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Disclosure Brochure
Form ADV Part 2A
July 1, 2025
Curi Capital, LLC
One N. Wacker Dr., Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 993-5800
rmbcap.com
This Part 2A of Form ADV (this “Brochure”) provides information about the
qualifications and business practices of Curi Capital, LLC (“Curi Capital” or “Adviser”).
If you have any questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at 1-
800-601-5228 or compliance@rmbcap.com. The information in this Brochure has not
been approved or verified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
or by any state securities regulators.
Curi Capital is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). Registration of an investment
adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written
communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you can use
to determine whether to hire or retain an adviser.
The information provided in this Brochure should not be considered a recommendation
to purchase or sell any particular security.
Additional information about Curi Capital is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
ITEM 2: MATERIAL CHANGES
This Item 2 discusses only specific material changes that were made to the Brochure
since the last annual update. Since our last annual update filing on March 31, 2025, we
would like to inform you of the following:
•
Due to a change in the trading platform used, updates have been made
in Item 12 related to trading practices. Specifically, revisions were made
to the manner in which allocations are made when aggregated client
orders aren’t completely filled on any given trading day.
•
On July 1, 2025, the firm officially changed its name from Curi RMB
Capital, LLC to Curi Capital, LLC (“Curi Capital” or “Adviser”). The Form
ADV Part 2B has been amended to reflect this change.
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ITEM 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
PAGE
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 ...................................................................................... 10
ITEM 6: PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT .................... 18
ITEM 7: TYPES OF CLIENTS .................................................................................................... 19
ITEM 8: METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RISK OF LOSS ..... 20
ITEM 9: DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION .................................................................................. 35
ITEM 10: OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS .........................36
ITEM 11: CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL
TRADING ................................................................................................................... 40
ITEM 12: BROKERAGE PRACTICES ........................................................................................ 42
ITEM 13: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS .......................................................................................... 48
ITEM 14: CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION ............................................ 49
ITEM 15: CUSTODY ................................................................................................................... 52
ITEM 16: INVESTMENT DISCRETION ..................................................................................... 54
ITEM 17: VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES .................................................................................. 56
ITEM 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................... 58
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ITEM 4: ADVISORY BUSINESS
About Curi Capital
Curi Capital, LLC (“Curi Capital”, “Adviser” or “we”) is an investment adviser offering
advisory services and investment solutions to a diverse range of clients.
Curi Capital is principally owned by Curi Capital Holdings, LLC, which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of MMIC Investment Holdings, Inc. MMIC Investment Holdings, Inc. is wholly
owned by Curi Holdings, Inc. Our business is structured to help ensure our clients’
best interests are the driving force behind our practices and recommendations.
Curi Capital’s services include Wealth Management, Asset Management, Retirement
Plan Solutions, Wealth Builder, and Family Office Services. Our Wealth Management
business focuses on providing holistic solutions to our client’s financial needs while
our Asset Management business provides various investment strategies to clients
through separately managed accounts and other investment products that may serve
as the building blocks for our clients’ investment portfolios. Retirement Plan Solutions
provides non-discretionary advisory and consulting services and solutions to employer
organizations which sponsor and/or administer employee retirement plans. Wealth
Builder provides foundational financial planning to both simple and complex clients.
Family Office Services provides a variety of customized financial planning and
investment services to multi-generational clients with complex needs. These services
are described more fully below.
Wealth Management Services
For individuals and families, Wealth Management provides personalized, holistic
financial planning services as well as discretionary and non-discretionary asset
allocation recommendations and discretionary investment implementation. Our goal is
to pilot a personalized financial plan designed with each client’s best interests, unique
needs, and long-term objectives in mind.
We dedicate ourselves to understanding the intricacies of each client’s financial
picture. Through ongoing, in-depth conversations, we work to build a personal
relationship with our clients and their families. We commonly also act as the “central
adviser” by collaborating with clients’ other trusted advisers—including estate planning
attorneys, tax advisors, and corporate benefits managers—to maintain a well-informed
perspective. This familiarity, both practically and personally, establishes the foundation
for us to create and manage a highly customized financial plan.
Our approach to investing for our Wealth Management clients is a natural extension of
our approach to financial planning. We establish personalized asset allocations based
on each client’s specific circumstances, taking into consideration investment goals,
time horizons, risk tolerances, income requirements, total asset levels and other
relevant factors. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions, limitations, or other
requirements with respect to their individual accounts. We then implement our
recommendations using internally and externally managed investment strategies. For
a small number of clients, we offer tax services, including tax return preparation. We
hold steadfast to the core principles of our investment philosophy—taking a long-term
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view, conducting fundamental analysis, being opportunistic yet disciplined, and
avoiding unnecessary risk.
Whether developing financial plans or investment solutions, we are keenly focused on
the long term, as we believe being diligent, disciplined, and conservative are keys to
driving results over time. The wealth management services described above are
collectively referred to as “Wealth Management Services.”
Wealth Builder Services
Wealth Builder Services are for individuals and families that are primarily focused on
asset accumulation. Wealth Builder provides hands-on financial planning services as
well as discretionary and non-discretionary asset allocation recommendations and
discretionary investment implementation. Our goal is to be a trusted partner in both
development and execution of a financial plan designed with each client’s best
interests, unique needs, and long-term objectives in mind. Through early interaction
with our financial planning technology, we establish goals and then construct an
ongoing plan to reach those goals. Our dedication to simplifying our client’s financial
life allows them to monitor ongoing progress while having a dedicated advisory team
readily available to dive deeper into financial topics as needed. We know our clients
are busy and we strive for proactive, simple to digest communication while being
available for phone and virtual meetings. Our approach to investing for our Wealth
Builder clients is a natural extension of our approach to financial planning. We have
established target asset allocations designed to meet each client’s circumstances,
taking into consideration investment goals, time horizons, risk tolerances, income
requirements, total asset levels and other relevant factors. We then implement our
recommendations using internally and externally managed investment strategies. We
hold steadfast to the core principles of our investment philosophy—taking a long-term
view, conducting fundamental analysis, being opportunistic yet disciplined, and
avoiding unnecessary risk. Whether developing financial plans or investment solutions,
we are keenly focused on the long term, as we believe being diligent, disciplined, and
conservative are keys to driving results over time. The wealth management services
described above are collectively referred to as “Wealth Builder Services.”
Asset Management Services
Asset Management offers a variety of investment solutions, on a discretionary or non-
discretionary basis, through separately managed account strategies, private funds,
mutual funds, and model portfolios, as well as strategies and products of third-party
managers. Our goal is to deliver investment solutions that can satisfy distinct
objectives within each client’s overall asset allocation. The following asset
management services described herein are collectively referred to as “Asset
Management Services.”
Separately Managed Account Strategies
We offer certain separately managed account strategies, including equity and fixed
income strategies. Our equity strategies generally follow a bottom-up, fundamental
approach focused on finding investments with attractive risk/reward profiles. Our fixed
income strategies generally follow a fundamental, relative value approach focused on
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capital preservation and income. We also offer certain tax management strategies for
taxable and tax-exempt accounts. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions,
limitations, or other requirements with respect to their individual accounts. We provide
certain separately managed account strategies on a sub-advisory basis to third-party
investment advisory firms and their clients.
Private Fund Strategies
Curi Capital and its affiliates serve as general partner, managing member or investment
adviser (or in a similar capacity) to private funds. Each private fund is generally focused
on generating absolute, risk-adjusted returns that have a low correlation to broader
equity markets. Each private fund has different investment features and terms,
including, but not limited to, varying levels of management fee and/or performance
compensation, withdrawal rights, investment guidelines, investment minimums,
investor qualification standards and liquidity terms. This Brochure should not be
considered an offering document for an investment in any private fund and prospective,
qualified investors should refer to a specific private fund’s offering memorandum or
organizational documents for a complete description of that fund, including its types
of investments and strategies, risks, conflicts of interest, fees, and expenses. We tailor
our investment advisory services for a private fund to such fund’s overall investment
program, as noted in its offering documents, and not to the specific needs of any
underlying investor therein. Curi Capital has recommended, and may in the future
recommend, that its advisory clients invest in private funds managed by Curi Capital,
as well as private funds advised or serviced by managers in which Curi Capital has a
financial interest. Advisory clients of Curi Capital must affirmatively subscribe for any
investment in a private fund.
Mutual Funds
Curi Capital serves as the investment adviser to registered, open-ended investment
companies (“mutual funds”). For one mutual fund, Curi Capital employs a sub-adviser
to manage the portfolio. Each mutual fund has different investment features which
may include varying expense ratios, investment guidelines, levels of risk and investment
minimums. This Brochure should not be considered an offering document for an
investment the Curi Capital mutual funds and prospective investors should refer to a
specific mutual fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information (“SAI”) for
a complete description of that mutual fund, including its types of investments and
strategies, risks, conflicts of interest, fees, and expenses. We tailor our investment
advisory services for a mutual fund to such mutual fund’s overall investment program,
as noted in the prospectus and SAI, and not to the specific needs of any underlying
investor therein. Curi Capital has recommended, and may in the future recommend,
that its advisory clients invest in mutual funds managed by Curi Capital.
Third-Party Strategies
In addition to proprietary strategies and products described above, we also provide our
clients with access to third-party managers and their products (each a “third-party
manager”). This service provides clients with access to a wide range of investment
opportunities, strategies and asset classes, including international equities, emerging
market equities, global fixed income, high-yield fixed income, private equity,
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commodities, hedge funds and real assets. By combining our third-party managers and
products with our extensive in-house resources, we seek to optimize our customized
portfolio management capabilities for clients.
Model Portfolio Services
Curi Capital may provide model portfolios to unaffiliated investment advisers, broker-
dealers and other financial intermediaries (“program sponsors”). As a model portfolio
provider, Curi Capital designs, monitors, and periodically updates the model portfolios
for the program sponsors. The program sponsors then offer the model portfolios to
their clients. The program sponsors are responsible for implementing the models,
making investment decisions, and performing other services and functions for their
clients. Curi Capital does not have investment discretion to implement the models
and/or model updates on behalf of a program sponsor’s clients and Curi Capital does
not have an advisory relationship with a program sponsor’s end clients.
Financial Planning Services
To the extent specifically requested, we will provide financial planning and/or
consulting services (including investment and non-investment related matters, such as
estate planning, insurance planning, education savings, retirement planning, tax
consulting and preparation, divorce, etc.). Financial planning and consulting services
are typically provided as part of our Wealth Management Services; however, we may
charge an additional fee for such services depending on the level of service provided
and other considerations deemed relevant by us in our sole discretion. We also may
provide financial planning and consulting services on a stand-alone basis. Prior to
engaging Curi Capital to provide these services and to the extent a client has not
entered into an investment advisory agreement (also referred to as an investment
management agreement or client advisory agreement) with Curi Capital, clients are
generally required to enter into a financial planning agreement with Curi Capital setting
forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing
the scope of the services to be provided, and the portion of the fee that is due from
the client prior to Curi Capital commencing services if applicable.
Retirement Plan Solutions – Plan Sponsors
Curi Capital’s Retirement Plan Solutions division (“RPS”) provides non-discretionary
advisory and consulting services and solutions to employer organizations which
sponsor (“Plan Sponsors”) and/or administer employee retirement plans. RPS focuses
on assisting its clients in improving the performance, design and operation of their
sponsored retirement plans. RPS tailors its consulting and advisory services to meet
the needs of its clients. These services typically include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Recommending investments based on a prudent and documented fiduciary
process that includes a comparison among available investments in a given asset
class and/or investment style using many factors, including but not limited to,
performance, risk, management, investment process, fees and style consistency,
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and monitoring recommended investments for consistency with the selection
factors;
• Recommending appropriate services and service providers;
• Providing ERISA fiduciary (and fiduciary risk) education and training;
• Providing investment education and individualized advice to retirement plan
participants;
• Benchmarking of investment performance, plan fees and costs, investment
•
options, and services provided by a retirement plan’s service providers;
Initiating and managing the request for proposal/search process for new
retirement plan service providers; and
• Overseeing retirement plan administration and compliance procedures.
Family Office Services
Curi Capital provides non-investment advisory family office services to family offices
clients, certain of which are also investment advisory clients of Curi Capital. These
non-investment advisory services vary from client to client based on the terms of
applicable client agreement, but typically include services such as portfolio accounting,
investment operations, administrative services, bill pay services, reporting, tax and legal
facilitation, audit and financial control facilitation, estate planning and insurance
administration, and family consulting services.
Other Businesses and Investment Programs
Third-Party Cash Solutions
For clients desiring access to an alternative cash management opportunity that may
help maximize the earning potential of cash while increasing FDIC insurance to help
protect the cash account, Curi Capital makes available third-party cash solutions
accounts (“Cash Solutions”). A Cash Solutions account is not an investment account;
rather, it is a cash account for which deposited cash is swept to interest-bearing
deposit accounts(s) at one or more third-party FDIC member banks (“Program
Banks”). Third-party cash solutions have the discretionary authority to select Program
Banks and allocate deposits into these banks, while endeavoring to keep each
account’s deposits at or below the FDIC insurance limit per Program Bank. It is a
client’s responsibility, however, to monitor the total amount of deposits in third-party
Cash Solutions accounts and at the Program Banks (including any amounts held at
any Program Bank outside of the Cash Solutions account, as those amounts count
toward the limit for FDIC insurance coverage at each Program Bank) in order to
determine the extent of FDIC insurance coverage available.
Accounts are opened directly with the third-party and not through Curi Capital. Curi
Capital is not affiliated with any third-party cash solution or any Program Bank. The
Cash Solutions program is a federally insured structured bank deposit vehicle, with
direct custodial accounts owned by the depositor. There is currently no minimum
initial deposit to open an account or to participate in the Cash Solutions program.
Deposits to custodian bank accounts are backed by the full faith and credit of the US
Government and are insured through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Clients desiring to participate in the Cash Solutions program do so at their own
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discretion, and clients will receive separate account opening disclosures and an
application from the third-party Cash Solutions provider. If a client desires, Curi
Capital will assist a client in signing up for the program and will help facilitate any
transfer of funds between a client’s accounts. Higher yields on cash reserves may be
available with other solutions, especially if one does not require FDIC insurance on
the entire cash balance. Curi Capital recommends that clients discuss their specific
needs regarding their cash reserves with their wealth advisor and consider alternative
options before participating in the Flourish Cash program.
Participant Account Management – Held Away Plans
Curi Capital will advise on held away assets in held away plans. We use a third-party
platform to facilitate management of the assets, such as defined contribution plan
participant accounts, with discretion. The platform allows us to avoid being considered
to have custody of client funds since we do not have direct access to client login
credentials to affect trades. We are not affiliated with the platform in any way and
receive no compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be provided to
the client, allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once client
account(s) is connected to the platform, Advisor will review the current account
allocations. When deemed necessary, Advisor will provide the third-party platform with
specific instruction on changes to allocations so that the third-party can rebalance the
account. In these situations, the Adviser considers the client's investment goals and
risk tolerance, as well as any changes in current economic and market trends. The goal
is to improve account performance over time, minimize loss during difficult markets,
and manage internal fees that can potentially harm account performance. Going
forward, the third-party fee associated with this service will be paid by the client. The
firm has agreed to pay this fee for some legacy clients.
Client Agreement
implement our
Prior to engaging us, the client will be required to enter into one or more written
agreements setting forth the terms, conditions, and objectives under which we shall
render our services. Additionally, we will only
investment
recommendations after a client has arranged for and furnished all information and
authorization regarding accounts with appropriate financial institutions. Our clients
are advised to promptly notify us if there are ever any changes in their financial
situation or investment objectives.
Curi Capital, as a matter of policy, regardless of the type of client engagement or
service, does not generally provide tax, accounting, regulatory or legal advice. Rules in
the areas of law, tax, and accounting are subject to change and open to varying
interpretations. Any such advice given by Curi Capital in these areas will be limited in
nature. As such before implementation, clients should consult with their trusted
professionals on the tax, accounting and legal implications of any recommended
investment strategy based on their circumstances.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, the firm had approximately $9,830,680,915 regulatory assets
under management, of which approximately $8,888,287,794 was managed on a
9
discretionary basis and approximately $942,393,121 was managed on a non-
discretionary basis.
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ITEM 5: FEES AND COMPENSATION
The specific manner in which our fees are charged is established in the client’s
agreement with Curi Capital. The structure and level of our fees vary by client based
upon the services provided and other considerations deemed relevant but customarily
take the form of an annual fee calculated as a percentage of assets under management
(as further described below). Such fees are generally charged quarterly, in advance,
based upon the amount of assets under management at the beginning of each quarter,
but may be charged in arrears or on an alternative schedule, in accordance with the
applicable client agreement. Unless otherwise agreed with a client, advisory fees are
applied to all discretionary assets and non-discretionary assets. Generally, fees are
deducted from a client’s custodial account unless Curi Capital is instructed by the
client to collect its fees by billing the client directly. The custodian does not validate
or check our fee or its calculation on the assets on which the fee is based. The
custodian will deduct the fee from the account(s) or, if the client has more than one
account, from the account designated to pay our fees. The financial institution(s)
recommended by us have agreed to provide a statement to the client (either paper or
electronic format), at least quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed from the
account including the amount of advisory fees paid directly to us.
A client may make additions to and withdrawals from the account at any time, subject
to our right to terminate the client relationship. Where fees are paid in advance, billing
adjustments will be made in each billing period to reflect substantive contributions or
withdrawals made during the preceding billing period (5% of the value of the account,
unless otherwise specifically agreed with a client in writing). In the event of termination
during a billing period, the client is entitled to a pro rata refund of that portion of the
fee for the remaining balance of the billing period if fees were paid in advance. Client
agreements are terminable upon notice as specified in such agreements.
Curi Capital offers differing fee levels for various categories of clients. The variance in
fee schedules takes into account factors such as the degree of supervision required,
the nature of the services provided, and the types of guidelines and restrictions
imposed upon the management of the accounts. Separate fees are generally charged
for services provided by Curi Capital’s Wealth Management unit and Curi Capital’s Asset
Management unit. Fees for clients receiving Wealth Management Services differ from
fees for clients that only receive Asset Management Services. Clients that receive both
Wealth Management Services and Asset Management Services will generally be subject
to both Wealth Management Fees in addition to Asset Management Fees (each as
described below). Please see “Conflicts of Interest” below for more information.
From time to time, Curi Capital acquires the assets of other investment advisers that
established other advisory fee structures, account minimums or investment programs.
While Curi Capital’s goal is to move these clients to Curi Capital’s investment programs
and services over time, client accounts are managed under a client agreement and
program of a previous adviser until the client executes a client agreement with Curi
Capital.
Curi Capital employee account fees vary but employees are typically charged reduced
Wealth Management Fees and reduced Asset Management Fees depending on the
services provided.
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The following paragraphs describe the fees payable to Curi Capital. For information
applicable to certain Legacy Clients, please see the applicable section below.
Wealth Management Fees
Wealth Management Fees will vary by client based upon the services provided and
other considerations deemed relevant to Curi Capital but will generally range between
0.25% and 1.25% of assets under management per annum. These fees are charged
quarterly in advance with a minimum fee of $10,000 per year ($2,500 per quarter).
Certain clients may not be subject to the minimum annual fee as agreed in writing with
the client at the sole discretion of the firm and some may pay fees in arrears. Wealth
Management Fees are typically applied to all discretionary assets and to
nondiscretionary assets. Accounts of legacy clients may be subject to different Wealth
Management Fees.
Curi Capital may charge hourly financial planning fees and asset-based fees for advice
regarding 401(k) and 529 Plans. With respect to retirement client assets in proprietary
products or mutual funds managed by affiliates, Curi Capital must comply with
applicable requirements of ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code. These
requirements include, but are not limited to, disclosure and avoiding double fees for
retirement plans and IRAs. Curi Capital will either waive the portion of the advisory
fee that is attributable to the client’s assets invested in a proprietary or affiliated
product or rebate the client’s advisory fee by an amount equal to the proprietary or
affiliated product’s fees associated with the total assets invested in such product. If
the account is not charged an investment advisory fee by Curi Capital, it will not receive
a rebate of the proprietary or affiliated product’s fees.
Wealth Builder Fees
For Wealth Builder Services, the fees are typically 1.25% of assets under management
charged quarterly in advance with a minimum fee of $2,500 per year ($625 per quarter).
Curi Capital maintains the right to charge lower fees in certain circumstances, such as
friends and family accounts.
Asset Management Fees (General)
Separately Managed Accounts – Wealth Management Clients
The fees below represent the advisory fees typically charged by Curi Capital for
separately managed account services provided to Wealth Management clients. Such
advisory fees are not all-inclusive, and clients are generally subject to additional fees
and expenses as described herein, including the Wealth Management Fee. Certain
strategies listed below have different minimum account size requirements. Please
note the strategies we offer will change from time to time.
Core Equity Strategies:
Core Fixed Income:
0.350%
0.325
0.300
First $3.0 million
Next $2.0 million
Next $5.0 million
0.500%
0.475
0.450
First $3.0 million
Next $2.0 million
Next $5.0 million
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0.275
0.250
Next $15.0 million
Over $25.0 million
0.425
0.400
Next $15.0 million
Over $25.0 million
Treasury Bill Strategy:
Innovators Strategy:
0.150%
0.125
0.100
First $1.0 million
Next $2.0 million
Over $3.0 million
1.000%
0.850
0.700
First $10.0 million
Next $10.0 million
Over $20.0 million
Small Cap Focus:
International Equity Strategy:
0.750%
0.700
First $2.0 million
Next $3.0 million
1.000%
0.975
First $1.0 million
Next $2.0 million
0.650
0.600
0.550
Next $5.0 million
Next $10.0 million
Over $20.0 million
0.950
0.900
0.825
0.750
Next $2.0 million
Next $5.0 million
Next $15.0 million
Over $25.0 million
Multi-Asset Strategies:
0.350%
0.325
0.300
0.275
0.250
First $1.0 million
Next $2.0 million
Next $2.0 million
Next $5.0 million
Over $10.0 million
Separately Managed Accounts – Stand-Alone Basis
Curi Capital also offers certain investment strategies through separately managed
accounts directly to certain clients on a stand-alone basis, outside of the Wealth
Management Services. Such advisory fees are not all-inclusive, and clients may be
subject to additional fees and expenses as described herein. Fees vary by strategy but
range up to 1.00% of assets under management per annum and may be structured
using breakpoints. Clients that are not full-service Wealth Management clients of Curi
Capital, or clients that access these strategies through a third-party platform, will pay
higher fees and be subject to higher account size minimums.
Private Funds
Clients invested in private funds managed by Curi Capital are generally subject to
management fees and performance fees, if applicable, charged by the private fund
(collectively, the “Private Fund Fees”). The Private Fund Fees and expenses of each
private fund managed by Curi Capital are fully described in the Confidential Private
Placement Memorandum or other offering document for each private fund. Unless
otherwise described in the offering materials, the Private Fund Fees payable to private
funds managed by Curi Capital are in addition to our advisory fees. However, in certain
circumstances, alternative fees for an investment in a private fund managed by Curi
Capital may be negotiated between Curi Capital and clients receiving other investment
advisory services from Curi Capital. Private Fund Fees generally range from a
management fee of 0.5%-1.5% of the net asset value of the assets in the applicable
private fund. The fees are paid in accordance with the description in the offering
materials for the applicable private fund. A conflict of interest exists when Curi Capital
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causes clients to invest in investment products managed by Curi Capital and/or
investment products advised or serviced by managers in which Curi Capital has a
financial interest as Curi Capital is entitled to additional compensation with respect to
such investments. Curi Capital has sought to mitigate this conflict as detailed below
under “Conflicts of Interest.”
Curi Capital may also receive a performance-based fee, as specified in the offering
materials.
Aside from Curi Capital’s affiliated private funds, clients may invest in unaffiliated
private funds and other privately offered investment vehicles. Clients will be subject
to management fees and/or other fees in addition to Curi Capital’s advisory fee, if
applicable. The fees and expenses of each vehicle are fully described in the offering
materials.
Investors in any privately offered vehicles must meet specific suitability and investor
eligibility requirements in order to invest and specific opportunities may require higher
levels of investment.
Mutual Funds
Curi Capital receives advisory fees in connection with Curi Capital-sponsored mutual
funds. Information on the fees and expenses of Curi Capital-sponsored mutual funds
is set forth in the applicable prospectus and offering materials for each fund.
Investments in mutual funds, closed-end funds, ETFs, structured products, and other
pooled investment vehicles by advisory clients are subject to commissions, fees and
expenses, including sales loads, each of which are disclosed in the applicable fund’s
prospectus or offering documents. Such charges, fees and commissions are exclusive
of and in addition to Curi Capital’s fees. Clients invested in mutual funds advised by
Curi Capital are generally subject to the management fee charged by the mutual fund,
in addition to Curi Capital’s advisory fees, although clients will not bear any sales load
for any Curi Capital-sponsored mutual fund.
Third-Party Strategies
Curi Capital may employ a third-party manager, a sub-adviser, to manage a portion of
your account. For certain sub-advisers there may be a separate written agreement
between you and the sub-adviser to pay an additional amount directly to the sub-
adviser. Fees charged by a sub-adviser or third-party Manager will be in addition to
the fees payable to Adviser. Fees of a sub-adviser or third-party manager will be
charged directly by such sub-adviser or third-party manager, as applicable, and Client
shall be responsible for the payment of such fees.
Model Portfolio Provider Services
For its model portfolio provider services, Curi Capital has agreements with program
sponsors for Curi Capital to provide model portfolios for a fee. Curi Capital’s model
portfolio fees are negotiable and will vary from program sponsor-to-program sponsor
14
but typically take the form of an annual percentage of the value of the program
sponsor’s client assets managed pursuant to Curi Capital’s model portfolios.
Financial Planning Services
Curi Capital’s financial planning and consulting fees are generally billed on a fixed fee
basis, an hourly rate basis, or based upon a percentage per annum for services provided
at any asset level, depending upon the level and scope of the service(s) required and
the professional(s) rendering the service(s). In some cases, Curi Capital will provide its
clients with tax consulting and preparation services as part of its financial planning fee
or advisory fee. All fee arrangements are subject to negotiation.
Retirement Plan Services – Plan Sponsors
Curi Capital is compensated for its services either on a fixed fee basis or based upon
a percentage of assets of the plan sponsor client’s retirement plan. The amount of fees
charged by Curi Capital, as well as the specific manner in which such fees are charged,
are customized for each plan sponsor client and set forth in a written agreement with
the plan sponsor client. Curi Capital’s fees are negotiable and are dependent on the
scope and depth of the services provided. Fees generally are payable in advance at
the beginning of each quarter, however, some are paid in arrears, and are prorated to
cover the period from either: (1) the time of execution of the advisory agreement, or
(2) the effective date of the written agreement with the plan sponsor client through
the expected completion of the project or the time period covered by the agreement.
Curi Capital also charges one-time fees in situations where we perform Support
Services including, but not limited to, assistance during a merger or acquisition, DOL
or IRS audits or other special projects. Clients either pay fees directly to Curi Capital
or instruct their retirement plan service providers to deduct and remit the fees from
the retirement plan assets or from excess revenue generated by the retirement plan’s
investments.
Since Curi Capital plan sponsor clients may have different fee structures and may pay
different fees, there is an incentive for Curi Capital to focus its efforts on those clients
that generate higher fees for Curi Capital. Curi Capital has procedures designed and
implemented to help ensure that plan sponsor clients are treated fairly and to help
mitigate this conflict.
Family Office Services
Family Office Services clients generally pay a fixed family office fee, which is generally
negotiable depending on the individual needs of the client and the non-investment
advisory services provided by Curi Capital. Where the client is also an advisory client,
such family office fees are generally in addition to the wealth or asset management
fee paid by the client.
Additional Fees and Expenses
Our fees are exclusive of administration expenses, brokerage commissions, transaction
fees, fund expenses, custody fees and other related costs and expenses which shall
be incurred by a client. Custody fees can and will vary depending on the client’s chosen
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custodian. Custodian fees can also change from time to time. When there are such
changes, Curi Capital will seek, to the extent possible, to negotiate the best rates
possible for its clients. There is no guarantee that these negotiations will be successful.
At any time, clients may ask for a copy of the current custodian fee schedule in place.
All brokerage charges and related transaction costs are charged to the account(s) as
they occur. Clients incur certain charges imposed by custodians, brokers, third-party
managers and other third parties such as fees charged by managers, custodial fees,
deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and
electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities
transactions.
When beneficial to the client, certain transactions may be effected through brokers
other than the account custodian, in which event, except in situations in which the
custodian has waived the additional fee, the client generally will incur both the fee
(commission, mark-up/mark-down) charged by the executing broker and a separate
“trade-away,” “step-out” and/or prime broker fee charged by the custodian. Clients
should review custodial agreements for additional detail on the fees charged.
Private funds, mutual funds, closed-end funds, ETFs, structured products, and other
pooled investment vehicles are subject to commissions, fees and expenses which are
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus or offering documents. Such charges, fees and
commissions are exclusive of and in addition to our advisory fee. Clients may be
charged a sales load for any mutual funds where applicable.
Many funds offer multiple share classes available for investment based upon certain
eligibility and/or purchase requirements. For instance, in addition to more commonly
offered retail mutual fund share classes (typically, Class A (including load-waived A
shares), B and C shares for mutual funds), some funds offer institutional share classes
or other share classes specifically designed for purchase by an account for a fee-based
investment advisory program. These share classes commonly feature higher
transaction costs and/or minimum purchase criteria that limit availability to larger
transactions. Curi Capital and its affiliates are not obligated to aggregate client
investments for purposes of meeting institutional share class criteria or similar
eligibility requirements. Accordingly, clients may not be invested in the share class
(regardless of the type of fund structure – e.g., mutual fund, closed-end fund, hedge
fund, private equity fund or other investment vehicle) with the lowest fees and/or
lowest expense ratio for which a client may otherwise qualify.
Third-Party Cash Solutions
Curi Capital will not assess a fee for a client’s participation in the Third-Party Cash
program. However, additional fees for the program may be assessed to you by Flourish
and/or the Program Banks, as disclosed in the application and disclosure documents
provided by a third-party. A client will not pay a fee to Curi Capital directly for any
deposits made with the third-party. Curi Capital will also not receive any portion of any
fees assessed by the third-party for a client’s participation in the Third-Party program.
Private Investor Program
16
There is no separate fee charged for participation in the Program; however, assets
invested as part of the Program will become part of the client’s assets under
management and will be subject to Curi Capital’s standard wealth management fees.
As described above, all recommendations made pursuant to this Program are non-
discretionary and all investment decisions are made solely by the client.
Conflicts of Interest
Curi Capital charges different fees for its various services, investment strategies, and
products. This creates an incentive for Curi Capital to guide clients to products,
investment strategies, and services that generate higher fees for Curi Capital.
Additionally, when allocating investment opportunities among its investment programs,
products, and clients, Curi Capital has an incentive to favor the investment programs,
products, and clients that generate the most revenue for Curi Capital, including its
Asset Management products. Curi Capital does not select affiliated and non-affiliated
investment products or strategies depending on whether the strategy or product has
the lowest fee. Rather, Curi Capital selects and recommends investment products and
strategies based on a number of factors. Curi Capital will generally favor its affiliated
products and investment strategies even if such products/strategies do not have the
lowest fee or the best performance because Curi Capital believes in the underlying
investment teams, processes, and mandates for its proprietary products and strategies.
In addition, when recommending the use of a third-party manager, Curi Capital has an
incentive to recommend a manager which will result in the highest residual fee to Curi
Capital, for example a manager in which Curi Capital maintains a financial interest. Curi
Capital has procedures designed and implemented to help ensure that clients are
treated fairly and to help prevent these conflicts from influencing selection of a client’s
investments and the allocation of investment opportunities among clients. See Item 6
“Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management” for a description of the
conflicts of interest related to performance fees.
Our wealth advisors select the relevant policy benchmarks for certain types of clients,
which may include affiliated products and other unaffiliated investment products.
Although our wealth advisors do not receive any direct compensation for allocating
client assets to affiliated products or managers in which Curi Capital maintains a
financial interests, wealth advisors nonetheless have a conflict of interest in making
such recommendations to the extent overall firm revenues increase.
With respect to retirement client assets in affiliated products or managers in which
Curi Capital maintains a financial interest, Curi Capital must comply with applicable
requirements of ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code. These requirements include,
but are not limited to, disclosure and avoiding double fees for retirement plans and
IRAs. Curi Capital will either waive the portion of the advisory fee that is attributable
to the client’s assets invested in the affiliated product or manager in which Curi Capital
maintains a financial interests or rebate the client’s advisory fee by an amount equal
to the fees charged by the affiliated product or manager. If the account is not charged
an investment advisory fee by Curi Capital, it will not receive a rebate of the fees of
the affiliated product or manager.
Sales Based Compensation
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As permitted by applicable law, Curi Capital may compensate employees for business
development activity, including the attraction or retention of client assets. Certain
personnel of Curi Capital are registered representatives of a non-affiliated, registered
broker-dealer in connection with certain services provided to certain Curi Capital-
sponsored mutual funds. Such personnel are entitled to receive transaction-based
compensation from the broker-dealer for the sale of securities of the Curi Capital-
sponsored mutual funds solely with respect to investors that are not advisory clients
of Curi Capital. With respect to the Curi Capital-sponsored mutual funds, we seek
reimbursement from the registered broker-dealer to cover the costs of base
compensation for these registered representatives, if and when there are available
excess 12b-1 fees.
Additional Fee Information Applicable Solely to Certain Legacy Clients
Legacy Clients receiving portfolio management services are typically charged an annual
fee on assets under management not to exceed 1.00%. The specific fee to which a
Legacy Client is subject will be specified in the client agreement. Legacy Clients whose
assets are managed partially or in full by a sub-adviser selected by Curi Capital, will
typically pay an additional fee to the sub-adviser, as specified in the sub-adviser’s
disclosure brochure.
Certain persons at Curi Capital maintain insurance licenses and/or securities
registrations at Lion Street Financial, LLC and work with Curi Capital Insurance
Solutions, LLC, MAI Insurance Solutions and other insurance agencies to facilitate the
purchase of insurance products by clients. Curi Capital may recommend insurance
solutions to clients as part of the financial planning process; however, no client is
required to purchase insurance through Curi Capital Insurance Solutions, LLC, MAI
Insurance Solutions, Lion Street Financial, or any other insurance agency Curi Capital
may work with and/or recommend. No firm employee is directly compensated, in the
form of commissions, from the insurance products they sell through Curi Capital
Insurance Solutions, MAI Insurance Solutions, Lion Street Financial, or any other
insurance agency; however, employees may derive economic benefit from insurance
product sales as part of an annual bonus program. This creates a conflict of interest
in that Curi Capital and its employees have an economic incentive to recommend
insurance product sales to clients, but Curi Capital and its employees only make such
recommendations when it is in a client’s best interest. Certain firm employees may
receive trail commission for insurance policies sold prior to their affiliation with Curi
Capital. Curi Capital and its Supervised Persons may also receive gifts and/or
entertainment from third parties, including third-party investment managers doing
business or seeking to do business with Curi Capital, subject to the requirements of
its Compliance Manual and Code of Ethics.
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Item 6: PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
Curi Capital may be entitled to receive performance-based compensation with respect
to certain private funds it manages, as more fully described in the applicable governing
documents. All performance-based compensation arrangements comply with Section
205(a)(1) of the Advisers Act. Performance-based compensation arrangements create
an incentive for Curi Capital to make investments which are riskier or more speculative
than those which would be made under a different fee arrangement, such as an
advisory fee-only arrangement. In addition, performance-based compensation, as well
as asset-based fees, vary among clients which pursue the same or similar investment
strategies. Such fee arrangements create an incentive for Curi Capital to favor higher
fee-paying accounts over other accounts in the allocation of investment opportunities.
A similar conflict exists with respect to the management of accounts of Curi Capital
and its affiliates and employees.
Curi Capital has adopted written policies and procedures designed to ensure clients
are treated equitably over time with respect to the allocation of investment
opportunities regardless of fee arrangement. In addition, we have adopted trading
practices designed to address conflicts of interest inherent in proprietary and client
discretionary trading. During periods of unusual market conditions, Curi Capital may
deviate from its normal trade allocation practices. There can be no assurance, however,
that all conflicts have been addressed in all situations.
From time to time, certain clients may invest in private investments or limited
investment opportunities. The allocation of these investments across client portfolios
is generally not executed on a pro rata basis as a number of factors will determine
whether the private or limited offering is appropriate or suitable for a client. These
types of investment may also have investor eligibility requirements that must be met
by any participating clients. Accordingly, such opportunities may be allocated based on
another approach, including random selection, selection based on account size or
another methodology. Factors which may impact the allocation, include but are not
limited to account size, liquidity, investor qualification and risk tolerance. We note that
private investments or limited investment opportunities may not be appropriate for
smaller accounts, depending on factors such as minimum investment size, account
size, risk, and diversification requirements, and accordingly may not be allocated such
investments.
Many of our employees invest in the Curi Capital mutual funds, separately managed
accounts or private funds managed by us. This creates an incentive for us to favor
these products in the allocation of investment opportunities over other clients. We
maintain investment, trade allocation and account valuation policies and procedures
designed to address such conflicts of interest. Further, our Code of Ethics requires
employees to put clients’ interests ahead of their own or Curi Capital’s as well as
reporting investments and transactions in mutual funds, private funds, and separately
managed accounts we manage.
For more information on the risks of side-by-side management, please see Item 12 –
“Brokerage Practices” below.
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ITEM 7: TYPES OF CLIENTS
Curi Capital provides advisory services to individuals, corporate pension and profit-
sharing plans, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, foundations,
endowments, mutual funds, private funds, corporations, government entities, Taft-
Hartley funds, and other institutions. Curi Capital also provides model portfolio and
sub-advisory services to unaffiliated investment advisers and their private funds.
Curi Capital also provides Retirement Plan Solution services to for-profit and non-profit
employer organizations which sponsor and/or administer employee retirement plans,
including defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans (such as 401(k),
403(b), and 457 plans), profit-sharing plans, and Taft-Hartley plans. RPS’ clients are
generally considered to be institutional clients and are named fiduciaries of the
retirement plans they sponsor.
Curi Capital may impose minimum account size requirements with respect to certain
of its advisory services. For legacy individual clients and small- and medium-sized
institutions of Curi Capital, Curi Capital typically requires a minimum initial investment
of $1,000,000 or a minimum fee level of $10,000 annually ($2,500 per quarter) to
establish an investment account. A minimum contribution for investment in an
internally managed private fund for those clients who are qualified is set forth in the
applicable offering documents. For institutional clients, a minimum investment of
$1,000,000 is generally required for investment in any internally managed strategy. In
certain circumstances, Curi Capital will raise or lower the minimum investment amount
or accept an initial investment below the established minimum at its discretion or in
accordance with applicable law. For Wealth Builder Services, the fees are typically
1.25% of assets under management charged quarterly in advance with a minimum fee
of $2,500 per year ($625 per quarter).
In addition, certain third-party managers may impose more restrictive account
requirements and varying billing practices. In such instances, we may alter our
corresponding account requirements and/or billing practices to accommodate those of
the manager(s).
Please see the relevant offering materials for more information on the eligible investors
and minimum investment amount for each fund managed by Curi Capital.
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ITEM 8: METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RISK OF LOSS
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
The following is a summary of the methods of analysis and investment strategies Curi
Capital uses when formulating investment advice for clients. Please see the Private
Placement Memorandum of each private fund managed by Curi Capital for more
information regarding the fees, strategies, and risks related to an investment in these
private funds. Please see the prospectus of each mutual fund advised by Curi Capital
for more information regarding the strategies, fees, and risks related to an investment
in these mutual funds.
Curi Capital primarily uses fundamental analyses and active management strategies;
however, Curi Capital will consider other strategies such as quantitative and technical
analyses and passive or indexed strategies. Within a client’s portfolio, we may employ
one or more of the strategies detailed below as well as other investment strategies.
Within a strategy, Curi Capital may invest in individual securities, utilize other managers
through separate accounts and/or invest in funds.
Curi Capital has developed a proprietary risk analysis tool that seeks to help
institutions understand the risks associated with expected return which could result
in better informed active manager selection. The tool also allows multiple portfolios to
be aggregated to assess the overall risk associated with the plan’s total allocation to
equity. With improved insights as to the forward-looking risks inherent in a portfolio,
this knowledge may be applied to assess that each manager’s skill is aligned with the
risks that are being taken and reflects the intended risks within the overall allocation.
Wealth Management Services
Curi Capital may construct portfolios for our clients using a mix of individual stocks,
bonds, ETFs, exchange-traded notes, closed-end funds, mutual funds, structured
notes, alternative investments, and Digital Assets (as defined below). Curi Capital will
manage its clients’ assets through the direct purchase of securities, by allocating to
other managers and/or by investing in a variety of funds. Each client’s asset allocation
is determined by their specific investment objectives and unique circumstances.
Within a client’s portfolio, we may employ one or more of the strategies detailed below
as well as other investment strategies. Within an investment strategy, Curi Capital may
invest in individual securities, utilize other managers through separate accounts and/or
invest in funds. Many of the strategies detailed below are offered through managed
accounts with third-party managers and funds.
Investment Strategies
Equity Strategies (Domestic and International)
Equity strategies generally follow a long-only bottom-up, fundamental approach
focused on finding investments with attractive risk/reward profiles.
For certain of its equity strategies, Curi Capital has incorporated certain material
environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations in connection with Curi
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Capital’s due diligence practices, investment processes, and in the monitoring of
portfolio investments, where appropriate. As part of this process, the investment team
evaluates the general and industry-specific ESG factors that Curi Capital believes to
be the most financially material to a company’s short-, medium-, and long-term
enterprise value. Consideration of such ESG-based factors is just one of the criteria
considered when making investment decisions for accounts employing these
strategies.
Fixed Income Strategies
Fixed income strategies generally follow a fundamental, relative value approach
focused on capital preservation and income. Fixed income portfolios are generally
invested in U.S. dollar denominated, investment-grade fixed income securities with
short to intermediate durations.
Third-Party Investment Strategies
From time to time, we recommend that clients authorize the active discretionary
management of a portion of their assets by and/or among certain third-party
manager(s) where appropriate based upon the stated investment objectives of the
client. When recommending or selecting a third-party manager for a client, we shall
review information about the manager(s) such as its disclosure statement and/or
material supplied by the manager(s) or independent third parties for a description of
the manager’s investment strategies, past performance and risk results to the extent
available as detailed above.
Retirement Plan Services - Method of Analysis
Curi Capital’s method of analysis follows a prudent and documented process to help
ensure that its retirement plan sponsor clients meet the requirements of the “Prudent
Man Rule” (as described in ERISA §404).
Curi Capital’s investment research is based on interviews with investment managers
and retirement plan service providers and includes subscriptions to third-party sources
of information. Curi Capital’s analysis includes searching databases of investment
analytics and research information covering a substantial amount of investment
products and securities. Such databases are also used in the ongoing performance
monitoring of investment alternatives for retirement plan sponsors.
While we have confidence in the veracity of the information we receive, there is the
risk that such information contains inaccuracies which could lead to improper or
misguided recommendations.
Retirement Plan Services - Investment Strategies
The investment strategies recommended are those deemed to be appropriate, based
on the client retirement plan’s objectives, for the management of the retirement plan’s
assets. Generally, open-end mutual funds and/or other investment managers are
recommended to allow reasonable diversification among asset classes and investment
styles.
Retirement Plan Services - Investment Selection
Curi Capital employs an independent process when recommending investments for
client retirement plans that mitigates most conflicts of interest and reduces risk and
22
liability. First, Curi Capital works with each client to understand their investment
objectives for the investment options related to the client’s retirement plan. Next, Curi
Capital reviews the universe of investment options available to start our screening
process. Our screening process includes:
1. Reviewing investments in our analytic system and remove any mutual funds that
are not scoring appropriately (i.e., generally less than 7 in our 10-point scoring
system);
2. Completing additional quantitative analysis
to
identify
finalists
for
recommendation. This recommendation includes factors specific to the category
of retirement plan investments requested by the client;
3. Performing a qualitative screening that includes, if practicable, an interview with
the portfolio manager for the potential retirement plan investment to evaluate
the portfolio manager’s skills and identify any other potential issues.
Curi Capital believes that its evaluation and diligence process lead to retirement plan
investment options that meet the attributes and investment objectives required by
each client. As part of this process, Curi Capital documents the rationale for its
recommendations in order to help the client meet its fiduciary obligations as
retirement plan sponsor/administrator. In addition, Curi Capital also monitors its
recommendations quarterly to help ensure that action is taken without undue delay, if
necessary.
Curi Capital does not imply, represent, or warrant that its services or its methods of
analysis can or will predict future results, identify market tops or bottoms, or insulate
clients and their retirement plan participants from losses, including material losses
due to major market corrections or crashes, or detect fraud or negligence on the part
of the manager of any recommended retirement plan investment or any recommended
service provider. No guarantees are provided that a client’s goals or objectives or those
of its retirement plan participants can or will be achieved.
Risk of Loss
All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve substantial risk of
volatility (potentially resulting in rapid declines in market prices and significant
financial losses) arising from any number of factors that are beyond the control of Curi
Capital. Legal, tax, and regulatory changes could occur which, in certain cases,
materially adversely affect the ability of an account to pursue its chosen investment
strategies or achieve its investment objective.
Although Curi Capital believes that its investment program should mitigate the risk of
loss through a careful selection and monitoring of investments, an investment is
nevertheless subject to potential financial losses, including possible loss of the entire
amount invested. There is no guarantee or representation made that an investment
will be successful, and the investment results will vary substantially over time.
In addition to the general investment risks listed herein, there are additional material
risks associated with the types of strategies, mutual funds and private funds in which
your account invests from time to time. Please refer to the relevant prospectus or
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private placement memorandum for more information regarding risk factors for a
particular investment in a mutual or private fund.
The success of client positions depends in large part on Curi Capital’s ability to
accurately assess the fundamental value of those positions. An accurate assessment
of fundamental value depends on a complex analysis of a number of financial and legal
factors. No assurance can be given that Curi Capital will be in a position to assess the
nature and magnitude of all material factors having a bearing on the value of client
positions, or that Curi Capital will accurately assess the impact of all factors of which
it is aware.
As with any other methods used to make projections into the future, there are several
risks associated with this method, which may result in the client not being able to
achieve their financial goals. These risks include: expected future cash flows do not
match those used in the analysis; rates of return fall short of the estimates used in
the simulation; inflation will exceed the estimates used in the simulation; or that tax
rates will be higher than was assumed in the analysis.
Depending on the different types of investments and strategies employed for your
account, there are varying degrees of risk (please note that this is not a comprehensive
list of all the potential risks associated with your investments and the strategies
employed):
• General Economic and Market Conditions
The success of a portfolio’s activities may be affected by general economic and
market conditions, such as interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates,
economic uncertainty, changes in laws and national and international political
circumstances. These factors may affect the level and volatility of securities prices
and the liquidity of certain investments. Unexpected volatility or illiquidity could
impact a portfolio’s profitability or result in losses.
• Equity
Curi Capital expects to invest client assets in equity and equity derivative securities.
The value of these securities generally will vary with the performance of the issuer
and movements in the equity markets. As a result, clients will likely suffer losses if
Curi Capital selects equity securities of issuers whose performance diverges from
Curi Capital’s expectations or if the equity markets generally move in a single
direction and Curi Capital has not anticipated such a general move.
• Company Risk
There is always a level of company or industry risk when investing in stock positions.
This is referred to as an unsystematic risk and can be reduced through appropriate
diversification. There is the risk that a company will perform poorly or that its value
will be reduced based on factors specific to it or its industry.
• Long Positions
The success of the long positions established by Curi Capital will depend in large
part on the Curi Capital’s ability to accurately assess the fundamental value of
those positions. An accurate assessment of fundamental value depends on a
complex analysis of a number of financial and legal factors. No assurance can be
24
given that Curi Capital will be in a position to assess the nature and magnitude of
all material factors having a bearing on the value of the long positions, or that Curi
Capital will accurately assess the impact of all factors of which it is aware.
• Short Selling
The principal risk in selling a particular security short is contrary to Curi Capital’s
expectation, the price of the security will rise, resulting in a loss equal to the
difference between the cost of acquiring the security (for return to the lender) and
the net proceeds of the short sale. This risk of loss is theoretically unlimited since
there is theoretically no limit on the price to which the security sold short may rise.
In addition, an account would be responsible for the payment of any accrued
interest on a bond it has sold short while the short sale is outstanding.
• Trading in Non-U.S. Companies and Markets
Trading in the securities of a non-U.S. companies involve certain considerations not
usually associated with trading in securities of U.S. companies, such as general
social, political, and economic uncertainty and instability; adverse diplomatic
developments; the small size of some markets in foreign countries and the low
volume of trading, resulting in potential lack of liquidity and in price volatility;
fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies and costs associated with
currency conversion etc. In addition, disclosure, accounting, reporting standards,
and regulation authorities that prevail in foreign countries are generally not
equivalent to United States standards.
• Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies
Depending on the strategy, Curi Capital invests assets in the stocks of companies
with small- to medium-sized market capitalizations. While Curi Capital believes
they often provide significant profit opportunities, those stocks, particularly
smaller-capitalization stocks, involve higher risks in some respects than
investments in stocks of larger companies. For example, 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, “blue-chip” companies. In
addition, due to thin trading in some small-capitalization stocks, an investment in
those stocks is likely illiquid (see discussion below).
• Sector Focus Risk
Portfolios may be more heavily invested in certain sectors or industries, which may
cause the value of their investments to be especially sensitive to factors and
economic risks that specifically affect those sectors and may cause the value of
the portfolios to fluctuate. Certain sectors in which the portfolios invest are
continuously evolving and are subject to rapid technological and regulatory change.
The success of any business operating in these sectors is, to a large extent,
dependent on its ability to acquire, develop, adopt, and exploit new and existing
technology and strategies and to distinguish its products and services from those
of its competitors. The acquisition, development, adoption, exploitation and
distribution of new and existing technology and strategy may take longer periods of
time and may require significant capital investment. In addition, the success of any
25
business in these sectors is dependent on its ability to anticipate and adapt to
regulatory changes. These sectors are also characterized by intense competition.
• Management Risk
Judgments about the value and potential appreciation of a particular investment
may be wrong and there is no guarantee that the investment will perform as
anticipated. The value of any single investment can be more volatile than the market
as a whole or Curi Capital’s intrinsic value approach may fail to produce the
intended results. There is dependence on the diligence, skill and business contacts
of Curi Capital’s investment advisory personnel for the execution of Curi Capital’s
strategies. Curi Capital’s future success depends, to a significant extent, on the
continued service and coordination of the underlying managers and the companies
in its investment portfolios.
• Environmental, Social and Governance Considerations
Certain investment strategies employed by Curi Capital take into account certain
applicable ESG factors. Incorporation of ESG factors into the investment process
may cause Curi Capital to make different investments on behalf of an account, and
result in different exposures to various issuers and industries, than accounts that
do not incorporate such considerations into their strategy or investment processes.
This may affect an account’s performance depending on whether certain
investments are in or out of favor, and the account’s investment performance could
be different compared to accounts that do not incorporate ESG considerations.
When evaluating an issuer, Curi Capital is dependent on information or data
obtained through voluntary or third-party reporting that may be incomplete,
inaccurate, or unavailable, which could cause Curi Capital to incorrectly assess an
issuer’s ESG practices. Because ESG factor analysis is used as one part of Curi
Capital’s overall investment process, the account may still invest in securities of
issuers that many or all market participants view as having a high ESG risk profile.
• Fixed Income Risk
Investing in bonds involves the risk that the issuer will default on the bond and be
unable to make payments. In addition, individuals depending on set amounts of
periodically paid income face the risk that inflation will erode their spending power.
Fixed-income investors receive set, regular payments that face the same inflation
risk. The fixed income instruments purchased by a client are subject to the risk that
market values of such securities will decline as interest rates increase. These
changes in interest rates have a more pronounced effect on securities with longer
durations. Fixed income securities are also subject to reinvestment risk in that if
interest rates are falling during a period of reinvestment returns will be lower.
Interest rate risk increases as portfolio duration increases. Reinvestment risk
increases as portfolio duration decreases.
• Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security or counterparty
to the portfolio’s transactions will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal
and/or interest payments or otherwise will be unable or unwilling to honor its
financial obligations. If the issuer, guarantor, or counterparty fails to pay interest,
the portfolio’s income may be reduced. If the issuer, guarantor, or counterparty fails
26
to repay principal, the value of that security and the value of the portfolio may be
reduced.
• Non-Investment Grade Bonds
Depending on the strategy, a client account will invest in bonds (commonly known
as “junk bonds”) that are of 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 Curi Capital to be of
comparable quality (“non-investment grade bonds”). An account’s investments in
non-investment grade bonds 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.
Analyses of the creditworthiness of issuers of non-investment grade bonds will
likely be more complex than for issuers of investment grade instruments. Credit
quality of non-investment grade issuers can change suddenly and unexpectedly,
and even recently issued credit ratings will likely not fully reflect the actual risks
posed by a particular non-investment grade instrument.
Ratings assigned by a rating agency (e.g., Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch) to securities
acquired in a portfolio reflect only the views of those agencies. Explanations of the
significance of ratings should be obtained from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. No
assurance can be given that ratings assigned will not be withdrawn or revised
downward if, in the view of the rating agency, circumstances so warrant. A lower
rating may adversely affect the value of the security acquired by a portfolio, thereby
adversely affecting the value of the portfolio.
• Distressed Securities
An account, depending on the strategy, will invest in securities of companies that
are experiencing or have experienced significant financial or business difficulties.
Distressed securities may generate significant returns for an account but also
involve a substantial degree of risk. In certain circumstances, an account will lose
a substantial portion or all of its investment in a distressed company or be required
to accept cash or securities with a value less than an account’s original investment.
Depending on the circumstances, such investments also will be adversely affected
by state and federal laws and the laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions. The market prices
of such investments are also subject to abrupt and erratic market movements and
above average price volatility, and the spread between the bid and asked prices of
such investments will likely be greater than for non-distressed securities.
• Private Debt Investments
Certain client accounts will invest in privately issued secured and unsecured debt
of both public and private companies. Private debt investments generally are of
non-investment grade quality, frequently are unrated, and present many of the
same risks as investing in non-investment grade loans and non-investment grade
bonds. Whenever an account invests in companies that do not publicly report
financial and other material information, it assumes a greater degree of investment
risk and reliance upon the Curi Capital’s ability to obtain and evaluate applicable
27
information concerning such companies’ creditworthiness and other investment
considerations.
•
Interest Rates
An account’s investments will be subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the value
of debt securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. As interest
rates rise, the market value of debt securities tends to decrease. Conversely, as
interest rates fall, the market value of debt securities tends to increase. This risk
will be greater for long-term securities than for short-term securities. In certain
circumstances, an account will likely from time to time seek to hedge such risks
(including through long or short investments in treasury securities or derivative
instruments), there is no assurance that such measures, even if implemented, will
be effective.
• Limited Experience in Certain Areas of the Credit Market
To the extent that Curi Capital has limited experience in a particular area of the
credit market which it determines offers an attractive investment opportunity for
an account, Curi Capital may, but will be under no obligation to, arrange for outside
advisors or other persons acting in similar capacities to advise an account on such
areas in consideration for a fee or in certain circumstances an equity participation
or share of the return on investments in such areas, which may be pursuant to a
joint venture or similar arrangement. There can be no assurance that the limited
experience of Curi Capital in any such additional area of the credit market will not
result in a lower return than anticipated or a greater risk of loss on such
investments even if Curi Capital arranges for outside advisors with experience in
such areas to advise it.
• Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting
Many of the investment strategies implemented by an account rely on the
information made available by the issuers in which it invests. Curi Capital will not
necessarily have the ability to independently verify the information disseminated by
the issuers in which an account invests and will consequently be dependent upon
the integrity of both the management of these issuers and the financial reporting
process in general. Recent events have demonstrated the material losses that
investors in such an account can incur as a result of corporate mismanagement,
fraud, and accounting irregularities.
•
Illiquid Investments
Depending on the strategy, an account’s assets may be invested in securities and
other financial instruments or obligations for which a limited market exists. Because
of the absence of any trading market for these investments, Curi Capital will likely
take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for publicly traded
securities. Although these securities, under certain circumstances, may be resold
in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be less
than those originally paid. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly
traded will likely not be subject to public disclosure and other investor protection
requirements applicable to publicly traded securities. In addition, at various times,
the markets for securities purchased or sold by an account, although organized and
active, will likely nevertheless be “thin” or illiquid, making the purchase or sale of
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securities at desired prices or in desired quantities difficult or impossible. This lack
of depth could be a disadvantage, both in the realization of the prices which are
quoted and in the execution of orders at desired prices.
In addition, and depending on the strategy, the markets for some of the instruments
that will be traded by an account will have limited liquidity and depth. This lack of
depth could be a disadvantage, both in the realization of the prices which are
quoted and in the execution of orders at desired prices. These investments usually
have a long-term investment horizon (10 or more years). As such, investors may not
be able to access the invested capital for an extended period of time.
• Digital Assets
We may recommend clients invest in third-party managers and their products that
invest in virtual currencies, crypto-currencies, and digital coins and tokens (“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. Rather, Digital
Assets are market-based: a Digital Asset’s value is determined by (and fluctuates
often, according to) supply and demand factors, the number of merchants that
accept it, and/or the value that various market participants place on it through their
mutual agreement, barter or transactions.
• Price Volatility of Digital Assets
A principal risk in trading Digital Assets is the rapid fluctuation of market price. High
price volatility undermines Digital Assets’ role as a medium of exchange as
consumers or retailers are much less likely to accept them as a form of payment.
The value of client portfolios relates in part to the value of the Digital Assets held
in the client portfolio and fluctuations in the price of Digital Assets could adversely
affect the value of a client’s portfolio. There is no guarantee that a client will be
able to achieve a better than average market price for Digital Assets or will purchase
Digital Assets at the most favorable price available. The price of Digital Assets
achieved by a client may be affected generally by a wide variety of complex and
difficult to predict factors such as Digital Asset supply and demand; rewards and
transaction fees for the recording of transactions on the blockchain; availability and
access to Digital Asset service providers (such as payment processors), exchanges,
miners or other Digital Asset users and market participants; perceived or actual
Digital Asset network or Digital Asset security vulnerability; inflation levels; fiscal
policy; interest rates; and political, natural and economic events.
• Digital Asset Service Providers
Several companies and financial institutions provide services related to the buying,
selling, payment processing and storing of virtual currency (i.e., banks, accountants,
exchanges, digital wallet providers, and payment processors). However, 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
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or supply and demand of Digital Assets. Accordingly, companies or financial
institutions that currently support virtual currency may not do so in the future.
• Custody of Digital Assets
Under the Advisers Act, SEC registered investment advisers are required to hold
securities with “qualified custodians,” among other requirements. Certain Digital
Assets may be deemed to be securities. Currently, many of the companies providing
Digital Assets custodial services fall outside of the SEC’s definition of “qualified
custodian”, and many long-standing, prominent qualified custodians do not provide
custodial services for Digital Assets or otherwise provide such services only with
respect to a limited number of actively traded Digital Assets. Accordingly, clients
may use nonqualified custodians to hold all or a portion of their Digital Assets.
• Government Oversight of Digital Assets
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. It is also possible that government authorities may take direct, or indirect
investigative or prosecutorial action related to, among other things, the use
ownership or transfer of Digital Assets, resulting in a change to its value or to the
development of a Digital Asset network.
•
International Investing Risk
International investing, especially in emerging markets, involves special risks, such
as currency exchange and price fluctuations, as well as political and economic risks.
• Emerging Markets Risk
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.
• Cash Management
In managing the cash maintained in your account, we typically utilize the cash
vehicle made available by the custodian. We also make available a cash
management product offered by a third-party, as described in Item 4 herein. There
may be other cash management options available to you with higher yields or safer
underlying investments. While cash is generally safe, there is a risk that inflation
may be higher than the yield on a particular cash product, and the real value of
your cash balance may decrease.
• Non-Diversification Risk
If a strategy is “non-diversified,” its investments are not required to meet certain
diversification requirements under federal law. A “non-diversified” strategy is
permitted to invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single
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issuer than a diversified strategy. Thus, the strategy may have fewer holdings than
other strategies. As a result, a decline in the value of those investments would
cause the strategy’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the strategy
held a more diversified portfolio.
• Broad Investment and Trading Mandate
The client agreement does not impose significant restrictions on Curi Capital’s
investing and trading and permits an account to invest and trade in a broad range
of securities and other financial instruments. Curi Capital expects that, under
current market conditions, an account will focus on a specific investment strategy.
Curi Capital, however, will engage in other strategies from time to time to take
advantage of changing market conditions and investment opportunities, without
notice. This could involve changes in the types of securities and other instruments
in which an account trades and invests, as well as changes in the markets in which
such securities and other instruments trade. There can be no assurance that
pursuing additional strategies, either in lieu of or in addition to the strategy
described herein, would be successful or not result in losses.
• Counterparties
Some of the markets in which an account invests could result in the risk that a
counterparty will not be able to settle a transaction with an account in accordance
with its terms because of a credit or liquidity problem of the counterparty, thereby
exposing an account to loss. In addition, in the case of a default by a counterparty,
an account could become subject to significant losses while it attempts to execute
a substitute transaction.
• Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities (TIPS)
Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate
bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event
of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-
protected bonds would likely decline in value.
• Taxes
The purchase and sale of securities in a taxable account may result in taxable
events for clients. Depending on the length that securities are held in client
accounts, the taxes may be either short or long-term and subject to different tax
rates. The implementation of investment strategies chosen by clients and/or their
advisors may not produce the most tax efficient results for clients. Clients should
be prepared to accept this risk. Clients who are sensitive to potential tax liabilities
should inform their advisor in advance or as circumstances change.
• Mortgage and Asset Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participation in, or are
collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. The
value of these securities may change more drastically than traditional debt
securities due to the fact that they pay both principal and interest that can
fluctuate during periods of changing interest rates. Asset-backed securities
represent fractional interests in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets
such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment loan contracts,
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leases of various types of real and personal property and receivables from revolving
credit agreements. Asset-backed securities have structures and characteristics
similar to those of mortgage-backed securities; accordingly, they are subject to
many of the same risks.
• Government Securities
U.S. Government securities are subject to interest rate and inflation risks. Not all
U.S. Government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government. Certain securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government are only insured or guaranteed by the issuing agency or instrumentality,
which must rely on its own resources to repay the debt. As a result, there is the
risk that these entities will default on a financial obligation.
• Municipal Securities Risk
Municipal securities are subject to various risks based on factors such as economic
and regulatory developments, changes or proposed changes in the federal and state
tax structure, deregulation, court rulings and other factors. Repayment of municipal
securities depends on the ability of the issuer or project backing such securities to
generate taxes or revenues. There is a risk that the interest on an otherwise tax-
exempt municipal security may be subject to federal income tax.
• ETF, Closed-End Fund and Mutual Fund Risk
ETF, closed-end fund and mutual fund investments bear additional expenses based
on a pro-rata share of operating expenses, including potential duplication of
management fees. The risks of owning an ETF, closed-end fund or mutual fund
generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities held by the ETF,
closed-end fund or mutual fund. If the ETF, closed-end fund or mutual fund fails
to achieve its investment objective, the strategy’s investment in the fund may
adversely affect its performance. In addition, because ETFs and many closed-end
funds are listed on national stock exchanges and are traded like stocks listed on an
exchange, (1) the strategy may acquire ETF or closed-end fund shares at a discount
or premium to their net asset value, and (2) the strategy may incur greater expenses
since ETFs are subject to brokerage and other trading costs. Since the value of ETF
shares depends on the demand in the market, we may not be able to liquidate the
holdings at the most optimal time, adversely affecting performance. Closed-end
funds which are not publicly offered (also known as interval funds) provide only
limited liquidity to investors. 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.
• Private Investment Vehicles Risk
Client portfolios may be invested in other private funds, such as real estate funds,
venture capital funds, private equity, real assets, private credit or other private
pooled vehicles. Investments in a private fund may be subject to wide swings in
value and may employ the use of leverage or hold illiquid securities. An investment
in a private fund will not be liquid and may not have limitations on particular
sectors, industries, countries, regions or securities. Because private investment
32
vehicles are not registered investment companies, they are not subject to the same
regulatory reporting or oversight as registered entities.
• Real Estate Risks
Investments in real estate are subject to various known and unknown risks,
including unforeseen changes in local, national and global economy, dynamic shifts
in the geopolitical environment, the financial conditions of tenants, changes in the
number of buyers for a specific asset type or geography, increases in the supply of
product relative to demand, changes in availability and terms of third party
financing, increases in interest rates, real estate tax rates, energy prices, and other
operating expenses, changes in environmental laws and regulations, zoning laws,
service and overall returns, commodity and labor prices impacting the cost of
construction, as well as acts of God, terrorism, labor shortages, material shortages,
and uninsurable losses, and other factors that are beyond the control of Curi
Capital. The acquisition, ownership, management, and disposition of property
carries potential litigation risks, which could result in unexpected losses to the real
estate fund.
• REITs Risk
The value of a strategy’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may
change in response to changes in the real estate market. A strategy’s investments
in REITs may subject it to the following additional risks: declines in the value of real
estate, changes in interest rates, lack of available mortgage funds or other limits
on obtaining capital and financing, overbuilding, extended vacancies of properties,
increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws and
regulations, casualty or condemnation losses, and tax consequences of the failure
of a REIT to comply with tax law requirements. A strategy will bear a proportionate
share of the REIT’s ongoing operating fees and expenses, which may include
management, operating and administrative expenses.
• Options Transactions
An option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy
or sell a particular security at a specified price on or before the expiration date of
the option. When an investor sells a call option, he or she must deliver to the buyer
a specified number of shares if the buyer exercises the option. When an investor
sells a put option, he or she must pay the strike price per share if the buyer
exercises the option and will receive the specified number of shares. The option
writer/seller receives a premium (the market price of the option at a particular
time) in exchange for writing the option. Options are complex investments and can
be very risky, especially if the investor does not own the underlying stock. In certain
situations, an investor’s risk can be unlimited.
• Other Risks
Client accounts are also subject to investment style risk. A client account invested
in one of our investment strategies involves the risk that the investment strategy
may underperform other investment strategies or the overall market. For example,
growth companies are generally more susceptible to market events and sharp
declines in value than established companies. Value stocks may not increase in
33
price, may not issue the anticipated stock dividends, or may decline in price based
on the market’s belief of the issuer’s intrinsic worth.
Curi Capital does not offer any products or services that guarantee rates of return
on investments for any time period to any client. All clients assume the risk that
investment returns may be negative or below the rates of return of other
investment advisers, market indices or investment products.
• Absence of Registration
Certain strategies that are offered through private funds are exempt from
registration under the Securities Act provided by Regulation D. In addition, these
private funds will typically rely on the “exclusion” from the definition of “investment
company” for certain “private” investment companies provided by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (“ICA”). As a result, these private funds have not
registered and are not subject to regulation under the ICA or the Securities Act, and
investors are not afforded the protections that such registration and regulation
might provide.
• Retirement Plan Services - Risk of Loss
All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve substantial risk
of volatility (potentially resulting in rapid declines in market prices and significant
losses) arising from any number of factors that are beyond the control of Curi
Capital. Legal, tax, and regulatory changes could occur which in certain cases
materially adversely affect the ability of an account to pursue its investment
strategies or achieve its investment objective. Although Curi Capital believes that
its recommendations should mitigate the risk of loss through a careful selection
and monitoring of investments, an investment is nevertheless subject to loss,
including possible loss of the entire amount invested. No guarantee or
representation is made that an investment will be successful, and the investment
results will vary substantially over time.
• Cybersecurity and Business Continuity
from computer
viruses, network
Curi Capital’s information and technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or
interruption
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, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Although Curi Capital
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, Curi Capital 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 Curi Capital’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
Curi Capital’s reputation or subject it or its affiliates to legal claims and otherwise
affect their business and financial performance. Curi Capital 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.
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• Allocations to third-party managers/sub-advisers and investors in private funds are
subject to the following additional risks:
Client portfolios may be invested in private investment vehicles, such as real
estate funds, venture capital funds, private equity, real assets, private credit.
Because private investment vehicles are not registered investment
companies, they are not subject to the same regulatory reporting or oversight
as registered entities.
Aggressive Investment Technique Risk – Curi Capital or a third-party manager
will, from time to time for certain strategies, use investment techniques and
financial instruments that are considered aggressive, including but not
limited to investments in derivatives such as futures contracts, options on
futures contracts, securities and
indices, forward contracts, swap
agreements and similar instruments. Such techniques may also include
taking short positions or using other techniques that are intended to provide
inverse exposure to a particular market or other asset class, as well as
leverage, which can expose a client’s account to potentially dramatic changes
(losses or gains). These techniques may expose a client to potentially
dramatic changes (losses) in the value of its allocation to the manager.
Liquidity and Transferability – Certain private funds offer their investors only
limited liquidity and interests are generally not freely transferable. In addition
to other liquidity restrictions, investments in private funds may offer liquidity
at infrequent times (i.e., monthly, quarterly, annually or less frequently).
Accordingly, investors in private funds should understand that they may not
be able to liquidate their investment in the event of an emergency or for any
other reason.
Possibility of Fraud and Other Misconduct – When a private fund invests in
an underlying fund, the private fund does not have custody of the underlying
fund’s assets. Therefore, there is the risk that the underlying fund or its
custodian could divert or abscond with those assets, fail to follow agreed
upon investment strategies, provide false reports of operations, or engage in
other misconduct. Moreover, there can be no assurances that all underlying
funds will be operated in accordance with all applicable laws and that assets
entrusted to underlying funds will be protected.
Counterparty Risk – The institutions (such as banks) and prime brokers with
which a manager does business, or to which securities have been entrusted
for custodial purposes, could encounter financial difficulties. This could
impair the operational capabilities or the capital position of a manager or
create unanticipated trading risks.
There can be no assurance that the methods described above will be successful or that
clients will not suffer losses. Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients
should be prepared to bear. Private funds and mutual funds have different risks
depending on the strategy implemented by the manager of the private funds and mutual
funds. Please see the PPM or prospectus for a full list of risks associated with such
investments.
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ITEM 9: DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
Item 9 is not applicable to us as we have no reportable material legal or disciplinary
events.
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ITEM 10: OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Curi Capital has relationships and arrangements that are material to our advisory
business or to our clients with related persons that provide a variety of financial
services and products, as detailed below. When appropriate for a client, Curi Capital
uses and/or recommends the services and products offered by Curi Capital’s affiliates
when appropriate for a client.
Curi Capital’s majority owner is Curi Capital, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMIC
Investment Holdings, Inc. (“MMIC”). MMIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Curi Holdings,
Inc. (FKA Medical Mutual Holdings) which also owns Medical Mutual Insurance Company
of North Carolina (“Medical Mutual”). Medical Mutual provides professional liability
insurance to physicians and medical practices. Curi Capital provides investment
management services to Medical Mutual and its affiliates, existing policyholders of
Medical Mutual and to independent clients unrelated to Medical Mutual. Curi Capital’s
affiliation with Medical Mutual creates a financial incentive for Curi Capital to favor
Medical Mutual affiliated accounts or Medical Mutual policyholder investment
accounts. Curi Capital has procedures designed and implemented to ensure that all
clients are treated fairly, and to prevent this potential conflict from influencing the
allocation of investment opportunities among clients.
Affiliated Products
Where determined appropriate for a client, Curi Capital uses and/or recommends
affiliated products, services and private funds of Curi Capital (“Affiliated Products”) to
clients. Curi Capital has an incentive to recommend Affiliated Products over similar
unaffiliated options as a result of the conflicts described below. Curi Capital has sought
to mitigate this conflict by disclosing such fees to clients and not sharing any revenue
from the Affiliated Products with the wealth advisors who select client investments,
although certain wealth advisors are partners of Curi Capital who share in the overall
profits of Curi Capital. Some, but not all, of the conflicts of interest of Curi Capital’s
recommendation of Affiliated Products include the following:
•
Curi Capital and its affiliates generally receive an investment management
fee and, depending on the Affiliated Product, performance-based
compensation with respect to its management of the Affiliated Product.
Except as noted herein, fees charged with respect to Affiliated Products
are in addition to the wealth management fees charged by Curi Capital.
Generally, all or a portion of the revenues earned by Curi Capital affiliates
ultimately flow to Curi Capital.
•
A client that invests in an Affiliated Product will pay the client’s pro rata
share of the expenses of the Affiliated Product.
•
An Affiliated Product may offer limited or no liquidity, and thus clients of
Curi Capital may be holding the investment for an indefinite period of
time. Even if the client terminates its relationship with Curi Capital, it may
be unable to withdraw from the Affiliated Product.
37
•
The investment strategies employed by an Affiliated Product may be
volatile and utilize leverage. Therefore, the risk of loss is increased. Any
investor in an Affiliated Product could lose all or a substantial portion of
their investment.
•
Curi Capital and its affiliates may share revenues and expenses.
•
Persons associated with Curi Capital may own a significant amount of an
Affiliated Product, and may be subject to preferential terms such as
waived or reduced management or performance-based compensation.
Related Persons
Curi Capital has certain relationships or arrangements with related persons that are
material to its advisory business or its clients. Below is a description of such
relationships and some of the conflicts of interest that arise from them. Curi Capital
has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent, limit, or mitigate
conflicts of interest that may arise between Curi Capital and its related persons.
Affiliations With Broker-Dealers
Certain personnel of Curi Capital are registered representatives of a non-affiliated,
registered broker-dealer in connection with certain services provided to certain Curi
Capital-sponsored mutual funds. Such personnel may be entitled to receive
transaction-based compensation from the broker-dealer for the sale of securities of
the Curi Capital-sponsored mutual funds solely with respect to investors that are not
advisory clients of Curi Capital. In addition, certain officers of the mutual funds are
affiliated with Curi Capital, which presents a conflict of interest due to competing
priorities.
Affiliations with Investment Companies
Curi Capital has arrangements that are material to its advisory business with affiliated
investment companies. Curi Capital serves as the investment adviser to affiliated
mutual funds.
Certain of our affiliates serve as the general partner, managing member, and/or
investment manager of private funds. Where appropriate, we and our affiliates solicit
clients to invest in these vehicles. In addition, we, or an affiliate are generally entitled
to receive management fees, administrative fees and/or performance-based
compensation for investments made by clients in the private funds.
A Curi Capital employee currently serves as an Independent Trustee for the Nationwide
Mutual Funds (NMF) and the Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust (NVIT) and chair of
the Board. The employee is compensated by NMF and NVIT for his service as an
Independent Trustee and chair.
While the employee does not derive a direct financial benefit from any investment in a
Nationwide fund, the firm may allocate client assets to, or recommend that clients
invest in, the Nationwide mutual funds, which may be viewed as a conflict of interest.
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In addition, potential conflicts of interest may arise in respect of decisions to dispose
(or not to dispose) of Nationwide products in a client's portfolio. The firm has a process
in place whereby if the employee receives material, non-public information regarding
the Nationwide mutual funds as a result of service on the board, the employee and the
firm may be prohibited for a period of time from making certain investment
recommendations in respect of any client's holdings of the Nationwide mutual funds,
and such restrictions may disadvantage the firm's clients.
Affiliations with Other Investment Advisers
Curi Capital is entitled to receive certain periodic payments from Iron Road Capital
Partners, LLC (“Iron Road”), a manager of private funds that is an exempt reporting
adviser with the SEC and principally owned and controlled by former employees of Curi
Capital. In addition, Iron Road provides operational and administrative services to
private funds managed by other advisers in exchange for a support services fee. Certain
clients of Curi Capital currently, and may in the future, hold investments in private
funds advised or serviced by Iron Road. Curi Capital has a conflict of interest in
recommending private funds advised or serviced by Iron Road to clients as Curi Capital
is entitled to receive certain periodic payments from Iron Road.
Affiliation with Insurance Agencies
Certain persons at Curi Capital maintain insurance licenses and/or securities
registrations at Lion Street Financial, LLC and work with Curi Capital Insurance
Solutions, LLC, MAI Insurance Solutions and other insurance agencies to facilitate the
purchase of insurance products by clients. Curi Capital may recommend insurance
solutions to clients as part of the financial planning process; however, no client is
required to purchase insurance through Curi Capital Insurance Solutions, LLC, MAI
Insurance Solutions, Lion Street Financial, or any other insurance agency Curi Capital
may work with and/or recommend. No firm employee is directly compensated, in the
form of commissions, from the insurance products they sell through Curi Capital
Insurance Solutions, MAI Insurance Solutions, Lion Street Financial, or any other
insurance agency; however, employees may derive economic benefit from insurance
product sales as part of an annual bonus program. This creates a conflict of interest
in that Curi Capital and its employees have an economic incentive to recommend
insurance product sales to clients, but Curi Capital and its employees only make such
recommendations when it is in a client’s best interest. Certain persons at Curi Capital
may receive trail commission for insurance policies sold prior to their affiliation with
Curi Capital.
Other Relationships or Affiliations
Certain employees of a Curi Capital branch office provide limited real estate services
to a limited number of clients through a real estate company licensed in their state.
These employees generally offer property management services and other real estate
services to their clients. These employees do not engage in the business of real estate
brokerage. While these services are not currently offered to Curi Capital clients,
certain legacy clients pay a fee for these services to a limited number of employees of
Curi Capital.
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Certain Curi Capital personnel are involved in other outside business activities,
including board positions for institutions, charities, public companies, and investment
funds. Curi Capital personnel have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and
activity between Curi Capital and other businesses with which they are associated. Curi
Capital maintains policies and procedures designed to manage and monitor the
conflicts of interest presented to Curi Capital and its clients by these activities.
Certain employees of Curi Capital may, from time to time, serve in an executive position
for a family investment partnership. These family investment partnerships are legacy
clients of a Curi Capital branch. Curi Capital provides investment services to these
family partnerships but does not solicit clients to invest who are not part of the
extended family.
Additionally, legacy clients of a Curi Capital branch have invested in a fund of funds
private equity partnership managed by an employee’s family member. This employee
receives no financial interest and does not have a relationship with this manager of the
fund other than a family relationship.
Curi Capital has employees that are on the Board of Directors and/or act as Chairman
for Investment Committees for several charitable and/or non-profit organizations. In
these positions our employees could work with pension or investment consultants that
Curi Capital also has a relationship with. In some situations, Curi Capital acts as an
investment manager for the same charitable or non-profit organization. These
potential conflicts of interest are fully disclosed to the charitable or non-profit
organization prior to acceptance of any position. These outside directorships and/or
committees are required to be reported to Curi Capital’s Compliance Department.
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ITEM 11: CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
AND PERSONAL TRADING
Overview of Code of Ethics and Personal Trading
Curi Capital has adopted a Code of Ethics for all supervised persons of Curi Capital
describing its high standard of business conduct and fiduciary duty to clients. In
accordance with Section 204A of the Advisers Act, the Code of Ethics contains written
policies reasonably designed to prevent the unlawful use of material, non-public
information by Curi Capital or any of its supervised persons. The Code of Ethics
includes provisions relating to personal securities trading procedures, periodic
employee reporting of personal securities holdings and transactions and pre-approval
of certain investments, among other things. All supervised persons at Curi Capital
must acknowledge the terms of the Code of Ethics as a new employee, annually, or as
amended from time to time. Any violations or suspected violations of the Code of
Ethics are encouraged to be brought to the attention of the Chief Compliance Officer
or other members of the Compliance Department for review. If it is determined that
an employee has violated the Code of Ethics, we will take such remedial action as is
deemed appropriate. Sanctions may vary depending on the specific circumstances, but
may include reprimand, limitation or prohibition of personal trading, suspension, or
termination of employment.
From time to time, employees or related persons of Curi Capital will invest in securities
that are also held in client accounts. All transactions in these and other securities
must comply with Curi Capital’s Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics requires, among
other things, that employees and related persons of Curi Capital pre-approve all
personal securities transactions except under certain limited circumstances. The
adviser also has policies that further restrict employees’ personal securities
transactions by:
• Limiting the size of trade and ability to trade in such securities if Curi Capital
is trading for client accounts on the same day;
• Requiring employees to report all personal trading and accounts to Curi
Capital’s Compliance Department for compliance review with these
standards;
• Establishing minimum holding periods for any securities purchased for
employee’s personal accounts.
In certain circumstances and upon written request, Curi Capital may permit
transactions in a security that would otherwise be prohibited under Curi Capital’s Code
of Ethics.
Curi Capital will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client
upon request. Clients may request a copy by email at compliance@rmbcap.com or by
phone at (312) 993-5800.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
Curi Capital does not directly buy or sell publicly traded securities for itself that it also
recommends to clients, but accounts sponsored by Curi Capital, including its 401(k)
41
plan, may hold and transact in such securities. Curi Capital’s parent company, Curi, is
an affiliate and a client of Curi Capital’s and may have investments in the same
securities as non-affiliated clients. The firm has policies and procedures in place to
ensure that no clients are disadvantaged. Any such transactions that are directed by
employees are subject to the requirements outlined in Curi Capital’s Code of Ethics.
Our affiliates or related personnel may recommend to clients, or purchase or sell for
client accounts, securities in which our affiliates or related personnel have a material
financial interest. These include situations in which we, our affiliates or related
personnel, act as general partner (or in a similar capacity) in a private fund in which
we solicit client investments and/or act as an investment adviser to an investment
company that we recommend to clients. Curi Capital, its affiliates and their respective
employees and officers, may invest for their own accounts in various opportunities
appropriate for investment by clients.
To address these potential conflicts and protect and promote the interests of clients,
we employ the following policies and procedures:
•
If we enter into a transaction on behalf of our clients that presents either a
material or non-material conflict of interest, the conflict should be
prominently disclosed to the client prior to the consummation of such
transaction.
• Employees must comply with our policy on the handling and use of material,
non-public information (aka “inside” information).
• Employees must report certain personal securities transactions pursuant to
our Code of Ethics.
From time to time, Curi Capital introduces clients to private funds managed by Curi
Capital. In addition to investment management fees, depending on market conditions
and the strategy, Curi Capital and its affiliates are generally entitled to receive
performance-based compensation from such private funds. While Curi Capital has a
financial incentive to recommend an investment in a private fund managed by Curi
Capital, it will consider the suitability of the investment in light of the client’s specific
situation, including any investment objectives and restrictions. In addition, Curi Capital
will provide the client with the applicable Private Placement Memoranda for each
private fund which outlines, among other things, the risks, fees, and conflicts of
interest related to an investment in the private fund. Ultimately, clients retain final
discretion and decision-making authority with respect to making an investment into a
private fund managed by Curi Capital.
Curi Capital will also introduce their clients to the mutual funds that it manages which
are distributed by an independent, third-party broker-dealer. Curi Capital has a
financial incentive to recommend the mutual funds it manages; however, it will
consider whether the mutual fund(s) is an appropriate investment for the client given
the client’s specific situation, including any investment objectives and restrictions.
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ITEM 12: BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Selection of Brokers
Curi Capital may suggest that the client use a particular broker-dealer to act as
custodian for the funds and securities to be managed. In those cases, Curi Capital
generally recommends a broker-dealer with whom Curi Capital has negotiated rates
believed to be beneficial to Curi Capital and its clients. Clients are not required to use
this broker/custodian or to utilize the negotiated fee schedules. Negotiated rates
include both asset-based and transaction-based fees.
In determining the brokers through whom, and commission rates and other transaction
costs at which, securities transactions for client accounts are to be executed, Curi
Capital will generally seek to negotiate a combination of the most favorable
commission and the best price obtainable on each transaction. However, Curi Capital
will consider various additional factors when selecting a broker including, but not
limited to, the nature of the portfolio transaction, size of the transaction, execution,
clearing and settlement capabilities, desired timing of transactions, reliability, financial
condition, confidentiality of trades, client direction and under appropriate
circumstances, and the availability of research and research-related services provided.
Asset-Based and Transaction-Based Fees
Custodians may offer Curi Capital clients’ either asset-based or transaction-based
pricing, or both. When considering which fee option to choose (asset-based or
transaction-based), several items should be considered. These include the frequency
of trading, cash levels, types of securities held, and size of the account. For example,
if a client elects to be charged an asset-based fee, it is generally anticipating a more
actively managed account. In this case, the client accepts the risk that it could have
been better off choosing transaction-based fees in the event the account has fewer
transactions than was expected for that account. Similarly, if a client elects to be
charged transaction-based fees, it is generally anticipating a less actively managed
account and accepts the risk that it could have been better off electing an asset-based
fee in the event the account experiences more frequent transactions than expected.
An account being charged an asset-based fee will likely be invested temporarily in cash
or cash equivalents, or otherwise not actively managed, for short periods of time as a
result of decisions made by the clients or their adviser. Under these circumstances,
the client acknowledges that the custodian continues to hold the account assets and
accordingly continues to charge its custodial fees. A more detailed explanation of the
types of considerations faced by a client that chooses an asset-based fee versus
transaction-based fees is included in the asset-based pricing supplement of your
Custodial Account Agreements.
Trade-Aways and Step-Outs
Trade-aways and/or step-outs are trades in accounts that are executed by a broker
outside of their custodian. The broker receives a commission for executing the trade.
The commission is a separate transaction cost which is charged in addition to the
quarterly custodial fee charged by a Custodian. Step-outs are typically utilized at Curi
Capital only when processing a trade error, but not as a form of intentional trade aways.
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Brokerage for Client Referrals
Curi Capital has arrangements with a number of broker-dealers that act as custodians
for Curi Capital clients (each, together with its affiliates, a “Custodian”). Certain
Custodians provide Curi Capital with “institutional platform services.” The institutional
platform services include, among other things, brokerage, custody, and other related
services. The Custodians’ institutional platform services that assist Curi Capital in
managing and administering client accounts include software and other technology
that (i) provides access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and
account statements); (ii) facilitates trade execution and allocate aggregated trade
orders for multiple client accounts; (iii) provides research, pricing, and other market
data; (iv) facilitates payment of fees from its clients’ accounts; and (v) assists with
back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting. Clients and/or Curi Capital
will select either asset-based or transaction-based custodial pricing at a Custodian, if
offered.
The Custodians also offer other services intended to help Curi Capital manage and
further develop its advisory practice. Such services include, but are not limited to,
performance reporting, financial planning, contact management systems, third-party
research, publications, access to educational conferences, roundtables and webinars,
practice management resources, access to consultants, and other third-party service
providers who provide a wide array of business-related services and technology with
whom Curi Capital will contract directly, if required.
There is a possibility that prime brokers or other executing brokers through their
capital introduction groups with whom Curi Capital directs trades could introduce
potential investors to the Private Funds or as clients. As a result, there would be the
potential for conflicts of interest from Curi Capital’s relationship with such brokers.
Curi Capital would evaluate each such relationship and consider any conflicts of
interest which may result from these relationships to ensure (i) Curi Capital gets the
best execution for client transactions and (ii) Curi Capital will not favor any such
brokers over other comparable brokers that do not introduce clients.
Curi Capital is independently operated and owned and is not affiliated with any
Custodian or other broker-dealer.
Each Custodian generally does not charge Curi Capital’s clients separately for custody
services but is compensated by account holders through commissions and other
transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through
the Custodian or that settle into the Custodian’s accounts (e.g., transaction fees are
charged for certain no-load mutual funds, commissions are charged for individual
equity and debt securities transactions). Custodians will likely provide access to no-
load mutual funds without transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal
transaction charges to suitable clients.
Directed Brokerage
Clients have the option to direct us in writing to use a particular broker-dealer to
execute some or all transactions for the client. In that case, the client will negotiate
terms and arrangements for the account with that broker-dealer, and we will not seek
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better execution services or prices from other broker-dealers or be able to “batch”
client transactions for execution through other broker-dealers with orders for other
accounts managed by us (as described below). As such, a client who directs brokerage
should consider that they: (i) may pay higher commissions on some transactions than
may be attainable by Curi Capital, or may receive less favorable execution of some
transactions or both; (ii) may forego any benefit on execution costs that could be
obtained for clients through negotiated volume discounts on bunched transactions; (iii)
may not be able to participate in the allocation of a new issue, if the new issue shares
are provided by another broker; (iv) may receive execution of a particular trade after
the execution of such trade for clients who have not directed the brokerage for their
accounts; and (vii) may not experience returns equal to clients who have not directed
brokerage for their accounts.
Trade Aggregation and Allocation
Curi Capital may, at its discretion, aggregate trades done for multiple accounts in order
to reduce commissions and execution costs. Block trades are initiated on a sequencing
basis beginning with the smallest block to the largest block. All accounts for whom
trades are aggregated will receive an average execution price for the relevant trading
block. In cases when a trade is not completed in a single day, Curi Capital will typically
allocate the traded shares randomly among all of the accounts in the trade block. The
choice of an allocation method, whether random or pro-rata, for a particular trade will
be based on a variety of factors, including percentage of the trade completed, ability
to settle the transactions efficiently and potential costs to clients.
With respect to the model portfolio provider service, Curi Capital has implemented a
rotation policy (“Rotation Policy”) to provide approximately equal preference to
discretionary clients of Curi Capital that are managed pursuant to a model portfolio
provider. When Curi Capital makes an update to a model portfolio provider’s platform,
the Rotation Policy provides a method of rotating the order in which Curi Capital
communicates the trade changes to its various model portfolio providers. The Trading
Department, with consultation from the Investment Committee, is responsible for
determining the rotation.
Even though Curi Capital utilizes the Rotation Policy, Curi Capital’s discretionary
accounts and accounts to which Curi Capital provides model portfolio platform
services or non-discretionary services may trade the same securities at the same time.
In these circumstances, Curi Capital will affect trading on behalf of its clients and
deliver model providers portfolio updates in a manner which it believes to be fair and
equitable. Due to the nature of the rotation process, trading for Curi Capital’s
discretionary accounts may be conducted at the same time as trading being conducted
by model sponsors or accounts where Curi Capital is not granted trading discretion. As
a result, Curi Capital’s discretionary accounts may obtain more favorable execution
prices than non-discretionary or model portfolio provider accounts or vice versa.
For the KDI Equity Strategies, Curi Capital places market, limit price or volume
weighted average price (VWAP) trade orders depending on the price target of
established by Curi Capital. Market and limit price orders will be placed at the same
time for all clients (private funds and portfolio management clients). VWAP orders will
be placed for the largest clients first, currently the private funds and client accounts
45
custodied at Goldman Sachs & Co. As trades on the VWAP orders are executed for the
largest clients, trades will be placed pro-rata throughout the trading day for smaller
clients to follow the trades of the largest clients.
Clients who place restrictions on their accounts (e.g. cash requirements, restrictions
on positions, etc.) may not be able to participate in aggregated or blocked trades.
These accounts may need to be traded separately and after the block trades have
been submitted.
Competing Trades
Curi Capital’s various funds and trading strategies may trade in different positions from
each other. For example, a private fund may trade and may continue to trade in
securities and other financial instruments for the benefit of its investors which may
not benefit the investors of another private fund and even if such trades compete with,
occur ahead of or are opposite positions taken by the other private funds.
Curi Capital’s funds and trading strategies may also compete with each other to buy
certain securities, including securities with limited availability. This competition may
cause one or more funds or accounts to obtain fewer securities and/or pay higher
prices than would otherwise be the case.
Research and Additional Benefits
In certain circumstances, Curi Capital will select brokers to execute trades for clients
that provide certain “soft dollar” benefits to Curi Capital in exchange for client
brokerage fees. Soft dollar benefits may include but are not limited to: (i) information
services that report on the availability and potential buyers or sellers of securities; (ii)
quantitative analytical software and other research-oriented software; (iii) research or
fundamental analysis on individual companies, securities and/or sectors; (iv) bond
analytics on fixed income portfolios, including duration, yield to maturity and convexity;
(v) macro-economic research; (vi) global market news services and financial
publications; and (vii) securities quotation and data systems for capital markets.
Broker-dealers typically provide a bundle of services including research and execution
of transactions to their customers.
In using research and related services from broker-dealers on a soft dollar basis, we
are confronted with several inherent risks, including that we may choose a broker-
dealer to execute trades that charges a higher commission than other possible broker-
dealers. To manage and mitigate these risks, Curi Capital will limit its receipt of soft
dollar benefits to those that meet the “safe harbor” under Section 28(e) of the
Exchange Act – namely benefits relating to trading, research services, or seminars. Curi
Capital also has a committee that monitors compliance with our best execution
obligations, applicable law and individual client guidelines with respect to our use of
“soft dollars.”
Research obtained with soft dollars will not always be utilized by Curi Capital for the
specific product, private fund or client account that generated the soft dollars. Because
Curi Capital aggregates transactions for accounts, brokerage commissions are
aggregated to brokers and therefore the research received from each broker may not
46
be specifically tied to the product, private fund or client account that generated the
soft dollars. Curi Capital does not allocate the relative costs or benefits of research
among the private funds and clients because it believes that the research they receive
generally benefits all of the private funds and clients. In addition, the research obtained
with soft dollars generated may be used for the benefit of all clients.
There are some broker-dealers who make their proprietary research available at no
cost to Curi Capital (i.e., no soft or hard dollar payments required). It appears that this
is a customary practice for these large, institutional broker-dealers as a result of the
total amount of trading that Curi Capital conducts with such firms. If these firms begin
to assess a fee for such research, Curi Capital will make an assessment of the research
provided to determine which payment method would be appropriate given the
perceived value of the research.
Cross Trades
In certain circumstances, Curi Capital may affect “cross” trades between client
accounts through an unaffiliated broker/dealer at the prevailing market price. Curi
Capital will affect such transactions only when it deems the transaction to be in the
best interests of both client accounts. The manner of calculating the cross price is
documented within policies and procedures adopted by Curi Capital as amended from
time to time. The custodian may charge a service fee for crossing the trade. Curi
Capital, as the investment adviser, receives no transactional compensation in regard
to cross trades. In addition, Curi Capital executes buys and sells in the same security
in different client accounts based on liquidity needs. Curi Capital does not cross those
transactions for proprietary or principal accounts; rather the trades for proprietary or
principal accounts are executed at current market prices.
Trade Errors
Curi Capital has policies to minimize the occurrence of trade errors and, should they
occur, detect such trade errors, and take steps to resolve the error to make the client
whole. Upon the timely discovery of a trade error, Curi Capital corrects the trade error.
The trade error resolution process varies depending on the policies and practices of
the custodian where the relevant client account is maintained. Clients may obtain
additional information about the trade error policies and practices applicable to their
account by contacting Curi Capital.
Retirement Plan Services – Plan Sponsors
Curi Capital assists its plan sponsor clients with the selection of retirement plan
service providers which may also be registered broker-dealers. Curi Capital’s evaluation
and subsequent recommendation of such a service provider is based solely on the
entity’s capabilities as a third-party administrator or recordkeeper and not on the
entity’s brokerage, trading or research capabilities. Curi Capital does not execute any
trades for its plan sponsor clients or their underlying participants.
Custodial Services
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Curi Capital participates in the Schwab Advisor Services Program and the Fidelity
Institutional Services program each of which offers services to independent
investment advisers. Curi Capital receives benefits from Schwab and Fidelity that it
would not receive if it did not offer investment advice. Schwab and Fidelity provide
Curi Capital with access to services designed to assist investment advisers that are
not available to retail investors. These services are generally available to investment
advisers at no charge as long as the amount of the adviser’s managed client assets
maintained at Schwab or Fidelity exceeds a certain threshold.
Schwab and Fidelity also make available to Curi Capital other products and services
that benefit Curi Capital but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. Some of these
other products and services assist Curi Capital in managing and administering client
accounts. These include software and other technology that provide access to client
account data (e.g. trade confirmation and account statements), facilitate trade
execution and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts,
provide research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of Curi
Capital’s fees from its clients’ accounts, and assist with back-office functions,
recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services may be used to service all
or a substantial number of Curi Capital’s clients’ accounts.
Schwab and Fidelity may also make available to Curi Capital other services intended
to help it manage and further develop its business enterprise. These services may
include consulting, publications and conferences on practice management,
information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance and marketing.
While as a fiduciary Curi Capital endeavors to act in the best interests of its clients,
Curi Capital’s preference that clients maintain their assets in accounts at either
Schwab or Fidelity may be based in part on the benefit to Curi Capital of the
availability of some of the foregoing products and services and not solely on the
nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage services provided by the brokers,
which may create a potential conflict of interest.
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ITEM 13: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
For advisory clients, members of Curi Capital’s Asset Management team including the
Managing Director of Asset Management, Portfolio Managers, and Analysts review the
accounts they manage on a regular basis. Members of Curi Capital’s Wealth
Management team review client accounts formally when any recommendations or
financial plan changes are conveyed to clients and on a periodic basis (no less
frequently than annually). The Wealth Management team may also review client
accounts on an ad-hoc basis, depending on client inquiries and macro-economic
conditions and/or to ensure client’s asset allocations are within their tolerance ranges
for the client’s investment policy statement
.
Members of Curi Capital’s RPS team periodically monitor investments recommended
to clients and provide periodic reports summarizing the client’s retirement plan design,
investment performance, and advisory fees. Curi Capital generally meets with clients
on an annual basis to review the recent period’s data, recommend changes and discuss
possible changes in the client’s investment objectives and needs. Plan sponsor clients
must inform Curi Capital of any interim changes that would indicate a need to change
investment recommendations.
See Item 15 for information on the content and frequency of client reports.
Investors in Private Funds will receive regular statements prepared by the applicable
general partner or fund administrator.
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ITEM 14: CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Referral Programs
As a result of Curi Capital’s participation in referral programs sponsored by certain
Custodians and their affiliates, Curi Capital has potential conflicts of interest including
its decision to use certain Custodians for execution, custody, and clearing for certain
client accounts, and Curi Capital has a potential incentive to suggest the use of a
Custodian and its affiliates to its advisory clients, whether or not those clients were
referred to Curi Capital by a Custodian or its affiliates. A Custodian will most likely
refer clients to investment advisers that encourage their clients to custody their assets
at such Custodian and whose client accounts are profitable to such Custodian.
Consequently, in order to obtain client referrals from a Custodian, Curi Capital has an
incentive to recommend to clients that the assets under management by Curi Capital
be held in custody with such Custodian and to place transactions for client accounts
with such Custodian. In addition, Curi Capital will generally agree not to solicit clients
referred to it by one Custodian to establish brokerage or custody accounts at other
custodians, except when Curi Capital’s fiduciary duties require doing so.
There is no direct link between Curi Capital’s participation in any referral program and
the investment advice it gives to its clients, although Curi Capital receives economic
benefits through its participation in referral programs that are typically not available
to clients of a Custodian. These benefits at certain Custodians include the following
products and services (provided without cost or at a discount): receipt of duplicate
client statements and confirmations; research related products and tools; consulting
services; access to a trading desk serving Curi Capital participants; access to block
trading (which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions for execution
and then allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts); the ability to have
advisory fees deducted directly from client accounts; access to an electronic
communications network for client order entry and account information; access to
mutual funds with no transaction fees and to certain institutional money managers;
and discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice
management products or services provided to Curi Capital by third-party vendors. A
Custodian may also have paid for business consulting and professional services
received by Curi Capital’s related persons. Some of the products and services made
available by may benefit Curi Capital but may not benefit its client accounts. These
products or services may assist Curi Capital in managing and administering client
accounts, including accounts not maintained at the Custodian providing the benefit.
Other services made available may be intended to help Curi Capital manage and further
develop its business enterprise.
Curi Capital’s participation in a referral program does not diminish its duty to seek best
execution of trades for client accounts. Curi Capital has agreed that it will not charge
clients more than the standard range of advisory fees disclosed in its Form ADV 2A
Brochure to cover solicitation fees paid to as part of a referral program. As part of its
fiduciary duties to clients, Curi Capital endeavors at all times to put the interests of
its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits
by Curi Capital or its related persons in and of itself creates a potential conflict of
interest and may indirectly influence the Curi Capital’s recommendation for custody
and brokerage services.
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Affiliated Products
As previously described in Item 10, if we determine that it is appropriate based on the
client’s investment objectives and investor status, we will recommend that clients
invest in an Affiliated Product. Affiliated Products are generally subject to fees in
addition to and separate from the fees charged by Curi Capital. Clients are advised that
a conflict of interest exists to the extent we recommend an investment in an Affiliated
Product.
Other Compensation
We also compensate certain employees for business development activities, including
for referring, attracting, and retaining client assets, in accordance with applicable law.
From time to time, we may receive indirect compensation from service providers or
third-party vendors in the form of marketing support, reimbursement for client events,
company due diligence meetings, entertainment, tickets to sporting events and gift
cards. When received, these occasions are evaluated to ensure they are reasonable in
value and customary in nature to ensure their occurrence does not present any
conflicts of interest.
Certain Curi Capital employees may attend a limited number of conference meetings
and other meetings sponsored by certain Custodians. These Custodians may pay for
the flight, hotel, and transportation expenses for these employees to attend these
meetings. In addition, the Custodians or Curi Capital may pay for food and beverage
expenses at periodic seminars conducted by Curi Capital and attended by clients and
prospects.
Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions®
Curi Capital participates in the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions® Program (the “WAS
Program”), through which Curi Capital receives referrals from Strategic Advisers LLC
(Strategic Advisers), a registered investment adviser and Fidelity Investments company.
Curi Capital is independent and not affiliated with Strategic Advisers or any Fidelity
Investments company. Strategic Advisers does not supervise or control Curi Capital,
and Strategic Advisers has no responsibility or oversight for Curi Capital’s provision of
investment management or other advisory services.
Under the WAS Program, Strategic Advisers acts as a solicitor for Curi Capital, and Curi
Capital pays referral fees to Strategic Advisers for each referral received based on Curi
Capital’s assets under management attributable to each client referred by Strategic
Advisers or members of each client’s household. The WAS Program is designed to help
investors find an independent investment advisor, and any referral from Strategic
Advisers to Curi Capital does not constitute a recommendation by Strategic Advisers
of Curi Capital’s particular investment management services or strategies. More
specifically, Curi Capital pays the following amounts to Strategic Advisers for referrals:
the sum of (i) an annual percentage of 0.10% of any and all assets in client accounts
51
where such assets are identified as “fixed income” assets by Strategic Advisers and (ii)
an annual percentage of 0.25% of all other assets held in client accounts. In addition,
Curi Capital has agreed to pay Strategic Advisers an annual program fee of $50,000 to
participate in the WAS Program. These referral fees are paid by Curi Capital and not
the client.
To receive referrals from the WAS Program, Curi Capital must meet certain minimum
participation criteria, but Curi Capital has been selected for participation in the WAS
Program as a result of its other business relationships with Strategic Advisers and its
affiliates, including Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC (“FBS”). As a result of its
participation in the WAS Program, Curi Capital has a conflict of interest with respect
to its decision to use certain affiliates of Strategic Advisers, including FBS, for
execution, custody and clearing for certain client accounts, and Curi Capital could have
an incentive to suggest the use of FBS and its affiliates to its advisory clients, whether
or not those clients were referred to Curi Capital as part of the WAS Program.
Under an agreement with Strategic Advisers, Curi Capital has agreed that Curi Capital
will not charge clients more than the standard range of advisory fees disclosed in its
Form ADV 2A Brochure to cover solicitation fees paid to Strategic Advisers as part of
the WAS Program. Pursuant to these arrangements, Curi Capital has agreed not to
solicit clients to transfer their brokerage accounts from affiliates of Strategic Advisers
or establish brokerage accounts at other custodians for referred clients other than
when Curi Capital’s fiduciary duties would so require, and Curi Capital has agreed to
pay Strategic Advisers a one-time fee equal to 0.75% of the assets in a client account
that is transferred from Strategic Advisers’ affiliates to another custodian; therefore,
Curi Capital has an incentive to suggest that referred clients and their household
members maintain custody of their accounts with affiliates of Strategic Advisers.
However, participation in the WAS Program does not limit Curi Capital duty to select
brokers on the basis of best execution.
Solicitors
Curi Capital may utilize solicitors to refer clients to its advisory business and/or private
funds managed by Curi Capital. Each unaffiliated solicitor retained by Curi Capital
would have an executed a solicitation agreement or other similar agreement to serve
as a solicitor for Curi Capital. Certain solicitors may also provide software and other
technology support to Curi Capital for compensation.
Clients referred by a third-party solicitor are subject to a conflict of interest, as the
third-party solicitor is incentivized by the referral fee to refer clients to Curi Capital,
as opposed to another adviser where no such referral fee is paid. Referral fees paid to
a third-party solicitor are contingent upon a client engaging Curi Capital to provide
investment management services.
Affiliated solicitors are not required to have a solicitation agreement. Curi Capital has
policies and procedures in place to ensure that affiliated solicitors meet the
requirements of Rule 206(4)-1 of the Advisers Act.
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ITEM 15: CUSTODY
Except as outlined below, Curi Capital will not have custody over other funds or
securities for advisory clients. All advisory client funds and securities will be held at a
broker-dealer, bank, or other qualified custodians.
Curi Capital may be deemed to have custody of client assets where Curi Capital
operates under certain types of standing letters of authorization, where Curi Capital
instructs custodians on a client’s instruction to move assets to third parties, or where
Curi Capital or its employees otherwise may have access to client assets. In such
cases, Curi Capital will undergo an annual surprise examination of client assets by an
independent auditor, to the extent required by applicable law.
In addition, in many cases we have the authority to debit our clients’ custodial accounts
for advisory fees. We are deemed to have custody of those assets if, for example, we
are authorized and instructed by a client’s custodian to deduct our advisory fees
directly from the account or if we are granted authority to move money from a client’s
account to another person’s account. At all times, the custodial bank maintains actual
custody of those assets.
Clients should receive at least quarterly statements or links to their quarterly
statements from the broker-dealer, bank, or other qualified custodian that holds and
maintains clients’ investment assets. These reports detail the performance of the
accounts, portfolio holdings, and transactions. The relevant custodian(s) will also send
information regarding account holdings, transactions, and cash flows directly to clients.
Clients may also choose to receive trade confirmations directly from the custodian.
Curi Capital urges you to carefully review such statements and compare such official
custodial records to the account statements that we may provide you. Statements
provided may vary from custodial statements based on accounting procedures,
reporting dates, or valuation methodologies of certain securities.
Private Funds
Curi Capital is deemed to have custody of the assets of the private funds it manages.
The private funds are audited annually by an independent public accountant registered
with and subject to regular inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board and the audited financial statements are distributed to all beneficial owners
within 120 days, or 180 days for fund of funds, of the private fund’s fiscal year end.
Retirement Plan Services – Plan Sponsors
Curi Capital does not have custody or any other form of access to its plan sponsor
clients’ assets or the assets of the retirement plans sponsored and/or administered by
its plan sponsor clients. Such assets are held by the custodian of the applicable
retirement plan for the exclusive benefit of the retirement plan’s participants.
Wire Transfer and/or Standing Letter of Authorization
Curi Capital, or persons associated with Curi Capital, may affect wire transfers from
client accounts to one or more third parties designated, in writing, by the client without
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obtaining written client consent for each separate, individual transaction, as long as
the client has provided us with written authorization to do so. Such written
authorization is known as a Standing Letter of Authorization. An adviser with authority
to conduct such third-party transfers on a client’s behalf has access to the client’s
assets and therefore has custody of the client’s assets in any related accounts.
However, Curi Capital is not required to obtain a surprise annual audit, as would
otherwise be required by reason of having custody, as long as Curi Capital meets the
following criteria:
•
Client provides written, signed instructions to the qualified custodian that
includes the third party’s name and address or account number at a custodian.
•
Client authorizes Curi Capital in writing to direct transfers to the third party
either on a specified schedule or from time to time;
•
Client’s qualified custodian verifies client authorization (e.g., signature review)
and provides a transfer of funds notice to client promptly after each transfer;
•
Client can terminate or change the instruction;
•
Curi Capital has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party;
•
Curi Capital maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party
to Curi Capital nor located at the same address as Curi Capital; and
•
Client’s qualified custodian sends client, in writing, an initial notice confirming
the instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Curi Capital hereby confirms that it meets the above criteria.
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ITEM 16: INVESTMENT DISCRETION
Curi Capital provides both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory
services to its clients.
Discretionary Authority
Where investment discretion has been granted, Curi Capital supervises and manages
the account and makes investment decisions without consulting the client.
Discretionary decisions include determinations regarding which securities are bought
and sold for the account, the total amount of the securities to be bought and sold, the
brokers with whom orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed for
execution and the price per share and the commission rates at which securities
transactions are affected.
instances, Curi Capital’s discretionary authority
In some
in making these
determinations may be limited by conditions imposed by clients in their investment
guidelines or objectives or in instructions otherwise provided to Curi Capital. Examples
of common guideline restrictions include limitations prohibiting the purchase or sale
of a particular security or type of security or directing transactions to be affected with
specific brokers or dealers. Specific client investment restrictions may limit our ability
to manage those assets like other similarly managed portfolios. This may impact the
performance of the account relative to other accounts and the benchmark index.
These clients are informed that their restrictions may impact performance.
Non-Discretionary Authority
To the extent Curi Capital manages a client’s account on a non-discretionary basis,
Curi Capital will make investment recommendations to the client as to which securities
are to be purchased or sold, and the amounts to be purchased or sold. Upon approving
the recommended transactions, the client may request that Curi Capital direct the
execution of purchase or sale orders to implement the recommended transactions for
the client’s account.
Curi Capital then may be given authority to determine the brokers or dealers through
which the transactions will be executed, and the commission rates, if any, paid to
affect the transactions. As noted above with respect to discretionary accounts, the
client may direct that their transactions be affected with specific brokers or dealers.
Generally, trading for non-discretionary accounts will not be aggregated with trading
for discretionary accounts. Clients under non-discretionary arrangements should be
aware that if Curi Capital is not able to aggregate such trades, non-discretionary
accounts will be traded after trading for discretionary accounts is executed which may
result in inferior execution prices for those trades.
Curi Capital will not exercise discretion when determining whether to make an
investment in Curi Capital-managed private funds.
Reporting Services
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We also provide reporting services related to the assets that clients designate in their
account agreement. We do not manage or provide investment recommendations and
are not responsible for the investments in accounts categorized as reporting only
assets.
Retirement Plan Services – Plan Sponsors
Curi Capital does not have discretionary authority for the selection of any securities or
other investments for plan sponsor client accounts. When recommending investments,
Curi Capital observes the investment policies, guidelines, limitations and restrictions
of the retirement plans sponsored and/or administered by its plan sponsor clients,
which must be provided to Curi Capital by the client in writing. The selection of
investments for a plan sponsor client’s retirement plan is generally subject to the
approval of the trustees or similar governing body of such retirement plan. For most
retirement plans, the participants in the retirement plan direct the investment of their
retirement plan accounts.
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ITEM 17: VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Curi Capital has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that Curi Capital
believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest
of clients in those cases where a client has contractually given proxy voting
responsibility to Curi Capital.
General Guidelines
Where clients have delegated Curi Capital discretion to vote proxies, votes are cast in
accordance with Curi Capital’s fiduciary duties and SEC rule 206(4)-6 under the
Advisers Act. The proxy voting guidelines have been tailored to reflect these rules and
the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts set out
by the Department of Labor. Where a client does not delegate proxy voting authority
to Curi Capital, the client is responsible for voting proxies.
Where Curi Capital has proxy voting authority, Curi Capital has contracted with an
independent proxy advisory firm (the “Proxy Firm”) to handle administration and voting
of client proxies. Additionally, the Proxy Firm provides research on proxy proposals and
vote recommendations based on written guidelines, which are periodically reviewed
and approved from time to time by Curi Capital’s Proxy Voting Committee (the
“Committee”).
Curi Capital, as a general matter, follows the voting recommendations of the Proxy
Firm, though Curi Capital retains the right to determine the vote on a particular proxy
issue. Accordingly, there may be instances, including those in which the Proxy Firm
recommends a vote, in which the Asset Management team or a Portfolio Manager will
provide the Committee with its written analysis as to why Curi Capital should not vote
as recommended by the Proxy Firm on a particular proxy issue. In those instances, the
Committee may decide to vote contrary to the Proxy Firm recommendation if it is
determined to be in the best interests of the clients. As a matter of course, members
of the Committee will also review issues for which the Proxy Firm does not provide a
recommendation.
Material Conflicts
In cases in which it is determined that Curi Capital has a material conflict of interest
that could influence how proxies are voted, such conflicts may be resolved by using
the recommendation of the Proxy Firm if it is determined to be in the best interests of
the client. Alternatively, Curi Capital, when appropriate, may decide to disclose the
conflict to the affected clients and give the clients the opportunity to vote their proxies
themselves, or the Committee may review the issue and determine a vote. In any of
these material conflict of interest situations, the Committee will review the issue and
determine a resolution.
Abstentions
Additionally, there may be cases where Curi Capital deems that the cost-benefit
analysis of voting proxies received for client accounts may lead to Curi Capital declining
to vote. Such instances may include:
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• Voting for foreign securities in countries which require “share-blocking”;
• Securities in transition or already sold before the date of the shareholder
meeting;
• Completing ballots for companies held in the client account as of the
record date, but which are no longer owned at the time that a vote would
be cast;
• RBA receives proxy materials without sufficient time to reach an informed
voting decision and vote the proxies;
• Terms of an applicable client agreement reserve voting authority to the
client or another party.
and
procedures
by
contacting Curi Capital
by
email
Clients may request information on votes cast or a copy of Curi Capital’s proxy voting
policies
at
compliance@rmbcap.com or by phone at (312) 993-5800.
Proxy voting is not applicable to Curi Capital’s provision of model portfolios, or the
retirement plan services provided to plan sponsors.
Curi Capital does not generally participate in class action lawsuits directly on behalf of
clients. Clients are given an option to elect a third-party vendor to provide class action
litigation monitoring and claim filing. Curi Capital does, however, facilitate an exchange
of information between the client and the third-party vendor. Any information received
regarding class action lawsuits will be forwarded to the clients who may be eligible to
participate and do not elect to utilize the services of a third- party vendor.
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ITEM 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Registered investment advisers are required in this section to provide you with certain
financial information or disclosures about their financial condition. Curi Capital has no
financial commitments that would impair its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary
commitments to clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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