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Empowered Funds, LLC
d/b/a
ETF Architect
Firm Brochure
Part 2A of Form ADV
August 8, 2025
3803 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Telephone: 215-330-4476
Fax: 216-245-3686
Email: compliance@etfarchitect.com
Web: www.etfarchitect.com
the
content of
This brochure (“Brochure”) provides you with information about the qualifications, business practices and nature
of advisory services of Empowered Funds, LLC (“Empowered Funds”, the “Firm” or the “Adviser”), an investment
adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). If you have any
questions about
contact us at 215-330-4476 or
this Brochure, please
compliance@etfarchitect.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. Registration with the SEC or with any state securities
authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about our firm is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can
search this site by using a unique identifying number, known as a CRD number. Our firm’s CRD number is
1592828.
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ITEM 2 - MATERIAL CHANGES
This brochure dated August 8, 2025, is an other than annual updating amendment which had no
material changes.
Our March 29, 2024, annual amendment had the following changes to the disclosures:
In December 2024, the CEO was changed from Michael Barolsky to Wesley Gray. Michael
remains employed by the Firm as Chief Legal Officer.
Please note that this section of the Brochure discusses only material changes since the last update
of our Brochure. For any future material changes to this and subsequent Brochures, we will at no
charge provide you with a summary of material changes within 120 days of the close of our fiscal
year, or more often as necessary.
If you would like to receive a copy of our Firm Brochure at no charge, please contact us by
telephone at 215-330-4476 or by email at compliance@etfarchitect.com.
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ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 2 - MATERIAL CHANGES ................................................................................................................................................ 2
ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................... 4
ITEM 4 – ADVISORY SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................ 6
FIRM DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................................................................6
TYPES OF ADVISORY SERVICES ...............................................................................................................................................................6
WRAP FEE PROGRAMS ........................................................................................................................................................................7
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................................................................................7
ITEM 5 – FEES & COMPENSATION .......................................................................................................................................... 8
SUB-ADVISORY FEES ...........................................................................................................................................................................8
CONSULTING SERVICE FEES ..................................................................................................................................................................8
OTHER FEES & EXPENSES .....................................................................................................................................................................9
TERMINATION AND REFUND POLICY .......................................................................................................................................................9
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE BASED FEES & SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT ................................................................................. 10
PERFORMANCE BASED FEES .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
SIDE BY SIDE MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................. 10
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS ................................................................................................................................................. 10
DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RISK OF LOSS ................................................................. 11
METHODS OF ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
RISK OF LOSS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................ 15
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS .................................................................................... 16
FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................................................ 16
FINANCIAL INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
OTHER MATERIAL RELATIONSHIPS ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS & PERSONAL TRADING ....................... 17
CODE OF ETHICS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 17
PERSONAL TRADING ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES ....................................................................................................................................... 19
SELECTION & RECOMMENDATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 19
ORDER AGGREGATION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS ........................................................................................................................................ 21
PERIODIC REVIEWS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
CLIENT REPORTS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 21
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS & OTHER COMPENSATION ..................................................................................................... 22
COMPENSATION FOR ETF WHITE LABEL REFERRALS ............................................................................................................................... 22
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ITEM 15 – CUSTODY ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION ................................................................................................................................... 24
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES ................................................................................................................................. 25
SUB-ADVISORY CLIENTS .................................................................................................................................................................... 25
ETFS ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 25
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................... 26
BALANCE SHEET REQUIREMENT ......................................................................................................................................................... 26
FINANCIAL CONDITION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26
BANKRUPTCY PETITION .................................................................................................................................................................... 26
PRIVACY POLICY .................................................................................................................................................................. 27
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ITEM 4 – ADVISORY SERVICES
Firm Description
Empowered Funds, LLC, doing business as ETF Architect (“herein “ETF Architect”) is an
investment adviser and Pennsylvania limited liability company with its principal place of business
in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Previously, ETF Architect also did business under the name of EA
Advisors. ETF Architect was formed in 2013 and commenced operations as an SEC registered
investment adviser in 2014. ETF Architect is wholly owned by Alpha Architect, LLC. Empirical
Finance, LLC (“Empirical”) is the sole member and principal owner of Alpha Architect, LLC.
Wesley R. Gray Ph.D. is the principal owner and founder of Alpha Architect, LLC through its
controlling affiliate, Empirical Finance, and owns the majority of Empirical Finance.
As used in this brochure, the words “Firm,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to ETF Architect and the
words “you,” “your,” and “client” refer to you as either a current or prospective client of ETF
Architect.
Types of Advisory Services
SUB-ADVISORY SERVICES
ETF Architect provides sub-advisory and non-discretionary trading implementation to other
investment advisor firms (each an “Advisor” and collectively the “Advisors”), including to an
affiliated Advisor, Alpha Architect for use with each such Advisors’ clients (each such Advisor’s
clients a “Sub-advisory Client”). Under these sub-advisory agreements, Advisors are responsible
for working with their Sub-advisory Clients to select the appropriate investments and communicate
those trade triggers to ETF Architect. ETF Architect’s role is trading the Sub-advisory Clients’
designated assets pursuant to the instructions of the Advisors. ETF Architect’s relationship is solely
with the Advisor and not the Sub-advisory Client.
CONSULTING SERVICES
ETF Architect provides general consulting services. Consulting services are provided to other
investment advisory firms, high-net-worth individuals, wealth management companies, financial
advisers, and registered investment companies and are focused on the following areas:
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Index creation and data licensing
•
• ETF Platform Servicing and the EA Series ETF Trust (the “Trust”)
Consulting services can relate to ETF Architect’s primary service offering acting as the adviser to
exchange traded funds (“ETFs” or the “Funds”) which are typically series of a series trust (each a
“Trust”). This arrangement is referred to as a white-label platform whereby third-party Fund
sponsors can partner with ETF Architect and sponsor an ETF series of a Trust (“Platform Service
Agreements”).
ETFS
As noted above, ETF Architect serves as the investment adviser to proprietary and affiliated ETF
vehicles of the EA Series Trust. Information pertaining to the affiliated funds of the EA Series Trust
is described in more detail in the prospectuses for each fund. Additional information is available
at https://etfarchitect.com/funds/.
All of the information contained in this Brochure should be considered before becoming a
discretionary or non-discretionary advisory service client of our firm. It is the Sub-advisory Client’s
responsibility to give their Advisor complete information and to notify your Advisor of any changes
in your financial circumstances or goals.
Wrap Fee Programs
ETF Architect does not participate in any Wrap Fee Programs.
Assets Under Management
As of February 17, 2025, ETF Architect managed the following asset amounts:
Discretionary Assets:
Non-Discretionary Assets:
Total Assets
$15,211,906,550
$836,657,077
$16,048,563,627
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ITEM 5 – FEES & COMPENSATION
Sub-advisory Fees
Sub-advisory Clients do not pay ETF Architect any fees or compensation directly. For its services,
ETF Architect will receive an annual sub-advisory fee that is negotiated between ETF Architect
and each Advisor. Fees for this service are typically received monthly in arrears. ETF Architect’s
fees for advising ETFs are set out in the relevant ETF’s offering documents.
The specific manner in which Advisors’ own management fees are charged, and deducted, is
established in a written agreement between the Sub-advisory Clients and the Advisors. Please
refer to each Advisor’s Form ADV for a discussion of their fees and compensation.
Consulting Service Fees
CONSULTING SERVICES – ETF WHITE LABEL
Upon the approval of the Independent Board of Trustees of the Trust, ETF Architect will receive an
ETF servicing fee, which covers its costs, and compensates its personnel for the services rendered
to the ETF vehicle. In some cases, the personnel and resources of ETF Architect are shared with
Alpha Architect, its affiliated entity.
CONSULTING SERVICES – GENERAL
Fees for consulting services are negotiated on a case-by-case basis depending on the parameters
of the consulting engagement. Our consulting fees consist of a fixed component of $5,000 and an
hourly component that runs $500.00 per hour. We may choose to negotiate a lower fee
arrangement with a client based on a variety of factors, including complexity, scope, and your
relationship with ETF Architect. Lower fees for comparable consulting services may be available
from other sources.
Fees can be invoiced to you on a monthly or quarterly basis. If consulting services are based on a
flat rate fee, you will be billed in two installments, with the first installment due upon execution of
the consulting agreement. The second installment will be payable upon completion of the
consulting services provided. Platform Service Agreements are typically billed monthly in arrears
and deducted against any management fees recovered.
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Other Fees & Expenses
There will be additional fees or charges that result from trading investments within your account.
These fees are imposed by third parties independent from ETF Architect. Any additional fees,
charges or expenses resulting from maintenance of our trading within the account shall be the sole
responsibility of the Sub-advisory Client.
You will also incur certain charges imposed by third parties other than ETF Architect in connection
with investments made in your account, including but not limited to, custodial and brokerage fees,
commissions and transaction fees, no-load 12b-1 distribution fees; certain deferred sales charges
on previously purchased mutual funds, and maintenance fees and retirement plan fees.
Termination and Refund Policy
ETA Architect’s agreement is solely with the Adviser and not Sub-advisory Clients. As such, Sub-
advisory Clients can terminate their relationship with their Advisor in accordance with the terms of
the agreement executed with the Advisor. Any fees owed at the time of termination shall become
payable promptly. Any fees paid in advance that remain unearned will be reimbursed by the Advisor
to the client.
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ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE BASED FEES & SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
Performance Based Fees
ETF Architect does not receive performance-based fees for any account we manage.
Side by Side Management
ETF Architect simultaneously manages multiple types of investment vehicles, in many instances
according to the same or a similar investment strategy. In addition, our commonly controlled
affiliate, Alpha Architect, deploys common resources and personnel to manage the Funds and
affiliated ETFs of Alpha Architect. This side-by-side management of various types of accounts
raises the possibility of favorable or preferential treatment of an account or a group of accounts
arising from differences in fee arrangements. As a registered investment adviser and a fiduciary,
ETF Architect seeks to exercise due care to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated
equitably among all clients, regardless of their corresponding fee structure.
ETF Architect has procedures designed and implemented in furtherance of its efforts to treat all
clients fairly and equitably over time. By using these procedures, ETF Architect believes that it
mitigates the risk associated with side-by-side management and clients’ accounts are receiving fair
and equitable treatment over time. See Item 12 below for a more detailed discussion of ETF
Architect’s trade allocation and aggregation policy and procedures.
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS
Description
As noted above, ETF Architect provides investment management services to other affiliated and
non-affiliated investment advisors through our sub-advisory services (“each such advisor, an
“Advisor”). Sub-advisory Clients of those Advisors include individuals, high net-worth individuals
and corporations.
Additionally, ETF Architect provides investment advisory services to registered investment
companies, specifically exchange traded funds (ETFs).
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ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RISK OF
LOSS
Methods of Analysis
As described in Item 4 above, ETF Architect provides sub-advisory and non-discretionary trading
implementation to Advisors, including an affiliate. These Advisors generally are responsible for
determining the methods of analysis and investment strategies used in formulating investment
advice or managing assets to their Sub-advisory Clients and ETF Architect’s role is implementation
of the trading.
Investors in ETF Architect Funds are exposed to the investment strategies described in the
applicable Fund’s offering documents, including the prospectus. For information regarding any
specific investment strategy and the risks involved, please see the Fund’s organization and offering
documents, including the prospectus.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves the risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. All
investments present the risk of loss of principal – the risk that the value of securities (e.g.,
equities, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, etc.), when sold or otherwise disposed of, may be less
than the price paid for the securities. Even when the value of the securities when sold is
greater than the price paid, there is the risk that the appreciation will be less than inflation.
In other words, the purchasing power of the proceeds may be less than the purchasing
power of the original investment.
We do not represent or guarantee that our services or methods will be successful. We cannot offer
any guarantees or promises that your financial goals and objectives will be met. Past performance
is in no way an indication of future performance. It is important that you understand the risks
associated with using ETF Architect as a sub-adviser and investing in any security, investment
strategy, or ETF.
The information included in this Brochure does not include every potential risk associated with an
investment strategy, technique, or type of security applicable to a particular client account. You
should review the Brochure of your Advisor and any prospectus for any ETFs prior to investing for
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a full understanding of the risks involved.
Cybersecurity Risks. The information and technology systems of ATF Architect may be subject
to potential damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and
telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons or security breaches, usage errors
by employees, power outages, or catastrophic events such as fires or hurricanes. In the unlikely
event that these systems are compromised, become inoperable for extended periods of time, or
cease to function properly there could be significant interruptions in the operations of ETF Architect
or its accounts or a compromise of the security, confidentiality, privacy of sensitive data, including
personal information. ETF Architect has implemented various measures and uses computer
systems to manage a broad range of data, including confidential information about our clients, and
has adopted risk-based policies and procedures and implemented controls reasonably designed
to manage the risks of cyber events and protect these systems from unauthorized access. Despite
these controls and programs, there is always the risk that ETF Architect will experience a breach
of its systems that could impact its operations or compromise data that it maintains. Should a
breach of our systems result in the material compromise of confidential client information, we will
undertake reasonable efforts to notify any affected clients.
Risks Associated with Non-Diversification: ETF Architects investment advice for a particular
client or Fund may vary. Sometimes, Client accounts or Funds are invested in diversified positions
and other times they are concentrated on a specific asset class. Unless otherwise provided in a
Client contract or Fund governing document, ETF Architect it is not subject to any formal policies
regarding diversification. ETF Architect may sometimes concentrate holdings in industries,
geographic regions, or companies which, in light of investment considerations, market risks and
other factors, that it believes will provide the best opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns.
The concentration of assets in a single or small number of issuers, in any one industry or a small
number of industries, or in a single industry would subject Clients or Funds to a greater degree of
risk with respect to the failure of one or a few investments or with respect to economic variations in
relation to such industry or industries.
Epidemic or Serious Public Health Event Risk: ETF Architect’s business activities, as well as its
operations and investments, could be materially adversely affected by outbreaks of disease,
epidemics and public health issues in Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East and/or globally,
such as COVID-19 (and other novel coronaviruses), Ebola, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, H5N1 flu, Severe
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Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of disease or
public health issues. An outbreak or recurrence of any kind of epidemic, communicable disease,
virus, or major public health issue could cause a slowdown in the levels of economic activity
generally (or push the world or local economies into recession), which would be reasonably likely
to adversely affect the business, financial condition and operations of ETF Architect. Should these
or other major public health issues, including pandemics, arise, spread farther or worsen, ETF
Architect and the value of Client accounts or Funds could be adversely affected by more stringent
travel restrictions (such as mandatory quarantines and social distancing), limitations on ETF
Architect’s operations and business activities and governmental actions limiting the movement of
people and goods between regions and other activities or operations.
Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. Each Client account is subject to the risk that war,
terrorism, country-specific sanctions, and related geopolitical events may lead to increased short-
term market volatility and have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and
markets generally, as well as adverse effects on issuers of securities and the value of the Client’s
or Fund’s investments. War, terrorism, related geopolitical events, and natural and other disasters
have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have
adverse long-term effects on U.S. and non-U.S. economies and markets generally. Those events
as well as other changes in U.S. and non-U.S. economic and political conditions also could
adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, futures markets,
interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of a
Client’s or fund’s investments. At such times, a Client’s or Fund’s exposure to a number of other
risks described elsewhere in this section can increase.
It should also be noted that in February 2022, Russia launched a largescale invasion of Ukraine.
The extent and duration of Russian military action in the Ukraine, resulting economic sanctions and
resulting future market disruptions, including declines in stock markets in Russia and elsewhere,
decline in the value of the ruble against the U.S. dollar, or the rise in the price of oil, are impossible
to predict, but could be significant. Any disruptions caused by the invasion of Ukraine or other
actions (including cyberattacks and espionage) or disruptions resulting from actual or threatened
responses to the invasion of Ukraine or other actions could cause disruptions to companies and
markets globally. Any such disruptions could have a material adverse effect on Client accounts or
Funds. As of March 2025, there are ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East which, in a
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relatively short period of time, have caused and are likely to cause in the future disruption to the
global financial system and trade and transport, among other things. In response to the conflicts,
multiple countries have and may in the future put in place global sanctions and other severe
restrictions or prohibitions on the activities of individuals and businesses related to the countries
engaging in the conflicts. However, the ultimate impact of these conflicts and their effect on global
economic and commercial activity and conditions, and on the operations, financial condition and
performance of investment vehicles or any particular industry, business or investee country and
the duration and severity of those effects, is impossible to predict. Any conflict around the globe
may have a significant adverse impact and result in significant losses to investments. This impact
may include reductions in revenue and growth, unexpected operational losses and liabilities and
reductions in the availability of capital. It may also limit the ability of ETF Architect to source,
diligence and execute new investments and to manage, finance and exit investments in the future.
Developing and further governmental actions (military or otherwise) may cause additional
disruption and constrain or alter existing financial, legal and regulatory frameworks and systems in
ways that are adverse to ETF Architect and/or Client accounts or Funds or which they intend to
pursue, any or all of which could adversely affect ETF Architect’s ability to fulfill its investment
objectives.
While this information provides a high-level synopsis of the events that may affect your investments,
this listing is not exhaustive. There are inherent risks associated with investing and depending on
the risk occurrence, you may suffer LOSS OF ALL OR PART OF THEIR PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT. Prospective investors in Funds should also read the governing documents for a
more detailed explanation of the investment strategy and risk factors associated with specific
investments that may be part of a Fund’s investment strategy. Clients may consult with their own
advisors before deciding whether to invest.
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ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
Neither the Firm nor any supervised person has been involved in any legal or disciplinary event
that is material to a client’s or prospective client’s evaluation of the Firm’s advisory business or the
integrity of its management.
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ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
Financial Industry Activities
ETF Architect is not a registered broker-dealer, or a futures commission merchant. Furthermore,
none of ETF Architect’s management or supervised persons are registered representatives of a
broker-dealer.
Financial Industry Affiliations
ETF Architect is registered with the National Futures Association (NFA) as a Commodity Trading
Adviser and Commodity Pool Operator as a result of management of certain Funds.
Other Material Relationships
ETF Architect is a wholly owned and controlled affiliate of Alpha Architect. Alpha Architect is an
SEC registered investment adviser. Empirical Finance, LLC owns a 100% interest in Alpha
Architect, LLC.
ETF Architect serves as the investment adviser to, and a related person serves on the Board of
Trustees of, the Trust. Subject to the overall authority of the Board of Trustees, ETF Architect
furnishes continuous investment supervision and management to the Alpha Architect Funds’
portfolios and also furnishes office space, equipment and management personnel, including
persons satisfactory to the Board of Trustees to serve as officers of the Trust’s funds. ETF Architect
also provides certain other administrative services to each series fund, such as trading, billing,
certain regulatory filings.
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ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT
TRANSACTIONS & PERSONAL TRADING
Code of Ethics
All ETF Architect personnel must act in an ethical and professional manner. As required by the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), Alpha Architect has adopted a Code of Ethics
(the “Code”) to specify and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of
interest (or at least the potential for or the appearance of such a conflict), and to establish reporting
requirements and enforcement procedures relating to personal trading by our personnel. The Code
includes provisions relating to the confidentiality of client information, a prohibition on insider
trading, requirements with respect to personal trading intended to avoid actual or mitigate potential
conflicts with any client’s interests, limitations with respect to gifts and business entertainment,
among other requirements.
The Code establishes ideals for ethical conduct based upon fundamental principles of openness,
integrity, honesty, and trust. ETF Architect will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any Client or
prospective Client upon request.
The Code also sets out to mitigate potential conflicts that could result in unfair treatment of a client
account or the trading public. Such practices include trading approvals required above de minimis
amounts for securities traded by ETF Architect personnel, blackout periods for securities trading
based on particular circumstances, and ongoing monitoring of ETF Architect personnel brokerage
activity. ETF Architect will provide a copy of its Code to any client or prospective client upon
request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
Supervised persons may purchase or sell the same security that we recommend for investment in
client accounts. This creates a conflict of interest as there is a possibility that employees of our firm
might benefit from market activity by a client in a security held by the employee. Our Code of Ethics
is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities and interests of the
employees of ETF Architect will not interfere with making decisions in the best interest of advisory
clients and implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing employees to invest for
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their own accounts. Please refer to Item 6 of this document which provides details on the conflict
and how we address these potential conflicts.
Personal Trading
ETF Architect or a related person may from time-to-time purchase or sell for its own account
securities recommended by ETF Architect for purchase and/or sale by clients of ETF Architect.
However, any purchase or sale of a security by ETF Architect or a related person will be subject to
ETF Architect’s fiduciary duty to its clients. Management and/or supervised persons are prohibited
from “front-running,” that is, the purchase or sale of securities for their own or any Client’s account
on the basis of their knowledge of a client’s trading positions or planned trading positions. In
addition, ETF Architect employs trading requirements that prohibit trading of accounts alongside
related entity ETF accounts simultaneously.
ETF Architect and its employees have a fiduciary duty to place the interests of Clients ahead of
their own interests. To mitigate or remedy any conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest,
we will monitor our employees’ personal trading reports for adherence to our Code of Ethics.
It is ETF Architect’s policy that the firm will not affect any principal, cross or agency-cross
transactions of securities for client accounts. Principal transactions are generally defined as
transactions where an advisor, acting as principal for its own account or the account of an affiliated
broker-dealer, buys from or sells any security to any advisory client. A principal transaction may
also be deemed to have occurred if a security is crossed between an affiliated account and another
client account. A cross transaction is where an investment adviser acts for two clients at the same
time, in a purchase or sale of securities between the two clients. An agency cross transaction is
defined as a transaction where a person acts as an investment advisor in relation to a transaction
in which the investment advisor, or any person controlled by or under common control with the
investment advisor, acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another person on the other
side of the transaction. Agency cross transactions may arise where an advisor is dually registered
as a broker-dealer or has an affiliated broker-dealer
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ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Selection & Recommendation
SOFT DOLLAR BENEFITS
ETF Architect does not engage in any “soft dollar” practices.
BROKERAGE FOR CLIENT REFERRALS
ETF Architect does not receive Client referrals from broker-dealers or third parties in exchange for
using that broker-dealer or third party.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE
ETF Architect does not generally recommend, request, or require that a Client direct it to execute
transactions through any particular broker. The decision of where to open an account is generally
up to each Advisor or the Sub-advisory Client.
You may choose any broker for custody and trading of your account, and you are responsible for
negotiating fees and commissions schedules.
Order Aggregation
The SMAs trade on a rebalance schedule and ETFs trade at end of day.
For SMA accounts only, when aggregating and allocating securities transactions, our clients are
treated in a fair and equitable manner. No account will be favored over any other accounts. All
clients participating in an aggregated or blocked order will be treated fairly. In the regular course of
business, we may at times enter orders for multiple advisory accounts in order to obtain the best
pricing averages and minimize your trading costs. Accordingly, our policies and procedures
mandate allocating the orders to the appropriate client accounts as soon as possible thereafter,
and allocating transactions equitably. In a model portfolio order, all clients are traded in a model
simultaneously and allocated shares via an algorithm to ensure equitable pricing across all clients.
ETF Architect will seek to allocate investment opportunities and trade fairly. “Fair” treatment does
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not mean identical treatment of all clients. Rather, it means that ETF Architect does not discriminate
on an impermissible basis against one client or group of clients. When we transact in securities or
instruments for more than one client, the investment opportunities and trades will be allocated in a
manner consistent with our fiduciary duties. ETF Architect may not allocate trades in such a way
that ETF Architect’s personal, proprietary or affiliated accounts receive more favorable treatment
than clients’ accounts. Similarly, we may not allocate profitable trades at each day’s end so as to
disproportionately favor certain clients.
In making investment decisions for the accounts, securities considered for investment by one client
may also be appropriate for another client. On occasions when the purchase or sale of a security
is deemed to be in the best interest of more than one client, we may, but will not be obligated to,
aggregate or “batch” orders for the purchase or sale of securities for all such accounts to the extent
consistent with best execution and the terms of the relevant investment advisory agreements. Such
combined or “batched” trades may be used to facilitate best execution, including negotiating more
favorable prices, obtaining more timely or equitable execution or reducing transaction charges.
When ETF Architect decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several clients at
approximately the same time, ETF Architect is not required to aggregate such transactions, but will
do so absent a determination by our Firm’s Compliance Officer based on the best interests of ETF
Architect’s clients. ETF Architect will aggregate and allocate orders only in a manner designed to
ensure no client or account is favored over others over time. ETF Architect believes that
aggregation is consistent with our duty to seek the best execution and best price for clients and is
consistent with ETF Architect’s investment advisory agreements with each client for which trades
are being aggregated.
The Compliance Officer will review transactions periodically to prevent and detect excessive costs
related to non-compliance with order aggregation procedures.
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ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
Periodic Reviews
Advisors are responsible for reviewing their Client accounts and are required to contact Clients on
an annual basis to determine if there have been any changes to the Client’s financial situation and
stated investment objectives or if the Client wishes to impose any reasonable restrictions on the
management of the assets in the account.
For ETFs or Funds, ETF Architect provides ongoing monitoring of the underlying holdings in
investment portfolios and reallocation or rebalancing of investment portfolios.
Client Reports
Each respective Advisor’s Sub-advisory Clients receive regular written reports directly from their
custodian, and may also receive operational reports from Alpha Architect or their Advisor upon
request or as required in the investment management agreement. At a minimum, you will receive
a quarterly report from your custodian that will include a statement of account holdings, market
value, broker commissions, and advisory fees charged for the period.
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ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS & OTHER COMPENSATION
Compensation for ETF White Label Referrals
ETF Architect compensates certain independent third-party introducers (the “Introducer”) a flat fee
(the “Introduction Fee”) for introductions to potential Sub-advisers that ultimately sponsor and
launch ETFs. Such payments are fixed in amount, one-time, and non-AUM based.
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ITEM 15 – CUSTODY
All client assets are maintained with an independent qualified custodians such as banks or
registered broker-dealers.
Your custodian will provide you with quarterly account statements relating to the account(s) sub-
advised by ETF Architect. Your statements indicate all amounts disbursed from your account,
including the amount of advisory fees that were paid to your Advisor. You should carefully review
your custodian’s statement upon receipt to determine that it completely and accurately states all
holdings in the account and all account activity, including advisory fee payments deducted from
your account, over the relevant period. Any discrepancies you identify should be immediately
reported to your Advisor and your custodian.
In addition to the account statements provided by qualified custodians, your Advisor (including
Alpha Architect) may also provide account statements or reports on a periodic basis, as agreed
upon between us and your Advisor. These statements are intended to complement, not replace,
the statements provided by your qualified custodian. These statements may vary from custodial
statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, and/or valuation methodologies of
certain securities. However, please note that custodian statements reflect the official books and
records for your account.
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ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION
ETF Architect has non-discretionary authority for sub-advisory accounts pursuant to the
agreement(s) between ETF Architect and the Advisors.
ETF Architect is given the authority to exercise discretion on behalf of ETF clients where ETF
Architect is the investment adviser. Any limitations on our authority are either contained in the
investment advisory agreement or in the prospectus for the ETF.
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ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Sub-advisory Clients
We do not have discretionary authority to vote any proxy with respect to any security held in Sub-
advisory Account Client portfolios.
ETFs
ETF Architect has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures for its ETF vehicles, and we will
vote proxies in the best interest of the ETF client. ETF Architect will act in your best interest in
determining whether and how to exercise the investment rights as a securities holder, including
whether and how to vote on any proxy voting matter and how to respond to corporate actions.
ETF Architect typically follows a systematic, research-driven approach, applying quantitative tools
to process fundamental information and manage risk, significantly reducing the importance and
usefulness of the proxies ETF Architect receives and votes, or causes to be voted, on behalf of its
ETF clients.
Upon request, ETF Architect will provide a copy of its proxy voting policies and procedures and
information on how proxies were voted (if proxy voting authority is delegated to ETF Architect).
Clients may contact compliance@etfarchitect.com to request additional information on how their
proxies were voted.
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ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Balance Sheet Requirement
ETF Architect does not require or solicit prepayment of fees six months or more in advance.
Financial Condition
The Firm does not have any financial impairment that will preclude it from meeting contractual
commitments to clients.
Bankruptcy Petition
The Firm has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time during the last 10 years.
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PRIVACY POLICY
OVERVIEW
ETF Architect is strongly committed to preserving and safeguarding our clients’ personal financial
information. Confidentiality is critical to both our clients and us, and we take strict measures to
protect the confidentiality and security of our clients’ personal information.
WHY WE COLLECT INFORMATION
As your investment adviser, it is contractually necessary to collect certain information from you in
order to manage your investments.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
We may collect nonpublic personal information (NPI) from our clients to provide financial planning
and investment services. The categories of nonpublic personal information collected from a client
depend upon the scope of the client engagement. It may include information about the client’s
personal finances, information about transactions between the client and third parties, information
from custodians, banks, or other financial institutions, information from the client’s other advisors,
and information collected from written or verbal communications with the client.
We do not disclose any of our clients’ personal information to anyone except as permitted or
required by law. We do not disclose any of our clients’ personal information to affiliated or
nonaffiliated third parties (such as our clients’ other professional or service providers) without our
clients’ authorization and consent and only to provide services on our clients’ behalf.
Federal law allows you to limit the sharing of your NPI by “opting-out” of the following: sharing for
affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness or sharing with
non-affiliates to market to you.
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
You may request, in writing, details regarding the non-public information that we have retained.
Our ability to fulfill this request may be limited if this request may expose the personal data of
another person. Please notify us immediately at our address or telephone number if you choose
to opt-out of these types of sharing.
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PROTECTION AND DISPOSAL OF INFORMATION
ETF Architect has instituted certain technical, administrative, and physical safeguards through
which ETF Architect seeks to protect personal information about current and former clients from
unauthorized use and access in the following ways:
Technical procedures are used to limit the accessibility and exposure of client information
contained in electronic form.
Administrative procedures are used to control the number and type of Employees, affiliated and
nonaffiliated persons, to whom customer information is accessible.
Physical safeguards have been established to prevent access to client information contained in
hard-copy form. As these procedures illustrate, ETF Architect realizes the importance of
information confidentiality and security and emphasizes practices that are aimed at achieving those
goals.
When no longer necessary, all records are disposed of in accordance with commonly accepted
industry practices.
INACTIVE OR FORMER CLIENTS
If you decide to close your account with our Firm, we will continue to adhere to our privacy policy
and related practices with respect to your account as described herein. Additionally, you may
request, in writing, that we remove your non-public information from our files. However, it is
important to note that we can only fulfill this request if it does not violate state or federal record
retention regulations. These regulations require most client data to be retained permanently.
Questions?
ETF Architect welcomes questions and comments about our Privacy Policy. Please call us at 215-
330-4476.
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