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Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
Geneva Partners, LLC
820 Geneva Parkway North
Suite 106
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147
Telephone: 262-248-1350
Email: schwefel@genevapartnersllc.com
Web Address: www.genevapartnersllc.com
December 24, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Geneva Partners, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure,
please contact us at 262-248-1350 or schwefel@genevapartnersllc.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 Geneva Partners, LLC also is available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can search this site by a unique identifying
number, known as a CRD number. Our firm's IARD number is 130768.
Item 2
Material Changes
This Firm Brochure is our new disclosure document prepared according to the SEC’s
new requirements and rules.
Since the last annual update of our brochure on March 21, 2024, we note the following
material changes:
Geneva Partners moved its office location to 820 Geneva Parkway North, Suite 106,
Lake Geneva, WI 53147, effective December 15, 2025.
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Item 3
Table of Contents
Page
Cover Page
Disciplinary Information
Brokerage Practices
Review of Accounts
Investment Discretion
1
Item 1
2
Item 2 Material Changes
3
Table of Contents
Item 3
4
Advisory Business
Item 4
5
Fees and Compensation
Item 5
7
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Item 6
7
Item 7
Types of Clients
8
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
10
Item 9
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
10
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading 11
13
Item 12
16
Item 13
16
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
17
Item 15 Custody
17
Item 16
18
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
18
Item 18
Financial Information
3
Item 4
Advisory Business
Geneva Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser with its principal place
of business located in Wisconsin. Geneva Partners, LLC (“Geneva Partners”) began
conducting business in 2010.
Steven Schwefel is the Managing Member and sole owner of Geneva Partners.
Geneva Partners offers the following advisory services to our clients:
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES ("ISS")
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our firm provides continuous advice to a client regarding the investment of client funds
based on the individual needs of the client. Through personal discussions in which
goals and objectives based on a client's particular circumstances are established, we
develop a client's personal investment policy and create and manage a portfolio based
on that policy. During our data-gathering process, we determine the client’s individual
objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. As appropriate, we also
review and discuss a client's prior investment history, as well as family composition and
background.
We manage these advisory accounts on a discretionary basis. Account supervision is
guided by the client's stated objectives (i.e., maximum capital appreciation, growth,
income, or growth and income), as well as tax considerations.
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, types of
securities, or industry sectors.
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service
offered by a broker-dealer or insurance company and will generally include advice
regarding the following securities:
• Exchange-listed securities
• Securities traded over-the-counter
• Foreign issuers
• Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
• Certificates of deposit
• Municipal securities
• Mutual fund shares
• United States governmental securities
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Because some types of investments involve certain additional degrees of risk, they will
only be implemented/recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment
objectives, tolerance for risk, liquidity and suitability.
AMOUNT OF MANAGED ASSETS
As of December 31, 2024, we were actively managing $387,318,871 of clients' assets
on a discretionary basis. The firm also manages $2,097,672 as assets under
advisement.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES ("ISS")
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT FEES
The maximum annualized fee for Investment Supervisory Services is charged quarterly
in advance, as a percentage of assets under management, valued as of the last day of
the preceding quarter, according to the following schedule. The Firm will bill all assets
at one fee level for whatever range in which the client’s assets fall with the following
schedule:
Assets Under Management Annual Fee
$100,000 - $500,000
1.50%
$500,001 - $2,000,000
1.25%
$2,000,001 - $5,000,000
1.00%
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000
.75%
Over $10,000,000
Negotiable
All existing clients are grandfathered into their current fee schedule with Geneva
Partners. A minimum of $100,000 of assets under management is required for this
service. This account size may be negotiable under certain circumstances. Geneva
Partners may group certain related client accounts for the purposes of achieving the
minimum account size and determining the maximum annualized fee. For those clients
whose fees are calculated as a percentage of assets under management, to the extent
that clients authorize the use of margin, and thus employ margin in their investment
portfolios, Geneva Partners will bill on the gross market value of the portfolio, and not
net of any margin debt.
Limited Negotiability of Advisory Fees: Although Geneva Partners has established
the aforementioned fee schedule(s), we retain the discretion to negotiate alternative
fees on a client-by-client basis. Client facts, circumstances and needs are considered in
determining the fee schedule. These include the complexity of the client, assets to be
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placed under management, anticipated future additional assets; related accounts;
portfolio style, account composition, reports, among other factors. The specific annual
fee schedule is identified in the contract between the adviser and each client.
We may group certain related client accounts for the purposes of achieving the
minimum account size requirements and determining the maximum annualized fee.
Discounts, not generally available to our advisory clients, may be offered to family
members and friends of associated persons of our firm.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Termination of the Advisory Relationship: A client agreement may be canceled at
any time, by either party, for any reason upon receipt of 30 days written notice. An
advisory client has a right to terminate the contract without penalty within five (5)
business days after entering into the contract. As disclosed above, fees are paid in
advance of services provided. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned
fees will be promptly refunded. In calculating a client's reimbursement of fees, we will
pro rate the reimbursement according to the number of days remaining in the billing
period.
Mutual Fund Fees: All fees paid to Geneva Partners for investment advisory services
are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or
ETFs to their shareholders. These fees and expenses are described in each fund's
prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee, other fund expenses,
and a possible distribution fee. If the fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay
an initial or deferred sales charge. A client could invest in a mutual fund directly, without
our services. In that case, the client would not receive the services provided by our firm
which are designed, among other things, to assist the client in determining which
mutual fund or funds are most appropriate to each client's financial condition and
objectives. Accordingly, the client should review both the fees charged by the funds and
our fees to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client and to
thereby evaluate the advisory services being provided.
Wrap Fee Programs and Separately Managed Account Fees: Clients participating in
separately managed account programs may be charged various program fees in
addition to the advisory fee charged by our firm. Such fees may include the investment
advisory fees of the independent advisers, which may be charged as part of a wrap fee
arrangement. In a wrap fee arrangement, clients pay a single fee for advisory,
brokerage and custodial services. Client’s portfolio transactions may be executed
without commission charge in a wrap fee arrangement. In evaluating such an
arrangement, the client should also consider that, depending upon the level of the wrap
fee charged by the broker-dealer, the amount of portfolio activity in the client’s account,
and other factors, the wrap fee may or may not exceed the aggregate cost of such
services if they were to be provided separately. We will review with clients any separate
program fees that may be charged to clients.
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Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also
responsible for the fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker
dealers, including, but not limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker
dealer with which an independent investment manager effects transactions for the
client's account(s). Please refer to the "Brokerage Practices" section (Item 12) of this
Form ADV for additional information.
Grandfathering of Minimum Account Requirements: Pre-existing advisory clients
are subject to Geneva Partners’ minimum account requirements and advisory fees in
effect at the time the client enters into the advisory relationship. Therefore, our firm's
minimum account requirements will differ among clients.
ERISA Accounts: Geneva Partners is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory clients that
are employee benefit plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs) pursuant to the
Employee Retirement Income and Securities Act ("ERISA"), and regulations under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), respectively. As such, our firm is subject
to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that
include among other things, restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation. To
avoid engaging in prohibited transactions, Geneva Partners may only charge fees for
investment advice about products for which our firm and/or our related persons do not
receive any commissions or 12b-1 fees, or conversely, investment advice about
products for which our firm and/or our related persons receive commissions or 12b-1
fees, however, only when such fees are used to offset Geneva Partners’ advisory fees.
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or
may not) be available from other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for
similar or lower fees.
Limited Prepayment of Fees: Under no circumstances do we require or solicit
payment of fees in excess of $1200 more than six months in advance of services
rendered.
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Item 6
Geneva Partners does not charge performance-based fees.
Types of Clients
Item 7
Geneva Partners provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
•
Individuals (other than high net worth individuals)
• High net worth individuals
• Charitable organizations
• Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans
• Other
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As previously disclosed in Item 5, our firm has established certain initial minimum
account requirements, based on the nature of the service(s) being provided. For a more
detailed understanding of those requirements, please review the disclosures provided in
each applicable service.
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or
managing client assets:
Fundamental Analysis. We attempt to measure the intrinsic value of a security by
looking at economic and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry
conditions, and the financial condition and management of the company itself) to
determine if the company is underpriced (indicating it may be a good time to buy) or
overpriced (indicating it may be time to sell).
Fundamental analysis does not attempt to anticipate market movements. This presents
a potential risk, as the price of a security can move up or down along with the overall
market regardless of the economic and financial factors considered in evaluating the
stock.
Technical Analysis. We analyze past market movements and apply that analysis to
the present in an attempt to recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and
potentially predict future price movement.
Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition of a company.
This presents a risk in that a poorly managed or financially unsound company may
underperform regardless of market movement.
Risks for all forms of analysis. Our securities analysis methods rely on the
assumption that the companies whose securities we purchase and sell, the rating
agencies that review these securities, and other publicly available sources of
information about these securities, are providing accurate and unbiased data. While we
are alert to indications that data may be incorrect, there is always a risk that our
analysis may be compromised by inaccurate or misleading information.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
We use the following strategy(is) in managing client accounts, provided that such
strategy(ies) are appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's
investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
Long-term purchases. We purchase securities with the idea of holding them in the
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client's account for a year or longer. Typically, we employ this strategy when:
• we believe the securities to be currently undervalued, and/or
• we want exposure to a particular asset class over time, regardless of the current
projection for this class.
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of
time, we may not take advantage of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client.
Moreover, if our predictions are incorrect, a security may decline sharply in value before
we make the decision to sell.
Short-term purchases. When utilizing this strategy, we purchase securities with the
idea of selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). We do this in
an attempt to take advantage of conditions that we believe will soon result in a price
swing in the securities we purchase.
A short-term purchase strategy poses risks should the anticipated price swing not
materialize; we are then left with the option of having a long-term investment in a
security that was designed to be a short-term purchase, or potentially taking a loss.
In addition, this strategy involves more frequent trading than does a longer-term
strategy, and will result in increased brokerage and other transaction-related costs, as
well as less favorable tax treatment of short-term capital gains.
Risk of Loss.Securities investments are not guaranteed, and you may lose money on
your investments. Investors face the following investment risks:
•
Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to
fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become
less attractive, causing their market values to decline.
• Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to
tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by
external factors independent of a security’s particular underlying circumstances.
For example, political, economic, and social conditions may trigger market
events.
•
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as
much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of
inflation.
• Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of
the dollar against the currency of the investment’s originating country. This is
also referred to as exchange rate risk.
• Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may
have to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This
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primarily relates to fixed income securities.
• Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a
particular company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies
depend on finding oil and then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can
generate a profit. They carry a higher risk of profitability than an electric
company, which generates its income from a steady stream of customers who
buy electricity no matter what the economic environment is like.
• Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized
product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties
are not.
• Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations increases
the risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its
obligations. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan
obligations may result in bankruptcy or a declining market value.
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client's
or prospective client's evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our
management. Our firm and our management personnel have no reportable disciplinary
events to disclose.
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Clients should be aware that the receipt of additional compensation by Geneva Partners
and its management persons or employees creates a conflict of interest that may impair
the objectivity of our firm and these individuals when making advisory
recommendations. In addition, Geneva Partners endeavors to put the interest of its
clients first as part of our fiduciary duty as a registered investment adviser; we take the
following steps to address this conflict:
• we disclose to clients the existence of all material conflicts of interest,
including the potential for our firm and our employees to earn compensation
from advisory clients in addition to our firm's advisory fees;
• we disclose to clients that they are not obligated to purchase recommended
investment products from our employees or affiliated companies;
• we collect, maintain and document accurate, complete, and relevant client
background information, including the client’s financial goals, objectives and
risk tolerance;
• our firm's management conducts regular reviews of each client account to
verify that all recommendations made to a client are suitable to the client’s
needs and circumstances;
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• we require that our employees seek prior approval of any outside employment
activity so that we may ensure that any conflicts of interests in such activities
are properly addressed;
• we periodically monitor these outside employment activities to verify that any
conflicts of interest continue to be properly addressed by our firm; and
• we educate our employees regarding the responsibilities of a fiduciary, including
the need for having a reasonable and independent basis for the investment
advice provided to clients.
In addition, two of Geneva Partners’ investment advisory representatives have outside
activities in the financial services area. Please see Item 14 for more information.
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Item 11
Transactions and Personal Trading
Our firm has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth high ethical standards of
business conduct that we require of our employees, including compliance with
applicable federal securities laws.
Geneva Partners and our personnel owe a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith
towards our clients, and have an obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions
of the Code of Ethics but to the general principles that guide the Code.
Our Code of Ethics includes policies and procedures for the review of quarterly
securities transactions reports as well as initial and annual securities holdings reports
that must be submitted by the firm’s access persons. Among other things, our Code of
Ethics also requires the prior approval of any acquisition of securities in a limited
offering (e.g., private placement) or an initial public offering. Our code also provides for
oversight, enforcement and recordkeeping provisions.
Geneva Partners’ Code of Ethics further includes the firm's policy prohibiting the use of
material non-public information. While we do not believe that we have any particular
access to non-public information, all employees are reminded that such information
may not be used in a personal or professional capacity.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to our advisory clients and prospective clients.
You may request a copy by email sent to schwefel@genevapartnersllc.com, or by
calling us at 262-248-1350.
Our Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions,
activities and interests of our employees will not interfere with (i) making decisions in
the best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the
same time, allowing employees to invest for their own accounts.
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Our firm and/or individuals associated with our firm may buy or sell for their personal
account’s securities identical to or different from those recommended to our clients. In
addition, any related person(s) may have an interest or position in a certain security(ies)
which may also be recommended to a client.
We may aggregate our employee trades with client transactions where possible and
when compliant with our duty to seek best execution for our clients. In these instances,
participating clients will receive an average share price and transaction costs will be
shared equally and on a pro-rata basis. In the instances where there is a partial fill of a
particular batched order, we will allocate all purchases pro-rata, with each account
paying the average price. Our employee accounts will be included in the pro-rata
allocation.
As these situations represent actual or potential conflicts of interest to our clients, we
have established the following policies and procedures for implementing our firm’s
Code of Ethics, to ensure our firm complies with its regulatory obligations and provides
our clients and potential clients with full and fair disclosure of such conflicts of interest:
1. No principal or employee of our firm may put his or her own interest above the
interest of an advisory client.
2. No principal or employee of our firm may buy or sell securities for their personal
portfolio(s) where their decision is a result of information received as a result of
his or her employment unless the information is also available to the investing
public.
3. It is the expressed policy of our firm that no person employed by us may
purchase or sell any security prior to a transaction(s) being implemented for an
advisory account. This prevents such employees from benefiting from
transactions placed on behalf of advisory accounts.
4. Our firm requires prior approval for any IPO or private placement investments
by related persons of the firm.
5. We maintain a list of all reportable securities holdings for our firm and anyone
associated with this advisory practice that has access to advisory
recommendations ("access person"). These holdings are reviewed on a regular
basis by our firm's Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.
6. We have established procedures for the maintenance of all required books and
records.
7. All of our principals and employees must act in accordance with all applicable
Federal and State regulations governing registered investment advisory
practices.
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8. We require delivery and acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics by each
supervised person of our firm.
9. We have established policies requiring the reporting of Code of Ethics
violations to our senior management.
10. Any individual who violates any of the above restrictions may be subject to
termination.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
Directed Brokerage
Geneva Partners requires that clients provide us with written authority to determine the
broker-dealer to use and the commission costs that will be charged to our clients for
these transactions. Clients must include any limitations on this discretionary authority in
this written authority statement. Clients may change/amend these limitations as
required. Such amendments must be provided to us in writing.
Clients who have directed brokerage away from Geneva Partners’ standard custodian
may pay higher costs and may not be able to be included in client block trades to
achieve average price and possibly lower cost of execution.
Trade Aggregation
Geneva Partners will block trades where possible and when advantageous to clients.
This blocking of trades permits the trading of aggregate blocks of securities composed
of assets from multiple client accounts, so long as transaction costs are shared equally
and on a pro-rated basis between all accounts included in any such block.
Block trading may allow us to execute equity trades in a timelier, more equitable
manner, at an average share price. Geneva Partners will typically aggregate trades
among clients whose accounts can be traded at a given broker, and generally will rotate
or vary the order of brokers through which it places trades for clients on any particular
day. Geneva Partners’ block trading policy and procedures are as follows:
1. Transactions for any client account may not be aggregated for execution if the
practice is prohibited by or inconsistent with the client's advisory agreement with
Geneva Partners, or our firm's order allocation policy.
2. The trading desk in concert with the portfolio manager must determine that the
purchase or sale of the particular security involved is appropriate for the client and
consistent with the client's investment objectives and with any investment guidelines
or restrictions applicable to the client's account.
3. The portfolio manager must reasonably believe that the order aggregation will
benefit and will enable Geneva Partners to seek best execution for each client
participating in the aggregated order. This requires a good faith judgment at the time
the order is placed for the execution. It does not mean that the determination made
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in advance of the transaction must always prove to have been correct in the light of
a "20-20 hindsight" perspective. Best execution includes the duty to seek the best
quality of execution, as well as the best net price.
4. Prior to entry of an aggregated order, a written order ticket must be completed which
identifies each client account participating in the order and the proposed allocation
of the order, upon completion, to those clients.
5. If the order cannot be executed in full at the same price or time, the securities
actually purchased or sold by the close of each business day must be allocated pro
rata among the participating client accounts in accordance with the initial order ticket
or other written statement of allocation. However, adjustments to this pro rata
allocation may be made to participating client accounts in accordance with the initial
order ticket or other written statement of allocation. Furthermore, adjustments to this
pro rata allocation may be made to avoid having odd amounts of shares held in any
client account, or to avoid excessive ticket charges in smaller accounts. If Geneva
Partners were to do a partial allocation, in order to avoid excess costs to clients, odd
lot positions, etc., the adjustments to the allocation would be made as follows:
Alphabetically going:
i. A to Z; then
ii.
Z to A; then
iii. N to Z; then
iv. A to N; then
v. M to A; and finally
vi.
Z to N.
Geneva Partners would keep a record of odd lot allocations.
6. Generally, each client that participates in the aggregated order must do so at the
average price for all separate transactions made to fill the order. Commission costs
may vary by asset level held at the custodian or by method of receipt of confirmation
– paper versus electronic. Under the client’s agreement with the custodian/broker,
transaction costs may be based on the number of shares traded for each client.
7. If the order will be allocated in a manner other than that stated in the initial
statement of allocation, a written explanation of the change must be provided to and
approved by the Chief Compliance Officer no later than the morning following the
execution of the aggregate trade.
8. Geneva Partners’ client account records separately reflect, for each account in which
the aggregated transaction occurred, the securities which are held by, and bought
and sold for, that account.
9. Funds and securities for aggregated orders are clearly identified on Geneva
Partners’ records and to the broker-dealers or other intermediaries handling the
transactions, by the appropriate account numbers for each participating client.
10. No client or account will be favored over another.
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Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
Geneva Partners has an arrangement with National Financial Services LLC, and
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (together with all affiliates, "Fidelity") through which
Fidelity provides our firm with their "platform" services. The platform services include,
among others, brokerage, custodial, administrative support, record keeping and related
services that are intended to support intermediaries like Geneva Partners in conducting
business and in serving the best interests of our clients but that may also benefit us.
Fidelity charges brokerage commissions and transaction fees for effecting certain
securities transactions (i.e., transactions fees are charged for certain no-load mutual
funds, commissions are charged for individual equity and debt securities transactions).
In addition, Fidelity may charge a “trade-away” fee if client trades are placed with other
brokers, generally fixed income trades.
Fidelity enables Geneva Partners to obtain many no-load mutual funds without
transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal transaction charges. Fidelity’s
commission rates are generally considered discounted from customary retail
commission rates. However, the commissions and transaction fees charged by Fidelity
may be higher or lower than those charged by other custodians and broker-dealers. As
part of the arrangement, Fidelity also makes available to our firm, at no additional
charge to us, certain research and brokerage services, including research services
obtained by Fidelity directly from independent research companies, as selected by
Geneva Partners (within specified parameters). These research and brokerage services
presently include services such as administrative support, record keeping and related
services and are used by our firm to manage accounts for which we have investment
discretion.
Geneva Partners may also receive additional services which may include software and
technology to provide access to client data, facilitate trade execution, assist with back
office support, record keeping and client reporting. Without this arrangement, we might
be compelled to purchase the same or similar services at our own expense.
As a result of receiving such services for no additional cost, we may have an incentive
to continue to use or expand the use of Fidelity's services. We examined this potential
conflict of interest when we chose to enter into the relationship with Fidelity and have
determined that the relationship is in the best interests of Geneva Partners’ clients and
satisfies our client obligations, including our duty to seek best execution. A client may
pay a commission that is higher than another qualified broker-dealer might charge to
effect the same transaction where we determine in good faith that the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services received. In
seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but
whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into
consideration the full range of a broker-dealer’s services, including the value of
research provided, execution capability, commission rates, and responsiveness.
Accordingly, while Geneva Partners will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all
clients, we may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for
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specific client account transactions. Although the investment research products and
services that may be obtained by us will generally be used to service all of our clients, a
brokerage commission paid by a specific client may be used to pay for research that is
not used in managing that specific client’s account. Geneva Partners and Fidelity are
not affiliated.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Geneva Partners does not direct brokerage for client referrals.
Trade Errors
Geneva Partners corrects all trade errors made through its Trade Error Account, except
for those which resulted from an unsolicited trade made on behalf of the client. Geneva
Partners shall be responsible for any losses in the accounts. Any gains are generally
donated to charity. Client shall be responsible for any trade error which results from an
unsolicited trade made on behalf of the client.
Item 13
Review of Accounts
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES ("ISS")
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
REVIEWS: While the underlying securities within Individual Portfolio Management
Services accounts are continually monitored, these accounts are reviewed at least
monthly. Accounts are reviewed in the context of each client's stated investment
objectives and guidelines. More frequent reviews may be triggered by material changes
in variables such as the client's individual circumstances, or the market, political or
economic environment.
These accounts are reviewed by Steven P. Schwefel, Managing Member of Geneva
Partners, LLC.
REPORTS: In addition to the monthly statements and confirmations of transactions that
clients receive from their broker-dealer, we may provide quarterly reports summarizing
account performance, balances and holdings at client meetings or by request of the
client.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Geneva Partners no longer pays referral fees to individuals who are registered
representatives of a broker-dealer for the referral of clients to Geneva Partners for asset
management services. That arrangement terminated in 2016. Those representatives
are now licensed as investment advisory representatives of Geneva Partners and are
no longer affiliated with any broker-dealer.
One of Geneva Partners’ representatives, Scott Farrow, has an outside accounting firm
which may provide accounting services to some of Geneva Partners’ clients. On
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occasion, Geneva Partners may pay Farrow & Associates for tax preparation services
provided to certain advisory clients of Geneva Partners. Mr. Farrow may earn the usual
and ordinary compensation from his accounting business activity.
Some of Geneva Partners’ investment advisory representatives are also licensed as
insurance agents with the States of Illinois or Wisconsin. They may sell insurance
products to advisory clients of Geneva Partners, but the clients are under no obligation
to purchase their insurance products through them. The advisory representatives earn
the usual and ordinary compensation for the sale of any insurance products. They do
not pay any compensation to Geneva Partners, nor receive any compensation from
Geneva for this activity.
Item 15
Custody
We previously disclosed in the "Fees and Compensation" section (Item 5) of this
Brochure that our firm directly debits advisory fees from client accounts.
As part of this billing process, the client's custodian is advised of the amount of the fee
to be deducted from that client's account. On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is
required to send to the client a statement showing all transactions within the account
during the reporting period.
Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee to be deducted, it is
important for clients to carefully review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy
of the calculation, among other things. Clients should contact us directly if they believe
that there may be an error in their statement.
Our firm has custody pursuant to its ability to transfer funds via a customer signed
Standing Letters of Authorization. These transfer authorizations meet the
requirements of the SEC’s interpretative guidance re: custody in its No-Action letter to
the Investment Advisors Association dated February 21, 2017.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
Clients may hire us to provide discretionary asset management services, in which case
we place trades in a client's account without contacting the client prior to each trade to
obtain the client's permission.
Our discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the
client:
• determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
• determine the amount of the security to buy or sell
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Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary agreement with
our firm and may limit this authority by giving us written instructions. Clients may also
change/amend such limitations by once again providing us with written instructions.
Geneva Partners requires that it be provided with written authority to determine which
securities and the amounts of securities that are bought or sold in a client's account.
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
As a matter of firm policy, we do not vote proxies on behalf of clients. Clients maintain
exclusive responsibility for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers
of securities beneficially owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections
relative to any mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other
type events pertaining to the client’s investment assets. Clients are responsible for
instructing each custodian of the assets, to forward to the client copies of all proxies
and shareholder communications relating to the client’s investment assets.
We may provide clients with consulting assistance regarding proxy issues if they
contact us with questions at our principal place of business.
Item 18
Financial Information
Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $1200 per
client more than six months in advance of services rendered. Therefore, we are not
required to include a financial statement.
As an advisory firm that maintains discretionary authority for client accounts, we are
also required to disclose any financial condition that is reasonable likely to impair our
ability to meet our contractual obligations.
Geneva Partners has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time during
the past ten years.
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