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Firm Brochure
Form ADV Part 2A
Item 1 — Cover Page
Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc.
SEC File No. 801-25803
6256 Greenwich Drive
Suite 550
San Diego, CA 92122
Phone: 858-964-0500
Email:compliance@dunham.com
Website: www.dunham.com
March 28, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Dunham &
Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this
brochure, please contact us at compliance@dunham.com. The information in this brochure has
not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. is also available
on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. is a registered investment adviser.
Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.
Item 2 — Material Changes
This publication of the Form ADV Part 2A contains highlights of the changes that have been
made to this brochure since the last update in March 2024. Some of these items may be deemed
material changes from our last filing.
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss have been updated to add the
U.S. variant to the DunhamDC program.
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations have been updated to enhance the
disclosures related to the Dunham Easy Access Loans (DEAL).
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss have been updated to add
disclosure for DunhamDC for allocation changes if they result in an allocation value shift
at the fund level of 1% or greater of the total account value.
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss have been updated to reflect
the changes in the Dunham Retirement Income Plan (DRIP) pertaining to the Distribution,
Flex, Healthcare and Legacy Portfolio.
Client Referrals and Other Compensation has been updated to add clarifying language
regarding client referrals and other compensation.
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations have been updated to add a description
of the fee sharing agreements between DAIC and its affiliate Dunham Trust Company
(DTC).
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations have been updated has been updated to
reflect the addition of DTC Cash.
Voting Client Securities has been updated to add availability of the actual voting records relating to
portfolio securities for each Fund on the Fund’s website at www.dunham.com.
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Item 3 - Table of Contents
Item 1 — Cover Page ..................................................................................................................................... i
Item 2 — Material Changes ........................................................................................................................... 1
Item 4 — Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................... 3
Item 5 — Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................. 4
Item 6 — Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ............................................................ 7
Item 7 —Types of Clients .............................................................................................................................. 7
Item 8 — Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss...................................................... 8
Item 9 — Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................. 12
Item 10 — Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ................................................................. 12
Item 11 — Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal .......................... 19
Trading ......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Item 12 — Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................... 19
Item 13 — Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................... 20
Item 14 — Client Referrals and Other Compensation ................................................................................. 21
Item 15 — Custody ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Item 16 — Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................ 22
Item 17 — Voting Client Securities............................................................................................................. 22
Item 18 — Financial Information ................................................................................................................ 23
Item 19 — Requirements for State-Registered Advisers ............................................................................. 23
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Item 4 — Advisory Business
Founded in 1985, Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. (“DAIC”) is a private wealth
management firm, registered with the SEC as an investment adviser and Broker-Dealer. DAIC is
wholly-owned by Dunham & Associates Holdings, Inc. (“Dunham Holdings”), which also owns
Dunham Trust Company (“DTC”), a Nevada Trust Company. As of December 31, 2024, DAIC,
together with DTC, had approximately $5.59 billion of assets under administration. Of that
amount, DAIC had $3.84 billion in discretionary assets under management and $898 million in
non-discretionary assets under management.
The principal owner of Dunham Holdings is Jeffrey A. Dunham, Chief Executive Officer of
DAIC.
DAIC currently offers four types of advisory services: mutual funds, wrap programs,
separately managed accounts (“SMAs”) and investment consulting services.
DAIC offers a proprietary family of sub-advised mutual funds (the “Dunham Funds”) that operate
on performance-based advisory fees, commonly known as fulcrum fees. DAIC is the investment
adviser to the Dunham Funds. DAIC selects sub-advisers based on its evaluation of their skills
and investment results in managing assets for specific asset classes, investment styles and
strategies. The investment objectives of the Dunham Funds range from current income to total
return. The Dunham Funds represent unique asset classes and are available individually or as part
of wrap programs.
DAIC sponsors two wrap programs: (i) the Standard Asset Allocation Program (“Standard
Program”); and (ii) the Custom Asset Allocation Program (“Custom Program”) (collectively, the
“Wrap Programs”). DAIC selects the Dunham Funds, or other mutual funds that are offered in the
Wrap Programs. DAIC also determines the allocations and sector weights of the core asset
allocation models (“Core Allocations”) for the Wrap Programs. Clients choose from the Core
Allocations and/or any combination of eligible Dunham Funds available in their selected Wrap
Program or the DunhamDC proprietary algorithm (“DunhamDC”, “Program”) representing
different asset classes. The Standard Program features seventeen Allocation models. The Custom
Program allows clients to invest in any combination of the eligible Dunham Funds and/or Core
Allocations. Clients may place reasonable restrictions, or make reasonable modifications to
existing restrictions, regarding the management of their Wrap Program account.
DAIC provides SMAs for high-net-worth individuals. DAIC serves as investment adviser to the
SMAs and tailors its investment advice to each client based on the client’s investment
profile/objectives. The SMAs may invest in individual securities, ETFs and mutual funds,
including Dunham Funds. Clients may place reasonable restrictions, or make reasonable
modifications to existing restrictions, regarding the management of their SMAs.
To the extent specifically requested by a client, DAIC may determine to provide portfolio review
and non-discretionary investment consulting services. Prior to engaging DAIC to provide stand-
alone consulting services, clients are required to enter into a Consulting Agreement with DAIC
setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing the
scope of the services to be provided, and the fee that is due from the client prior to DAIC
commencing services.
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In performing its portfolio review and investment consulting services, DAIC shall not be required
to verify any information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals, and it is
expressly authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that DAIC’s services do
not include investment implementation or ongoing investment supervision, monitoring, or
reporting services. If requested by the client, DAIC may recommend the services of other
professionals for implementation purposes. The client is under no obligation to engage the
services of any such recommended professional. The client retains absolute discretion over all
such implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from DAIC.
Financial advisors may, as agreed from time to time with clients, provide financial planning or
financial consulting services to clients utilizing the Dunham Retirement Income Plan (“DRIP”
or “Plan”). DRIP places the focus on developing strategic investment plans that are based on
the individual needs of clients. This framework attempts to help investors understand the
benefits of having an overall long-term investment approach while segmenting their portfolio
into two or more portfolios to budget for any combination of short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
The financial advisor may recommend DAIC’s Custom Asset Allocation Program as a means
of implementing the different portfolio strategies.
Item 5 — Fees and Compensation
Dunham Funds
As investment adviser to the Dunham Funds, DAIC receives investment advisory fees from the
Dunham Funds. Also, as distributor of Dunham Fund shares, DAIC may receive compensation
in connection with the sale of the Fund shares. DAIC may receive all or a portion of these fees.
These payments can be significant. This has the potential to create a conflict of interest, as it
may provide an incentive for DAIC to recommend the purchase of the Dunham Funds rather
than other similarly-situated mutual funds. In addition, DAIC may be incentivized to
recommend clients to invest assets (cash) into Core Allocations, to the extent the
recommendation is suitable and in the best interest of the client. This potential conflict of
interest is addressed by DAIC through communications to, and training and supervision of, its
representatives, and by providing disclosure to the client of specific conflicts as part of the
documentation provided to each client at the time of sale.
Any fees that DAIC receives from the Dunham Funds or from investors in Dunham Funds, are
disclosed in the Prospectuses of the Dunham Funds.
Wrap Program Fees
Detailed advisory and expense fee information about the Wrap Program is available in the
Wrap Fee Program Brochure (Wrap Brochure). The Wrap Brochure is provided with this
brochure and is prepared specifically for prospective and current participants in the Wrap
Program.
SMAs
For SMAs, DAIC’s actual advisory fees, minimum fees and minimum account sizes may be
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negotiated and may vary due to a variety of factors, including the particular circumstances of the
client, specific investment strategies mandated by the client, account size, or as otherwise may
be agreed with specific clients. As a result, DAIC may offer certain clients lower fees than other
clients.
The specific fees that DAIC charges an SMA client are set forth in the client’s written
investment management agreement with DAIC. DAIC generally bills its advisory fees on a
quarterly basis in arrears unless otherwise stated in the written management agreement with a
client. Clients also may be billed directly for fees or authorize DAIC to directly debit fees from
client accounts. Accounts initiated or terminated during a calendar quarter will be charged a
prorated fee. Upon termination of any account, any earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable.
Total fees charged to a SMA client range from 0.25% to 1.00%. A portion of this fee may be
paid by DAIC to DTC for providing custody and portfolio accounting services to SMA clients
who elect such services. DAIC compensates DTC for its services under a professional services
agreement.
Participation in an SMA may cost a client more or less depending on the circumstances. For
example, if there is heavy trading activity in a SMA, the advisory fees may cost the client less
than if the client were charged brokerage commissions for each trade. Conversely, little trading
activity could result in the advisory fees exceeding the cost of the brokerage commissions
charged for each trade.
Investment Consulting Services
To the extent specifically requested by a client, DAIC may determine to provide portfolio review
and investment consulting services on a stand-alone separate fee basis. DAIC’s portfolio review
and investment consulting service fees are negotiable, which may be higher depending upon the
level and scope of the service(s) required. Prior to engaging DAIC to provide stand-alone
consulting services, clients are required to enter into a Consulting Agreement with DAIC setting
forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing the scope of
the services to be provided, and the fee that is due from the client prior to DAIC commencing
services. If the client terminates, the balance, if any, of DAIC’s fee shall be paid by the client,
including the fee due for services rendered by DAIC but not previously invoiced to the client. Fees
shall be prorated and charged upon termination.
Other Expenses Regarding Dunham Funds and SMAs
Dunham Funds. In addition to advisory fees, mutual fund clients may incur fees for 12b-1,
custodian, administrative services, transfer agent, state registration, SEC registration, ICI
membership, state and city taxes, audit, printing, mailing, legal, compliance, as well as directors
expenses and a portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s compensation.
SMAs. Clients will typically pay fees to their custodian in addition to advisory fees. Depending
on the strategy in which the account invests, the account may incur brokerage fees for most
equity trading, and the effect of the difference with respect to the bid/ask spread for trading in
fixed income investments.
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Solicitor Agreement
DAIC enters into solicitor agreements with individuals who refer investment advisory clients to
DAIC from time to time. Compensation is either based on a percentage of (i) the annual account
balance; or (ii) the fees earned and received, both paid quarterly. The solicitor
agreement includes a representation that the solicitor’s activities comply with applicable federal
or state laws.
Rollover to IRAs
When DAIC’s investment advisors provide investment advice regarding a retirement plan
account or individual retirement account, the associated person is a fiduciary within the meaning
of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and/or the Internal
Revenue Code section 4975(c) (1) (IRC), as applicable, which are laws governing retirement
accounts (“Qualified Account”). DAIC and its investment advisors who act as a fiduciary by
providing investment advice for such retirement accounts are generally prohibited from
receiving compensation unless in compliance with applicable prohibited transaction exemptions
under ERISA or the IRC as authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The way DAIC is compensated creates some conflicts of interests, so for retirement accounts,
DAIC operates under a special rule that requires DAIC to act in the client’s best interest and not
put DAIC’s or DAIC’s investment advisor’s interest ahead of the clients.
A conflict of interest exists to the extent that DAIC’s associated persons recommend that a client
roll over assets from a qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan (“Employer Plan”) to an
Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) that invests in the Wrap Programs. DAIC and its
associated persons receive compensation as a result of a client’s participation in the Wrap
Programs and have a financial incentive to recommend the roll over.
When considering rolling over assets from an Employer Plan to an IRA a client should review
and consider the advantages and disadvantages of an IRA rollover from the Employer Plan. A
plan participant leaving an employer typically has four options (and may engage in a combination
of these options): (1) leave the money in the former employer’s plan, if permitted; (2) rollover the
assets to a new employer’s plan (if available and rollovers are permitted); (3) rollover Employer
Plan assets to an IRA; or, (4) cash out the Employer Plan assets and pay the required taxes on the
distribution. At a minimum, a client should consider fees and expenses, investment options,
services, penalty-free withdrawals, protection from creditors and legal judgments, required
minimum distributions, and employer stock. DAIC encourages clients to discuss their options
and review the above listed considerations with an accountant, third-party administrator,
investment advisor to your Employer Plan (if available), or legal counsel, to the extent necessary.
A client may face increased fees when he/she moves retirement assets from an Employer Plan to a
Rollover IRA account. Even if there are no costs associated with the IRA rollover itself, there
will be costs associated with account administration, investment management, or both. Investing
in an IRA that invests in the Wrap Programs will typically be more expensive than an Employer
Plan.
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By recommending that a client rollover his/her Employer Plan assets to an IRA, DAIC will earn
program fees and advisory fees as more fully described in the Wrap Brochure. In addition to these
fees, the underlying investment in the Wrap Programs, the Dunham Funds, may charge Rule 12b-1
and sub-transfer agent fees, management fees and administrative expenses, and other charges
required by law. DAIC may receive a portion of these fees. These payments are significant. This
has the potential to create a conflict of interest, as it may provide an incentive for DAIC to
recommend the purchase of the Dunham Funds rather than other similarly situated mutual funds.
While the Dunham Funds’ fees are competitive, they are not meant to be low-cost investment
options. Fees charged by comparable third-party funds may be lower.
As a result, DAIC has an economic incentive to encourage an individual to rollover Employer
Plan assets into an IRA that invests in the Wrap Programs. In contrast, leaving assets in the
Employer Plan or rolling the assets to a plan sponsored by the new employer results in no
compensation to DAIC.
Item 6 — Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
DAIC offers a performance-based fee structure in its Custom Program. Detailed information
about this fee structure is available in the Wrap Brochure.
Item 7 —Types of Clients
Types of Clients
DAIC’s advisory services are generally provided to the following client types:
Registered investment companies, primarily Dunham Funds;
Investors utilizing the Wrap Programs;
Investors utilizing the SMAs; and
DTC and/or clients of DTC.
Account Requirements
Dunham Funds
The Dunham Funds require the stated minimum account sizes to open and maintain an account:
Account Requirements
Class A Shares Class C Shares
Class N Shares
Tax-Deferred Accounts
$ 2,000
$ 2,000
$ 50,000
Regular Accounts (Taxable)
$ 5,000
$ 5,000
$ 100,000
These minimums may be waived at the discretion of DAIC.
Wrap Programs
The Wrap Programs require the stated minimum account sizes to open and maintain an account:
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Account Requirements
Standard Program
Custom Program
Qualified (Retirement) Account
Minimum
$ 5,000
$ 25,000
$ 10,000
Non-Qualified Account Minimum
$ 50,000
These minimums may be waived at the discretion of DAIC, the Wrap Program sponsor.
For the Standard Program, accounts below the applicable minimum will be charged an annual
$50 below minimum fee. For the Custom Program, accounts below the applicable minimum will
be charged an annual $65 below minimum fee. Accounts will be assessed this fee on the
anniversary date of the account. These minimums may be waived at the discretion of DAIC, the
Wrap Program sponsor.
SMAs
The SMAs require the stated minimum account sizes to open and maintain an account:
Account Requirements
SMAs
Qualified (Retirement) Account
Minimum
$ 500,000
$1,000,000
Non-Qualified Account Minimum
These minimums may be waived at the discretion of DAIC.
Item 8 — Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
General
Diversification via asset allocation remains at the forefront of DAIC’s investment strategies.
DAIC’s asset allocation process seeks to optimize returns by allocating funds among different
asset classes given various levels of risk tolerance. The investment process relies upon analysis
of global, fundamental macroeconomic data (central bank decision-making, fixed income credit
spreads, industrial output, etc.) and asset class risk-frontier research. The theory behind asset
allocation is that diversification among asset classes can help reduce volatility over the long-
term.
DAIC believes that investment decisions should be made in light of the longer-term scope of a
full market cycle, often 3 to 5 years. DAIC’s investment committee primarily decides the
quarterly rebalancing of asset class-based strategic allocations, while the day-to-day investment
decision-making within each mutual fund is left at the discretion of the Dunham Funds’ sub-
advisers.
Dunham Funds
For descriptions of the strategies, methods of analysis, and risks of loss of any of the Dunham
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Funds, please refer to the respective Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Wrap Programs
For descriptions of the strategies, methods of analysis, and risks of loss of the Wrap Programs,
please refer to the Wrap Brochure.
SMAs
The following are general descriptions of current SMA investment strategies and their associated
principal risks. Investing in these strategies involves a risk of loss of capital as markets can be
volatile and can go down.
ETF Asset Allocation Philosophy. The ETF Asset Allocation Strategy is based on the
premise that superior total returns can be achieved by investing in ETFs that provide
exposure to four primary asset classes: (i) U.S. equity securities; (ii) alternative/hybrid
securities; (iii) fixed income securities; and (iv) non-U.S. equity securities. The allocation
among those asset classes will be in proportions consistent with DAIC’s evaluation of the
expected returns and risks of each asset class as well as the allocation that, in DAIC’s view,
will best meet the client’s investment objective.
You should be aware that there are certain material risks associated with investing in the strategy
noted above. These risks include (without limitation):
Market Risk. The prices of the securities are subject to the risks associated with investing in the
stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in
value. Overall securities values could decline generally or could underperform other
investments. An investment may lose money.
Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk. Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires,
floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other severe weather-related phenomena generally, and
widespread disease and illness, including pandemics and epidemics (such as the coronavirus),
have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets.
Currency Risk. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may
erode or reverse any potential gains from investments denominated in a foreign currency or
may widen existing losses. Exchange rate movements are volatile and it may not be possible
to effectively hedge the currency risks of many countries.
Emerging Markets Risks. Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable
governments, weaker economies, and less-developed legal systems which do not protect
securities holders. Emerging market economies may be based on only a few industries and
security issuers may be more susceptible to economic weakness and more likely to default.
Emerging market securities also tend to be less liquid.
Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign countries are subject to currency risk and country-
specific risks such as political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and
economic instability and policies that have the effect of decreasing the value of foreign
securities. Foreign countries may be subject to different trading settlement practices, less
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government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and
greater volatility than U.S. investments.
Asset Allocation Risk. In allocating assets, DAIC may favor markets or asset classes that
perform poorly relative to other markets and asset classes. DAIC’s investment analysis, its
selection of investments, and its assessment of the risk/return potential of asset classes and
markets may not produce the intended results and/or can lead to an investment focus that
results in underperforming other investment strategies.
ETF Risk. ETFs are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be
indirectly paid by investors. As a result, the cost of investing in the strategy will be higher
than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds. The
ETFs in which the strategy invests will not be able to replicate exactly the
performance of the indices they track and the market value of ETF shares may differ from their
net asset value. ETFs are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund.
Lower-Rated Securities Risk. Securities rated below investment-grade, sometimes called “high-
yield” or “junk” bonds, are speculative investments that generally have more credit risk than
higher-rated securities. Companies issuing high-yield fixed-income securities are not as strong
financially as those issuing securities with higher credit ratings and are more likely to encounter
financial difficulties. Lower rated issuers are more likely to default and their securities could
become worthless.
Changing Fixed Income Market Conditions Risk. During periods of sustained rising rates,
fixed income risks will be amplified. If the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market
Committee (“FOMC”) raises the federal funds interest rate target, interest rates across the
U.S. financial system may rise. Rising rates tend to decrease liquidity, increase trading
costs, and increase volatility, all of which make portfolio management more difficult and
costly.
DunhamDC Program
DAIC offers a proprietary, algorithmic rebalancing program, the DunhamDC that is part of the
Custom Program.
The DunhamDC algorithm is a systematic and unemotional investment strategy that generally
increases equity exposure as global stock prices decrease and reduces equity exposure when global
stock prices increase, except if invested in the U.S. variant as further described below. With
DunhamDC, the client, with his or her financial advisor is selecting the level of risk the client is
willing to take within this strategy and whether the client is selecting the U.S. variant. The U.S.
variant generally increases equity exposure as domestic stock prices decrease and reduces equity
exposure when domestic stock prices increase. There are different portfolios for different risk
tolerance and investment objectives which are tailored to the clients’ specific needs.
Rebalancing is initiated based on the investment criteria set forth in the investor’s application and
is further influenced by the DunhamDC algorithm. Accounts invested in DunhamDC are subject to
a quarterly rebalance to its target allocation at the time based on the DunhamDC Program in
addition to the signals provided by the DunhamDC Program at any given time.
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DunhamDC allocation changes are made only if they result in an allocation value shift at the fund
level of 1% or greater of the total account value. This includes if non-Dunham fund investments are
in the Dunham account and the allocation value shift per fund is more than 1%.
Due to the large deviation in equity to fixed income ratio at any given time, a large deviation in
equity to fixed income ratio can have significant implications for the risk and return profile of the
account. Accordingly, during periods of strong market growth the account may underperform
accounts that do not have the DunhamDC feature. Conversely, during periods of strong market
declines, the account may also be underperforming, as the account continues to decline, due to the
higher exposure in equities. Similarly, if the fixed income investments underperform the equity
investments, it is possible that the accounts using the DunhamDC feature may underperform
accounts that do not have the DunhamDC feature, even though they may have adjusted the
exposure to equity investment before a decline.
The Program uses simplified assumptions based primarily on historical data. The program operates
within predefined parameters and rules and can make frequent purchases and redemptions at times
which can result in a taxable event in the client’s account and may cause undesired tax-related
consequences such as wash sales.
While this approach can reduce emotional biases and enhance consistency, it limits adaptability to
changing market conditions, economic considerations, or unforeseen events. Unforeseen changes
in the markets or market expectations may require deviations from the Program’s prescribed
approach, and such adaptability may be challenging to incorporate.
While the DunhamDC algorithm is programmed based on specific criteria and rules, it cannot
capture certain qualitative or contextual factors that can impact investment decisions or movement
in the markets. Beyond the simplistic initial assumptions used to develop the algorithm, it lacks
other inputs or considerations that human judgement and discretion may be necessary to evaluate.
The algorithm does not use complex formulas and is designed to create a consistent process with
limited assumptions based on historical data. It does not make any predictions and may add to
certain investments before they perform poorly or may divest from other investments before they
perform well. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will meet its stated objectives.
There may be economic times where all investments are unfavorable and depreciate in value.
Market conditions and factors that influence investment outcomes are subject to change, and no
program can fully account for all variables and events. No investment strategy or risk management
technique can guarantee returns or eliminate risk in any market environment.
There are no additional fees and expenses to use DunhamDC other than the advisory and expense
fees for the Wrap Fee Program as described in the Wrap Fee Program Brochure.
Dunham Retirement Income Plan (“DRIP”)
DAIC offers a Dunham Retirement Income Plan (“DRIP” or “Plan”). DRIP seeks to help retirees
by investing principal to establish regular, inflation-adjusted withdrawals of cash during
retirement. The Plan seeks to set aside a thirteen to fifteen months reserve of liquid assets in the
Distribution Portfolio allocated in the Dunham Insured Deposit Marketplace seeking to satisfy
monthly distributions for current spending based on the client’s specific circumstances as part of
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the client’s overall financial plan. This reserve is funded by assets invested in an algorithmic
rebalancing program DunhamDC) or any other Dunham Custom Asset Allocation Program, which
aim to generate inflation-adjusted returns to replenish the reserve.
The Plan invests the remaining capital to fund future spending in one or more portfolios, which can
include the Flex Portfolio, Healthcare Portfolio and/ or Legacy Portfolio. These portfolios can be
invested in the proprietary algorithmic rebalancing program DunhamDC or any other Allocation of
the Custom Program. DRIP was created to address risks common to those seeking retirement
income, including inflation risk, market risk and longevity risk. DRIP is not an insurance product
and is not guaranteed. Clients may lose money.
Item 9 — Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client’s or prospective client’s
evaluation of our investment advisory business or integrity of our management.
Item 10 — Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
DAIC is a dually registered Broker-Dealer and investment adviser. DAIC is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the parent company Dunham Holdings and an affiliate of DTC and Dunham &
Associates Securities, Inc. (“DASI”). Jeffrey Dunham is an officer, director, and principal
shareholder of Dunham Holdings. As a registered representative, Mr. Dunham does not receive
directly, sales commissions from sales of the Dunham Funds, however, DAIC may as disclosed
in this brochure.
DTC is a privately held trust company licensed by the Nevada Department of Business &
Industry, Financial Institutions Division. DTC provides a variety of trust and custodial services,
including serving as administrator, trustee and/or investment manager of a trust. DTC generally
provides investment management services through DAIC, however, may also delegate investment
management to other approved financial advisors. A conflict of interest exists to the extent that
DAIC’s associated persons recommend that a client utilize the trust services provided by DTC.
By recommending that a client utilize the trust services and such client agreeing or selecting DTC
as trustee, DAIC may receive advisory fees and DTC will receive trustee and/or administration
fees. These payments may be significant. In contrast, recommending that a client use another
trust company results in no compensation to DAIC or DTC. DTC and DAIC mitigate any potential
conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other information to clients. DTC may also pay a
portion of its administration fees to non-affiliated financial services firm(s). These payments
relate to DTC’s inclusion as a featured exhibitor on the financial services firm’s wealth
management platform. Clients pay no additional fees to DTC or to the financial advisors at these
firm(s) who utilize the platform. However, these payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the financial services firm(s) to promote DTC’s trust and custodial services over
another trust company. DTC also serves as custodian for certain DAIC clients.
DTC and DAIC have an agreement in place where DTC employs DAIC to provide or arrange
certain administrative, support, and investment advisory services, either directly or through
affiliates. Under this agreement DTC pays DAIC a fixed monthly fee for administrative, support,
and investment advisory services, either directly or through affiliates. Under this agreement, DTC
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pays DAIC a fixed monthly fee for the administrative and support services it provides.
Additionally, DAIC charges its standard fees for investment advisory services it performs.
DAIC also has a separate agreement with DTC. Under this agreement, DAIC engages DTC to
assist with professional services necessary for DAIC to deliver investment advisory services to
clients of DTC who are also DAIC’s clients. For these professional services, DAIC pays DTC a fee
as set forth in the Professional Services Agreement.
DAIC offers a donor-advised fund to help clients with charitable giving. The Dunham Donor-
Advised Fund (“Dunham DAF”), is a charitable fund that may be used for philanthropy and
impact investing and is powered by University Impact (“UI”), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in
the United States. DAIC can facilitate the opening and management of the Dunham DAF
account with UI. A donor-advised fund account allows clients to contribute cash or other assets to
a charitable account to realize potential, immediate tax benefits and then support their charities
over time. UI charges fees to the Dunham DAF for administrative services in accordance with
the Fee Schedule as outlined in the UI Donor Advised Fund Agreement (“Agreement”). Accounts
are required to maintain a $1,000 minimum balance to support investment fees as explained in
the Agreement. There may be additional fees charged by the financial advisor that are separate
from UI’s administrative and impact investment fees. Contributions to the Dunham DAF are
irrevocable contributions made to UI, a public charity.
Assets contributed to the Dunham DAF (once liquidated, if applicable) will be invested in the
Dunham Asset Allocation Program sponsored by DAIC. Investment allocations may be changed
according to Dunham’s standard policies and procedures. UI may hold up to 5% of the Dunham
DAF assets in cash or cash equivalent at any time.
As the Program Sponsor, DAIC charges each donor a single service program fee (“Program Fee”)
not exceeding 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the account. In addition, a Financial
Advisor may charge a donor an asset-based advisory fee (“Advisory Fee”) as specified in the
Advisory Agreement.
If a Financial Advisor is no longer willing or able to advise on distributions for charitable giving
and no successor financial advisor is named, provided that certain conditions are met, DAIC’s
affiliate DTC will assume responsibility for grant making as outlined in the DAF Agreement. A
conflict of interest exists to the extent that donated assets may stay longer in the Dunham DAF
absent of specific instructions on file, resulting in compensation to DAIC as described above.
DAIC mitigates any potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other information
to clients.
As investment adviser to the Dunham Funds, DAIC receives the investment advisory compensation
described in the Dunham Funds’ prospectuses and such fees are borne by all shareholders in the
Dunham Funds, including the donor. These payments may be significant. A conflict of interest
exists to the extent that DAIC’s associated persons recommend that a client utilize the Dunham
DAF. In contrast, recommending that a client use another donor advised fund results in no
compensation to DAIC. DAIC mitigates any potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures
and other information to clients.
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DASI may have previously identified proprietary opportunities to invest in securities products,
either directly or through Dunham Holdings. In addition, clients of DAIC may have invested
along with DASI in such securities products. As a result, DAIC or its associated persons may
have access to insider information or to non-public information that is not generally available to
other investors. In an effort to reduce any possible conflict of interest, Mr. Dunham is subject
to a Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy that prevents him from using this information to
his advantage. Mr. Dunham may operate in various capacities including, but not limited to, as
an investment advisor recommending the purchase or sale of securities products, which poses a
conflict of interest. DAIC addresses this potential conflict by providing adequate disclosures.
Closed to New Investors - DAIC, in its capacity as a Broker-Dealer, may recommend that a
client invest in a trust deed. DAIC previously served as investment adviser and distributor for
four private funds (the “Private Funds”). The Private Funds invested in first and second trust
deeds. Individuals who are also clients of DAIC may acquire a smaller interest in a trust deed
(“fractionalized trust deed”) from a Private Fund in private transactions. This may result in a
conflict of interest because DAIC must act in the best interests of both the Private Fund and the
individual purchasing the fractionalized trust deed, which may have competing interests. The
Private Funds have now liquidated, however, DAIC and its affiliates (including Mr. Dunham)
may be incentivized to facilitate investment in fractionalized trust deeds in order to quicken the
pace of liquidation and distributions to AMI, a former affiliate of DAIC, or other affiliates. DAIC is
conflicted in the following ways: (i) recommending that a client liquidate lower risk investments
(such as Dunham Funds, third-party mutual funds or other assets) to raise funds to invest in the
trust deed; and (ii) foregoing the opportunity to invest in an alternative trust deed or other
investment that has more attractive terms (e.g., interest rate, collateralization, etc.) to the client
than the trust deed. Finally, the Private Funds may have access to insider information or non-
public information that is not generally available to other investors about the fractionalized trust
deeds. DAIC mitigates any potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other
information to clients.
DAIC may also pay a portion of its compensation to non-affiliated registered investment advisers.
This compensation varies from 5 basis points to 25 basis points and is based on the total dollar
amount of client assets in the flat and performance-based fee options of the Custom Program.1
Clients pay no additional fees to DAIC or to the advisors who participate in this program.
However, these payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the advisor to invest in
the Custom Program over another investment.
DAIC, in its capacity as a Broker-Dealer, may recommend that a client invest in interests in
limited liability companies (“LLCs”) investing in real estate. Such investments are illiquid and
have not been registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933. Prior to investing, a client must
qualify as a “qualified” investor (as defined by applicable law and rules and regulations) and
acknowledge that he or she is aware of the various risk factors and conflicts associated with such
an investment. Mr. Dunham and certain related parties may in the future or currently have
personally invested in a LLC they also recommend to a client. Chad Dunham and/ or Rex
Dunham (Mr. Dunham’s son(s)) receive a membership interest in the LLC or a fee, which
represents a percentage of the cost of purchase of the property(s) or equity raised, for
1 For client assets in the Custom Program prior to October 1, 2019, the compensation is based only on the total dollar
amount in the performance-based fee option.
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identifying the property, negotiating the purchase of the property and negotiating the leases with
tenants. Chad Dunham and/ or Rex Dunham also serve as Manager of the LLC and receive a
management fee based on a certain percentage of the gross rents for on-going management of the
property and LLC. An affiliate of DAIC receives a membership interest in the LLC or a fee,
representing a percentage of the cost of purchase of the property(s) or equity raised, for conducting
due diligence on the property, assisting with bridge loan financing, loan servicing and resolving
any issues that arise as a result. This creates a natural conflict of interest in that their personal
investment may motivate them to recommend the LLC over other private placement investments
they have not personally invested in but may be better suited for the client.
In addition, DAIC is conflicted in the following ways: (i) recommending that a client liquidate
lower risk investments (such as Dunham Funds, third-party mutual funds or other assets) to raise
funds to invest in the LLC; and (ii) foregoing the opportunity to invest in an alternative LLC or
other investment that has more attractive terms (e.g., distributions) to the client than the LLC.
DAIC mitigates any potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other information to
clients.
DAIC’s affiliate, DTC, offers the following cash sweep arrangement; a Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (“FDIC”) insured cash program, the Dunham Insured Deposit Marketplace (“IDM”,
“Bank Program”). DTC does not directly provide these services; they are provided to DTC clients
through third-party providers, and DTC is compensated by the third parties. Please refer to the
IDM Disclosure Booklet for more information. The following is a summary of those disclosures.
DTC will automatically transfer (“sweep”) available cash balances, including proceeds of
securities transactions, dividend and interest payments, cash deposits, and other monies into
interest-bearing deposit accounts (“Deposit Accounts”) at banks insured by the FDIC.
Client participation in the IDM results in financial benefits for DTC that create conflicts of
interest. DTC receives compensation from the program banks (“Program Banks”) for the record
keeping and administrative services it provides in connection with maintaining the Bank Program
(the “Program Fee”). The interest rates paid to clients participating in the IDM are essentially
determined by DTC, based on the interest rates paid by the Program Banks, less the Program Fees
paid to DTC by the Program Banks, which can be up to 4.00% on an annualized basis as applied
to deposits across all Deposit Accounts. Individuals that serve as DAIC and DTC officers set the
Program Fee, and thus DAIC and DTC directly determine how much of the total payment made by
the Program Banks DTC retains as compensation. The amount of the Program Fee paid to DTC
and the administrative fee paid to the third-party program administrator reduce the interest rate
paid on client Deposit Accounts. DTC has discretion over the amount of its Program Fee, and
DTC reserves the right to modify the Program Fees it receives from Program Banks. This
discretion in modifying the Program Fee creates a conflict of interest on the part of DTC; the
greater the Program Fee DTC receives, which may be up to 4.00% on an annualized basis, the
lower the interest paid by Program Banks to DTC clients. In certain interest rate environments, the
Program Fee, is a substantial source of revenue to DTC. DTC can reduce its Program Fees and
can vary the amount of the reductions between clients and the amount of interest paid by Program
Banks to DTC. The Program Fees paid by each Program Bank, which affects the interest rates
paid by the Program Banks in the Bank Program, do and are expected to vary from Program Bank
to Program Bank; this creates a conflict for DTC when selecting Program Banks in that it
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incentivizes DTC to select the banks that pay higher Program Fees. No part of the Program Fee is
paid to any financial advisor.
If the client is investing through an advisory account, such as in the Custom Program, the fees that
DTC receives from the banks are in addition to the program fee the client pays DAIC as program
sponsor of the Wrap Fee Program (0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the client’s
account if choosing an asset-based fee or ½ of the performance-based fee if the client is a
“qualified client” (as defined in the Investment Advisers Act) covering shareholder servicing and
distribution, and client communications, limited discretionary investment management, brokerage
and custodial services related to the Dunham Funds) and the advisory fee that the client pays the
Advisor. This means that DTC and its affiliate DAIC earn two types of fees on the same cash
balances in the client’s account, which may be higher than if the cash balance is held in a
brokerage account. It is important that the client understands the difference between investment
advisory services, brokerage services and fees and how they differ to select the right account type
depending on the client’s needs and objectives. Please refer to the Regulation Best Interest
Disclosures and Client Relationship Summary for more information.
The interest rates paid by a bank may be higher or lower than the interest rates available to
depositors making deposits directly with the bank or other depository institutions in comparable
accounts.
Program Banks have a conflict of interest with respect to setting interest rates and do not have a
duty to provide the highest rates available on the market and can instead seek to pay a low rate;
lower rates are more financially beneficial to a Program Bank. This is in contrast to money market
mutual funds, which have a fiduciary duty to seek to maximize the rates they pay investors
consistent with the funds’ investment strategies. There is no necessary linkage between the bank
rates of interest and other rates available in the market, including money market mutual fund rates.
For deposits that don’t meet the eligibility requirements2, 3, 4 of the participating Program Banks
to accept deposits, DTC has discretion to sweep program balances into a secondary sweep option,
an unaffiliated money market mutual fund(s).
DTC expects the Program Fees it receives from Program Banks in the IDM to be at a higher rate
than any service fee DAIC will receive from unaffiliated money market mutual fund(s) or their
service providers. This is a conflict of interest for DTC in that it expects to receive a higher
Program Fee from Program Banks than the service fee DAIC receives from unaffiliated money
market mutual fund(s).
DTC also offers the DTC Cash program (“DTC Cash”). This program is self-directed and exists
outside of and independent from the DAIC Asset Allocation Program. The DTC Cash program is
available (but not limited to) clients of DTC’s partner platform providers through platform
provider’s proprietary financial dashboard. DTC Cash enables clients of partner platforms to direct
DTC to deposit client’s funds it holds as a custodian with banks insured by FDIC. For clients that
2 The Bank Program is not available for the accounts participating in the Standard Asset Allocation Program (“SAAP”).
3 Cash balances derived from the involvement in the growing, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution or sale of cannabis (also
referred to as to a ‘Marijuana related business” or “MRB”) are not eligible to participate in the Bank Program.
4 Cash balances exceeding the IDM limit, which is subject to change will be placed into a money market mutual fund.
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participate in DTC Cash, DTC is acting as the agent. DTC will automatically transfer (“sweep”)
available cash balances in the custodial accounts of each client into interest-bearing deposit
accounts in DTC’s name as account holder for the benefit of its clients at banks insured by the
FDIC. The deposit accounts will be held in DTC’s name for the benefit of its clients at one or
more banks identified on the bank list maintained by DTC. DTC manages the FDIC insured banks
participating in the program.
DTC receives compensation from the Program Banks for the services it provides in connection
with maintaining DTC Cash (the “DTC Cash Program Fee”), which may be up to 4.00% on an
annualized basis as applied to deposits across all program accounts.
This compensation may be higher than compensation DTC receives for services it provides in
connection with IDM as DTC may incur different costs associated with running DTC Cash
including but not limited to services rendered by DTC and paying third-party platform providers
fees for assisting in the administration of DTC Cash. In addition, a third-party serves as program
administrator and facilitates the ability to provide DTC Cash and receives a fee for its services.
Additionally, the program administrator is paid fees by Program Banks. Individuals that serve as
DTC officers, who are also DAIC officers set the DTC Cash Program Fee, and thus DTC directly
determines how much of the total payment made by the Program Banks DTC retains as
compensation. The amount of the fee paid to DTC and the fees paid to the program administrator
reduce the interest paid to you by the Program Banks on deposits of your funds made by DTC in
its accounts. DTC has discretion over the amount of its DTC Cash Program Fee, and DTC reserves
the right to modify the DTC Cash Program Fees it receives from Program Banks at any time and
without advance notice.
This discretion in modifying the DTC Cash Program Fee creates a conflict of interest on the part
of DTC; the greater the DTC Cash Program Fee DTC receives, which may be up to 4.00% on an
annualized basis, the lower the interest paid by Program Banks to clients. In certain interest rate
environments, the DTC Cash Program Fee is a substantial source of revenue to DTC. DTC can
reduce its DTC Cash Program Fees and can vary the amount of the reductions between clients and
the amount of interest paid by Program Banks to DTC.
Clients in DTC Cash will receive the same interest rate on all DTC Cash Account assets regardless
of the bank in which such assets are held. Interest will be accrued daily and credited monthly.
DTC Cash interest rates may vary and are impacted by several factors, including the total amount
paid on deposits by the banks, fees paid to DTC, fees paid to a third party that assists in operating
the Program, and additional factors, including the current Federal Funds Rate, as set by the Federal
Open Market Committee. The rate of interest accruing on program account balances may change
as frequently as daily without prior notice. The fee paid to DTC may exceed the amounts paid to
clients in the form of interest. The interest rates paid by a bank may be higher or lower than the
interest rates available to depositors making deposits directly with the bank or other depository
institutions in comparable accounts. For example, you may earn a lower interest rate through DTC
Cash than you would earn by making a deposit or purchasing a certificate of deposit directly
through that bank. None of the Program Banks have an obligation to offer the highest rates
available, and each of the service providers, including DTC, facilitating DTC Cash will charge
such fees for their services as they determine in their discretion.
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Prior to using DTC Cash, you should compare the terms, interest rates, required minimum
amounts, and other features of DTC Cash with other accounts and alternative investments or
savings options to determine the best option for you.
DTC expects interest rates in the client self-directed DTC Cash to be generally lower than interest
rates in IDM, offered as part of the Custom Program, after deduction of DAIC program fee, as
DTC may incur different costs associated with running DTC Cash including but not limited to
services rendered by DTC and paying third-party platform providers fees for the administration of
DTC Cash. DTC Cash is subject to lower account minimums than IDM as part of the Custom
Program.
DTC has also partnered with certain bank(s) to help facilitate clients’ access to securities-based
lending services collateralized by their investment accounts. Because of DTC’s arrangements with
the bank(s) participating in the program, the client may be limited in its ability to negotiate the
most favorable loan terms. The client is not required to use the bank(s) in DTC’s program and may
work directly with other banks to negotiate loan terms or obtain other, potentially more favorable,
financing arrangements. The client should understand that the interest and additional fees paid to
the bank in connection with the loan are separate from and in addition to the advisory fees the
client pays DAIC for its advisory services on the account.
For the existing program, DTC may receive compensation from participant bank(s) equal to 0.25%
of the percentage interest earned on the outstanding loan balance.
For the streamlined, Dunham Easy Access Loans (“DEAL”) securities-based lending program,
beginning upon the earlier of i) the date on which the total aggregate outstanding balance of all
referred loans is $10,000,000 or ii) the date that is 12 months from the date the first loan is
approved, the participating bank(s) pays DTC a quarterly referral fee equal to the sum of the daily
referral fee for each day during the calendar quarter for which the fee calculation is made. The
daily referral fee is the total aggregate balance of referred loans outstanding as of the close of
business of the applicable day multiplied by 0.15% (the “Fee Rate”) divided by 365. Individuals
that serve as DAIC and DTC officers negotiate the terms and conditions of the program, including
the referral fee.
The receipt of compensation poses a conflict of interest for DTC because DTC has a financial
incentive for the client to participate in the program, rather than working directly with other banks.
However, DTC does not share this compensation with financial advisors, and therefore, an advisor
does not have a financial incentive for the client to select the lines of credit through the program.
DAIC and the financial advisor(s) has an interest in continuing to receive investment advisory
fees, which gives DAIC and the advisor(s) an incentive to recommend that the client borrows
money rather than liquidate some of its assets in the Asset Allocation Program. This incentive
creates a conflict of interest for DAIC and the advisors when advising clients seeking to access
funds on whether they should liquidate assets or instead hold their securities investments and
utilize a line of credit secured by assets in their account.
Because the advisor(s) are compensated through advisory fees paid on the client’s account and
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DAIC receives a Program Fee, DAIC and the advisor(s) also have an interest in managing an
account serving as collateral for a loan in a manner that will preserve sufficient collateral value to
support the loan and avoid a bank call. This may present a conflict of interest with the client
because it could incentivize DAIC and the advisor(s) to invest in more conservative, lower
performing investments to maintain the stability of the account. DTC and DAIC mitigate any
potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other information to the client.
Item 11 — Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
DAIC takes issues of regulatory compliance, fiduciary responsibility and public trust seriously.
DAIC seeks the highest standards of ethics and conduct in all of its business relationships.
DAIC’s Code of Ethics (“Code”) seeks to deter wrongdoing and (1) promote compliance with
applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, (2) provide standards of honest and ethical
conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest, (3) require all
access persons to promptly report for review, personal transactions and holdings, (4) facilitate
prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code, and (5) providing accountability for
adherence to this Code. DAIC will provide a copy of its full Code to any client or prospective
client upon request.
No employee or registered personnel of DAIC or its affiliates shall take action with regard to
securities for themselves, DAIC, or any client account unless they are certain that the
information in their possession is available to the investing public.
The Code imposes restrictions on the purchase or sale by access persons of securities for their
own accounts and accounts in which he/she has a beneficial interest. Subject to the Code, certain
employees of DAIC may recommend to clients the discretionary purchase or sale of securities in
which DAIC’s employees may have a beneficial interest. The Code includes preclearance of
personal trades and reporting requirements.
In addition, the Code prohibits employees from investing in initial public offerings and limits
their ability to invest in private placements by requiring the preapproval of the Chief Compliance
Officer. Finally, all DAIC access persons must certify annually their acknowledgment of and
adherence to the Code and DAIC’s policy on insider trading.
Item 12 — Brokerage Practices
Dunham Funds and Wrap Programs
This item is generally not applicable to the Dunham Funds or the Wrap Programs. As DAIC
utilizes a manager-of-managers asset allocation process, it does not directly decide the selection of
securities or cash within a given mutual fund. Rather, it utilizes the expertise of each Fund’s sub-
adviser, with each being uniquely knowledgeable in its respective asset class. DAIC monitors
each sub-adviser’s investment process and results and may replace a sub-adviser should it find
extended style drift or lacking performance (relative to both peers and the applicable benchmark).
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However, sub-advisers are required to submit quarterly reports respecting commissions on
portfolio transactions, soft dollar arrangements and best execution procedures to ensure that they
are executing trades in a timely and cost-effective manner.
SMAs
When DAIC selects or recommends a Broker-Dealer for transactions, DAIC considers a number
of factors regarding the Broker-Dealer and the reasonableness of its compensation. The factors
DAIC considers in selecting a Broker-Dealer and determining the reasonableness of its
compensation include:
Security price and spreads;
Commission rates, if applicable;
Size of the order;
Nature and extent of services and frequency of coverage;
Integrity, reputation, financial responsibility and stability;
Market knowledge and ability to understand trading characteristics of the security an overall
performance;
Ability to execute in desired volume and to act on a confidential basis;
Willingness to commit capital;
Access to underwritten offerings and secondary markets; and
Operational efficiency and facilities made available including trading networks, access to
multiple brokers and markets, and significant resources for positioning as principals.
For clients that invest through the SMAs, the fee charged covers trade and execution services.
Item 13 — Review of Accounts
General
DAIC reviews client accounts on a periodic basis. Reviewers include members of the portfolio
management team, authorized persons, the Investment Committee, and/or the compliance
department.
Dunham Funds
The Board of Trustees of Dunham Funds receives regular reports in addition to the information
included in the annual and semi-annual shareholder reports.
Wrap Programs
For the Wrap Programs, clients receive monthly and/or quarterly account statements which
include current valuation of assets. Clients may request special reports (i.e., performance
reviews) to be delivered on a regular basis or as needed or may access such information
themselves on the Dunham Portal.
SMAs
Clients receive quarterly reports. These reports typically contain the total return for each account
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held by the client which is calculated on the basis of net asset value plus dividend and interest
income, and in cases where required by clients, comparisons to appropriate benchmark indices.
Investment Consulting Services
DAIC will meet on a periodic basis, but no less frequently than annually, with clients who
receive portfolio review and investment consulting services.
Item 14 — Client Referrals and Other Compensation
DAIC enters into solicitor agreements with non-affiliated third parties (“Solicitors”) from time
to time, who refer investment advisory clients to DAIC (“Referral Services”). Compensation is
either based on a percentage of (i) the annual account balance; or (ii) the fees earned and
received, both paid quarterly. Because of this cash compensation, the Solicitors and/ or their
personnel may be incentivized to endorse DAIC or provide testimonials, which may create a
conflict of interest. The Solicitors are required to provide prospective clients with the Solicitor’s
disclosure statement (orally or in writing). The Solicitor’s statement will disclose the particulars
of the referral relationship and the compensation DAIC will pay to the Solicitor.
DTC enters into referral agreements with broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, CPAs or
other professionals (“Financial Professionals”) for the referral of potential clients for trust
services. In all cases there will be a written agreement between DTC and the Financial
Professionals making the referral which shall stipulate the compensation payable, and the
activities permitted, among other specifics. In addition, associated persons at DAIC generally
receive between $500 and $5,000 and potentially additional compensation based on the estimated
annual fees for account referrals over a certain fee threshold, subject to the annual compensation
plan, for each trust they help establish at DTC for clients of these Financial Professionals. This
creates a conflict of interest, as it provides an incentive for both the associated persons at DAIC
and the Financial Professionals to recommend DTC rather than another trust company. DTC
mitigates any potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other information to
clients.
DAIC as program sponsor from time to time pays compensation to unaffiliated RIAs as a result
of the client’s participation in the program. For example, this compensation may include
administrative and financial advisor support fees, a portion of assets under management on the
platform and fees for ongoing due diligence, training and operational oversight of the platform.
This may include additional payments to unaffiliated RIAs, their employees and or/ advisors to
cover fees to attend conferences or reimbursement of client events. The amount of this
compensation may be more or less than what the advisor would receive if the client participated
in programs of other investment advisors or paid separately for investment advice. Clients
participating in the program do not pay more or less in fees as a result of this compensation.
DAIC mitigates any potential conflicts by providing adequate disclosures and other information
to clients.
Item 15 — Custody
Dunham Funds
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The assets of the Dunham Funds are custodied at US Bank, N.A.
Wrap Programs
For the Standard Program, the Dunham Funds’ transfer agent, Gemini, serves as the
custodian for Funds’ shares held in a client account. For the Custom Program, DTC serves
as the custodian for Funds’ shares held in a client account. Clients shall be responsible for
paying any additional (non-Program) fees or charges of the custodian, including transaction
fees, IRA custodial fees and trading costs, if applicable. Clients will receive, at least
quarterly, statements from the client selected, non-affiliated broker-dealer or financial
institution custodian or DTC, as applicable.
SMAs
DTC serves as custodian of accounts. Account assets are custodied at an approved custodian.
Clients shall be responsible for paying any additional fees or charges of the custodian, including
transaction fees, IRA custodial fees and trading costs, if applicable. Clients will receive quarterly
statements from DTC.
Interests in LLCs
Because a related party serves as manager of the LLCs, DAIC is deemed to have indirect
“custody” of the LLCs within the meaning of Rule 206(4)-2 under the Advisers Act. For these
LLCs, investors receive audited financial statements that comply with U.S. generally accepted
accounting practices within 120 days following the LLC’s fiscal year end.
Item 16 — Investment Discretion
DAIC manages securities accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis as instructed by
the client. Prior to assuming management over a client’s assets, DAIC enters into an investment
management agreement or other agreement that explains the scope of DAIC’s authority.
Item 17 — Voting Client Securities
Dunham Funds
The Board of Trustees of the Dunham Funds has delegated responsibilities for decisions
regarding proxy voting for securities held by each Fund to the Fund’s respective Sub-Adviser.
The Sub-Advisers will vote such proxies in accordance with their proxy voting policies and
procedures. Each Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures are attached as Appendix
B to the Dunham Funds’ SAI. The actual voting records relating to portfolio securities for each
Fund during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon
request by calling toll-free, (888) 3DUNHAM, by accessing the Funds’ website at
www.dunham.com, or by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
SMAs
DAIC will accept proxy voting authority from its clients, and follow its Proxy Voting Policy,
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which is summarized below. If DAIC has accepted proxy voting authority from the client,
DAIC does not provide the client the option to direct a proxy vote with respect to a particular
solicitation. DAIC does, however, agree with some clients to use their general proxy voting
guidelines when voting proxies on their behalf.
Some of DAIC’s clients do not give DAIC the authority to vote proxies on their behalf, choosing
to vote proxies themselves. Those clients will likely receive proxy solicitations from a custodian
and transfer agent, and not through DAIC.
DAIC has adopted a Proxy Voting Policy. This Policy is designed to ensure that all proxies
are voted in the best interest of clients without regard to DAIC’s interests or the interests of its
affiliates.
To assist DAIC in researching and voting proxies, DAIC has engaged ProxyEdge which is
a third-party proxy service provider. Where a client has contractually delegated proxy
voting authority to DAIC, DAIC votes proxies in accordance with management unless a
conflict of interest exists or an issue of unusual circumstance is raised with a proxy. In
these circumstances, the proxy will be presented to the Investment Portfolio Manager
and/or Investment Committee for instruction.
All clients may obtain a copy of DAIC’s Proxy Voting Policy by contacting the Chief
Compliance Officer at 858-964-0500.
Other
From time to time, DAIC may receive proxies and notices of corporate actions on non-Dunham
assets held in a client’s account. In these instances, DAIC reaches out and contacts the client to
seek voting instructions pursuant to its internal Proxy Voting Operating Procedures.
Item 18 — Financial Information
DAIC does not require the prepayment of fees six months or more in advance.
DAIC has never been the subject of a bankruptcy petition and there is no condition that
is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
Item 19 — Requirements for State-Registered Advisers
Not applicable.
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