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Form ADV Part 2A
Frost Investment Services, LLC
Firm Brochure
ITEM 1 COVER PAGE
December 1, 2025
111 West Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone Number: (800) 292-1292
www.FrostBank.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Frost
Investment Services, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact Frost Investment Services, LLC at (800) 292-1292. The information in this brochure has
not been approved or verified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or any
state securities authority. References to Frost Investment Services, LLC as a registered investment
adviser or descriptions of being registered do not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about Frost Investment Services, LLC is available on the SEC's website at
adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Not FDIC Insured. Not Bank Guaranteed. May Lose Value.
ITEM 2 MATERIAL CHANGES
We made the following material changes since our last annual update on March 28, 2025:
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Added definition and billing clarification for unsupervised assets -
see Item 5 for details
regarding how these assets are treated for purposes of ongoing monitoring and advisory
fee billing.
see Item 10 for updated descriptions of our
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Expanded disclosure of affiliated entities -
financial industry affiliations and related conflicts of interest.
see Item 13 for revised guidance
•
Updated client review process and termination rights -
on annual account reviews and circumstances that may lead to account termination.
ITEM 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
ITEM 1 COVER PAGE ....................................................................................................................................... 1
ITEM 2 MATERIAL CHANGES ...................................................................................................................... 2
ITEM 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... 3
ITEM 4 ADVISORY BUSINESS ...................................................................................................................... 4
ITEM 5 FEES AND COMPENSATION ......................................................................................................... 7
ITEM 6 PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT ............................. 13
ITEM 7 TYPES OF CLIENTS ........................................................................................................................ 14
ITEM 8 METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RISK OF LOSS ............. 14
ITEM 9 DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 17
ITEM 10 OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS ............................ 17
ITEM 11 CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OF INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
AND PERSONAL TRADING ......................................................................................................................... 18
ITEM 12 BROI<ERAGE PRACTICES ........................................................................................................... 19
ITEM 13 REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS ............................................................................................................. 22
ITEM 14 CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION ....................................................... 22
ITEM 15 CUSTODY ......................................................................................................................................... 22
ITEM 16 INVESTMENT DISCRETION ...................................................................................................... 22
ITEM 17 VOTING CLIENT-OWNED SECURITIES ................................................................................ 23
ITEM 18 FINANCIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 24
ITEM 4 ADVISORY BUSINESS
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Frost Investment Services LLC ("we " "us " "our " the "Firm " or "FIS") is a retail-focused
investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Firm
was established in November 2016 and became registered in January 2017. FIS is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Frost Bank, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.,
a publicly traded financial holding company.
As of December 31, 2024, FIS managed $2.98 billion in discretionary assets and did not manage
any non-discretionary assets.
Investment Advisory Services
We provide personalized investment advisory services tailored to your financial circumstances
and goals. Our process begins with in-depth consultations to gather relevant financial information
and other key data. When formulating investment recommendations, we consider factors such as
your financial situation, risk tolerance, investment horizon, liquidity needs, tax considerations,
income potential, portfolio size, and overall financial objectives.
If there are changes to your financial situation or investment goals, or if you wish to impose any
reasonable restrictions on the management of your account, please notify us.
Portfolio Management
We offer a variety of investment strategies, typically managed to an allocation model designed to
diversify your securities portfolios. We offer equity and fixed-income management, providing a
range of style-based investment approaches, including:
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Capital appreciation
Growth
Growth and income
Taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income objectives
Assets are allocated within a mix of securities that include all or some of the following:
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Stocks
Bonds
Mutual funds
Exchange-traded products ("ETPs"), including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs")
FIS has entered into an agreement with our affiliated registered investment adviser, Frost
Investment Advisors, LLC ("FIA"), to provide asset allocation models. The asset allocation models
primarily focus on diversification and minimizing volatility in a portfolio by distributing assets
across a broad spectrum of asset classes. FIA provides guidance to FIS as to the securities to be
bought, sold, or held in each asset allocation model, as well as the percentage of the model portfolio
to be invested in each underlying security. Within the allocation model guidelines, your FIS
investment adviser representative maintains discretion over the implementation of any advice
received from FIA. Although diversification may reduce volatility, it does not ensure a profit or
guarantee against a loss.
In January 2023, FIS migrated advisory accounts from the Envestnet Asset Management, Inc.
("Envestnet") managed platform to the Fidelity Managed Account Xchange ("FMAX") platform.
FMAX is an integrated managed account program sponsored by Fidelity Institutional Wealth
Adviser, LLC ("FIW A"), an unaffiliated registered investment adviser. FIW A is a wholly owned
subsidiary of FMR LLC and, together with its affiliates and subsidiaries, is generally known to the
public as "Fidelity Investments" or "Fidelity."
Implementation Manager
FIW A has retained Envestnet Asset Management, Inc. ("Envestnet") to provide model
implementation, overlay management, and other administrative duties. Envestnet will have
discretionary authority over client accounts and will be responsible for the implementation of
models received from model providers within the FMAX platform. FMAX is designed to provide a
highly configurable investment advisory platform, which FIS will use to provide wealth
management solutions directly to our clients. FMAX will also provide risk-based portfolio
management tools, including portfolio modeling and diagnostic tools, rebalancing, drift tolerance
controls, and system-generated alerts related to drift and rebalancing. FMAX also provides
administrative services, including risk tolerance questionnaires, investment due diligence,
performance reporting, and fee billing.
Through the FMAX platform, FIS has four distinct offerings for advisory clients to consider:
1) Fund Strategist Portfolio Program;
2) Optimum Asset Allocation Strategy;
3) Advisor Model Management; and the
4) Unified Managed Accounts Program.
Fund Strategist Portfolio Program
The Fund Strategist Portfolio Program provides a menu of prepackaged investment models
developed by unaffiliated, third-party investment managers ("Investment Managers"). Under this
program, each Investment Manager serves as the model provider, offering model-based asset
allocations and selecting the underlying investments for their respective models. These
investments may include actively managed mutual funds, passively managed mutual funds, ETFs,
and registered alternative mutual funds and exchange-traded products. Each model is assigned a
risk rating, which FIS uses to help align the selected strategy with the client's risk profile and
investment objectives.
Optimum Asset Allocation Strategy
The Optimum Asset Allocation Strategy, also referred to as the Proprietary Home Office Models
("PHOM"), offers a menu of prepackaged investment models developed by Frost Investment
Advisors, LLC ("FIA"), an affiliate of FIS. In this program, FIA acts as the model provider and
serves as the Investment Manager. FIA constructs model-based asset allocations and selects the
underlying investments, which may include both proprietary Frost Funds and non-proprietary
mutual funds and ETFs. For more information, please refer to the Frost Investment Advisors, LLC
Form ADV Brochure, available at adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Advisor Model Management
The Advisor Model Management(" AMM"), also referred to as Advisor Portfolio Manager(" APM"),
offers a customized investment program using tailored portfolios based on asset allocation models
and approved investment selections. The underlying investments may include proprietary Frost
Funds, non-proprietary mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and individual bonds. In this program, FIA
serves as the Investment Manager and provides model-based allocations, investment due
diligence, and performance reporting, depending on the level of portfolio customization selected.
Unified Managed Account Program
The Unified Managed Account ("UMA") Program enables clients the ability to incorporate
multiple strategies into a single account by accounting for each unique investment strategy as a
unique investment "sleeve" within a single account (e.g., mutual fund and ETF sleeves, individual
Separately Managed Account ("SMA") manager sleeves, and Fund Strategist sleeves). FIS may
develop a UMA portfolio for a client by first creating their own asset allocation. FIS then
determines the investment solution(s) to utilize within the UMA from the options available on the
platform, including investment models, SMAs, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities.
Tax and Impact Overlay Services
For UMA accounts that meet certain sleeve minimum requirements, FIS offers clients the ability
to utilize tax and/or impact overlay services ("Tax Overlay" and "Impact Overlay"). Tax Overlay
seeks to enhance after-tax returns by analyzing holdings and trading activities in an account.
Impact Overlay allows the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") factors
into the management of a client's account. If selected, the Implementation Manager provides the
Tax Overlay and/or Impact Overlay services to an account or sleeve. Clients should be aware that
the Impact Overlay prioritizes ESG considerations, which may not always align with investment
performance objectives. As a result, ESG-driven investment decisions could result in different
returns compared to non-ESG strategies. Neither FIS, FIWA, nor Envestnet provide tax planning
advice or services, and therefore, clients should consult their accountant or tax professional.
The Impact Overlay is administered by FIW A who determines the factors that qualify an
investment for that designation. The FIW A research team follows a proprietary ESG evaluation
framework to qualitatively evaluate a given fund's or SMA's ESG intent (if any), whether such
intent has been consistent and is aligned with its investments and ESG outcome, and the level of
commitment and engagement that exists to support the intended ESG outcome and reporting.
FIS does not conduct an independent assessment of an investment's ESG factors. For additional
information, please refer to the Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser LLC, Form ADV brochure
titled "Fidelity Managed Account Xchange," available on the SEC's website at adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Financial Planning
We offer comprehensive financial planning to help you achieve your financial goals and
investment objectives. This process requires you to provide relevant personal data, such as family
records, budgeting details, personal liabilities, estate information, and additional financial goals.
Your financial plan may address a range of areas, including:
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Wealth and estate planning: Estate and wealth transfer strategies, charitable gifting, and
business succession planning.
Investment and risk management: Asset protection, stock option strategies, risk
management, and insurance planning.
Retirement and long-term planning: Retirement income strategies, education planning,
cash flow management, and long-term care or disability planning.
Tax and legal coordination: Tax planning considerations in collaboration with your tax and
legal advisors.
We do not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice. If you choose to implement recommendations
from your financial plan, we strongly recommend working with your attorney and accountant to
ensure proper execution.
Financial planning services are included in our advisory fee. Please refer to our management fee
schedule below for details.
ITEM 5 FEES AND COMPENSATION
We offer our services on a fee-only basis. Our advisory fees are billed monthly in advance. Advisory
fees are calculated based on the market value of the prior month's average daily balance. The
average daily balance is the market value of all the assets in your account as determined by the
custodian, including cash. The average daily balance of the prior month is multiplied by the
contracted advisory fee to determine the annualized fee. The annualized fee is then prorated based
on the number of calendar days in the month the advisory fee is in effect. Fees will not be adjusted
for contributions or withdrawals made during a calendar month except in the case of a new or
terminated account. For accounts opened or closed mid-month, fees are prorated based on the
number of calendar days the account was active. Billing for newly created accounts and refunds
for terminated accounts will be processed in the following month.
Additionally, if a client transfers funds from an existing account to a new account without closing
the original account, duplicate billing may occur on the transferred funds. In such cases, any excess
fees will be manually calculated and refunded to the originating account. Due to the manual nature
of this adjustment, refunds may not occur within the following month. If you have any concerns
regarding fee billing, please contact your wealth advisor or our Chief Compliance Officer for
assistance.
Unsupervised Assets
Unsupervised assets refer to holdings within a client's account that are not subject to ongoing
monitoring, management, or investment recommendations by the Firm. These may include, but
are not limited to, securities held for informational purposes only, legacy positions retained at the
client's direction, employer stock or restricted securities, or other assets mutually designated as
outside the scope of the advisory relationship. Unsupervised assets are excluded from the
calculation of advisory fees, and the Firm does not assume responsibility for the performance,
suitability, or oversight of these holdings. Fees will not be adjusted for assets reclassified as
unsupervised mid-month. Billing for newly designated unsupervised assets will cease in the
following month.
Householding Discounts
Clients may combine accounts within the same household to qualify for a reduced fee.
Householding discounts are not applied automatically and must be requested to determine
eligibility.
Refund of 12b-1 Fees
Certain mutual funds charge 12b-1 fees, which are ongoing distribution and marketing fees
included in the fund's total expense ratio. These fees are typically paid by the fund to compensate
broker -dealers and other intermediaries for services related to the sale and distribution of the fund.
12b-1 fees range from 0.25% to 1.00% of a fund's assets per year and are deducted from the fund's
returns.
12b-1 fees paid to the selling firm create a conflict of interest when an adviser has an incentive to
recommend funds that generate these fees rather than selecting lower-cost investment options
that may be in the client's best interest. To eliminate this conflict and maintain transparency, FIS
refunds all 12b-1 fees received to the client's account. Refunds are processed monthly and credited
directly to the respective client account that incurred the fees.
Clients are encouraged to review their account statements and contact their wealth advisor with
any questions regarding 12b-1 fee refunds or their impact on investment costs.
Our fee schedule is provided below:
FUND STRATEGIST PORTFOLIO PROGRAM
The Fund Strategist Portfolio Program offers asset-allocated mutual funds and exchange
traded funds on a model basis.
Program minimum is $25,000
0.80% on the first $5,000,000
0.60% on the next $5,000,000
Annual Advisory Program
Fee:
The program fee is based on
the market value of all assets
held in your account,
including any cash balances.
0.50% over $10,000,000
0.18% on the first $5,000,000
0.14% on the next $5,000,000
Portfolio Strategy Fee:
The portfolio strategy fee is
based on the market value of
all assets held in your
account, including any cash
balances.
0.10% over $10,000,000
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Account rebalancing
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Goal-based financial
planning
Investment of your
initial and ongoing
investments
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Advisory Services Include:
24/7 online access
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Tax-loss harvesting
Development and
ongoing management
of portfolios
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All trades
Performance
reporting
OPTIMUM ASSET ALLOCATION STRATEGY
The Optimum Asset Allocation Strategy offers asset-allocated mutual funds and exchange
traded funds using proprietary and non-proprietary funds on a model basis.
Program minimum is $25,000
0.80% on the first $5,000,000
0.60% on the next $5,000,000
Annual Advisory Program
Fee:
The program fee is based on
the market value of all assets
held in your account,
including any cash balances.
0.50% over $10,000,000
0.18% on the first $5,000,000
0.14% on the next $5,000,000
Portfolio Strategy Fee:
The portfolio strategy fee is
based on the market value of
all assets held in your
account, including any cash
balances.
0.10% over $10,000,000
Account rebalancing
▪
▪
▪
Goal-based financial
planning
Investment of your
initial and ongoing
investments
▪
24/7 online access
▪
Advisory Services Include:
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Tax-loss harvesting
Development and
ongoing management
of portfolios
▪
Performance
reporting
▪
All trades
ADVISOR MODEL MANAGEMENT
The Advisor Model Management Program offers asset-allocation models using proprietary
Frost Funds and individual equity and bond portfolios.
Program minimum is $250,000*
*Minimum for a customized equity portfolio is $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 for a customized
bond portfolio.
0.80% on the first $5,000,000
0.60% on the next $5,000,000
Annual Advisory Program
Fee:
The program fee is based on
the market value of all assets
held in your account,
including any cash balances.
0.50% over $10,000,000
0.20% on the first $5,000,000
0.17% on the next $5,000,000
Portfolio Strategy Fee:
The portfolio strategy fee is
based on the market value of
all assets held in your
account, including any cash
balances.
0.10% over $10,000,000
▪
▪
Broad-based financial
planning
Investment of your
initial and ongoing
investments
▪
24/7 online access
▪
▪
Advisory Services Include:
Performance
reporting
Development and
ongoing management
of portfolios
▪
▪
All trades
▪
Account rebalancing
Access to Frost
Investment Advisors'
insights and
commentary
UNIFIED MANAGED ACCOUNTS PROGRAM
The Unified Managed Accounts Program offers multiple investment strategies in a single
account, including mutual fund and ETF sleeves, individual SMA manager sleeves, and Fund
Strategist sleeves. The higher fee structure for UMA accounts reflects additional
customization, portfolio structuring, and access to institutional-grade investment managers.
Program minimum is $250,000*
*Certain third-party Investment Managers will impose higher minimums.
1.25% on the first $1,000,000
1.10% on the next $1,000,000
Annual Advisory Program
Fee:
The program fee is based on
the market value of all assets
held in your account,
including any cash balances.
1.00% on the next $3,000,000
0.85% over $5,000,000
0.10% on the first
$10,000,000
Tax and/or Impact Overlay
Services Fee (optional):
0.08% on the next
$15,000,000
0.05% over $25,000,000
If selected, the overlay service
will be charged in addition to
the advisory program fee and
is based on the market value
of all assets held in your
account, including any cash
balances. The fee includes
both Tax and Impact Overlay
services.
▪
▪
Broad-based financial
planning
Investment of your
initial and ongoing
investments
▪
24/7 online access
▪
▪
Advisory Services Include:
Performance
reporting
Development and
ongoing management
of portfolios
▪
▪
All trades
▪
Account rebalancing
Access to Frost
Investment Advisors'
insights and
commentary
HOW THE ADVISORY FEES ARE CHARGED
Advisory fees are charged monthly in advance, generally within the first 10 business days of
each month, based on the average daily balance in the account during the previous month.
ACCOUNT, OPERATIONAL, AND SERVICE FEES
Outgoing Domestic
Wire Transfer Fee*
IRA Annual Fee
$35
$30
Full Account
Transfer Fee
IRA Termination Fee
$125
$75
Annual Pledge
Account Fee
$50
$9 per quarter
Paper Document
Quarterly Fee
*Outgoing domestic wire transfer fees may vary if you request a transfer from your Frost
checking, savings, or money market account.
The advisory agreement authorizes FIS to deduct the advisory fee from your custodial accounts.
Your custodian will provide you with statements that show the amount of the fees paid directly to
us. You should review the statements and verify the calculation of our fees. The custodian does not
verify the accuracy of fee calculations.
Advisory fees are based on the complexity of the selected investment products and the level of
service required by each client. We have the right to change any or all of our fee schedules as agreed
upon by contract with individual clients. We may negotiate advisory fees at the sole discretion of
our management. Negotiated fees may be lower or higher than the fees stated above. Comparable
services for lower fees may be available from other providers of investment advisory services.
The advisory fee includes payment for investment advisory services we provide, as well as fees
associated with the FMAX platform. The advisory fee does not cover certain charges associated
with securities transactions in clients' accounts, including (i) the internal charges and fees imposed
by mutual funds and ETFs, e.g., Frost proprietary mutual funds or "Frost Funds" (such as fund
operating expenses, management fees, redemption fees, and other fees and expenses; further
information regarding charges and fees assessed by mutual funds and ETFs can be found in the
appropriate prospectus); (ii) brokerage commissions or dealer markups, markdowns, or spreads
charged on transactions in over-the-counter securities imposed by broker-dealers or entities other
than our affiliate Frost Brokerage Services, Inc.; (iii) costs relating to trading in certain foreign
securities; (iv) postage and handling charges, returned check charges, stock exchange fees, or other
fees mandated by law; (v) ACAT transfer, electronic fund and wire transfer charges; (vi) individual
retirement account ("IRA") trustee or custodian fees and tax-qualified retirement plan annual
account fees and annual and t ermination fees for retirement accounts (such as IRAs); (vii) any
brokerage commissions or other charges, including contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC"),
imposed upon the liquidation of "in-kind assets" that are transferred into the platform. None of
the fees imposed by investment companies are paid to or shared with FIS. However, to the extent
FIS recommends that a client invests in the Frost Funds, FIS indirectly benefits from the
investment in the Frost Funds due to the increase in total compensation to the parent company of
FIS and the Frost Funds. Please refer to the Brokerage section of our brochure for additional
information.
Accounts in the FSP Program may incur additional fees or expenses imposed by the Investment
Manager, which are set by the Investment Manager. Revenue from these fees is not shared with
FIS. In addition, the advisory fee for accounts in the FSP Program does not include expense ratios
for mutual funds and exchange-traded products selected by the Investment Manager. Models
managed by Investment Managers may include mutual funds or exchange-traded products
managed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated company. Investment Manager fees may
differ between the Investment Managers. Although the basis of our recommendation of
Investment Manager(s) is not contingent upon the Manager's fee, a conflict may exist due to the
potential incentive if we recommend Investment Manager(s) with a lower management fee. The
lower the negotiated management fee, the more revenue FIS retains. We monitor the
appropriateness of advisory accounts to mitigate such potential conflicts. Please consult with your
FIS wealth advisor concerning the Investment Managers and their Manager fees if you have
additional questions.
Your wealth ad visor may recommend model portfolios that include proprietary funds managed by
an affiliate of FIS. In such cases, Frost Bank, our parent company, may receive additional
compensation from management fees and other shareholder fees associated with these funds. This
arrangement creates a potential conflict of interest, as our Firm and its affiliates benefit financially
when proprietary funds are included in client portfolios.
To mitigate this conflict, FIS provides clients access to a broad selection of prepackaged
investment models, including those managed by unaffiliated, third-party investment managers.
Additionally, we conduct regular reviews to ensure investment recommendations align with each
client's objectives and are based on a fiduciary standard of care. Clients may request more
information regarding the fees and expenses associated with proprietary and third-party fund
options to make informed investment decisions.
FIS and our affiliates may utilize third parties to fulfill services we provide or make available to
you, such as printing, mailing, and trading. Please see Item 12, Brokerage Practices, for detailed
information on trading, pricing, and markups. Through enterprise-level pricing or markups, FIS
and our affiliates will often charge you more than our actual cost for such services.
Either party, wit hout penalty, may t erminat e the advisory agreement, subject to the terms of any
contract in force at that time. Should either party terminate the advisory agreement before the end
of a billing period, any prepaid service fees will be refunded.
ITEM 6 PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
FIS does not ent er into performance-based fee contracts when managing client account s.
Additionally, we do not manage hedge funds or unregistered funds, which helps minimize
potential conflicts of interest between mutual fund strategies and separately managed accounts.
Instead , FIS relies primarily on third-pa rty investment managers to construct and implement
client portfolios, further reducing conflicts related to side-by-side management and trade
allocation.
ITEM 7 TYPES OF CLIENTS
FIS provides investment advice to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations,
corporations, and other business entities.
Participation in an advisory program carries a minimum account size for the program selected.
Generally, the Fund Strategist Portfolio Program and the Optimum Asset Allocation Strategy will
require a minimum of $25,000, whereas the Advisor Model Management Program and the Unified
Managed Accounts Program require a minimum of $250,000. Investment Managers may impose
higher minimums depending on the securities and services provided.
ITEM 8 METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RISK OF LOSS
FIS has entered into an agreement with our affiliated registered investment adviser, Frost
Investment Advisors, LLC, to provide FIS with investment research in relation to the services we
offer our clients. This research integrates technical, fundamental, and cyclical analysis to support
FIS in formulating investment advice and managing assets.
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Technical Analysis evaluates securities by examining market activity statistics, such as
historical prices and trading volume. Rather than assessing a security's intrinsic value,
technical analysis relies on charts and pattern recognition tools to identify potential future
price movements.
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Fundamental Analysis assesses a company's intrinsic value by analyzing economic and
industry conditions, financial statements, and management quality. Key factors include
earnings, expenses, assets, and liabilities. This valuation is then compared to the current
market price to determine whether a security is undervalued, overvalued or fairly priced for
investment decisions.
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Cyclical Analysis, a subset of fundamental analysis, evaluates economic cycles to guide
investment decisions. This approach considers how industries and sectors perform at
different stages of the economic cycle, helping identify opportunities and risks based on
macroeconomic trends.
Investment Strategies and Offerings
FIS provides access to a wide range of professionally managed investment strategies tailored to
clients' needs, including:
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Risk-rated asset allocation models are composed of mutual funds and ETFs. Each model is
assigned a risk rating, which allows FIS to view all available models at a given risk rating
based on a client's risk profile. The investment manager, which may be affiliated if models
are provided by FIA or unaffiliated through the FMAX platform, determines the model's
asset allocation and underlying investment selection and provides model portfolio
holdings, as well as any ongoing portfolio changes for implementation and ongoing
management.
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Separately managed accounts with access to a myriad of investment style-specific
professionally managed portfolios composed of individual securities or a combination of
individual securities, mutual funds, and ETFs. Investment portfolios can be selected from
a roster of unaffiliated Investment Managers specializing in a variety of investment
disciplines and may be combined with mutual funds and ETFs in order to solve for a client's
personal asset allocation requirements.
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Personalized investor portfolios using a variety of securities and investment strategies with
the ability to incorporate multiple funds and strategies into a single account, with each
unique investment strategy identified as an investment "sleeve." While many different
investment strategies and Investment Managers can be selected, our platform provides the
ability to utilize technology to assess portfolios holistically and across multiple advisory
programs, allowing us to make a household assessment of client needs. Our analytical
capability allows us to consider multiple options for investment strategies as we seek to
match client needs with the features and benefits of each program. Clients may, at their
discretion, place restrictions on the strategies to be used and the characteristics of assets to
be held in their portfolio.
Investment Risk and Risk of Loss
FIS manages client accounts in alignment with each client 's stated investment profile; however,
we cannot guarantee investment performance or prevent losses. Clients should be prepared for the
inherent risks of investing, including potential loss of principal.
The following risks apply generally to strategies made available through FIS:
Liquidity Risk
Investing in certain types of thinly traded securities, or investing in bonds, ETPs, or mutual funds
that invest in thinly traded securities, introduces liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is a financial risk
that, for a certain period of time, a security or commodity cannot be readily traded in the market
or cannot be traded without a significant discount to the market price. All tradable assets assume
some level of liquidity risk. For example, alternative mutual funds and ETPs may use techniques
such as shorting of securities, leverage, and derivatives, all of which may have liquidity risks if
there are no buyers and sellers available or if a counterparty cannot fulfill the order.
Stock Investments
Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political,
regulatory, market, or economic developments. Stock investments may be subject to risk related
to market capit alization as well as company-specific risk. Different parts of the market can react
differently to these developments. Value and growth stocks can perform differently from other
types of stocks. Growth stocks tend to be more expensive relative to their earnings or assets
compared with other types of stocks. As a result, growth stocks tend to be sensit ive to changes in
their earnings and are more volatile than other types of stocks. Value stocks tend to be inexpensive
relative to their earnings or assets compared with other types of stocks. However, value stocks can
continue to be inexpensive for prolonged periods of time and may not ever realize their potential
value.
Bond Investments
In general, the bond market is volatile, and fixed-income securities carry interest rate risk. As
interest rat es rise, bond p rices usually fall, a nd vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced
for longer-term securities. The ability of an issuer of a bond to repay the principal prior to a
s ecurity's maturity can cause greater price volatility if interest rates change, and if a bond is
prepaid, a bond fund may have to invest t he proceeds in securities with lower yields. Fixed-income
s ecurities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties.
Interest payments for inflation-protected bonds are variable and usually rise with inflation and
fall with deflation. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so
holding them until maturity to avoid losses caused by price volatility is not possible. In addition,
investments in certain bond structures may be less liquid than other investments and, therefore,
may be more difficult to trade effectively.
Investing in Mutual Funds and ETPs
Clients bear all the risks of the investment strategies employed by or made available through FIS,
including the risk that a mutual fund or ETP will not meet its investment objectives. For the
specific risks associated with mutual funds or ETPs, please refer to the prospectus.
ETPs
An ETP is a security that trades on an exchange and may seek to track an index, a commodity, or
a basket of assets. ETPs can be actively or passively managed. The performance of a passively
managed ETP might not correlate with the performance of the asset it seeks to track. ETPs trade
on secondary markets or exchanges and are exposed to market volatility and the risks of their
underlying securities. ETPs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex investment strategies are
subject to additional risks. ETFs are the most common type of ETP; they are pooled investment
opportunities that typically include baskets of stocks, bonds, and other assets grouped based on
specified fund objectives. An ETP's prospectus and related documents, such as a pricing
supplement, will include its investment objectives, investments, risks, fees and expenses, and
other important information.
Legislative and Regulatory Risk
Investments could be adversely affected by new (or revised) laws or regulations, including any
changes to applicable tax laws and regulations. Changes to laws or regulations could impact the
securities markets as a whole, specific industries, or individual issuers of securities and could
impair the ability of an account to achieve its investment objectives. Generally, the impact of these
changes may not be fully known for some time.
Cybersecurity Risks
With the increased use of technologies to conduct business, FIS and its affiliates are susceptible to
cyberattacks despite taking reasonable steps to mitigate the risk. In general, cyber incidents can
result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events that can arise from external or internal
sources. Cyberattacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital
systems (e.g., through "hacking" or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating
assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, equipment, or systems, and causing operational
disruption. Cyberattacks can also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining
unauthorized access, such as causing d enial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make
network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber incidents affecting FIS, its affiliates, or any
other service providers (including but not limited to custodians, transfer agents, and financial
intermediaries used by FIS) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations,
potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the ability to calculate asset prices,
impediments to tr ading, the inability to transact business, destruction to equipment and systems,
violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage,
reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance cost s. Similar adverse
consequences could result from cyber incidents affecting issuers of securities, counterpart ies with
which an a ccount engages in transactions, governmental and other regulat ory authorities,
exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and
other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers), and other
parties.
Operational Risks
Operational risks refer to potential losses arising from failures in internal processes, personnel, or
systems. These risks may result from routine processing incidents, major system failures, or
external disruptions such as exchange outages. For example, failures in computer systems,
communication networks, data processing infrastructure, and backup systems - whether internal
or outsourced - may disrupt normal business activities. These disruptions may be caused by
factors beyond FIS's control, including cybersecurity incidents, natural disasters, or excessive
system loads, potentially impacting our ability to execute transactions or provide client services.
To mitigate these risks, FIS has implemented a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan ("BCP")
to ensure continued operations and client service during business disruptions. Our BCP includes
data security protocols, off-site data backups, and alternative work arrangements to minimize
service interruptions. While we take extensive measures to reduce operational risks, extreme
scenarios may still impact account access, trading capabilities, or other business functions. Clients
may request additional details regarding our BCP at any time.
For a detailed list of risks associated with investing in Frost Funds, please refer to the prospectus
and the statement of additional information available upon request. For a discussion of the risks
associated with Fidelity's FMAX platform, please refer to the Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser
LLC, Form ADV Brochure titled "Fidelity Managed Account Xchange," available on the SEC's
website at adviserinfo.sec.gov.
ITEM 9 DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
We have no legal or disciplinary events to report that are material to our advisory business or the
integrity of our management.
ITEM 10 OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Frost Investment Services, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frost Bank, which in turn is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., a diversified financial holding company.
Through Frost Bank and its affiliated entities, Cullen/Frost provides a broad range of financial
services, including banking, brokerage, insurance, and investment management.
These affiliated entities include:
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Frost Brokerage Services, Inc. - A registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC,
also a wholly owned subsidiary of Frost Bank. Some supervised persons of FIS are also
registered representatives of FBS. In such dual capacities, these individuals may offer
brokerage products and services. These brokerage activities are conducted separately from
FIS's investment advisory business, and any compensation received in connection with
brokerage services is separate from advisory fees.
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Frost Insurance Agency, Inc. - A multi-line insurance agency and wholly owned
subsidiary of Frost Bank. Some supervised persons of FIS are also licensed insurance agents
and, in such capacity, may offer insurance products. These activities are separate from the
Firm's investment advisory business, and any compensation received from insurance sales
is distinct from advisory fees.
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Frost Investment Advisors, LLC - An SEC-registered investment adviser providing
investment advisory services to institutional clients. FIA also serves as a model portfolio
provider for certain strategies offered through FIS.
Collectively, these affiliated businesses comprise the investment services arm of Frost Bank, and
may be referred to as Frost Wealth Management.
Affiliated Broker-Dealer and Insurance Relationships
Our wealth advisors are also registered representatives of our broker-dealer affiliate, Frost
Brokerage Services, Inc. When clients purchase brokerage products through a wealth advisor
acting in this capacity, the advisor may receive a commission. This transaction-based
compensation structure creates a potential conflict of interest, as it may incentivize
recommendations that generate commissions. Clients are informed of our relationship with Frost
Brokerage Services, Inc., and all applicable fees and commissions are fully disclosed and available
upon request.
Additionally, some wealth advisors hold insurance licenses issued by the Texas Department of
Insurance and may be appointed with specific insurance carriers or Frost Insurance Agency, Inc.,
an affiliate of our Firm. While we may review and provide guidance on the appropriateness of
insurance products, our Firm or its affiliates may receive indirect benefits from insurance-related
transactions, even if no direct compensation is paid to the Firm or its employees. Clients are under
no obligation to purchase insurance products through Frost Insurance Agency, Inc., and are free
to obtain coverage through the provider of their choice.
Proprietary Investment Products and Conflicts of Interest
Your wealth advisor may recommend model portfolios that include proprietary funds managed by
a Frost affiliate. In these cases, Frost Bank may receive additional compensation from
management and shareholder fees associated with these funds. This arrangement presents a
potential conflict of interest, as our Firm and its affiliates benefit financially when proprietary
funds are used in client portfolios.
To mitigate this conflict, we provide clients access to a broad selection of prepackaged investment
models, including those managed by unaffiliated, third-party investment managers. We also
conduct regular reviews to ensure that investment recommendations are aligned with each client's
objectives and fiduciary standards. Clients may request detailed fee and expense comparisons
between proprietary and third-party fund options to make fully informed investment decisions.
ITEM 11 CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OF INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
AND PERSONAL TRADING
We have adopted a Code of Ethics (the "Code") to address advisory staff conduct. The Code focuses
on our fiduciary duty to you, personal securities transactions by our staff, insider trading, gifts our
staff may give or receive, and conflicts of interest.
The Code of Ethics includes our position on the following topics:
The duty, at all times, to place the interests of our clients first
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That all personal securities transactions be conducted in a manner consistent with the
Code of Ethics and to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an
employee's position of trust and responsibility
That staff may not take inappropriate advantage of their positions
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That information concerning a client's financial information, personal information, and
security holdings is confidential and should be kept secure
That independence in the investment decision-making process is important
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FIS will provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any existing or prospective client upon request.
Our staff is permitted to engage in personal securities transactions. These transactions raise
potential conflicts of interest if they were to trade in a security that is owned by a client or
considered for purchase or sale to a client. We have adopted policies and procedures that are
reasonably designed to ensure that all transactions are conducted in a manner that is consistent
with our fiduciary duty to you. Staff who buy or sell securities of the types bought or sold for you
may do so only if they conform to our written policies.
ITEM 12 BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Frost Brokerage Services, Inc. serves as the introducing broker for FIS client accounts. Frost
Brokerage Services, Inc. does not earn revenue from FIS accounts. Any brokerage revenue
inadvertently derived from FIS client accounts will be refunded to the client.
We recommend that National Financial Services LLC ("NFS"), an unaffiliated clearing broker
dealer, serve as the custodian for your account. Our use of NFS is a beneficial business arrangement
for us and for NFS. Information regarding the benefits of this relationship is described below.
In recommending NFS as your custodian, we consider, at a minimum, its:
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Existing relationship
Financial strength
Reputation
Reporting capabilities
Execution capabilities
Pricing
Types and quality of research
The determining factor in the selection of NFS to execute transactions for your accounts is not the
lowest possible transaction cost but whether NFS can provide what we believe is the best
qualitative execution for your account. NFS also provides FIS with access to its institutional
trading and custody services, which include:
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Brokerage
Custody
Asset allocation planning software
Research
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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
We are not required to maintain a minimum volume of transactions or hold a minimum dollar
amount of client assets to receive these services. NFS does not charge separately for holding and
servicing your account, but may be compensated through other transaction-related fees associated
with the securities transactions it executes for your account. NFS also makes other products and
services available that benefit FIS but may not benefit you directly. Some of these products and
services assist us in managing and administering our client accounts, such as software and other
technology that:
Provide access to account data, such as:
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Duplicate trade confirmations
Bundled duplicate account statements
Access to an electronic communication network for client order entry and account
information
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Facilitate trade execution, including:
Access to a trading desk
Access to bunched trading, which provides the ability to combine secunt1es
transactions and then allocate the appropriate number of shares to each individual
account
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Provide research, pricing information, and other market data
Facilitate payment of our fees from client accounts
Assist with back-office functions, record keeping, and client reporting
Provide us with compliance-related publications
NFS also makes available services to help FIS manage and further develop our business.
These services may include:
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Consulting
Publications and conferences on practice management
Information technology
Business succession
Regulatory compliance
Marketing
NFS may discount or waive the fees it would otherwise charge for some or all of these services. It
may also arrange for certain services to be provided to us by independent third parties. In that
regard, NFS may pay all or a part of the fees of the third party providing these services to us. Thus,
we receive economic benefits as a result of our relationship with NFS because we do not have to
produce or purchase the products and services listed above.
The amount of compensation or the products or services we receive may vary depending on the
custodian or broker-dealer we recommend to our clients; for this reason, we have a conflict of
interest in making that recommendation. Our recommendation of NFS is based not only on the
nature, cost, and quality of the custody and brokerage services but also, in part, on the economic
benefit to us. We strive to act in your best interests at all times.
Commissions and other fees for transactions executed through NFS may be higher than
commissions and other fees available if you use another custodian/broker-dealer to execute
transactions and maintain custody of your account. We believe that the overall level of services
and support provided by NFS outweighs the benefit of possibly lower transaction costs that may
be available under other brokerage arrangements.
Many of the services described above may be used to benefit all or a substantial number of our
clients, including clients whose accounts are not maintained through NFS. We do not attempt to
allocate these benefits to specific clients.
You may direct us in writing to use a particular broker-dealer to execute some or all of the
transactions for your account. If you do so, you are responsible for negotiating the terms and
arrangements for the account with that broker-dealer. We may not be able to negotiate
commissions, obtain volume discounts, or guarantee best execution of transactions effected
through that broker-dealer. In addition, under these circumstances, a difference may exist between
the commissions charged to you and other clients who do not direct us to use a particular broker
dealer.
We aggregate orders in a bunched, or block, trade(s) when securities are purchased or sold for
multiple discretionary accounts. We must reasonably believe that the bunched order is consistent
with our efforts to provide the best execution and will benefit each client participating in the
aggregated order equally. The average price of the security in each bunched trade is allocated to
each account that participates in the trade. Accounts that participate in the same bunched trade
are charged commissions, if applicable, as described in their advisory contracts. Different accounts
participating in an aggregated transaction may not be charged the same commission rates.
Prior to the entry of a bunched trade, a written pre-allocation is generated that identifies the group
of client accounts participating in the order. If a bunched order cannot be fully executed by the end
of the business day, the securities purchased or sold are allocated in a way that is consistent with
the initial pre-allocation of the trade. This is done in a way that does not advantage or disadvantage
any particular client accounts. If an account is added to the bunched trade after the first business
day of trading, it is accorded a prorated share of the remaining block as it is traded.
Changes in allocation before final execution may be made, provided that all client accounts receive
fair and equitable treatment. A written explanation of the reason for any material change in the
allocation is documented no later t han t he morning following the execution of the trade.
It is our policy that a client must not be disadvantaged for trade errors attributed to the adviser.
Trades are corrected to align with the client's original intent. If a trade error results in a loss, FIS
will reimburse the client accordingly. Each error is corrected through the FIS error account. The
losses and gains resulting from trade error corrections are netted against each other within the
error account. If, at the end of each calendar year, the t rade error corrections result in a net gain in
the error account, that gain will be donated to a charitable organization.
FIS does not use soft dollars or maint ain a soft dollar program. However, cer tain unaffiliated
Investment Managers on the FMAX platform may use soft dollars or commission-sharing
arrangements. While FIS does not directly benefit from these arrangements, third-party
managers' use of soft dollars could indirectly result in enhanced research and trading capabilities
that may also benefit FIS.
ITEM 13 REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
Your wealth advisor will formally review your account at least once each year to ensure your
portfolio continues to align with your current financial situation, investment goals, and risk
tolerance. Additional reviews may be conducted in response to significant market events,
economic changes, or material updates to your personal financial circumstances. If a review is not
completed within the required timeframe, we reserve the right to terminate the account at our
discretion.
ITEM 14 CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
FIS compensates employees of our affiliates who refer clients to us for investment advisory
services. Under referral programs sponsored by our parent company, Frost Bank, and our
affiliates, referring individuals receive a percentage of the investment advisory fee paid by the
referred client. These payments are deducted from the standard investment management fee
charged by FIS and do not result in any additional fees or costs to the client.
A conflict of interest exists because referring employees have a financial incentive to recommend
FIS over other investment options, including those offered by our affiliates or unaffiliated third
parties. To mitigate this conflict, FIS discloses these referral arrangements to clients and ensures
that all recommendations are based on the client's financial needs and objectives.
FIS has implemented policies and procedures to oversee compliance with the SEC's Marketing Rule
and ensures that all referring employees are not subject to any disqualifying events.
ITEM 15 CUSTODY
FIS does not provide custody services. Custody of client assets is maintained by NFS, our
designated custodian. However, FIS is deemed to have custody of client accounts pledged as
collateral for loans with Frost Bank.
Clients will receive statements from NFS at least quarterly detailing account activity and holdings.
Online access to account activity and performance is available upon request. We encourage clients
to carefully review their custodial statements to ensure that transactions align with their
investment objectives. Any custody fees charged by NFS are separat e from the advisory fees
assessed by FIS, as disclosed in our fee schedule.
If you have any concerns regarding your account, we recommend reaching out to your wealth
advisor or our Chief Compliance Officer for assistance.
ITEM 16 INVESTMENT DISCRETION
FIS provides advis ory services exclusively on a discretionary basis. This m eans your investment
adviser representative has the authority to buy and sell securities in your account without
requiring prior approval for each transaction. This structure enables more efficient portfolio
m anagem ent and allows for timely adjustments based on m arket conditions and investment
strategies.
Discretionary management is aligned with your stated risk profile, ensuring that all investment
decisions are made in accordance with your financial objectives. Discretionary authorization is
formally included in the advisory agreement. While our advisory agreement authorizes FIS to
deduct advisory fees directly from your account, it does not grant authority for any other
withdrawals or fund transfers.
FMAX Platform Oversight
Within the FMAX platform, FIS is responsible for ensuring that all recommended portfolios align with your risk
profile and investment objectives. When selecting securities or managing client accounts, Envestnet or the
designated investment manager follows the investment policies and restrictions set within the platform. FMAX
provides monitoring tools to assist FIS and the investment manager in ensuring adherence to the established
investment policies for each client. However, FIW A does not assume responsibility for overseeing compliance
with a client's broader investment policy beyond the FMAX platform.
ITEM 17 VOTING CLIENT-OWNED SECURITIES
Unless you direct otherwise in writing, FIS will vote proxies on securities managed within your
account on your behalf. We have established proxy voting policies and procedures designed to
ensure that all voting decisions are made in your best interest and in compliance with our fiduciary
obligations.
To mitigate potential conflicts of interest, our policies require that proxy votes be cast based on an
objective evaluation of the proposal's impact on shareholder value. If a potential conflict arises, we
follow established procedures to address and document the conflict, including seeking input from
an independent third party if necessary.
FIS has retained Glass, Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis"), an independent provider of proxy research and
voting recommendations, to assist FIS in receiving and voting proxies. Unless you provide specific
voting guidelines or directives, we have pre-selected certain proxy voting guidelines provided by
Glass Lewis. The Glass Lewis guidelines are not exhaustive, do not address all potential voting
issues, and do not always correspond with the opinions of FIS. Therefore, there may be instances
where we may not vote shares in accordance with Glass Lewis guidelines. In the event that we
believe the Glass Lewis recommendation is not in the best interest of shareholders, and on those
matters for which Glass Lewis does not provide a specific voting recommendation, we will
determine how to vote the proxies. There may also be instances when Glass Lewis does not send
proxy vote recommendations in a timely manner or recommendations are not available.
Clients may opt out of FIS's proxy voting services at any time by submitting a written request.
Additionally, clients may request a copy of our proxy voting policies or a record of how proxies
were voted on their behalf.
To request proxy voting records, please contact:
Frost Investment Services, LLC
Attention: Chief Compliance Officer
111 West Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
FMAX clients may directly perform proxy voting or delegate proxy voting to either FIS or the
discretionary investment manager to whom FIS has allocated client assets. If delegated by the
client, FIS or the discretionary investment manager, as applicable, shall be responsible for voting
or abstaining from voting with respect to any proxy solicitations for any securities purchased on
behalf of clients. Clients should review the proxy voting policies and procedures as described
above and in their discretionary investment manager's Form ADV Part 2A as applicable.
We review and can elect to participate in class action lawsuits involving securities owned on your
behalf. Participation in a class action will be facilitated through the use of an unaffiliated third
party vendor. If your participation results in a recovery, the proceeds received will be net of the
fees charged by the third-party vendor.
ITEM 18 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
We do not solicit prepayment of advisory fees greater than six months in advance, and we are not
aware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet our
contractual commitments to you.