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Part 2A of Form ADV – Firm Brochure
ETF Portfolio Partners, Inc.
4831 W. 136th Street, Suite 300
Leawood, KS 66224
Telephone Number
913-851-1100
Fax Number
913-851-9400
www.etfportfoliopartners.com
www.thesmarterwaytoinvest.com
www.etfpp.com
Brochure Dated: 1/5/2026
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
ETF Portfolio Partners. If you have any questions about the content of this brochure,
please contact us at 913-851-1100 or info@etfportfoliopartners.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.
ETF Portfolio Partners is a Registered Investment Adviser. The registration of an
Investment Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written
communications of an Adviser provide you with information to help determine if you
should hire or retain the Adviser.
Additional information about ETF Portfolio Partners is also available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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Item 2 – Material Changes
This item will discuss only specific material changes that are made to the brochure and
provide clients with a summary of such changes. We will also reference the date of the
last annual update of our brochure which was on 1/2/2025. There are no material changes
from our annual update.
Pursuant to SEC Rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material
changes to this and subsequent brochures within 120 days of the close of our fiscal year,
which is December 31st. We may further provide other ongoing disclosure information
about material changes, as necessary.
Additionally, we will further provide you with a new brochure as necessary based on
changes or new information, at any time, without charge.
Our brochure may be requested free of charge by contacting Alicia Goodman, Operations
Manager of ETF Portfolio Partners at 913-851-1100 or alicia@etfportfoliopartners.com.
Additional information about ETF Portfolio Partners is also available via the SEC’s
website www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The SEC’s website also provides information about
any persons affiliated with ETF Portfolio Partners, Inc., who are registered, or are
required to be registered, as investment adviser representatives of ETF Portfolio Partners,
Inc.
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Item 3 - Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page………………………….………….…………………….…. i
Item 2 – Material Changes….…....……………….…….……..........………….…. ii
Item 3 – Table of Contents……….……….……….….……………..........…….... iii
Item 4 – Advisory Business………………….……….…………...………............. 1
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation….………….…….…......……………………...... 1
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management.......................... 3
Item 7 – Types of Clients…………………….……….……………….………...... 3
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss.................. 3
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information……………………………................................ 4
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations……………............ 4
Item 11 – Code of Ethics…………………………………….………….................. 5
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices………………………...……....…………............... 6
Item 13 – Review of Accounts………………………….……....…........................ 7
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation….….………....…………...... 8
Item 15 – Custody……….………………………………………....…....……….... 8
Item 16 – Investment Discretion……………………….………………………...... 8
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities……………….……………………….…….... 9
Item 18 – Financial Information………………….……………………………...... 9
ETF Portfolio Partners Privacy Notice.....................................................................10
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
ETF Portfolio Partners, Inc. provides investment advisory services on a discretionary
basis to individuals, high net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plan
participants, charitable organizations, corporations, trusts, and estates. These services are
provided within guidelines formulated with each client, based on the client’s specific
investment goals, risk tolerance, and objectives. ETF Portfolio Partners manages various
model portfolios comprised of exchange-traded funds and cash equivalents designed to
maximize return for a given level of risk. The primary difference between the various
portfolios we offer is how each portfolio is allocated among equity and fixed income
exchange-traded funds.
ETF Portfolio Partners was founded in February 2004 in Overland Park, Kansas. The
firm is a privately held company. The principal owners are Richard Romey, President and
Chief Compliance Officer, Debbie Romey, Vice President and Secretary. There is one
outside shareholder, Dr. Jeffrey L. Schlachter.
During our initial conference with a prospective client, we discuss our investment
approach, philosophy, fee structure, and our investment qualifications. The prospective
client is provided with a copy of our Firm Brochure (ADV Part 2A), Brochure
Supplement (ADV Part 2B), Privacy Notice, and Client Relationship Summary (ADV
Part 3). If a prospective client elects to retain ETF Portfolio Partners as their portfolio
manager, they are asked to complete an Investment Advisory Agreement, to designate
and agree upon a custodian to hold their securities and execute transactions to be affected
by ETF Portfolio Partners on their behalf. We discuss the options for retirement account
assets with the prospective client. For retirement accounts a Rollover Suitability
Questionnaire is completed and signed. They are also given an Investor Profile
Questionnaire to complete on their own or to work through in a meeting. We use the
answers provided by the client on the questionnaires along with notes taken during client
meetings, to determine and agree upon an appropriate asset allocation.
ETF Portfolio Partners currently manages approximately $431,143,922 in client assets.
Of that, approximately $430,744,288 are managed on a discretionary basis and
approximately $399,634 on a non-discretionary basis as of 12/31/2025.
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Advisory Fees: ETF Portfolio Partners charges an annual investment management fee,
based upon a percentage of the market value (securities and cash) of the assets being
managed by ETF Portfolio Partners. Clients may elect, by designating on the Investment
Advisory Agreement, to be billed directly for fees or to authorize ETF Portfolio Partners
to directly debit fees from their accounts.
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Our compensation is fee-based, meaning as a client’s account goes up in value, the fee
that we receive will go up as well. We will never discourage clients from removing funds
from their accounts for purchases such as travel, houses, cars, or personal expenses, since
this would be in conflict of our fiduciary responsibility. Our duty to our clients as
fiduciaries is that our advice is always based on our client’s best interests.
The advisory fee shall be prorated and paid quarterly, in advance, based upon the market
value of the assets on the last day of the previous quarter.
Fees will be billed or deducted, as per the client’s instructions, the first week of the
quarter or after assets are deposited or transferred into the accounts.
Fees are negotiable for special circumstances and are calculated based upon the following
schedule:
Annual Fee
Total Household Portfolio Market Value
First $1,000,000
Next $4,000,000
Thereafter
1.00%
0.75%
0.50%
The Investment Advisory Agreement may be canceled at anytime, by either party, with
30 days’ written notice. Upon termination, the client will receive a prorated refund of that
portion of any prepaid advisory fees that have yet to be earned by ETF Portfolio Partners.
The refund will be calculated from 30 days after the date of receipt of the written
termination notice or other agreed upon date.
ETF Portfolio Partners’ fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees,
and other related costs and expenses which shall be incurred by the client. Clients may
incur certain charges imposed by custodians, brokers, third party investment advisers, and
other third parties such as fees charged by managers, custodial fees, deferred sales
charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and/or
other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Mutual funds and
exchange-traded funds also charge internal management fees, which are disclosed in each
fund’s prospectus. Such charges, fees, and commissions are exclusive of and in addition
to ETF Portfolio Partners’ fee. ETF Portfolio Partners does not receive any portion of
these commissions, fees, and costs.
Refer to Item 12 which describes the factors that ETF Portfolio Partners considers in
selecting or recommending broker-dealers for client transactions and determining the
reasonableness of their compensation (e.g., commissions). Clients have the option to
purchase investment products through broker-dealers of their choice.
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Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side-Management
ETF Portfolio Partners does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a
share of capital gains or capital appreciation of the assets of a client).
Item 7 – Types of Clients
ETF Portfolio Partners provides portfolio management services to individuals including
trusts, IRAs, estates, 401(k) plan participants, and high net-worth individuals. We also
provide portfolio management services to charitable organizations.
As a condition for starting and maintaining a relationship, ETF Portfolio Partners shall
generally impose a minimum portfolio size of $250,000. ETF Portfolio Partners, at its
sole discretion, may accept clients with smaller portfolios based upon certain criteria
including anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, account
composition, related “household” accounts, and pre-existing clients. ETF Portfolio
Partners shall accept clients with less than the minimum portfolio size, if in the sole
opinion of ETF Portfolio Partners, the smaller portfolio size will not cause a substantial
increase of investment risk beyond the client’s identified risk tolerance.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Our investment philosophy is based on the belief that the most important decision an
investor can make is the “asset allocation decision” or the mix between broad asset
classes such as stocks, bonds, and cash chosen for the investor’s portfolio. We believe
this decision is the most significant factor in determining long-term investment results for
any investor.
Our strategy is to construct investment portfolios that will provide our clients with a
portfolio that balances risk, in the form of portfolio volatility with return. We begin our
analysis with a thorough review of each investor’s investment goals, time horizon, and
risk tolerance. This analysis is completed in discussions with each client after reviewing
their responses to our investment profile questionnaire. After an agreement is reached on
the investor’s risk and return profile, a portfolio of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs),
comprised of a diversified mix of stock ETFs, bond ETFs, and cash equivalents are
selected that we believe will best meet the individual investor’s needs. This portfolio is
then continually monitored and periodically rebalanced as market conditions are
reassessed.
ETF Portfolio Partners maintains regular ongoing contact with the investor through
individual meetings (on the phone, video call, or in person), quarterly statements, and
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reports as well as periodic email updates. As an investor’s goals, time horizon, or risk
tolerance change over time, the portfolio allocation is adjusted as necessary to meet the
investor’s needs. We explain to the client that investing in a diversified portfolio of
exchange-traded funds involves the potential risk of loss of principal and that the client
should be prepared to bear this risk, particularly over shorter time periods.
ETF Portfolio Partners offers clients a single strategy, the management of globally
diversified, balanced portfolios comprised of a mix of stock ETFs, bond ETFs, and
cash/cash equivalents. Using ETFs, our strategy is to build portfolios that balance risk,
defined as the volatility of the portfolio, with return. We attempt to reduce risk through
investing in baskets of securities (ETFs) rather than investing in individual security
issues. We are investors rather than traders, which means we trade sparingly, thereby
keeping transaction costs low. Tax consequences (i.e., gains and losses based upon
anticipated portfolio changes) are discussed with clients on an ongoing basis. The risks
in our strategy center around market fluctuations providing an element of volatility
whereby the portfolio’s value will fluctuate daily. ETF Portfolio Partners does not utilize
margin trading in any of our portfolios. As much as possible, we attempt to limit risk
through diversification and therefore improve the probability of producing positive
returns, especially over a long-time period.
We use Exchange-Traded Funds, commonly referred to as ETFs, in our portfolios. ETFs
are diversified baskets of securities. As such, it is generally accepted that owning ETFs
carries less risk than owning individual shares of common stocks.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered Investment Advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any
legal or disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of ETF Portfolio
Partners or the integrity of ETF Portfolio Partners’ management.
ETF Portfolio Partners or management have never been subject to any legal or
disciplinary action.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
ETF Portfolio Partners has no arrangements or affiliations that are applicable to this item.
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Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
ETF Portfolio Partners has adopted a Code of Ethics for all supervised persons of the
firm describing its high standard of business conduct and fiduciary duty to its clients.
The Code of Ethics includes provisions relating to the confidentiality of client
information, a prohibition on insider trading, a prohibition of rumor mongering,
restrictions on the acceptance of significant gifts and the reporting of certain gifts and
business entertainment items, and personal securities trading procedures, among other
things.
Our Code of Ethics is available upon request and free of charge by contacting ETF
Portfolio Partners at 913-851-1100.
ETF Portfolio Partners or any related person does not recommend to clients and does not
buy or sell for clients, securities in which ETF Portfolio Partners or a related person has a
material interest.
Employees and persons associated with ETF Portfolio Partners are required to follow
ETF Portfolio Partners’ Code of Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable
laws, officers, directors, and employees of ETF Portfolio Partners and its affiliates may
trade for their own accounts in securities which are recommended to and/or purchased for
ETF Portfolio Partners’ clients.
The Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions,
activities, and interests of the employees of ETF Portfolio Partners will not interfere with
(i) making decisions in the best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such
decisions while, at the same time allowing employees to invest for their own accounts.
In addition, the Code of Ethics requires pre-clearance of many transactions, and restricts
trading in close proximity to client trading activity. Nonetheless, because the Code of
Ethics in some circumstances would permit employees to invest in the same securities as
a client, there is a possibility that employees might benefit from market activity by a
client investing in a security held by an employee. Employee trading is continually
monitored under the Code of Ethics to reasonably prevent conflicts of interest between
ETF Portfolio Partners and its clients.
Certain affiliated accounts may trade in the same securities with client accounts on an
aggregated basis when consistent with ETF Portfolio Partners’ obligation of best
execution. In such circumstances, the affiliated and client accounts will share
commission costs equally and receive securities at a total average price. ETF Portfolio
Partners will retain records of the trade order (specifying each participating account) and
its allocation, which will be completed prior to the entry of the aggregated order.
Completed orders will be allocated as specified in the initial order. Partially filled orders
will be allocated on a pro rata basis. Any exceptions will be explained on the order.
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ETF Portfolio Partners will not affect any principal or agency cross-securities
transactions for client accounts. ETF Portfolio Partners will not cross trades between
client accounts.
Principal transactions are generally defined as transactions where an adviser, acting as
principal for its own account or the account of an affiliated broker-dealer, buys from or
sells any security to an advisory client. A principal transaction may also be deemed to
have occurred if a security is crossed between an affiliated hedge fund and another client
account. An agency cross transaction is defined as a transaction where a person acts as
an investment adviser in relation to a transaction in which the investment adviser, or any
person controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser, 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 adviser is dually registered as a broker-
dealer or has an affiliated broker-dealer.
ETF Portfolio Partners is not dually registered as a broker-dealer and is not affiliated with
any broker-dealer.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
ETF Portfolio Partners has authority provided in the Investment Advisory Agreement to
determine, without obtaining specific client consent, the securities to be bought or sold
and the amount of securities to be bought or sold in accordance with the client’s
predetermined portfolio allocation. ETF Portfolio Partners does not take custody of
money or securities in advisory accounts. ETF Portfolio Partners shall have no right to
withdraw either cash or securities from a client’s account, except as the client directs by
written authority in the Investment Advisory Agreement pertaining to the deduction of
advisory fees. ETF Portfolio Partners may have limited authorization to direct funds to
other accounts you may have at a bank or at your custodian. These requests are
established directly with the custodian upon your written authorization on specific forms.
ETF Portfolio Partners does not have the authority to use a specific broker/dealer. Unless
the client directs otherwise, ETF Portfolio Partners shall generally recommend that all
investment management accounts be maintained by Fidelity Investments. Factors that
ETF Portfolio Partners consider in recommending custodians to clients include their
respective financial strength, reputation, execution, pricing, and services.
Firms generally do not charge its advisor clients separately for custody services but are
compensated by account holders through commissions and other transaction-related or
asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through them or that settle into
their accounts (i.e., transaction fees are charged by certain no-load mutual funds,
commissions are charged for individual equity and debt securities transactions).
ETF Portfolio Partners does not receive any portion of the brokerage commissions and/or
transaction fees charged to clients. Additionally, ETF Portfolio Partners has no control
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over the commission rate charged by the custodian to transact trades on behalf of the
client.
ETF Portfolio Partners has an arrangement with National Financial Services LLC and
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (collectively, and together with all affiliates,
“Fidelity”), through which they provide ETF Portfolio Partners with “institutional
platform services.” The institutional platform services include brokerage, custody, and
other related services. The institutional platform services that assist ETF Portfolio
Partners in managing and administering clients’ accounts include software and other
technology that (i) provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and
account statements); (ii) facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for
multiple clients accounts; (iii) provide research, pricing and other market data; (iv)
facilitate payment of fees from its clients’ accounts; and (v) assist with back-office
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
They also offer services intended to help ETF Portfolio Partners manage and further
develop its advisory practice. Such services include, but are not limited to, performance
reporting, contact management systems, third party research, publications, access to
educational conferences, roundtables and webinars, practice management resources,
access to consultants and other third-party service providers who provide a wide array of
business-related services and technology with whom ETF Portfolio Partners may contact
directly.
Fidelity Investments provide ETF Portfolio Partners with certain brokerage and research
products and services that qualify as “brokerage or research services” under Section 28(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).
ETF Portfolio Partners is independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with
Fidelity Investments, or any other custodian.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Nicholas M. Romey, Chief Investment Officer, reviews all accounts on an ongoing basis.
Each of our model portfolios is reviewed at least weekly. We review asset allocation
mix, holdings, asset class, and exposures. Client accounts are reviewed at least quarterly
based on the account’s investment objective, client guidelines, market conditions, and
changes in the client’s financial status, as communicated by the client. Richard D.
Romey, President and Chief Compliance Officer, reviews accounts and model portfolios
with Chief Investment Officer on a quarterly basis. All investment advisory clients are
encouraged to discuss their needs, goals, and objectives, or any other relevant factors
with ETF Portfolio Partners on a regular basis. A sample of total accounts are reviewed
annually.
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ETF Portfolio Partners provides each client with a report on a quarterly basis detailing
items such as performance net of fees over various time periods, quarterly fees paid or
owed, and current portfolio value. The designated custodian/broker will provide clients
with monthly or quarterly account statements that reflect the positions (and current
pricing) in each account as well as transactions in each account, including fees paid. The
custodian/broker will also provide prompt confirmation of all trading activity, monthly or
quarterly statements, year-end statements, and tax documents such as 1099 forms.
Clients are encouraged to access and review their accounts online and contact ETF
Portfolio Partners with any questions or concerns.
Item 14 - Client Referrals and Other Compensation
This item does not apply to ETF Portfolio Partners.
Item 15 - Custody
ETF Portfolio Partners does not have custody of client funds or securities. ETF Portfolio
Partners may be given the authority to deduct fees from the client accounts indicated by
client preference in the investment advisory agreement. ETF Portfolio Partners may have
limited authority to request disbursements on the client’s behalf to other client accounts,
only after specific written documents are sent to the custodian.
Clients will receive a statement from the custodian showing the fees deducted or an
invoice from ETF Portfolio Partners to remit advisory fees. Clients will receive at least
quarterly statements from the qualified custodian that holds and maintains the client’s
investment assets. ETF Portfolio Partners urges clients to review their statements
received from the custodian on an ongoing basis and to call with any questions or
concerns.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
ETF Portfolio Partners receives discretionary authority from the client at the outset of an
advisory relationship. This is in the Investment Advisory Agreement which gives ETF
Portfolio Partners the authority to select the identity and amount of securities to be
bought or sold and the authority to rebalance or change allocations in accounts as market
conditions warrant. This is discussed in meetings with the client prior to managing the
accounts. As an investor’s goals, time horizon or risk tolerance change over time, the
portfolio is adjusted as necessary to meet the investor’s needs. This discretion is to be
exercised in a manner consistent with the stated investment objectives for the client.
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When selecting securities and determining percentage allocations, ETF Portfolio Partners
observes the investment policies, limitations, and restrictions of the clients for which it
advises.
Investment guidelines and restrictions must be provided to ETF Portfolio Partners in
writing, in the appropriate space provided in the Investment Advisory Agreement.
ETF Portfolio Partners does not have the authority to withdraw funds or take custody of
client funds or securities other than where the client has authorized the deduction of
advisory fees via a qualified custodian.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
As a matter of firm policy and practice, ETF Portfolio Partners does not have any
authority to and does not vote proxies on behalf of advisory clients. Clients retain the
responsibility for receiving and voting proxies for all securities maintained in client
portfolios. ETF Portfolio Partners may provide advice to clients regarding the client’s
voting of proxies only at the client’s request.
Item 18 – Financial Information
Registered Investment Advisers are required in this Item to provide you with certain
financial information or disclosures about ETF Portfolio Partners’ financial condition.
ETF Portfolio Partners does not accept prepayment of more than $500 in fees per client,
six months or more in advance.
ETF Portfolio Partners has no financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary commitments to clients and has not been the subject of a
bankruptcy proceeding.
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