Overview
- Headquarters
- Chadds Ford, PA
- Average Client Assets
- $4.4 million
- SEC CRD Number
- 157646
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A BROCHURE)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.45% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $14,500 | 1.45% |
| $5 million | $72,500 | 1.45% |
| $10 million | $145,000 | 1.45% |
| $50 million | $725,000 | 1.45% |
| $100 million | $1,450,000 | 1.45% |
Clients
- HNW Share of Firm Assets
- 73.07%
- Total Client Accounts
- 1,695
- Discretionary Accounts
- 1,620
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 75
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients
Regulatory Filings
Additional Brochure: ADV PART 2A BROCHURE (2026-03-25)
View Document Text
DT Investment Partners, LLC
Part 2A of Form ADV
The Brochure
Updated March 25, 2026
Brandywine Five
1 Dickinson Drive, Suite 103
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
484-778-4425
www.dtinvestmentpartners.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices
of DT Investment Partners, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of
this brochure please contact the Compliance Officer, Stacey Scheb, at
484-778-4427. The information in this brochure has not been approved by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any state securities authority.
DT Investment Partners, LLC is a registered investment adviser. 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 determine to hire or retain an Adviser.
Additional information about DT Investment Partners LLC (CRD # 157646) is also
available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES
Form ADV Part 2 requires registered investment advisers to amend their brochure when
information becomes materially inaccurate. If there are any material changes to an adviser's
disclosure brochure, the adviser is required to notify you and provide you with a description of
the material changes.
Since our Annual Updating Amendment dated March 14, 2025, DT Investment Partners, LLC
has the following material changes to report:
• As of December 31, 2025, Andrew Zimmerman, Member/CIS has retired. Ownership is
•
•
now as follows: Jonathan Smith, Member/CEO/CFO, owns approximately 75.93% of the
firm. The remaining 24.07% ownership interest is held by John Blair, Jr, Member/VP.
Item 5 of Form ADV Part 2A reflects that DTIP’s fee for discretionary and
non‑discretionary investment management services, which includes comprehensive
financial planning is based on a percentage of assets under management, up to a
maximum of 1.45%. Please refer to Item 5 of Form ADV Part 2A for additional
information regarding DTIP’s fees.
Item 7 of Form ADV Part 2A has been amended to clarify that DTIP currently does not
require a minimum investment size to open and maintain an advisory account; however,
DTIP has the right to terminate the client’s account if it falls below a minimum size
which, in its sole opinion, is too small to manage effectively.
•
• DTIP offers several of its strategies to wrap platform sponsors. Currently, DTIP does not
recommend that its clients use a wrap‑fee sponsor whose program includes its strategies.
Please refer to Item 10 of the Form ADV Part 2A for additional information on this topic.
Item 15 of the Form ADV Part 2A has been amended to reflect that DTIP, or individuals
associated with DTIP, may initiate transfers from client accounts to one or more third
parties designated in writing by the client, without obtaining separate written consent for
each individual transaction, provided the client has granted us written authorization to do
so.
• DT Investment Partners, LLC is the LLC Manager of Independent Wealth Partners, LLC,
a Delaware series limited liability company. Effective March 31, 2025, series member
Quinn Wealth Advisors, a separate series of Independent Wealth Partners sold its interest
in the series to DT Investment Partners.
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ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES ........................................................................................................................... 2
ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................... 3
ITEM 4 - ADVISORY BUSINESS ............................................................................................................................. 4
ITEM 5 - FEES AND COMPENSATION ................................................................................................................. 7
ITEM 6 - PERFORMANCE BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT ......................................... 8
ITEM 7 - TYPES OF CLIENTS ................................................................................................................................ 8
ITEM 8 - METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS ........................ 9
ITEM 9 - DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 11
ITEM 10 - OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS ....................................... 12
ITEM 11 - CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND
PERSONAL TRADING ............................................................................................................................................ 12
ITEM 12 - BROKERAGE PRACTICES ................................................................................................................ 15
ITEM 13 - REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS .................................................................................................................... 18
ITEM 14 - CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION ............................................................... 18
ITEM 15 - CUSTODY ............................................................................................................................................... 19
ITEM 16 - INVESTMENT DISCRETION ............................................................................................................. 20
ITEM 17 - VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES ......................................................................................................... 21
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 21
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ITEM 4 - ADVISORY BUSINESS
Description of Firm
DT Investment Partners, LLC (hereinafter, “DTIP”, “Advisor” or the “Firm”) is a
registered investment adviser based in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The Firm is organized as a
limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware. DTIP applied for registration
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser in April 2011. Jonathan
Smith, Member/CEO/CFO, owns approximately 75.93% of the firm. The remaining 24.07%
ownership interest is held by John Blair, Jr, Member/VP.
DTIP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As such, DTIP is subject to a fiduciary standard of care. Simply stated, investment
recommendations by DTIP must be in the best interest of its clients and client’s interests always
take precedence to those of DTIP.
Investment Advisory Services
DTIP offers advisory services to individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates,
charitable organizations, corporations and other organizations on a discretionary and non-
discretionary basis.
DTIP Investment Management Services that are offered on a discretionary and non-discretionary
basis along with comprehensive financial planning services, are designed to help clients identify
their financial goals, develop appropriate strategies, and implement investment approaches
aligned with their long term objectives and risk tolerance.
As part of DTIP investment management and comprehensive financial planning offering, DTIP
will provide clients with access to an account aggregation tool. This tool allows clients to
consolidate certain financial information from multiple external accounts into a single, secure
dashboard. The purpose of the account aggregation service is to help clients monitor their overall
financial picture, including spending patterns, budgeting, cash flow, and asset allocation across
accounts.
The account aggregation tool is offered for informational and convenience purposes only. The
accuracy of data pulled from external accounts depends on third party providers, and DTIP
cannot guarantee that all information will be current, complete, or error free. Clients should not
rely solely on the aggregation tool when making investment or financial decisions.
Use of the aggregation tool does not create discretionary authority over external accounts, nor
does it require clients to implement any financial planning recommendations DTIP provides.
Clients are under no obligation to utilize the aggregation tool as part of our advisory services.
DTIP may act as subadvisor for other Registered Investment Advisors.
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The Firm also offers certain independent investment consulting services, primarily to
high net worth clients, providing a forensic investment analysis that delivers independent
analytics in four main areas:
1. A review of all fees currently incurred including advisory fees, manager fees, security
fees and commissions;
2. An asset allocation review that assesses whether the portfolio allocation has been
efficient regarding the return for a given level of risk;
3. An assessment of whether securities/managers are used in an attempt to outperform the
market;
4. Performance analysis identifying true net of fee performance by other managers and their
appropriate use of benchmarks in determining their performance.
• The Firm also offers several ongoing services to consulting clients to
maximize their holistic investment solutions. Services include:
o In-depth quarterly performance reviews of all accounts and managers;
o Consultation on investment strategy decisions and money manager
selection;
o Screening and monitoring of low cost basis portfolios to avoid
management fees when no real management is utilized;
o Due diligence and monitoring of alternative investments such as hedge
funds and private equity investments.
DTIP offers several of its strategies to wrap platform sponsors. A wrap program is an investment
advisory program under which a client typically pays a single fee to the sponsor based on assets
under management. Fees are not based directly upon transactions in the client or in the execution
of client transactions. Wrap program clients typically select DTIP’s strategies from a list of
investment advisors and strategies presented to clients by the sponsor. Wrap program clients are
generally high net worth individuals but can sometimes include institutional investors. The
program sponsor has primary responsibility for client communication and service, and DTIP
provides investment management services to the clients. The program sponsor typically executes
portfolio transactions and in most cases provides custodial services. DTIP is paid a portion of the
wrap fee for its services by the program sponsor.
Currently, DTIP offers several of its strategies to LPL Financial LLC, who is the wrap platform
sponsor for LPL Manager Select/Manager Access.
Investment Policy Statement and Restrictions
DTIP assists advisory clients in developing an appropriate Investment Policy Statement
for assets under discretionary authority of the Firm. The Policy is based on the client’s
investment goals and objectives and risk tolerances. The Firm provides coordination and
administration of appropriate accounts and related asset transfers. The Investment Policy for
each client receives customized implementation which includes active tax and cost efficient
portfolio management. The client may impose modest restrictions regarding investment in
certain securities.
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The Firm provides continuous monitoring and management of the investment vehicles
chosen to implement portfolio strategies. As necessary, client portfolios are rebalanced or
policies and strategies are modified if circumstances or client objectives dictate.
In addition to statements received from qualified custodians, clients may receive
quarterly detailed written reports from DTIP with respect to their investment portfolio. As
requested, clients may receive preliminary tax information (e.g. realized and unrealized
gains/losses, interest and dividends received) to facilitate tax planning.
Prior to engaging DTIP to provide investment advisory services, the client will be
required to enter into an Investment Advisory Agreement with DTIP setting forth the terms and
conditions of the engagement, describing the scope of the services to be provided, and the
portion of the fee, if any, that is due from the client prior to DTIP commencing services.
A client may terminate its investment advisory agreement upon written notice to DTIP
and is effective upon receipt. Upon termination, fees paid in advance will be prorated and any
unearned portion thereof will be returned to the client. The refund will be calculated based on the
number of days remaining in the billing period after the date of termination. Fees paid in arrears
will be pro-rated and any earned portion thereof will be due to DTIP. The fee will be calculated
based on the number of days during the billing period that the account was managed before the
date of termination.
Advisor will assist clients with appointment of a qualified custodian to hold client funds
and securities. Advisor shall never hold client funds or securities and shall be deemed to have
custody solely because of its authority to deduct fees.
Advisory recommendations are based on the client’s financial situation at the time the
services are provided and are based on financial information disclosed by the client to Advisor.
Clients are advised that certain assumptions may be made with respect to interest and inflation
rates and the use of past trends and performance of the market and economy. Past performance
is in no way an indication of future performance. Further, clients are advised that asset allocation
does not assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets. As the client’s financial
situation, goals, objectives or needs change, the client must notify DTIP promptly.
Regulatory Assets Under Management (RAUM)
As of December 31, 2025, the Firm provides continuous management services for
$1,818,663,706 in client assets on a discretionary basis, and $94,185,818 in client assets on a
non-discretionary basis.
Assets Under Advisement (AUA)
In addition, DTIP provides consulting and advisory services on additional client assets for which
those assets are not included in the calculation of RAUM. The Firm refers to those assets as
assets under advisement. DTIP had total AUA of $413,531,900.
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ITEM 5 - FEES AND COMPENSATION
DTIP’s fee for its discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services, which
include comprehensive financial planning, is generally based on a percentage of assets under
management. The advisory fee is up to a maximum of 1.45% of assets under management. Fees
may be negotiated based on factors deemed relevant by us, including the value of assets placed
with us.
The fees charged are calculated as described above and are not charged on the basis of a share of
capital gains upon, or capital appreciation of, the funds, or any portion of the funds of an
advisory client (15 U.S.C. 80b‑5(a)(1)). Fees for accounts managed through a sub-advisory
relationship or a wrap platform may differ from DTIP’s standard fee practices and are negotiated
directly with the applicable advisor or third party.
As a general matter, fees are charged on a pro‑rata basis quarterly in advance and are based on
the closing market value of the account including cash, cash equivalents, and any accrued
income on the last business day of the calendar quarter. Advisor generally receives client
permission to have fees deducted automatically from the qualified custodian account. Clients
will receive a quarterly statement from the qualified custodian reflecting the deduction of the
advisory fee.
While it is the general policy of DTIP to charge fees in accordance with the practices noted
above, advisory fees are subject to negotiation and may vary to reflect circumstances specific to
a client relationship. For example, fees may differ due to long-standing relationships, anticipated
additions to assets under management, employee-related accounts, changing market conditions,
or other considerations.
Fees for certain independent investment consulting services are negotiated but paid as a
flat fixed fee. The minimum fee for a one-time assessment is $5,000 but the fee may be higher
based upon the total assets of the client. The Firm negotiates fees with clients who elect a
recurring consulting relationship and the fee may also include active management of a portion of
the consulting assets.
In the event the client provides notice of termination to the Advisor, the Advisor will
prorate fees earned through the termination date and promptly refund any unearned fees to the
Client.
Additional Information Concerning Fees
Advice offered by Advisor will likely involve investments in stocks, bonds, Exchange
Traded Funds (ETFs), Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPS”), hedge funds, and mutual funds.
Clients are hereby advised that all fees paid to Advisor for investment advisory services are
separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by ETF’s, hedge funds and mutual
funds (described in each fund prospectus) to their shareholders. These fees will include, but are
not limited to, a management fee, upfront sales charges and other fund expenses.
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Further, there will likely be transaction charges involved with purchasing or selling of securities.
Client will incur and Advisor does not share in any portion of the additional brokerage
fees/transaction charges or custody fees imposed by the custodian holding the client funds or
securities. The client should review all fees charged by money market funds, Advisor and others
to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client.
A client could invest in a mutual fund or ETFs directly without the services of the
Advisor. In that case, the client would not receive the services provided by Advisor which are
designed, among other things, to assist the client in determining which mutual funds or ETFs are
most appropriate to the client’s financial condition, goals and objectives. Accordingly, the clients
should review both the fees charged by mutual funds or ETFs and the fees charged by Advisor to
fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the clients and to thereby evaluate the
advisory services that are provided. Further information regarding brokerage can be found in
Item 12.
ITEM 6 - PERFORMANCE BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE
MANAGEMENT
DTIP does not accept performance-based fees or participate in side-by-side management.
Performance-based fees are fees that are based on a share of a capital gains or capital
appreciation of a client's account. Side-by-side management refers to the practice of managing
accounts that are charged performance-based fees while at the same time managing accounts that
are not charged performance-based fees. DTIP fees are calculated as described in the Fees and
Compensation section above, and are not charged on the basis of a share of capital gains upon, or
capital appreciation of, the funds in your advisory account.
ITEM 7 - TYPES OF CLIENTS
DTIP provides investment advice to individuals, pension and profits sharing plans, trusts,
estates or charitable organizations, municipalities, corporations and clients of introducing
financial consultants, institutions or broker-dealers (“Sponsors”). In accounts introduced to
DTIP by a Sponsor, the client enters into agreements directly with both DTIP and the Sponsor, or
enters into an agreement solely with Sponsor or another entity that has an agreement with the
Sponsor.
DTIP currently does not require a minimum investment size to open and maintain an advisory
account; however, DTIP has the right to terminate the client’s account if it falls below a
minimum size which, in its sole opinion, is too small to manage effectively.
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ITEM 8 - METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND
RISK OF LOSS
DTIP employs an active management style that seeks to provide clients with attractive
risk-adjusted returns while balancing principal growth with income requirements in various
market environments. The Firm strives for low volatility and consistent returns by stressing
diversification and finding the optimal mix of asset classes for a client’s risk profile and return
objectives. The Firm recognizes the balance between income and growth is different for every
client. Accordingly, the Firm offers a number of different investment strategies to correlate with
an investor’s tolerance for risk and investment objectives.
DTIP utilizes fundamental and technical analysis to tactically shift between asset classes
to capture the benefits from both fundamental valuation changes and price momentum. The main
sources of information used by the Advisor are financial magazines and newspapers, internet
articles and news reports, research material prepared by others, corporate rating services, annual
reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as timing services and
company press releases.
The company may invest in equities (foreign and domestic, exchange listed or over-the-
counter), warrants, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”),
real estate investment trusts (“REITS”), Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPS”), mutual fund
shares and a variety of fixed income securities including US Treasuries, agencies, mortgage
backed securities, corporate debt and municipal debt.
Implementation of investment strategies may include long term purchases, short term
(less than a year) purchases and trading securities (sold within 30 days). Trading activity is
driven by the Firm’s regular review of proprietary asset allocation models and “buy/sell” signals
associated with performance of various asset classes as a result of fundamental and technical
analysis. More frequent trading could result in a client incurring additional brokerage
commissions or fees that will reduce net investment performance.
After reviewing a client’s investment objectives and tolerance for risk, clients execute an
Investment Policy Statement that selects one of the following investment strategies:
1. Ultra Conservative Growth and Income: Seeks high current income with very modest
growth of capital. While income and capital preservation are the primary focus, the
portfolio will seek to provide growth of capital (excluding current income) equal to
inflation, as measured by the Core Consumer Price Index – “CPI”. This portfolio will
generally have a high weighting to cash and traditional fixed income and a low weighting
to equity related strategies. Equity investments will not exceed 30% of the portfolio. The
Ultra Conservative investment objective is equivalent to a very low risk profile.
2. Ultra Conservative Plus Growth and Income: Seeks high current income with only modest
growth of capital. While income and capital preservation are the primary focus, the
portfolio will seek to provide growth of capital (excluding current income) equal to
inflation (core CPI). This portfolio will generally have more fixed income and cash than
risk-based assets. Risk based assets will not exceed 50% of the portfolio.
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Ultra Conservative Plus Investment objective is designed for an investor with a low risk
profile with a limited need for growth.
3. The Balanced Portfolio is designed to provide a diversified portfolio solution with a
defined risk objective between ultra-conservative and conservative growth and income.
The portfolio is built around a long-term strategic asset allocation that typically includes
investments in U.S. large, mid, and small cap stocks, international and emerging markets
equities, fixed income securities, and real estate. Equity and alternative investments
however will not exceed 60% of the portfolio
4. Conservative Growth and Income: Seeks high current income with modest growth of
capital. While income and capital preservation are the primary focus, the portfolio will
seek to provide growth of capital (excluding current income) equal to inflation (core CPI).
This portfolio will generally have a high weighting of cash and traditional fixed income to
equity and alternative related strategies. Equity and alternative investments however will
not exceed 70% of the portfolio. The Conservative investment objective is equivalent to a
low risk profile.
5. Moderate Growth and Income: Seeks growth of capital as well as current income. The
portfolio will invest across diversified strategies specializing in fixed income, equity, real
assets, and private investments with modest overweight of equity and alternative
investments to fixed income related strategies. Equities and alternative investments
however will not exceed 80% of the portfolio. The Moderate investment objective is
equivalent to a balanced, medium risk profile.
6. Aggressive Growth: Seeks maximum growth of capital. This portfolio will generally utilize
a high weighting to equity and alternative related strategies and a low weighting to fixed
income related strategies. Equity and alternative investments will not exceed 90% of the
portfolio. The Aggressive investment objective is equivalent to a high risk profile.
7. Dividend Focus: Seeks to provide stable consistent and relatively higher current income.
The Portfolio is built around a long-term strategic, U.S. Large Cap stock sector allocation
that typically includes investments in select sectors of the S&P 500. The Portfolio is mainly
invested in common stock, preferred stocks, master limited partnerships and bonds that are
appropriate proxies for the above mentioned sectors. The Dividend Focus Investment
objective is designed for an investor with a desire for income and a higher tolerance for
risk.
8. Aggressive All Risk: Seeks maximum growth of capital. The portfolio is built around a
long-term strategic asset allocation that typically includes investments in U.S. Large,
Mid, and Small Cap stocks, international and emerging market stocks, commodities, real
estate, and high yield bonds. This portfolio will generally utilize a weighting of over 90%
risk with minimal if any fixed income related strategies. The Aggressive All Risk
investment objective is designed for an investor with a very high risk profile.
9. Fixed Income Only: Seeks to preserve principal value, maintain adequate liquidity to meet
client demands, and generate current income. This portfolio will generally utilize
investment grade cash and fixed income securities such as US Treasuries, agencies,
municipal bonds, agency mortgage-backed securities and corporate debt. The Fixed
Income Only investment objective is equivalent to an ultra-low risk profile.
There are a number of risks associated with the various strategies offered by the Advisor.
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Generally, clients are subject to stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall
will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling
prices. Such risk may vary based on the percentage of stocks owned in a given strategy.
There are risks involved with investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. Index
based ETFs are not actively managed. Actively managed ETFs do not necessarily seek to
replicate the performance of a specified index. Both index-based and actively managed ETFs are
subject to risks similar to stocks including those related to short selling and margin maintenance.
Bonds are subject to interest rate risk, which is the chance that bond prices overall will
decline because of rising interest rates. Interest rate risk will vary based on the percentage of
bonds owned in a given strategy. In addition, long-term bonds have a higher interest rate risk
and are much more sensitive to interest rate changes than are the prices of short-term bonds.
Bonds are also subject to credit risk, the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and
principal in a timely manner or, that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make such
payments will cause the price of that bond to decline. Finally, some bonds may be subject to call
risk. This is the chance that in a declining interest rate environment the issuer of a bond will
repay or call securities with higher coupons before their maturity dates.
In addition, investments in specific asset classes entail different investment risks. For
example, small cap stocks tend to be more volatile than large or mid-cap stocks. International
stocks and emerging markets include risks due to currency fluctuations, foreign taxes, political
instability and possibility of illiquid markets. Real estate investing includes risks such as declines
in the value of real estate, changing economic conditions, tax laws or property taxes.
Commodities’ investing is also highly volatile and subject to changing economic conditions and
the vagaries of speculators among other risks. Market Neutral and Long/Short strategies entail
potential liquidity risks and frequently higher fees.
Finally, investing in securities involves risk of loss that you should be prepared to
bear. DTIP does not represent or guarantee that its services or methods of analysis can or
will predict future results, successfully identify market tops or bottoms, or insulate clients
from losses due to market corrections or declines. DTIP cannot offer any guarantees or
promises that the client’s financial goals and objectives will be met. Past performance is in
no way an indication of future performance.
ITEM 9 - DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
Neither DTIP nor any of its partners, officers or employees has been involved in any
legal or disciplinary action with any federal or state statutory or regulatory agency. Likewise,
neither the Firm nor its partners, officers or employees have ever been subject to disciplinary
action by self-regulatory organizations.
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ITEM 10 - OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND
AFFILIATIONS
DTIP is the LLC Manager of Independent Wealth Partners, LLC, a Delaware series
limited liability company. As of March 31, 2025, there are no active series members, and it is in
the process of being dissolved.
DTIP offers several of its strategies to wrap platform sponsors. Currently, DTIP does not
recommend that its clients use a wrap‑fee sponsor whose program includes its strategies. If DTIP
recommends that clients use a wrap‑fee sponsor whose program includes its strategies, it would
be viewed to have a financial incentive to do so because it would receive compensation from the
sponsor for providing portfolio management services under the program. This arrangement
creates a conflict of interest because DTIP may be incentivized to recommend a wrap program
that includes its strategies over other available options. Clients should consider whether a
wrap‑fee program is appropriate given the nature of the services they require and the total cost of
the program.
ITEM 11 - CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT
TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL TRADING
Advisor’s employees may buy or sell for themselves securities that they also recommend to
clients. This can create an inherent conflict of interest. DTIP has addressed this potential conflict
in its Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics defines certain policies adopted by the Advisor that
relate to personal trading and business practices of employees to ensure that the Advisor resolves
any such conflicts in favor of Clients.
Code of Ethics
DTIP has adopted a Code of Ethics based on the principle that all Advisory representatives
and certain other persons of DTIP have a fiduciary duty to place the interest of the client ahead
of their own and DTIP’s. This Code of Ethics applies to all “access persons”. “Access persons”
are all employees, directors, officers, partners or members of DTIP who:
• Have access to nonpublic information regarding advisory clients’ purchases or sales of
securities.
• Are involved in making securities recommendations to advisory clients.
• Have access to nonpublic recommendations or portfolio holdings of clients.
Access persons must avoid activities, interests, and relationships that might interfere with
making decisions in the best interests of DTIP’s advisory clients. DTIP has established the
following restrictions in order to ensure its fiduciary responsibilities:
• DTIP emphasizes the unrestricted right of the client to specify investment objectives,
guidelines, and/or conditions on the overall management of their account. DTIP’s
standard investment process begins with reviewing applicable state statutes, investment
policy, and permitted investment language provided by the client.
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• Access persons or their immediate family members shall not buy or sell securities for
their personal portfolio(s) where their decision is derived in whole or in part, by reason of
the associated person’s employment, unless the information is also available to the
investing public on reasonable inquiry. No associated person of the Firm shall prefer his
or her own interest to that of the advisory client.
• DTIP’s and its access persons generally may not purchase and sell securities being
considered for, or held by client accounts without pre-clearance by the Firm’s
Compliance Officer. Moreover, if the security is a thinly traded security (with average
daily volume below 100,000 shares per day) investment personnel may be subject to a
blackout period from trading in such securities.
• DTIP or individuals associated with the Firm may buy or sell for their personal accounts
investment products identical to those recommended to clients. It is the expressed policy
of DTIP that no person employed by the Firm may enter an order to purchase or sell any
security prior to a transaction being implemented for an advisory account (in accordance
with standard “front running” guidelines), and therefore, preventing such employees from
benefiting from transactions placed on behalf of advisory accounts. Further, employees
may sign investment management agreements with the Company and elect similar
investment strategies as those available to clients. When effecting transactions for
various investment strategies, DTIP ensures that no employee accounts receive
executions on a basis more favorable than the executions for Clients.
• DTIP and its employees generally may not participate in private placements or initial
public offerings (IPOs) without pre-clearance from the Firm's Compliance Officer.
• The Firm requires that all individuals must act in accordance with all applicable federal
and state regulations governing registered investment advisory practices.
• Records will be maintained of all securities bought or sold by the Firm, access persons of
the Firm, and related entities. The Chief Compliance Officer, will review these records on
a regular basis.
• Any individual not in observance of the above may be subject to termination.
In addition, DTIP maintains additional policies with respect to confidentiality, receipt of gifts by
employees, prohibitions regarding solicitation of gifts and prohibitions regarding “pay to play”
practices as part of this Code of Ethics in order to ensure the fiduciary duty of placing client’s
interests ahead of DTIP’s or its employees. Clients or prospective clients may obtain a copy of
DTIP’s Code of Ethics by contacting us at the telephone number on the cover page of this
brochure.
ERISA Accounts
When our firm provides investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws
governing retirement accounts.
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We operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest. Under this special
rule’s provisions:
1. The fiduciary, DTIP, must provide “advice” in the “Best Interest” of the Retirement
Investor. This means managing retirement assets with the utmost care, skill, prudence,
and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person would use
acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of a like
character and with like aims would exercise based on the investment objectives, risk
tolerance, financial circumstances, and the needs of the retirement investor without
regard to the financial or other interests of the Adviser.
2. The second impartial conduct standards mandates that DTIP receive reasonable
compensation for our services and includes both direct and indirect compensation.
Reasonable means the compensation cannot be excessive, and does not mandate that the
compensation be the lowest possible. Compensation should be judged in the contest of
the services provided; therefore, higher compensation may be reasonable for more
comprehensive and detailed services.
3. DTIP is prohibited from making misleading statements about investment transactions,
compensation, conflicts of interest, and other matters relevant to retirement investor
decisions.
Retirement Rollovers
If DTIP recommends that a client roll over their retirement plan assets into an account to be
managed by DTIP, such a recommendation creates a conflict of interest as DTIP will earn new
(or increase its current) compensation as a result of the rollover. No client is under any obligation
to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by DTIP.
If you would like to obtain copy of DTIP’s Code of Ethics, please contact the Chief Compliance
Officer at 484-778-4425
Pooled Plans
DTIP provides investment management services to ERISA plan clients that are not participant-
directed (i.e., pooled plans) on a discretionary basis. Investment management services include
the following:
• DTIP will develop an investment policy statement (IPS) for the client. The IPS
establishes the investment policies and objectives for the ERISA plan.
• DTIP will develop asset allocations and portfolio modeling consistent with the plan
•
objectives expressed in the IPS.
In accordance with the IPS, DTIP will identify and select specific investments to populate
the asset allocation categories.
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• As investment results and/or cash flow change the percentage of plan assets represented
by the different asset allocation categories, DTIP will provide periodic re-balancing as
deemed appropriate in accordance with the IPS.
• DTIP will adjust the asset allocations as deemed appropriate in accordance with the IPS.
DTIP will monitor and measure investment performance and adherence to the IPS.
• DTIP will make changes 5 in the selected investments, if appropriate, and will provide
the client with periodic reporting of investment performance and results.
ITEM 12 - BROKERAGE PRACTICES
INVESTMENT OR BROKERAGE DISCRETION
Pursuant to and subject to limitations of the agreements under which DTIP provides investment
management services, DTIP generally has authority to determine, without obtaining specific
client consent, the securities to be bought and sold for client accounts, including the amounts of
such securities, price at which to transact and to negotiate transaction costs. Such authority may
be subject to client directions relating to trade executions.
SUGGESTION OF BROKERS TO CLIENTS
DTIP is given trading authorization by its clients to purchase or sell certain types of
securities, within specified limitations, as agreed upon from time to time with its clients. The
broker-dealer to be used may or may not be specified by the client. Where the broker-dealer is
the custodian, DTIP may or may not execute a trade away from the broker. DTIP will suggest
broker-dealers and/or “qualified custodians” such as Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), a
registered broker‑dealer and member SIPC, to clients who request such recommendations.
Clients have the final choice as to a selection. In selecting or recommending broker-dealers,
DTIP does not consider client referrals received from broker-dealers.
Client assets must be maintained in an account at a ‘qualified custodian,’ generally a
broker‑dealer or bank. DTIP is independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with
Schwab.
It is DTIP’s policy to seek best execution when executing transactions on behalf of
clients. Best execution consists of obtaining the most favorable result, considering the full range
of services provided, under the prevailing market conditions. Best execution is not necessarily
measured by the circumstances surrounding a single transaction but may be measured over time
through multiple transactions. In selecting a specific broker/dealer to execute a transaction, DTIP
may consider any one or more of the following factors, based on the specific circumstances of
the transaction: size of the order, price of the security, execution difficulty, liquidity of the
security, market and exchange conditions, macro-economic conditions, current news events,
order flow information, speed of execution desired, broker willingness to commit capital and
minimize trading costs associated with implementing an investment decision and commission
cost. When DTIP decides to purchase or sell the same security for multiple clients, DTIP may,
consistent with its obligation to seek best execution, aggregate client orders in an effort to
achieve a timely, equitable or efficient execution. DTIP has adopted trade rotation policies
designed to ensure that trade orders for the purchase or sale of securities are communicated in a
manner and sequence that is fair and equitable for all clients.
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The process generally includes the use by the investment team of a trade rotation list that
determines the sequence in which trade orders are communicated to broker-dealers. From time to
time, clients may instruct DTIP to direct brokerage to particular broker-dealers. In such
circumstances, DTIP will seek to achieve best execution of securities trades; however, there is no
guarantee that best execution can be achieved under such circumstances. As such, these clients
may pay higher commission costs, transactions costs or other fees than other DTIP clients who
have not given such an instruction.
Firms may charge commissions (ticket charges) for executing Advisor’s transactions.
With respect to investment advisory accounts, Advisor does not receive any part of these
separate charges and transaction costs are not absorbed by Advisor.
Advisor participates in Schwab Advisor Services, a division of Charles Schwab Co. that
provides services to independent investment advisory Firms like DTIP. Schwab’s institutional
brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment products, execution of
securities transactions, and custody of client assets. In addition, Advisor also receives some
benefits that may not directly benefit you and some services that generally benefit only the
Advisor.
When a client selects Schwab, Schwab generally does not charge you separately for
custody services but is compensated by charging you commissions or other fees on trades that it
executes or that settle into your Schwab account. Certain trades (for example, many mutual funds
and ETFs) may not incur Schwab commissions or transaction fees.
Schwab is also compensated by earning interest on the uninvested cash in your account in
Schwab’s Cash Features Program. This commitment benefits you because the overall
commission rates and/or asset-based fees you pay are lower than they would be if we had not
made the commitment. In addition to commission rates and/or asset-based fees Schwab charges
you a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or “trade away” fee for each trade that we have
executed by a different broker-dealer but where the securities bought or the funds from the
securities sold are deposited (settled) into your Schwab account. These fees are in addition to the
commissions or other compensation you pay the executing broker-dealer. Because of this, in
order to minimize your trading costs, we have Schwab execute most trades for your account.
We are not required to select the broker or dealer that charges the lowest transaction cost,
even if that broker provides execution quality comparable to other brokers or dealers.
Although we are not required to execute all trades through Schwab, we have determined
that having Schwab execute most trades is consistent with our duty to seek “best execution” of
your trades. Best execution means the most favorable terms for a transaction based on all
relevant factors, including those listed above (see “How we select brokers/custodians”). By using
another broker or dealer you may pay lower transaction costs.
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S CH WA B A DVI S OR S E RVI CE S
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. Schwab’s support services are
generally available on an unsolicited basis (we don’t have to request them) and at no charge to
us.
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 significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients. Schwab’s
services described in this paragraph generally benefit you and your account.
Services that May Not Directly 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;
• provide pricing and other market data; or facilitate payment of our fees from our clients’
accounts; and
• assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Services that Generally Benefit Only Us
Schwab also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our
business enterprise. These services include:
• educational conferences and events;
•
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
• publications and conferences on practice management and business succession;
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• access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance
providers;
• discount of up to $4,250 on PortfolioCenter® Reporting Software.
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.
O U R I NT E RE S T I N S C HW AB’S S E R VI C E S
The availability of these services from Schwab benefits us because we do not have to
produce or purchase them. These services may give us an incentive to recommend that you
maintain your account with Schwab based on our interest in receiving Schwab’s services that
benefit our business rather than based on your interest in receiving the best value in custody
services and the most favorable execution of your transactions. This is a potential conflict of
interest. We believe, however, that our selection of Schwab as custodian and broker is in the best
interests of our clients. It is primarily supported by the scope, quality and price of Schwab’s
services (based on the factors discussed above – see “The Custodian and Broker We Use”) and
not Schwab’s services that benefit only us. We do not believe that maintaining our client's assets
at Schwab for services presents a material conflict of interest.
ITEM 13 - REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
The Firm will monitor your accounts on an ongoing basis and will conduct account reviews at
least annually, to ensure the advisory services provided to you are consistent with clients
investment needs and objectives. More frequent reviews may occur due to the client’s individual
circumstances, economic conditions, or general factors affecting the financial markets. The
Advisor attempts to schedule meetings with clients at least on an annual basis or more frequently
if desired by the client or if circumstances warrant.
DTIP encourages each client to review the statements they receive directly from their custodian
and to compare the reports with those they may receive from DTIP. They are further directed to
contact their DTIP relationship manager should they have any questions concerning the
information provided by the custodian or DTIP. Clients from third party sponsors or accounts
from subadvisory agreements receive statements directly from the sponsor or advisor. At the
request of the sponsor or adviser, DTIP can assist in providing statements.
ITEM 14 - CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
As disclosed under “Brokerage Practices”, the Advisor participates in Schwab Advisor Services,
a division of Charles Schwab Co. 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.
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Some of these services help us manage and grow our business. Schwab’s institutional brokerage
services include access to a broad range of investment products, execution of securities
transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products available through Schwab
include some to which we might not otherwise have access or that would require a significantly
higher minimum initial investment by our clients.
DTIP will from time to time execute transactions through at least one firm whose affiliates
sponsor wrap on which DTIP products are available.
COMPENSATION
DTIP may provide compensation to certain supervised employees that is specifically related to
obtaining clients. This creates a conflict of interest by incentivizing the employee to recommend
DTIP to the client/prospect. The firm mitigates this conflict by ensuring each new account is
reviewed to determine the recommendation is in the best interest of the client.
USE OF UNAFFILIATED SOLICITORS
The Advisor may pay referral fees (non-commission) to independent solicitors (non-employee
representatives) for the referral of Clients to the Adviser in accordance SEC Rule 206(4)-1, of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940. In order to receive a cash referral fee from DTIP, solicitors
must comply with the requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate Advisor’s
solicitation fees will not result in higher costs to the client. The advisor must enter into a written
agreement with any person giving a testimonial or endorsement that describes the scope of the
agreed-upon activities and the terms of compensation for those activities. Therefore, a solicitor
has a financial incentive to recommend DTIP to the client for advisory services. This creates a
conflict of interest; however, the client is not obligated to retain DTIP for advisory services.
Comparable services and/or lower fees may be available through other firms.
ITEM 15 - CUSTODY
Rule 206 (4) – 2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 addresses custody of funds or securities
of clients by investment advisers. Consistent with the rule, DTIP requires that clients’ funds or
securities must be retained with a “qualified custodian” who provides at least quarterly
statements, either printed or electronically, to clients. In addition, DTIP assumes responsibility
for ensuring that it has a reasonable belief that such statements have been delivered.
In addition to statements provided by the qualified custodian, DTIP may provide quarterly
reports and commentary to clients. Such reports include additions and withdrawals to the
account, portfolio market value, performance returns and advisory fees paid to DTIP. In the
event of discrepancies or questions, the client is urged to contact the Advisor.
DTIP directly debits client accounts to collect fees. While this constitutes “custody” as defined in
the Investment Advisers Act, advisers like DTIP who have custody for this reason only are
exempt from some additional requirements imposed on advisers who take physical custody of
cash or securities from clients.
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Accordingly, DTIP exercises care and has enacted policies to avoid taking receipt inadvertently
of client funds or securities. DTIP will on occasion forward checks to the client’s custodian of
record if requested by the client and if the check is made payable to the custodian.
Standing Letter of Authorization (SLOA)
DTIP, or individuals associated with DTIP, may initiate transfers from client accounts to one or
more third parties designated in writing by the client, without obtaining separate written consent
for each individual transaction, provided the client has granted us written authorization to do so.
This written authorization is referred to as a Standing Letter of Authorization (SLOA).
An adviser with authority to execute such third-party transfers is considered to have access to the
client’s assets and, therefore, is deemed to have custody of those assets in any related accounts.
However, DTIP is not required to undergo an annual surprise audit typically mandated when
custody exists if DTIP complies with all of the following conditions:
• You provide the qualified custodian with a written, signed instruction that includes the
third party’s name and address or account number at a custodian.
• You authorize us in writing to direct transfers to the designated third party, either on a
specified schedule or from time to time.
• Your qualified custodian verifies your authorization (e.g., signature review) and promptly
sends you a notice after each transfer.
• You retain the ability to terminate or modify the instruction at any time.
• We have no authority or ability to designate or change the identity, address, or any other
information about the third party.
• We maintain records confirming that the third party is not related to us and does not share
our address.
• Your qualified custodian sends you an initial written notice confirming the instruction
and an annual notice reconfirming it.
DTIP is not affiliated with the custodian.
ITEM 16 - INVESTMENT DISCRETION
DTIP manages accounts primarily on a discretionary basis with full authority to make purchase
and sale decisions for client accounts. At a client’s request, DTIP may also enter into non-
discretionary agreements that require client consultation/approval prior to enacting purchase or
sale of securities for the account. DTIP’s Investment Policy Statements also allow the clients to
enumerate any specific exclusions, restrictions or special considerations in managing either
discretionary or non-discretionary accounts.
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ITEM 17 - VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Unless the Client directs otherwise in writing, the Client shall direct the manner in which proxies
solicited by issuers of securities beneficially owned by the Client shall be voted. Advisor is
authorized to instruct the custodian to forward to Clients copies of all proxies and shareholder
communications relating to the Assets.
In cases in which Advisor has proxy voting authority for securities held by its advisory Clients,
Advisor will ensure securities are voted for the exclusive benefit, and in the best economic interest,
of those Clients and their beneficiaries, subject to any restrictions or directions from a client. Such
voting responsibilities will be exercised in a manner that is consistent with the general antifraud
provisions of the Advisers Act, and the Proxy Voting rule, Rule 206(4)-6, as well as with Advisor’s
fiduciary duties under federal and state law to act in the best interests of its Clients.
DTIP has engaged the services of Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), a third-party proxy
voting service provider, to assist in the proxy voting process. DTIP has appointed a Proxy
Administrator to ensure that ISS receives proxy voting materials directly from the broker-
dealers/custodians.
If DTIP’s Proxy Administrator determines that they or DTIP is facing a material conflict of interest
in voting your proxy (e.g. an employee of DTIP may personally benefit if the proxy is voted in a
certain direction), our procedures provide for a Proxy Voting Committee to convene and to
determine the appropriate vote. Decisions of the Committee must be unanimous. If a unanimous
decision cannot be reached by the Committee, a competent third party will be engaged, at our
expense, who will determine the vote that will maximize shareholder value. The third party’s
decision is binding.
If “Class Action” documents are received by DTIP for a private client, DTIP will forward such
documents to the client to enable the client to file the “Class Action” at the client’s discretion. The
decision of whether to participate in the recovery or opt-out may be a legal one that DTIP is not
qualified to make for the Client. Therefore, DTIP will not file “Class Actions” on behalf of any
client. The decision to participate in the “Class Action” is entirely up to the Client and the
collection of information necessary to participate in the “Class Action” must be coordinated by the
Client.
Our complete proxy voting policy and procedures are available for your review. In addition, our
complete proxy voting record is also available to our clients, and only our clients. Please contact
DTIP if you have any questions or if you would like to review either of these documents.
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
DTIP does not require or solicit prepayment of more than 1,200 in client fees six months or more
in advance. DTIP believes that its financial condition is sound and not likely to impair the
Advisor’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients. DTIP has not filed a bankruptcy
petition at any time in the past ten years.
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