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Luken Wealth Management
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Luken Wealth
Management. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (615)
550-5570 or by email at: carri@lukenanalytics.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 Luken Wealth Management is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Luken Wealth Management’s CRD number is: 169008
136 Frierson Street
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 550-5570
carri@lukenanalytics.com
www.luken.pro
Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: March 28, 2025
Item 2: Material Changes
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment dated March 28, 2024,
of Luken Wealth Management are described below. This list summarizes changes to policies, practices
or conflicts of interests only.
LWM added a new business name; Luken Wealth Management (“LWM”).
LWM updated its assets under management as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024,
LWM has a total of $236,868,607 assets under management. LWM manages $236,290,554 on a
discretionary basis and $578,052 on a non-discretionary basis. See Item 4E.
LWM added information regarding the fees and trading practices for its accounts using the Pontera
retirement plan platform. See Items 4B, 5A and 5B.
LWM added information regarding the fees and services in its accounts using the Bloomwell 529
account platform. See Items 4B, 5A and 5B.
LWM added information regarding reduced fees for Employee Accounts and Pro Bono Accounts. See
Item 5A
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ...................................................................................................................................................... i
Item 2: Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4: Advisory Business ...................................................................................................................................... 6
A. Description of the Advisory Firm ........................................................................................................................ 6
B. Types of Advisory Services ................................................................................................................................. 6
Financial Planning Services Program ........................................................................................................... 6
Discretionary WRAP Program ....................................................................................................................... 6
Model Subscription Program .......................................................................................................................... 7
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments .................................................................................... 7
Advisory Representatives ............................................................................................................................... 8
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions .................................................................................. 8
D. WRAP Fee Programs .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Conflict of Interest .............................................................................................................................................. 9
E. Assets Under Management ................................................................................................................................ 9
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ........................................................................................................................... 9
A. Fee Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Financial Planning Fees ................................................................................................................................. 9
Discretionary Wrap Program Fees ..............................................................................................................10
Model Subscription Fees ..............................................................................................................................10
Employee Accounts and Pro Bono Accounts ............................................................................................10
Termination of Agreement ............................................................................................................................10
B. Payment of Fees ...............................................................................................................................................11
Payment of Financial Planning Fees ..........................................................................................................11
Payment of Discretionary WRAP Program Fees ......................................................................................11
Payment of Model Subscription Fees .........................................................................................................11
C. Clients Are Responsible For Third Party Fees ...................................................................................................11
D. Prepayment of Fees .........................................................................................................................................11
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E. Outside Compensation .....................................................................................................................................12
1. Conflict of Interest .....................................................................................................................................12
2. Commissions are not a Source of Income for LWM ............................................................................12
3. Advisory Fees in Addition to Commissions or Markups ......................................................................12
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ...............................................................12
Item 7: Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................13
Minimum Account Size .........................................................................................................................................13
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Investment Loss ....................................13
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies ..............................................................................................13
Methods of Analysis ......................................................................................................................................13
Investment Strategies ...................................................................................................................................13
B. Material Risks Involved.....................................................................................................................................14
Risks Associated with Methods of Analysis ...............................................................................................14
Risks Associated with Investment Strategies ............................................................................................14
C. Risk of Specific Securities Utilized ....................................................................................................................15
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ...........................................................................................................................16
A. Criminal or Civil Actions ...................................................................................................................................16
B. Administrative Proceedings..............................................................................................................................16
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings ..............................................................................................16
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................................................16
A.
Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker Dealer Representative .............................................................16
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading
Adviser ..................................................................................................................................................................16
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business and Possible Conflicts of Interests .................16
D. Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser is Compensated for Those Selections ........17
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...............17
A. Code of Ethics ...................................................................................................................................................17
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests ...............................................................................17
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients ...........................................................................17
D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’ Securities ................................................................18
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ...............................................................................................................................18
A. The Custodian and Brokers we use ..................................................................................................................18
B. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers ..............................................................................19
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C. Your Brokerage and Custody Costs ..................................................................................................................19
D. Products and Services Available to us from Schwab ........................................................................................19
E. Our Interest in Schwab’s Services.....................................................................................................................21
F. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits ..........................................................................................................21
G. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts ...............................................................................21
Item 13: Reviews of Accounts .............................................................................................................................22
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those Reviews .................................................22
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client Accounts ...............................................................22
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients......................................................................22
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation .........................................................................................22
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other
Prizes) ...................................................................................................................................................................22
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals ....................................................................23
C. Solicitor and Referral Activities ........................................................................................................................23
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................................23
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................24
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ...............................................................................................24
Item 18: Financial Information .............................................................................................................................24
A. Balance Sheet ...................................................................................................................................................24
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients .......25
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years .....................................................................................................25
Item 19: Requirements for State Registered Advisers .....................................................................................25
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Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Luken Investment Analytics, LLC (hereinafter “LIA”) is a Limited Liability Company
organized in the State of Tennessee doing business as Luken Wealth
Management (hereinafter “LWM”). LIA/LWM is a registered investment adviser
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The firm was formed in May 2013, and the principal owner is Gregory Lee Luken.
B. Types of Advisory Services
LWM provides investment advisory services to individual investors (“Clients”) and
to other registered investment advisers ("Advisers"). These services are described
below. As a registered investment adviser, we are held to the highest standard of
client care - a fiduciary standard. As a fiduciary we always put our client's interests
first and must fully disclose any potential conflict of interest. We do not directly hold
customer funds or securities.
It is the Firm’s policy to always seek the best possible executions. The firm does
not act as principal, but rather as agent on customer transactions.
LWM offers the following advisory programs:
Financial Planning Services Program
LWM provides financial planning services to individual retail Clients. Clients pay a
one-time fee for this program. Clients pay a deposit and the remainder of the fee
for this program is due when the financial plan is delivered. Services include
some or all of the following: general investment education, retirement planning,
estate planning, college planning, debt and cash flow analysis, broader
assessments of the Clients’ overall financial situation, income needs and goals,
analysis with regard to investment of distributions from employer retirement plans
and profit-sharing plans. Clients will receive a written financial plan designed to
assist Clients in identifying specific financial objectives and goals.
Discretionary WRAP Program
LWM provides discretionary investment advisory services to individual retail
Clients. Clients pay the fee for this program monthly in advance. LWM receives
no additional payments or commissions for accounts in this program. These
services include some or all of the following: trading, explanation of investment
concepts and strategies, asset allocation modeling, assistance with interpreting
investment performance reports, broader assessments of the Clients’ overall
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financial situation, income needs and goals. The Clients’ goals, objectives and
risk tolerance are matched with the model or models that are most suitable.
Model allocations are reviewed quarterly, and adjustments are made as
necessary to realign with the model allocation.
LWM provides discretionary investment advisory services to retail clients for their
401(k) plan accounts via the Pontera platform for employer-sponsored retirement
accounts not directly held with our custodian. Target allocations for these
accounts are reviewed quarterly and adjustments are made as necessary, and as
allowed by the plan. We are not affiliated with Pontera and receive no
compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be provided to the
Client allowing client to connect an account(s) to the platform. Client provides
client’s account credentials to Pontera to enable this trading. LWM does not
maintain any client account credentials. 401(k) accounts managed via the
Pontera platform are included in the household portfolio value but are not subject
to the tiered annual fee. The annual fee for these accounts is negotiable but is
most often 0.75%.
LWM provides services to 529 plan participants through the Bloomwell platform.
Clients do not pay a fee for this program. This service is provided as an
accommodation. These accounts are in age-based funds. LWM receives no
additional payments or commissions for accounts in this program. LWM is added
as a third party so we can service the account. The services provided include
creating bank links for contributions and distributions and account maintenance.
Clients can cancel the advisory services by giving 30 days prior written notice.
Model Subscription Program
LWM provides newsletter subscription services for a fee to Investment Advisor
Representatives, “Subscribers”. These services include a newsletter and security
ratings service that will offer recommendations on purchasing and selling specific
securities, sectors, asset classes, or other specific groupings of securities at a
stated time. This newsletter will be provided via electronic mail and via a website
and can be cancelled by giving written notice. Transaction recommendations are
sent to our Subscribers for them to communicate to their qualified custodians who
execute, compare, allocate, clear, and settle the transactions. We neither handle
nor execute trades for Subscribers.
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
LWM will assign each advisory account to a model based on the clients’ investment
needs. The investments will primarily consist of Mutual Funds, Equity Securities,
and Exchange Traded Funds.
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Advisory Representatives
In addition to LWM, the Representative who recommends the advisory program
to the Client receives compensation as a result of the Client’s participation in the
program. Our advisory personnel are expected to have education and business
backgrounds that enable them to perform their respective responsibilities
effectively. No formal standards have been set, but appropriate education and
experience are required. See your Representative’s Form ADV Part 2B Brochure
Supplement for additional information on their background and experience.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
Advisory Client investment strategies and their implementation are dependent
upon our consulting with the Client and reviewing each client’s current situation
(objectives, goals, income, tax levels, and risk tolerance levels). LWM makes
recommendations and suitability determinations as to which asset allocation
models are best for its Clients based upon information provided by the Client. It is
important that each Client provide accurate and complete responses to the
questions asked by the Representative and that the Client promptly inform the
Representative of any subsequent changes to the information provided. Clients
cannot impose restrictions in investing in certain securities or types of securities in
accordance with their values or beliefs.
For our Investment Adviser Representative Subscribers, specific client investment
strategies and their implementation are dependent upon the Subscriber consulting
with their client and reviewing their Investment Policy Statement, or similar
documents, which outlines their client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and
risk tolerance levels). LWM does not make recommendations or suitability
determinations as to which strategies are best for its Subscribers or their clients.
The Subscriber determines if their clients can impose restrictions in investing in
certain securities or types of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs.
You should be aware that all investment programs involve risk and there is no
guarantee that using our Services will produce favorable results. Please carefully
review the information and statements contained in any investment-related
materials provided to you and be sure to ask for assistance in clarifying any
questions you have regarding the materials you receive. LWM suggests that each
Client works closely with their Representative, attorney, accountant and insurance
agent.
D. WRAP Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated
fee that includes management fees, transaction costs, and other administrative
fees. LWM sponsors one wrap fee program, The Discretionary Wrap Program.
Benefits of a wrap fee program depend, in part, on the size of the account, the
costs associated with managing the account, and the frequency and types of
securities transactions executed and held in the account. A Wrap fee program may
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not be suitable for all accounts, including cash or cash equivalent investments,
fixed income securities, no-transaction-fee mutual funds or other securities that
can be traded without commissions or other transaction fees. You should compare
the agreed upon costs associated with participating in a Wrap Fee Program with
amounts that would be charged by others who charge for investment advice,
brokerage, transaction, execution and custodial services individually.
Conflict of Interest
We receive as compensation for advisory services the balance of the Wrap fee you
pay after custodial and other management costs (including execution and
transaction fees) have been deducted. This creates a conflict of interest because
we have a financial incentive to maximize our compensation by seeking to reduce
or minimize the total costs incurred by your accounts.
Schwab and other custodians have eliminated commissions for online trades of
U.S. equities, ETF’s and options (subject to a per contract fee). This means that,
in most cases, when we buy and sell these types of securities, we will not have to
pay commissions to Schwab. When you choose a wrap fee arrangement, your total
cost could exceed the cost of paying for brokerage and advisory services
separately.
Further details relating to this program are available in Appendix 1: Wrap Program
Brochure.
E. Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, LWM has a total of $236,868,607 assets under
management. LWM manages $236,290,554 on a discretionary basis and
$578,052 on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Financial Planning Fees
Fees for the Financial Planning Program are a flat fee based upon the complexity
of the consulting arrangement and services to be rendered. The fees for this
program are negotiable and generally range from $500 to $5,000.
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Discretionary Wrap Program Fees
Client Advisory Programs fees are billed monthly in advance and are debited
directly from the Client account. The annual advisory fee is negotiable between the
Client and the Representative. It can be a specific fee percentage; however, the
fee is most often based on a sliding schedule that ranges from 30 to 160 basis
points. This results in different fees for similar accounts. Based on your investment
portfolio and investment strategy, the costs associated with an advisory account
can exceed the commissions you would pay for brokerage services only.
Pontera retirement plan participants are billed quarterly in arrears and are debited
directly from their designated Schwab account. The annual advisory fee is
negotiable between the Client and the Adviser, however the fee is most often
0.75%.
Bloomwell 529 account participants do not pay a fee for this
service.
Model Subscription Fees
LWM offers a monthly subscription newsletter and quarterly allocation updates to
other Registered Investment Advisers and Investment Adviser Representatives.
Subscribers choose between varying subscription levels that include services
ranging from newsletters and allocation updates to access to client tools,
communications and investment models and strategies. The subscription dues
are generally charged monthly in advance; however, subscribers have the option
to pay annually in advance at a discounted rate. For current subscription levels
and rates, please email greg@lukenanalytics.com or call 615-550-5570.
Subscription fees are not refundable and generally not negotiable.
Employee Accounts and Pro Bono Accounts
With regard to employee and/or employee-related accounts and certain other
accounts, the quarterly fees are generally less, depending upon a number of
factors, including portfolio size, length of employment and relationship to the
employee. Advisory fees for accounts may be waived at the discretion of the
Adviser for reasons which may include but not be limited to familial relationships
and accounts within a household.
Termination of Agreement
The standard advisory contract has an initial term of one year and automatically
renews for unlimited one-year terms. Clients and Subscribers can terminate their
agreement without penalty, for a full refund of LWM’s fees, within five business
days of signing the Investment Advisory Contract or Subscription Agreement.
Thereafter, Clients and Subscribers can terminate their Agreement with written
notice. Any unearned portion of advisory fees paid by Clients in advance will be
refunded. LWM reserves the right to charge a $100 termination fee if the advisory
account is terminated by Client within the first year. LWM does not refund
subscription fees.
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B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Financial Planning Services Program fees are negotiated before the plan is
created. A deposit is requested and full payment is due when the financial plan is
delivered.
Payment of Discretionary WRAP Program Fees
Advisory fees are paid monthly in advance and are debited directly from the
Client account, or other client account as the client may direct. Fees are
calculated by multiplying the account value on the last day of the previous month
by the annual fee percentage, then multiplying by the number of days in the
upcoming month divided by the number of days in the year.
Pontera Retirement Plan Participant fees are billed quarterly in arrears and are
debited directly from their designated Schwab account. The annual advisory fee is
negotiable between the Client and the Adviser, however the fee is most often
0.75%.
Bloomwell investment advisory services to 529 plan participants not billed a fee for
this service.
Payment of Model Subscription Fees
Subscription fees are generally paid monthly or annually via credit card.
C. Clients Are Responsible For Third Party Fees
For individual Clients who pay LWM advisory fees, in addition to our advisory fee,
you will incur certain charges imposed by third parties which are not assessed or
received by LWM or your Representative. Such charges include, but are not limited
to, custodial fees, clearing firm fees, charges imposed by a mutual fund, index
fund, or exchange traded fund purchased for the account which shall be disclosed
in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses),
certain deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer
and electronic fund fees, brokerage account termination fees, annual account
maintenance fees, SEC fees, Reg Fees, Trading Activity Fees, exchange and floor
fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions.
D. Prepayment of Fees
As described above, LWM collects certain program fees in advance. Upon
termination, any unearned portion of fees paid in advance will be refunded.
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E. Outside Compensation
Gregory L. Luken is President of Luken Wealth Management and a licensed
insurance agent. From time to time, he will offer clients advice or products in his
capacity as an insurance agent.
1. Conflict of Interest
The insurance business presents a conflict of interest and provides an incentive
to recommend products based on the compensation received rather than on the
client’s needs. When recommending the sale of insurance products for which any
supervised person receives compensation, LWM will document the conflict of
interest in the Insurance Log and confirm the client received the ADV as
disclosure of the conflict of interest. Clients should be aware that these services
pay a commission or other form of compensation and involve a possible conflict
of interest, as commissionable products can conflict with the fiduciary duties of a
registered investment adviser. LWM always acts in the best interest of the client,
including in the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are
in no way required to implement the plan through any representative of LWM in
their outside capacity. Clients always have the option to purchase LWM
recommended insurance products through other brokers or agents that are not
affiliated with LWM.
2. Commissions are not a Source of Income for LWM
LWM charges subscription fees for its subscription service and advisory fees
as a percentage of assets under management. LWM does not charge
commissions for its advisory services. Insurance fees and commissions are
not a primary source of compensation for LWM’s advisory services.
3. Advisory Fees in Addition to Commissions or Markups
LWM does not charge commissions or markups based on the securities
selected for client advisory accounts. Advisory fees paid by clients are not
reduced to offset any fee or commission received from the sale of insurance
products.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side
Management
LWM does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital
gains on, or capital appreciation of, the assets of a client.
LWM does not engage in Side-By-Side Management.
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Item 7: Types of Clients
LWM provides investment advisory services to individual investors, families, high net
worth investors, trusts, charitable organizations, estates, retirement plan participants and
private business owners.
LWM provides investment subscription services to Registered Investment Advisers and
Investment Adviser Representatives.
Minimum Account Size
There is no account minimum imposed by LWM for any of LWM’s services.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and
Risk of Investment Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
LWM’s methods of analysis include charting analysis, technical analysis and
quantitative analysis.
Charting analysis involves the use of patterns in performance charts. LWM uses
this technique to search for patterns used to help predict favorable conditions for
buying and/or selling a security.
Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market data; primarily price and
volume.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from
qualitative considerations, such as the character of management or the state of
employee morale, the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of
sales, and so on.
Investment Strategies
LWM uses long term trading, short term trading and short-term purchase
investment strategies.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be
prepared to bear.
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B. Material Risks Involved
Risks Associated with Methods of Analysis
Charting analysis strategy involves using and comparing various charts to predict
long and short-term performance or market trends. The risk involved in using this
method is that only past performance data is considered without using other
methods to crosscheck data. Using charting analysis without other methods of
analysis would be making the assumption that past performance will be indicative
of future performance. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Technical analysis attempts to predict a future stock price or direction based on
market trends. The assumption is that the market follows discernible patterns and
if these patterns can be identified then a prediction can be made. The risk is that
markets do not always follow patterns, thus relying solely on this method does not
always work.
Quantitative Model Risk: Investment strategies using quantitative models
perform differently than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors
used in the models, the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors’
historical trends, and technical issues in the construction and implementation of
the models.
Risks Associated with Investment Strategies
LWM’s use of short-term trading holds greater risk and clients should be aware
that there is a material risk of loss using any of those strategies.
Long-term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk.
Due to its nature, the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various
types of risk that will typically surface at various intervals during the time the client
owns the investments. These risks include but are not limited to inflation
(purchasing power) risk, interest rate risk, economic risk, liquidity risk, market risk,
and political/regulatory risk.
Short-term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability and inflation, in
addition to the long-term trading risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect
investment performance, particularly through increased brokerage and other
transaction costs and taxes.
Lack of Diversification presents risks when investments are concentrated and
diversification is limited. There are no limits on position sizes.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should
be prepared to bear.
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It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be
profitable or will equal the performance of the securities in the lists
provided with the subscription.
C. Risk of Specific Securities Utilized
Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment
strategy. The investment types listed below are not guaranteed or insured by the
FDIC or any other government agency.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus
you can lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that
lower investment returns. They can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk)
or stock “equity” nature (mentioned below).
Equity: Investment in equities generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return
for receiving a future payment of dividends and capital gains if the value of the
stock increases. The value of equity securities fluctuates in response to specific
situations for each company, industry market conditions and general economic
environments.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss
(sometimes up to a 100% loss in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). The price
of Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold, Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic
shares” not physical metal) are negatively impacted by several factors, among
them (1) large sales by the official sector which own a significant portion of
aggregate world holdings in gold and other precious metals, (2) a significant
increase in hedging activities by producers of gold or other precious metals, (3) a
significant change in the attitude of speculators and investors. This is not meant to
be an exhaustive list of all possible risks associated with ETF’s. Please ask your
adviser for more information if you have further questions.
Bonds (Interest Rate Risk): Investing in bonds carries the risk that bond prices
will fall as interest rates rise. By buying a bond, the bondholder has committed to
receiving a fixed rate of return for a fixed period.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Accounts can maintain significant cash positions
from time to time. The client will pay the advisory fee based on the value of the
account, including cash and cash equivalents. In these cases, the account will
forego investment opportunities and continue to hold cash positions until the model
indicates that it is time for investment.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities
involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker Dealer
Representative
LWM is not affiliated with a Broker/Dealer.
Carri Sanford, Chief Compliance Officer, is registered with Wiley Bros.-Aintree
Capital, LLC, a broker/dealer and SEC registered investment adviser, and acts as
a member of the compliance team for special projects.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity
Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading Adviser
Neither LWM nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications
to become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or
Commodity Trading Adviser or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory
Business and Possible Conflicts of Interests
Gregory L. Luken is President of Luken Wealth Management and a licensed
insurance agent. From time to time, he will offer clients advice or products in his
capacity as an insurance agent. This presents a conflict of interest and provides
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an incentive to recommend products based on the compensation received rather
than on the client’s needs.
Please refer to Item 5 E above for additional details.
Insurance - LWM and certain of its associated persons are licensed to sell
insurance products and do, on occasion, sell insurance products to our advisory
clients. When such transactions occur, the associated person receives insurance
commissions for such activities. This creates a conflict of interest as there is an
incentive for LWM or its Advisers to recommend insurance products based on the
compensation received, rather than on your needs. We manage this conflict of
interest by reviewing insurance purchases prior to client purchase and through
this disclosure to you.
D. Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This
Adviser is Compensated for Those Selections
LWM does not utilize nor select third-party investment advisers.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in
Client Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
LWM has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited
Purchases and Sales,
Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions
Procedures and Reporting, Exempted Transactions, Prohibited Activities, Conflicts
of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Political and Charitable Contributions, Service
on a Board of Directors, Confidentiality, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with
Laws and Regulations, Certification of Compliance, Reporting Violations,
Compliance Officer Duties, Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual
Review, and Sanctions. Our Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any
client or prospective client.
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
LWM does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related
person to LWM or LWM has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
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they also recommend
to clients. This provides an opportunity
From time to time, representatives of LWM buy or sell securities for themselves
that
for
representatives of LWM to buy or sell the same securities before or after
recommending the same securities to clients resulting in representatives profiting
off the recommendations they provide to clients. Such transactions create a conflict
of interest. LWM has procedures for pre-clearance of personal securities
transactions and will document any transactions that could be construed as
conflicts of interest. LWM and its related persons will not engage in trading that
operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are being bought or
sold.
D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’
Securities
the same
time as clients. This provides an opportunity
to clients
resulting
in
representatives profiting
from
From time to time, representatives of LWM buy or sell securities for themselves at
or around
for
representatives of LWM to buy or sell securities before or after recommending
securities
the
recommendations they provide to clients. Such transactions create a conflict of
interest. LWM has procedures for pre-clearance of personal securities transactions
and will document any transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest.
LWM and its related persons will not engage in trading that operates to the client’s
disadvantage when similar securities are being bought or sold.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. The Custodian and Brokers we use
LWM does not maintain custody of your assets. Your assets must be maintained
in an account at a “qualified custodian”. We recommend that our clients use
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), a registered broker-dealer, member SIPC,
as the qualified custodian.
We are independently owned and operated and are not affiliated with Schwab.
Schwab will hold your assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities
as we instruct them. While we recommend that you use Schwab as
custodian/broker, you will decide whether to do so and will open your account
with Schwab by entering into an account agreement directly with them. We do
not open the account for you, although we may assist you in doing so. Conflicts
of interest associated with this arrangement are described below as well as in
Item 14 (Client referrals and other compensation). You should consider these
conflicts of interest when selecting your custodian. We do not allow clients to
direct which broker-dealer or custodian is used.
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B. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers
When considering whether the terms that Schwab provides are, overall, most
advantageous to you when compared with other available providers and their
services, we consider a wide range of factors, including:
• Combination of transaction execution services and asset custody services
• Capability to execute, clear, and settle trades
• Capability to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts
• Quality of services
• Competitiveness of the price of those services
• Reputation, financial strength, security and stability
• Services delivered or paid for by Schwab
• Availability of other products and services that benefit us, as discussed below
(see “Products and services available to us from Schwab Advisor Services
C. Your Brokerage and Custody Costs
For our clients’ accounts that Schwab maintains, Schwab generally does not
charge you separately for custody services but is compensated by charging you
commissions or other fees on trades that it executes or that settle into your
Schwab account. Certain trades (for example, many mutual funds and ETFs)
may not incur Schwab commissions or transaction fees. Schwab is also
compensated by earning interest on the uninvested cash in your account in
Schwab’s Cash Features Program. In addition to commissions and asset-based
fees, Schwab charges you a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or “trade
away” fee for each trade that we have executed by a different broker-dealer but
where the securities bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited
(settled) into your Schwab account. These fees are in addition to the
commissions or other compensation you pay the executing broker-dealer.
Because of this, in order to minimize your trading costs, we have Schwab
execute most trades for your account. We are not required to select the broker or
dealer that charges the lowest transaction cost, even if that broker provides
execution quality comparable to other brokers or dealers. Although we are not
required to execute all trades through Schwab, we have determined that having
Schwab execute most trades is consistent with our duty to seek “best execution”
of your trades. Best execution means the most favorable terms for a transaction
based on all relevant factors, including those listed above (see “How we select
brokers/custodians”). By using another broker or dealer you may pay lower
transaction costs.
D. Products and Services Available to us from Schwab
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Schwab Advisor Services™ is Schwab’s business serving independent
investment advisory firms like us. They provide us and our clients with access to
their institutional brokerage services (trading, custody, reporting, and related
services), many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail customers.
However, certain retail investors may be able to get institutional brokerage
services from Schwab without going through us. Schwab also makes available
various support services. Some of those services help us manage or administer
our clients’ accounts, while others help us manage and grow our business.
Schwab’s support services are generally available on an unsolicited basis (we
don’t have to request them) and at no charge to us. The following is a more
detailed description of Schwab’s support services:
Services that benefit you. Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include
access to a broad range of investment products, execution of securities
transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products available
through Schwab include some to which we might not otherwise have access or
that would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients.
Schwab’s services described in this paragraph generally benefit you and your
account.
Services that do not directly benefit you.
Schwab also makes available to us other products and services that benefit us
but do not directly benefit you or your account. These products and services
assist us in managing and administering our clients’ accounts and operating our
firm. They include investment research, both Schwab’s own and that of third
parties. We use this research to service all or a substantial number of our clients’
accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. In addition to investment
research, Schwab also makes available software and other technology that:
• Provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations
and account statements)
• Facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple
client accounts
• Provide pricing and other market data
• Facilitate payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts
• Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting
Services that generally benefit only us.
Schwab also offers other services intended to help us manage and further
develop our business enterprise. These services include:
• Educational conferences and events •
Consulting on technology and business needs
• Consulting on legal and related compliance needs
• Publications and conferences on practice management and business
succession
• Access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and
insurance providers
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• Marketing consulting and support
Schwab provides some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for
third-party vendors to provide the services to us. Schwab also discounts or
waives its fees for some of these services or pays all or a part of a third party’s
fees. Schwab also provides us with other benefits, such as occasional business
entertainment of our personnel. If you did not maintain your account with
Schwab, we would be required to pay for these services from our own resources.
E. Our Interest in Schwab’s Services
The availability of these services from Schwab benefits us because we do not
have to produce or purchase them. We don’t have to pay separately for many of
Schwab’s services. The fact that we receive these benefits from Schwab is an
incentive for us to recommend the use of Schwab rather than making such a
decision based exclusively on your interest in receiving the best value in custody
services and the most favorable execution of your transactions. This is a conflict
of interest. We believe, however, that taken in the aggregate, our
recommendation of Schwab as custodian and broker is in the best interests of
our clients. Our selection is primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of
Schwab’s services (see “How we select brokers/ custodians”) and not Schwab’s
services that benefit only us.
F. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
LWM uses Riskalyze Autopilot technology as a tool to measure a client’s
potential investment risk tolerance to implement investment decisions. LWM is
eligible to participate in Riskalyze’s “No Platform Fee” discount program and
receives discounts on our technology expense from Riskalyze through our
participation in the program. First Trust provides compensation to Riskalyze
which covers subscription costs related to the Riskalyze Autopilot technology.
This benefit is based on the use of First Trust exchange traded funds (“ETF’s”)
in portfolios managed by LWM. The receipt of discounted fees for Riskalyze
Autopilot technology creates a financial incentive for the use of First Trust ETFs
over similar ETFs managed by other firms. This financial incentive creates a
potential conflict of interest; however, LWM, as a fiduciary, endeavors to act in
its clients’ best interests and manage this conflict of interest through
disclosures made in this Brochure and in conversations with clients.
G. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
LWM performs investment management services for various clients. There are
occasions on which portfolio transactions are executed as part of concurrent
authorizations to purchase or sell the same security for numerous accounts
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served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment objectives.
Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either
advantageous or disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts,
they are affected only when we believe that to do so will be in the best interest
of the affected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur, the
objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable
to the accounts involved. In any given situation, we depend on the clearing firm
to allocate trade executions in the most equitable manner possible using price
averaging, proration and consistently non arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Reviews of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes
Those Reviews
Gregory Luken offers to conduct annual client review meetings with each Client.
The nature of this review is to maintain current client information and ensure the
Client is on the most appropriate model. Client accounts are also reviewed by the
CCO, Carri Sanford, on an annual basis for items such as red flags and suitability.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client
Accounts
Factors that will trigger a non-periodic review of a Client account include, but are
not limited to, any non-public information breach, large deposits or withdrawals,
customer complaints and changes in trading activity.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to
Clients
Clients are provided by the custodian, at least quarterly, with transaction
confirmation notices and account statements. Clients are also provided
performance reports through Orion Adviser Services.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice
Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
We receive an economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products
and services it makes available to us and other independent investment advisors
whose clients maintain their accounts at Schwab. You do not pay more for assets
maintained at Schwab as a result of these arrangements. However, we benefit
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from the referral arrangement because the cost of these services would
otherwise be borne directly by us. You should consider these conflicts of interest
when selecting a custodian. The products and services provided by Schwab, how
they benefit us, and the related conflicts of interest are described above (see
Item 12—Brokerage Practices).
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client
Referrals
LWM does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory
personnel for client referrals.
C. Solicitor and Referral Activities
LWM does not participate in any solicitor or referral agreements at this time.
Item 15: Custody
Our firm does not have custody of client funds or securities. All of our clients receive
account statements directly from their qualified custodians at least quarterly upon opening
of an account. LWM recommends that the client carefully review the account statements
received from the qualified custodian and immediately report any discrepancy, or other
concerns, to LWM’s Chief Compliance Officer.
Third Party Money Movement:
The SEC issued a no‐action letter (“Letter”) with respect to the Rule 206(4)‐2 (“Custody
Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided
guidance on the Custody Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who has the power to
disburse client funds to a third party under a standing letter of instruction (“SLOA”) is
deemed to have custody. As such, our firm has adopted the following safeguards in
conjunction with the account custodian:
• The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
• The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s
form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or
from time to time.
• The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such
as a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and provides a
transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
• The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified
custodian.
• The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of
the third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the
client’s instruction.
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• The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related
party of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
• The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Clients will also receive a fee invoice from LWM. When LWM directs the custodian to
deduct its advisory fee from a client’s account at the custodian, it will have written
authorization from the client to do so.
Schwab (the “Custodian”) maintains actual custody of your assets. You will receive
account statements directly from the Custodian at least quarterly. They will be sent to the
email or postal mailing address you provided. You should carefully review those
statements promptly when you receive them.
The Custodian for LWM’s retail client accounts is:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”)
3000 Schwab Way, Westlake, TX 76262
(817) 859-5000.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
LWM has written investment discretion over its Discretionary WRAP Fee Program
accounts. By executing the Discretionary Asset Management Services Agreement, clients
grant investment discretion and authorize LWM and client’s investment adviser
representative to execute securities transactions, determine which securities are bought
and sold, the total amount to be bought and sold, and the costs at which the transactions
will be affected. Limitations cannot be imposed by the client in the form of specific
constraints on any of these areas of discretion.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
LWM will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for Client securities. Clients will receive
proxies directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all
proxy questions to the issuer of the security.
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
LWM neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in advisory fees
for consulting services, per client, six months or more in advance and therefore is
not required to include a balance sheet with this brochure.
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B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to
Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither LWM nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to
reasonably impair LWM’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
LWM has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
Item 19: Requirements for State Registered Advisers
LWM is registered with the SEC. Therefore, this section is not applicable.
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