View Document Text
Disclosure Brochure
Part 2A of Form ADV: Uniform Application for Investment Advisor Registration
May 20, 2025
Family Management Corporation
155 East 44th Street, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-872-9600
Fax: 212-758-4020
www.familymanage.com
This brochure provides information about the qualification and business practices of Family
Management Corporation. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at (212) 872-9600 or by email at clientservice@familymanage.com. The information
in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or by any state securities authority.
Family Management Corporation is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser; however registration
does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about Family Management Corporation is available on the SEC’s website
at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Material Changes
This disclosure brochure, dated May 20, 2025, replaces the brochure filed on March 27, 2025.
Updates to the following sections have been made since our last annual amendment dated March
27, 2025.
• Updates have been made throughout the disclosure brochure to reflect the closure of our
affiliate broker-dealer, Family Management Securities, LLC, and the transition to Pershing
Advisor Solutions.
2
Table of Contents
Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Advisory Business ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Firm Description ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Assets Under Management .................................................................................................................. 5
Tailored Client Relationships ................................................................................................................ 5
Types of Advisory Services .................................................................................................................. 6
Termination of an Advisory Relationship ............................................................................................ 8
Fees and Compensation ........................................................................................................................... 9
Description of Fees ................................................................................................................................ 9
FMC Advisory Fees ............................................................................................................................... 9
Computation of Advisory Fees for All Account Types .................................................................... 10
Other Fees and Compensation .......................................................................................................... 13
Performance-Based Fees & Side-by-Side Management ................................................................... 14
Sharing of Capital Gains or Capital Appreciation ............................................................................ 14
Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Description ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Account Minimums ............................................................................................................................... 14
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ......................................................... 14
Methods of Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 14
Investment Strategies .......................................................................................................................... 15
Risk of Loss ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Disciplinary Information ........................................................................................................................... 19
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .............................................................................. 19
Affiliated Entities ................................................................................................................................... 19
Commodity Pool Operator .................................................................................................................. 20
Material Relationships or Arrangements with Financial Industry .................................................. 20
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................. 22
3
Code of Ethics....................................................................................................................................... 22
Recommend Securities with Material Financial or Other Interest ................................................. 23
Invest in Same Securities Recommended to Clients ...................................................................... 23
Personal Trading Policies ................................................................................................................... 23
Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................. 24
Selecting Brokerage Firms ................................................................................................................. 24
Directed Brokerage .............................................................................................................................. 26
Research and Soft Dollars .................................................................................................................. 26
Order Aggregation ................................................................................................................................ 26
Trading Errors ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................. 27
Periodic Reviews .................................................................................................................................. 27
Regular Reports ................................................................................................................................... 28
Client Referrals and Other Compensation ........................................................................................... 28
Third-Party Solicitors ........................................................................................................................... 28
Custody ...................................................................................................................................................... 28
Account Statements ............................................................................................................................. 28
Investment Discretion .............................................................................................................................. 29
Discretionary Authority for Trading .................................................................................................... 29
Voting Client Securities ........................................................................................................................... 29
Proxy Voting .......................................................................................................................................... 30
Financial Information ............................................................................................................................... 31
4
Advisory Business
Firm Description
Family Management Corporation (“FMC”), established in 1989 by principals Seymour Zises and
Andrea Tessler, is a New York-based SEC registered investment advisor serving high net worth
individuals, families, and not-for-profit organizations. Together with our affiliate, Forest Hill
Capital Corporation (“FHCC”), a New York State licensed insurance agent, we operate as a full-
service wealth management firm providing our clients with highly personalized and
comprehensive financial services.
We recognize that financial needs vary and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to
financial advice. Rather, we provide each of our clients with a blend of customized services and
an array of products tailored to their specific needs and goals. Clients may hire us to provide
discretionary investment management services; clients may hire us because of our relationship
with certain Third-Party Managers (defined herein); clients may even have their own managers
or investments that they want us to monitor. In addition to our advisory services, we also provide
our clients with complete life insurance solutions (through FHCC). We coordinate and evaluate
our clients' investments, their performance, and work to ensure that everything remains focused
on their goals.
FMC’s service to our client families goes beyond traditional investment advice. We take a deep,
personal interest in our clients’ financial health and regularly work with non-affiliated banking,
legal, tax and insurance specialists to create individualized solutions to meet our clients’ specific
needs.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, FMC was actively managing $4,404,570,486 in client assets. This
total includes $4,332,885,551 of client assets managed on a discretionary basis plus $71,684,935
of client assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.
Tailored Client Relationships
Our client relationships begin with a discovery process that includes an in-depth dialogue to
identify all the factors surrounding and defining our client's wealth. Information is gathered
regarding the client's short and long-term goals, commitments, and concerns; the structure and
amount of all the client's holdings; the client's exposure to, and tolerance for, risk; and an
understanding of the client's life and disability coverage.
5
We then work with the client to construct and implement a long-term asset allocation and
investment strategy. We engage in an ongoing conversation with the client in the development
of the asset allocation and investment strategy. This strategy will often involve a Third-Party
Manager and their investment vehicle as well as FMC's discretionary investment management
services.
Once our recommendation of a long-term asset allocation and investment strategy is agreed upon
by the client, we begin the management process. We review the client's overall portfolio on a
continuous basis using market analysis tools and financial data and evaluate and consider
adjustments in response to economic changes, market trends, and/or client needs.
In addition to investment advice, our wealth management advisors may work closely with our
client’s other specialist advisors, or we may suggest new third-party providers, for estate and
income tax planning, tax effective wealth management, loans and mortgages, liability
monitoring, personal concierge services, and philanthropic planning.
Types of Advisory Services
FMC advisory services may take different forms, depending on the needs of the client.
• Discretionary and Non-Discretionary Accounts: A client may hire FMC to provide
discretionary investment management services. In these instances, the client generally
opens a brokerage account with Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC (“PAS”) for the
purchase and sale of securities (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) which is done on a
discretionary basis pursuant to an advisory agreement and any restrictions placed on the
account by the client. In certain instances, advisory services may be provided by FMC in
an account at other custodians/broker-dealers, such as Charles Schwab Corporation
(“Schwab”). We may also enter into a non-discretionary agreement with a client on a
negotiated basis.
•
In-house Investment Model Strategies: FMC manages several in-house investment
allocation models based on investment strategy risk tolerances.
• Third-Party Managers: In addition to managing the purchase and sale of securities in-
house on a discretionary basis, we may recommend that the client engage a third-party to
provide certain specialized asset management services (“Third-Party Manager”) or to
invest in a Third-Party Manager's investment vehicle. FMC requires client authorization
prior to investing with a Third-Party Manager.
6
• Turn-key Asset Manager Programs: In order to invest with certain asset managers,
FMC utilizes Turn-key Asset Manager Programs available through Lockwood / Pershing
and Envestnet (referred to collectively as “TAMPs”, singularly as a “TAMP”) and may
recommend client participation in one or more of the asset managers available through
the TAMPs. FMC provides portfolio management services within the TAMPs by
selecting asset managers available through the TAMPs for allocation of client assets.
FMC requires client authorization prior to investing with a TAMP.
• Family Management Funds (“FM Fifth Funds”): FMC serves as the General Partner,
and/or investment manager of funds, known collectively as the FM Fifth Funds, which
may be available to FMC clients. Specifically, FM Fifth Avenue Fund, LP (“FM Fifth
LP”) and FM Fifth Avenue Fund, Ltd. (“FM Fifth Ltd.”) are hedge fund-of-funds. The
purpose of the funds is to invest in private investment funds.
• Participant Account Management (Discretionary): FMC uses a third-party platform to
facilitate management of held away assets such as defined contribution plan participant
accounts, with discretion (“Held Away Accounts”). The platform allows FMC to avoid
being considered to have custody of client funds since FMC does not have direct access
to client log-in credentials. FMC is not affiliated with the platform in any way and
receives no compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be provided to
the client allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once the client
account(s) is connected to the platform, FMC will review the current account allocations.
When deemed necessary, FMC will rebalance the account considering client investment
goals and risk tolerance, and any change in allocations will consider current economic
and market trends.
• Class Actions: FMC engages Battea - Class Actions Services, LLC (“Battea”) to file
and administer class action claims on behalf of the firm’s clients, to the extent securities
held in the accounts of clients become the subject of class action lawsuits. Battea
actively seeks out any open and eligible class action lawsuits and files, monitors and
expedites the distribution of settlement proceeds. Clients are automatically included in
this service but may opt-out by submitting an opt-out request in writing to FMC. If a
client opts-out, FMC and Battea will not monitor class action filings for that client. FMC
does not engage Battea to monitor class action filings for assets managed by Third-Party
Managers, held in TAMPs or maintained by an outside custodian.
7
• Proxy Voting: FMC provides proxy voting services to our advisory clients who utilize
Pershing LLC or Charles Schwab Corporation as their custodian. Securities held by
Third-Party Managers or in TAMPs are not voted by FMC.
Termination of an Advisory Relationship
A client agreement may be cancelled at any time, by either party, for any reason upon 7 days
written notice. Upon the termination of the agreement, FMC will not be under any obligation to
recommend any action with regard to, or to liquidate, the assets in the account covered by the
agreement. FMC retains the right, however, to complete any transactions open as of the
termination date and to retain amounts in the account sufficient to affect such completion. Upon
termination, it will be the client’s exclusive responsibility to issue written instructions regarding
any assets held in the account.
Clients with agreements dated after December 31, 2003, that terminate their client agreement but
wish to retain their positions in Third-Party Manager(s) that have been selected and maintained
by FMC, are required to pay an ongoing annual management fee of 1% to FMC after the
termination of the advisory agreement. This fee is in respect of FMC’s introduction of the client
to the Third-Party Manager(s) and covers our initial and continuing due diligence of the Third-
Party Manager(s) and our negotiation with the Third-Party Manager(s) on the client's behalf.
The fee is payable until the client liquidates the position(s) or until FMC ceases performing
ongoing due diligence of the Third-Party Manager(s), whichever occurs sooner. The annual
management fee can be higher or lower than the annual advisory fee, and is waived while the
advisory agreement is in place.
Clients investing in FM Fifth LP and FM Fifth Ltd. are subject to lock-up periods described in
the offering documents for each fund. Generally, new clients investing in the FM Fifth Funds
will be required to provide 100 days prior written notice of their intention to redeem capital from
their investment and redemptions are limited to 5% of the total net asset value of their investment
as of the initial redemption date, so a full redemption may only be accomplished over a 5 year
period. Withdrawals from FM Fifth LP and FM Fifth Ltd. are available on March 31st, June 30th,
September 30th, and December 31st of any given calendar year. Additional information on the
liquidation of investments from the FM Fifth Funds can be found in the offering documents for
each fund.
8
Fees and Compensation
Description of Fees
Clients pay an advisory fee to FMC for our wealth management services based upon assets under
management. Client assets that are managed by a Third-Party Manager (or its investment
vehicle or within a TAMP) are included in a client’s assets under management when calculating
a Client’s FMC advisory fee, as are assets managed by a Third-Party Manager wrapped inside a
private placement variable life insurance contract or annuity contract. Clients also pay fees
directly to the Third-Party Managers and/or their investment vehicles and/or their TAMPs. Other
fees and commissions apply relating to our affiliate companies and non-affiliated providers.
FMC Advisory Fees
Non-Retirement Plan Account (“Investment Account”) Fees
FMC will charge either a percentage of Assets Under Management (“AUM”) which will not
exceed 2% or will charge different advisory fee levels based on asset classes under management,
as follows:
• For common stocks, convertible preferred shares, Third-Party Managers and TAMPs, and
all other equity-type assets managed by FMC, the annual asset advisory fee (which is
payable quarterly) is:
Assets
Under $1,000,000
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
Over $5,000,000
Annual Fee
2.0%
1.5%
1.0%
• For bonds, cash (including money markets funds or bank deposit accounts), and other
fixed income securities, the annual asset advisory fee (which is payable quarterly) is:
Assets
Under $1,000,000
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
Over $10,000,000
Annual Fee
1.00%
0.75%
0.50%
0.40%
• For purposes of calculating our annual asset advisory fees, FMC categorizes certain
investment strategies as a single asset class, and investment company securities (mutual
9
funds) as either equity or fixed income based upon the mutual fund's investment
objective.
The annual advisory fee and commission/fee schedules may differ among Investment Account
clients depending upon the date of commencement of a client's account, the size or type of a
client's account, any related-party accounts, and certain other variables. Although FMC has
established the fee schedule(s), FMC may, at its discretion, negotiate alternative fees on a client-
by-client basis. The combination of the annual FMC advisory fee and PAS commission/fee
schedules can be higher than those available for similar combinations of services from other
advisers and broker-dealers. Further, employee and related accounts of FMC are generally not
subject to the FMC fees noted herein.
The value of any policies, contracts, or other products issued by insurance companies (including
premiums paid) for which principals of FMC may act as agents (through FHCC) are not subject
to FMC advisory fees, excluding private placement variable life insurance and variable annuity
products. Insurance commissions/fees (paid to FHCC) are in addition to amounts payable to
FMC by a client pursuant to the fees set forth above.
ERISA Plan and IRA Account (“Retirement Plan Account”) Fees
FMC charges a level advisory fee of 1% for all Retirement Plan Account assets, whether
managed by FMC or a Third-Party Manager or in TAMPs. Such fees cover FMC’s advisory
services. Clients pay custodial and other unaffiliated third-party fees, charges and expenses
separately.
Retirement Plan Accounts for FMC employees, and certain of their family members, will not pay
an Advisory Fee to FMC. These employee accounts will be charged for the direct expenses
incurred by FMC in the performance of services, including, but not limited to, custody, clearing
and exchange fees.
Computation of Advisory Fees for All Account Types
A client’s FMC advisory fee is generally due and payable at the end of each calendar quarter in
arrears based on the market value of the client's accounts on the last business day of March, June,
September and December (the "Computation Date"). At each Computation Date, each client's
accounts are billed the applicable annual advisory fee rate for the quarterly period ended. The
exception to this is Held Away Accounts. The advisory fee for any Held Away Account will be
deducted directly from another client account, and if there are insufficient funds available in
another client account or FMC believes that deducting the advisory fee from another client
account would be prohibited by applicable law, it will invoice the client.
10
For calculating the annual advisory fee, the first quarter will commence during the first calendar
quarter in which the client's advisory agreement becomes effective. Fees on additions and
withdrawals to a client's accounts within a quarter are not pro-rated, except that fees for partial
quarters at the commencement or termination of a client's advisory agreement are prorated (in the
case of termination, such pro-ration is based on the most recent quarterly period that has ended).
FMC utilizes trade date (not settlement date) for calculating its fees.
In general, the market value of a client's accounts is computed by valuing a security listed on a
national exchange at the closing sale price on the Computation Date. Client assets that are
managed by Third-Party Managers are valued according to the net asset value (or estimate)
provided by the Third-Party Manager or their administrator. For individual bonds, the value of
the bond will include accrued interest. Investments in mutual funds are valued at the net asset
value determined on the Computation Date. For certain real estate investments or private
placements, FMC will value the investment as of the most recent value provided in the financial
statements provided by the Third-Party Manager. At times, the most recent financial statements
may be from the previous billing period. FMC reconciles the valuations received for the current
billing period to the amount that was used for billing purposes. FMC may use independent
outside pricing services to value securities.
Third-Party Manager Fees (including Envestnet TAMP)
FMC advisory fees are charged on client assets in Third-Party Manager accounts and
Envestnet/TAMP accounts. Third-Party Manager or Envestnet TAMP manager fees are separate
from and in addition to FMC’s advisory fee. These fees may be asset based, performance based
or commission based. FMC does not control the fees or the billing arrangements of any selected
Third-Party Manager. For a complete description of the fee arrangements, including billing
practices, minimum account requirements and account termination provisions, clients should
review the Third-Party Manager’s adviser brochure and/or other disclosure documents.
11
Lockwood / Pershing TAMP Fees
FMC advisory fees for the Lockwood / Pershing TAMP are charged within the TAMP quarterly
in advance, based on the market value of the client's TAMP account on the first business day of
April, July, October and January. FMC’s advisory fees are collected within a lump sum charge
to the account which also includes, the TAMP Manager’s fees and the sponsor/platform fees.
Fees for partial quarters at the commencement or termination of a TAMP are prorated.
FM Fifth Fund Fees
Client assets in the FM Fifth Funds are not charged FMC advisory fees. For FM Fifth LP and
FM Fifth Ltd., FMC receives a quarterly management fee, payable in advance, computed at a
rate of 1% per annum of the net value of the fund assets on the first business day of such quarter.
Employees and certain of their family members will not pay a management fee to FMC.
Other Fees and Compensation
• Mutual Funds: FMC buys mutual funds at Net Asset Value (“NAV”) or “no load”.
Clients that invest in a mutual fund pay an indirect management fee to the adviser of the
mutual fund, in addition to the mutual fund's other fees and expenses. FMC does not
receive any service fees (“12b-1 fees”) from mutual funds in which FMC has invested a
client’s assets or in which a client has invested based upon FMC’s recommendation.
• Custodial Fees: Client brokerage accounts are subject to fees imposed by Pershing LLC
and/or other custodians used by the client, such as Charles Schwab, including IRA
maintenance and termination fees, margin interest, exchange fees, alternative asset fees,
and currency wire fees. For a complete list of fees charged by your custodian, please call
Philip T. Frank at 212-872-9637 or by writing to FMC at 155 East 44th Street, 21st Floor,
New York, NY 10017.
•
Insurance Products: Principals of FMC receive commissions or other compensation
through FHCC on the sale of an insurance product (including variable life or annuity
policies) to a client. Insurance compensation is not received for Retirement Plan
Accounts that pay a level 1% management fee.
• Referral Fees: FHCC receives commissions or fees for client introductions to retirement
plan platforms. FMC does not receive any fee or commission for the referral of clients
that pay FMC a management fee.
12
• Estates and Trusts: Principals of FMC can receive fees when acting as an executor to
an estate, or trustee of a trust.
• Non-Purpose Loan Accounts: FMC receives up to 0.5% per annum for client funds
held by its clearing firm, Pershing LLC, as collateral for Non-Purpose Loan Accounts.
This arrangement creates a conflict of interest between a client and FMC, because FMC
has an incentive to recommend that clients open a Non-Purpose Loan Account at
Pershing. FMC has reviewed and periodically reviews Pershing and believes that the use
of Pershing is in the best interest of clients.
• Credit Lines & Mortgages: In 2015, FMC entered into an agreement with BNY Mellon
wherein FMC may refer clients to BNY Mellon for mortgage loans and investment credit
lines. FMC does not currently receive any compensation from BNY Mellon, or any other
party, for the referrals.
• Asset Allocator Agreements: FMC has entered into two Asset Allocator Agreements:
one with Axcelus Financial, formerly Lombard International, and one with Investors
Preferred Life Insurance Company, previously Acadia Life Limited, (collectively the
“Companies”). Under these agreements, FMC receives a fee from the Companies for
clients that invest in accounts of privately placed variable annuity and life insurance
contracts (“Contracts”) underwritten by them. The fee is disclosed in the companies’
private offering memorandum to the client, and is in addition to any fee paid by clients of
FMC to it and its affiliates as described herein. This relationship creates a conflict of
interest between a client and FMC, because FMC has an incentive to recommend
Contracts underwritten by the Companies. FMC only recommends Contracts
underwritten by the Companies when FMC believes the recommendation is in a client’s
best interest. FMC does not invest Retirement Plan Accounts assets in these Contracts.
• Class Action Filings: Battea's filing fee is contingent upon the successful completion
and distribution of the settlement proceeds from a class action lawsuit. In recognition of
Battea’s services, Battea receives a 15% of our clients’ share of the settlement
distribution. FMC does not receive any compensation related to this service.
13
Performance-Based Fees & Side-by-Side
Management
Sharing of Capital Gains or Capital Appreciation
FMC does not receive performance based compensation on any investments or client accounts.
Types of Clients
Description
FMC generally provides investment advice to individuals, families, private funds, pension and
profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations or business entities.
Account Minimums
There are no minimum investment requirements to open an advisory account with FMC;
however, the type of investments utilized may differ depending on the size of a client's portfolio.
As the general partner and/or investment manager of the FM Fifth Funds, FMC imposes a
minimum initial subscription of $250,000. Subsequent investments must be in the amount of at
least $50,000. Both the initial and subsequent investment minimums are subject to modification
and/or waiver at FMC's discretion.
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies
and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
FMC’s security analysis methods predominantly include macro-economic, fundamental,
technical and cyclical analysis. The information used by FMC includes individual company
filings, company investor presentations, sell-side research, financial media and subscriptions,
inspections of corporate activities, research materials prepared by others, corporate rating
services, annual reports, prospectuses, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
company press releases. FMC also utilizes data from sources such as Bloomberg which provides
access to macro-economic data, company financials, fixed income securities, and other
information on single securities, asset classes, and broad market data. Various data is analyzed in
14
Excel models via proprietary FMC models. Additionally, FMC will perform due diligence of
Third-Party Managers and TAMPs including discussions with company management and visits
to company offices.
Investment Strategies
Clients may hire FMC to provide discretionary investment management services. FMC will
invest for a client on a discretionary basis pursuant an advisory agreement. During the
management of clients’ assets, FMC typically offers advice on, but is not limited to: stocks,
bonds, mutual-funds, exchange-traded funds, closed end funds, options, limited partnership
interests in real estate, oil and gas interests, private placement variable life and annuity policies,
private equity and pooled investment vehicles (hedge funds).
Investment strategies for discretionary accounts typically include long term purchases (securities
intended to be held at least a year), short term purchases (securities intended to be sold within a
year), and trading (securities intended to be sold within 30 days). In certain circumstances they
may include short sales, margin transactions and option writing, including covered options,
uncovered options or spreading strategies.
In addition to managing the purchase and sale of securities on a discretionary basis, FMC may
recommend a Third-Party Manager or TAMP. These investments are entered into upon client’s
authorization and a client will enter into a separate agreement with the Third-Party Manager or
TAMP (see “Types of Advisory Services”). The investment strategies of Third-Party Managers
or TAMP are not controlled by FMC.
In addition to allocating funds to Third-Party Managers or TAMPs, FMC may recommend an
allocation to an affiliated fund where FMC acts as the General Partner and/or investment
manager as follows:
FM Fifth LP and FM Fifth Ltd. - The purpose of each fund is to invest in various private
investment funds. Since their inception, FM Fifth LP has been invested in Millennium USA LP
and FM Fifth Ltd. has been invested in Millennium International, Ltd. (collectively the
“Millennium Funds”). FMC has full discretion to invest the assets of the FM Fifth LP and FM
Fifth Ltd. FMC may in the future withdraw a portion, or all, of its assets from the Millennium
Funds and invest directly in other securities, including, without limitation, investment funds
(including investment funds that invest in other funds), corporations, limited partnerships, joint
ventures, offshore companies and similar entities and accounts. In the event that it does so, FMC
will provide notice of such change to fund investors and offer them the opportunity to withdraw
from the relevant fund prior to such change being implemented.
15
Risk of Loss
FMC may invest for a client on a discretionary basis pursuant to an advisory agreement. In
regard to securities purchased, these are not guaranteed and it is possible that clients may lose
money on their investments.
Where FMC serves as the General Partner, and/or investment manager of the FM Fifth Funds,
there are no assurances that the FM Fifth Funds’ initial investment objective will be achieved.
The strategies employed by these funds and their advisers involve a high degree of risk.
FMC performs initial and ongoing due diligence on TAMPs and/or Third-Party Managers which
it recommends to clients’ accounts. FMC’s due diligence process applies only to TAMPs, Third-
Party Managers and Third-Party Investment Vehicles that FMC has specifically recommended,
but does not include performing due diligence on any underlying funds, securities, accounts or
investments selected or recommended by the TAMPs or Third-Party Manager. FMC does not
perform due diligence on any client investment (whether a fund, security, account, stock, or
bond) that was not recommended by FMC, even though FMC’s services may include
consolidated reporting that includes information about these investments.
FMC’s due diligence includes the following:
• TAMPs – FMC may recommend an allocation to third-party platforms that offer access
to multiple managers who offer different investment products, styles and risk. FMC
initially evaluates the TAMP sponsors with respect to platform management, investment
manager selection, and due diligence procedures. FMC also reviews and meets with asset
managers as part of our selection process. On an ongoing basis, FMC also reviews,
conducts meetings with, and selects/deselects the recommended asset managers within a
platform.
• Third-Party Managers – Prior to recommending a Third-Party Manager, FMC will
conduct due diligence on the Manager and/or the Fund or Investment Vehicle, as
applicable:
• Conduct a background check on the principals of each Third-Party Manager
• Review the Third-Party Manager and/or its recommended investment vehicle’s
investment strategies, risk controls, use of leverage, transparency, performance,
performance distributions, risk/reward ratios, and drawdowns;
• Confirm the investment vehicles’ auditors, accountants, prime-brokers and
administrators, as applicable;
16
• Review each Third-Party Manager’s back office operations and compliance
systems;
• Confirm the stated assets under management (“AUM”) by comparing
recommended investment vehicles’ audited financial statements to administrator
reported AUM where available, and as applicable;
• Engage in periodic reviews and discussions with the management of
recommended Third-Party Managers regarding investment performance and
market conditions.
Further, FMC does not supervise the assets that a client invests with a Third-Party Manager (or
its investment vehicle) or Third-Party Manager Program other than to attempt to monitor
performance and determine whether the allocation remains appropriate for the client.
FMC conducts its own due diligence on the Third-Party Manager (and its investment vehicle) or
TAMP, but FMC must rely on information that it receives from the Third-Party Manager or
TAMP. FMC cannot make any representation as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of
any information provided by the Third-Party Manager or TAMP. Moreover, FMC does not
conduct due diligence on any underlying investments or securities held by Third-Party Managers
or TAMP.
While FMC will attempt to monitor the performance of the Third-Party Manager and its
investment vehicle, as noted, FMC must ultimately rely on the Third-Party Manager to operate in
accordance with its investment strategy or guidelines and on the accuracy of the information
provided by the Third-Party Manager.
If a Third-Party Manager (or its investment vehicle) or TAMP do not operate in accordance with
its investment strategy or guidelines, or if the information furnished by a Third-Party Manager or
TAMP is not accurate, a client’s investment with a Third-Party Manager and its investment
vehicle or TAMP may sustain losses. Moreover, FMC does not have any control over the
decisions made by the Third-Party Manager or TAMP and FMC will not have any control over
the institutions selected by the Third-Party Manager or TAMP for brokerage, clearing, custody
or other services related to its investment vehicle. Bankruptcy or fraud at one of these
institutions could result in substantial losses to a client as there is always the risk that a Third-
Party Manager or TAMP (or their service providers) could mishandle or convert the assets under
their control. FMC has discussions and reviews with the Third-Party Managers or TAMPs in
connection with our clients’ asset allocations and investment strategies. And, as part of our
services, we advise our clients about increasing, decreasing or terminating any such
relationships.
17
Types of Investments and Risks
Equity Securities - Regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock
market may produce a decline in prices for all equity securities. The prices of equity securities
may fluctuate based on overall market and economic conditions. In addition, individual
securities rise and fall based on changes in the issuer’s financial condition. As a result, equity
investments risk a loss of all or a substantial portion of the investment. Small capitalization
stocks generally involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in stocks of larger
companies and may be more volatile.
Mutual Funds - An investment in a mutual fund involves risk, including the loss of principal.
Mutual fund shareholders are subject to the risks stemming from the individual issues of the
fund’s underlying portfolio securities. Such shareholders are also liable for taxes on any fund-
level capital gains, as mutual funds are required by law to distribute capital gains in the event
they sell securities for a profit that cannot be offset by a corresponding loss.
Fixed Income Securities - Investments in fixed income securities are subject to credit, liquidity,
prepayment, and interest rate risks, any of which may adversely impact the price of the security
and result in a loss. The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative
or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) - An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges,
similar to stocks, and their price can fluctuate during the day. Investing in ETFs carries the risk
of capital loss (sometimes up to a 100% loss in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of
concern include the lack of transparency in products and increasing complexity, conflicts of
interest and the possibility of inadequate regulatory compliance. The returns on ETFs can be
reduced by the costs to manage the funds. During time of extreme market volatility ETF pricing
may lag versus the actual underlying asset values. This lag usually resolves itself in a short
period of time (usually less than one day) however there is no guarantee this relationship will
always occur.
Real Estate Funds (including REITs) - REITs face several kinds of risk that are inherent in the
real estate sector, which historically has experienced significant fluctuations and cycles in
performance. Revenues and cash flows may be adversely affected by: changes in local real estate
market conditions due to changes in national or local economic conditions or changes in local
property market characteristics; competition from other properties offering the same or similar
services; changes in interest rates and in the state of the debt and equity credit markets; the
18
ongoing need for capital improvements; changes in real estate tax rates and other operating
expenses; adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies; adverse changes in zoning
laws; the impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with
environmental laws.
Alternative Investments - Alternative investments, such as hedge funds and private
equity/venture capital funds are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. There is no
secondary market for alternative investments and there may be significant restrictions or
limitations on withdrawing from or transferring these types of investments. Private equity funds
generally require an investor to make and fund a commitment over several years. Alternative
investments generally have higher fees (including both management and performance based
fees) and expenses that offset returns. Alternative investments are generally subject to less
regulation than publicly traded investments.
Disciplinary Information
FMC is required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client’s or
prospective client’s evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our management.
FMC and our management personnel have no disciplinary events to report.
Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations
Affiliated Entities
FHCC is registered as a New York State Insurance Agent and is utilized in connection with the
sale of life insurance products.
FM Fifth Avenue (GP) LLC, which is under common control with FMC, serves as General
Partner of FM Fifth LP and certain related person(s) serve as director(s) for FM Fifth Ltd.
FMC also serves as the General Partner of FM Low Volatility Fund, L.P. The fund is currently
in liquidation and will subsequently be dissolved.
19
The FM Fifth Funds are not registered as investment companies with the SEC under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and interests in the FM Fifth Funds are not
registered as securities with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
All the above entities are under common control and share many of the same personnel. The
principal office and place of business for all the above listed entities is 155 East 44th Street, 21st
Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017.
Commodity Pool Operator
FMC, as the general partner and/or investment manager of FM Fifth, LP and FM Fifth, Ltd., is
registered as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) with the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission (“CFTC”) effective January 1, 2013 and operates pursuant to an exemption under
CFTC Rule 4.7 that relieves FMC of certain disclosure, recordkeeping and reporting
requirements. Prior to January 1, 2013, FMC operated pursuant to an exemption from
registration as a CPO set forth in Section 4.13(a)(4) of the CFTC’s regulations. This exemption
was repealed effective as of December 31, 2012.
Material Relationships or Arrangements with Financial Industry
1. FMC entered into an agreement with Axcelus Financial (“Axcelus”), formerly Lombard
International, to provide asset allocation services and alternative investment account
management for certain private placement variable life and annuity policies underwritten
by Axcelus. Under this agreement, FMC receives a fee from Axcelus for clients that invest
in accounts of privately placed variable annuity and life insurance contracts underwritten by
Axcelus. This relationship creates a conflict of interest between a client and FMC, because
FMC has an incentive to recommend privately placed variable annuity and life insurance
contracts underwritten by Axcelus. FMC only recommends such products when FMC
believes the recommendation is in a client’s best interest. FMC allocates assets to
Millennium Global Estate or other investment vehicles. The fee is disclosed in the Axcelus
private offering memorandum to the client, and is in addition to any fee paid by clients of
FMC to it and its affiliates as described herein. Fees paid by Axcelus are 0.05% calculated
as an annual percentage of the average net assets of the investment account value of the
contracts as determined by averaging the previous quarter's month-ending values, and are
collected quarterly in arrears.
2. FMC entered into an agreement with MAS Advisors to provide asset allocation services
and alternative investment account management for certain private placement variable
life and annuity policies underwritten by Investors Preferred Life Insurance Company
(“Investors Life”). Under this agreement, FMC receives a fee from Investors Life for
20
clients that invest in accounts of privately placed variable annuity and life insurance
contracts. This relationship creates a conflict of interest between a client and FMC, because
FMC has an incentive to recommend privately placed variable annuity and life insurance
contracts underwritten by Investors Life. FMC only recommends such products when FMC
believes the recommendation is in a client’s best interest. FMC allocates assets to
Millennium Global Estate or other investment vehicles including an Alternative
Investment account managed by FMC. The fees are disclosed in the Investors Life
private offering memorandum to the client, and are in addition to any fee paid by clients
of FMC to it and its affiliates as described herein. Fees paid by Investors Life are 0.05%
per annum for individual investment vehicles or 0.5% per annum for the FMC
Alternative Investment Account, calculated on a prorated basis and based upon the
monthly net asset value of the investment accounts, and collected quarterly in arrears.
3. FMC has a relationship pursuant to which it provides asset allocation advice and
alternative investment account management for private placement variable life and
annuity policies underwritten by certain life insurance companies and receives a fee for
providing these services with respect to these insurance accounts. Certain of these
insurance accounts (the “Principal Accounts”) are linked with insurance policies that
benefit the principal (and/or the principal’s family members) of an unaffiliated third-
party fund (“Third-Party Principal”) into which FMC client assets are invested.
FMC’s management of the Principal Accounts creates an apparent potential conflict of
interest between FMC’s interest in continuing to provide services to the Principal
Accounts while maintaining a business relationship with the Third-Party Principal and
adhering to its fiduciary obligations to its other clients when evaluating and managing
their investments in the funds controlled by the Third-Party Principal.
FMC believes that this apparent conflict of interest is substantially mitigated because the
investment guidelines applicable to FMC's clients who allocate assets to the Third-Party
Principal’s fund expressly mandate such investment, and therefore FMC has no
discretion to vary, reduce or reallocate such investment without obtaining investor
consent (without regard to any changes that may occur in FMC’s relationship to the
Principal Accounts). Where FMC and its personnel are acting on behalf of multiple
clients whose interests may diverge in a particular situation, FMC has an obligation to
pursue the best interests of each of the parties on whose behalf they are acting at the
time. In addition, as a fiduciary to clients, and consistent with FMC’s Code of Ethics,
FMC may not place its own interests (including, but not limited to, those arising from its
relationships described herein) ahead of those of its clients when acting on clients’
behalf and making decisions impacting the investments held, or made by, such clients.
Collectively, FMC believes that these policies, together with the facts described above,
substantially mitigate any apparent potential conflict of interest arising from its
management of the Principal Accounts.
21
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in
Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
FMC has adopted a Code of Ethics with which all FMC personnel are required to comply. The
Code of Ethics is designed to cover, but is not limited to: personal securities transactions,
reporting and pre-clearance obligations relating to personal securities transactions, avoidance of
conflicts of interest, prohibitions against disclosure of non-public information relating to clients
and client transactions, and rules governing and penalties for violations of provisions of the Code
of Ethics.
The Code of Ethics requires all employees to notify and obtain consent from FMC prior to
opening a securities account or from placing self-directed orders with a broker or dealer for their
own account or for a related account, subject to certain exceptions. Employees are also required
to arrange for duplicate monthly account statements and confirmations to be sent to FMC's Chief
Compliance Officer with respect to such accounts. The Code of Ethics also provides that each
security purchased by an employee must be held for thirty (30) days, subject to certain
exceptions and those that may be granted from time to time.
The Code of Ethics prohibits employees from investing “side-by-side” with any client of FMC
unless the employee executes the trade through PAS and received the same average price as the
client. Trades for employees done away from PAS are made after all client trades in the security
are completed.
The Code of Ethics prohibits employees from acting upon material non-public information, from
purchasing securities of companies in which principals of FMC have access to material non-
public information, or from otherwise purchasing securities of any company that is on a
restricted list maintained by FMC, which is updated periodically. In compliance with the Insider
Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1998, FMC has established, maintains, and
enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public
information by FMC, or any persons employed by FMC.
A full copy of FMC's Code of Ethics is available without cost by calling Philip T. Frank at 212-
872-9637 or by writing to FMC at 155 East 44th Street, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017.
22
Recommend Securities with Material Financial or Other Interest
FMC may recommend allocations across different asset classes with differing fees schedules.
FMC has a conflict of interest with its clients in connection with these recommendations since
FMC may receive higher fees from investments in certain asset classes versus others. This
disclosure does not apply to Retirement Plan Accounts as they are subject to a level fee.
Insurance commission/fees of FHCC are in addition to amounts payable to FMC. Each of these
creates a conflict of interest between FMC and its clients.
Further, FMC may recommend allocating a portion of a client's assets to Third-Party Managers
and their investment vehicles to TAMPs. Although there is no understanding to the effect,
Principals of FMC may recommend that certain clients purchase interests in the FM Fifth Funds.
Principals of FMC own interests in these funds also.
Invest in Same Securities Recommended to Clients
From time to time, employees of FMC purchase or sell the same securities as are purchased or
sold for, or recommended to, a client. FMC has adopted restrictions applicable to all of its
personnel with respect to transactions in securities that are purchased or sold for a client's
account or recommended to a client. These policies apply to transactions in any account in
which the employee has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, unless the employee has no direct
or indirect influence or control over the account.
Personal Trading Policies
FMC employees who seek to purchase or sell securities for their own account must maintain a
brokerage account with PAS or with another broker-dealer that is disclosed to FMC. Subject to
certain exceptions, FMC employees must obtain pre-clearance prior to executing self-directed
transactions. Subject to certain exceptions, FMC employees do not need to obtain pre-clearance
for transactions executed in accounts managed by FMC or unrelated third-party manager on a
discretionary basis. All employees must provide FMC with periodic reports of their personal
securities transactions in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder.
If an employee of FMC who maintains a brokerage account with PAS purchases or sells a
security on the same day that FMC exercises its discretion to engage in the same transaction with
respect to the same security on behalf of one or more of its clients, that employee will not be
permitted to obtain a more favorable price than a client. Rather, the employee (as well as each
affected client) will receive the "average price" of such security, based on all transactions in such
23
security executed through PAS on such day by FMC on behalf of clients and by FMC
employees. Inclusion of FMC's employees in the aggregated order could adversely affect the
price at which client’s trades are executed.
In general, bunched trades are allocated pro-rata in accordance with relative holdings in the
particular security (subject to rounding). When partial fills occur, FMC has an obligation to fill
the clients' allocations prior to those of employees.
Employees of FMC are prohibited from purchasing or selling a security (other than through a
brokerage account with PAS as set forth above) on the same day that FMC exercises its
discretion to purchase or sell the same security on behalf of one or more of its clients subject to
certain exceptions that may be granted from time to time.
While FMC employees may engage in transactions for personal accounts that are similar to those
of FMC clients, employees may also take positions that are different from, and possibly
inconsistent with, client transactions or recommendations. For example, an employee may have
a more aggressive strategy for personal investments than is generally used for clients, or may for
personal reasons determine to sell a security that is generally being purchased for, or
recommended for purchase by, clients.
Principals and employees of FMC may invest alongside clients with Third-Party Managers or in
TAMPs. Further, principals and employees of FMC may also invest in products offered by
Third-Party Managers that are not offered to clients or are otherwise unsuitable for some clients.
The investment returns received by principals and employees on Third-Party Manager products
not offered to clients may be greater than the returns received by clients invested in other
products offered by the Third-Party Manager.
In addition, Third-Party Managers or Third-Party Manager Programs and their principals and
employees may utilize the services of FMC.
Brokerage Practices
Selecting Brokerage Firms
Clients generally direct FMC to execute all securities transactions for their accounts through
PAS under a commission/fee schedule attached to and made a part of the clients' advisory
agreement. Clients may direct us not to execute securities transactions through PAS, although it
may preclude the use of certain investment strategies. We may also accept instructions from a
client to direct specific amounts of brokerage to a particular broker-dealer other than PAS.
24
As a fiduciary, FMC has a duty to seek best execution for a client's securities transactions. This
duty requires FMC to execute securities transactions for clients so that the total cost or proceeds
in each transaction are the most favorable under the circumstances. Best price, giving effect to
commissions and commission equivalents, if any, and other transaction costs, is an important
factor in the decision-making process for best execution. The decision-making process also
takes into account the quality of brokerage services, including, but not limited to, such factors as
execution capability, speed of execution, anonymity of the parties that enter transactions,
opportunities for price improvements, willingness to commit capital, creditworthiness and
financial stability, and clearance and settlement capability. Accordingly, transactions will not
always be executed at the lowest available price or commission.
Securities transactions (including debt securities) executed by PAS are affected on an agency
basis. The total cost to a client reflects the price charged on the exchange or by the market
maker, plus PAS's commission/fees. In certain cases, this practice may result in a higher total
cost to a client than if the client had purchased the security directly from the market maker
(reflecting an additional markup, but no broker commission). FMC and its affiliates do not
receive any portion of commissions or other compensation received by PAS. FMC has
established a Best Execution Committee that meets quarterly to review its best execution
practices and FMC conducts periodic reviews of its equity and fixed income trading for best
execution.
Please refer to https://www.pershing.com/content/dam/pershing/documents/pdfs/disclosures/pas-
schedule-of-maximum-charges.pdf for further information, restrictions and disclosures related to
PAS’s brokerage fees and commissions.
In certain circumstances, FMC may accept direction to use Schwab as custodian. FMC is
independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with Schwab. Schwab makes available to
FMC other products and services that benefit FMC (e.g. facilitating payment of FMC’s fees from
client accounts). Such benefits create a conflict of interest and clients should consider this
conflict of interest when selecting a custodian.
For clients’ accounts that Schwab maintains, Schwab generally does not charge clients separately
for custody services but is compensated by charging commissions or other fees on trades that it
executes or that settle into the client’s Schwab account. Certain trades (for example, U.S. equities
and ETFs) do not incur Schwab commissions or transaction fees. Schwab is also compensated by
earning interest on the uninvested cash in a client’s account in Schwab’s Cash Features Program.
For some accounts, Schwab charges a percentage of the dollar amount of assets in the account in
lieu of commissions. FMC and its affiliates do not receive any portion of commissions or other
compensation received by Schwab.
25
Please refer to https://www.schwab.com/resource/charles-schwab-pricing-guide-clients-
independent-investment-advisors for further information, restrictions and disclosures related to
Schwab’s brokerage fees and commissions.
Directed Brokerage
Transactions for clients with directed brokerage arrangements other than with PAS or Schwab
generally will be executed through the broker-dealer selected by the client unless FMC
reasonably believes that effecting the transaction through the directed broker may result in a
breach of FMC's duties as a fiduciary.
If a client directs FMC to use a particular broker or dealer other than PAS or Schwab, trades for
that client's account will generally be placed by FMC after trades for other clients in similar
securities have been executed through PAS and Schwab. This order of execution can
significantly affect the price that the client may obtain for such transactions. FMC has no
obligation to renegotiate commission rates with such brokers or dealers, and directed brokerage
arrangements may result in the client's account paying higher brokerage commissions or
receiving less favorable prices than might otherwise be possible.
Research and Soft Dollars
FMC does not use soft dollars (client commissions) to pay for (i) computer hardware or software,
or other electronic communication facilities; (ii) publications, both paper based or electronic that
are available to the general public, and/or (iii) third-party research services. If FMC determines
to purchase such services, FMC pays for them using its own resources.
Order Aggregation
In certain instances, orders for publicly traded securities will be combined, or "bunched," for
purposes of execution among various accounts. FMC believes that larger orders generally
receive greater attention from traders and should, on average, slightly reduce execution costs.
FMC will generally seek to aggregate orders to ensure equitable treatment among clients and/or
when FMC believes such aggregation may result in better execution (including better execution
prices) for clients.
Bunched purchases are generally allocated among client accounts pro-rata in accordance with
relative net assets under our management or on another equitable basis. Exceptions include, but
are not limited to, situations where: (i) the client already holds a position in a particular security,
and FMC does not believe it is appropriate to add to that position; (ii) the client has investment
restrictions that prohibit the purchase/sale of a particular type of investment; (iii) the client's cash
26
position is disproportionately small, so that assets available for investing are limited, or
disproportionately large, so that it is appropriate to take large positions. In the case of less liquid
securities, where FMC is unable to allocate on a pro rata basis, the allocation will be performed
on a set basis (i.e. first-in-first-out). Under this method, employees of FMC will not receive an
allocation until all client allocations are completed.
In general, bunched trades are allocated pro-rata in accordance with relative holdings in the
particular security, except where tax considerations for a particular account dictate that the
account participate to a greater or lesser extent. In the case of partial fills, the allocation amount
is based upon a client's investment objectives and/or tax considerations.
Although FMC clients receive an average execution price on bunched trades, commissions/fees
on bunched trades are individually assessed based on the commission/fee schedule.
Consequently, FMC clients may pay disparate commissions for bunched trades.
Trading Errors
While managing client accounts, trading errors occur from time to time. FMC has adopted a
policy and procedures for trade errors. If FMC causes the trade error, the policy is designed to
place an FMC client in the same position it would have been had there been no error. The
procedures call for trade errors to be corrected as soon as reasonably practicable after discovery,
using an error account. For instance, when a security is erroneously purchased for a client
account, the error is to be corrected by transferring the security from the client's account to the
error account. When a security is erroneously sold from a client's account, the transaction is to
be resolved in the error account and the client is made whole.
Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
Account reviews are generally conducted quarterly or more frequently if requested by a client or
if FMC believes market values indicate. Seymour Zises, Andrea Tessler, the CIO or an
appropriate delegate of FMC conducts the account review. Account reviews are performed to
ascertain that the securities in an account are consistent with the investment strategy selected by
the client, client instructions, and that the investment strategy and asset allocation are suitable for
the client.
27
Regular Reports
Quarterly reports regarding holdings, deposits and withdrawals, purchases, sales and general
account performance are provided to clients by hardcopy or electronically through a secure
portal. FMC may also provide additional information or reports to clients on a more frequent
basis upon request. The limited partners of private investment funds of which FMC is the
general partner will receive unaudited capital account valuations monthly and audited year-end
financial statements as well as necessary information for K-1 tax returns. Any funds currently in
liquidation will receive liquidation and distribution notices and Schedule K-1s.
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Third-Party Solicitors
FMC has entered into agreements that compensate persons for referring a client to FMC in
accordance with Rule 206(4)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. These
persons include FMC employees who receive a portion of the advisory fees paid by the referred
client in addition to other compensation.
As a matter of policy, the advisory fees paid to FMC by clients referred by solicitors are not
increased as a result of any referral.
Custody
Account Statements
FMC directly debits advisory fees from client accounts. As part of this billing process, the
client's custodian is advised of the amount of the fee to be deducted from that client's account.
On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is required to send to the client a statement showing
all transactions within the account during the reporting period.
Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee to be deducted, it is important for
clients to carefully review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the calculation,
among other things. Clients should contact FMC directly if they believe that there may be an
error in their statement.
In addition to the periodic statements that clients receive directly from their custodians, FMC
also sends quarterly account statements directly to our clients which contains information
regarding the calculation of the management fee. We urge our clients to carefully compare the
28
information provided on these statements to ensure that all account transactions, holdings and
values are correct and current.
Since FMC serves as general partner to the FM Low Volatility Fund, L.P. , and due to the fact
that certain related persons may serve as trustee to client trust accounts, and standing letters of
authorization (“SLOA”) are in place from clients that allow FMC to direct the custodian to send
client funds to designated third parties based on the SLOA, FMC is deemed to have custody of
client assets. Given this fact, we are required under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, to
retain a PCAOB registered accounting firm to perform a surprise independent audit of FMC.
Once performed, the results of the surprise audit are available on the SEC’s public disclosure
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. In addition, FMC has entered into a written agreement with
an independent public accountant to provide audited financial statements to the FM Fifth Funds’
investors within 180 days following the FM Fifth Funds’ fiscal year end.
Investment Discretion
Discretionary Authority for Trading
Clients may hire us to provide discretionary asset management services. For these services we
place trades in a client's account without contacting the client for permission prior to each trade.
Our discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the client:
• determine the security to buy or sell;
• determine the amount of the security to buy or sell; and/or
• determine the timing of the transaction.
Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign an advisory agreement with our firm and
may limit this authority by giving us written instructions. Clients may also change/amend such
limitations by providing us with written instructions.
Although we may recommend Third-Party Managers or a TAMP to a client, we do not have the
authority to engage the Third-Party Manager or TAMP on behalf of the client. The client enters
into a separate management agreement with the Third-Party Manager and authorizes investments
within TAMPs.
Voting Client Securities
29
Proxy Voting
In carrying out its proxy voting responsibilities, FMC has contracted with an independent third-
party (Glass Lewis & Co (“Third-Party Administrator”)) to provide issue analysis and vote
recommendations. It is important to note that the policy employed by the Third-Party
Administrator does not address all proxy proposals, but rather focuses on particular matters and
is intended to give a general indication of how proxies will be voted.
The Third-Party Administrator offers a U.S. policy, an International policy, a Canadian policy,
specialty policies (such as a Socially Responsible policy), a Faith-Based policy, a Taft-Hartley
policy and a Public Fund policy, along with custom policies defined by its clients. FMC utilizes
the U.S. Policy. A copy of all policies can be found at www.glasslewis.com. Each year, the
Third-Party Administrator updates their policies that inform clients of its proxy voting
recommendations. The Third-Party Administrator has a bottom-up policy formulation process
that collects feedback from a diverse range of market participants through multiple channels: an
annual Policy Survey of institutional investors and corporate issuers, roundtables with industry
groups, and ongoing feedback during proxy season. The Third-Party Administrator uses this
input to develop draft policy updates on important governance issues, which are then published
for open review and comment.
While it is FMC's policy to follow the voting recommendations of the Third-Party Administrator,
FMC retains the authority to vote differently than the recommendation on any proxy proposal.
Such a decision, however, is subject to a review and approval process, which includes
determining that the decision is not influenced by any conflicts of interest. In addition, in each
and every instance in which FMC favors voting in a manner that is inconsistent with the vote
recommendation of the Third-Party Administrator, FMC shall disclose to its clients conflicts of
interest information and obtain client consent prior to the vote.
Because the Third-Party Administrator makes recommendations based on its independent,
objective analysis of the economic interests of shareholders, the proxy voting process is designed
so that FMC votes proxies in the best interests of its clients and insulates FMC's voting decision
from any potential conflicts of interest. In instances in which the Third-Party Administrator is
unable to make a proxy vote recommendation, FMC's Proxy Voting Committee will, based on
such advice as it deems necessary, determine the manner in which to vote such proxy. Such
instances do not require disclosure or client consent. FMC may abstain from voting a proxy on
behalf of its clients’ accounts under certain circumstances.
If a client's securities are not custodied at Pershing LLC or Charles Schwab Corporation, FMC
does not vote proxies. However, the client's custodian will send proxies and related materials to
30
the client, and the client may, at its option, inquire about FMC's position concerning a proxy
issue. Further, FMC does not vote proxies for assets managed by a Third-Party Manager or held
in a TAMP.
Each client may obtain information about how FMC voted their proxies and/or request a copy of
the Proxy Voting Policy, without cost, by calling 212-872-9637 or by writing to FMC at 155
East 44th Street, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Financial Information
FMC is required to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures about our
financial condition. We have no financial commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary commitments to you and we have not been the subject of a bankruptcy
proceeding.
31