Overview
Assets Under Management: $399 million
Headquarters: ALLENTOWN, PA
High-Net-Worth Clients: 110
Average Client Assets: $3 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (FORM ADV PART 2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.25% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $12,500 | 1.25% |
| $5 million | $62,500 | 1.25% |
| $10 million | $125,000 | 1.25% |
| $50 million | $625,000 | 1.25% |
| $100 million | $1,250,000 | 1.25% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 110
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 85.05
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $3 million
Total Client Accounts: 897
Discretionary Accounts: 897
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 292278
Last Filing Date: 2025-02-19 00:00:00
Website: https://mortonbrownfw.com
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: FORM ADV PART 2A (2025-07-14)
View Document Text
MORTON BROWN FAMILY
WEALTH, LLC
ADV Part 2A - Disclosure Brochure
Dated: July 14, 2025
Contact: Kathryn M. Brown, Chief Compliance Officer
600 West Hamilton Street, Suite 510
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101
www.mortonbrownfw.com
CRD # 292278
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Morton Brown
Family Wealth, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
us at (610)709-5072 or at kbrown@mortonbrownfw.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 Morton Brown Family Wealth, LLC also is available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
References herein to Morton Brown Family Wealth, LLC as a “registered investment adviser” or
any reference to being “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Item 2
Material Changes
There have been no material changes made to our Disclosure Brochure since our last annual amendment
filing made on March 20, 2024.
Item 3
Table of Contents
Item 2 Material Changes .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4 Advisory Business ........................................................................................................................ 3
Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................ 9
Item 5
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management .......................................................... 10
Item 6
Item 7
Types of Clients .......................................................................................................................... 11
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ................................................... 11
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................ 13
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................. 13
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading.............. 14
Item 12 Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................... 14
Item 13 Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 16
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................. 17
Item 15 Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 16
Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................. 17
Item 17 Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 18
Item 18 Financial Information ................................................................................................................. 18
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Item 4
Advisory Business
A. Morton Brown Family Wealth, LLC (the “Registrant”) is a limited liability company
originally formed in the state of Delaware in January 2018. In December of 2024, the
Registrant domesticated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Registrant became
registered as a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission in February 2018. The Registrant is principally owned by Kathryn M. Brown
and Dennis Morton, Jr. Ms. Brown and Mr. Morton are the Registrant’s Co-Managing
Members.
B.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Registrant provides discretionary investment advisory services on a fee basis.
Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee shall include investment advisory services,
and, to the extent specifically requested by the client, financial planning and consulting
services. In the event that the client requires extraordinary planning and/or consultation
services (to be determined in the sole discretion of the Registrant), the Registrant may
determine to charge for such additional services, the dollar amount of which shall be set
forth in a separate written notice to the client.
The Registrant provides investment advisory services specific to the needs of each client.
Before providing investment advisory services, an investment adviser representative will
ascertain each client’s investment objectives. Thereafter, the Registrant will recommend
that the client allocate investment assets consistent with the designated investment
objectives. The Registrant primarily recommends that clients allocate investment assets
among various individual equity (stocks), debt (bonds) and fixed income securities, mutual
funds and/or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) in accordance with the client’s designated
investment objective(s). Once allocated, the Registrant provides ongoing monitoring and
review of account performance, asset allocation and client investment objectives.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant may provide financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance
planning, etc.) on a stand-alone separate fee basis. The Registrant offers financial planning
on a project and ongoing basis.
Prior to engaging the Registrant to provide planning or consulting services, clients are
generally required to enter into a consulting agreement with Registrant setting forth the
terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing the scope of
the services to be provided, and the portion of the fee that is due from the client prior to
Registrant commencing services. If requested by the client, Registrant may recommend the
services of other professionals for implementation purposes, including certain of the
Registrant’s representatives in their individual capacities as licensed insurance agents (See
disclosure at Item 10.C below). The client is under no obligation to engage the services of
any such recommended professional. The client retains absolute discretion over all such
implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from the
Registrant.
If the client engages any recommended unaffiliated professional, and a dispute arises
thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from
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and against the engaged professional. At all times, the engaged licensed professional(s)
(i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.), and not the Registrant, shall be
responsible for the quality and competency of the services provided.
It remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any
change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing,
evaluating or revising Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Miscellaneous
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation
Services. As indicated above, to the extent requested by a client, Registrant will generally
provide financial planning and related consulting services inclusive of its advisory fee as
set forth at Item 5 below (exceptions may occur based upon assets under management,
special projects, etc. for which the Registrant may charge a separate fee). However, neither
the Registrant nor its investment adviser representatives assist clients with the
implementation of any financial plan, unless they have agreed to do so in writing. The
Registrant does not monitor a client’s financial plan, and it is the client’s responsibility to
revisit the financial plan with the Registrant, if desired.
Furthermore, although the Registrant may provide recommendations regarding non-
investment related matters, such as estate planning, tax planning and insurance, the
Registrant does not serve as an attorney or accountant, and no portion of its services should
be construed as legal or accounting services. Accordingly, the Registrant does not prepare
estate planning documents or tax returns.
To the extent requested by a client, the Registrant may recommend the services of other
professionals for certain non-investment implementation purposes (i.e., attorneys,
accountants, insurance, etc.), including certain of the Registrant’s representatives in their
individual capacities as licensed insurance agents (See disclosure at Item 10.C below). The
client is under no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended professional.
The client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to
accept or reject any recommendation from Registrant and/or its representatives.
If the client engages any recommended unaffiliated professional, and a dispute arises
thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from
and against the engaged professional. At all times, the engaged licensed professional(s)
(i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.), and not the Registrant, shall be
responsible for the quality and competency of the services provided.
Independent Managers. Registrant may allocate (and/or recommend that the client
allocate) a portion of a client’s investment assets among unaffiliated independent
investment managers (“Independent Manager(s)”) in accordance with the client’s
designated investment objective(s). In such situations, the Independent Manager(s) will
have day-to- day responsibility for the active discretionary management of the allocated
assets. Registrant will continue to render investment supervisory services to the client
relative to the ongoing monitoring and review of account performance, asset allocation and
client investment objectives.
The Registrant generally considers the following factors when recommending Independent
investment objective(s), management style,
Manager(s):
the client’s designated
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performance, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research. The
investment management fees charged by the designated Independent Manager(s) are
exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant’s ongoing investment advisory fee, which will
be disclosed to the client before entering into the Independent Manager engagement and/or
subject to the terms and conditions of a separate agreement between the client and the
Independent Manager(s).
Use of Mutual and Exchange Traded Funds. Most mutual funds and exchange traded
funds are available directly to the public. Therefore, a prospective client can obtain many
of the funds that may be utilized by Registrant independent of engaging Registrant as an
investment advisor. However, if a prospective client determines to do so, he/she will not
receive Registrant’s initial and ongoing investment advisory services.
In addition to Registrant’s investment advisory fee described below, and transaction and/or
custodial fees discussed below, clients will also incur, relative to all mutual fund and
exchange traded fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g., management fees
and other fund expenses).
eMoney Advisor Platform. Registrant may provide its clients with access to an online
platform hosted by “eMoney Advisor” (“eMoney”). The eMoney platform allows a client
to view their complete asset allocation, including those assets that Registrant does not
manage (the “Excluded Assets”). Registrant does not provide investment management,
monitoring, or implementation services for the Excluded Assets. Unless otherwise
specifically agreed to, in writing, Registrant’s service relative to the Excluded Assets is
limited to reporting only. Therefore, Registrant shall not be responsible for the investment
performance of the Excluded Assets. Rather, the client and/or their advisor(s) that maintain
management authority for the Excluded Assets, and not Registrant, shall be exclusively
responsible for such investment performance.
Without limiting the above, the Registrant shall not be responsible for any implementation
error (timing, trading, etc.) relative to the Excluded Assets. The client may choose to
engage Registrant to manage some or all of the Excluded Assets pursuant to the terms and
conditions of an advisory agreement between Registrant and the client.
The eMoney platform also provides access to other types of information and applications
including financial planning concepts and functionality, which should not, in any manner
whatsoever, be construed as services, advice, or recommendations provided by Registrant.
Finally, Registrant shall not be held responsible for any adverse results a client may
experience if the client engages in financial planning or other functions available on the
eMoney platform without Registrant’s assistance or oversight.
Portfolio Activity. Registrant has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the
client’s best interest. As part of its investment advisory services, Registrant will review
client portfolios on an ongoing basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon
various factors, including, but not limited to, investment performance, fund manager
tenure, style drift, account additions/withdrawals, and/or a change in the client’s
investment objective. Based upon these factors, there may be extended periods of time
when Registrant determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are neither necessary nor
prudent. Clients nonetheless remain subject to the fees described in Item 5 below during
periods of account inactivity.
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Socially Responsible (ESG) Investing Limitations. Registrant does not maintain or
advocate an ESG investment strategy but will seek to employ ESG if directed by a client
to do so. If implemented, Registrant shall rely upon the assessments undertaken by the
unaffiliated mutual fund, exchange traded fund or separate account portfolio manager to
determine that the fund’s or portfolio’s underlying company securities meet a socially
responsible mandate.
Socially Responsible Investing involves the incorporation of Environmental, Social and
Governance (“ESG”) considerations into the investment due diligence process. ESG
investing incorporates a set of criteria/factors used in evaluating potential investments:
Environmental (i.e., considers how a company safeguards the environment); Social (i.e.,
the manner in which a company manages relationships with its employees, customers, and
the communities in which it operates); and Governance (i.e., company management
considerations). The number of companies that meet an acceptable ESG mandate can be
limited when compared to those that do not and could underperform broad market indices.
Investors must accept these limitations, including potential for underperformance.
Correspondingly, the number of ESG mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are limited
when compared to those that do not maintain such a mandate. As with any type of
investment (including any investment and/or investment strategies recommended and/or
undertaken by Registrant), there can be no assurance that investment in ESG securities or
funds will be profitable or prove successful.
Cash Positions. Registrant continues to treat cash as an asset class. As such, unless
determined to the contrary by Registrant, all cash positions (money markets, etc.) shall
continue to be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating
Registrant’s advisory fee. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or
anticipated market conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated market
conditions/events will occur), Registrant may maintain cash positions for defensive
purposes. In addition, while assets are maintained in cash, such amounts could miss market
advances. Depending upon current yields, at any point in time, Registrant’s advisory fee
could exceed the interest paid by the client’s money market fund.
Cash Sweep Accounts. Certain account custodians can require that cash proceeds from
account transactions or new deposits, be swept to and/or initially maintained in a
specific custodian designated sweep account. The yield on the sweep account will
generally be lower than those available for other money market accounts. When this
occurs, to help mitigate the corresponding yield dispersion Registrant shall (usually within
30 days thereafter) generally (with exceptions) purchase a higher yielding money market
fund (or other type security) available on the custodian’s platform, unless Registrant
reasonably anticipates that it will utilize the cash proceeds during the subsequent 30-day
period to purchase additional investments for the client’s account. Exceptions and/or
modifications can and will occur with respect to all or a portion of the cash balances for
various reasons, including, but not limited to the amount of dispersion between the sweep
account and a money market fund, the size of the cash balance, an indication from the client
of an imminent need for such cash, or the client has a demonstrated history of writing
checks from the account.
The above does not apply to the cash component maintained within a Registrant actively
managed investment strategy (the cash balances for which shall generally remain in the
custodian designated cash sweep account), an indication from the client of a need for access
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to such cash, assets allocated to an unaffiliated investment manager and cash balances
maintained for fee billing purposes.
The client shall remain exclusively responsible for yield dispersion/cash balance decisions
and corresponding transactions for cash balances maintained in any Registrant unmanaged
accounts.
Retirement Rollovers-Potential for Conflict of Interest. A client or prospective client
leaving an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan (and
may engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former
employer’s plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is
available and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account
(“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the client’s age,
result in adverse tax consequences). If Registrant recommends that a client roll over their
retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Registrant, such a recommendation
creates a conflict of interest if Registrant will earn new (or increase its current)
compensation as a result of the rollover. If Registrant provides a recommendation as to
whether a client should engage in a rollover or not, Registrant is acting as a fiduciary within
the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal
Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. No client is
under any obligation to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by
Registrant.
Unaffiliated Private Investment Funds. Registrant also provides investment advice
regarding private investment funds. Registrant, on a non-discretionary basis, may
recommend that certain qualified clients consider an investment in private investment
funds, the description of which (the terms, conditions, risks, conflicts and fees, including
incentive compensation) is set forth in the fund’s offering documents. Registrant’s role
relative to unaffiliated private investment funds shall be limited to its initial and ongoing
due diligence and investment monitoring services. If a client determines to become an
unaffiliated private fund investor, the amount of assets invested in the fund(s) shall be
included as part of “assets under management” for purposes of Registrant calculating its
investment advisory fee. Registrant’s fee shall be in addition to the fund’s fees. Registrant’s
clients are under absolutely no obligation to consider or make an investment in any private
investment fund(s).
Registrant also leverages the private fund platform made available by CAIS Group
(“CAIS”) to access and offer private investment funds. CAIS serves as a private fund
platform and provides fund administration support. CAIS also provides several additional
services through its platform, including private fund due diligence and educational fund
information. CAIS makes available technology to support the fund subscription process
and to maintain fund related information and documentation. The Registrant is not
compensated by CAIS or by its advisory clients in relation to its use of the CAIS platform.
Please Note: Private investment funds generally involve various risk factors, including, but
not limited to, potential for complete loss of principal, liquidity constraints and lack of
transparency, a complete discussion of which is set forth in each fund’s offering
documents, which will be provided to each client for review and consideration. Unlike
liquid investments that a client may own, private investment funds do not provide daily
liquidity or pricing. Each prospective client investor will be required to complete a
Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which the client shall establish that the client is
7
qualified for investment in the fund and acknowledges and accepts the various risk factors
that are associated with such an investment. Registrant’s investment advisory fee disclosed
at Item 5 below is in addition to the fees payable to the private fund.
Please Also Note: Valuation. In the event that Registrant references private investment
funds owned by the client on any supplemental account reports prepared by Registrant, the
value(s) for all private investment funds owned by the client shall reflect the most recent
valuation provided by the fund sponsor. However, if subsequent to purchase, the fund has
not provided an updated valuation, the valuation shall reflect the initial purchase price. If
subsequent to purchase, the fund provides an updated valuation, then the statement will
reflect that updated value. The updated value will continue to be reflected on the report
until the fund provides a further updated value. Please Also Note: As result of the valuation
process, if the valuation reflects initial purchase price or an updated value subsequent to
purchase price, the current value(s) of an investor’s fund holding(s) could be significantly
more or less than the value reflected on the report. Unless otherwise indicated, Registrant
shall calculate its fee based upon the latest value provided by the fund sponsor.
Client Obligations. In performing its services, Registrant shall not be required to verify
any information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is
expressly authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains their
responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any change in their financial
situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising
Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Cybersecurity Risk. The information technology systems and networks that Registrant
and its third-party service providers use to provide services to Registrant’s clients employ
various controls that are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from
intentional or unintentional actions that could cause significant interruptions in Registrant’s
operations and/or result in the unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or
non-public personal information.
In accordance with Regulation S-P, the Registrant is committed to protecting the privacy
and security of its clients' non-public personal information by implementing appropriate
administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Registrant has established processes to
mitigate the risks of cybersecurity incidents, including the requirement to restrict access to
such sensitive data and to monitor its systems for potential breaches. Clients and Registrant
are nonetheless subject to the risk of cybersecurity incidents that could ultimately cause
them to incur financial losses and/or other adverse consequences.
Although the Registrant has established processes to reduce the risk of cybersecurity
incidents, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be successful, especially
considering that the Registrant does not control the cybersecurity measures and policies
employed by third-party service providers, issuers of securities, broker-dealers, qualified
custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges, and other financial
market operators and providers. In compliance with Regulation S-P, the Registrant will
notify clients in the event of a data breach involving their non-public personal information
as required by applicable state and federal laws.
Disclosure Statement. A copy of the Registrant’s written Brochure and Client
Relationship Summary, as set forth on Part 2 of Form ADV and Form CRS respectively,
shall be provided to each client prior to the execution of any advisory agreement.
8
to providing
investment advisory services, an
C. The Registrant shall provide investment advisory services specific to the needs of each
client. Prior
investment adviser
representative will ascertain each client’s investment objective(s). Thereafter, the
Registrant shall allocate and/or recommend that the client allocate investment assets
consistent with the designated investment objective(s). The client may, at any time, impose
reasonable restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s services.
D. The Registrant does not participate in a wrap fee program.
E. As of December 31, 2024, the Registrant had $398,971,327 in assets under management
on a discretionary basis.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Registrant provides discretionary investment advisory services on a fee basis. The
Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee is based upon a percentage (%) of the market
value of the client’s assets placed under the Registrant’s management. The Registrant’s fee
shall generally be between 0.50% and 1.25% of the client’s assets under management.
The Registrant’s investment advisory fee is negotiable at Registrant’s discretion,
depending upon objective and subjective factors including but not limited to: the amount
of assets to be managed; portfolio composition; the scope and complexity of the
engagement; the anticipated number of meetings and servicing needs; related accounts;
future earning capacity; anticipated future additional assets; the professional(s) rendering
the service(s); prior relationships with the Registrant and/or its representatives, and
negotiations with the client. As a result of these factors, similarly situated clients could
pay different fees, the services to be provided by the Registrant to any particular client
could be available from other advisers at lower fees, and certain clients may have fees
different than those specifically set forth above.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant provides financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance
planning, etc.) on a stand-alone fee basis. The Registrant may be engaged on either a project
or ongoing basis.
Registrant’s planning and consulting fees are negotiable, but generally range from $2,500
up to $15,000, depending upon the level and scope of the service(s) required and the
professional(s) rendering the service(s), when engaged on a project basis. When engaged
on an ongoing basis, the Registrant shall charge a flat annual fee which shall be paid
monthly in advance.
B. Clients may elect to have the Registrant’s advisory fees deducted from their custodial
account. Both Registrant’s Agreement and the custodial/clearing agreement may authorize
the custodian to debit the account for the amount of the Registrant’s investment advisory
9
fee and to directly remit that advisory fee to the Registrant in compliance with regulatory
procedures. In the limited event that the Registrant bills the client directly, payment is due
upon receipt of the Registrant’s invoice. The Registrant shall deduct fees and/or bill clients
monthly in advance, based upon the market value of the assets on the last business day of
the previous month.
C. As discussed below, unless the client directs otherwise or an individual client’s
circumstances require, Registrant shall generally recommend that Charles Schwab & Co.
Inc. (“Schwab”) serve as the broker-dealer/custodian for client investment management
assets.
Broker-dealers such as Schwab charge brokerage commissions, transaction, and/or other
type fees for effecting certain types of securities transactions (i.e., including transaction
fees for certain mutual funds, and mark-ups and mark-downs charged for fixed income
transactions, etc.). The types of securities for which transaction fees, commissions, and/or
other type fees (as well as the amount of those fees) shall differ depending upon the broker-
dealer/custodian. While certain custodians, including Schwab, generally (with the potential
exception for large orders) do not currently charge fees on individual equity transactions
(including ETFs), others do.
There can be no assurance that Schwab will not change their transaction fee pricing in the
future.
Schwab may also assess fees to clients who elect to receive trade confirmations and account
statements by regular mail rather than electronically.
Clients will incur, in addition to Registrant’s investment management fee, brokerage
commissions and/or transaction fees, and, relative to all mutual fund and exchange traded
fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g., management fees and other fund
expenses). Clients engaging Independent Managers will incur additional investment
advisory fees.
D. Registrant's annual investment advisory fee shall be prorated and paid monthly, in advance,
based upon the market value of the assets on the last business day of the previous month.
The Registrant shall make prorated fee adjustments for additions or withdrawals in excess
of $25,000 during the billing period. Adjustments will be carried over to the next billing
period and will be either added or subtracted from the next billing period’s fee.
With the exception of a financial planning engagement on a project basis, which may also
automatically terminate upon the completion of the project, agreements between the
Registrant and the client will continue in effect until terminated by either party by written
notice in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Upon termination, the Registrant
shall refund the pro-rated portion of any advanced advisory fee paid to the Registrant based
upon the number of days remaining in the billing month.
E. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives accept compensation from the sale of
securities or other investment products.
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
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Neither the Registrant nor any supervised person of the Registrant accepts performance-
based fees.
Item 7
Types of Clients
The Registrant’s clients shall generally include individuals, business entities, and trusts,
estates.
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
A. The Registrant may utilize the following methods of security analysis:
Fundamental - (analysis performed on historical and present data, with the goal of
making financial forecasts)
The Registrant may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
Long Term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
Short Term Purchases (securities sold within a year)
Investment Risk. Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be
prepared to bear. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it
should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment
strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or
undertaken by the Registrant) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
Investors generally face the following types of investment risks:
Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to
fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less
attractive, causing their market values to decline.
Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to
tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk may be caused by
external factors independent of the fund’s specific investments as well as due to the
fund’s specific investments. Additionally, each security’s price will fluctuate based on
market movement and emotion, which may, or may not be due to the security’s
operations or changes in its true value. For example, political, economic and social
conditions may trigger market events which are temporarily negative, or temporarily
positive.
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as
much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation.
Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have
to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This primarily
relates to fixed income securities.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized
product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties are
not.
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Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations increases the
risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its obligations in
good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan
obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
B. The Registrant’s methods of analysis and investment strategies do not present any
significant or unusual risks. However, every method of analysis has its own inherent risks.
To perform an accurate market analysis the Registrant must have access to current/new
market information. The Registrant has no control over the dissemination rate of market
information; therefore, unbeknownst to the Registrant, certain analyses may be compiled
with outdated market information, severely limiting the value of the Registrant’s analysis.
Furthermore, an accurate market analysis can only produce a forecast of the direction of
market values. There can be no assurances that a forecasted change in market value will
materialize into actionable and/or profitable investment opportunities.
The Registrant’s primary investment strategies - Long Term Purchases and Short Term
Purchases are fundamental investment strategies. However, every investment strategy has
its own inherent risks and limitations. For example, longer term investment strategies
require a longer investment time period to allow for the strategy to potentially develop.
Shorter term investment strategies require a shorter investment time period to potentially
develop but, as a result of more frequent trading, may incur higher transactional costs when
compared to a longer term investment strategy.
C. Currently, the Registrant primarily recommends that clients allocate investment assets
among various individual equity (stocks), debt (bonds) and fixed income securities, mutual
funds and/or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) on a discretionary basis in accordance with
the client’s designated investment objective(s).
Transactions involve the risk of loss of capital and contain transaction costs associated with
conducting trades and the settlement process as well as potential tax consequences. It is
not the intent of the investment strategy or process to result in frequent trading of securities,
however more frequent or shorter-term holding periods may occur if market conditions
change quickly, or valuations are altered unexpectedly. A client’s investment portfolio will
fluctuate in value as market conditions change and the client could lose all or a portion of
the value of the investment portfolio over short or long periods of time.
Borrowing Against Assets/Risks. A client who has a need to borrow money could
determine to do so by using:
Margin-The account custodian or broker-dealer lends money to the client. The
custodian charges the client interest for the right to borrow money, and uses the assets
in the client’s brokerage account as collateral; and,
Pledged Assets Loan- In consideration for a lender (i.e., a bank, etc.) to make a loan
to the client, the client pledges investment assets held at the account custodian as
collateral.
These above-described collateralized loans are generally utilized because they typically
provide more favorable interest rates than standard commercial loans. These types of
collateralized loans can assist with a pending home purchase, permit the retirement of more
expensive debt, or enable borrowing in lieu of liquidating existing account positions and
incurring capital gains taxes. However, such loans are not without potential material risk
to the client’s investment assets. The lender (i.e., custodian, bank, etc.) will have recourse
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against the client’s investment assets in the event of loan default or if the assets fall below
a certain level. For this reason, Registrant does not recommend such borrowing unless it is
for specific short-term purposes (i.e., a bridge loan to purchase a new residence). Registrant
does not recommend such borrowing for investment purposes (i.e., to invest borrowed
funds in the market). Regardless, if the client was to determine to utilize margin or a
pledged assets loan, the following economic benefits would inure to Registrant:
by taking the loan rather than liquidating assets in the client’s account, Registrant
continues to earn a fee on such Account assets; and,
if the client invests any portion of the loan proceeds in an account to be managed by
Registrant, Registrant will receive an advisory fee on the invested amount; and,
if Registrant’s advisory fee is based upon the higher margined account value,
Registrant will earn a correspondingly higher advisory fee. This could provide
Registrant with a disincentive to encourage the client to discontinue the use of margin.
The Client must accept the above risks and potential corresponding consequences
associated with the use of margin or a pledged assets loan.
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
The Registrant has not been the subject of any disciplinary actions.
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a broker-dealer or a registered representative of a broker-dealer.
B. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, a commodity
trading advisor, or a representative of the foregoing.
C. Licensed Insurance Agency/Agents. The Registrant is separately licensed as an insurance
agency. Furthermore, certain of the Registrant’s representatives, in their individual
capacities, are licensed insurance agents. The Registrant and/or its representatives may
recommend the purchase of certain insurance-related products on a commission basis. As
referenced in Item 4.B above, clients can engage certain of Registrant’s representatives to
purchase insurance products on a commission basis.
Conflict of Interest: The recommendation by representatives of the Registrant that a client
purchase an insurance commission product presents a conflict of interest, as the receipt of
commissions may provide an incentive to recommend investment products based on
commissions to be received, rather than on a particular client’s need. No client is under any
obligation to purchase any commission products from representatives of the Registrant or
through the Registrant in its capacity as a licensed insurance agency. Clients are reminded
that they may purchase insurance products recommended by Registrant through other, non-
affiliated insurance agencies and/or agents.
D. The Registrant does not receive, directly or indirectly, compensation from investment
advisors that it recommends or selects for its clients.
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Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
A. The Registrant maintains an investment policy relative to personal securities transactions.
This investment policy is part of Registrant’s overall Code of Ethics, which serves to
establish a standard of business conduct for all of Registrant’s Representatives that is based
upon fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust, a copy of which is
available upon request.
In accordance with Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Registrant
also maintains and enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non-public information by the Registrant or any person associated with the
Registrant.
B. Neither the Registrant nor any related person of Registrant recommends, buys, or sells for
client accounts, securities in which the Registrant or any related person of Registrant has a
material financial interest.
C. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities that are
also recommended to clients. This practice may create a situation where the Registrant
and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to materially benefit from the sale
or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation creates a conflict of interest.
Practices such as “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security
recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the
rise in the market price which follows the recommendation) could take place if the
Registrant did not have adequate policies in place to detect such activities. In addition, this
requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-running” (i.e., personal trades executed
prior to those of the Registrant’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.
The Registrant has a personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal
securities transactions and securities holdings of each of the Registrant’s “Access Persons”.
The Registrant’s securities transaction policy requires that an Access Person of the
Registrant must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written
report of their current securities holdings within ten (10) days after becoming an Access
Person. Additionally, each Access Person must provide or make available to the Chief
Compliance Officer or his/her designee a list of reportable transactions each calendar
quarter as well as a written annual report of the Access Person’s securities holdings;
provided, however that at any time that the Registrant has only one Access Person, he or
she shall not be required to submit any securities report described above.
D. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities, at or
around the same time as those securities are recommended to clients. This practice creates
a situation where the Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to
materially benefit from the sale or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation
creates a conflict of interest. As indicated above in Item 11.C, the Registrant has a personal
securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal securities transaction and
securities holdings of each of Registrant’s Access Persons.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
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A. In the event that the client requests that Registrant recommend a broker-dealer/custodian
for execution and/or custodial services (exclusive of those clients that may direct Registrant
to use a specific broker-dealer/custodian), Registrant generally recommends that
investment management accounts be maintained at Schwab. Prior to engaging Registrant
to provide investment management services, the client will be required to enter into a
formal advisory agreement with the Registrant setting forth the terms and conditions under
which Registrant shall manage the client's assets, and a separate custodial/clearing
agreement with each designated broker-dealer/custodian.
Factors that Registrant considers in recommending Schwab (or any other broker-
dealer/custodian to clients) include historical relationship with Registrant, financial
strength, reputation, execution capabilities, pricing, research, and service. Although the
commissions and/or transaction fees paid by Registrant's clients shall comply with
Registrant's 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
Registrant determines, in good faith, that the commission/transaction fee is reasonable. In
seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether
the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
range of a broker-dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution
capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Registrant will
seek competitive rates, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates
for client account transactions. The brokerage commissions or transaction fees charged by
the designated broker-dealer/custodian are exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant's
investment management fee. Registrant’s best execution responsibility is qualified if
securities that it purchases for client accounts are mutual funds that trade at net asset value
as determined at the daily market close.
1. Research and Additional Benefits
Although not a material consideration when determining whether to recommend that a
client utilize the services of a particular broker-dealer/custodian, Registrant receives
from Schwab (or another broker-dealer/custodian, investment platform, unaffiliated
investment manager, vendor, unaffiliated product/fund sponsor, or vendor) without
cost (and/or at a discount) support services and/or products, certain of which assist
Registrant to better monitor and service client accounts maintained at such institutions.
Included within the support services that may be obtained by Registrant may be
investment-related research, pricing information and market data, software and other
technology that provide access to client account data, compliance and/or practice
management-related publications, discounted or gratis consulting services, discounted
and/or gratis attendance at conferences, meetings, and other educational and/or social
events, marketing support, computer hardware and/or software and/or other products
used by Registrant in furtherance of its investment advisory business operations.
As indicated above, certain of the support services and/or products received may assist
Registrant in managing and administering client accounts. Others do not directly
provide such assistance, but rather assist Registrant to manage and further develop its
business enterprise.
There is no corresponding commitment made by Registrant to Schwab or any other
entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual
funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
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2. Registrant does not receive referrals from broker-dealers.
3. Registrant does not generally accept directed brokerage arrangements (when a client
requires that account transactions be effected through a specific broker-dealer). In such
client directed arrangements, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for their
account with that broker-dealer, and Registrant will not seek better execution services
or prices from other broker-dealers or be able to “batch” the client's transactions for
execution through other broker-dealers with orders for other accounts managed by
Registrant. As a result, client may pay higher commissions or other transaction costs
or greater spreads, or receive less favorable net prices, on transactions for the account
than would otherwise be the case.
In the event that the client directs Registrant to effect securities transactions for the
client's accounts through a specific broker-dealer, the client correspondingly
acknowledges that such direction may cause the accounts to incur higher commissions
or transaction costs than the accounts would otherwise incur had the client determined
to effect account transactions through alternative clearing arrangements that may be
available through Registrant. Higher transaction costs adversely impact account
performance.
Transactions for directed accounts will generally be executed following the execution
of portfolio transactions for non-directed accounts.
B. To the extent that the Registrant provides investment management services to its clients,
the transactions for each client account generally will be effected independently, unless the
Registrant decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several clients at
approximately the same time. The Registrant may (but is not obligated to) combine or
“bunch” such orders to seek best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates
or to allocate equitably among the Registrant’s clients differences in prices and
commissions or other transaction costs that might have been obtained had such orders been
placed independently. Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to price and
will be allocated among clients in proportion to the purchase and sale orders placed for
each client account on any given day. The Registrant shall not receive any additional
compensation or remuneration as a result of such aggregation.
Item 13
Review of Accounts
A. For those clients to whom Registrant provides investment supervisory services, account
reviews are conducted on an ongoing basis by the Registrant’s Co-Managing Members
and/or representatives. All investment supervisory clients are advised that it remains their
responsibility to advise the Registrant of any changes in their investment objectives and/or
financial situation. All clients (in person or via telephone) are encouraged to review
financial planning issues (to the extent applicable), investment objectives and account
performance with the Registrant on an annual basis.
B. The Registrant may conduct account reviews on an other-than-periodic basis upon the
occurrence of a triggering event, such as a change in client investment objectives and/or
financial situation, market corrections and client request.
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C. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction confirmation notices and
regular written summary account statements directly from the broker-dealer/custodian
and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The Registrant may also provide a written
periodic report summarizing account activity and performance.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. As referenced in Item 12.A.1 above, the Registrant receives an economic benefit from
broker-dealers. The Registrant, without cost (and/or at a discount), receives support
services and/or products from broker-dealers.
There is no corresponding commitment made by the Registrant to a broker-dealer or any
other entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific
mutual funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Kathryn Brown, remains available to address
any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding the above arrangement
and any corresponding conflict of interest.
B. Registrant does not compensate any person, other than its representatives, for referrals.
Item 15
Custody
The Registrant shall have the ability to have its advisory fee for each client debited by the
custodian on a monthly basis. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written
transaction confirmation notices and regular written summary account statements directly
from the broker-dealer/custodian and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The
Registrant may also provide a written periodic report summarizing account activity and
performance.
To the extent that the Registrant provides clients with periodic account statements or
reports, the client is urged to compare any statement or report provided by the Registrant
with the account statements received from the account custodian.
The account custodian does not verify the accuracy of the Registrant’s advisory fee
calculation.
In addition, certain clients may establish asset transfer authorizations that permit the
qualified custodian to rely upon instructions from Registrant to transfer client funds or
securities to third parties. To the extent established, these arrangements are disclosed at
Item 9 of Part 1 of Form ADV. However, in accordance with the guidance provided in the
SEC’s February 21, 2017 Investment Adviser Association No-Action Letter, the affected
accounts are not subject to an annual surprise CPA examination
Item 16
Investment Discretion
The client can determine to engage the Registrant to provide investment advisory services
on a discretionary basis. Prior to the Registrant assuming discretionary authority over a
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client’s account, the client shall be required to execute an Investment Advisory Agreement,
naming the Registrant as the client’s attorney and agent in fact, granting the Registrant full
authority to buy, sell, or otherwise effect investment transactions involving the assets in
the client’s name found in the discretionary account.
Clients who engage the Registrant on a discretionary basis may, at any time, impose
restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s discretionary authority (i.e., limit the
types/amounts of particular securities purchased for their account, exclude the ability to
purchase securities with an inverse relationship to the market, limit or proscribe the
Registrant’s use of margin, etc.).
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
A. The Registrant does not vote client proxies. 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.
B. Clients will receive their proxies or other solicitations directly from their custodian. Clients
may contact the Registrant to discuss any questions they may have with a particular
solicitation.
Item 18
Financial Information
A. The Registrant does not require clients to pay fees of more than $1,200, per client, six
months or more in advance.
B. The Registrant is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its
ability to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over
certain client accounts.
C. The Registrant has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
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