Overview
Assets Under Management: $123 million
Headquarters: SCOTTSDALE, AZ
High-Net-Worth Clients: 6
Average Client Assets: $17 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (FORM ADV PART 2A - FIRM BROCHURE)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $500,000 | 1.35% |
| $500,001 | $1,000,000 | 1.25% |
| $1,000,001 | $3,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $3,000,001 | $5,000,000 | 0.90% |
| $5,000,001 | and above | Negotiable |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $13,000 | 1.30% |
| $5 million | $51,000 | 1.02% |
| $10 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $50 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $100 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 6
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 83.98
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $17 million
Total Client Accounts: 78
Discretionary Accounts: 78
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 172113
Last Filing Date: 2025-02-04 00:00:00
Website: https://sierralegacygroup.com
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: FORM ADV PART 2A - FIRM BROCHURE (2025-05-06)
View Document Text
Form ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
Item 1: Cover Page
May 2025
6424 E. Greenway Parkway, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
www.sierralegacygroup.com
Firm Contact:
Geoffrey Grenert
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Cypress
Advisory Group, LLC dba Sierra Legacy Group. If you have any questions about the contents of this
brochure, please contact us by telephone at (775) 322-4500 or email Geoff@sierralegacygroup.com.
The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission or by any State Securities Authority.
Additional information about Sierra Legacy Group also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching CRD # 172113.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of Sierra Legacy
Group and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. You are
encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise
you for more information on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
Since our last annual amendment filed on 02/04/2025, we have the following material change(s) to
report:
• Our firm, Cypress Advisory Group, LLC, has started conducting business as Sierra Legacy
Group.
• Geoffrey Grenert can be reached by email at Geoff@sierralegacygroup.com going forward.
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Sierra Legacy Group
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Item 2: Material Changes ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4: Advisory Business.................................................................................................................................................... 4
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management ........................................................................... 7
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements .................................................................................................... 7
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ................................................................... 7
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .................................................................................................................................... 12
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations .................................................................................. 12
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading ............. 13
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ....................................................................................................... 17
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ..................................................................................................... 17
Item 15: Custody .................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Item 16: Investment Discretion ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Item 18: Financial Information ........................................................................................................................................ 19
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Item 4: Advisory Business
We are dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of investment
advisory services. Our firm is a limited liability company formed in the State of Nevada. Our firm has
been in business as an investment adviser since 2014 and is solely owned by Geoffrey Grenert.
Description of the Types of Advisory Services We Offer
Asset Management:
We emphasize continuous and regular account supervision. As part of our asset management service,
we create an investment portfolio that is tailored to the specific needs of each client. Each portfolio will
be initially designed to meet a particular investment goal, which we determine to be suitable to the
client’s circumstances. Once the appropriate portfolio has been determined, we review the portfolio at
least quarterly and if necessary, rebalance the portfolio based upon the client’s individual needs, stated
goals and objectives.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
Our firm provides a variety of standalone financial planning and consulting services to clients for the
management of financial resources based upon an analysis of current situation, goals, and objectives.
Financial planning services will typically involve preparing a financial plan or rendering a financial
consultation for clients based on the client’s financial goals and objectives. This planning or
consulting may encompass Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Charitable
Planning, Education Planning, Corporate and Personal Tax Planning, Cost Segregation Study,
Corporate Structure, Real Estate Analysis, Mortgage/Debt Analysis, Insurance Analysis, Lines of
Credit Evaluation, or Business and Personal Financial Planning.
Written financial plans or financial consultations rendered to clients usually include general
recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the clients.
Implementation of the recommendations will be at the discretion of the client. Our firm provides
clients with a summary of their financial situation, and observations for financial planning
engagements. Financial consultations are not typically accompanied by a written summary of
observations and recommendations, as the process is less formal than the planning service. Assuming
that all the information and documents requested from the client are provided promptly, plans or
consultations are typically completed within 6 months of the client signing a contract with our firm.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
We offer individualized investment advice to clients utilizing our Asset Management service. General
investment advice will be offered to our Financial Planning & Consulting clients.
Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held
in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may not be
possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account. Restrictions would
be limited to our Asset Management service.
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Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
We do not offer wrap fee programs.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of 12/31/2024, we managed $123,288,236 on a discretionary basis.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
How We Are Compensated for Our Advisory Services
Asset Management:
Assets Under Management
$0 to $499,999
$500,000 to $999,999
$1,000,000 to $2,999,999
$3,000,000 to $4,999,999
Over $5,000,000
Annual Percentage of Assets Charge
1.35%
1.25%
1.00%
0.90%
Negotiable
Our firm’s annualized fees are billed on a pro-rata basis quarterly in advance based on the time-
weighted daily average of your account(s) during the previous quarter. Fees may be negotiable and
will be deducted from your managed account. As part of this process, the client is made aware of the
following:
a) The client’s independent custodian sends statements at least quarterly showing the market
values for each security included in the Assets and all account disbursements, including the
amount of the advisory fees paid to our firm;
b) Clients will provide authorization permitting our firm to be directly paid by these terms. Our
firm will send an invoice directly to the custodian; and
c) If our firm sends a copy of our invoice to the client, our invoice will include a disclosure urging
the client to compare the information provided in our statement with those from the qualified
custodian.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
We charge on an hourly or flat fee basis for financial planning and consulting services. The total
estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and complexity of
our engagement with you. Our fees are calculated based on the time spent and the hourly rate of the
person doing the work. Our hourly fees are as follows:
Name
Geoff Grenert, Principal
Design Analyst
General Administrative Staff
Hourly Rate
$200
$150
$60
Travel time to and from client meeting will be billed at 20% of the hourly billing rate indicated above.
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Our flat fees range from $1,500 to $10,000. We may require a retainer of fifty-percent (50%) of the
ultimate financial planning or consulting fee with the remainder of the fee directly billed to you and
due to us within thirty (30) days of your financial plan being delivered or consultation rendered to
you. Our firm will not require prepayment of more than $1,200 when services cannot be rendered
within 6 months.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Clients will incur transaction charges for trades executed in their accounts. These transaction fees
are separate from our fees and will be disclosed by the firm that the trades are executed through.
Also, clients will pay the following separately incurred expenses, which we do not receive any part
of: charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (i.e., fund management fees and other fund expenses).
Termination & Refunds
We charge our advisory fees quarterly in advance. In the event that you wish to terminate our
services, we will refund the unearned portion of our advisory fee to you. You need to contact us in
writing and state that you wish to terminate our services. Upon receipt of your letter of termination,
we will proceed to close out your account and process a pro-rata refund of unearned advisory fees.
If the Client does not receive our brochure and brochure supplements at least forty-eight (48) hours
prior to entering into an agreement, the Client has the right to terminate our services without penalty
within five (5) business days of entering into the agreement.
Financial Planning & Consulting clients may terminate their agreement at any time before the
delivery of a financial plan by providing written notice. For purposes of calculating refunds, all work
performed by us up to the point of termination shall be calculated at the hourly fee currently in effect.
Clients will receive a pro-rata refund of unearned fees based on the time and effort expended by our
firm.
Commissionable Securities Sales
In order to sell securities for a commission, our supervised persons are registered representatives of
M Holdings Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Our supervised persons may accept compensation
for the sale of securities or other investment products, including distribution or service (“trail”) fees
from the sale of mutual funds.
Additionally, our firm may offer and be compensated for the sale of private placement annuities and
variable life insurance through our broker-dealer affiliate, M Holdings Securities, Inc., member
FINRA/SIPC, to qualified clients.
A "Qualified Client" is defined as:
(i) A natural person who or a company that immediately after entering into the contract has at least
$1,000,000 under the management of the investment adviser;
(ii) A natural person who or a company that the investment adviser entering into the contract (and
any person acting on his behalf) reasonably believes, immediately prior to entering into the
contract, either:
(A) Has a net worth (together, in the case of a natural person, with assets held jointly with a
spouse) of more than $2,100,000, at the time the contract is entered into; or
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(B) Is a qualified purchaser as defined in section 2(a)(51)(AA) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (15U.S.C. 80a-2(51)(A)) at the time the contract is entered into; or
(iii) A natural person who immediately prior to entering into the contract is:
(A) An executive officer, director, trustee, general partner or person serving in similar capacity,
of the investment adviser; or
(B) An employee of the investment adviser (other than an employee performing solely clerical,
secretarially or administrative functions with regard to the investment adviser) who, in
connection with his or her regular functions or duties, participates in the investment
activities of such investment adviser, provided that such employee has been performing such
functions and duties for or on behalf of the investment adviser, or substantially similar
functions or duties for or on behalf of another company for at least 12 months.
You should be aware that the practice of accepting commissions for the sale of securities:
1. Presents a conflict of interest and gives our firm and/or our supervised persons an incentive to
recommend investment products based on the compensation received, rather than on your
needs. We generally address commissionable sales conflicts that arise when explaining to clients
that commissionable securities sales creates an incentive to recommend products based on the
compensation we and/or our supervised persons may earn and/or when recommending
commissionable mutual funds, explaining that “no-load” funds are also available.
2. In no way prohibits you from purchasing investment products recommended by us through other
brokers or agents which are not affiliated with us.
3. To mitigate this potential conflict, our firm will make recommendations based on your best
interest.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
We do not accept performance-based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
Our types of clients include Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals.
We require a minimum household balance of $500,000 for our Asset Management service. This
minimum household balance requirement may be negotiable depending on the scope and complexity
of the engagement. The Investment Adviser Representative would hold the discretion of waiving the
fee.
Written financial plans are generally assessed a minimum fee of $1,500.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or managing
client assets:
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Fundamental Analysis: We attempt to measure the intrinsic value of a security by looking at
economic and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the financial
condition and management of the company itself) to determine if the company is underpriced
(indicating it may be a good time to buy) or overpriced (indicating it may be time to sell).
Fundamental analysis does not attempt to anticipate market movements. This presents a potential
risk, as the price of a security can move up or down along with the overall market regardless of the
economic and financial factors considered in evaluating the stock.
Investment Strategies We Use
We use the following strategies in managing client accounts, provided that such strategies are
appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
Long-Term Purchases: When utilizing this strategy, we may purchase securities with the idea of
holding them for a relatively long time (typically held for at least a year). A risk in a long-term
purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time, we may not take advantage
of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover, if our predictions are incorrect, a
security may decline sharply in value before we make the decision to sell. Typically we employ this
sub-strategy when we believe the securities to be well valued; and/or we want exposure to a
particular asset class over time, regardless of the current projection for this class.
Short-Term Purchases: When utilizing this strategy, we may also purchase securities with the idea
of selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). We do this in an attempt to
take advantage of conditions that we believe will soon result in a price swing in the securities we
purchase.
Short Sales: We borrow shares of a stock for your portfolio from someone who owns the stock on a
promise to replace the shares on a future date at a certain price. Those borrowed shares are then
sold. On the agreed-upon future date, we buy the same stock and return the shares to the original
owner. We engage in short selling based on our determination that the stock will go down in price
after we have borrowed the shares. If we are correct and the stock price has gone down since the
shares were purchased from the original owner, the client account realizes the profit.
Margin Transactions: We will purchase stocks for your portfolio with money borrowed from your
brokerage account. This allows you to purchase more stock than you would be able to with your
available cash, and allows us to purchase stock without selling other holdings.
Option Writing: We may use options as an investment strategy. An option is a contract that gives
the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset (such as a share of stock) at a specific
price on or before a certain date. An option, just like a stock or bond, is a security. An option is also a
derivative, because it derives its value from an underlying asset. The two types of options are calls
and puts. A call gives us the right to buy an asset at a certain price within a specific period of time.
We will buy a call if we have determined that the stock will increase substantially before the option
expires. A put gives us the holder the right to sell an asset at a certain price within a specific period
of time. We will buy a put if we have determined that the price of the stock will fall before the option
expires.
We will use options to "hedge" a purchase of the underlying security; in other words, we will use an
option purchase to limit the potential upside and downside of a security we have purchased for your
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portfolio.
We use "covered calls", in which we sell an option on security you own. In this strategy, you receive
a fee for making the option available, and the person purchasing the option has the right to buy the
security from you at an agreed-upon price.
We use a "spreading strategy", in which we purchase two or more option contracts (for example, a
call option that you buy and a call option that you sell) for the same underlying security. This
effectively puts you on both sides of the market, but with the ability to vary price, time and other
factors.
Private Funds & Private Placements: A private fund is an investment vehicle that pools capital from
a number of investors and invests in securities and other instruments. In almost all cases, a private
fund is a private investment vehicle that is typically not registered under federal or state securities
laws. So that private funds do not have to register under these laws, issuers make the funds available
only to certain sophisticated or accredited investors and cannot be offered or sold to the general
public. Private funds are generally smaller than mutual funds because they are often limited to a small
number of investors and have a more limited number of eligible investors. Many but not all private
funds use leverage as part of their investment strategies. Private funds management fees typically
include a base management fee along with a performance component. In many cases, the fund’s
managers may become “partners” with their clients by making personal investments of their own
assets in the fund. Most private funds offer their securities by providing an offering memorandum or
private placement memorandum, known as “PPM” for short.
The PPM covers important information for investors and investors should review this document
carefully and should consider conducting additional due diligence before investing in the private
fund. The primary risks of private funds include the following: (a) Private funds do not sell publicly
and are therefore illiquid. An investor may not be able to exit a private fund or sell its interests in the
fund before the fund closes.; and (b) Private funds are subject to various other risks, including risks
associated with the types of securities that the private fund invests in or the type of business issuing
the private placement.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock
market may increase and your account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market
may decrease and your account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that you understand the risks
associated with investing in the stock market, are appropriately diversified in your investments, and
ask us any questions you may have.
Description of Material, Significant or Unusual Risks
We generally invest client’s cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of
Deposit, high-grade commercial paper and/or government backed debt instruments. Ultimately, we
try to achieve the highest return on our client’s cash balances through relatively low-risk
conservative investments. In most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money
market account so that our firm may debit advisory fees for our services related to Asset
Management, as applicable.
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Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs):
An ETF is a type of Investment Company (usually, an open-end fund or unit investment trust) whose
primary objective is to achieve the same return as a particular market index.
An ETF is similar to an index fund in that it will primarily invest in securities of companies that are
included in a selected market index. Unlike traditional mutual funds, which can only be redeemed at
the end of a trading day, ETFs trade throughout the day on an exchange. Like stock mutual funds, the
prices of the underlying securities and the overall market may affect ETF prices. Similarly, factors
affecting a particular industry segment may affect ETF prices that track that particular sector.
Mutual Funds (Open-end Investment Company):
A mutual fund is a company that pools money from many investors and invests the money in stocks,
bonds, short-term money-market instruments, other securities or assets, or some combination of
these investments. The portfolio of the fund consists of the combined holdings it owns. Each share
represents an investor’s proportionate ownership of the fund’s holdings and the income those
holdings generate. The price that investors pay for mutual fund shares is the fund’s per share net
asset value (NAV) plus any shareholder fees that the fund imposes at the time of purchase (such as
sales loads).
The benefits of investing through mutual funds include:
• Professionally Managed - Mutual funds are professionally managed by an investment adviser
who researches, selects, and monitors the performance of the securities purchased by the
fund.
• Diversification - Mutual funds typically have the benefit of diversification, which is an
investing strategy that generally sums up as “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Spreading
investments across a wide range of companies and industry sectors can help lower the risk if
a company or sector fails. Some investors find it easier to achieve diversification through
ownership of mutual funds rather than through ownership of individual stocks or bonds.
• Affordability - Some mutual funds accommodate investors who do not have a lot of money to
invest by setting relatively low dollar amounts for initial purchases, subsequent monthly
purchases, or both.
• Liquidity - At any time, mutual fund investors can readily redeem their shares at the current
NAV, less any fees and charges assessed on redemption.
Mutual funds also have features that some investors might view as disadvantages:
• Costs Despite Negative Returns - Investors must pay sales charges, annual fees, and other
expenses regardless of how the fund performs. Depending on the timing of their investment,
investors may also have to pay taxes on any capital gains distribution they receive. This
includes instances where the fund went on to perform poorly after purchasing shares.
• Lack of Control - Investors typically cannot ascertain the exact make-up of a fund’s portfolio
at any given time, nor can they directly influence which securities the fund manager buys and
sells or the timing of those trades.
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• Price Uncertainty - With an individual stock, investors can obtain real-time (or close to real-
time) pricing information with relative ease by checking financial websites or by calling a
broker or your investment adviser. Investors can also monitor how a stock’s price changes
from hour to hour—or even second to second. By contrast, with a mutual fund, the price at
which an investor purchases or redeems shares will typically depend on the fund’s NAV,
which the fund might not calculate until many hours after the investor placed the order.
In general, mutual funds must calculate their NAV at least once every business day, typically
after the major U.S. exchanges close.
Equity Securities:
Equity securities represent an ownership position in a company. Equity securities typically consist
of common stocks. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on, among other things, events
specific to their issuers and market, economic and other conditions.
For example, prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or
third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices.
There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular equity securities, which may
adversely affect Our firm 's ability to value accurately or dispose of such equity securities. Adverse
publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the
value and/or liquidity of equity securities.
Debt Securities (Bonds):
Issuers use debt securities to borrow money. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and
repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity.
Alternatively, investors can purchase other debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, which do not
pay current interest, but rather are priced at a discount from their face values and their values accrete
over time to face value at maturity. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on such
factors as interest rates, credit quality, and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities
decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Bonds with longer rates of
maturity tend to have greater interest rate risks.
Certain additional risk factors relating to debt securities include:
Reinvestment Risk - When interest rates are declining, investors have to reinvest their interest income
and any return of principal, whether scheduled or unscheduled, at lower prevailing rates.
Inflation Risk - Inflation causes tomorrow’s dollar to be worth less than today’s; in other words, it
reduces the purchasing power of a bond investor’s future interest payments and principal,
collectively known as “cash flows.” Inflation also leads to higher interest rates, which in turn leads to
lower bond prices.
Interest Rate and Market Risk - Debt securities may be sensitive to economic changes, political and
corporate developments, and interest rate changes. Investors can also expect periods of economic
change and uncertainty, which can result in increased volatility of market prices and yields of certain
debt securities. For example, prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by
the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices.
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Call Risk - Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions entitling their issuers to redeem
them at a specified price on a date prior to maturity. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower
interest rate market, the account would have to replace the security with a lower yielding security,
resulting in decreased income to investors.
Usually, a bond is called at or close to par value. This subjects investors that paid a premium for their
bond risk of lost principal. In reality, prices of callable bonds are unlikely to move much above the
call price if lower interest rates make the bond likely to be called.
Credit Risk - If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its obligations to pay interest or principal or is
the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the account may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery
of amounts owed to it.
Liquidity and Valuation Risk - There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular debt
securities, which may affect adversely the account's ability to value accurately or dispose of such debt
securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental
analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of debt securities.
Our firm attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the client’s portfolio
and by credit analysis of each issuer, as well as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate
and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
Credit ratings for debt securities provided by rating agencies reflect an evaluation of the safety of
principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency's
view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect
actual outcomes. There can be a lag between the time of developments relating to an issuer and the
time a rating is assigned and updated.
Bond rating agencies may assign modifiers (such as +/-) to ratings categories to signify the relative
position of a credit within the rating category. Unless we state otherwise, clients should include any
security within that category without considering the modifier when reading their investment
policies based on ratings categories.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to the evaluation of our advisory business
or the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Representatives of our firm are registered representatives of M Holdings Securities, Inc., member
FINRA/SIPC, and licensed insurance agents/brokers. They may offer products and receive normal
and customary commissions as a result of these transactions. A conflict of interest exists as these
commissionable securities sales create an incentive to recommend products based on the
compensation earned. To mitigate this potential conflict, our firm will act in the client’s best interest.
Representative(s) of our firm have become dually registered with another registered investment
adviser, M Holdings Securities, Inc. (CRD# 43285). In order to mitigate any financial conflict of
interest, advisory services are only offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc. when managing
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private placement products. Dually registered persons will not receive any advisory compensation
for managing such private placement products. Please see Item 10 for additional information.
Geoffrey Grenert is Managing Member of Grenert Financial Group, LLC doing business as Sierra
Legacy Group. Mr. Grenert conducts his insurance business and any services related under M
Holdings Securities, Inc. Any possible conflicts of interest associated with this activity are detailed
above.
Mr. Grenert is also compensated for the sale of private placement annuities and variable life
insurance through M Holdings Securities, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Grenert is paid a fee for assets put in
private placements that utilize Eastern Shore and Global Value Advisors funds. Qualified clients of
Sierra Legacy Group may be solicited to invest in these private placements. A conflict of interest
exists as these commissionable securities sales create an incentive to recommend products based on
the compensation earned. To mitigate this potential conflict, Mr. Grenert will make recommendations
based on the client’s best interest.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions & Personal Trading
An investment adviser is considered a fiduciary and our firm has a fiduciary duty to all clients. As a
fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material
facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of our clients at all times. Our fiduciary duty is
considered the core underlying principle for our Code of Ethics which also includes Insider Trading and
Personal Securities Transactions Policies and Procedures. If a client or a potential client wishes to review
our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy will be provided upon request.
We recognize that the personal investment transactions of members and employees of our firm demand
the application of a high Code of Ethics and require that all such transactions be carried out in a way that
does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, we believe that if investment goals are
similar for clients and for members and employees of our firm, it is logical and even desirable that there
be common ownership of some securities.
Therefore, in order to prevent conflicts of interest, we have in place a set of procedures (including a pre-
clearing procedure) with respect to transactions effected by our members, officers and employees for
their personal accounts1. In order to monitor compliance with our personal trading policy, we have a
quarterly securities transaction reporting system for all of our associates. Upon employment or
affiliation and at least annually thereafter, all supervised persons will sign an acknowledgement that
they have read, understand, and agree to comply with our Code of Ethics.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends to clients, or buys or sells for client accounts,
securities in which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest. Related persons of
our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also recommended to clients. In
order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead of their
own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics. Further, our related persons will refrain from
buying or selling the same securities prior to buying or selling for our clients in the same day. If related
1 For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse,
his/her minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our
associate controls, including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in.
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persons’ accounts are included in a block trade, our related persons accounts will be traded in the same
manner every time.
Our firm and supervised persons must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid
all circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to all
clients. This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
We seek to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold your assets and execute transactions on
terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their
services. We consider a wide range of factors, including, among others, these:
• Timeliness of execution
• Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
• Research services provided
• Ability to provide investment ideas
• Execution facilitation services provided
• Record keeping services provided
• Custody services provided
• Frequency and correction of trading errors
• Ability to access a variety of market venues
• Expertise as it relates to specific securities
• Financial condition
• Business reputation
• Quality of services
With the aforementioned in consideration, we utilize the services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
(“Schwab”). Schwab is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, member SIPC, as the qualified custodian. We
are independently owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab. Schwab offers to independent
investment advisers non-soft dollar services which include custody of securities, trade execution,
clearance and settlement of transactions.
Products and Services Available to Us from Schwab
Schwab Advisor Services (formerly called Schwab Institutional) is Schwab’s business serving
independent investment advisory firms like us. They provide us and our clients with access to its
institutional brokerage – trading, custody, reporting and related services – many of which are not
typically available to Schwab retail customers. Schwab also makes available various support services.
Some of those services help us manage or administer our clients’ accounts while others help us manage
and grow our business. Here is a more detailed description of Schwab’s support services:
Services that Benefit You.
Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment products,
execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products available
through Schwab include some to which we might not otherwise have access or that would require a
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significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients. Schwab’s services described in this
paragraph generally benefit you and your account.
Services that May Indirectly Benefit You.
Schwab also makes available to us other products and services that benefit us but may not directly
benefit you or your account. These products and services assist us in managing and administering our
clients’ accounts. They include investment research, both Schwab’s own and that of third parties. We
may use this research to service all or some substantial number of our clients’ accounts, including
accounts not maintained at Schwab. In addition to investment research, Schwab also makes available
software and other technology that:
• provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements);
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts;
facilitate payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts; and
•
• provide pricing and other market data;
•
• assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Services that Generally Benefit Our Firm.
Schwab also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our business
enterprise. These services include:
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
• educational conferences and events
•
• publications and conferences on practice management and business succession; and
• access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance providers.
Schwab may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party
vendors to provide the services to us. Schwab may also discount or waive its fees for some of
these services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide us with other
benefits such as occasional business entertainment of our personnel.
We do not use client brokerage commissions to obtain research or other products or services. The
aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage accounts for which
we have investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to purchase
the same or similar services at our own expense.
As a result of receiving these services, we may have an incentive to continue to use or expand the use of
Schwab services. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when we chose to enter into the
relationship with Schwab and we have determined that the relationship is in the best interest of our
firm’s clients and satisfies our fiduciary obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
Schwab charges brokerage commissions and transaction fees for effecting certain securities
transactions (i.e., transaction fees are charged for certain no-load mutual funds, commissions are
charged for individual equity and debt securities transactions). Schwab enables us to obtain many
no-load mutual funds without transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal transaction
charges. Schwab commission rates are generally discounted from customary retail commission rates.
The commission and transaction fees charged by Schwab may be higher or lower than those charged
by other custodians and broker-dealers.
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Clients may pay a commission to Schwab that is higher than another qualified broker dealer might
charge to effect the same transaction where we determine in good faith that the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services received In seeking best
execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the transaction
represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full range of a broker-dealer’s
services, including the value of research provided, execution capability, commission rates, and
responsiveness. Accordingly, although we will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all clients, we
may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific client account
transactions.
Soft Dollars
Advisor's recommendation or requirement that a client place assets in Schwab's custody may be
based in part on benefits Schwab provides to Advisor, or Advisor's agreement to maintain certain
Assets Under Management at Schwab, and not solely on the nature, cost or quality of custody and
execution services provided by Schwab.
Although the investment research products and services that may be obtained by our firm will
generally be used to service all of our clients, a brokerage commission paid by a specific client may
be used to pay for research that is not used in managing that specific client’s account.
Our firm does not accept products or services that do not qualify for Safe Harbor outlined in Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as those services that do not aid in investment
decision-making or trade execution.
Client Brokerage Commissions
We do not acquire client brokerage commissions (markups or markdowns).
Procedures to Direct Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
We do not direct client transactions to a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
Neither we nor any of our firm’s related persons have discretionary authority in making the
determination of the brokers with whom orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed for
execution, and the commission rates at which such securities transactions are effected. We routinely
recommend that a client directs us to execute through a specified broker-dealer. Our firm
recommends the use of Schwab. Each client will be required to establish their account(s) with Schwab
if not already done. Please note that not all advisers have this requirement.
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Permissibility of Client-Directed Brokerage
We allow clients to direct brokerage outside our recommendation. We may be unable to achieve the
most favorable execution of client transactions. Client directed brokerage may cost clients more
money. For example, in a directed brokerage account, you may pay higher brokerage commissions
because we may not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, or you may receive less
favorable prices.
Aggregation of Purchase or Sale
We perform investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which
portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment
objectives. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or
disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts, they are affected only when we believe that to
do so will be in the best interest of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur,
the objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts
involved. In any given situation, we attempt to allocate trade executions in the most equitable manner
possible, taking into consideration client objectives, current asset allocation and availability of funds
using price averaging, proration and consistently non-arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
We review accounts on at least a quarterly basis for our clients subscribing to our Asset Management
service. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether clients’ accounts are in line with their
investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market conditions, and investment
policies, if applicable. We do not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so. Verbal
reports to clients take place on at least an annual basis when we contact clients.
Only our Financial Advisors or Portfolio Managers will conduct reviews of client accounts.
We may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors which may
trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events, requests by
the client, etc.
Financial Planning clients do not receive reviews of their written plans unless they take action to
schedule a financial consultation with us. Our firm does not provide ongoing services to financial
planning clients, but are willing to meet with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to
their plans, changes in their circumstances, etc. Financial Planning clients do not receive written or
verbal updated reports regarding their financial plans unless they separately engage our firm for a
post-financial plan meeting or update to their initial written financial plan.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Schwab
We receive an economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services it
makes available to us and other independent investment advisors that have their clients maintain
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accounts at Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of
interest are described above (see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices). The availability to us of Schwab’s
products and services is not based on us giving particular investment advice, such as buying
particular securities for our clients.
Referral Fees
In accordance with Rule 206 (4)-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, our firm does not provide
cash or non-cash compensation directly or indirectly to unaffiliated persons for testimonials or
endorsements (which include client referrals).
Item 15: Custody
Deduction of Advisory Fees:
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets (which are maintained by a
qualified custodian, as discussed above), we are deemed to have custody of certain client assets if
given the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts, as further described below under “Third
Party Money Movement.” All our clients receive account statements directly from their qualified
custodian(s) at least quarterly upon opening of an account. We urge our clients to carefully review
these statements. Additionally, if our firm decides to send its own account statements to clients, such
statements will include a legend that recommends the client compare the account statements
received from the qualified custodian with those received from our firm. Clients are encouraged to
raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their assets and our custodial
recommendations.
Third Party Money Movement:
On February 21, 2017, the SEC issued a no‐action letter (“Letter”) with respect to Rule 206(4)‐2
(“Custody Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided
guidance on the Custody Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who has the power to disburse client
funds to a third party under a standing letter of authorization (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody.
As such, our firm has adopted the following safeguards in conjunction with our custodian:
• The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
• The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s
form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from
time to time.
• The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as
a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and provides a
transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
• The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified
custodian.
• The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the
client’s instruction.
• The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party
of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
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• The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
We encourage our clients to raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their
assets. The custodians we do business with will send you independent account statements listing
your account balance(s), transaction history and any fee debits or other fees taken out of your
account.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
an executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, we are
authorized to execute securities transactions, which securities are bought and sold, the total amount
to be bought and sold, and the costs at which the transactions will be effected. Limitations may be
imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of discretion with our
firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
We do not accept proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies or other
solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are sent to our
firm, we will forward them on to you and ask the party who sent them to mail them directly to you in
the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions they may have about particular
proxy votes or other solicitations.
Item 18: Financial Information
We are not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
• We do not require the prepayment of more than $500 in fees and six or more months in
advance.
• We do not take custody of client funds or securities.
• We do not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary obligations to clients.
We have never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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