View Document Text
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.
55 Chestnut Street, Suite 5
PO Box 330
Cold Spring, New York 10516
Telephone: 845-809-5259
Email: admin@magnoliacapitalmanagement.com
Web Address: www.magnoliacapitalmanagement.com
September 2, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business
practices of Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd., a registered investment
advisor. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at 845-809-5259 or admin@magnoliacapitalmanagement.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 Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. also is
available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can search this
site by a unique identifying number, known as a CRD number. Our firm's CRD
number is 119597.
Registration with the SEC does not confer or imply any qualifications, or any
level of skill or training for Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. or its employees
or directors.
1
Item 2 Material Changes
The SEC adopted "Amendments to Form ADV" in July, 2010. This Firm Brochure, dated
9/2/2025, amends our original disclosure document prepared according to the SEC’s new
requirements and rules (the "Brochure").
This item is used to provide our clients with a summary of new and/or updated information
and consistent with the new rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material
changes to this and subsequent Brochures within 120 days of the close of our business’ fiscal
year. Furthermore, we will provide you with other interim disclosures about material changes
as necessary.
Thomas Jefferson Cunningham IV has joined Magnolia as a Senior Vice President of Client
Relations an is a registered investment advisor representative of Magnolia Capital
Management, Ltd.
2
Item 3 Table of Contents
Page
Cover Page
Fees and Compensation
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Types of Clients
Investment Discretion
Item 1
Item 2 Material Changes
Table of Contents
Item 3
Item 4 Advisory Business
Item 5
Item 6
Item 7
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Item 9 Disciplinary Information
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Item 12 Brokerage Practices
Item 13 Review of Accounts
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item 15 Custody
Item 16
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
Item 18 Financial Information
1
2
3
4
6
9
9
10
13
13
15
17
20
21
21
21
22
22
3
Item 4 Advisory Business
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. is a SEC-registered investment adviser with its principal
place of business located in Cold Spring, New York. Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.
began conducting business in 2002.
Magnolia Capital Management is family controlled and privately owned. It does not solicit or
accept investment advisory relationships from the public. It offers its services only to the
families of its shareholders or clients personally well known to its directors. Neither it nor its
supervised persons receive commissions, bonuses or other compensation based on the sale
of securities or other investment products. It advises only with respect to "long-only"
investments and only recommends securities which are publicly traded on recognized
exchanges. It does not recommend options or other forms of derivative securities.
Listed below is the firm's principal shareholder (i.e., those individuals and/or entities
controlling 25% or more of this company).
Thomas Jefferson Cunningham, III
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. offers the following advisory services to our clients:
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES ("ISS")
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our firm provides continuous advice to a client regarding the investment of client funds based
on the individual needs of the client. Through personal discussions in which goals and
objectives based on a client's particular circumstances are established, we develop a client's
personal investment policy and create and manage a portfolio based on that policy. During
our data-gathering process, we determine the client’s individual objectives, time horizons, risk
tolerance, and liquidity needs. As appropriate, we also review and discuss a client's prior
investment history, as well as family composition and background.
We manage these advisory accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. Account
supervision is guided by the client's stated objectives (i.e., asset preservation, growth,
income, or growth and income), as well as tax considerations.
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, types of
securities, or industry sectors.
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by
any other investment advisor, a broker-dealer or insurance company and will generally
include advice regarding the following securities:
Exchange-listed securities
Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
Certificates of deposit
4
Municipal securities
Mutual fund and ETF/ETN shares
United States governmental securities
Interests in publicly traded partnerships investing in real estate, energy and timber
Mutual funds are generally only recommended by the company in order to provide exposure
to specialized asset classes in certain portfolios.
Because some types of investments involve additional risk, they will only be
implemented/recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment objectives,
tolerance for risk, liquidity and suitability.
Once the client's portfolio has been established, we review the portfolio periodically, but not
less than quarterly, and if necessary, rebalance the portfolio based on the client's individual
needs and objectives.
AMOUNT OF MANAGED ASSETS
As of 12/31/2024 we were actively managing $187,493,615 of clients' assets on a
discretionary basis plus $30,946,331 of clients' assets on a non-discretionary basis.
Other Services
Magnolia Capital Management also offers three additional services to its clients.
One-time or periodic review of the structure and performance of client investment
accounts held at other unrelated financial intermediaries (e.g. investment advisors or
broker-dealers, etc.) and not at Magnolia Capital.
Preparation of comprehensive financial plans for its clients, particularly in connection with
retirement or estate planning (usually in conjunction with the client's tax and legal
advisors).
Provision of project specific consulting services (such as advice on business or real estate
investments or disposals, etc.).
This Brochure generally includes information about Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. and
its relationships with its clients and affiliates. While much of this Brochure applies to all such
clients and affiliates, certain information included herein applies to specific clients or affiliates
only. The descriptions set forth in this Brochure of specific advisory services that Magnolia
Capital Management, Ltd. offers to clients, and investment strategies pursued and
investments made by us on behalf of our clients, should not be understood to limit in any way
our investment activities. We may offer any advisory services, engage in any investment
5
strategy and make any investment, including any not described in this Brochure, that we
consider appropriate, subject to each client's investment objectives and guidelines. The
investment strategies that we pursue may entail material risks. Clients should be prepared to
bear a loss of some or all of their capital. There can be no assurance that the investment
objectives of any client will be achieved.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES ("ISS")
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT FEES
Our annual fees for Investment Supervisory Services are based upon the size of the account
relationship and the composition of assets and are calculated as a percentage of assets
under management and generally range from .5% to 1.5% per annum.
The annualized fee for Investment Supervisory Services are charged quarterly in arrears as a
percentage of the market value of assets under management at the end of the quarter,
according to the following schedule:
Assets Under Management
Annual Fee
Fee Schedule:
Accounts less than $500,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum 1.00% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum 1.5% per annum). Minimum annual account fee is $500.
Accounts $500,000 to $1,000,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum .875% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum 1.375% per annum).
Accounts $1,000,001 to $5,000,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum .75% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum 1.25% per annum).
Accounts over $5,000,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum .625% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum 1.00% per annum).
Accounts over $10,000,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum .50% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum .75% per annum).
6
Accounts over $25,000,000
Per individual agreement.
ACCOUNTS INVESTED IN FIXED INCOME SECURITIES ONLY
Less than $500,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum .75% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum 1.00% per annum). Minimum account fee is $500.
$500,000 to $5,000,000
Fully discretionary and simple (minimum .50% per annum) to non-discretionary and/or
complex (maximum .75% per annum).
Over $5,000,000
Per individual agreement.
ACCOMMODATION ACCOUNTS
These accounts are generally only available to direct family descendants of clients whose
account balances with Magnolia Capital Management total over $500,000. Regardless of the
balance in the account, they incur a flat rate of $100 per quarter during the period until they
reach the age of 21. Unless otherwise agreed they are invested only into portfolios which are
diversified between leading publicly listed pooled funds of equities, fixed income and money
market holdings. Discretionary accounts are not available under this special fee structure.
After reaching the age of 21, the account is assessed a fee based on its size in accordance
to the company’s official fee schedule or $100 a quarter, whichever is higher.
Investment Supervisory Services: Our fees are charged in arrears shortly after the end of
each calendar quarter based upon the value (market value or fair market value in the
absence of market value), of the client's account at the end of that quarter. Fees are debited
from the account in accordance with the client authorization in the Investment Advisory
Agreement. Accounts opened mid-quarter or closed mid-quarter will have their quarterly fee
pro-rated for the number of whole months for which it was active.
A minimum of $500,000 of assets under management is required for investment supervisory
services and accounts under $100,000 are not accepted unless related accounts total over
$1,000,000. This account size may be negotiable under certain circumstances. Magnolia
Capital Management, Ltd. may group certain related client accounts for the purposes of
achieving the minimum account size and determining the annualized fee.
Limited Negotiability of Advisory Fees: Although Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. has
established the above fee schedule(s), we retain the discretion to negotiate alternative fees
on a client-by-client basis. Client facts, circumstances and needs are considered in
determining the fee schedule. These include the complexity of the client's needs, assets to be
placed under management, anticipated future additional assets; related accounts; portfolio
style, account composition, reporting requirements, among other factors. The specific annual
7
fee schedule is identified in the contract between the adviser and each client.
We may group certain related client accounts for the purposes of achieving the minimum
account size requirements and determining the annualized fee.
Discounts, not generally available to our advisory clients, are offered to associated persons of
our firm and to their direct family members.
OTHER SERVICES FEES
When the client wishes Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. to evaluate and advise them on
the performance of other managers the client may utilize, the charge is set annually by
negotiation and is usually based on the number of managers to be evaluated, the frequency
of the evaluation, and the size and complexity of the accounts. In general, the periodic fee
would be .25% of the assets in the managed account at the beginning of the assignment with
a minimum fee of $500 per account and a maximum fee of $2,500 per account.
When the client wishes Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. to undertake a comprehensive
financial plan for the client (which may entail working with the client's tax and legal advisors),
fees are usually assessed on a per hour basis, depending on the complexity of the
assignment, plus out-of-pocket expenses (generally $250 per hour).
When the client wishes Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. to undertake a project specific
consulting service (such as advice on business investment or disinvestment, investments in
real property, etc.), fees are usually agreed in advance of the assignment on a flat fee basis,
although hourly fees can also be arranged.
The company does not work on a contingency fee basis or charge success fees. The agreed
fees for any of the above related services are not due or payable until completion of the
assignment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Termination of the Advisory Relationship: A client agreement may be canceled at any
time, by either party, for any reason upon receipt of 30 days written notice. Only fees earned,
but unpaid since the last billing period will be assessed on terminated accounts or services.
Mutual Fund Fees: All fees paid to Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. for investment
advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual
funds to their shareholders. These fees and expenses are described in each fund's
prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee, other fund expenses, and a
possible distribution fee. If the fund also imposes a sales charge, a client may pay an initial or
deferred sales charge. Magnolia Capital only purchases "no load" mutual funds and does not
participate in any sales charges or distribution fees (12b-1 fees). A client could invest in a
mutual fund directly, without our services. In that case, the client would not receive the
services provided by our firm which are designed, among other things, to assist the client in
determining which mutual fund or funds are most appropriate to each client's financial
condition and objectives. Accordingly, the client should review both the fees charged by the
8
funds and our fees to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client and to
thereby evaluate the advisory services being provided.
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. does not offer wrap fee programs.
Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also
responsible for the fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker
dealers, including, but not limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker dealer with
which an independent investment manager effects transactions for the client's account(s).
Please refer to the "Brokerage Practices" section (Item 12) of this Form ADV for additional
information.
ERISA Accounts: Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. is deemed to be a fiduciary to
advisory clients that are employee benefit plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income and Securities Act ("ERISA"), and regulations
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), respectively. As such, our firm is
subject to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that
include among other things, restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation. To avoid
engaging in prohibited transactions, Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. may only charge
fees for investment advice about products for which our firm and/or our related persons do
not receive any commissions or 12b-1 fees.
Advisory Fees in General: Although Magnolia Capital Management believes its fees to be
very competitive by industry standards, clients should note that similar advisory services may
(or may not) be available from other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for
similar or lower fees.
Limited Prepayment of Fees: Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of
fees in advance of any services rendered.
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. does not charge performance-based fees.
Item 7 Types of Clients
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. provides advisory services to the following types of
clients:
Individuals (other than high net worth individuals), including the trusts, estates, 401(k)
plans and IRAs of individuals and their family members
High net worth individuals
Charitable organizations
9
Corporations or other businesses not listed above
As previously disclosed in Item 5, our firm has established certain initial minimum account
requirements, based on the nature of the service(s) being provided. For a more detailed
understanding of those requirements, please review the disclosures provided in each
applicable service.
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or
managing client assets. Clients are clearly advised that any investment strategy involves risk
of loss of market value and/or principal.
Fundamental Analysis. We attempt to measure the intrinsic value of a security by looking
at economic and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the
financial condition and management of the company itself) to determine if the company is
undervalued (indicating it may be a good time to buy) or overvalued (indicating it may be time
to sell). We draw upon several independent research services for this work.
Fundamental analysis does not attempt to anticipate market movements. This presents a
potential risk, as the price of a security can move up or down along with the overall market
regardless of the economic and financial factors considered in evaluating the stock.
Cyclical Analysis. In this type of technical analysis, we measure the movements of a
particular stock or stocks in a sector against the overall market in an attempt to evaluate the
potential price movement of the security or sector. A risk of cyclical analysis is that cycles
cannot always be predicted with any accuracy and that external factors (wars, government
policy, etc.) can reverse or accelerate cyclical trends.
Qualitative Analysis. We subjectively evaluate non-quantifiable factors such as political
risks, quality of management, labor relations, and strength of research and development
factors not readily subject to measurement, and attempt to evaluate the potential impact they
may have on the company's share price based on that data.
A risk of using qualitative analysis is that our subjective judgment may prove incorrect.
Asset Allocation. We also identify an appropriate ratio of securities, fixed income, and cash
suitable to the client’s investment goals and risk tolerance, including volatility of portfolio
value.
A risk of asset allocation is that the client may not participate in sharp increases in a
particular security, industry or market sector. Another risk is that the ratio of securities, fixed
10
income, and cash will change over time due to stock and market movements and, until
corrected, may no longer be appropriate for the client’s goals. Furthermore, all asset classes
may, in times of crisis, move in the same direction, such that the intended benefits of asset
class diversification are significantly muted.
Mutual Fund and/or ETF Analysis. We look at the experience and track record of the
manager of the mutual fund or ETF in an attempt to determine if that manager has
demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of time and in different economic conditions.
We also look at the underlying assets in a mutual fund or ETF in an attempt to determine if
there is significant overlap in the underlying investments held in another fund(s) in the client’s
portfolio. We also monitor the funds or ETFs in an attempt to determine if they are continuing
to follow their stated investment strategy. We draw upon several independent research
services to assist us in our analysis.
A risk of mutual fund and/or ETF analysis is that, as in all securities investments, past
performance does not guarantee future results. A manager who has been successful may not
be able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as we do not control the underlying
investments in a fund or ETF, managers of different funds held by the client may purchase
the same security, increasing the risk to the client if that security were to fall in value. There is
also a risk that a manager may deviate from the stated investment mandate or strategy of the
fund or ETF, which could make the holding(s) less suitable for the client’s portfolio.
Risks for all forms of analysis. Our securities analysis methods rely on the assumption
that the companies whose securities we purchase and sell, the rating agencies that review
these securities, and other publicly-available sources of information about these securities,
are providing accurate and unbiased data. While we are alert to indications that data may be
incorrect, there is always a risk that our analysis may be compromised by out of date,
inaccurate or misleading information.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
We use the following strategy(ies) in managing client accounts, provided that such
strategy(ies) are appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's
investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
Long-term purchases. We purchase securities with the idea of holding them in the client's
account for several years. Typically we employ this strategy when:
we believe the securities or sector to be currently undervalued relative to its long-term
prospects.
we want exposure to a particular asset class over time.
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time,
we may not take advantage of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover,
if our predictions are incorrect, a security may decline sharply in value before we make the
decision to sell.
Short-term purchases. When utilizing this strategy, we purchase securities with the idea of
selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). We engage only in short
term purchases of certificates of deposit, fixed income mutual funds or money market funds
11
to warehouse liquidity pending distribution or portfolio restructuring programs. We engage in
no other short term purchases.
A short-term purchase strategy poses risks of price swing during the holding period; we may
then be left with the option of potentially taking a loss or having a long-term investment in a
security that was designed to be a short-term purchase.
In addition, this strategy may involve more frequent trading than does a longer-term strategy,
and will result in increased brokerage and other transaction-related costs, as well as less
favorable tax treatment of short-term capital gains/losses.
Diversification. Except at the instruction of the client, no individual security (excluding U.S.
government or related entities or mutual funds, excluding broadly based asset class mutual
funds - e.g. bond funds, index funds) will exceed 5% of the total value of the account
relationship on date of purchase, and not greater than 10% of such account valuation
thereafter, unless otherwise agreed by the client.
Magnolia Capital does not recommend or advise upon short sales, margin transactions,
options writing or other derivative transactions.
Risk of Loss. Securities investments are not guaranteed and clients may lose money on
their investments. We ask that clients work with us to help us understand their tolerance for
risk.
The value of equity securities can fluctuate considerably over their holding period. In
particular, values can fall, and even fall precipitously, when equity markets in general
experience periods of "correction" or significant decline, when the industry within which a
company operates experiences cyclical, technological, political or competitive threats, when
major rating agencies or research firms "downgrade" its performance outlook, when its
dividend is cut, or other such developments occur.
The value of debt securities (bonds, notes, mortgages, etc.) can also fluctuate over their
holding period, generally in connection with the rise and fall of broad market interest rate
levels. However, significant market valuation declines can occur in periods of dramatically
increasing market interest rates (usually accompanying a perceived credit crisis or a severe
tightening of monetary policy in the face of inflationary fears). Furthermore, the market
valuations of a debt instrument can decline if the perceived credit quality of the issuer is one
of continuing deterioration, as may be evidenced by weakening financial ratios or actual or
potential downgrade of its debt instruments by one or more of the established credit rating
agencies, or by a material event which could threaten the ongoing financial strength and
performance of the issuer, such as a significant litigation, a precipitous decline in sales, a
targeted regulatory action, etc.
Finally, a borrower (debt issuer) may be unable to make principal and interest payments
when due, and the issuer or its creditors may file for bankruptcy. In either case, the holders of
such debt may suffer significant losses as a result of the insolvency of the debt issuer.
The foregoing risk factors do not purport to be a complete list or explanation of the risks
with respect to the services offered by Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. or the
investments it makes on behalf of its clients.These risk factors include only those risks we
12
believe to be material, significant or unusual and relate to particular significant investment
strategies or methods of analysis employed by Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.
Item 9 Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client's or
prospective client's evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our management.
Our firm and our management personnel have no reportable disciplinary events to disclose.
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Carol A. Powell, serves as both Treasurer of Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. and a
member of its Board of Directors. She is registered as an investment adviser representative
of Harper Capital Management, a state registered investment advisory company. In that
capacity, this individual provides advisory services through Harper Capital Management, Ltd.
The advisory services delivered by Harper Capital Management, Ltd. are distinct from those
provided by our firm and are not provided to any clients of our firm and are provided for
separate compensation. Harper Capital's advisory services may be recommended by our firm
to individuals or organizations which are not clients of our firm (typically business which does
not meet Magnolia Capital's minimum or other acceptance criteria), but our firm has no
economic interest in such referrals. There are no referral fee arrangements between our firm
and Harper Capital Management, Ltd.
Harper Capital Management's operations are physically, managerially and operationally
separate from that of Magnolia Capital Management and there is no coordination of any
trading activity among the two firms.
As required, any affiliated investment advisers are specifically disclosed in Section 7.A. on
Schedule D of Form ADV, Part 1. (Part 1 of our Form ADV can be accessed by following the
directions provided on the Cover Page of this Firm Brochure.)
Treasurer and Director of our firm (Carol A. Powell) is also the principal of the accounting firm
of Carol A. Powell, CPA, where she is an individually licensed and practicing Certified Public
Accountant providing accounting services for separate and typical compensation.
Carol A. Powell, CPA, may recommend Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. to accounting
clients in need of its type of investment advisory services. Conversely, Magnolia Capital
Management, Ltd. may recommend Carol A. Powell, CPA, to advisory clients in need of
accounting services. Accounting services provided by Carol A. Powell, CPA, are separate and
distinct from our advisory services, and are provided for separate and typical
compensation. There are no referral fee arrangements between our respective firms for these
recommendations. No Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. client is obligated to use Carol A.
Powell, CPA, for any accounting services and conversely, no accounting client is obligated to
use the advisory services provided by us. Carol A. Powell, CPA's accounting services do not
include the authority to sign checks or otherwise disburse funds on any of our advisory client's
behalf.
Carol A. Powell spends the majority of her time on her accounting practice. (See Brochure
13
Supplement for further disclosures regarding Ms. Powell.)
John K. Gifford, a member of our firm's Board of Directors, is an attorney licensed to practice
law in the state of New York. He is "of counsel" to the law firm of Van DeWater & Van
DeWater LLP with its principal office located in Poughkeepsie, New York. John Gifford may
recommend Magnolia Capital Management to his clients in need of its type of investment
advisory services. Conversely, Magnolia Capital Management may recommend John Gifford
(and/or his firm, Van DeWater & Van DeWater) to advisory clients in need of legal services.
Legal services provided by Mr. Gifford or his firm are separate and distinct from our advisory
services and are provided for separate and typical compensation. There are no referral fee
arrangements between our firm and Mr. Gifford or his firm for these recommendations. No
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. client is obligated to use the services of Mr. Gifford or his
firm. Conversely, his law clients are not obligated to use the advisory services provided by our
firm. John Gifford spends the majority of his time on the practice of law. (See Brochure
Supplement for further disclosures regarding Mr. Gifford.)
D. Bryce O’Brien is a member of Magnolia Capital Management’s Board of Directors. He is
a Principal and registered investment adviser representative of Douglass Winthrop Advisors,
LLC, an SEC registered investment advisory company. In that capacity, this individual
provides advisory services through Douglass Winthrop Advisors, LLC. The advisory services
delivered by Douglass Winthrop Advisors, LLC. are distinct from those provided by our firm
and are not provided to any clients of our firm and are provided for separate compensation.
Douglass Winthrop’s advisory services may be recommended by our firm to individuals or
organizations which are not clients of our firm (typically business which does not meet
Magnolia Capital's minimum or other acceptance criteria), but our firm has no economic
interest in such referrals. There are no referral fee arrangements between our firm and
Douglass Winthrop Advisors, LLC.
Douglass Winthrop Advisors’ operations are physically, managerially and operationally
separate from that of Magnolia Capital Management and there is no coordination of any
trading activity among the two firms.
D. Bryce O’Brien spends the majority of his time as Principal in Douglass Winthrop Advisory
LLC. (See Brochure Supplement for further disclosures regarding D. Bryce O’Brien.)
Clients should be aware that the receipt of outside compensation by Magnolia Capital
Management's management persons or employees creates a conflict of interest that may
impair the objectivity of these individuals when making advisory recommendations. Magnolia
Capital Management, Ltd. endeavors at all times to put the interest of its clients first. As part
of our fiduciary duty as a registered investment adviser, we take the following steps to
address this conflict:
we disclose to clients the existence of material conflicts of interest, including the potential
for our employees or directors to earn separate compensation from advisory clients in
addition to our firm's advisory fees;
we disclose to clients that they are not obligated to purchase any services from our
employees or directors or their affiliated companies;
14
we collect, maintain and document accurate, complete and relevant client background
information, including the client’s financial goals, objectives and risk tolerance;
our firm's management conducts regular reviews of each client account to verify that
recommendations made to a client are suitable to the client’s needs and circumstances;
we require that our employees and directors seek prior approval of any outside
employment activity so that we may ensure that any conflicts of interests in such activities
are properly addressed;
we periodically monitor these outside employment activities to verify that any conflicts of
interest continue to be properly addressed by our firm; and
we educate our employees and directors regarding the responsibilities of a fiduciary,
including the need for having a reasonable and independent basis for the investment
advice provided to clients.
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Our firm has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth high ethical standards of business
conduct that we require of our employees, including compliance with applicable federal
securities laws. An outline of our Code of Ethics is as follows: 1-Statement of General Policy;
2-Access Persons; 3-Chief Compliance Officer's Designee; 4-Standards of Business
Conduct; 5-Custodial Account Reporting; 6-Protecting the Confidentiality of Client
Information; 7-Prohibition Against Insider Trading; 8-Pre-Clearance; 9-Personal Securities
Transactions; 10-Compliance Procedures; 11-Personal Securities Trading Limitations;
12-Margin Transactions; 13-Limit Orders 14-Participation in Affiliated Limited Offerings;
15-Interested Transactions; 16-Outside Business Activities; 17-Service as an Officer or
Director; 18-Gifts and Entertainment;19-Political Contributions; 20-Covered Associates; 21-
Rumor Mongering; 22-Anti-Corruption Practices; 23-Whistleblower Policy; 24-Reporting
Violations and Sanctions; 25-Records; 26-Acknowledgement; 27-Definitions.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to our advisory clients and prospective clients. They
may request a copy by email sent to admin@magnoliacapitalmanagement.com, or by calling
us at 845-809-5259.
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. and our personnel owe a duty of loyalty, fairness and
good faith towards our clients, and have an obligation to adhere not only to the specific
provisions of the Code of Ethics but to the general principles that guide the Code.
Our Code of Ethics includes policies and procedures for the review of quarterly securities
transactions reports as well as initial and annual securities holdings reports that must be
submitted by the firm’s access persons (as defined below). Among other things, our Code of
Ethics also requires the prior approval of any acquisition by the access person of securities in
a limited offering (e.g., private placement) or an initial public offering. Our Code of Ethics also
15
provides for oversight, enforcement and recordkeeping provisions.
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.'s Code of Ethics prohibits the use of material non-public
information. With one exception, we do not believe that we have any particular access to any
other non-public information and all employees are reminded that such information may not
be used in a personal or professional capacity.
The exception is that Thomas Jefferson Cunningham III, Chairman and CEO of Magnolia
Capital Management, Ltd., is a member of the board of directors of M&T Bank Corporation, a
publicly listed bank holding company. While clients of Magnolia Capital may hold M&T Bank
stock in their accounts, it is neither purchased nor sold by instruction from Magnolia Capital
Management. All such transactions are client directed and Mr. Cunningham recuses himself
from any such transactions.
Our Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities
and interests of our employees will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the best interest
of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing
employees to invest for their own accounts.
Our firm and/or individuals associated with our firm may buy or sell for their personal
accounts securities identical to or different from those recommended to our clients. In
addition, any related person(s) may have an interest or position in a certain security(ies)
which may also be recommended to a client.
It is the expressed policy of our firm that no person employed by us may purchase or sell any
security prior to a transaction(s) being implemented for an advisory account, thereby
preventing such employee(s) from benefiting from transactions placed on behalf of advisory
accounts.
It is furthermore our policy that no director may purchase or sell any security for their or their
immediate family's accounts held outside Magnolia Capital (except mutual funds and U.S.
treasuries) without prior approval of the Compliance Officer or CEO of Magnolia Capital
Management if such security is known to be of potential or actual interest (e.g. buying or
selling) to Magnolia in exercising its account advisory responsibilities.
We may aggregate our employee trades with client transactions where possible and when
compliant with our duty to seek best execution for our clients. In these instances, participating
clients will receive an average share price and transaction costs will be shared equally and on
a pro-rata basis. In the instances where there is a partial fill of a particular batched order, we
will allocate purchases pro-rata, with each account paying the average price. Our employee
accounts will be excluded in the pro-rata allocation.
As these situations represent actual or potential conflicts of interest to our clients, we have
established the following policies and procedures for implementing our firm’s Code of Ethics,
to ensure our firm complies with its regulatory obligations and provides our clients and
potential clients with full and fair disclosure of such conflicts of interest:
1. No principal or employee of our firm may put his or her own interest above the interest of
an advisory client.
16
2. No principal or employee of our firm may buy or sell securities for their personal or
immediate family's portfolio(s) where their decision is a result of information received as a
result of his or her employment unless the information is also available to the investing
public.
3. It is the expressed policy of our firm that no person employed by us may purchase or sell
any security prior to a transaction(s) being implemented for an advisory account. This
prevents such employees from benefiting from transactions placed on behalf of advisory
accounts.
4. Our firm requires prior approval for any IPO or private placement investments by related
persons of the firm.
5. We maintain a list of all reportable securities holdings for our firm and anyone associated
with this advisory practice that has access to advisory recommendations ("access
person"). These holdings are reviewed on a regular basis by our firm's Chief Compliance
Officer or his/her designee.
6. We have established procedures for the maintenance of all required books and records.
7. Clients can decline to implement any advice rendered, except in situations where our firm
is granted discretionary authority.
8. All of our principals and employees must act in accordance with all applicable Federal and
State regulations governing registered investment advisory practices.
9. We require delivery and acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics by each supervised
person of our firm.
10. We have established policies requiring the reporting of Code of Ethics violations to our
senior management and our Board of Directors.
11. Any individual who violates any of the above restrictions may be subject to termination.
As disclosed in the preceding section of this Brochure (Item 10), a related person of our firm
is separately registered as investment adviser representative of another registered
investment adviser. Please refer to Item 10 for a detailed explanation of these relationships
and important conflict of interest disclosures.
Item 12 Brokerage Practices
Magnolia Capital Management's policy is to utilize the services of institutional or "discount"
brokers who are selected based upon factors including, among other things, price, execution
quality and record keeping scope and reliability. The company regularly assesses the
competitive landscapes of recognized broker-dealers to assure that the costs, recordkeeping
and execution quality of its recommended broker-dealer remain appropriate for its clients.
Fidelity Investments is the company's current prime broker and custodian. Business is not
directed to brokers based upon their provision of research or other "soft" services to the
company. Clients may direct the company to use other brokers or custodians of their choice
17
and the company may use brokers other than Fidelity where there is a distinctive execution
advantage (usually in negotiated markets - e.g. fixed income securities).
National Financial Services LLC, and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (together with all
affiliates, "Fidelity") provides our firm with their "platform" services. The platform services
include, among others, brokerage, custodial, administrative support, record keeping and
related services that are intended to support intermediaries like Magnolia Capital
Management, Ltd. in conducting business and in serving the best interests of our clients but
that may also benefit us.
Fidelity charges brokerage commissions and transaction fees for effecting certain securities
transactions (i.e. transactions fees are charged for certain no-load mutual funds and
commissions are charged for individual equity and debt securities transactions). Fidelity
enables Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. to obtain many no-load mutual funds without
transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal transaction charges. Fidelity's
commission rates are generally considered discounted from customary retail commission
rates. However, the commissions and transaction fees charged by Fidelity may be higher or
lower than those charged by other custodians and broker-dealers. As part of the
arrangement, Fidelity also makes available to our firm, as a member of its institutional
brokerage client base, at no additional charge to us, certain research and brokerage
services, including research services obtained by Fidelity directly from independent
research
companies which may be used by our firm to manage accounts for which we have
investment discretion.
All fees charged by Fidelity to our clients are at its published rate schedule for clients of its
institutional brokerage unit. No fee premium is charged by Fidelity for any of its additional
services utilized by Magnolia Capital Management. Furthermore, Magnolia Capital
Management subscribes to several independent market research services at its own
expense.
However, as a result of receiving such services from Fidelity for no additional cost, we may
have an incentive to continue to use or expand the use of Fidelity's services. We examined
this potential conflict of interest when we chose to enter into the relationship with Fidelity and
have determined that the relationship is in the best interests of Magnolia Capital
Management, Ltd.'s clients and satisfies our client obligations, including our duty to seek best
execution. A client may pay a commission that is higher than another qualified broker-dealer
might charge to effect the same transaction where we determine in good faith that the
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
received. In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost,
but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into
consideration the full range of a broker-dealer's services including, among other things, the
value of research provided, execution capability, commission rates, and responsiveness.
Accordingly, while Magnolia Capital Management will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of
all clients, we may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific
client account transactions. Although the investment research products and services that may
be obtained by us will generally be used to service all of our clients, a brokerage commission
paid by a specific client may be indirectly used to pay for research that is not used in
managing that specific client's account. Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. and Fidelity
Investments are not affiliated.
18
Other than as set out above in respect of Fidelity, Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. has no
research or other "soft" dollar relationships with any third party.
We accept no client referrals from any broker-dealer or third party.
We do not recommend, request, or require that clients direct us to execute transactions
through a specified broker-dealer. We permit clients to utilize a broker-dealer/custodian other
than Fidelity, although we discourage it. Clients which so direct are advised that they may pay
higher rates than those charged by Fidelity, may receive lower execution quality and won't
benefit from order aggregation (all of our clients currently utilize Fidelity).
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. will aggregate or "block" trades where possible and when
advantageous to clients. This blocking of trades permits the trading of aggregate blocks of
securities composed of assets from multiple client accounts, so long as transaction costs are
shared equally and on a pro-rated basis between all accounts included in any such block
trade.
Block trading allows us to execute equity trades in a timelier, more equitable manner, at an
average share price. Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. will typically aggregate trades
among clients whose accounts can be traded at a given broker, and generally will rotate or
vary the order of brokers through which it places trades for clients on any particular day.
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.'s block trading policy and procedures are as follows:
1) Transactions for any client account may not be aggregated for execution if the practice is
prohibited by or inconsistent with the client's advisory agreement with Magnolia Capital
Management, Ltd., or our firm's order allocation policy.
2) The trading desk in concert with the portfolio manager must determine that the purchase or
sale of the particular security involved is appropriate for the client and consistent with the
client's investment objectives and with any investment guidelines or restrictions applicable to
the client's account.
3) The portfolio manager must reasonably believe that the order aggregation will benefit, and
will enable Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. to seek best execution for each client
participating in the aggregated order. This requires a good faith judgment at the time the
order is placed for the execution. It does not mean that the determination made in advance of
the transaction must always prove to have been correct in the light of a "20-20 hindsight"
perspective. Best execution includes the duty to seek the best quality of execution, as well as
the best net price.
4) Prior to entry of an aggregated order, a written order ticket must be completed which
identifies each client account participating in the order and the proposed allocation of the
order, upon completion, to those clients.
5) If the order cannot be executed in full at the same price or time, the securities actually
purchased or sold by the close of each business day must be allocated pro rata among the
participating client accounts in accordance with the initial order ticket or other written
statement of allocation. However, adjustments to this pro rata allocation may be made to
participating client accounts in accordance with the initial order ticket or other written
19
statement of allocation. Furthermore, adjustments to this pro rata allocation may be made to
avoid having odd amounts of shares held in any client account, or to avoid excessive ticket
charges in smaller accounts.
6) Generally, each client that participates in the aggregated order must do so at the average
price for all separate transactions made to fill the order and must share in the commissions
on a pro rata basis in proportion to the client's participation. Under the client’s agreement with
the custodian/broker, transaction costs may be based on the number of shares traded for
each client.
7) If the order will be allocated in a manner other than that stated in the initial statement of
allocation, a written explanation of the change must be provided to and approved by the Chief
Compliance Officer no later than the morning following the execution of the aggregate trade.
8) Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.'s client account records separately reflect, for each
account in which the aggregated transaction occurred, the securities which are held by, and
bought and sold for, that account.
9) Funds and securities for aggregated orders are clearly identified on Magnolia Capital
Management, Ltd.'s records and to the broker-dealers or other intermediaries handling the
transactions, by the appropriate account numbers for each participating client.
10) No client or account will be favored over another.
Any trade errors will be rectified to make the client whole as if the error did not occur.
Item 13 Review of Accounts
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES ("ISS")
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
REVIEWS: While the underlying securities within Individual Portfolio Management Services
accounts are continually monitored, these accounts are reviewed formally at least quarterly.
Accounts are reviewed in the context of each client's stated investment objectives and
guidelines. More frequent reviews may be triggered by material changes in variables such as
the client's individual circumstances, or the market, political or economic environment.
These accounts are reviewed by the company's Board of Directors. Reviewers by name are:
T. J. Cunningham III, Chairman and CEO; John K. Gifford, Vice Chairman and Director; Carol
A. Powell, Treasurer and Director; Peter Van Kleeck, Director; Thomas J. Cunningham IV,
Director; James B. Cunningham, Director; D. Bryce O’Brien, Director; Irene Van Voorhis, Vice
President and Tamar Stubbs, Vice President.
REPORTS: In addition to the monthly statements and confirmations of transactions that
clients receive from their broker-dealer, we provide to all investment advisory clients quarterly
reports summarizing account performance, balances and holdings.
20
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
It is Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.'s policy not to engage solicitors or to pay related or
non-related persons for referring potential clients to our firm.
It is Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd.'s policy not to accept or allow our related persons
to accept any form of compensation, including cash, sales awards or other prizes, from a
non-client in conjunction with the advisory services we provide to our clients.
Item 15 Custody
We previously disclosed in the "Fees and Compensation" section (Item 5) of this Brochure
that our firm directly debits advisory fees from client accounts.
As part of this billing process, the advisory client's custodian is advised of the amount of the
fee to be deducted from that client's account. On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is
required to send to the client a statement showing all transactions within the account during
the reporting period.
Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee to be deducted, it is
important for advisory clients to carefully review their custodial statements to verify the
accuracy of the calculation, among other things. Clients should contact us directly if they
believe that there may be an error in their statement.
In addition to the periodic statements that clients receive directly from their custodians, we
also send account statements directly to our advisory clients on a quarterly basis. We urge
our advisory clients to carefully compare the information provided on these statements to
ensure that all account transactions, holdings and values are correct and current.
Magnolia Capital Management provides investment advisory services to certain trusts for
which an employee or director of Magnolia Capital may serve as a co-trustee. In all such
cases, the account's independent custodian (Fidelity) and Magnolia send statements of all
transactions, holdings and account values to both the non-affiliated trustee and the trust's
principal beneficiary.
Magnolia Capital Management also provides investment advisory services to certain
individuals, trusts and a private foundation that due to asset movement authorizations
Magnolia Capital Management is deemed to have custody of such accounts.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
Although clients may request non-discretionary or partially discretionary investment advisory
services, clients usually hire us to provide fully discretionary asset management services, in
which case we place trades in a client's account without contacting the client prior to each
trade to obtain the client's permission.
Our discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the client:
21
determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
determine the amount of the security to buy or sell
Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary agreement with our
firm and may limit this authority by giving us written instructions. Clients may also
change/amend such limitations by once again providing us with written instructions.
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
As a matter of firm policy, we do not vote proxies on behalf of clients. Therefore, although our
firm may provide investment advisory services relative to client investment assets, clients
maintain exclusive responsibility for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by
issuers of securities beneficially owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all
elections relative to any mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other
type events pertaining to the client’s investment assets. Clients are responsible for instructing
each custodian of the assets, to forward to the client copies of all proxies and shareholder
communications relating to the client’s investment assets.
We do not offer any consulting assistance regarding proxy issues to clients.
Item 18 Financial Information
Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of fees in advance of services
rendered. Therefore, we are not required to include a financial statement.
As an advisory firm that maintains discretionary authority for client accounts or is deemed to
have custody or is required to provide a copy of our firm's balance sheet, we are also
required to disclose any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to
meet our contractual obligations. Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. has no additional
financial circumstances to report.
Magnolia Capital Management, Ltd. has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any
time during the past ten years.
22