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Disclosure Brochure
October 8, 2025
LIVE OAK PRIVATE WEALTH, LLC
a Registered Investment Adviser
1741 Tiburon Drive,
Wilmington, NC 28403
(844) 469-5679
www.liveoakprivatewealth.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Live Oak Private Wealth,
LLC (hereinafter “LOPW” or the “Firm”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact the Firm at the telephone number listed above. The information in this brochure has not been approved
or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about the Firm is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The Firm
is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply any level of skill or training.
Disclosure Brochure
Live Oak Private Wealth, LLC
Item 2. Material Changes
In this Item, LOPW is required to discuss any material changes that have been made to the brochure since
the last annual amendment.
Included below are material changes to the content of the brochure since the filing of the Annual
Amendment on February 18, 2025:
October 8, 2025
•
Item 5. Financial Planning and Consulting fees: Updated the billing terms for financial planning
and consulting fees.
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Item 3. Table of Contents
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 .................................................................................................. 9
Item 7. Types of Clients ................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ..........................................................................................10
Item 9. Disciplinary Information ...................................................................................................................................................14
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .......................................................................................................14
Item 11. Code of Ethics .................................................................................................................................................................15
Item 12. Brokerage Practices .........................................................................................................................................................16
Item 13. Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................................................................19
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation .......................................................................................................................20
Item 15. Custody ..........................................................................................................................................................................20
Item 16. Investment Discretion ......................................................................................................................................................20
Item 17. Voting Client Securities ..................................................................................................................................................20
Item 18. Financial Information ......................................................................................................................................................21
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Item 4. Advisory Business
LOPW offers a variety of advisory services, which include financial planning, consulting, and investment
management services. Prior to LOPW rendering any of the foregoing advisory services, clients are required
to enter into one or more written agreements with LOPW setting forth the relevant terms and conditions of
the advisory relationship (the “Advisory Agreement”).
LOPW filed for registration as an investment adviser in July 2018 and is owned by Live Oak Banking
Company, which is owned by Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. As of December 31, 2024, LOPW had
$1,067,283,022 in assets under management, all of which was managed on a discretionary basis.
While this brochure generally describes the business of LOPW, certain sections also discuss the activities
of its Supervised Persons, which refer to the Firm’s officers, partners, directors (or other persons occupying
a similar status or performing similar functions), employees or other persons who provide investment advice
on LOPW’s behalf and are subject to the Firm’s supervision or control.
As of April 1, 2020, LOPW purchased a 100% ownership stake in Jolley Asset Management, Inc. (“Jolley”),
formerly an independent, registered investment adviser based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. As part of
this purchase, LOPW acquired clients originally under contract with Jolley through assignment of advisory
contracts from Jolley to LOPW. As of May 1, 2020, all client agreements had been assigned to LOPW.
Financial Planning and Consulting Services
LOPW offers clients a broad range of financial planning and consulting services, which include any or all
of the following functions:
Business Planning
Retirement Planning
•
•
Cash Flow Forecasting
Risk Management
•
•
Trust and Estate Planning
Charitable Giving
•
•
Financial Reporting
Distribution Planning
•
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Investment Consulting
Tax Planning
•
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Insurance Planning
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• Manager Due Diligence
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While each of these services is available on a stand-alone basis, certain of them can also be rendered in
conjunction with investment portfolio management as part of a comprehensive wealth management
engagement (described in more detail below).
In performing these services, LOPW is not required to verify any information received from the client or
from the client’s other professionals (e.g., attorneys, accountants, etc.) and is expressly authorized to rely
on such information. LOPW recommends certain clients engage the Firm for additional related services
and/or other professionals to implement its recommendations. Clients are advised that a conflict of interest
exists for the Firm to recommend that clients engage LOPW or its affiliates to provide (or continue to
provide) additional services for compensation, including investment management services. Clients retain
absolute discretion over all decisions regarding implementation and are under no obligation to act upon any
of the recommendations made by LOPW under a financial planning or consulting engagement. Clients are
advised that it remains their responsibility to promptly notify the Firm of any change in their financial
situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising LOPW’s
recommendations and/or services.
Wealth Management Services
LOPW provides clients with wealth management services which include a broad range of financial planning
and consulting services as well as discretionary management of investment portfolios. LOPW primarily
allocates client assets among various mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), private and alternative
investment offerings, including pooled investment funds, individual debt and equity securities, options and
independent investment managers (“Independent Managers”) in accordance with their stated investment
objectives.
Where appropriate, the Firm also provides advice about any type of legacy position or other investment
held in client portfolios. Clients can engage LOPW to manage and/or advise on certain investment products
that are not maintained at their primary custodian, such as variable life insurance and annuity contracts and
assets held in employer sponsored retirement plans and qualified tuition plans (i.e., 529 plans). In these
situations, LOPW directs or recommends the allocation of client assets among the various investment
options available with the product. These assets are generally maintained at the underwriting insurance
company or the custodian designated by the product’s provider.
LOPW tailors its advisory services to meet the needs of its individual clients and seeks to ensure, on a
continuous basis, that client portfolios are managed in a manner consistent with those needs and objectives.
LOPW consults with clients on an initial and ongoing basis to assess their specific risk tolerance, time
horizon, liquidity constraints and other related factors relevant to the management of their portfolios. Clients
are advised to promptly notify LOPW if there are changes in their financial situation or if they wish to place
any limitations on the management of their portfolios. Clients can impose reasonable restrictions or
mandates on the management of their accounts if LOPW determines, in its sole discretion, the conditions
would not materially impact the performance of a management strategy or prove overly burdensome to the
Firm’s management efforts.
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Disclosure Brochure
Live Oak Private Wealth, LLC
Sponsor and Manager of Wrap Program
LOPW provides substantially all investment management services as the sponsor and manager of the Live
Oak Private Wealth Wrap Program (the “Wrap Program”), a wrap fee program (i.e., an arrangement where
certain brokerage commissions and transaction costs are absorbed by the Firm). Accounts managed through
the Wrap Program are done so in substantially the same manner as those managed under a non-wrap
arrangement. Participants in the Wrap Program may pay a higher or lower aggregate fee than if investment
management and brokerage services are purchased separately. Additional information about the Wrap
Program is available in LOPW’s Wrap Brochure, which appears as Part 2A Appendix 1 of the Firm’s Form
ADV (the “Wrap Brochure”).
Retirement Plan Consulting Services
LOPW provides various consulting services to qualified employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries. This
suite of institutional services is designed to assist plan sponsors in structuring, managing and optimizing
their corporate retirement plans. Each engagement is individually negotiated and customized, and includes
any or all of the following services:
Plan Design and Strategy
•
Plan Review and Evaluation
•
Executive Planning & Benefits
•
Investment Selection
•
Plan Fee and Cost Analysis
•
Plan Committee Consultation
•
Fiduciary and Compliance
•
Participant Education
•
As disclosed in the Advisory Agreement, certain of the foregoing services are provided by LOPW as a
fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). In
accordance with ERISA Section 408(b)(2), each plan sponsor is provided with a written description of
LOPW’s fiduciary status, the specific services to be rendered and all direct and indirect compensation the
Firm reasonably expects under the engagement.
Use of Independent Managers
As mentioned above, LOPW selects certain Independent Managers to actively manage a portion of its
clients’ assets. The specific terms and conditions under which a client engages an Independent Manager
may be set forth in a separate written agreement with the designated Independent Manager. In addition to
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this brochure, clients may also receive the written disclosure documents of the respective Independent
Managers engaged to manage their assets.
LOPW evaluates a variety of information about Independent Managers, which includes the Independent
Managers’ public disclosure documents, materials supplied by the Independent Managers themselves and
other third-party analyses it believes are reputable. To the extent possible, the Firm seeks to assess the
Independent Managers’ investment strategies, past performance and risk results in relation to its clients’
individual portfolio allocations and risk exposure. LOPW also takes into consideration each Independent
Manager’s management style, returns, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing and research
capabilities, among other factors.
LOPW continues to provide services relative to the discretionary or non-discretionary selection of the
Independent Managers. On an ongoing basis, the Firm monitors the performance of those accounts being
managed by Independent Managers. LOPW seeks to ensure the Independent Managers’ strategies and target
allocations remain aligned with its clients’ investment objectives and overall best interests.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
LOPW offers services on a fee basis, which includes fixed and/or hourly fees, as well as fees based upon
assets under management. For investment management fees associated with participation in the Wrap
Program, please see the Wrap Brochure.
Financial Planning and Consulting Fees
LOPW charges a fixed and/or hourly fee for providing financial planning and consulting services under a
stand-alone engagement. These fees are negotiable but range from $500 to $150,000 on a fixed fee basis
and/or from $250 to $500 on an hourly basis, depending upon the scope and complexity of the services and
the professional rendering the financial planning and/or the consulting services. If the client engages the
Firm for additional investment advisory services, LOPW may offset all or a portion of its fees for those
services based upon the amount paid for the financial planning and/or consulting services.
The terms and conditions of the financial planning and/or consulting engagement are set forth in the
Advisory Agreement. If an agreement is executed on a date other than the first date of a calendar quarter,
the initial payment will be prorated for the number of days remaining in that quarter.
For engagements that last longer than 12 months, LOPW may accept payments on a quarterly basis. The
fees will be due on the first day of the quarter, paid in advance.
In the event of termination of the agreement, any unearned fees will be refunded to the client on a pro rata
basis, calculated from the termination date through the end of the current Billing Period.
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Investment Management Fees
LOPW offers investment management services for an annual fee based on the amount of assets under the
Firm’s management. This management fee varies between 150 and 40 basis points (1.50% – 0.40%), in
accordance with the following blended fee schedule:
PORTFOLIO VALUE
FEE
First $500,000
Next $500,000
Next $1,000,000
Next $3,000,000
Next $5,000,000
Next $10,000,000
Above $20,000,000
1.50%
1.25%
1.00%
0.80%
0.60%
0.50%
0.40%
The annual fee is prorated and charged quarterly, in advance, based upon the market value of the assets
being managed by LOPW on the last day of the previous quarter. If assets are deposited into or withdrawn
from an account after the inception of a billing period, the fee payable with respect to such assets is prorated
based on the number of days remaining in the current quarter. For the initial period of an engagement, the
fee is calculated on a pro rata basis. In the event the advisory agreement is terminated, the fee for the final
billing period is prorated through the effective date of the termination and the outstanding or unearned
portion of the fee is charged or refunded to the client, as appropriate.
Additionally, for asset management services the Firm provides with respect to certain client holdings (e.g.,
held-away assets, accommodation accounts, alternative investments, etc.), LOPW may negotiate a fee rate
that differs from the range set forth above.
Fee Discretion
LOPW may, in its sole discretion, negotiate to charge a different fee based upon certain criteria, such as
anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be
managed, related accounts, account composition, pre-existing/legacy client relationship, account retention
and pro bono activities.
Additional Fees and Expenses
In addition to the advisory fees paid to LOPW, clients also incur certain charges imposed by other third
parties, such as broker-dealers, custodians, trust companies, banks and other financial institutions
(collectively “Financial Institutions”). These additional charges include securities brokerage commissions,
transaction fees, custodial fees, fees attributable to alternative assets, fees charged by the Independent
Managers, margin costs, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund or ETF in a client’s account, as
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses), deferred sales
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charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes
on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. The Firm’s brokerage practices are described at length
in Item 12, below.
Direct Fee Debit
Clients provide LOPW and/or certain Independent Managers with the authority to directly debit their
accounts for payment of the investment advisory fees. The Financial Institutions that act as the qualified
custodian for client accounts, from which the Firm retains the authority to directly deduct fees, have agreed
to send statements to clients not less than quarterly detailing all account transactions, including any amounts
paid to LOPW. Alternatively, clients may elect to have LOPW send a separate invoice for direct payment.
Use of Margin
LOPW may recommend that certain clients utilize margin in the client’s investment portfolio or other
borrowing. LOPW only recommends such borrowing for non-investment needs, such as bridge loans and
other financing needs. The Firm’s fees are determined based upon the value of the assets being managed
gross of any margin or borrowing.
Account Additions and Withdrawals
Clients can make additions to and withdrawals from their account at any time, subject to LOPW’s right to
terminate an account. Additions can be in cash or securities provided that the Firm reserves the right to
liquidate any transferred securities or declines to accept particular securities into a client’s account. Clients
can withdraw account assets on notice to LOPW, subject to the usual and customary securities settlement
procedures. However, the Firm designs its portfolios as long-term investments and the withdrawal of assets
may impair the achievement of a client’s investment objectives. LOPW may consult with its clients about
the options and implications of transferring securities. Clients are advised that when transferred securities
are liquidated, they may be subject to transaction fees, short-term redemption fees, fees assessed at the
mutual fund level (e.g., contingent deferred sales charges) and/or tax ramifications.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
LOPW does not provide any services for a performance-based fee (i.e., a fee based on a share of capital
gains or capital appreciation of a client’s assets).
Item 7. Types of Clients
LOPW offers services to individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, corporations, business
entities, and charitable organizations.
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Minimum Account Requirements
As a condition for starting and maintaining an investment management relationship, LOPW imposes a
minimum portfolio value of $250,000 or a minimum quarterly fee of $1,875. LOPW may, in its sole
discretion, accept clients with smaller portfolios or charge a lesser fee based upon certain criteria, including
anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be
managed, related accounts, account composition, pre-existing client, account retention, and pro bono
activities. The minimum fee will cause clients with smaller portfolios to incur an effective fee rate that is
higher than the Firm’s stated fee schedule. LOPW only accepts clients with less than the minimum portfolio
size if the Firm determines the smaller portfolio size will not cause a substantial increase of investment risk
beyond the client’s identified risk tolerance. LOPW may aggregate the portfolios of family members to
meet the minimum portfolio size.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
LOPW’s services are most suited for long term, risk adverse, goal minded high net-worth individuals and
families. LOPW is not suitable for everyone. The Firm’s time horizon on many of its portfolio investments
could be three years or more. The Firm’s style and philosophy will not be suited for someone that always
expects to meet or exceed a certain benchmark or expects positive returns each and every year.
At the very heart of LOPW’s investment philosophy is a recognition and deep understanding of the
importance of capital preservation and the power of compounding. The Firm’s disciplined philosophy is a
conservative, value oriented approach that is focused on portfolio management solutions designed to help
clients grow, preserve and manage their wealth. LOPW’s philosophy makes the Firm especially wary of
investment fads and much consideration is given to how much one could potentially lose on an investment
before considering how much a client might make.
One of the more compelling aspects of investing and compounding is the math of gains and losses. Very
simply, a 50% gain does not allow a portfolio to recover from a 50% loss. In fact, a 100% gain is required
to restore a 50% loss. Therefore, LOPW’s investment philosophy is grounded firmly in discipline, patience
and solid process. The Firm believes that understanding behavioral attributes of investors allows the Firm
to avoid many of the biases that hurt many and helps LOPW to be counter-intuitive towards allocating
clients’ capital. LOPW believes that its temperament to remain steadfast in its convictions, especially when
others are consumed by fear or greed, is necessary to obtaining superior long term wealth accumulation.
LOPW’s goal and objective in managing client assets is to lower risk by carefully selecting a diversified
basket of businesses that have the lowest price to value ratio. LOPW runs concentrated portfolios, typically
around twenty positions. The Firm will invest greater amounts of clients’ capital in companies with lower
price to value ratios and lesser amounts will be committed to companies that are more expensive: LOPW
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likes to be invested fully if possible, but does hold cash when it believes that not enough quality businesses
at fair prices are available. LOPW also offers investment opportunities in private placement vehicles for
eligible clients. These investment opportunities may be available through trading platforms through
LOPW’s broker-dealer (e.g., Charles Schwab & Co.) as well as direct private capital investments via private
pooled investment vehicles.
LOPW’s investment approach might be referred to as applying a private equity mindset in investing in
public markets. LOPW looks at businesses based on if it was to buy the whole company, what would be the
cash returns in year one, two, three and four. LOPW is looking for businesses that have identifiable
sustainable competitive advantages. LOPW’s definition of a good business is a business that process free
cash flow. Growth in net income is not of much interest unless it is accompanied by robust production of
free cash flow. The businesses that are competitively entrenched produce free cash flow and those that are
not, don't. LOPW believes it is that simple. LOPW wants to invest in businesses that have sustainable
competitive advantages that are becoming more competitively entrenched. LOPW is looking what it
believes are castles with deep moats that are getting deeper, at a fair price and priced such that an intelligent
investor has a margin of safety.
LOPW’s primary investment return goal is to compound clients’ capital at real rates of return significantly
in excess of inflation over a five-year time horizon. LOPW does not manage the portfolio to a benchmark
and believes strongly that focusing on the fundamentals of investing, especially the price to value ratio of
great businesses, will deliver attractive returns relative to benchmarks over the long term.
Risk of Loss
The following list of risk factors does not purport to be a complete enumeration or explanation of the risks
involved with respect to the Firm’s investment management activities. Clients should consult with their
legal, tax, and other advisors before engaging the Firm to provide investment management services on their
behalf.
LOPW defines risk as the probability of permanently losing money over a five-year time horizon. The Firm
does not consider market fluctuations and volatility as risks. LOPW believes that public market volatility
creates opportunity for investors who understand that price and value are not always equal. "Price is what
you pay and value is what you get," means the greater the margin of safety in terms of value over price, the
lower the risk of losing permanent capital. The Firm believes that a truly great business purchased at an
attractive price has very little risk in the long run even though its price might fluctuate significantly in the
short run. LOPW believes that following a rigorous investment process focused on truly great public
business first, portfolio construction and monitoring second, can generate superior long-term absolute
returns while minimizing the risk of permanent capital loss.
Market Risks
Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and all investors should be guided
accordingly. The profitability of a significant portion of LOPW’s recommendations and/or investment
decisions may depend to a great extent upon correctly assessing the future course of price movements of
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stocks, bonds and other asset classes. In addition, investments may be adversely affected by financial
markets and economic conditions throughout the world. There can be no assurance that LOPW will be able
to predict these price movements accurately or capitalize on any such assumptions.
Volatility Risks
The prices and values of investments can be highly volatile, and are influenced by, among other things,
interest rates, general economic conditions, the condition of the financial markets, the financial condition
of the issuers of such assets, changing supply and demand relationships, and programs and policies of
governments.
Cash Management Risks
The Firm may invest some of a client’s assets temporarily in money market funds or other similar types of
investments, during which time an advisory account may be prevented from achieving its investment
objective.
Equity-Related Securities and Instruments
The Firm may take long in common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers traded on national securities
exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors.
These factors include, without limitation, factors specific to an issuer and factors specific to the industry in
which the issuer participates. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by
industry and/or economic trends and developments, and the stock prices of such companies may suffer a
decline in response. In addition, equity securities are subject to stock risk, which is the risk that stock prices
historically rise and fall in periodic cycles. U.S. and non-U.S. stock markets have experienced periods of
substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future. In addition, investments in small-
capitalization, mid-capitalization and financially distressed companies may be subject to more abrupt or
erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity, and these issuers often face greater
business risks.
Fixed Income Securities
Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s or a guarantor’s inability to meet principal and
interest payments on its obligations and to price volatility.
Mutual Funds and ETFs
An investment in a mutual fund or ETF involves risk, including the loss of principal. Mutual fund and ETF
shareholders are necessarily subject to the risks stemming from the individual issuers of the fund’s
underlying portfolio securities. Such shareholders are also liable for taxes on any fund-level capital gains,
as mutual funds and ETFs are required by law to distribute capital gains in the event they sell securities for
a profit that cannot be offset by a corresponding loss.
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Shares of mutual funds are generally distributed and redeemed on an ongoing basis by the fund itself or a
broker acting on its behalf. The trading price at which a share is transacted is equal to a fund’s stated daily
per share net asset value (“NAV”), plus any shareholders fees (e.g., sales loads, purchase fees, redemption
fees). The per share NAV of a mutual fund is calculated at the end of each business day, although the actual
NAV fluctuates with intraday changes to the market value of the fund’s holdings. The trading prices of a
mutual fund’s shares may differ significantly from the NAV during periods of market volatility, which may,
among other factors, lead to the mutual fund’s shares trading at a premium or discount to actual NAV.
Shares of ETFs are listed on securities exchanges and transacted at negotiated prices in the secondary
market. Generally, ETF shares trade at or near their most recent NAV, which is generally calculated at least
once daily for indexed based ETFs and potentially more frequently for actively managed ETFs. However,
certain inefficiencies may cause the shares to trade at a premium or discount to their pro rata NAV. There
is also no guarantee that an active secondary market for such shares will develop or continue to exist.
Generally, an ETF only redeems shares when aggregated as creation units (usually 20,000 shares or more).
Therefore, if a liquid secondary market ceases to exist for shares of a particular ETF, a shareholder may
have no way to dispose of such shares.
Use of Independent Managers
As stated above, LOPW selects certain Independent Managers to manage a portion of its clients’ assets. In
these situations, LOPW continues to conduct ongoing due diligence of such managers, but such
recommendations rely to a great extent on the Independent Managers’ ability to successfully implement
their investment strategies. In addition, LOPW does not have the ability to supervise the Independent
Managers on a day-to-day basis.
Options
Options allow investors to buy or sell a security at a contracted “strike” price at or within a specific period
of time. Clients may pay or collect a premium for buying or selling an option. Investors transact in options
to either hedge (i.e., limit) losses in an attempt to reduce risk or to speculate on the performance of the
underlying securities. Options transactions contain a number of inherent risks, including the partial or total
loss of principal in the event that the value of the underlying security or index does not increase/decrease
to the level of the respective strike price. Holders of options contracts are also subject to default by the
option writer which may be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations.
Currency Risks
An advisory account that holds investments denominated in currencies other than the currency in which the
advisory account is denominated may be adversely affected by the volatility of currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risks
Interests rates may fluctuate significantly, causing price volatility with respect to securities or instruments
held by clients.
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Risk of Private Investment Vehicles
Live Oak recommends that certain clients invest in privately placed collective investment vehicles, such as
private equity funds. Because private investment vehicles are not registered investment companies, they are
not subject to the same regulatory reporting or oversight of a registered entity.
Lack of Liquidity
Some investments may be in private companies and will require a long-term commitment of capital. A
substantial amount of the investments will also be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will
otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it
difficult to sell investments if the need arises or if Live Oak determines such sale would be in the investors’
best interests. In addition, if a situation arises in which Live Oak is required to liquidate all or a portion of
an investment quickly, the client may realize significantly less than the value at which the investment was
previously recorded, which could result in a decrease in the portfolio’s net asset value.
Although private placements can help provide risk diversification, they also carry a substantial risk as they
are subject to less regulation than publicly offered securities. Additionally, the market to resell these assets
under applicable securities laws may be illiquid, due to restrictions, and liquidation may be taken at a
substantial discount to the underlying value or result in the entire loss of the value of such assets. Individual
private placement offerings are reviewed carefully at the investment level before acceptance by the firm,
and the conditions and risks are discussed thoroughly with the client prior to implementation.
Alternative Investments
LOPW may use alternative investments when permitted by the particular client’s investment objectives.
These funds may trade on margin or otherwise leverage positions, thereby potentially increasing the risk to
the client. There are numerous other risks in investing in these securities. The client will receive a private
placement memorandum and/or other documents explaining such risks.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
LOPW has not been involved in any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client’s evaluation of
its advisory business or the integrity of its management.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
This item requires investment advisers to disclose certain financial industry activities and affiliations.
Related Bank and Trust Company
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Live Oak Private Wealth, LLC
LOPW is owned by, and shares the same office with, Live Oak Banking Company (“Live Oak Bank”), a
nationwide bank that provides financial solutions to small businesses which includes loans and trust
services. In the event a client requires banking services provided by Live Oak Bank, the Firm will
recommend Live Oak Bank. In addition, Live Oak Bank will recommend LOPW to its customers for
advisory services. The Firm does not receive any portion of any compensation received by Live Oak Bank
for services to the Firm’s clients, nor does the Firm pay any compensation to Live Oak Bank for referrals
to the Firm. However, because of the common ownership and possible involvement by representatives of
the Firm and Live Oak Bank in both businesses, there exists a conflict of interest to the extent that either
the Firm or Live Oak Bank recommend the services of the other. Furthermore, the Firm will not recommend
investment in Live Oak Bank’s owner, Live Oak Bancshares, Inc., to clients.
Item 11. Code of Ethics
LOPW has adopted a code of ethics in compliance with applicable securities laws (“Code of Ethics”) that
sets forth the standards of conduct expected of its Supervised Persons. LOPW’s Code of Ethics contains
written policies reasonably designed to prevent certain unlawful practices such as the use of material non-
public information by the Firm or any of its Supervised Persons and the trading by the same of securities
ahead of clients in order to take advantage of pending orders.
The Code of Ethics also requires certain of LOPW’s personnel to report their personal securities holdings
and transactions and obtain pre-approval of certain investments (e.g., initial public offerings, limited
offerings). However, the Firm’s Supervised Persons are permitted to buy or sell securities that it also
recommends to clients if done in a fair and equitable manner that is consistent with the Firm’s policies and
procedures. This Code of Ethics has been established recognizing that some securities trade in sufficiently
broad markets to permit transactions by certain personnel to be completed without any appreciable impact
on the markets of such securities. Therefore, under limited circumstances, exceptions may be made to the
policies stated below.
When the Firm is engaging in or considering a transaction in any security on behalf of a client, no
Supervised Person with access to this information may knowingly effect for themselves or for their
immediate family (i.e., spouse, minor children and adults living in the same household) a transaction in that
security unless:
the transaction has been completed;
•
the transaction for the Supervised Person is completed as part of a batch trade with clients; or
•
a decision has been made not to engage in the transaction for the client.
•
These requirements are not applicable to: (i) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii)
money market instruments, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper,
repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase
agreements; (iii) shares issued by money market funds; and iv) shares issued by other unaffiliated open-end
mutual funds.
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Clients and prospective clients may contact LOPW to request a copy of its Code of Ethics.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Recommendation of Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
LOPW requires that clients utilize the custody, brokerage and clearing services of Charles Schwab & Co,
Inc. through its Schwab Advisor Services division (“Schwab”) for investment management accounts. The
final decision to custody assets with Schwab is at the discretion of the client, including those accounts under
ERISA or IRA rules and regulations, in which case the client is acting as either the plan sponsor or IRA
accountholder. LOPW is independently owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab. Schwab
provides LOPW with access to its institutional trading and custody services, which are typically not
available to retail investors.
Factors which LOPW considers in recommending Schwab or any other broker-dealer to clients include
their respective financial strength, reputation, execution, pricing, research and service. Schwab enables the
Firm to obtain many mutual funds without transaction charges and other securities at nominal transaction
charges. Schwab has also agreed to reimburse clients for exit fees associated with moving accounts to
Schwab. The reimbursement is only available up to a certain amount for all of the Firm’s clients over a
twelve month period. Fees are reimbursed on a first-come-first-served basis so that no clients are favored.
The commissions and/or transaction fees charged by Schwab may be higher or lower than those charged by
other Financial Institutions.
The commissions paid by LOPW’s clients to Schwab comply with the Firm’s duty to obtain “best
execution.” Clients may pay commissions that are higher than another qualified Financial Institution might
charge to effect the same transaction where LOPW determines that the commissions are 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 Financial Institution’s services, including
among others, the value of research provided, execution capability, commission rates and responsiveness.
LOPW seeks competitive rates but may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for
client transactions.
Consistent with obtaining best execution, brokerage transactions are directed to certain broker-dealers in
return for investment research products and/or services which assist LOPW in its investment decision-
making process. Such research will be used to service all of the Firm’s clients, but brokerage commissions
paid by one client may be used to pay for research that is not used in managing that client’s portfolio. The
receipt of investment research products and/or services as well as the allocation of the benefit of such
investment research products and/or services poses a conflict of interest because LOPW does not have to
produce or pay for the products or services.
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LOPW periodically and systematically reviews its policies and procedures regarding its recommendation
of Financial Institutions in light of its duty to obtain best execution.
Software and Support Provided by Financial Institutions
LOPW receives without cost from Schwab administrative support, computer software, related systems
support, as well as other third party support as further described below (together "Support") which allow
LOPW to better monitor client accounts maintained at Schwab and otherwise conduct its business. LOPW
receives the Support without cost because the Firm renders investment management services to clients that
maintain assets at Schwab. The Support is not provided in connection with securities transactions of clients
(i.e., not “soft dollars”). The Support benefits LOPW, but not its clients directly. Clients should be aware
that LOPW’s receipt of economic benefits such as the Support from a broker-dealer creates a conflict of
interest since these benefits may influence the Firm’s choice of broker-dealer over another that does not
furnish similar software, systems support or services Schwab. In fulfilling its duties to its clients, LOPW
endeavors at all times to put the interests of its clients first and has determined that the recommendation of
Schwab is in the best interest of clients and satisfies the Firm's duty to seek best execution.
Specifically, LOPW receives the following benefits from Schwab: i) receipt of duplicate client
confirmations and bundled duplicate statements; ii) access to a trading desk that exclusively services its
institutional traders; iii) access to block trading which provides the ability to aggregate securities
transactions and then allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts; and iv) access to an electronic
communication network for client order entry and account information.
In addition, the Firm receives funds to be used toward qualifying third-party service providers for research,
marketing, compliance, technology and software platforms and services.
These services generally are available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no
charge to them so long as a certain amount of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at
Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include brokerage services that are related to the execution of
securities transactions, custody, research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and
access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional
investors or would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment.
For client accounts maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody
services but is compensated by account holders through commissions or other transaction-related or asset-
based fees for securities trades that are executed through Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
Schwab also makes available to the Firm other products and services that benefit the Firm but may not
benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or Firm specific educational
events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab. Other potential benefits may include occasional business
entertainment of personnel of LOPW by Schwab personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting events,
including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany educational
opportunities. Other of these products and services assist LOPW in managing and administering clients’
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accounts. These include software and other technology (and related technological training) that provide
access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution
(and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts), provide research, pricing
information and other market data, facilitate payment of the Firm's fees from its clients’ accounts, and assist
with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Many of these services generally may be used to service all or some substantial number of the Firm’s
accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. Schwab also makes available to LOPW other
services intended to help the Firm manage and further develop its business enterprise. These services may
include professional compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice
management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee benefits
providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Schwab may make available,
arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to the Firm by independent third parties.
Schwab may discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a
part of the fees of a third- party providing these services to the Firm. While, as a fiduciary, LOPW endeavors
to act in its clients’ best interests, the Firm's recommendation that clients maintain their assets in accounts
at Schwab may be based in part on the benefits received and not solely on the nature, cost or quality of
custody and brokerage services provided by Schwab, which creates a potential conflict of interest.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
LOPW does not consider, in selecting or recommending broker-dealers, whether the Firm receives client
referrals from the Financial Institutions or other third party.
Directed Brokerage
The client may direct LOPW in writing to use a particular Financial Institution to execute some or all
transactions for the client. In that case, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for the account with
that Financial Institution and the Firm will not seek better execution services or prices from other Financial
Institutions or be able to “batch” client transactions for execution through other Financial Institutions with
orders for other accounts managed by LOPW (as described above). As a result, the client may pay higher
commissions or other transaction costs, greater spreads or may receive less favorable net prices, on
transactions for the account than would otherwise be the case. Subject to its duty of best execution, LOPW
may decline a client’s request to direct brokerage if, in the Firm’s sole discretion, such directed brokerage
arrangements would result in additional operational difficulties.
Trade Aggregation
Transactions for each client will be affected independently, unless LOPW decides to purchase or sell the
same securities for several clients at approximately the same time. LOPW may (but is not obligated to)
combine or “batch” such orders to obtain best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates or
to allocate equitably among the Firm’s clients differences in prices and commissions or other transaction
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costs that might not have been obtained had such orders been placed independently. Under this procedure,
transactions will be averaged as to price and allocated among LOPW’s clients pro rata to the purchase and
sale orders placed for each client on any given day. To the extent that the Firm determines to aggregate
client orders for the purchase or sale of securities, including securities in which LOPW’s Supervised
Persons may invest, the Firm does so in accordance with applicable rules promulgated under the Advisers
Act and no-action guidance provided by the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. LOPW
does not receive any additional compensation or remuneration as a result of the aggregation.
In the event that the Firm determines that a prorated allocation is not appropriate under the particular
circumstances, the allocation will be made based upon other relevant factors, which include: (i) when only
a small percentage of the order is executed, shares may be allocated to the account with the smallest order
or the smallest position or to an account that is out of line with respect to security or sector weightings
relative to other portfolios, with similar mandates; (ii) allocations may be given to one account when one
account has limitations in its investment guidelines which prohibit it from purchasing other securities which
are expected to produce similar investment results and can be purchased by other accounts; (iii) if an account
reaches an investment guideline limit and cannot participate in an allocation, shares may be reallocated
to other accounts (this may be due to unforeseen changes in an account’s assets after an order is placed);
(iv) with respect to sale allocations, allocations may be given to accounts low in cash; (v) in cases when a
pro rata allocation of a potential execution would result in a de minimis allocation in one or more accounts,
the Firm may exclude the account(s) from the allocation; the transactions may be executed on a pro rata
basis among the remaining accounts; or (vi) in cases where a small proportion of an order is executed in all
accounts, shares may be allocated to one or more accounts on a random basis.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
Account Reviews
LOPW monitors client portfolios on a continuous and ongoing basis while regular account reviews are
conducted on at least a quarterly basis. Such reviews are conducted by the Firm’s Principals. All investment
advisory clients are encouraged to discuss their needs, goals and objectives with LOPW and to keep the
Firm informed of any changes thereto. The Firm contacts ongoing investment advisory clients at least
annually to review its previous services and/or recommendations and quarterly to discuss the impact
resulting from any changes in the client’s financial situation and/or investment objectives.
Account Statements and Reports
Clients are provided with transaction confirmation notices and regular summary account statements directly
from the Financial Institutions where their assets are custodied. From time-to-time or as otherwise
requested, clients may also receive written or electronic reports from LOPW and/or an outside service
provider, which contain certain account and/or market-related information, such as an inventory of account
holdings or account performance. Clients should compare the account statements they receive from their
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custodian with any documents or reports they receive from LOPW or an outside service provider.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
The Firm does not currently provide compensation to any third-party solicitors for client referrals.
Item 15. Custody
LOPW is deemed to have custody of client funds and securities because the Firm is given the ability to
debit client accounts for payment of the Firm’s fees. As such, client funds and securities are maintained at
one or more Financial Institutions that serve as the qualified custodian with respect to such assets. Such
qualified custodians will send account statements to clients at least once per calendar quarter that typically
detail any transactions in such account for the relevant period.
In addition, as discussed in Item 13, LOPW will also send, or otherwise make available, periodic
supplemental reports to clients. Clients should carefully review the statements sent directly by the Financial
Institutions and compare them to those received from LOPW.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
LOPW is given the authority to exercise discretion on behalf of clients. LOPW is considered to exercise
investment discretion over a client’s account if it can affect and/or direct transactions in client accounts
without first seeking their consent. LOPW is given this authority through a power-of-attorney included in
the agreement between LOPW and the client. Clients may request a limitation on this authority (such as
certain securities not to be bought or sold). LOPW takes discretion over the following activities:
• The securities to be purchased or sold;
• The amount of securities to be purchased or sold;
• When transactions are made; and
• The Independent Managers to be hired or fired.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
Acceptance of Proxy Voting Authority
LOPW accepts the authority to vote a client’s securities (i.e., proxies) on their behalf. When LOPW accepts
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such responsibility, it will only cast proxy votes in a manner consistent with the best interest of its clients.
Absent special circumstances, which are fully-described in the Firm’s Proxy Voting Policies and
Procedures, all proxies will be voted consistent with guidelines established and described in LOPW’s Proxy
Voting Policies and Procedures, as they may be amended from time-to-time. Clients may contact LOPW
to request information about how the Firm voted proxies for that client’s securities or to get a copy of
LOPW’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. A brief summary of LOPW’s Proxy Voting Policies and
Procedures is as follows:
• LOPW has formed a Proxy Voting Committee that will be responsible for monitoring corporate
actions, making voting decisions in the best interest of clients, and ensuring that proxies are
submitted in a timely manner.
• The Proxy Voting Committee will vote proxies according to LOPW’s then current Proxy Voting
Guidelines. The Proxy Voting Guidelines include many specific examples of voting decisions for
the types of proposals that are most frequently presented, including: composition of the board of
directors; approval of independent auditors; management and director compensation; anti-takeover
mechanisms and related issues; changes to capital structure; corporate and social policy issues; and
issues involving mutual funds.
• Although the Proxy Voting Guidelines are followed as a general policy, certain issues are
considered on a case-by-case basis based on the relevant facts and circumstances. Since corporate
governance issues are diverse and continually evolving, the Firm devotes an appropriate amount of
time and resources to monitor these changes.
• Clients cannot direct LOPW’s vote on model holdings.
• LOPW abstains or withholds from voting on non-model holdings. Clients may direct LOPW to
vote on their behalf for non-model holdings provided such directions are made in a timely manner.
In situations where there is a conflict of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal
relationships that LOPW maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes, the Firm
takes appropriate steps to ensure that its proxy voting decisions are made in the best interest of its clients
and are not the product of such conflict, including not voting the proxy. To avoid any actual or perceived
conflicts of interest, LOPW does not vote proxies with respect to client holdings in Live Oak Bancshares,
Inc. unless instructed otherwise by a client.
Item 18. Financial Information
LOPW is not required to disclose any financial information due to the following:
• The Firm does not require or solicit the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees six months or more
in advance of services rendered;
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• The Firm does not have a financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its ability to meet
contractual commitments to clients; and
• The Firm has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time during the past ten years.
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