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FCG Investment Company
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of FCG Investment Company.
If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (901) 309-2681 or by email at:
dplyler@fcgtn.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.
Additional information about FCG Investment Company is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. FCG Investment Company’s CRD number is: 308192.
9040 Garden Arbor Dr.,
Ste 206
Germantown, TN 38138-7819
(901) 309-2681
dplyler@fcgtn.com
https://fcgtn.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 06/09/2025
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Item 2: Material Changes
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment of FCG Investment
Company on 01/24/2025 are described below. Material changes relate to FCG Investment Company’s
policies, practices or conflicts of interests.
• FCG Investment Company has updated its owners. (Item 4)
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................2
Item 5: Fees and Compensation .............................................................................................................................4
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ....................................................................6
Item 7: Types of Clients ..........................................................................................................................................6
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss ...............................................................6
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .........................................................................................................................10
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .........................................................................11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...............12
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................13
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................14
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..........................................................................................15
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................................16
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................17
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ..............................................................................................17
Item 18: Financial Information .............................................................................................................................17
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Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
FCG Investment Company (hereinafter “FIC”) is a Partnership organized in the State of
Tennessee. The firm was formed in March 2020, and the principal owners are Lloyd
Vernon Crawford III and Michael David Thompson.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
FIC offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. FIC creates an Investment Policy
Statement for each client, which outlines the client’s current situation (income, tax levels,
and risk tolerance levels). Portfolio management services include, but are not limited to,
the following:
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Investment strategy •
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Asset allocation
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Risk tolerance
Personal investment policy
Asset selection
Regular portfolio monitoring
FIC evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance
levels and time horizon. FIC will request discretionary authority from clients in order to
select securities and execute transactions without permission from the client prior to each
transaction. Risk tolerance levels are documented in the Investment Policy Statement,
which is given to each client.
FIC seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the fiduciary
duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of FIC’s economic, investment or
other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, FIC attempts to avoid, among
other things, investment or trading practices that systematically advantage or
disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, FIC’s policy is to seek fair and
equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its clients to avoid
favoring one client over another over time. It is FIC’s policy to allocate investment
opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent among its
clients on a fair and equitable basis over time.
Financial Planning
Financial plans and financial planning may include, but are not limited to: investment
planning; life insurance; tax concerns; retirement planning; college planning; and
debt/credit planning.
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Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
FIC primarily provides investment advice on mutual funds, fixed income securities,
equities and ETFs, although FIC primarily recommends long term investing and dividend
growth strategy. FIC may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when
applicable.
Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money
creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires
us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special
rule’s provisions, we must:
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Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice);
Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations
(give loyal advice);
Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in
your best interest;
Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
FIC offers the same suite of services to all of its clients. However, specific client investment
strategies and their implementation are dependent upon the client Investment Policy
Statement which outlines each client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk
tolerance levels). Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain securities or types
of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs. However, if the restrictions prevent
FIC from properly servicing the client account, or if the restrictions would require FIC to
deviate from its standard suite of services, FIC reserves the right to end the relationship.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated fee that
includes management fees, transaction costs, fund expenses, and other administrative
fees. FIC does not participate in any wrap fee programs.
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E. Assets Under Management
FIC has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$ 255,268,071.00
$ 202,630,269.00
December 2024
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
$10,000 - AND UP
0.90%
The advisory fee is calculated using the value of the assets in the Account on the last
business day of the prior billing period.
These fees are generally negotiable and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the
client’s advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a
full refund of FIC's fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory
Contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract
immediately upon written notice.
Financial Planning Fees
Hourly Fees
The negotiated hourly fee for these services is between $100 and $250.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for full refund of FIC’s fees, within
five business days of signing the Financial Planning Agreement. Thereafter, clients may
terminate the Financial Planning Agreement generally upon written notice.
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Portfolio Management Fees
Asset-based portfolio management fees will be invoiced and billed directly to the client,
payable by bank transfer, on a monthly basis. Fees are paid in advance.
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Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Financial planning fees are paid via check.
Hourly financial planning fees are paid in arrears upon completion.
C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third party fees (i.e. custodian fees,
brokerage fees, mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and
distinct from the fees and expenses charged by FIC. Please see Item 12 of this brochure
regarding broker-dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
FIC collects fees in advance. Refunds for fees paid in advance but not yet earned will be
refunded on a prorated basis and returned within fourteen days to the client via check.
For all asset-based fees paid in advance, the fee refunded will be equal to the balance of
the fees collected in advance minus the daily rate* times the number of days elapsed in
the billing period up to and including the day of termination. (*The daily rate is calculated
by dividing the annual asset-based fee rate by 365.)
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Lloyd Vernon Crawford III, Alston Boyd Wade, Michael David Thompson, and Dennis
Ray Plyler are licensed insurance agents. Lloyd Vernon Crawford III is also a registered
representative. In these roles, they accept compensation for the sale of investment
products to FIC clients.
1. This is a Conflict of Interest
Supervised persons may accept compensation for the sale of investment products,
including asset based sales charges or service fees from the sale of mutual funds to
FIC's clients. This presents a conflict of interest and gives the supervised person an
incentive to recommend products based on the compensation received rather than on
the client’s needs. When recommending the sale of investment products for which the
supervised persons receives compensation, FIC will document the conflict of interest
in the client file and inform the client of the conflict of interest.
2. Clients Have the Option to Purchase Recommended Products From
Other Brokers
Clients always have the option to purchase FIC recommended products through other
brokers or agents that are not affiliated with FIC.
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3. Commissions are not FIC's primary source of compensation for
advisory services
Commissions are not FIC’s primary source of compensation for advisory services.
4. Advisory Fees in Addition to Commissions or Markups
Neither FIC nor any Affiliate receives any commissions or mark-ups on any
recommended investment products.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
FIC does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital gains on or
capital appreciation of the assets of a client.
Item 7: Types of Clients
FIC generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
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Individuals
High-Net-Worth Individuals
Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
There is an account minimum of $10,000, which may be waived by FIC in its discretion.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of
Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
FIC’s methods of analysis include Charting analysis, Cyclical analysis, Fundamental
analysis, Modern portfolio theory, Quantitative analysis and Technical analysis.
Charting analysis involves the use of patterns in performance charts. FIC uses this
technique to search for patterns used to help predict favorable conditions for buying
and/or selling a security.
Cyclical analysis involves the analysis of business cycles to find favorable conditions for
buying and/or selling a security.
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Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial
health of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio
expected return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a
given level of expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from qualitative
considerations such as the character of management or the state of employee morale, such
as the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of sales, and so on.
Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market data; primarily price and volume.
Investment Strategies
FIC uses long term trading, short term trading, options and margin transactions.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
B. Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
Charting analysis strategy involves using and comparing various charts to predict long
and short term performance or market trends. The risk involved in using this method is
that only past performance data is considered without using other methods to crosscheck
data. Using charting analysis without other methods of analysis would be making the
assumption that past performance will be indicative of future performance. This may not
be the case.
Cyclical analysis assumes that the markets react in cyclical patterns which, once
identified, can be leveraged to provide performance. The risks with this strategy are two-
fold: 1) the markets do not always repeat cyclical patterns; and 2) if too many investors
begin to implement this strategy, then it changes the very cycles these investors are trying
to exploit.
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and
expected future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in
stocks that are undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is
that the market will fail to reach expectations of perceived value.
Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given two
portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one.
Thus, an investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected
returns. Conversely, an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more
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risk. The exact trade-off will be the same for all investors, but different investors will
evaluate the trade-off differently based on individual risk aversion characteristics. The
implication is that a rational investor will not invest in a portfolio if a second portfolio
exists with a more favorable risk-expected return profile – i.e., if for that level of risk an
alternative portfolio exists which has better expected returns.
Quantitative analysis Investment strategies using quantitative models may perform
differently than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models,
the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical
issues in the construction and implementation of the models.
Technical analysis attempts to predict a future stock price or direction based on market
trends. The assumption is that the market follows discernible patterns and if these
patterns can be identified then a prediction can be made. The risk is that markets do not
always follow patterns and relying solely on this method may not take into account new
patterns that emerge over time.
Investment Strategies
Long term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to its
nature, the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk that
will typically surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the investments.
These risks include but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk, interest rate
risk, economic risk, market risk, and political/regulatory risk.
Short term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability, and inflation, in addition to
the long term trading risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect investment
performance, particularly through increased brokerage and other transaction costs and
taxes.
Margin transactions use leverage that is borrowed from a brokerage firm as collateral.
Leverage enhances the ability to acquire assets, but also amplifies net profits and losses
and increases transaction costs. When losses occur, the value of the margin account may
fall below the brokerage firm’s threshold thereby triggering a margin call. This may force
the account holder to either allocate more funds to the account or sell assets on a shorter
time frame than desired.
Options writing or trading involves a contract to purchase a security at a given price, not
necessarily at market value, depending on the market. This strategy includes the risk that
an option may expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value and the possibility
of leveraged loss of trading capital due to the leveraged nature of stock options.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
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C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment strategy.
The investment types listed below are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other
government agency.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you may
lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower investment
returns. The funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock “equity”
nature.
Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a
future payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The
value of equity securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each
company, industry conditions and the general economic environments.
Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount
of the payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government
debt securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured
products, such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds
may be the best known type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market
is volatile and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond
prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term
securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and
credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. The risk of default on treasury
inflation protected/inflation linked bonds is dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting
(extremely unlikely); however, they carry a potential risk of losing share price value, albeit
rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed income securities also include the
general risk of non-U.S. investing described below.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges,
similar to stocks. 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. Risks in investing in ETFs include
trading risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks associated with a change in authorized
participants and non-participation of authorized participants, risks that trading price
differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price fluctuation and disassociation from
the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular trading adds cost to your
portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that one of the typical benefits of ETFs.
Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even
paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the
relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same
level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading
conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily
volume of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded
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in ETFs based on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks
of their underlying securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in
smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as
applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange
rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs
that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector, are
generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with
that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex
investment strategies are subject to additional risks. The return of an index ETF is usually
different from that of the index it tracks because of fees, expenses, and tracking error. An
ETF may trade at a premium or discount to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value
in the case of exchange-traded notes). The degree of liquidity can vary significantly from
one ETF to another and losses may be magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s
shares when attempting to sell them. Each ETF has a unique risk profile, detailed in its
prospectus, offering circular, or similar material, which should be considered carefully
when making investment decisions.
Options are contracts to purchase a security at a given price, risking that an option may
expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value. An uncovered option is a type
of options contract that is not backed by an offsetting position that would help mitigate
risk. The risk for a “naked” or uncovered put is not unlimited, whereas the potential loss
for an uncovered call option is limitless. Spread option positions entail buying and selling
multiple options on the same underlying security, but with different strike prices or
expiration dates, which helps limit the risk of other option trading strategies. Option
writing also involves risks including but not limited to economic risk, market risk, sector
risk, idiosyncratic risk, political/regulatory risk, inflation (purchasing power) risk and
interest rate risk.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a
risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither FIC nor its representatives are registered as, or have pending applications to
become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity
Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither FIC nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications to
become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or
Commodity Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business
and Possible Conflicts of Interests
Lloyd Vernon Crawford III, Alston Boyd Wade, Michael David Thompson, and Dennis
Ray Plyler are licensed insurance agents. From time to time, they will offer clients advice
or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these services pay a
commission and involve a conflict of interest, as commissionable products conflict with
the fiduciary duties of a registered investment adviser. FIC always acts in the best interest
of the client, including the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients
always have the right to decide whether or not to utilize the services of any representative
of FIC in such individual’s outside capacities.
Dennis Ray Plyler, and Lloyd Vernon Crawford III are Partners of Financial Consulting
Group, a retirement plan consulting and accounting company. Michael David Thompson
is the agent for Financial Consulting Group. From time to time, they may offer clients
advice or products from those activities and clients should be aware that these services
may involve a conflict of interest. FIC always acts in the best interest of the client and
clients always have the right to decide whether or not to utilize the services of any
representative of FIC in such individual’s outside capacities.
Lloyd Vernon Crawford III is a lawyer. From time to time, he will offer clients advice or
products from this activity. FCG Investment Company always acts in the best interest of
the client. Clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of
FCG Investment Company in their capacity as a lawyer.
Dennis Ray Plyler and Lloyd Vernon Crawford III are Partners of FCG Realty, a real estate
company used by Financial Consulting Group and FCG Investment Company.
Alston Boyd Wade III is an accountant. From time to time, he will offer clients advice or
products from this activity. FCG Investment Company always acts in the best interest of
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the client. Clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of
FCG Investment Company in their capacity as an accountant.
Alston Boyd Wade III is a Director of Bank Relationships at Financial Consulting Group.
D. Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser
is Compensated for Those Selections
FIC does not utilize nor select third-party investment advisers.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
FIC has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited Purchases and
Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted Transactions,
Prohibited Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Confidentiality,
Service on a Board of Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with Laws and
Regulations, Procedures and Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting
Violations, Compliance Officer Duties, Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual
Review, and Sanctions. FIC's Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any client or
prospective client.
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
FIC does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related person to
FIC or FIC has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of FIC may buy or sell securities for themselves that
they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
FIC to buy or sell the same securities before or after recommending the same securities to
clients resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to
clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest. FIC will always document any
transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest and will never engage in
trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are being bought
or sold.
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D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’
Securities
From time to time, representatives of FIC may buy or sell securities for themselves at or
around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
FIC to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients resulting in
representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients. Such
transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, FIC will never engage in trading
that operates to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of FIC buy or sell securities at
or around the same time as clients.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers
Custodians/broker-dealers will be recommended based on FIC’s duty to seek “best
execution,” which is the obligation to seek execution of securities transactions for a client
on the most favorable terms for the client under the circumstances. Clients will not
necessarily pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and FIC may also
consider the market expertise and research access provided by the broker-
dealer/custodian, including but not limited to access to written research, oral
communication with analysts, admittance to research conferences and other resources
provided by the brokers that may aid in FIC's research efforts. FIC will never charge a
premium or commission on transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-
dealer/custodian.
FIC recommends Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC.
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC is related to FIC.
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
While FIC has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used to pay for
third party services, FIC may receive research, products, or other services from
custodians and broker-dealers in connection with client securities transactions (“soft
dollar benefits”). FIC may enter into soft-dollar arrangements consistent with (and not
outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. There can be no assurance that any particular client will benefit
from soft dollar research, whether or not the client’s transactions paid for it, and FIC
does not seek to allocate benefits to client accounts proportionate to any soft dollar
credits generated by the accounts. FIC benefits by not having to produce or pay for
the research, products or services, and FIC will have an incentive to recommend a
broker-dealer based on receiving research or services. Clients should be aware that
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FIC’s acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result in higher commissions charged to
the client.
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
FIC receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for using that
broker-dealer or third party.
3. Clients Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian to Use
FIC may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a specified broker-
dealer. If a client directs brokerage, then the client will be required to acknowledge in
writing that the client’s direction with respect to the use of brokers supersedes any
authority granted to FIC to select brokers; this direction may result in higher
commissions, which may result in a disparity between free and directed accounts; the
client may be unable to participate in block trades (unless FIC is able to engage in “step
outs”); and trades for the client and other directed accounts may be executed after
trades for free accounts, which may result in less favorable prices, particularly for
illiquid securities or during volatile market conditions. Not all investment advisers
allow their clients to direct brokerage.
B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
If FIC buys or sells the same securities on behalf of more than one client, then it may (but
would be under no obligation to) aggregate or bunch such securities in a single transaction
for multiple clients in order to seek more favorable prices, lower brokerage commissions,
or more efficient execution. In such case, FIC would place an aggregate order with the
broker on behalf of all such clients in order to ensure fairness for all clients; provided,
however, that trades would be reviewed periodically to ensure that accounts are not
systematically disadvantaged by this policy. FIC would determine the appropriate
number of shares and select the appropriate brokers consistent with its duty to seek best
execution, except for those accounts with specific brokerage direction (if any).
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes
Those Reviews
All client accounts for FIC's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis are reviewed
at least Monthly by William L Gurner, Portfolio Manager, with regard to clients’
respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All accounts at FIC are assigned
to this reviewer.
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All financial planning accounts are reviewed upon financial plan creation and plan
delivery by Dennis Plyler. Financial planning clients are provided a one-time financial
plan concerning their financial situation. After the presentation of the plan, there are no
further reports. Clients may request additional plans or reports for a fee.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client
Accounts
Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes
in client's financial situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical
move, or inheritance).
With respect to financial plans, FIC’s services will generally conclude upon delivery of the
financial plan.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of FIC's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and
calculation of fees. This written report will come from the custodian. FIC will also prepare
and provide ,at least quarterly, a separate report to the client.
Each financial planning client will receive the financial plan upon completion.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice
Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
FIC does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party for
advice rendered to FIC's clients.
With respect to Schwab, FIC receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and custody
services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These services
generally are available to independent investment advisers on an unsolicited basis, at no
charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the adviser’s clients’ assets are
maintained in accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include brokerage
services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research,
including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and
other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or
would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment. For FIC client accounts
maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody
services but is compensated by account holders through commissions or other
transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through
Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
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Schwab also makes available to FIC other products and services that benefit FIC but may
not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or FIC
specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab Advisor Services.
Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment of personnel of
FIC by Schwab Advisor Services personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting
events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of which may
accompany educational opportunities. Other of these products and services assist FIC in
managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include software and other
technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client account data
(such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and
allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide
research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of FIC’s fees from
its clients’ accounts (if applicable), and assist with back-office training and support
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services generally may be
used to service all or some substantial number of FIC’s accounts. Schwab Advisor Services
also makes available to FIC other services intended to help FIC manage and further
develop its business enterprise. These services may include professional compliance, legal
and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice management,
information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee benefits
providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Schwab may
make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to FIC
by independent third parties. Schwab Advisor Services may discount or waive fees it
would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third-
party providing these services to FIC. FIC is independently owned and operated and not
affiliated with Schwab.
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
FIC may retain third parties to act as solicitors/promoters for FIC’s investment
management services. Compensation with respect to the foregoing will be fully disclosed
to each client to the extent required by applicable law. FIC will ensure each
solicitor/promoter is properly exempt or registered in all appropriate jurisdictions. All
such referral activities will be conducted in accordance with the Advisers Act, where
applicable.
Item 15: Custody
FIC does not take custody of client accounts at any time. Custody of client’s accounts is held
primarily at the client’s custodian. Clients will receive account statements from the custodian and
should carefully review those statements for accuracy.
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Item 16: Investment Discretion
FIC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to clients. The
advisory contract established with each client sets forth the discretionary authority for trading.
Where investment discretion has been granted, FIC generally manages the client’s account and
makes investment decisions without consultation with the client as to when the securities are to
be bought or sold for the account, the total amount of the securities to be bought/sold, what
securities to buy or sell, or the price per share.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
FIC will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive proxies
directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy questions
to the issuer of the security.
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
FIC neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet with
this brochure.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to
Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither FIC nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to reasonably
impair FIC’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
FIC has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
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