value of a company’s
outstanding shares at its present market price. Investing primarily in issuers within the same
market capitalization range carries the risk that the market capitalization category may be
out of favor due to current market conditions or changing investor opinions. Prices of small
capitalization and even medium capitalization stocks are often more volatile than prices of
large-capitalization stocks, and the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency of many smaller
companies is higher than for larger companies. Securities of small and medium
capitalization companies may be thinly traded, resulting in decreased liquidity.
• Growth Equity Investing: Growth equities are generally defined as companies that are
poised for strong revenue and business momentum. Growth stocks may be more sensitive
to market movements because their prices tend to emphasize future profitability, rather
than current profits.
• Value Investing: Investing in value equities involves identifying companies that are
currently trading below an expected value, giving an investor the opportunity to buy a
highly valued company at a lower than-expected price. The risks of investing in value
stocks are that they may continue to perform below expectations and remain undervalued
for an extended period.
• Dividend Investing: Dividend investing focuses on companies that generate consistently
higher dividends to produce income streams beyond the potential capital gains of owning
the equity. The risks of investing in these securities are that the investor has no control over
whether the company will continue to issue dividends, and the reduction in the dividend
may result in a declined price.
•
• Domestic Equity Investing: Relative to investments in equities of less developed nations,
investing in U.S. domiciled companies reduces the potential exposure to entities that
operate in less developed capital markets, infrastructure and regulatory/legal environment.
However, being exposed to U.S. domiciled equities creates risk to the investments when
domestic geopolitical issues arise.
International (“Non-U.S.”) Equities: Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may
experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than funds with investments solely in
securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many foreign
countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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number of industries. Additionally, foreign securities issuers may not be subject to the same
degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of
foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also,
nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes
or diplomatic developments could adversely affect investments in a foreign country.
• Emerging Markets: The risks associated with foreign investments are heightened when
investing in emerging markets. The governments and economies of emerging market
countries may show greater instability than those of more developed countries. Such
investments tend to fluctuate in price more widely and to be less liquid than other foreign
investments.
Tax Management Strategies: Tax management strategies involve buying and selling
investments in a manner intended to reduce the negative impact of taxes. They often involve
buying or selling investments to limit taxable investment gains or to offset taxable investment
gains with investment losses or selling investments to avoid recognition of taxable investment
gains. Tax management strategies are not intended to, and likely will not, eliminate a Client’s tax
obligations. A tax management strategy may not actually lower a Client’s tax obligations or
otherwise achieve a Client’s tax goals. The performance of accounts utilizing a tax management
strategy will vary from similarly managed accounts that do not utilize such a strategy, possibly
in a materially negative manner, and an Account may not be successful in pursuing its primary
investment strategies, objectives or goals.
Fixed Income: Securities that provide for interest or a stream of payments to the investor have
several risks including: interest rate risk, which is the chance that bond prices overall will decline
because of rising interest rates; income risk, which is the chance that a strategy's income will
decline because of falling interest rates; credit risk, which is the chance that a bond issuer will fail
to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer's ability
to make such payments will cause the price of that bond to decline; and call risk, which is the
chance that during periods of falling interest rates, issuers of callable bonds may call (repay)
securities with higher coupons or interest rates before their maturity dates. The investment
would then lose any price appreciation above the bond's call price and would be forced to
reinvest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the
investment's income.
High Yield Non-Investment Grade Bonds (commonly known as “Junk Bonds”): Bonds that are
below investment grade quality (rated below Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or below
BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and Fitch Ratings or, if unrated, reasonably
determined by the Firm to be of comparable quality) are predominantly speculative because of
the credit risk of their issuers. While normally offering higher yields, non-investment grade bonds
typically entail greater potential price volatility and will likely be less liquid than investment grade
securities.
Alternative Investments: Clients considering an investment strategy utilizing alternative
investments (e.g., hedge funds, private equity funds, private real estate funds, private credit,
etc.) should understand that alternative investments are generally considered speculative in
nature and may involve a high degree of investment risk and lower liquidity, particularly if
concentrating investments in one or few alternative investments. An investment may be
considered an alternative based on the type of assets it holds, the strategy it pursues, or the
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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structure of the investment itself – an alternative investment may or may not be listed on a public
exchange (e.g., real estate investment trusts). These risks are potentially greater than and
substantially different from those associated with traditional equity or fixed income investments.
Co-Investments: Certain Clients co-invest (directly or indirectly) with third parties through joint
ventures or other arrangements. Such investments may include risks in connection with such
third-party involvement resulting in negative impact on such investment, including the possibility
that a third-party co-venturer may have financial difficulties, may have economic or business
interests or goals that are inconsistent with those of Cresset Clients or may be in a position to
take (or block) action in a manner contrary to the investment objectives of Cresset Clients. The
Adviser may permit certain Clients to co-invest alongside one or more of the Funds in Third-
Party Managers, which may present actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Collateralized Debt Obligations, Collateralized Loan Obligations: We may invest Client
accounts in collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”) and
other related instruments. The portfolio may consist of CLO equity, multisector CDO equity, trust
preferred CDO equity and CLO mezzanine debt. Such securities are subject to credit, liquidity
and interest rate risks. The equity and other tranches purchased by a Client may be unrated or
non-investment grade, which means that there is a greater possibility that adverse changes in
the financial condition of an issuer or in general economic conditions or both may impair the
ability of the related issuer or obligor to make payments of principal or interest. Such investments
may be speculative. In addition, as a holder of equity, there are limited remedies available upon
the default of the CLO or CDO.
Digital Assets: The Adviser may invest Client accounts in virtual currencies, crypto-currencies,
and digital coins and tokens (collectively, “Digital Assets”). The investment characteristics of
Digital Assets generally differ from those of traditional currencies, commodities or securities.
Importantly, Digital Assets are not backed by a central bank or a national, supra-national or quasi-
national organization, any hard assets, human capital, or other form of credit. A principal risk in
trading Digital Assets is the rapid fluctuation of market price. The price of Digital Assets can be
affected by a wide variety of complex and difficult to predict factors. There is no assurance that
the virtual currency market, or the service providers necessary to accommodate it, will continue
to support Digital Assets, continue in existence or grow. Further, there is no assurance that the
availability of and access to virtual currency service providers will not be negatively affected by
government regulation or supply and demand of Digital Assets. Accordingly, companies or
financial institutions that currently support virtual currency may not do so in the future. The
regulatory schemes – both foreign and domestic – possibly affecting Digital Assets or a Digital
Asset network may not be fully developed and subject to change. It is possible that any
jurisdiction may, in the near or distant future, adopt laws, regulations, policies or rules directly or
indirectly affecting a Digital Asset network, generally, or restricting the right to acquire, own,
hold, sell, convert, trade, or use Digital Assets, or to exchange Digital Assets for either fiat
currency or other virtual currency.
Distressed Securities: Distressed Securities are obligations of issuers in weak financial condition,
experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth,
facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems and “below investment-grade”
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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debt securities, including companies involved in covenant or payment default or in bankruptcy
or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. It may be difficult to obtain information as
to the true condition of such issuers and adverse interest rate movements and changes in the
general economic climate or particular industries may have an inordinate impact on distressed
securities. Additionally, such investments also may be adversely affected by laws relating to,
among other things, fraudulent transfers and other voidable transfers or payments, lender
liability and the bankruptcy court’s power to disallow, reduce, subordinate or disenfranchise
particular claims.
Derivatives: Derivatives are financial instruments that have a value that depends upon, or is
derived from, the value of one or more underliers, such as securities, pools of securities, indexes
or currencies. Gains or losses involving derivative instruments may be substantial, particularly
where they are used to achieve a leveraged return with respect to the underlier.
Derivative instruments include (among others) options (including speculative positions such as
buying and writing call options and put options on either a covered or an uncovered basis),
futures, forward contracts, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, structured
notes, and many different types of swaps involving payments based on a wide range of risks.
Risks associated with derivatives include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with
the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that the derivative may result in losses
or missed opportunities; the risk that the strategy will be unable to sell the derivative because
of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its
obligation, which may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter”
(i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and finally, the risk that the derivative transaction
could expose the strategy to the effects of leverage, which could increase the Client’s exposure
to the market and magnify potential losses.
In context of the Funds, certain hedging arrangements may create an obligation for the
applicable Fund’s manager or general partner to register with the U.S. Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or other regulator or comply with an applicable exemption. Losses
may result to the extent that the CFTC or other regulator imposes position limits or other
regulatory requirements on such hedging arrangements, including under circumstances where
the ability of a Fund or a portfolio company to hedge its exposures becomes limited by such
requirements.
• Options: Purchasing put and call options, as well as writing such options, are highly
specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. Although an option
buyer’s risk is limited to the amount of the original investment for the purchase of the
option, an investment in an option may be subject to greater fluctuation than is an
investment in the underlying securities. In theory, an uncovered call writer’s loss is
potentially unlimited, but in practice the loss is limited by the term of existence of the call.
The risk for a writer of a put option is that the price of the underlying securities may fall
below the exercise price. The ability to trade in or exercise options may be restricted in the
event that trading in the underlying securities interest becomes restricted.
• Futures Contracts and Related Options: The use of futures (i.e., commodity futures) and
options on futures transactions involve costs and may result in losses. Certain risks arise
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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because of the possibility of imperfect correlations between movements in the prices of
futures and options and movements in the prices of the underlying securities, securities
index, currencies or other commodities or of the securities or currencies in a portfolio which
are the subject of the hedge. The successful use of futures and options further depends on
the ability to forecast market or interest rate movements correctly. Other risks arise from
the potential inability to close out futures or options positions, and there can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any futures contract or option at a
particular time. The use of futures and options for purposes other than hedging is regarded
as speculative.
• Forward Contracts: Forward contracts and options thereon, unlike futures contracts,
generally are not traded on exchanges and are not standardized; rather, banks and dealers
act as principals in these markets, negotiating each transaction on an individual basis.
Forward and “cash” trading is substantially unregulated; there is no limitation on daily price
movements and speculative position limits are not applicable. The principals who deal in the
forward markets are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies or
commodities they trade, and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes
of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in these
markets have refused to quote prices for certain currencies or commodities or have quoted
prices with an unusually widespread between the price at which they were prepared to buy
and that at which they were prepared to sell. Disruptions can occur in forward markets due
to unusually high trading volume, political intervention or other factors. The imposition of
controls by government authorities might also limit such forward (and futures) trading to
less than that which we would otherwise recommend. Market illiquidity or disruption could
result in significant losses.
• Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements: A repurchase agreement entails
“selling” securities to a broker-dealer or financial institution and agreeing to repurchase
such securities on a mutually agreed date for the price paid by the broker-dealer or
financial institution, plus interest at a negotiated rate. A reverse repurchase transaction
entails “buying” securities issued from a broker-dealer or financial institution, subject to the
obligation of the broker-dealer or financial institution to repurchase such securities at the
price paid, plus interest at a negotiated rate. The use of repurchase and reverse repurchase
agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities under a reverse
repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as
a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, disposal of the securities could involve costs or
delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under
applicable bankruptcy or other laws, the ability to dispose of the underlying securities may
be restricted. Finally, if a seller defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities under a
reverse repurchase agreement, losses may be incurred to the extent that it is forced to
liquidate its position in the market and proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities
are less than the repurchase price agreed to by the defaulting seller. Similar elements of
risk arise in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the buyer.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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• Structured Notes: Structured notes are complex instruments consisting of a bond
component and an imbedded derivative. Structured notes that provide for the repayment
of principal at maturity are subject to the credit risk of the issuing financial institution.
Structured notes that do not offer this protection may cause a Client to lose some, or all, of
its principal. Depending on the nature of the linked asset or index, the market risk of the
structured note may include changes in equity or commodity prices, changes in interest
rates or foreign exchange rates, or market volatility. After issuance, structured notes may
not be re-sold on a daily basis and thus may be difficult to value given their complexity. A
Client’s ability to trade or sell structured notes in a secondary market is often very limited
and Clients should, therefore, be prepared to hold a structured note to its maturity date, or
risk selling the note at a discount to its value at the time of sale. Structured notes may have
complicated payoff structures that can make it difficult for Clients to accurately assess their
value, risk and potential for growth through the term of the structured note. Determining
the performance of each note can be complex and this calculation can vary significantly
from note to note depending on the structure. Notes can be structured in a wide variety of
ways. Structured notes expose investors to credit risk: if the structured note issuer defaults
on these obligations, investors may lose some, or all, of the principal amount they invested
in the structured notes as well as any other payments that may be due on the structured
notes. If a structured note has a “call provision” and the issuer “calls” the structured note,
investors may not be able to reinvest their money at the same rate of return provided by
the structured note that the issuer redeemed.
• Swap Agreements: Swap agreements and options on swap agreements are individually
negotiated and can be structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of
investments, asset classes or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap
agreements may increase or decrease exposure to, for example, long-term or short-term
interest rates (in the United States or abroad), non-U.S. currency values, credit spreads,
corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices, baskets of equity
securities or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known
by a variety of names.
EFTs: An ETF is a pooled investment fund, the shares of which trade on an exchange at a market
price in a manner similar to shares of stock issued by individual companies. Investors in ETFs are
exposed to the risks associated with the ETF’s underlying portfolio (i.e., equities or fixed income
risk, as described above). Like other funds, investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss.
Additionally, the market price of an ETF may not always reflect the value of the underlying
portfolio, and an ETF may trade at either a premium or a discount to the net asset value of its
underlying portfolio. A leveraged ETF seeks to generate a return that is a multiple of its
benchmark index’s performance over a specific time period, usually one day. An inverse ETF
attempts to mimic the inverse, or opposite, of its stated benchmark over the specified time.
Leveraged and inverse ETFs are not suitable for all investors, and each has unique characteristics
and risks. Although there are limited occasions where a leveraged or inverse ETF can be useful
for some types of investors, holding these types of ETFs for longer than a day (or other specified
time period) can negatively impact returns and compound losses.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Interval Fund Risks: Interval funds are classified as closed-end funds, but they have some
distinctive features that make them different. Interval funds continuously or periodically offer
their shares at a price based on the fund’s net asset value. But most of them do not trade on a
national securities exchange and instead buy back or “repurchase” shares directly from
investors. Repurchases are offered periodically (often quarterly), which means investors are
provided with limited liquidity. Accordingly, investments in interval funds can expose investors
to liquidity risk, and that risk is greater in funds that invest in securities of companies with smaller
market capitalizations, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk. There
is no guarantee that investors will be able to sell their shares at any given time or in the desired
amount. Interval funds may offer to repurchase as low as 5% of shares in a given quarter. If in a
time of market stress, a lot of investors attempt to exit their positions, the fund manager may
only be able to accommodate this slowly over multiple quarters. Because of this it’s best to
consider investments in interval funds to be illiquid.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss, and thus, the Client may
lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds incur costs that lower investment returns.
Additionally, funds will be subject to risks based on the types of securities held by each fund.
For example, fixed income funds will primarily hold bonds and other fixed income securities and
be subject to the types of risks outlined above under “Fixed Income,” while equity funds will hold
equity securities that are subject to the types of risks outlined above under “Equities.” In addition,
actively managed funds may be subject to the risk that fund management fails to meet a fund's
objective or, in the case of a passive fund, will be subject to holding the securities that comprise
an underlying index and may not be able to divest itself of such holdings at a time or price that
the fund's manager may otherwise think appropriate. Some funds might invest in derivative
instruments that could effectively leverage a fund’s portfolio. As a result, small price movements
in the assets underlying a derivative contract held by a fund can cause significant differences in
the value of the derivatives and result in large profits or losses (depending on the direction of
the change) for the fund. Derivative instruments held by a fund may also experience dramatic
price changes and imperfect correlations between the price of a derivative contract and the
underlying security or index, which may increase a mutual fund's volatility. A mutual fund may
also make illiquid investments or may become less liquid in response to market developments
or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more challenging to value.
Private Credit Investments: Investments in private credit are typically illiquid and require a
longer investment time horizons than other types of investments. Additionally, private credit
strategies present risks of nonpayment of scheduled interest, or principal payments and
inclusion of non-investment grade borrowers can cause the risk of default to be greater than
with other types of debt investments. Interest rate risk is another common risk associated with
private credit. Interest rate changes will affect the amount of interest paid by a borrower in a
floating rate loan, meaning they are correlated with broader interest rate fluctuations. However,
this typically has little to no impact on the underlying value of floating rate debt. In the past, the
market for private credit strategies has experienced levels of extreme volatility, which may
reoccur. During such periods, markets may experience periods of very limited liquidity. While
these market conditions may present attractive opportunities, they may also present the risk of
large losses. Price movements are influenced by many unpredictable factors, such as market
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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sentiment, inflation rates, political events, interest rate movements, natural disasters, and general
economic conditions. Diverse markets may move rapidly in the same direction due to any one
or a combination of these factors.
Fund Investments: Investments in Funds and private portfolio companies are generally illiquid
and involve a significant degree of financial and/or business risk. Portfolio companies may be
highly leveraged and therefore may be more sensitive to adverse business or financial
developments or economic factors. The profitability and survival of portfolio companies may
depend on various factors including: their ability to access sufficient sources of debt and/or
financing at attractive rates, competition, changing business or economic conditions or other
developments, stage of development, management team, ability to generate cash flow to meet
expenses and working capital requirements, make principal and interest payments on
indebtedness, or make other required payments on commitments.
Real Estate Risks: All real estate and real estate related investments are subject to varying
degrees and varieties of risk. Real estate investments generally are relatively illiquid and
therefore can be limited in responding to changes in economic and other conditions. Real estate
historically has experienced significant fluctuation and cycles in value and specific market
conditions may result in occasional or permanent reductions in the value of such investments.
The ability to realize anticipated rental and interest income on real estate equity and debt
investments will depend on many factors including but not limited to the financial reliability of
the investments’ tenants and borrowers, the location and attractiveness of the properties, the
supply of comparable space in the areas in which properties are located (affected, for instance,
by overbuilding) and general economic conditions. There is no assurance that any direct or
indirect real estate or real estate-related investments will be profitable or that cash flow will be
available for distribution to investors. Unanticipated changes in real estate prices or values in
various geographic areas (or with respect to certain types of real estate properties) could result
in material losses. Real estate investments can also be difficult to value accurately or consistently,
and even independent appraisals may differ materially from actual or realizable value.
Secondary Funds: Secondary funds, commonly referred to as secondaries or continuation
transactions, purchase existing interests or assets from primary private equity fund investors.
For example, a primary private equity fund may purchase a stake in a private company and then
sell that interest to a secondary buyer. Sellers gain liquidity, while buyers may find the portfolio
claim or asset(s) attractive for a number of reasons. The overall performance of secondary
investments will depend in large part on the acquisition price paid, which may be negotiated
based on incomplete or imperfect information. Certain secondary investments may be
purchased as a portfolio, and in such cases the Client may not be able to exclude from such
purchases those investments considered (for commercial, tax, legal or other reasons) less
attractive. Where a portfolio fund interest is acquired as a secondary investment, there will
generally not be the ability to modify or amend such portfolio fund’s constituent documents
(e.g., limited partnership agreements) or otherwise negotiate the economic terms of the interests
being acquired. In addition, the costs and resources required to investigate the commercial, tax
and legal issues relating to secondary investments may be greater than those relating to primary
investments.
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Special Situations: Investments in “event-driven” and other special situations can include
recapitalizations, spin-offs, restructurings, reorganization, bankruptcy, litigation, corporate
control transactions, corporate events and other catalyst-oriented strategies. Investments in
such securities often are difficult to analyze or may have limited trading histories or in- depth
research coverage. An incorrect assessment of the downside risk associated with such
investments could result in significant losses.
General Risks
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Recent technological advances in artificial
intelligence and machine learning technologies (collectively, “AI Technologies”), as well as their
rapid growth and widespread use, have the potential to pose risks to Cresset and Clients’
investments. AI Technologies may result in significant and disruptive changes in companies,
sectors or industries, including those in which Clients invest, and such changes could render
Cresset’s analytical or operational models less effective or introduce new and unpredictable
operational, legal and regulatory risks. To the extent competitors make more efficient or
extensive use of AI Technologies, they may gain a competitive advantage over Cresset. In
addition, jurisdictions have adopted or are considering laws and regulations governing the
development and use of AI Technologies, which could adversely affect Cresset and Clients'
investments.
Cresset may be exposed to additional risks where third-party service providers, vendors or
counterparties use AI Technologies in their business activities, whether or not such use is visible
to or controllable by Cresset, and Cresset cannot control how AI Technologies are used in third-
party products or services. Cresset and its personnel may use only approved AI Technologies
for limited purposes such as research support, data analysis or content generation, subject to
human supervision, review and validation. Cresset personnel are prohibited from using AI
Technologies to independently direct investment decisions, provide investment advice, or
execute transactions, and remain responsible for verifying the accuracy and appropriateness of
any AI generated outputs incorporated into their work. AI Technologies are dependent on the
quality and objectivity of underlying data and models, and errors, deficiencies or biases may
adversely affect outcomes despite review. AI Technologies continue to evolve rapidly, and it is
not possible to predict all future risks associated with their use. Any of the foregoing could have
a material adverse effect on Cresset and its Clients.
General Economic and Market Conditions: The success of our activities (and the activities of
our Clients and their investments) will be affected or impacted by, and subject to, general
economic and market conditions, such as changes in interest rates, availability of credit, inflation
rates, commodity prices, economic uncertainty, changes in laws or regulations (including laws
relating to taxation of the Funds and their investments), trade barriers, trade wars, supply chain
issues and problems, tariffs, sanctions, protectionist regulatory policies, currency exchange
controls, national and international political circumstances and developments and other
circumstances (including wars, epidemics and pandemics, terrorist acts, security operations and
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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natural disasters), as well as changes in government policy precipitated by the foregoing.
Interest rates, general levels of economic activity, the price of securities and participation by
other investors in the financial markets may affect the value of investments. The particular or
general types of market conditions in which losses or unexpected performance volatility may
occur cannot be predicted.
Force Majeure Risks: Force majeure is the term generally used to refer to an event beyond the
control of the party claiming that the event has occurred, including acts of God, fire, flood,
weather, earthquakes, war, terrorism, labor strikes, government policies, outbreaks of disease
and potentially other events or occurrences. Force majeure events in the United States and
elsewhere in the world could adversely affect the ability of us or the parties with whom we do
business to perform their respective obligations, under a contract or otherwise.
Counterparty Risks: Our Clients may be exposed to the credit risk of counterparties with which,
or the brokers, dealers, custodians and exchanges through which, we or they deal in connection
with the investment of assets, whether engaged in exchange-traded or privately negotiated
transactions.
Currency Exposure and Hedging: Securities of non-U.S. issuers and other instruments
denominated in non-U.S. currencies have prices that are determined with reference to currencies
other than U.S. dollars. Accordingly, the value of these investments will be affected favorably or
unfavorably by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. There can be no assurance that any
currency hedging, or investment activities will be effective or successful. Furthermore, there can
be no assurance that the Adviser or the Third-Party Managers will attempt to hedge any overall
currency exposures. Investments in currencies may be made through financial instruments that
involve embedded leverage, magnifying the risks associated with such investments. Currency
forward contracts (agreements to exchange one currency for another at a future date), involve
a risk of loss and are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse. Fluctuations in the
relative values of currencies could cause material losses.
Due Diligence Risks; Expedited Transactions: Before making investments, we and our affiliates
typically conduct such due diligence as we deem reasonable and appropriate in our discretion
based on the applicable facts and circumstances. Due diligence may entail evaluation of
important and complex business, financial, tax, accounting, technical, environmental, regulatory
and legal issues. Outside consultants, legal advisors, accountants, investment banks and other
third parties may be involved in the due diligence process to varying degrees depending on the
type of investment and the facts and circumstances related thereto and we may rely on the
advice received from such third parties. Investment analyses and decisions by us may be
undertaken on an expedited basis in order to take advantage of investment opportunities and/or
consummate investments. The information available to us at the time of an investment decision
may be limited, and we may not have access to the detailed information necessary for a full
evaluation of the investment opportunity. The due diligence investigation carried out with
respect to any investment opportunity will not reveal or highlight all relevant facts that may be
necessary or helpful in evaluating such investment opportunity. Moreover, such an investigation
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will not necessarily result in an investment being successful or even ensure a return on invested
capital.
Fund-of-Funds Risks: In some cases, a Fund will acquire interests in fund investments or make
other tactical investments that consist primarily of capital commitments to and investments in,
underlying fund(s) managed by Third-Party Managers unaffiliated with the Fund, its General
Partner, or the Adviser. Identifying, selecting and investing in underlying funds and/or
investments involve a high level of risk and uncertainty. The investments made by an underlying
fund may involve highly speculative investment techniques, including extremely high leverage,
highly concentrated portfolios, workouts and startups, control positions and illiquid investments.
The underlying fund investments generally will not have commenced operations and,
accordingly, will have no operating history upon which the Fund may evaluate their likely
performance. Historical performance of the Third-Party Managers is not a guarantee or
prediction of their future performance. Many non-U.S. investment advisers are not registered as
investment advisers with the SEC, making it more difficult for the Adviser to scrutinize such
investment advisers' credentials. The Fund will not have the opportunity to evaluate the relevant
economic, financial and other information which will be used by the Third-Party Manager in their
selection, structuring, monitoring and disposition of assets. In addition, the Fund generally will
not have the right to participate in the day-to-day management, control or operations of primary
fund investments, nor will they generally have the right to remove the sponsors of underlying
funds.
Hedging Transactions: The success of hedging strategies will depend, in part, upon the ability
to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used
in the hedging strategy and the performance of the portfolio investments being hedged. Since
the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of
hedging strategies will also be subject to the ability to continually recalculate, readjust and
execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. While the Adviser may enter into hedging
transactions in an attempt to reduce risk, such transactions may result in a poorer overall
performance than if not engaged in such hedging transactions. For a variety of reasons, the
Adviser may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between the hedging instruments utilized
and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such an imperfect correlation may prevent achieving
the intended hedge or expose Clients to risk of loss.
Illiquid Instruments: Many investments made or recommended by us will be illiquid and will not
provide current income. Investments may be restricted, at any given time, as to their
transferability under U.S. securities laws and we and/or the Third-Party Managers may be
prohibited by contract from selling certain investments, as applicable, for a period of time or
otherwise be restricted from disposing of such investments. In some cases, a substantial length
of time may be required in order to liquidate investments. Consequently, there is a significant
risk that we and/or the Third-Party Managers will be unable to sell or otherwise dispose of their
investments at attractive prices, or will otherwise be unable to complete any exit strategy with
respect to their investments.
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Limited Diversification and/or Risk Management Failures: To the extent a portfolio has a
significantly large position in a single security or several securities it bears more risk because it
is not diversified. Concentrating a portfolio in a limited number of Funds, Third-Party Managers,
issuers, types of financial instruments, assets, industries, sectors, strategies, countries, or
geographic regions, and any such concentration of risk may increase losses. Changes in the
value of significantly over-weighted security positions may have a much more substantial
directional effect, either negative or positive, on performance.
Margin Risk: Margin trading involves interest charges and risks, including the potential to lose
more than deposited or the need to deposit additional collateral in a falling market. A margin
transaction occurs when an investor uses borrowed assets by using other securities as collateral
to purchase financial instruments. The effect of purchasing a security using margin is to magnify
any gains or losses sustained by the purchase of the financial instruments on margin. In addition
to understanding and assuming the additional principal risk associated with the use of margin,
Clients authorizing margin are advised of the potential conflict of interest whereby the Client’s
decision to employ margin will correspondingly increase the fee payable to Cresset.
Multiple Levels of Fees and Expenses: If a Third-Party Manager is engaged or retained to
manage or sub-advise on a portion of the Client’s assets, then such Client will pay two separate
and distinct advisory fees on the assets managed and/or sub-advised by a Third-Party Manager:
(i) an advisory fee payable directly to the Third-Party Manager on such assets, and (ii) an
advisory fee payable to us on such assets. Clients should carefully review any and all of our
invoices and the periodic account statements from their custodian for information regarding the
fee amounts paid or incurred by them. Similarly, and as described in Item 5 above, a Fund’s
underlying fund(s) will incur fees and expenses as set forth in the applicable Fund and underlying
fund(s)’ Governing Documents. The underlying fund(s) typically incur carried interest,
performance allocation, and/or performance fees in addition to other fees and expenses borne
by investors in the applicable Fund. These fees are in addition to advisory fees charged by
Cresset under a Client’s engagement agreement. Clients are encouraged to carefully review all
related documents prior to investing in the Fund.
Non-U.S. Investments. Investing in the financial instruments of companies (and, from time to
time, governments) outside of the United States involves certain considerations not usually
associated with investing in financial instruments of U.S. companies or the U.S. government,
including political and economic considerations, such as greater risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on interest,
dividends, capital gains or other income, limitations on the removal of assets and general social,
political and economic instability; the relatively small size of the securities markets in such
countries and the low volume of trading, resulting in potential lack of liquidity and in price
volatility; the evolving and unsophisticated laws and regulations applicable to the securities and
financial services industries of certain countries; fluctuations in the rate of exchange between
currencies and costs associated with currency conversion; and certain government policies that
may restrict investment opportunities. Non-U.S. jurisdictions also may impose taxes on investors.
If a Fund invests in a private foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. income tax purposes
and does not make a qualifying electing fund election with respect to such PFIC, such Fund and
its partners may be subject to certain adverse tax consequences.
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Potential for Fraud: There is a risk of fraud or misappropriation of assets in connection with
investment activities and there is no assurance we or any Third-Party Manager will be able to
prevent all types of fraud by parties or persons with whom we transact business. We frequently
will rely on financial and other information provided or made available by the issuers in which we
invest. We generally will have a very limited ability to independently verify the financial and other
information disseminated or provided or made available by the numerous issuers in which we
invest and will be heavily dependent upon the integrity of both the management of these issuers
and Third-Party Managers, and the financial reporting process in general. Corporate
mismanagement, fraud and accounting irregularities relating to the investments held may result
in material losses.
Risk Arbitrage: The difference (or “spread”) between the price paid for securities of a company
involved in an announced merger, tender offer, exchange offer or other transaction and the
anticipated value to be received for such securities upon consummation of the proposed
transaction will often be very small. If the proposed transaction appears likely not to be
consummated or in fact is not consummated or is delayed, the spread will generally widen
sharply, often by substantially more than a potential profit had the transaction closed. In such
events, investors should generally expect to incur material losses.
Short Selling: In a short sale, the seller sells a security that it does not own, typically a security
borrowed from a broker or other counterparty. Because the seller remains liable to return the
underlying security that it borrowed from the broker or counterparty, the seller must purchase
the security prior to the date on which delivery to the broker or dealer is required. Short sales
expose the seller to the risk of liability for the market value of the security that is sold, which is
an unlimited risk in theory due to the lack of an upper limit on the price to which a security may
rise. In addition, there can be no assurance that securities necessary to cover a short position
will be available for purchase or that securities will be available to borrow at reasonable costs. If
a request for a return of borrowed securities occurs at a time when other short sellers of the
security are receiving similar requests, a “short squeeze” can occur, in which case replacing
borrowed securities previously sold short with purchases on the open market may occur at the
most disadvantageous time, possibly at prices significantly in excess of the proceeds received
in originally selling the securities short.
Interval Fund Risks: Interval funds are classified as closed-end funds, but they have some
distinctive features that make them different. Interval funds continuously or periodically offer
their shares at a price based on the fund’s net asset value. But most of them do not trade on a
national securities exchange and instead buy back or “repurchase” shares directly from
investors. Repurchases are offered periodically (often quarterly), which means investors are
provided with limited liquidity. Accordingly, investments in interval funds can expose investors
to liquidity risk, and that risk is greater in funds that invest in securities of companies with smaller
market capitalizations, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk. There
is no guarantee that investors will be able to sell their shares at any given time or in the desired
amount. Interval funds may offer to repurchase as low as 5% of shares in a given quarter. If in a
time of market stress, a lot of investors attempt to exit their positions, the fund manager may
only be able to accommodate this slowly over multiple quarters. Because of this it’s best to
consider investments in interval funds to be illiquid.
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Technology and Cybersecurity: Cresset’s information and technology systems may be
vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and
telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches, usage
errors by its professionals, power outages and catastrophic events such as fires, tornados,
floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Although the Adviser has implemented various measures to
protect the confidentiality of its internal data and to manage risks relating to these types of
events, if these systems are compromised, become inoperable for extended periods of time or
cease to function properly, the Adviser will likely have to make a significant investment to fix or
replace them. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans for any reason
could cause significant interruptions in the Adviser’s operations and result in a failure to maintain
the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating
to Clients. Such a failure could harm the Adviser’s reputation or subject it or its affiliates to legal
claims and otherwise affect their business and financial performance. The Adviser will seek to
notify affected Clients of any known cybersecurity incident that will likely pose substantial risk
of exposing confidential personal data about such Clients to unintended parties.
Valuation Risks: We generally expect to value investments and assets based upon the most
recent valuation information provided or made available by Third-Party Managers, custodians
and other third-parties. We may not have sufficient information in order to be able to confirm or
review or contest the accuracy of valuation information and data provided by Third-Party
Managers and other third-parties. Furthermore, valuation information received from Third-Party
Managers and other third-parties may be estimates only, and such valuations generally will be
used to calculate the net asset value and management fee accruals (to the extent applicable) in
respect of Client Accounts to the extent that current audited information is not available. Such
valuations may be subject to later adjustment based on valuation information available at that
time, including, without limitation, as a result of year-end audit adjustments.
In certain situations, we may value or estimate the value of assets internally instead of relying on
one or more third parties as described above. To the extent that we value securities and assets
directly, we generally attempt to determine or estimate the value of such investments at their
fair value in accordance with our valuation policies and procedures (as amended from time to
time). We may face actual or potential conflicts of interest with respect to such valuations as
they may affect our compensation. We may obtain independent appraisals and valuations of
certain assets and investments at a Client’s expense.
Private Market Risks
Leverage and Borrowing: Companies or issuers whose capital structures may have significant
leverage are inherently more sensitive to declines in revenues and to increases in expenses and
interest rates. The leveraged capital structure of such investments will increase the exposure of
the companies to adverse economic factors such as downturns in the economy or deterioration
in the condition of the company or its industry. Any event that adversely affects the value of an
investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is used. The cumulative effect of the use
of leverage in a market that moves adversely to such investments could result in a loss that
would be greater than if leverage had not been used, including loss of the entire investment and
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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also the possibility of loss exceeding the original amount of a particular investment. Borrowing
or utilizing leverage will be subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including
those relating to the ability to refinance and the insufficiency of cash flow to meet principal and
interest payments, which could significantly reduce or even eliminate the value of such
investment. Also, if an asset is mortgaged or otherwise used as collateral to secure repayment
of indebtedness and such payments are not made, the asset could be foreclosed upon by the
lender or otherwise transferred to the lender.
Minority Investments: Minority equity investments in portfolio companies may have limited
influence. Such portfolio companies may have economic or business interests or goals that are
inconsistent with those of our Clients, and we or our Clients may not be in a position to limit or
otherwise protect the value of their investments in such portfolio companies. Control over the
investment policies of such portfolio companies may also be limited, as the sponsor of any such
investment opportunity will be setting the strategic direction of the applicable portfolio
company, setting and approving budgets with management, hiring and firing management,
executing acquisitions or major capital projects, deciding on changes to the capital structure,
and determining the timing, manner and exit of the investment in such portfolio company. This
could result in investments being frozen in minority positions that incur substantial losses. There
can be no assurance that value will be realized of any such investments and proceeds distributed
in a timely manner.
Reinsurance Risks: Reinsurance strategies underwrite and/or invest in reinsurance contracts and
other investments that are exposed to a variety of natural and man-made insurance risk
exposures, such as storms, earthquakes, fires, floods, aviation or marine accidents, crop
insurance and acts of terror, among other risk exposures. In exchange for bearing these risks,
reinsurance strategies typically receive premiums from counterparties on a periodic basis. There
can be no assurance that Third-Party Managers or reinsurance companies will correctly evaluate
the nature and magnitude of the various factors that could affect the value of and return on such
positions. The performance of the reinsurance portfolio and the prices of reinsurance
investments may be volatile and a variety of factors that are inherently difficult or impossible to
predict, such as domestic or international economic or political developments and man-made or
natural disasters, may significantly affect the results of reinsurance activities and the value of
investments. If a Third-Party Manager or a subsidiary thereof is considered a “private foreign
investment company” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. person who owns directly or
indirectly any shares or other interests in such Third-Party Manager or subsidiary thereof will be
subject to certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
Side Pockets: With respect to certain Funds, the applicable general partner has designated or
may in the future designate certain assets or securities as “side pocket investments” to be
maintained in a separate “side pocket accounts” on the books and records of the applicable
Fund until such time otherwise determined by the general partner. Capital invested in a side
pocketed investment generally is not available for withdrawal or distribution until the side pocket
investment is liquidated or the general partner determines otherwise. Certain investments have
in the past and may in the future have side pocket accounts for various reasons, including,
without limitation, in an attempt to segregate certain annual holdbacks that a Third-Party
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Manager may apply or otherwise utilize with respect to certain underlying investments (which
generally relate to capital that a Third- Party Manager has reserved for known or potential losses
or for adverse development of claims). In such situations, we generally will attempt to match
such holdbacks to the applicable participating investors through the use of the side pocket
mechanism.
Use of Subscription Lines and Credit Facilities: Some but not all Funds have entered into one
or more credit facilities or other borrowing arrangements pursuant to which some or all of such
Funds’ portfolio assets and/or the unfunded capital commitments of the investors have been or
may be charged, pledged or assigned as collateral security for (i) amounts borrowed by such
Funds and/or (ii) guarantees by such Funds of any such financing vehicle’s obligations. Such
credit facilities or guarantees are or may be secured by an assignment and/or pledge of the
unfunded capital commitments and/or assets or investments. As such, investors should carefully
review the Fund’s Governing Documents regarding associated risks and conflicts of interest.
Private Investments in Public Equity (“PIPEs”). PIPE transactions may involve the sale of
common stock, convertible preferred stock, convertible debentures, warrants, or other equity
or equity-like securities of an already-public company. In a PIPE transaction, the seller may bear
the price risk from the time of pricing until the time of closing. The ability to dispose of securities
acquired in PIPE transactions may depend upon the registration of the resale of the acquired
securities. Any number of factors may prevent or delay a proposed registration or limit the
number of securities which can be registered, and once effective there can be no assurance that
the registration will remain in effect. Clients may not be able to liquidate PIPE securities quickly,
and the delay in the opportunity to sell such securities could expose Clients to the risk of a lower
available market price when a Client has the ability to sell the securities.
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”). SPACs and securities related or relating
thereto, are publicly traded companies formed for the purpose of raising capital through an initial
public offering to fund the acquisition, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset
acquisition or other similar business combination, of one or more operating businesses. In the
event that a SPAC is unable to locate and acquire target companies by the deadline, the SPAC
would be forced to liquidate its assets, which may result in losses due to the expenses and
liabilities of the SPAC. Investors in a SPAC are subject to the risk that, among other things, (i)
such SPAC may not be able to locate or acquire target companies by the deadline, (ii) assets in
the trust may be subject to third-party claims against such SPAC, which may reduce the per
share liquidation price received by the investors in the SPAC, (iii) such SPAC may be exempt
from the rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in “blank check” companies, such as
Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act, so that investors in such SPAC may not be
afforded the benefits or protections of those rules, (iv) such SPAC may only be able to complete
one business combination, which may cause it to be solely dependent on a single business, (v)
the value of any target company may decrease following its acquisition by such SPAC, (vi) the
value of the funds invested and held in the trust decline, (vii) the inability to redeem due to the
failure to hold the securities in the SPAC on the record date or the failure to vote against the
acquisition and (viii) if the SPAC is unable to consummate a business combination, public
stockholders will be forced to wait until the deadline before liquidating distributions are made. In
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addition, to the extent that a SPAC completes a business combination, it may be affected by
numerous risks inherent in the business operations of the acquired company or companies.
Warehousing Arrangements: Under the terms of the applicable Fund’s Governing Documents,
we reserve the right to establish a fund or vehicle (each, a “warehousing vehicle”) that is
controlled by us or an affiliate and the economic interests of which are owned by one or more
Clients and investors (including one or more holders of a direct or indirect interest in us or an
affiliate). A Fund may be established or permitted by us or an affiliate to purchase or acquire
from any warehousing vehicle, and any warehousing vehicle will be permitted to sell or transfer
to such Fund, certain securities and/or other investments acquired by such warehousing vehicle
with the intended purpose of selling such securities and/or other investments (or a portion of
such investments) to such Fund, a parallel fund, a co-investment vehicle and/or any alternative
investment vehicle (“Warehoused Investments”). We and certain of our personnel or employees
may hold direct or indirect economic interests in warehouse vehicles. The arrangements with
such warehousing vehicle generally (i) obligate a Fund to acquire Warehoused Investments from
such warehousing vehicle and (ii) permit us or the managing member or general partner to
require the warehousing vehicle to sell Warehoused Investments held by such warehousing
vehicle to such Fund, in each case upon certain conditions and terms (including purchase price,
calculated at the warehousing vehicle’s original acquisition cost for such Warehoused
Investments plus such Fund’s pro rata or allocable share or portion of certain costs and expenses
(including an allocable share of the organizational expenses of the warehousing vehicle, all costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the transfer or sale of Warehoused Investments to the
Fund, and an allocable share of the expenses and costs incurred by the warehousing vehicle in
connection with the acquisition and holding of such Warehoused Investments). In certain
instances, a Fund may also be required to pay an additional amount calculated at a fixed
percentage per annum to a warehousing vehicle. Although warehousing vehicles are generally
expected to provide us and the Funds with additional investment flexibility and the fixed pricing
arrangement is intended to reduce potential conflicts of interest, as a result of utilizing a
warehousing vehicle, it is possible that a Fund could be required to purchase or acquire such
Warehoused Investments at an undesirable point in time or at a price at which a Fund otherwise
may not have made such purchase absent such obligation. Our employees, personnel and
affiliates may own direct or indirect interests in warehousing and syndication vehicles or
otherwise participate in such vehicles.
Master Limited Partnership Risk: An investment in a master limited partnership (“MLP”) unit
involves risks that differ from those associated with investments in similar equity securities, such
as common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP units usually have the rights typically afforded
to limited partners in a partnership, and as such have limited control and voting rights on matters
affecting the partnership. In addition, there is the risk that an MLP could be, contrary to its
intention, taxed as a corporation, resulting in decreased returns from such MLP. Further, conflicts
of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general
partner of the MLP, including those arising from incentive distribution payments.
Risk of Syndication Activities: In order to facilitate the acquisition of an interest in an Third-
Party Manager or portfolio company or other issuer, a Fund may make (or commit to make) an
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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investment in a company or issuer with a view to selling or syndicating all or a portion of such
investment or interest to one or more co-investors (including to co-investors in a syndicated
co-investment vehicle or Fund managed by us or an affiliate) or other persons prior to, at the
time of or after the closing of such acquisition. In such event such Fund will bear the risk that
any or all of the excess portion of such investment may not be sold or may only be sold at
unattractive terms and that, as a consequence, a Fund may bear the entire portion of any
breakup fee or other fees, costs and expenses related to such investment, hold a larger than
expected investment in such portfolio or may realize lower than expected returns from such
investment. The risk of not being able to syndicate may increase in the event an investment
decreases in value during the syndication period, and a Fund may be required to bear losses in
connection with such investment.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events involving the Adviser or its management persons that
would be material to the evaluation of Cresset’s advisory business or integrity of our
management by a Client, prospective Client or investor in a Cresset advisory product.
The Adviser values the trust that Clients place in us. Clients are encouraged to perform the
requisite due diligence on any Adviser or service provider with whom they partner. Cresset
investment advisor’s backgrounds are available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Financial Industry Affiliations
Client Investments
Clients have invested in, and may in the future invest in, CCM, including in the form of preferred
equity. These ownership interests give rise to certain conflicts of interest, and the proceeds of
any such investment offerings are expected to ultimately accrue, at least in part, to the benefit
of the Adviser and its affiliates, as well as their owners, officers, and employees. Accordingly,
the Adviser has an incentive to present these investment opportunities to Clients and/or to
recommend or facilitate investments by Clients in any such offerings. Adviser employees have
an ownership interest in CCM, which could incentivize them to encourage Clients to participate
in any investment offerings made by CCM. To mitigate these conflicts of interest, the Adviser
has adopted policies and procedures designed to ensure (i) the Adviser serves the best interest
of Clients and does not subordinate any Client interest to those of the Adviser or its affiliates
and (ii) all Clients are treated fairly and equitably over time.
Monticello Associates, LLC
The Adviser is affiliated, through common ownership, with Monticello Associates, LLC
(“Monticello”), a registered investment adviser with the SEC. Through this affiliation, Monticello’s
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non-discretionary investment consulting services may be offered to Clients of the Adviser and
the Adviser’s discretionary investment advisory services may be offered to Clients of Monticello.
Monticello's Clients may also be provided with additional services through one or more Adviser
affiliates under common control with the Adviser and Monticello. Due to these affiliated
relationships, Adviser and its affiliates have an incentive to recommend services or products
offered by affiliated entities, or to refer Clients between them, which inherently creates a conflict
of interest as the affiliate, or Adviser, can receive economic benefits from providing additional
services or products.
This conflict is disclosed to all Clients of the Adviser if offered any such additional services.
Further, we have policies and procedures designed to ensure that all recommendations are
made in the Client’s best interest, regardless of affiliation. Clients are under no obligation to use
any affiliate, including Monticello, for services, and comparable services may be available from
non-affiliated providers for lower fees.
Peakline Partners, LLC
The Adviser is under common control with Peakline Partners, LLC (“Peakline”), an investment
adviser registered with the SEC. Peakline, through its subsidiaries, manages and offers direct
access to investments in pooled investment vehicles that are exempt from registration under
the 1940 Act (collectively “Peakline Funds”), some of which are offered to the Adviser’s Clients.
To address these conflicts of interest and related risks, Cresset undertakes comprehensive due
diligence prior to recommending any Peakline Fund, including a rigorous assessment of the fund
and its appropriateness for the Client, to help ensure that any such recommendation is aligned
with the Client’s investment needs and objectives and is in the Client’s best interest. Prospective
investors receive a “Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Statement” that includes relevant details
regarding material financial interests and compensation surrounding such investment products.
There is no requirement for the Adviser to recommend these products to Clients, nor are Clients
obligated to invest in these products.
Due to the affiliation, certain CCM affiliates and their respective related persons will benefit
financially in their individual capacity if the Adviser’s Clients invest in the Peakline Funds. As a
result, the Adviser has an incentive to recommend its Clients invest in the Peakline Funds, which
creates conflicts of interest. Additionally, the Adviser is ultimately governed by CCM’s Board of
Directors, some of whom also serve on the Board of Directors of Peakline. As a result, those
Directors have competing obligations with respect to the advisers (i.e., Peakline and Cresset)
from a time commitment and cost allocation perspective and may also have an incentive to favor
one such adviser over the other. To address these conflicts, the Adviser will monitor such
competing interests and take any steps it deems appropriate to ensure that Clients are ultimately
treated fairly and equitably over time.
Additionally, a subsidiary of Peakline has entered into a revenue sharing arrangement with a
third-party who manages financial products. When consistent with a Client’s financial objectives
and asset allocation, Adviser may recommend these third-party financial products to a Client.
This situation creates a conflict of interest in that the Peakline subsidiary (which is an affiliate of
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Adviser) has a monetary interest in the sale of the third-party product. To address this conflict,
Adviser will provide appropriate disclosure to Clients and may offer offsets to Clients based on
fees paid to the third-party.
Flowstone Partners, LLC
The Adviser is under common control with FlowStone Partners, LLC (“FlowStone”), a registered
investment adviser with the SEC which a subsidiary of Peakline. FlowStone provides advisory
services to a single client, the FlowStone Opportunity Fund (the “FlowStone Fund”), a closed-
end fund registered under the 1940 Act, with the primary investment objective of generating
appropriate risk-adjusted long-term returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of private
equity investments. The Flowstone Fund typically invests in funds, either through a secondary
acquisition or a primary commitment. The Flowstone Fund may invest directly in companies
through equity and debt securities. The Adviser does not receive any direct or indirect economic
benefit due to this affiliation. Additionally, there is no requirement for the Adviser to recommend
these products to Clients, nor are Clients obligated to invest in these products.
True Capital Insurance Services, LLC
True Capital Insurance Services, LLC (“TCIS”), is an affiliated insurance brokerage company,
licensed as such in AZ, CA, FL, TN, TX and WA, offering life and disability insurance placed
through various carriers. TCIS also provides advisory services related to minimizing risk and
protecting assets through health, umbrella, and property and casualty insurance. Certain
licensed agents are authorized to act on behalf of TCIS and may sell life and disability insurance
placed through various carriers. If a TCIS agent is also an investment advisor representative of
the Adviser, that agent receives compensation related to the sale of insurance, which creates
a conflict of interest. There is no requirement that a TCIS agent recommend TCIS or its services.
Nor are the Adviser’s Clients obligated to utilize TCIS or any of its services. While the Adviser
endeavors to act in the best interest of its Clients at all times, the affiliated relationship between
the Adviser and TCIS, together with the compensation associated with insurance sales, creates
a conflict of interest by providing a financial incentive to recommend insurance products or
services.
Cresset Trust Company, LLC and The Connable Office, A Cresset Company
The Adviser is affiliated, through common ownership, with Cresset Trust Company, LLC (“CTC”),
a South Dakota trust company, and The Connable Office, Inc. (the “Connable Office”), a Michigan
non-depository bank with trust powers. All account administration and trust company operations
for CTC are performed in South Dakota through service agreements with South Dakota Trust
Company, LLC, and SDTC Services, LLC. All account administration and trust company
operations for the Connable Office are performed in Michigan by employees of the Connable
Office in compliance with Michigan law. Through these affiliations, trust services can be offered
to Clients of the Adviser and the Adviser’s advisory services can be offered to Clients of CTC
and the Connable Office. Conflicts of interest arise in some cases, such as where CTC or the
Connable Office are responsible for appointing an investment manager or making decisions
around distributions from a trust and where such distributions could reduce the balance of the
assets being managed by the Adviser. Accordingly, if CTC or the Connable Office has a role in
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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making distribution decisions, they agree that any decisions around distributions will be made
independent of any consideration relative to the impact distributions would have on assets under
management and resulting fees. Further, all investment recommendations of trust accounts will
be based solely on the best interests of the trust.
Client Related Investments
Cresset has a diverse client base which includes Clients who, themselves, either provide or are
affiliated with financial products (“Client Related Investments”). Cresset does not as matter of
practice exclude Client Related Investments from recommendations to other Clients. As such,
Client Related Investments can be recommended to Cresset’s other Clients. This situation
creates a conflict of interest in that Cresset is compensated by Clients for its advisory services.
To address this conflict, Cresset recommends investment products to Clients based on each
Client’s best interest and does not recommend investments based on Cresset’s relationships
with other Clients.
Cresset has policies designed to address these conflicts, including policies designed to ensure
the allocation of investment opportunities among all Clients and Cresset affiliates on a fair and
equitable basis over time, taking into account each Client’s investment objectives. Pursuant to
such policy, Cresset seeks to analyze all investments in accordance with our documented
fundamental due diligence research procedures. These procedures require us to evaluate all
potential Client investments exclusively based on impartial proprietary and third-party
fundamental analyses. The research also includes prior investment experience and the Client’s
overall investment objectives.
Other Affiliations Material to Our Advisory Services
Cresset Management Services LLC
Cresset Management Services LLC (“CMS”), a subsidiary of the Adviser, serves as sole manager
of Cypress Advisors, LLC, the general partner of certain Funds for which the Adviser is the
investment adviser of record. These Funds are closed to new investors and have been since the
Adviser was engaged and CMS was appointed as the manager of Cypress Advisors, LLC. CMS
does not receive any management fee for its services to these Funds. The Adviser receives an
advisory fee from these Funds, although Clients who are invested in these certain Funds do not
pay advisory fees to Adviser on their investments in these Funds. Neither CMS nor the Adviser
is entitled to any carried interest in these certain Funds. For more detailed information on the
fees payable in relation to these certain Funds, investors should refer to the respective Fund’s
Governing Documents.
Cresset True Fund Management Services LLC
Cresset True Fund Management Services (“CTFMS”), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the
sole sub-management company to certain Funds sponsored by True Capital Management, LLC
and its affiliates. Cresset serves as the investment adviser of these Funds. CTFMS is generally
entitled to receive a management fee for its services to these Funds. However, the Funds do
not pay an advisory fee to Adviser. Clients who are invested in these certain Funds may, in
certain circumstances, pay advisory fees to Adviser on their investments in these Funds. True
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates are entitled to receive carried interest from these
Funds. For more detailed information on the fees payable in relation to these certain Funds,
investors should refer to the applicable Fund’s Governing Documents.
Cresset Fund Investment Management Services, LLC
Cresset Fund Investment Management Services LLC (“CFIMS”), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves
as the manager or general partner to certain Funds. In general, these funds are closed to new
investors or are only offered to Cresset Clients. CFIMS generally does not receive a management
fee for its services to these funds, although CFIMS may be so entitled in certain limited
circumstances. The Adviser generally does not receive an advisory fee from these funds, and
Clients who are invested in these funds generally will pay advisory fees to Adviser. Neither CFIMS
nor the Adviser is entitled to any carried interest in these certain funds. For more detailed
information on the fees payable in relation to these certain funds, investors should refer to the
applicable fund’s Governing Documents.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
Cresset has implemented a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that defines our fiduciary commitment
to each Client. This Code applies to all persons associated with Cresset (our “Supervised
Persons”). The Code was developed to provide general ethical guidelines and specific
instructions regarding our duties to Clients. Cresset and its Supervised Persons owe a duty of
loyalty, fairness, and good faith towards each Client. It is the obligation of Cresset’s Supervised
Persons to adhere not only to the specific provisions of the Code, but also to the general
principles that guide the Code.
The Code covers a range of topics that address employee ethics and conflicts of interest. To
request a copy of our Code, please contact us at (312) 429-2400 or via email at
info@cressetcapital.com.
Employee Investments and Personal Trading with Material Interest
Cresset allows its Supervised Persons and the personnel of Cresset affiliated entities to purchase
or sell the same securities that are (or could be) recommended to and purchased on behalf of
Clients. Cresset encourages its employees to invest in products which it believes promotes
alignment with Clients generally. Cresset affiliates have, and could in the future, create one or
more employee investment vehicles to facilitate investment by employees in Funds offered and
managed by Adviser’s affiliates. The terms of any employee investment (including through any
employee investment vehicle) would generally be different from, and more favorable than, those
by a Client or third-party investor in such Funds, including, by being subject to reduced
management fees or performance-based compensation or not having their commitments
pledged under a subscription facility. In addition, the participation by Cresset employees
(including through any employee investment vehicles) in certain Funds in which Clients are also
seeking to invest could, in certain circumstances, limit the ability of Clients to invest by, for
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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example, limiting or reducing the available investment capacity for Clients and/or by affecting
the pricing or terms of such investments. Cresset has adopted a policy to attempt to mitigate
any conflicts created by such investments.
Personal Trading in Same Securities as Clients
Cresset allows its Supervised Persons and the personnel of Cresset affiliated entities to purchase
or sell the same securities that are (or could be) recommended to and purchased on behalf of
Clients. Owning the same securities that we recommend (purchase or sell) to Clients presents a
conflict of interest that, as fiduciaries, we must disclose to you and mitigate through policies and
procedures. As noted above, we have adopted the Code to address insider trading (material
non-public information controls) and routine personal securities reporting. When trading for
personal accounts, Supervised Persons could have a conflict of interest if trading in the same
securities. The fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of its Clients can potentially be violated
if personal trades are made with more advantageous terms than Client trades, or by trading
based on material non-public information. Our policies prohibit our Supervised Persons from
engaging in such actions. This risk is mitigated by Cresset conducting a coordinated review of
personal accounts and the accounts of the Clients. We have also adopted written policies and
procedures to address the misuse of material, non-public information.
Personal Trading at Same Time as Client
Cresset allows Supervised Persons and personnel of certain Cresset affiliates to transact in the
same securities that may be recommended to and purchased on behalf of Client accounts. In
some cases, Supervised Persons and personnel of certain Cresset affiliates maintain
discretionary accounts with the Adviser, and as a result, transactions in the same security are
typically aggregated with Client orders or traded afterwards.
Different Advice/Hedging
In general, Cresset and its affiliates give different advice, take different action, receive more or
less compensation, and/or hold or invest in different securities or investments from the advice
given, actions taken, compensation received, or investments held for Client accounts.
Cresset’s investment advice is tailored to a broad range of Client investment objectives, risk
tolerances, liquidity needs, time horizons, and various other circumstances and factors. As a
result, any advice given to, or investment recommendations made, or other actions taken for,
one or more Client accounts will compete with, affect, differ from, conflict with, or involve timing
different from, advice given to, or investment decisions made for other Client accounts. Similarly,
because market exposure may impact Cresset and its affiliates differently than it impacts our
Clients, Cresset and its affiliates are permitted to seek to enter into hedging arrangements for
their own accounts to hedge exposure to one or more markets, indices, commodities, asset
classes or securities for corporate or risk management or other purposes. Any such hedging
arrangements could be in opposition to positions or exposures taken by Client accounts at any
time or from time to time.
Other Conflicts and Practices
From time to time, various potential and actual conflicts of interest arise from the overall
advisory, investment services, and other offerings of Cresset, its affiliates and personnel. The
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following briefly summarizes some of these conflicts but is not intended to be an exhaustive list
of all such conflicts. Clients and investors are advised to review the Brochure and applicable
Governing Documents in full for more information on potential and actual conflicts of interest.
Gifts and Entertainment: Brokers, counterparties, service providers and other third parties with
whom we do business occasionally provide gifts and entertainment to our employees. From time
to time, we expect to enter into business transactions and relationships on behalf of a Client with
the donors of such gifts and entertainment. Such gifts and entertainment create a potential
conflict of interest in our selection and retention of these donors as service providers for Clients.
To address this conflict, we have adopted policies and procedures to: (i) monitor gifts and
entertainment given and received by our employees; and (ii) limit the value of gifts and
entertainment given and received.
Pay to Play: We have policies and procedures in place to help us monitor, and limit, the political
contributions that our employees make to public officials and candidates for elected office in
accordance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-5 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
(“Advisers Act”).
Due Diligence Requests: In conducting due diligence, Clients periodically request information
pertaining to their investments and our business. We reserve the right to respond to these
requests and are permitted to provide information that is not generally made available to other
Clients. When we provide this information, we do so without an obligation to update any such
information provided. However, we endeavor to provide the information requested in the most
current form available.
Interests in Client Transactions: As detailed in Item 10 above, from time to time, the Adviser, on
behalf of Clients, initiates or recommends transactions in the securities of companies in which
the Adviser, the Adviser’s affiliates and/or their respective related persons have a controlling or
other material direct or indirect interest, or in the case of CCM, which company indirectly controls
Adviser. For example, the Adviser will recommend to Clients investments in some of the Peakline
Funds in which Cresset and its affiliates have a material interest. Conflicts of interest arise in
connection with such recommendations because the Adviser could have an incentive to favor
the interests of those other affiliates or related persons over those of the Client. In such cases,
the Adviser takes steps to ensure that such investment recommendation is in the Client’s best
interest, consistent with its fiduciary duty. The Adviser further endeavors to manage these
conflicts of interest through, among other means, fully and clearly disclosing these conflicting
relationships and related risks.
Cresset’s recommendation of such Funds, Peakline Funds, or funds advised by affiliated Third-
Party Managers, for Client accounts creates actual and potential conflicts of interest, which are
disclosed in this Brochure and in such Funds’ Governing Documents. Each prospective investor
interested in investing in a Fund is required to complete a subscription agreement in which the
prospective investor attests as to whether or not such prospective investor meets the
qualifications to invest in the Fund and further acknowledges and accepts the various risk factors
associated with such an investment.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Affiliate Lending: Cresset may, from time to time, provide loans or other extensions of credit to
the Funds, either directly or through its affiliates. Such arrangements create conflicts of interest
between Cresset and/or its applicable affiliate and the Fund acting as borrower. To mitigate
such conflicts of interest and the impact on Fund investors, Cresset seeks to structure the terms
of such loans or extensions of credit such that they are on an arms’ length basis. Such loans or
extensions of credit are made in accordance with the Governing Documents of the applicable
Fund.
Material Non-Public Information: Certain personnel of the Adviser and its affiliates expect, from
time to time, to acquire material non-public information or be restricted from initiating
transactions in certain securities. The Adviser will not be free to act on any such information.
Thus, in certain cases, the Adviser will be unable to recommend or initiate transactions on behalf
of Clients that they otherwise might have done and will be unable to sell investments that they
otherwise might have sold, which could harm a Client. Despite the foregoing, the Adviser can
determine, in its sole discretion at any time, that such information could impair its ability to effect
certain transactions on behalf of a Client, whether for legal, contractual, or other reasons. As a
result, the Adviser can elect not to receive such information or to restrict access to such
information to certain personnel that are placed behind an “information wall.” Lack of access to
any such information could adversely affect a Client’s investments that in some cases could have
been avoided had the Client or Adviser had such information.
Time and Attention: With respect to Fund Clients, the Adviser and its affiliates engage in a broad
range of advisory and non-advisory activities, including acting as the general partner, manager,
member, providing investment advisory services or sub-advisory services, and providing
transaction-related, accounting, management or sub-management and/or other services to the
Funds and their investments. The Adviser will devote such time, personnel and internal resources
as are necessary to conduct the business affairs of each Fund in an appropriate manner, as
required by the relevant Fund’s Governing Documents, although the Funds and their respective
investments will place varying levels of demand on these over time. In the ordinary course of the
Adviser conducting its activities, the interests of a Fund will likely conflict with the interests of
the Adviser, another Fund, Fund investment, their respective affiliates, and in some cases, other
Client accounts. Certain of these conflicts of interest are discussed herein. As a general matter,
the Adviser will determine all matters relating to its management of the Funds using its best
judgment considering all factors it deems relevant, but in its sole discretion, subject in certain
cases to the required approvals by the manager, general partner and/or advisory boards of the
participating Funds. Investors are encouraged to review Fund Governing Documents in their
entirety.
Principal Transactions: Cresset has established certain policies and procedures to comply with
the requirements of Section 206(3) of the Advisers Act relating to principal transactions. Principal
transactions generally involve an investment adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the
Clients thereof, on the other hand. To the extent an investment adviser or an affiliate thereof
proposes to purchase a security from, or sell a security to, a Client (what is commonly referred
to as a “principal transaction”), the adviser must make certain disclosures (e.g., of any economic
interest held by the adviser in an investment being recommended to its Clients).
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Financial Services Industry: The financial services industry is highly interconnected and as a
result it is not uncommon for financial firms, lenders, fund managers, and other institutions to
have overlapping business relationships, investment interests, or common ownership. While
these relationships often arise in the normal course of business, they can still give rise to conflicts
of interest. With respect to the Advisor, one of its lenders (which owns a passive minority equity
stake of Cresset) also sponsors investment funds recommended to Clients. As a result of this
relationship, a potential conflict of interest arises as Cresset may have an incentive to
recommend securities issued or managed by such lender in a manner that benefits the lender
and its related parties, rather than solely based on the Client’s best interests. In connection with
making any such recommendations, Clients receive disclosure of the existing lending relationship
and potential conflicts related thereto. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures
designed to ensure recommendations are made in the Client’s best interest, regardless of
affiliation. Clients are under no obligation to invest in any securities issued or managed by
affiliated parties.
Relationship Among Funds: The Adviser and its affiliates currently manage, and expect in the
future to manage, several Funds that pursue investment strategies similar to, overlapping with,
or related to the investment strategy of each other, which creates conflicts of interest for
allocation of time, resources and investment opportunities. In addition, some Funds will involve
different terms and fee structures that incentivize the Adviser to make more (or less) of a
particular investment opportunity available to Clients and therefore present conflicts of interest
in respect of the managing and monitoring of such investments and evaluating and executing on
disposition opportunities. Accordingly, the Adviser cannot assure equal treatment with respect
to allocation of time, resources and investment opportunities. In addition, investments and other
activities undertaken by the Adviser could affect the existing investments and/or investment
opportunities of a Fund. For example, any such investment in a particular industry could limit the
ability of a Fund to pursue other opportunities within the same or related industries. Additionally,
portfolio companies in which the Adviser invests are expected to, from time to time, be in the
same industry as, and compete with, a Fund’s portfolio company investments. In such instances,
the Adviser will be free, in its discretion, to make recommendations and decisions with respect
to the origination or disposition of such investments, independent of the recommendations and
decisions made by the Adviser for the Fund. All such recommendations and decisions will be
made for a Fund in a manner that the Adviser finds, based on its fiduciary duties and contractual
obligations, appropriate given the investment objective, liquidity, diversification and other
limitations of a Fund. The principals and senior executives of any given Fund manager are
generally permitted to provide services to other Funds. A Fund’s manager and its affiliates and
principals often reserve the right to also manage separate accounts, which accounts may invest
in the types of investments pursued by such Fund.
Outside Activities of Principals and Other Personnel and their Related Parties: Certain
personnel of the Adviser and its various affiliates may be subject to a variety of conflicts of
interest relating to their responsibilities to Clients, Funds, and Fund portfolio companies or
account holdings. For example, such individuals’ outside business activities as members of
investment or advisory committees or boards of directors or as advisors to other investment
funds, corporations, foundations or other organizations create potential conflicts if such other
entities have interests that are adverse to those of the Adviser or any particular Client, including
if such other entities compete with a Fund for certain resources. This involvement creates
conflicts of interest in recommending or making investment(s) on behalf of a Fund and such
other Funds, accounts and other entities. The Adviser will seek to minimize the impact of any
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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such conflicts pursuant to its policies and procedures. Also, advisory personnel are generally
permitted to invest in the Funds, and other investment vehicles, as well as securities of other
companies, some of which will be competitors of the Funds or investments of the Funds.
Investors will not receive any benefit from any such investments, and the financial incentives of
advisory personnel in such other investments could be greater than their financial incentives in
relation to the Funds.
This list of conflicts of interest is not a complete enumeration or explanation of the conflicts of
interest involved in Cresset’s investment advisory business.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Recommendation of Custodian(s)
Cresset does not maintain discretionary authority to select a broker-dealer/custodian for
custody and execution services on a Client’s behalf. However, Cresset often recommends one
or more custodian(s) to Clients to perform such custody and execution services. Although Clients
are not obligated to use the Adviser’s recommended custodian, the Adviser could be limited in
the services it can provide if the recommended custodian is not engaged. In addition, Cresset is
permitted to accept Client instructions for directing the Client’s account transactions to a
particular broker-dealer.
In recommending a counterparty/broker-dealer to execute trades on a Client’s behalf, the
Adviser seeks to obtain “best execution” for such Client transaction (i.e., the most favorable
price and execution), pursuant to the Adviser’s fiduciary duty. In seeking best execution, Cresset
is not obligated to choose the counterparty offering the lowest available commission rate. Many
factors are considered when determining best execution including: (i) the risk that the overall
cost to purchase securities will be higher or the proceeds from the sale of securities will be lower;
(ii) a higher commission is justified by the trading or research services provided by the
counterparty that fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (iii) the counterparty’s service, responsiveness and
technological capabilities, or (iv) other considerations, such as the order size, the time required
for execution, the depth and breadth of the market for the security, financial stability and
minimum credit quality considerations to transact business with a particular counterparty, or the
quality of the counterparty’s operations.
Cresset will generally recommend that Clients establish their account(s) at Fidelity Family Office
Services, a division of Fidelity Clearing and Custody Services, a part of Fidelity Brokerage
Services LLC (together with all affiliates “Fidelity”), Pershing LLC (“Pershing”) and Schwab
Advisor Family Office (“Schwab”), each a FINRA-registered broker-dealer and member of
Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Cresset maintains an institutional relationship
with certain custodians, including those noted above. Cresset may receive economic benefits
from certain custodians. Please see Item 14 below for more information.
Following are additional details regarding the brokerage practices of the Adviser:
• Soft Dollars – Cresset generally does not participate in soft dollar programs sponsored or
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offered by any broker-dealer/custodian except as permitted under the safe harbor of
Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act. However, Cresset has received transition support
services that may not qualify as “brokerage or research services” under Section 28(e) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or that may not otherwise fit within the safe harbor
provided for by Section 28(e). Additionally, the Adviser receives certain economic benefits
from its recommended custodians. Please see Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other
Compensation for additional information.
• Brokerage Referrals – Cresset does not receive any compensation from any third-party in
connection with the recommendation for establishing an account. From time to time, we
receive (and have received in the past) Client referrals from broker-dealers and Custodians.
As a result, we have an incentive to select or recommend a broker-dealer based on our
interest in receiving Client referrals. We mitigate this potential conflict of interest by
considering the full range of a broker-dealer’s services, as described above. Our receipt of
referrals does not diminish our duty to select brokers on the basis of best execution.
• Directed Brokerage – To the extent the Client does not enter into an engagement with a
recommended custodian (see above), that Client may direct its trades be executed through
the broker-dealer/custodian as directed by the Client (a “directed brokerage”). For directed
brokerages, Cresset will not be obligated to select competitive bids on securities
transactions and does not have an obligation to seek the lowest available transaction costs.
These costs are determined by the applicable broker-dealer/custodian and may be higher
or lower than those charged by Cresset’s recommended custodians. Additionally, the
Adviser may not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs in a Client
directed brokerage account.
• Trading Away/Prime Brokerage – Relative to its discretionary investment advisory
services, when beneficial to the Client, individual fixed income transactions may be
executed through broker-dealers other than a custodian with custody of the account.
Should an account make use of prime brokerage, the Client is required to execute an
additional agreement with the custodian(s) authorizing the Adviser to trade away from and
settle at the established account(s) at that custodian(s). When this occurs, the Client will
generally incur both the price established by the executing broker as well as a separate
“trade away” and/or prime broker fee charged by the custodian with custody of the
account.
Aggregating and Allocating Trades
When placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities in Client Accounts the Adviser
seeks to obtain the most favorable net results under prevailing market conditions and will
consider various factors, including without limitation: (i) price, (ii) size of order, (iii) difficulty of
execution, (iv) confidentiality, and (v) skill required of the broker-dealer/custodian. To the extent
authorized by the Client, Cresset will execute transactions for such Client’s Account(s) through
the applicable custodian(s). When placing trade orders with a recommended custodian, and as
appropriate for the applicable Clients, Cresset will seek to aggregate orders for one or more
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Client Account(s) held with such custodian (a “block trade”). Block trades will typically include
securities purchased or sold through the same broker-dealer for multiple Accounts in the same
trading day. If a block trade cannot be executed in full at the same price or time, the securities
actually purchased or sold by the close of each business day must be allocated in a manner
that is consistent with the initial pre- allocation or other written statement in a manner that
Cresset deems equitable over time. This must be done in a way that does not consistently
advantage or disadvantage any particular Client Accounts.
Trade Errors
Cresset has adopted a policy for the purpose of addressing trade errors that may arise, from
time to time, with respect to securities transactions. Cresset seeks to identify and correct any
trade errors in an expeditious manner following custodian requirements for error correction.
Cresset’s trade error correction policy specifies that Cresset will be responsible for the payment
of any direct losses incurred as a result of trade errors. Any gains resulting from such trade
errors will be handled in accordance with custodian policies and are generally held in a trade
error account at the custodian. Errors that are the responsibility of an external party (e.g., SMA
Manager, Custodian, or trading platform) will be handled using the most expeditious method to
reimburse the Client. The determination of whether or not a trade error has occurred will be
made at the reasonable discretion of Cresset.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Frequency of Reviews
Cresset has numerous investment committees and advisory personnel that assist with reviewing
Client Accounts. Formal Account reviews are generally conducted at least annually or more
frequently depending on the needs of the Client by the respective investment advisor
representative and certain other Cresset investment professionals.
Causes for Reviews
In addition to the routine investment monitoring noted in Item 13.A above, Client Accounts may
be reviewed as a result of major changes in economic conditions, known changes in the Client’s
health, mental capacity, financial situation, large deposits, withdrawals or other transaction
activity in the Client’s account. Clients are encouraged to notify Cresset if changes occur in the
Client’s personal or financial situation that might affect the Client’s investment plan. Additional
reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events or at the Client’s
request.
Review Reports
Clients receive written statements no less than quarterly from their custodian. These
statements are sent directly from the custodian to the Client. Clients may also be able to
establish electronic access to the custodian’s website so that the Client can view these reports
and their account activity. Client statements will include all positions, transactions and fees
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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relating to the Account(s). The Adviser may also provide Clients with periodic reports regarding
their holdings, allocations, and performance.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Compensation Received by Cresset
Cresset refers Clients to various unaffiliated, non-advisory professionals (e.g., attorneys,
accountants, estate planners) to provide certain services. Cresset is not compensated for such
referrals. Likewise, Cresset receives referrals of new Clients from various third parties. These
referrals are generally on a non-compensated basis, although Cresset does have relationships
with certain promoters who may refer prospective Clients to Cresset for a fee.
Compensation for Client Referrals
Cresset maintains relationships with certain custodians to facilitate the custodial services
provided to our Clients. In the course of providing investment advisory services, Cresset may,
but is not required to, refer Clients to certain custodians. In some cases, Cresset receives
compensation, in the form of reimbursement of certain expenses or other incentives, from the
custodians when Clients are referred to them. This compensation is contingent upon the volume
of assets Cresset Clients maintain with the relevant custodian. Cresset’s receipt of compensation
from custodians for Client referrals may present a conflict of interest. Specifically, Cresset has
an incentive to recommend custodians with whom it has compensation arrangements, even if
other custodians may offer comparable or lower-cost services. To mitigate this conflict, Cresset
evaluates custodians based on criteria that are in the best interest of the Client, including service
quality, cost, and the suitability of the custodian's offerings for the Client's needs. In addition to
providing this disclosure, Cresset mitigates this conflict of interest by requiring advisors to act in
the Client’s best interest and by maintaining best execution policies and procedures. Clients are
under no obligation to utilize the custodians to whom Cresset refers them.
Participation in Institutional Advisor Platform (Pershing)
As disclosed in Item 12 – Brokerage Practices above, the Adviser has established a relationship
with Pershing through its participation in the institutional advisor program offered by Pershing.
Access to the Pershing Institutional platform is provided at no charge to the Adviser. The Adviser
receives access to software, support, and other services without cost because the Adviser
renders investment advisory services to Clients that maintain assets at Pershing. Products and
services provided by Pershing to the Adviser do not always benefit its Clients.
Cresset’s relationship with Pershing also provides Cresset with economic benefits (“credits”)
based on the amount of Client assets we place and maintain with them. When certain conditions
are met, Cresset can use these credits to pay and later seek reimbursement from Pershing for
certain costs related to education and training, industry and Client events, transitioning Clients
to their platform, technology required to service Clients and their investment activities,
marketing, and other eligible types of services. Additionally, the Adviser receives the following
benefits from Pershing: receipt of duplicate Client confirmations and bundled duplicate
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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statements; access to a trading desk that exclusively services its institutional participants; access
to block trading which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions and then allocate
the appropriate shares to Client accounts; and access to an electronic communication network
for Client order entry and account information. The Adviser does not exercise discretion over
the selection of the custodian.
The Adviser may recommend Pershing based on criteria such as, but not limited to,
reasonableness of fees and other costs charged to the Client, services made available to the
Client, and the custodian’s reputation. The Adviser does not receive research services, other
products, or compensation as a result of recommending a particular custodian that may result
in the Client paying higher fees or commissions than those obtainable through other broker-
dealers/custodians. If recommending Pershing, the Adviser generally recommends that Clients
establish accounts at Pershing Advisor Solutions, a subsidiary of Pershing LLC, member FINRA,
NYSE, SIPC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon N.A.
Participation in Fidelity’s Family Office Services Advisor Platform
Cresset has established a relationship with Fidelity who acts as custodian for our Client
Account(s).
Fidelity may refer prospective Clients or offer us certain pricing and fee structures based on
utilizing Fidelity’s platform, investing in certain types of Fidelity funds, and the amount of Client
assets we place with them. In addition, the Adviser generally receives access to software
applications and related support without cost. When certain conditions are met, Fidelity will pay
for (or reimburse us for) certain costs related to industry events, transitioning Clients to their
platform from other custodians, technology, research, marketing, and other products and
services on our behalf. Moreover, Cresset does not require any Client to utilize Fidelity as their
custodian and each Client retains discretion to determine which custodian to use.
Participation in Institutional Advisor Platform (Schwab)
Cresset has established an institutional relationship with Schwab through its “Schwab Advisor
Services” unit, a division of Schwab dedicated to serving independent advisory firms like Cresset.
As a registered investment adviser participating on the Schwab Advisor Services platform,
Cresset receives access to software and related support without cost because the Adviser
renders investment advisory services to Clients that maintain assets at Schwab. Services
provided by Schwab Advisor Services benefit the Adviser and many, but not all services
provided by Schwab will directly benefit Clients. In fulfilling its duties to its Clients, the Adviser
endeavors at all times to put the interests of its Clients first. Clients should be aware, however,
that the receipt of economic benefits from a custodian creates a conflict of interest since these
benefits may influence the Adviser’s recommendation of this custodian over one that does not
furnish similar software, systems support, or services.
• Services that May Benefit the Client – Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include
access to a broad range of investment products, execution of securities transactions, and
custody of Client assets. The investment products available through Schwab include some
to which we might not otherwise have access or that would require a significantly higher
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
47
minimum initial investment by our Clients.
• Services that May Indirectly Benefit the Client – Schwab provides participating advisers
with access to support products, technology, research, discounts, and other services. In
addition, the Adviser receives duplicate statements for Client Accounts, trading tools, and
back-office support services as part of its relationship with Schwab. These services are
intended to assist the Adviser in effectively managing accounts for its Clients but may not
directly benefit all Clients.
In addition, Schwab offers us certain pricing and fee structures based on the amount of
assets that will be custodied with Schwab as well as other services and fee discounts for
such things as transitioning Client assets to Cresset and educational conferences and
events. When certain conditions are met, Schwab has also agreed to pay for certain
technology, research, marketing, and compliance consulting products and services on our
behalf. Access to these services creates a financial incentive for the Adviser to recommend
Schwab, which results in a conflict of interest.
Conflicts of Interest Regarding Custodians
Arrangements with Pershing, Fidelity, Schwab and other custodians present a conflict of interest
as Adviser may benefit from referring Clients to these custodians. Clients should note that the
receipt of any economic benefit from a custodian may influence the Adviser’s decision to
recommend one custodian over another who does not offer similar software, systems, support,
payment/reimbursement, or services. Cresset seeks to mitigate these conflicts through
disclosure, maintaining best execution policies and procedures, and by requiring its Supervised
Persons to act in Clients’ best interest at all times.
Business Entertainment
Our Supervised Persons may be occasionally provided with de minimis meals and entertainment
from other financial service providers or third parties in the industry. This presents a conflict of
interest in that we have an incentive to maintain a relationship with such providers or third parties.
However, all such business entertainment will be conducted in strict accordance with our Code
of Ethics, and we will act in our Clients’ best interest when engaging in any business with such
providers or third parties.
Client Referrals from Promoters
From time to time, the Adviser engages promoters, including employees of affiliates, to refer
Clients, and generally compensates such promoters for those services. In using promoters, the
Adviser must comply with various Advisers Act requirements as well as any related state
securities requirements. Except for employees and certain affiliated persons of the Adviser, in
accordance with relevant securities law exemptions, the promoter must disclose certain aspects
of its relationship with the Adviser if receiving compensation greater than the de minimis amount.
Any such compensation shall be paid solely from the advisory fees earned by the Adviser and
shall not result in any additional charge to the Client.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
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Item 15: Custody
Although Cresset does not take physical possession of Client funds or securities, in certain
circumstances, we are deemed to have custody and/or control of certain Client assets. For
example, under Rule 206(4)-2 of the Advisers Act (the “Custody Rule”), Cresset may be
deemed to have custody if Cresset or a related person holds client funds or securities, or has
authority to obtain possession of them, in connection with advisory services. Custody includes,
among other things: (1) possession of client funds or securities; (2) authority to withdraw client
funds or securities held at a custodian upon Cresset’s instruction; and (3) serving in certain
legal capacities (e.g., general partner, managing member, trustee) that provide legal ownership
of or access to client assets.
Where possible, Client assets are maintained with a qualified custodian, which is a broker-
dealer, bank or another eligible firm that holds and maintains their investment assets. Except
as noted below with respect to the Funds, Clients will receive quarterly account statements
from their qualified custodian, in accordance with the Custody Rule requirements. We urge all
Clients to carefully review the custodial statements and compare such official custodial records
to the quarterly account statements that we or our affiliates provide to you.
Cresset engages an independent public accountant that is registered with, and subject to
examination by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) to perform an
annual surprise examination (“Surprise Examination”) of those assets and accounts over which
Cresset is deemed to have custody.
Custody of Fund Assets
When possible, Fund assets are maintained with a qualified custodian. Generally, Cresset relies
on the audit exception to the Custody Rule with respect to its Funds. In accordance with the
audit exemption, each such Fund obtains an annual audit of its financial statements performed
by an independent public accountant that is registered with, and subject to examination by the
PCAOB. Copies of the annual audited financial statements, which are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, are distributed to all Fund investors as described
in the Fund’s Governing Documents.
Where necessary, Cresset relies on a Surprise Examination described above to meet applicable
Custody Rule requirements.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
With respect to its discretionary Client Accounts, Cresset is generally granted investment
discretion over the selection and amount of securities to be bought or sold in Client accounts
without obtaining prior consent or approval from the Client, subject to the Client’s specified
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
49
investment objectives, guidelines, or limitations (which may arise from applicable laws and
regulations or from the terms of such Client’s engagement agreement or similar documents).
Cresset is only granted discretionary authority upon full disclosure to the Client. The granting
of such authority is evidenced by the Client’s execution of its engagement agreement
containing all applicable limitations to such authority.
Cresset is generally granted limited discretion with respect to its non-discretionary investment
advisory Clients (or the specific asset types or sub-portfolios of discretionary accounts) to
which consent requirements pertain. For investment consulting Clients, Cresset acts in
consulting capacity only and without discretion.
For Funds, investment guidelines and restrictions are described in the applicable Fund’s
Governing Documents and Cresset is generally granted discretion through the relevant Fund’s
organizational document or its engagement agreement with the Fund. In general, investors in
the Funds are not permitted to impose restrictions or limitations. However, from time to time,
the Funds have entered and could in the future enter into side letter or other written
agreements with one or more Fund investors which have the effect of establishing rights under,
or altering, modifying, or changing the terms of interest held by investors.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Cresset’s policy is to vote proxies in the best financial and long-term interests of Clients. When
Cresset has been delegated authority under a Client’s engagement agreement, it votes proxies
on the Client’s behalf in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures. Clients may
retain or revoke proxy voting authority at any time by providing written notice to Cresset.
Where proxy voting authority has not been delegated, Cresset does not vote proxies. When
Cresset votes proxies on behalf of a Client, the Client may not direct the vote on individual
solicitations. Cresset may refrain from voting a proxy when it determines that doing so would
not be in a Client’s best interests, or when practical, regulatory, or market constraints make
voting impractical.
Cresset has engaged Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) to serve as its proxy voting
agent. Cresset has adopted ISS’s proxy voting guidelines, which provide a consistent
framework for addressing a broad range of proxy matters. ISS applies those guidelines on
Cresset’s behalf, administers and submits votes in a timely manner, maintains proxy voting
records, and provides independent research on corporate governance and proxy matters.
Because proxy voting may present conflicts of interest, Cresset relies primarily on the objective
recommendations of ISS but may depart from those recommendations when it determines that
doing so is in Clients’ best interests.
Clients may request information about how Cresset voted their securities or obtain a copy of
Cresset’s proxy voting policies and procedures by contacting us at (312) 429-2400 or
info@cressetcapital.com.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
50
Other Services
Cresset has engaged a third-party to provide Clients with securities class action related
services. Clients can opt out on a security specific basis or in the entirety by providing written
notice to Cresset.
Item 18: Financial Information
Neither Cresset nor its management have any adverse financial situations that would reasonably
impair the ability of Cresset to meet all obligations to its Clients. Neither Cresset nor its
management have been subject to a bankruptcy or financial compromise within the last ten
years. Cresset is not required to deliver a balance sheet along with this Brochure as the Adviser
does not collect advance fees of $1,200 or more for services to be performed six months or
more in the future.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Form ADV Part 2A
51
Item 1: Cover Page
Cresset One Fee Program
Sponsored by
Cresset Asset Management, LLC
an SEC Registered Investment Adviser
Form ADV 2A - Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
March 27, 2026
This Form ADV Part 2A - Appendix 1 (“Wrap Fee Program Brochure”) provides information
about the qualifications and business practices for Cresset Asset Management, LLC, also
conducting advisory business under the names of Cresset, Cresset Capital, Cresset Sports
& Entertainment, and CH Investment Partners (“Cresset” or the “Adviser”) when offering
services pursuant to a wrap program. This Wrap Fee Program Brochure shall always be
accompanied by the Form ADV Part 2A (“Brochure”), which provides complete details on
the business practices of the Adviser. If you did not receive the complete Brochure or you
have any questions about the contents of this Wrap Fee Program Brochure or the
Brochure, please contact us at (312) 429-2400 or by email at info@cressetcapital.com.
Cresset is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”). The information in this Wrap Fee Program Brochure has not been
approved or verified by the SEC or by any state securities authority. Registration as an
investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training. This Wrap Fee
Program Brochure provides information about Cresset to assist you in determining whether
to retain the Adviser.
Additional information about Cresset and its advisory persons is available on the SEC’s
website at http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/ by searching for our firm name or by our CRD#
288566.
444 West Lake Street, Suite 4700
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: (312) 429-2400
Email: info@cressetcapital.com
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
i
Item 2: Material Changes
This Wrap Fee Program Brochure provides information about a variety of topics relating
to the Adviser’s business practices, compliance policies and procedures, and conflicts of
interest. The Adviser routinely updates the Wrap Fee Program Brochure to improve and
clarify the description of such information or in response to evolving industry or firm
practices. In particular, this Wrap Fee Program Brochure discusses the Wrap Fee Program’s
offering by the Adviser.
Material Changes
No material changes have been made to this Wrap Fee Brochure since the last amendment
update dated March 31, 2025. Aside from the foregoing change, the Adviser has not made
any other material changes to this Wrap Fee Program Brochure.
Future Changes
From time to time, we may amend this Wrap Fee Program Brochure to reflect changes in
our business practices, changes in regulations and routine annual updates as required by
the securities regulators. This complete Wrap Fee Program Brochure (along with the
complete Cresset Brochure) or a Summary of Material Changes shall be provided to each
Client annually and if a material change occurs in the business practices of Cresset.
At any time, you may view this Wrap Fee Program Brochure and the current Brochure on-
line at the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
by searching for our firm name or by our CRD# 288566. You may also request a copy of
this Brochure at any time, by contacting us at (312) 429-2400 or by email at
info@cressetcapital.com.
Cresset encourages all current and prospective wrap fee program Clients to read this Wrap
Fee Program Brochure carefully and, in its entirety and to discuss any questions you may
have with us.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
ii
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ........................................................................................................................... i
Item 2: Material Changes ............................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iii
Item 4: Services, Fees and Compensation ................................................................................ iv
Item 5: Account Requirements and Types of Clients............................................................... v
Item 6: Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation ................................................................ v
Item 7: Client Information Provided to Portfolio Managers ................................................... vi
Item 8: Client Contact with Portfolio Managers ....................................................................... vi
Item 9: Additional Information ..................................................................................................... vi
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
iii
Item 4: Services, Fees and Compensation
This Wrap Fee Program Brochure is provided alongside, and as a supplement to, Cresset’s
Form ADV Part 2A (“Brochure”) to provide additional disclosure regarding the Cresset One
Fee Program, a wrap fee program sponsored, managed and operated by Cresset (the
“Wrap Fee Program” or “Program”).
Services
As of October 2023, the Program is generally no longer offered to new Clients and
continues only to be offered for the benefit of Clients then currently in the program, closely
affiliated relationships to those Clients, and in certain extraordinary circumstances. This
Wrap Fee Program Brochure references back to the Brochure in which this Wrap Fee
Program Brochure serves as an appendix. Please see Item 4 – Advisory Business of the
Brochure for details on Cresset’s investment philosophy and related services.
The Program is exclusively offered by Cresset through its custodial relationship with
Fidelity.
Program Fee
Advisory services provided by Cresset, incurred in connection with discretionary
investment management, are offered in a wrap fee structure whereby certain trading costs
– including those executed by independent investment managers (“Independent
Managers”) where appropriate – custodial fees, brokerage fees, and other fees are
included in the overall investment advisory fees paid to Cresset by the Client.
Investment advisory fees are based on the market value of managed assets and may be
subject to a minimum annual fee of $25,000 not to exceed 2.00% annually. Fees may be
negotiable at the sole discretion of the Adviser. Client fees will take into consideration
several factors, including aggregate assets under management, the complexity of the
services to be provided, and the overall relationship with the Adviser. Certain legacy Clients
who transferred to Cresset as a result of an acquisition with an unrelated third-party adviser
may have billing processes that differ from the above.
As the level of trading in a Client’s account(s) varies from year to year, the annual cost of
the Program to the Client may be more or less than purchasing such services separately
where the transactions costs are borne separately by the Client. The cost of the Wrap Fee
Program varies depending on the services to be provided to each Client, however, the
Client is not charged more if there is higher trading activity in the Client’s account(s). Please
see Item 5 – Fees and Compensation in the Brochure for complete details on fees.
Other Costs and Expenses
Clients incur certain additional fees or charges imposed by third parties in connection with
investments made on behalf of the Client. Independent Manager fees and certain
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
iv
associated fees and costs are not included in the advisory fees and the Client will be directly
responsible for those fees. The advisory fees also do not include any margin interest, costs
associated with exchanging foreign currencies, exchange fees, foreign clearing fees, taxes,
the fees associated with the short-term trading of mutual funds, certain fees associated
with Fidelity’s (SAN) Separate Account Network, the fees and expenses charged by
Alternative Investments, or any fund, private investment vehicle, or investment company.
Securities transaction fees for Client-directed trades may also be charged back to the
Client.
Please Note: Currently, the Program fee does not cover the asset management fees of
any Independent Manager to whom Client assets are allocated under the Program. Clients
who entered the Program prior to this date were given the choice between (1) being
grandfathered from having to pay Independent Manager fees on their behalf, or (2)
migrating to the modified program, through which the Client would pay their own
Independent Manager fees.
Other Compensation
Because Cresset is the sponsor and portfolio manager of this Wrap Fee Program, Cresset
receives compensation in the form of an advisory fee as a result of a Client’s participation
in the Wrap Fee Program. A wrap fee structure imposes certain conflicts of interest as the
Adviser has an incentive to reduce its costs for the services it provides the Client by (1)
transacting in securities where the custodian does not charge fees; (2) by transacting in
securities where the fees are a directly charged to the Client’s account; or (3) by limiting
the number of trades placed in the Client’s account(s).
Item 5: Account Requirements and Types of Clients
Cresset offers investment advisory services to individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts,
estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, other business entities
and pooled investment vehicles. Please see Item 7 – Types of Clients in the Brochure for
additional information.
Item 6: Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation
Portfolio Manager Selection
Cresset is the sponsor and sole portfolio manager of the “Cresset One Fee Program.”
Cresset recommends that Clients allocate a portion of their assets to Independent
Managers where appropriate. As noted above, the Program fee does not cover the asset
management fees of any Independent Manager to whom Client assets are allocated under
the Program.
Cresset personnel serve as portfolio managers for this Wrap Fee Program. Cresset does
not serve as a portfolio manager for any third-party Wrap Fee Programs.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
v
In recommending, or recommending the replacement of, Independent Managers to Clients
under this Program, Cresset generally adheres to the same decision-making process as
detailed in Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss of the
Brochure.
Voting Client Securities
With respect to voting Client securities pursuant under the Wrap Fee Program, Cresset
generally adheres to same guidelines as set forth in Item 17 – Voting Client Securities of the
Brochure.
Clients can obtain additional information regarding Cresset’s proxy voting practices by
contacting us at (312) 429-2400 or via email at info@cressetcapital.com.
Item 7: Client Information Provided to Portfolio Managers
Cresset is the sponsor and sole portfolio manager for the Program. Accordingly, the
Adviser does not share Client information with other portfolio managers. Please also see
Cresset’s Privacy Policy.
Item 8: Client Contact with Portfolio Managers
Cresset is a full-service investment management advisory firm. Clients always have direct
access to the Portfolio Managers at Cresset. No restrictions are placed on Clients’ ability to
contact and consult with their Portfolio Managers.
Item 9: Additional Information
A. Disciplinary Information and Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events involving the Adviser or its management
persons that would be material to the evaluation of Cresset’s advisory business or
integrity of our management by a Client, prospective Client or investor in a Cresset
advisory product. While Cresset does not have any reportable disciplinary events
to disclose its Supervised Persons may. Please see Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
of the Brochure as well as Item 3 of each Supervised Person’s Brochure Supplement
for additional information on how to research the background of the Adviser and its
Supervised Persons.
Other Financial Activities and Affiliations
Please see Items 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations of the
Brochure.
Cresset Asset Management, LLC – Appendix 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
vi
B. Code of Ethics, Review of Accounts, Client Referrals, and Financial Information
Cresset has implemented a Code of Ethics that defines our fiduciary commitment to
each Client. This Code of Ethics applies to all persons subject to Cresset’s
compliance program (our “Supervised Persons”). Complete details on the Cresset
Code of Ethics can be found under Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest
in Client Transactions and Personal Trading in the Brochure.
Review of Accounts
Investments in Client accounts are monitored on a regular and continuous basis by
Supervised Persons of Cresset. Details of the review policies and practices are
provided in Item 13 – Review of Accounts of the Brochure.
financial
incentive and
influence
Other Compensation
Participation in Fidelity’s Family Office Services Advisor Platform (Fidelity) – Cresset
has established a relationship with Fidelity to act as custodian for our Client
account(s). In fulfilling its duties to its Clients, the Adviser endeavors at all times to
put the interests of its Clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt
of economic benefits from a custodian creates a conflict of interest since these
benefits may create a
the Adviser’s
recommendation of this custodian.
For example, Fidelity may refer prospective clients or offer us certain pricing and
fee structures based on utilizing Fidelity’s platform, investing in certain types of
Fidelity funds, and the amount of client assets we place with them. In addition, the
Adviser may receive access to software applications and related support without
cost. When certain conditions are met, Fidelity may pay for certain costs related to
industry events, transitioning Clients to their platform from other custodians,
technology, research, marketing, and other products and services on our behalf.
Please see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices and Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other
Compensation in the Brochure for details on additional practices and compensation
that may be received by Cresset or its Supervised Persons. Each applicable
Supervised Person’s Brochure Supplement (also included with this Wrap Fee
Program Brochure) provides details on any outside business activities and the
associated compensation. Moreover, Cresset does not require any Client to utilize
Fidelity as their custodian and each Client retains discretion to determine which
custodian to use.
Client Referrals from Promoters
If a Client is introduced to the Adviser by either an unaffiliated or affiliated party
(herein a “Promoter”), the Adviser may compensate Promoters a fee in accordance
with Rule 206(4)-1 of the Advisers Act and any corresponding state securities
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requirements. Any such compensation shall be paid solely from the investment
advisory fees earned by the Adviser and shall not result in any additional charge to
the Client. Additionally, Cresset may compensate eligible employees for referring
new Clients.
Financial Information
Neither Cresset nor its management have any adverse financial situations that would
reasonably impair the ability of Cresset to meet all obligations to its Clients. Neither
Cresset nor its management have been subject to a bankruptcy or financial
compromise within the last ten years. Cresset is not required to deliver a balance
sheet along with this Brochure as the Adviser does not collect advance fees of
$1,200 or more for services to be performed six months or more in the future.
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