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Item 1: Cover Page
Item 1:
Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV
Firm Brochure
March 24, 2025
Mosaic Family Wealth Partners, LLC
dba Mosaic Wealth
SEC No. 801-122745
1401 South Brentwood Blvd., Suite 630
St. Louis, MO 63144
phone: 314-627-5220
email: info@mosaicwealth.com
website: http://mosaicwealth.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Mosaic
Wealth. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at 314-627-
5220. 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. Registration with the SEC
or state regulatory authority does not imply a certain level of skill or expertise.
Additional information about Mosaic Wealth is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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Item 2: Material Changes
Item 2:
Material Changes
This Firm Brochure is our disclosure document prepared according to regulatory
requirements and rules. Consistent with the 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.
No material changes were made to this Brochure since the annual update issued in March
2025.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Item 3:
Item 1: Cover Page .................................................................................................................................. 1
Item 2: Material Changes ...................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ..................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ......................................................................................................... 11
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ........................................... 18
Item 7: Types of Clients ...................................................................................................................... 19
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ..................................... 20
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ....................................................................................................... 32
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................ 33
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ...................................................................................................................................... 39
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................ 41
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................ 49
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation .......................................................................50
Item 15: Custody ..................................................................................................................................... 53
Item 16: Investment Discretion ........................................................................................................... 55
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ........................................................................................................ 56
Item 18: Financial Information ............................................................................................................ 57
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Item 4:
Advisory Business
A. Ownership/Advisory History
Mosaic Family Wealth Partners, LLC, dba Mosaic Wealth (“Mosaic Wealth” or the “Advisor”)
is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). Mosaic Wealth is organized as a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) under the laws
of the State of Delaware. Mosaic Wealth acquired the investment advisory business of
Mosaic Family Wealth, LLC, which was founded in February 2015 by Duncan (Scott)
Highmark and Larry Keith Shikles.
Focus Financial Partners
Mosaic Wealth is part of the Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus LLC”) partnership.
Specifically, Mosaic Wealth is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Focus LLC. Focus
Financial Partners Inc. is the sole managing member of Focus LLC. Ultimate governance of
Focus LLC is conducted through the board of directors at Ferdinand FFP Ultimate
Holdings, LP. Focus LLC is majority-owned, indirectly and collectively, by investment
vehicles affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (“CD&R”). Investment vehicles
affiliated with Stone Point Capital LLC (“Stone Point”) are indirect owners of Focus LLC.
Because Mosaic Wealth is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Focus LLC, CD&R and
Stone Point investment vehicles are indirect owners of Mosaic Wealth.
Focus LLC also owns other registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, pension
consultants, insurance firms, business managers and other firms (the “Focus Partners”),
most of which provide wealth management, benefit consulting and investment consulting
services to individuals, families, employers, and institutions. Some Focus Partners also
manage or advise limited partnerships, private funds, or investment companies as
disclosed on their respective Form ADVs.
Mosaic Wealth is managed by Duncan (Scott) Highmark, Larry Shikles, Steve Rotello,
Michelle (Missy) Brown, Tyler Campo, and Sarah Wolk (“Mosaic Wealth Principals”),
pursuant to a management agreement between Mosaic Wealth Management Company,
LLC and Mosaic Wealth. The Mosaic Wealth Principals serve as officers of Mosaic Wealth
and are responsible for the management, supervision and oversight of Mosaic Wealth.
B. Advisory Services Offered
Mosaic Wealth offers investment advisory services to individuals, high net worth
individuals, trusts, estates, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans (each
referred to as a “client”). It is the Advisor’s mission to help its clients incorporate clear,
effective, and comprehensive strategies designed to not only facilitate their finances, but
also their lives.
The Advisor serves as a fiduciary to clients, as defined under the applicable laws and
regulations. As a fiduciary, the Advisor upholds a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith
towards each client and seeks to mitigate potential conflicts of interest. Mosaic Wealth’s
fiduciary commitment is further described in the Advisor’s Code of Ethics. For more
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information regarding the Code of Ethics, please see Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation
or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading.
Wealth Management Services
Mosaic Wealth may provide clients with wealth management services, which generally
includes discretionary management of investment portfolios in connection with a broad
range of comprehensive financial planning services.
Investment Management Services
Mosaic Wealth provides customized investment advisory solutions for its clients. This is
achieved through ongoing personal client contact and interaction while providing
discretionary investment management and consulting services. Mosaic Wealth works
with each client to identify their investment goals and objectives as well as risk tolerance
and financial situation in order to create a portfolio strategy. Mosaic Wealth will then
construct a portfolio, consisting of securities and strategies described in Item 8 of this
brochure and/or affiliated private investment vehicles to achieve the client’s investment
goals. Where appropriate, the Advisor may also provide advice regarding legacy portfolio
positions or other investments held by the client.
Mosaic Wealth’s investment approach is primarily long-term focused, but the Advisor
may buy, sell or re-allocate positions that have been held for less than one year to meet
the objectives of the client or due to market conditions. Mosaic Wealth will construct,
implement and monitor the portfolio to ensure it meets the goals, objectives,
circumstances, and risk tolerance agreed to by the client. Each client will have the
opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in
their respective portfolio, subject to acceptance by the Advisor.
Mosaic Wealth evaluates and selects investments for inclusion in client portfolios only
after applying its internal due diligence process. Mosaic Wealth may recommend, on
occasion, redistributing investment allocations to diversify the portfolio. Mosaic Wealth
may recommend specific positions to increase sector or asset class weightings. The
Advisor may recommend employing cash positions as a possible hedge against market
movement. Mosaic Wealth may recommend selling positions for reasons that include, but
are not limited to, harvesting capital gains or losses, business or sector risk exposure to a
specific security or class of securities, overvaluation or overweighting of the position[s]
in the portfolio, change in risk tolerance of the client, generating cash to meet client
needs, or any risk deemed unacceptable for the client’s risk tolerance.
Clients have the right to provide the Advisor with any reasonable investment restrictions
that on the management of their portfolio, which must be in writing and sent to the
Advisor. Clients should promptly notify the Advisor in writing of any changes in such
restrictions or in the client's personal financial circumstances, investment objectives,
goals and tolerance for risk. Mosaic Wealth will remind clients of their obligation to
inform the Advisor of any such changes or any restrictions that should be imposed on the
management of the client’s account. Mosaic Wealth will also contact clients at least
annually to determine whether there have been any changes in a client's personal
financial circumstances, investment objectives and tolerance for risk.
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Held-Away Accounts - Pontera Order Management System
Mosaic Wealth implements investment advice on behalf of certain clients in held-away
accounts that are maintained at independent third-party custodians. These held-away
accounts are often 401(k) accounts, 529 plans and other assets that are not held at our
primary custodian(s). The order management system that we use for held-away accounts
is provided by Pontera Solutions, Inc. Mosaic Wealth reviews, monitors, and manages
these held-away accounts in an integrated way with client accounts held at our clients’
primary custodian(s).
The platform allows Mosaic Wealth to avoid being considered to have custody of client
funds since we do not have direct access to client log-in credentials to effect trades.
Mosaic Wealth is not affiliated with the platform in any way and receives no
compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be provided to the client
allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once client account(s) is
connected to the platform, Mosaic Wealth will review the current account allocations.
When deemed necessary, Mosaic Wealth will rebalance the account considering client
investment goals and risk tolerance, and any change in allocations will consider current
economic and market trends. The goal is to improve account performance over time,
minimize loss during difficult markets, and manage internal fees that harm account
performance. Client account(s) will be reviewed at least quarterly and allocation changes
will be made as deemed necessary.
Mosaic Wealth may provide these services or, alternatively, may arrange for the plan’s
other providers to offer these services, as agreed upon between Mosaic Wealth and the
client.
Retirement Accounts
When the Advisor provides investment advice to clients regarding ERISA retirement
accounts or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), the Advisor is a fiduciary within the
meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and/or the
Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), as applicable, which are laws governing retirement
accounts. When deemed to be in the client’s best interest, the Advisor will provide
investment advice to a client regarding a distribution from an ERISA retirement account
or to roll over the assets to an IRA, or recommend a similar transaction including
rollovers from one ERISA sponsored Plan to another, one IRA to another IRA, or from one
type of account to another account (e.g. commission-based account to fee-based
account). Such a recommendation creates a conflict of interest if the Advisor will earn a
new (or increase its current) advisory fee as a result of the transaction. No client is under
any obligation to roll over a retirement account to an account managed by the Advisor.
Family Office Services
Mosaic Wealth also offers family office bill pay services to certain clients as part of its
wealth management program, pursuant to the wealth management agreement.
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Item 4: Advisory Business
UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions, LLC
Mosaic Wealth offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from
unaffiliated third-party financial institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions,
LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates, “UPTIQ”). Please see Items 5 and 10 for
additional information on these services and other important information.
Clients that obtain loans through the secure lending facility are strictly prohibited from
using any loan proceeds to buy securities for their managed portfolio.
Insurance Solutions
Mosaic Wealth helps clients obtain certain insurance solutions from unaffiliated, third-
party insurance brokers by introducing clients to Mosaic Wealth’s affiliate, Focus Risk
Solutions, LLC (“FRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mosaic Wealth’s parent company,
Focus Financial Partners, LLC. Please see Items 5 and 10 for a fuller discussion of these
services and other important information.
Related Private Fund Manager
Mosaic Wealth has a business arrangement with SCS Capital Management LLC (“SCS”),
who is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Focus LLC, under which certain clients of
Mosaic Wealth have the option of investing in certain private investment vehicles
managed by SCS. Mosaic Wealth is an affiliate of SCS by virtue of being under common
control with it. Please see Items 5, 10, and 11 of this Brochure for further details.
Use of Separate Account Managers
Mosaic Wealth will recommend that clients utilize one or more affiliated or unaffiliated
third-party separate account managers or investment platforms for managing all or a
portion of a client’s investment portfolio. Clients may be required to authorize and enter
into an investment management agreement with a separate account manager that
defines the terms in which the manager will provide its services. The Advisor will perform
initial and ongoing oversight and due diligence over each separate account manager to
ensure the strategy remains aligned with clients’ investment objectives and overall best
interests. The Advisor will also assist the client in the development of the initial policy
recommendations and managing the ongoing client relationship. The client, prior to
entering into an agreement with a separate account manager, will be provided with the
separate account manager’s Form ADV Part 2A - Disclosure Brochure (or a brochure that
makes the appropriate disclosures).
Financial Planning Services
As part of the wealth management services, Mosaic Wealth will typically provide a variety
of financial planning and consulting services, which are offered in several areas of a
client’s financial situation, depending on their goals, objectives and financial situation.
Generally, such financial planning services involve preparing a formal financial plan or
rendering a specific financial consultation based on the client’s financial goals and
objectives. This planning or consulting may encompass one or more areas of need,
including but not limited to, Investment management, retirement planning, education
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Item 4: Advisory Business
savings, cash flow planning, tax planning analysis and coordination, estate planning
analysis and coordination, and other areas of a client’s financial situation.
A financial plan developed for the client will usually include general recommendations for
a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the client. For example,
recommendations may be made that the client start or revise their investment programs,
commence or alter retirement savings, establish education savings and/or charitable
giving programs. Mosaic Wealth may also refer clients to an accountant, attorney or
other specialist, as appropriate for their unique situation. For certain financial planning
engagements, the Advisor will provide a written summary of client’s financial situation,
observations, and recommendations. For consulting or ad-hoc engagements, the Advisor
may not provide a written summary. Plans or consultations are typically completed
within six months of contract date, assuming all information and documents requested
are provided promptly.
Financial Consulting Services
Mosaic Wealth provides a variety of ongoing financial consulting services to clients,
pursuant to a written financial consulting services agreement. Services offered are related
to the client’s investment portfolio and other areas of need. Services are tailored to the
client based on the client’s financial situation, goals, and objectives.
Generally, such consulting services involve preparing a specific financial consultation
based on the client’s financial goals and objectives. This consulting may encompass one or
more areas of need, which may include the following services:
General investment plan
Ongoing investment consulting
Risk analysis
Overlap analysis
Portfolio analysis
Correlation analysis, and/or
Fee analysis of underlying investments
The client may engage the Advisor for other services not listed above. A financial
consultation rendered to the client will usually include general recommendations for a
course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the client. Through the creation of an
investment proposal outlining the client’s previously stated investment considerations, the
Advisor may advise on best trading and investment practices including security selection,
commission costs, alternatives, liquidity, methods of investing, sell criteria (if any), dollar
cost averaging and timing. Mosaic Wealth may also refer clients to an accountant, attorney
or other specialist, as appropriate for their unique situation. Consultations are typically
ongoing, where recommendations will occur periodically, assuming all information and
documents requested are provided promptly.
Consulting recommendations pose a conflict between the interests of the Advisor and the
interests of the client. For example, the Advisor has an incentive to recommend that clients
engage the Advisor for investment management services or to increase the level of
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Item 4: Advisory Business
investment assets with the Advisor, as it would increase the amount of advisory fees paid to
the Advisor. clients are not obligated to implement any recommendations made by the
Advisor or maintain an ongoing relationship with the Advisor. If the client elects to act on
any of the recommendations made by the Advisor, there is no guarantee of returns and the
client is under no obligation to implement the transaction through the Advisor.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Mosaic Wealth provides retirement plan advisory services on behalf of the retirement plans
(each a “Plan”) and the company (the “Plan Sponsor”), pursuant to the terms of the
retirement plan advisory agreement. The Advisor’s retirement plan advisory services are
designed to assist the Plan Sponsor in meeting its fiduciary obligations to the Plan and its
Plan Participants. Each engagement is customized to the needs of the Plan and Plan
Sponsor. Services generally include:
Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”) design and monitoring
Vendor analysis
Plan Participant enrollment and education tracking
Performance Reporting
Investment due diligence and oversight (ERISA 3(28))
Ongoing investment recommendation and assistance
ERISA 404(c) Assistance
Benchmarking Services
Mosaic Wealth is a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended (“ERISA”) with respect to investment management services and investment
advice provided to ERISA plans and ERISA plan participants. Mosaic Wealth is also a
fiduciary under section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”)
with respect to investment management services and investment advice provided to
individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), ERISA plans, and ERISA plan participants. As such,
Mosaic Wealth is subject to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the IRC, as
applicable, that include, among other things, prohibited transaction rules which are
intended to prohibit fiduciaries from acting on conflicts of interest. When a fiduciary gives
advice, the fiduciary must either avoid certain conflicts of interest or rely upon an
applicable prohibited transaction exemption (a “PTE”).
As a fiduciary, Mosaic Wealth has duties of care and of loyalty to you and is subject to
obligations imposed on us by the federal and state securities laws. As a result, you have
certain rights that you cannot waive or limit by contract. Nothing in Mosaic Wealth’s
agreement with you should be interpreted as a limitation of our obligations under the
federal and state securities laws or as a waiver of any non-waivable rights you possess.
C. Client-Tailored Services and Client-Imposed Restrictions
Prior to engaging Mosaic Wealth to provide investment advisory services, each client is
required to enter into one or more agreements with the Advisor that define the terms,
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Item 4: Advisory Business
conditions, authority and responsibilities of the Advisor and the client. These services may
include:
Establishing an Investment Strategy – Mosaic Wealth, in connection with the client,
will develop a strategy that seeks to achieve the client’s investment goals and
objectives.
Asset Allocation – Mosaic Wealth will develop a strategic asset allocation that is
targeted to meet the investment objectives, time horizon, financial situation and
tolerance of risk for each client.
Portfolio Construction – Mosaic Wealth will develop a portfolio for the client that is
intended to meet the stated goals and objectives of the client.
Wealth management and Supervision – Mosaic Wealth will provide wealth
management and ongoing oversight of the client’s investment portfolio.
Each client’s account will be managed on the basis of the client’s financial situation and
investment objectives and in accordance with any reasonable restrictions imposed by the
client on the management of the account—for example, restricting the type or amount of
security to be purchased in the portfolio.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
Mosaic Wealth does not participate in wrap fee programs, where brokerage commissions
and transaction costs are included in the asset-based fee charged to the client.
E. Client Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, Mosaic Wealth managed a total of 1,638,336,784 in client assets
comprising $1,168,574,814 in discretionary assets and $469,761,970 in non-discretionary
assets.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Item 5:
Fees and Compensation
A. Methods of Compensation and Fee Schedule
Wealth Management Services
Mosaic Wealth’s maximum wealth management fee as a percentage of assets under
management is 1.50%. The specific advisory fees are set forth in the wealth management
agreement.
Mosaic Wealth’s fees are based on the market value of client assets under our management,
including cash, accrued interest, accrued dividends, and securities purchased on margin.
Please be aware of a conflict of interest when utilizing margin. As fees are based on the
gross value of the portfolio, the firm has an economic incentive to utilize margin, because
doing so would have the effect of increasing the gross value of the portfolio on which our
advisory fees are based.
For certain clients, the Advisor charges an advisory fee for services provided with respect
to the held-away accounts mentioned in Item 4, just as the Advisor does with client
accounts held at Advisor’s primary custodians.
Wealth management fees are always subject to the investment advisory agreement
between the client and the Advisor. Such fees are payable quarterly in advance. The
amount due is calculated by applying the period rate (annual rate divided by the number of
days in the year multiplied by the number of days in the billing quarter) to the total assets
under management with Mosaic Wealth at the end of the prior quarter. The fees will be
prorated if the investment advisory relationship commences otherwise than at the
beginning of a calendar quarter. Fees are negotiable at the sole discretion of the Advisor.
The client may make additions or withdrawals from the account[s] at any time, subject to
the Advisor’s right to terminate an account or the overall relationship. Additions may be in
cash or securities provided that the Advisor reserves the right to liquidate any transferred
securities or decline to accept particular securities into a client’s account[s]. Clients may
withdraw account assets on notice to Mosaic Wealth, subject to the usual and customary
securities settlement procedures. However, the Advisor typically designs its investment
portfolios as long-term investments, and the withdrawal of assets may impair the
achievement of a client’s investment objectives. Mosaic Wealth may consult the client
about certain implications of such transactions. Clients are advised that when such
securities are liquidated, they may be subject to securities transaction fees, short-term
redemption fees, and/or tax ramifications. If assets in excess of $10,000 are deposited into
or withdrawn from the client’s account(s), The Advisor’s fee will be adjusted the next billing
period to reflect the fee difference. The Advisor may negotiate a fee that differs from the
schedule above for certain account[s] or holdings.
UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions, LLC
Mosaic Wealth offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from
unaffiliated third-party financial institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions,
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates, “UPTIQ”). Focus Financial Partners, LLC
(“Focus”) is a minority investor in UPTIQ, Inc. UPTIQ is compensated by sharing in the
revenue earned by such third-party financial institutions for serving our clients. The
revenue paid to UPTIQ also benefits UPTIQ Inc.’s investors, including Focus, our parent
company. When legally permissible, UPTIQ also shares a portion of this earned revenue
with our affiliate, Focus Solutions Holdings, LLC (“FSH”). For non-residential mortgage
loans made to our clients, UPTIQ will share with FSH up to 25% of all revenue it receives
from such third-party financial institutions. For securities-backed lines of credit
(“SBLOCs”) made to our clients, UPTIQ will share with FSH up to 75% of all revenue it
receives from such third-party financial institutions. For cash management products and
services provided to our clients, UPTIQ will share with FSH up to 33% of all revenue it
receives from the third-party financial institutions and other intermediaries that provide
administrative and settlement services in connection with this program. This earned
revenue is indirectly paid by our clients through an increased interest rate charged by the
third-party financial institutions or, for cash balances, a lowered yield. FSH distributes this
revenue to us when we are licensed to receive such revenue (or when no such license is
required) and the distribution is not otherwise legally prohibited. Further information on
this conflict of interest is available in Item 10 of this Brochure.
Use of Separate Account Managers and Private Investment Funds
As noted in Item 4, the Advisor will implement all or a portion of a client’s investment
portfolio utilizing one or more third-party separate account managers and/or private
investment fund. The terms of such fee arrangements are included in the separate account
manager’s disclosure brochure and applicable agreements with the separate account
manager. The terms of the investment in a private investment fund are described in the
private offering memorandum for the fund.
Financial Consulting Services
Mosaic Wealth offers financial consulting services for an annual fixed fee ranging from
$10,000 to $100,000. Financial consulting fees are paid quarterly, at the end of each
calendar quarter. Fees may be negotiable based on the nature and complexity of the
services to be provided and the overall relationship with the Advisor. An estimate for total
costs will be determined prior to engaging for these services. If a client engages the
Advisor for wealth management services, Mosaic Wealth may offset all or a portion of its
fees for those services based upon the amount paid for the wealth management services.
Insurance Solutions
Mosaic Wealth helps clients obtain certain insurance solutions from unaffiliated, third-
party insurance brokers by introducing clients to Mosaic Wealth’s affiliate, Focus Risk
Solutions, LLC (“FRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mosaic Wealth’s parent company,
Focus Financial Partners, LLC. FRS has arrangements with certain third-party insurance
brokers (the “Brokers”) under which the Brokers assist clients with regulated insurance
sales activity. If FRS refers one of Mosaic Wealth’s clients to a Broker and there is a
subsequent purchase of insurance through the Broker, then FRS will receive a portion of
the upfront and/or ongoing commissions paid to the Broker by the insurance carrier with
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
which the policy was placed. The amount of revenue earned by FRS for the sale of these
insurance products will vary over time in response to market conditions. The amount of
insurance commission revenue earned by FRS is considered for purposes of determining
the amount of additional compensation that certain of Mosaic Wealth’s financial
professionals are entitled to receive. The amount of revenue earned by FRS for a particular
insurance product will also differ from the amount of revenue earned by FRS for other
types of insurance products. Further information on this conflict of interest is available in
Item 10 of this Brochure.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Retirement plan advisory fees are paid quarterly, in advance of each calendar quarter,
pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Retirement plan fees are either based on the
market value of assets under management at the end of the prior calendar quarter and
range from 0.25% to 1.00% or based on a fixed annual fee of up to $100,000. Fees are based
on several factors, including: the complexity of the services to be provided, the level of
assets to be managed, and the overall relationship with the Advisor. Relationships with
multiple objectives, specific reporting requirements, portfolio restrictions and other
complexities may be charged a higher fee. Fees may be negotiable depending on the size
and complexity of the plan. Certain existing clients may have fees that differ from the range
above.
Related Private Fund Manager
Mosaic Wealth does not receive any compensation from SCS in connection with assets that
Mosaic Wealth’s clients place in SCS’s pooled investment vehicles. Mosaic Wealth’s clients
are not advisory clients of and do not pay advisory fees to SCS. However, Mosaic Wealth’s
clients bear the costs of SCS’s investment vehicle or vehicles in which they are invested,
including any management fees and performance fees payable to SCS.
The allocation of Mosaic Wealth client assets to SCS’s pooled investment vehicles, rather
than to an unaffiliated investment manager, increases SCS’s compensation and the revenue
to Focus LLC relative to a situation in which Mosaic Wealth’s clients are excluded from
SCS’s pooled investment vehicles or invested in an unaffiliated third party’s pooled
investment vehicles. As a consequence, Focus LLC has a financial incentive to cause Mosaic
Wealth to recommend that Mosaic Wealth’s clients invest in SCS’s pooled investment
vehicles.
B. Client Payment of Fees
Wealth Management Services
Mosaic Wealth generally requires fees to be prepaid on a quarterly basis. Mosaic Wealth
requires clients to authorize the direct debit of fees from their accounts. Exceptions may
be granted subject to Mosaic Wealth’s consent for clients to be billed directly for our fees.
For directly debited fees, the custodian’s periodic statements will show each fee deduction
from the account. Clients may withdraw this authorization for direct billing of these fees at
any time by notifying us or their custodian in writing.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Mosaic Wealth will deduct advisory fees directly from the client’s account provided that (i)
the client provides written authorization to the qualified custodian, and (ii) the qualified
custodian sends the client a statement, at least quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed
from the account. The client is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the fee calculation,
as the client’s custodian will not verify the calculation.
A client investment advisory agreement may be canceled at any time by the client, or by
Mosaic Wealth with 30 days’ prior written notice to the client. Upon termination, the
Advisor will refund any unearned, prepaid wealth management fees from the effective date
of termination to the end of the quarter.
Use of Separate Account Managers
For client accounts implemented through a third-party separate account manager, the
client’s overall fees will include Mosaic Wealth’s investment advisory fee (as noted above)
plus investment management fees and/or platform fees charged by the separate account
manager. The separate account manager will assume the responsibility for calculating the
client’s fees and deducting all fees from the client’s account[s].
In the event that a client should wish to terminate their relationship with a separate
account manager, the terms for termination will be set forth in the respective agreements
between the client and those third parties, as applicable. Mosaic Wealth will assist the
client with the termination and transition as appropriate.
Financial Consulting Services
Financial consulting fees are invoiced quarterly, at the end of each quarter, and are due
upon receipt. Mosaic Wealth is compensated for its financial consulting services at the end
of the quarter after services are rendered. Mosaic Wealth offers financial consulting
services as a perpetual engagement. Financial consulting agreements intended as perpetual
will be ongoing in nature and continue until terminated by either party. Either party may
terminate the financial consulting agreement, at any time, by providing written notice to
the other party. The client may also terminate the agreement within five (5) business days
of signing the Advisor’s financial consulting services agreement at no cost to the client.
After the five-day period, the client shall be responsible for financial consulting fees up to
and including the effective date of termination. The client’s financial consulting agreement
with the Advisor is nontransferable without the client’s prior consent.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Retirement plan advisory fees may be directly invoiced to the plan sponsor or deducted
from the assets of the plan, depending on the terms of the retirement plan advisory
agreement.
Mosaic Wealth is compensated for its retirement plan advisory services at the beginning of
the quarter before advisory services are rendered. Either party may terminate the
retirement plan advisory agreement, at any time, by providing advance written notice to
the other party. The client may also terminate the agreement within five (5) business days
of signing the Advisor’s retirement plan advisory agreement at no cost to the client. After
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
the five-day period, the client shall be responsible for retirement plan advisory fees up to
and including the effective date of termination. Upon termination, the Advisor will refund
any unearned, prepaid retirement plan advisory fees from the effective date of termination
to the end of the quarter. The client’s retirement plan advisory agreement with the Advisor
is non-transferable without the client’s prior consent.
C. Additional Client Fees Charged
All fees paid for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and
expenses charged by exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, separate account managers,
private placement, pooled investment vehicles, broker-dealers, and custodians retained by
clients. Such fees and expenses are described in each exchange-traded fund and mutual
fund’s prospectus, each separate account manager’s Form ADV and Brochure and Brochure
Supplement or similar disclosure statement, each private placement or pooled investment
vehicle’s confidential offering memoranda, and by any broker-dealer or custodian retained
by the client. Clients are advised to read these materials carefully before investing. If a
mutual fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an initial or deferred sales charge
as further described in the mutual fund’s prospectus. A client using Mosaic Wealth may be
precluded from using certain mutual funds or separate account managers because they
may not be offered by the client's custodian.
Please note that for client accounts the Advisor maintains, the custodian generally does not
charge clients separately for custody services but is compensated by charging
commissions or other fees on trades that it executes or that settle into the custodian’s
accounts (“transaction-based fees”). For accounts enrolled in the asset-based pricing
program, the custodian may charge the client a percentage of the dollar amount of assets
in the account in lieu of transaction-based fees. The factors the Advisor considers before
assigning asset-based pricing versus transaction-based pricing include account value,
trading volume, and associated transaction costs based on the individual client’s suitability
and investment objectives.
Please refer to the Brokerage Practices section (Item 12) for additional information
regarding the Advisor’s brokerage practices.
D. External Compensation for the Sale of Securities to Clients
Mosaic Wealth’s advisory professionals are compensated primarily through a percentage of
advisory fees charged to clients and/or salary and bonus structure. Mosaic Wealth’s
advisory professionals may be paid sales, service or administrative fees for the sale of
mutual funds or other investment products. Mosaic Wealth’s advisory professionals may
receive commission-based compensation for the sale of securities and insurance products.
Investment adviser representatives, in their capacity as a PKS registered representative,
are prohibited from earning an advisory fee on the securities value transferred from an
advisory client’s PKS brokerage account unless commissions earned on such securities
transactions occurred at least 12 months prior to the transfer. Please see Item 10.C. for
detailed information and conflicts of interest.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Mosaic Wealth or its affiliates may be paid management fees and performance-based fees.
Such performance-based fees create an economic incentive for the investment manager to
take additional risks in the management of a client portfolio that may be in conflict with
the client’s current investment objectives and tolerance for risk. Please refer to Item 6 for
more information on performance-based fees.
E. Important Disclosure – Custodian Investment Programs
Please be advised that certain of the Advisor’s investment adviser representatives are
registered with a broker-dealer and/or the Advisor is a broker-dealer or affiliated with a
broker-dealer. Under these arrangements, we can access certain investment programs
offered through the broker-dealer that offer certain compensation and fee structures that
create conflicts of interest of which clients need to be aware. As such, the investment
adviser representative and/or the Advisor may have an economic incentive to recommend
the purchase of 12b-1 or revenue share class mutual funds offered through the broker-
dealer platform rather than from the investment adviser platform. Please note the
following:
Limitation on Mutual Fund Universe for Custodian Investment Programs: Please note that as a
matter of policy we prohibit the receipt of revenue share fees from any mutual funds
utilized for our advisory clients’ portfolios. There are certain programs in which we
participate where a client’s investment options may be limited in certain of these programs
to those mutual funds and/or mutual fund share classes that pay 12b-1 fees and other
revenue sharing fee payments, and the client should be aware that the Advisor is not
selecting from among all mutual funds available in the marketplace when recommending
mutual funds to the client.
Conflict Between Revenue Share Class (12b-1) and Non-Revenue Share Class Mutual Funds: Revenue
share class/12b-1 fees are deducted from the net asset value of the mutual fund and
generally, all things being equal, cause the fund to earn lower rates of return than those
mutual funds that do not pay revenue sharing fees. The client is under no obligation to
utilize such programs or mutual funds. Although many factors will influence the type of
fund to be used, the client should discuss with their investment adviser representative
whether a share class from a comparable mutual fund with a more favorable return to
investors is available that does not include the payment of any 12b-1 or revenue sharing
fees given the client’s individual needs and priorities and anticipated transaction costs. In
addition, the receipt of such fees can create conflicts of interest in instances (i) where our
adviser representative is also licensed as a registered representative of a broker-dealer and
receives a portion of 12b-1 and or revenue sharing fees as compensation – such
compensation creates an incentive for the investment adviser representative to use
programs which utilize funds that pay such additional compensation; and (ii) where the
custodian receives the entirety of the 12b-1 and/or revenue sharing fees and takes the
receipt of such fees into consideration in terms of benefits it may elect to provide to the
Advisor, even though such benefits may or may not benefit some or all of the
Advisor’s clients.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Additional Disclosure Concerning Wrap Programs: To the extent that we either sponsor or
recommend wrap fee programs, please be advised that certain wrap fee programs may (i)
allow our investment adviser representatives to select mutual fund classes that either have
no transaction fee costs associated with them but include embedded 12b-1 fees that lower
the investor’s return (“sometimes referred to as “A-Shares,” depending on the mutual fund
issuer), or (ii) allow the use of mutual fund classes that have transaction fees associated
with them but do not carry embedded 12b-1 fees (sometimes referred to as “I-Shares,”
depending on the mutual fund sponsor). Wrap fee programs offer investment services and
related transaction services for one all-inclusive fee (except as may be described in the
applicable wrap fee program brochure). The trading costs are typically absorbed by the
Advisor and/or the investment representative. If a client’s account holds A-Shares within a
wrap fee program, the Advisor and/or its investment adviser representative avoids paying
the transaction fees charged by other mutual fund classes, which in effect decreases the
Advisor’s costs and increases its revenues from the account. Effectively, the cost is
transferred to the client from the Advisor in the form of a lower rate of return on the
specific mutual fund. This creates an incentive for the Advisor or investment adviser
representative to utilize such funds as opposed to those funds that may be equally
appropriate for a client but do not carry the additional cost of 12b-1 fees. As a policy
matter, the Advisor does not allow funds that impose 12b-1 or revenue sharing fees on the
client’s investment within its wrap fee programs. Clients should understand and discuss
with their investment adviser representative the types of mutual fund share classes
available in the wrap fee program and the basis for using one share class over another in
accordance with their individual circumstances and priorities.
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Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Item 6:
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Mosaic Wealth does not charge performance-based fees for its managed portfolios.
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Item 7: Types of Clients
Item 7:
Types of Clients
Mosaic Wealth offers services to individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts, estates,
businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. Mosaic Wealth does not require
a minimum portfolio size. Additionally, certain Independent Managers may impose a
minimum fee.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Item 8:
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to
bear. There is no guarantee that any specific investment or strategy will be profitable for
a particular client.
Methods of Analysis
Mosaic Wealth employs fundamental analysis in developing investment strategies for its
clients. Research and analysis from Mosaic Wealth are derived from numerous sources,
including financial media companies, third-party research materials, Internet sources, and
review of company activities, including annual reports, prospectuses, press releases and
research prepared by others.
Fundamental analysis utilizes economic and business indicators as investment selection
criteria. These criteria are generally ratios and trends that may indicate the overall
strength and financial viability of the entity being analyzed.
Assets are deemed suitable if they meet certain criteria to indicate that they are a strong
investment with a value discounted by the market. While this type of analysis helps the
Advisor in evaluating a potential investment, it does not guarantee that the investment will
increase in value. Assets meeting the investment criteria utilized in the fundamental
analysis may lose value and may have negative investment performance. The Advisor
monitors these economic indicators to determine if adjustments to strategic allocations
are appropriate. More details on the Advisor’s review process are included below in Item 13:
Review of Accounts.
As noted above, Mosaic Wealth generally employs a long-term investment strategy for its
clients, as consistent with their financial goals. Mosaic Wealth will typically hold all or a
portion of a security for more than a year but may hold for shorter periods for the purpose
of rebalancing a portfolio or meeting the cash needs of clients. At times, Mosaic Wealth
may also buy and sell positions that are more short-term in nature, depending on the goals
of the client and/or the fundamentals of the security, sector or asset class.
Mutual Funds and ETFs, Individual Securities, Third-Party Separate Account
Managers, and Pooled Investment Vehicles
Mosaic Wealth may recommend ”institutional share class” mutual funds and exchange-
traded funds (“ETFs”), individual securities (including fixed income instruments), and
pooled investment vehicles. Mosaic Wealth may also assist the client in selecting one or
more appropriate manager(s) for all or a portion of the client’s portfolio. Such managers
will typically manage assets for clients who commit to the manager a minimum amount of
assets established by that manager—a factor that Mosaic Wealth will take into account
when recommending managers to clients.
Mosaic Wealth's selection process cannot ensure that money managers will perform as
desired, and Mosaic Wealth will have no control over the day-to-day operations of any of
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
its selected money managers. Mosaic Wealth would not necessarily be aware of certain
activities at the underlying money manager level, including without limitation a money
manager's engaging in unreported risks, investment “style drift,” or even regulatory
breaches or fraud.
A description of the criteria to be used in formulating an investment recommendation for
mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities (including fixed-income securities), managers, and
pooled investment vehicles is set forth below.
Mosaic Wealth has formed relationships with third-party vendors that
provide a technological platform for separate account management
prepare performance reports
perform or distribute research of individual securities
perform billing and certain other administrative tasks
Mosaic Wealth may utilize additional independent third parties to assist it in
recommending and monitoring individual securities, mutual funds, managers and pooled
investment vehicles to clients as appropriate under the circumstances.
Mosaic Wealth reviews certain quantitative and qualitative criteria related to mutual funds
and managers and to formulate investment recommendations to its clients. Quantitative
criteria may include
the performance history of a mutual fund or manager evaluated against that of its
peers and other benchmarks
an analysis of risk-adjusted returns
an analysis of the manager’s contribution to the investment return (e.g., manager’s
alpha), standard deviation of returns over specific time periods, sector and style
analysis
the fund, sub-advisor or manager’s fee structure
the relevant portfolio manager’s tenure
Qualitative criteria used in selecting/recommending mutual funds or managers include the
investment objectives and/or management style and philosophy of a mutual fund or
manager; a mutual fund or manager’s consistency of investment style; and employee
turnover and efficiency and capacity.
Quantitative and qualitative criteria related to mutual funds and managers are reviewed by
Mosaic Wealth on a quarterly basis or such other interval as appropriate under the
circumstances. In addition, mutual funds or managers are reviewed to determine the
extent to which their investments reflect any of the following: efforts to time the market,
engage in portfolio pumping, or evidence style drift such that their portfolios no longer
accurately reflect the particular asset category attributed to the mutual fund or manager
by Mosaic Wealth (both of which are negative factors in implementing an asset allocation
structure).
Mosaic Wealth may negotiate reduced account minimum balances and reduced fees with
managers under various circumstances (e.g., for clients with minimum level of assets
committed to the manager for specific periods of time, etc.). There can be no assurance
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
that clients will receive any reduced account minimum balances or fees, or that all clients,
even if apparently similarly situated, will receive any reduced account minimum balances
or fees available to some other clients. Also, account minimum balances and fees may
significantly differ between clients. Each client’s individual needs and circumstances will
determine portfolio weighting, which can have an impact on fees given the funds or
managers utilized. Mosaic Wealth will endeavor to obtain equal treatment for its clients
with funds or managers, but cannot assure equal treatment.
Mosaic Wealth will regularly review the activities of mutual funds and managers utilized for
the client. Clients that engage managers or who invest in mutual funds should first review
and understand the disclosure documents of those managers or mutual funds, which
contain information relevant to such retention or investment, including information on the
methodology used to analyze securities, investment strategies, fees and conflicts of
interest. Similarly, clients qualified to invest in pooled investment vehicles should review
the private placement memoranda or other disclosure materials relating to such vehicles
before making a decision to invest.
Material Risks of Investment Instruments
Mosaic Wealth generally invests in the following types of securities:
Equity securities
Mutual fund securities
Exchange-traded funds
Fixed income securities
Corporate debt securities, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit
Municipal securities
U.S. government securities
Private placements
Pooled investment vehicles
Fixed equity annuities
Variable annuities
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)
Hedge funds
Private Equity
Derivatives
Equity Securities
Investing in individual companies involves inherent risk. The major risks relate to the
company’s capitalization, quality of the company’s management, quality and cost of the
company’s services, the company’s ability to manage costs, efficiencies in the
manufacturing or service delivery process, management of litigation risk, and the
company’s ability to create shareholder value (i.e., increase the value of the company’s
stock price). Foreign securities, in addition to the general risks of equity securities, have
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
geopolitical risk, financial transparency risk, currency risk, regulatory risk and liquidity
risk.
Mutual Fund Securities
Investing in mutual funds carries inherent risk. The major risks of investing in a mutual
fund include the quality and experience of the portfolio management team and its ability
to create fund value by investing in securities that have positive growth, the amount of
individual company diversification, the type and amount of industry diversification, and
the type and amount of sector diversification within specific industries. In addition,
mutual funds tend to be tax inefficient and therefore investors may pay capital gains
taxes on fund investments while not having yet sold the fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)
ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities
exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market
segment or index. Some examples of ETFs are SPDRs®, streetTRACKS®, DIAMONDSSM,
NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking StockSM (“QQQs SM”) iShares® and VIPERs®. ETFs have
embedded expenses that the client indirectly bears.
Investing in ETFs involves risk. Specifically, ETFs, depending on the underlying portfolio
and its size, can have wide price (bid and ask) spreads, thus diluting or negating any
upward price movement of the ETF or enhancing any downward price movement. Also,
ETFs require more frequent portfolio reporting by regulators and are thereby more
susceptible to actions by hedge funds that could have a negative impact on the price of
the ETF. Certain ETFs may employ leverage, which creates additional volatility and price
risk depending on the amount of leverage utilized, the collateral and the liquidity of the
supporting collateral.
Further, the use of leverage (i.e., employing the use of margin) generally results in
additional interest costs to the ETF. Certain ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore have
additional volatility and liquidity risk. Volatility and liquidity can severely and negatively
impact the price of the ETF’s underlying portfolio securities, thereby causing significant
price fluctuations of the ETF.
Fixed Income Securities
Fixed income securities carry additional risks than those of equity securities described
above. These risks include the company’s ability to retire its debt at maturity, the current
interest rate environment, the coupon interest rate promised to bondholders, legal
constraints, jurisdictional risk (U.S or foreign) and currency risk. If bonds have maturities
of ten years or greater, they will likely have greater price swings when interest rates
move up or down. The shorter the maturity the less volatile the price swings. Foreign
bonds have liquidity and currency risk.
Corporate Debt, Commercial Paper and Certificates of Deposit
Fixed income securities carry additional risks than those of equity securities described
above. These risks include the company’s ability to retire its debt at maturity, the current
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
interest rate environment, the coupon interest rate promised to bondholders, legal
constraints, jurisdictional risk (U.S or foreign) and currency risk. If bonds have maturities
of ten years or greater, they will likely have greater price swings when interest rates
move up or down. The shorter the maturity the less volatile the price swings. Foreign
bonds also have liquidity and currency risk.
Commercial paper and certificates of deposit are generally considered safe instruments,
although they are subject to the level of general interest rates, the credit quality of the
issuing bank and the length of maturity. With respect to certificates of deposit,
depending on the length of maturity there can be prepayment penalties if the client
needs to convert the certificate of deposit to cash prior to maturity.
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities carry additional risks than those of corporate and bank-sponsored
debt securities described above. These risks include the municipality’s ability to raise
additional tax revenue or other revenue (in the event the bonds are revenue bonds) to
pay interest on its debt and to retire its debt at maturity. Municipal bonds are generally
tax free at the federal level, but may be taxable in individual states other than the state in
which both the investor and municipal issuer is domiciled.
U.S. Government Securities
U.S. government securities include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and by U.S.
government agencies and instrumentalities. U.S. government securities may be
supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Private Placements
Private placements carry significant risk in that companies using the private placement
market conduct securities offerings that are exempt from registration under the federal
securities laws, which means that investors do not have access to public information and
such investors are not provided with the same amount of information that they would
receive if the securities offering was a public offering. Moreover, many companies using
private placements do so to raise equity capital in the start-up phase of their business, or
require additional capital to complete another phase in their growth objective. In
addition, the securities issued in connection with private placements are restricted
securities, which means that they are not traded on a secondary market, such as a stock
exchange, and they are thus illiquid and cannot be readily converted to cash.
Pooled Investment Vehicles
A pooled investment vehicle, such as a commodity pool or investment company, is
generally offered only to investors who meet specified suitability, net worth and annual
income criteria. Pooled investment vehicles sell securities through private placements
and thus are illiquid and subject to a variety of risks that are disclosed in each pooled
investment vehicle’s confidential private placement memorandum or disclosure
document. Investors should read these documents carefully and consult with their
professional advisors prior to committing investment dollars. Because many of the
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
securities involved in pooled investment vehicles do not have transparent trading
markets from which accurate and current pricing information can be derived, or in the
case of private equity investments where portfolio security companies are privately held
with no publicly traded market, the Advisor will be unable to monitor or verify the
accuracy of such performance information.
Fixed Equity Annuities
A fixed annuity is a contract between an insurance company and a customer, typically
called the annuitant. The contract obligates the company to make a series of fixed
annuity payments to the annuitant for the duration of the contract. The annuitant
surrenders a lump sum of cash in exchange for monthly payments that are guaranteed by
the insurance company. Please note the following risks: (i) Spending power risk. Social
Security retirement benefits have cost-of-living adjustments. Most fixed annuities do not.
Consequently, the spending power provided by the monthly payment may decline
significantly over the life of the annuity contract because of inflation, (ii) Death and
survivorship risk. In a conventional fixed annuity, once the annuitant has turned over a
lump sum premium to the insurance company, it will not be returned. The annuitant
could die after receiving only a few monthly payments, but the insurance company may
not be obligated to give the annuitant’s estate any of the money back. A related risk is
based on the financial consequences for a surviving spouse. In a standard single-life
annuity contract, a survivor receives nothing after the annuitant dies. That may put a
severe dent in a spouse’s retirement income. To counteract this risk, consider a joint life
annuity. (iii) Company failure risk. Private annuity contracts are not guaranteed by the
FDIC, SIPC, or any other federal agency. If the insurance company that issues an annuity
contract fails, no one in the federal government is obligated to protect the annuitant
from financial loss. Most states have guaranty associations that provide a level of
protection to citizens in that state if an insurance company also doing business in that
state fails. A typical limit of state protection, if it applies at all, is $100,000. To control this
risk, contact the state insurance commissioner to confirm that your state has a guaranty
association and to learn the guarantee limits applicable to a fixed annuity contract. Based
on that information, consider dividing fixed annuity contracts among multiple insurance
companies to obtain the maximum possible protection. Also check the financial stability
and credit ratings of the annuity insurance companies being considered. A.M. Best and
Standard & Poor’s publish ratings information.
Variable Annuities
Variable Annuities are long-term financial products designed for retirement purposes. In
essence, annuities are contractual agreements in which payment(s) are made to an
insurance company, which agrees to pay out an income or a lump sum amount at a later
date. There are contract limitations and fees and charges associated with annuities,
administrative fees, and charges for optional benefits. They also may carry early
withdrawal penalties and surrender charges, and carry additional risks such as the
insurance carrier's ability to pay claims. Moreover, variable annuities carry investment
risk similar to mutual funds. Investors should carefully review the terms of the variable
annuity contract before investing.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)
A REIT is a tax designation for a corporate entity which pools capital of many investors to
purchase and manage real estate. Many REITs invest in income-producing properties in
the office, industrial, retail, and residential real estate sectors. REITs are granted special
tax considerations, which can significantly reduce or eliminate corporate income taxes.
In order to qualify as a REIT and for these special tax considerations, REITs are required
by law to distribute 90% of their taxable income to investors. REITs can be traded on a
public exchange like a stock, or be offered as a non-traded REIT. REITs, both public
exchange-traded and non-traded, are subject to risks including volatile fluctuations in
real estate prices, as well as fluctuations in the costs of operating or managing
investment properties, which can be substantial. Many REITs obtain management and
operational services from companies and service providers that are directly or indirectly
related to the sponsor of the REIT, which presents a potential conflict of interest that can
impact returns on investments.
Non-traded REITs include: (i) A REIT that is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) but is not listed on an exchange or over-the-counter market (non-
exchange traded REIT); or, (i) a REIT that is sold pursuant to an exemption to registration
(Private REIT). Non-traded REITs are generally blind pool investment vehicles. Blind pools
are limited partnerships that do not explicitly state their future investments prior to
beginning their capital-raising phase. During this period of capital-raising, non-traded
REITs often pay distributions to their investors.
The risks of non-traded REITs are varied and significant. Because they are not exchange-
traded investments, they often lack a developed secondary market, thus making them
illiquid investments. As blind pool investment vehicles, non-traded REITs’ initial share
prices are not related to the underlying value of the properties. This is because non-
traded REITs begin and continue to purchase new properties as new capital is raised.
Thus, one risk for non-traded REITs is the possibility that the blind pool will be unable to
raise enough capital to carry out its investment plan. After the capital raising phase is
complete, non-traded REIT shares are infrequently re-valued and thus may not reflect
the true net asset value of the underlying real estate investments. Non-traded REITs
often offer investors a redemption program where the shares can be sold back to the
sponsor; however, those redemption programs are often subject to restrictions and may
be suspended at the sponsor’s discretion. While non-traded REITs may pay distributions
to investors at a stated target rate during the capital-raising phases, the funds used to
pay such distributions may be obtained from sources other than cash flow from
operations, and such financing can increase operating costs.
With respect to publicly traded REITs, publicly traded REITs may be subject to additional
risks and price fluctuations in the public market due to investors’ expectations of the
individual REIT, the real estate market generally, specific sectors, the current yield on
such REIT, and the current liquidity available in public market. Although publicly traded
REITs offer investors liquidity, there can be constraints based upon current supply and
demand. An investor when liquidating may receive less than the intrinsic value of the
REIT.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Hedge Funds
A hedge fund is an alternative investment vehicle suitable for sophisticated investors,
such as institutions and individuals that typically meet the Qualified Investor standard
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Hedge funds may invest in traditional
securities, such as stocks, bonds, commodities and real estate, but they typically use
sophisticated (and risky) investments, strategies, and techniques. Hedge funds typically
use long-short strategies, which invest in some balance of long positions (which means
buying stocks) and short positions (which means selling stocks with borrowed money,
then buying them back later when their price has, ideally, fallen).
Additionally, many hedge funds invest in “derivatives,” which are contracts to buy or sell
another security at a specified price. Many hedge funds also use leverage, which is
essentially investing with borrowed money—a strategy that could significantly increase
return potential, but also creates greater risk of loss.
Third, hedge funds are structured as private funds, exempt from registration, have
limited liquidity, and complex tax structures. Most hedge funds, in contrast, seek to
generate returns over a specific period of time called a “lockup period,” during which
investors cannot sell their shares.
Hedge fund managers earn a “management fee,” typically in the range of 1% to 2% of the
net asset value of the fund. In addition, the hedge fund manager receives a percentage of
the returns they earn for investors (performance-based fee), which typically is 20% of the
net profits over some hurdle or minimum return to the fund investors. Performance-
based fee structures may lead the hedge fund managers to invest aggressively to achieve
higher returns, increasing investor risk. Investors looking to invest in hedge funds and
alternative investment vehicles are urged to carefully review the fund’s offering
documents, related investor agreements, and disclosures prior to investing.
Private Equity
Private equity is an ownership interest in a company or portion of a company that is not
publicly owned, quoted, or traded on a stock exchange. Private equity takes an ownership
interest in a company with the goal of enhancing the company's value by bringing about
change. Compared to public equity, long-term results of private equity investments are
less dependent on overall market performance. Private equity investments are subject to
certain risks such as market and investment style risk. Investments are highly illiquid and
subject to greater risk. These risks include lack of liquidity, lack of valuation
transparency, conflicts of interest, higher management fees, and complex tax structures.
Private equity investments may require a longer holding period and are highly speculative
and may result in a loss of invested capital. The strategies discussed may only be
appropriate for certain qualified investors.
Derivatives
Some ETFs use derivatives, such as swaps, options and futures, among others. Derivative
instruments may be illiquid, difficult to value and leveraged so that small changes may
produce disproportionate losses to a client. Over-the-counter derivatives, such as swaps,
are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. Losses from investments in
derivatives can result from a lack of correlation between the value of those derivatives
and the value of the underlying asset or index. In addition, there is a risk that the
performance of the derivatives to replicate the performance of a particular asset or asset
class may not accurately track the performance of that asset or asset class.
B. Investment Strategy and Method of Analysis Material Risks
Our investment strategy is custom-tailored to the client’s goals, investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and personal and financial circumstances.
Margin Leverage
Although Mosaic Wealth, as a general business practice, does not utilize leverage, there
may be instances in which the use of leverage may be appropriate for certain clients and
situations or requested by the clients for personal use. In this regard please review the
following:
The use of margin leverage enhances the overall risk of investment gain and loss to the
client’s investment portfolio. For example, investors are able to control $2 of a security for
$1. So if the price of a security rises by $1, the investor earns a 100% return on their
investment. Conversely, if the security declines by $.50, then the investor loses 50% of
their investment.
The use of margin leverage entails borrowing, which results in additional interest costs to
the investor.
Broker-dealers who carry customer accounts require a minimum equity requirement when
clients utilize margin leverage. The minimum equity requirement is stated as a percentage
of the value of the underlying collateral security with an absolute minimum dollar
requirement. For example, if the price of a security declines in value to the point where the
excess equity used to satisfy the minimum requirement dissipates, the broker-dealer will
require the client to deposit additional collateral to the account in the form of cash or
marketable securities. A deposit of securities to the account will require a larger deposit, as
the security being deposited is included in the computation of the minimum equity
requirement. In addition, when leverage is utilized and the client needs to withdraw cash,
the client must sell a disproportionate amount of collateral securities to release enough
cash to satisfy the withdrawal amount based upon similar reasoning as cited above.
Regulations concerning the use of margin leverage are established by the Federal Reserve
Board and vary if the client’s account is held at a broker-dealer versus a bank custodian.
Broker-dealers and bank custodians may apply more stringent rules as they deem
necessary.
Short-Term Trading
Although Mosaic Wealth, as a general business practice, does not utilize short-term
trading, there may be instances in which short-term trading may be necessary or an
appropriate strategy. In this regard, please read the following:
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
There is an inherent risk for clients who trade frequently in that high-frequency trading
creates substantial transaction costs that in the aggregate could negatively impact account
performance.
Short Selling
Mosaic Wealth generally does not engage in short selling but reserves the right to do so in
the exercise of its sole judgment. Short selling involves the sale of a security that is
borrowed rather than owned. When a short sale is effected, the investor is expecting the
price of the security to decline in value so that a purchase or closeout of the short sale can
be effected at a significantly lower price. The primary risks of effecting short sales is the
availability to borrow the stock, the unlimited potential for loss, and the requirement to
fund any difference between the short credit balance and the market value of the security.
Option Strategies
Various option strategies give the holder the right to acquire or sell underlying securities at
the contract strike price up until expiration of the option. Each contract is worth 100
shares of the underlying security. Options entail greater risk but allow an investor to have
market exposure to a particular security or group of securities without the capital
commitment required to purchase the underlying security or groups of securities. In
addition, options allow investors to hedge security positions held in the portfolio. For
detailed information on the use of options and option strategies, please contact the
Options Clearing Corporation for the current Options Risk Disclosure Statement.
Mosaic Wealth as part of its investment strategy may employ the following option
strategies:
Covered call writing
Long call options purchases
Long put options purchases
Option spreading
Covered Call Writing
Covered call writing is the sale of in-, at-, or out-of-the-money call option against a long
security position held in the client portfolio. This type of transaction is used to generate
income. It also serves to create downside protection in the event the security position
declines in value. Income is received from the proceeds of the option sale. Such income
may be reduced to the extent it is necessary to buy back the option position prior to its
expiration. This strategy may involve a degree of trading velocity, transaction costs and
significant losses if the underlying security has volatile price movement. Covered call
strategies are generally suited for companies with little price volatility.
Long Call Option Purchases
Long call option purchases allow the option holder to be exposed to the general market
characteristics of a security without the outlay of capital necessary to own the security.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Options are wasting assets and expire (usually within nine months of issuance), and as a
result can expose the investor to significant loss.
Long Put Option Purchases
Long put option purchases allow the option holder to sell or “put” the underlying security
at the contract strike price at a future date. If the price of the underlying security
declines in value, the value of the long put option increases. In this way long puts are
often used to hedge a long stock position. Options are wasting assets and expire (usually
within nine months of issuance), and as a result can expose the investor to significant
loss.
Option Spreading
Option spreading usually involves the purchase of a call option and the sale of a call
option at a higher contract strike price, both having the same expiration month. The
purpose of this type of transaction is to allow the holder to be exposed to the general
market characteristics of a security without the outlay of capital to own the security, and
to offset the cost by selling the call option with a higher contract strike price. In this type
of transaction, the spread holder “locks in” a maximum profit, defined as the difference in
contract prices reduced by the net cost of implementing the spread. There are many
variations of option spreading strategies; please contact the Options Clearing
Corporation for a current Options Risk Disclosure Statement that discusses each of these
strategies.
C. Concentration Risks
There is an inherent risk for clients who have their investment portfolios heavily weighted
in one security, one industry or industry sector, one geographic location, one investment
manager, one type of investment instrument (equities versus fixed income). Clients who
have diversified portfolios, as a general rule, incur less volatility and therefore less
fluctuation in portfolio value than those who have concentrated holdings. Concentrated
holdings may offer the potential for higher gain, but also offer the potential for significant
loss.
D. Cybersecurity
The computer systems, networks and devices used by Mosaic Wealth and service providers
to us and our clients to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of
protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network
failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons
and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized, systems, networks, or
devices potentially can be breached. A client could be negatively impacted as a result of a
cybersecurity breach.
Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices;
infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut
down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact business
operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to a client; impediments to trading; the
inability by us and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable
privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or
other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent
release of confidential information.
Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of
securities in which a client invests; governmental and other regulatory authorities;
exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, and other financial
institutions; and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these
entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Item 9:
Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There is nothing to report on this item.
B. Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report on this item.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report on this item.
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 10:
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Broker-Dealer or Representative Registration
Certain members and registered advisory personnel of Mosaic Wealth are registered
representatives of Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments (“PKS”), a FINRA-registered broker-
dealer and member of SIPC. PKS is a financial services company engaged in the sale of
investment products.
As a result of Mosaic Wealth members and registered professionals’ affiliation with PKS,
such professionals, in their capacity as registered representatives of PKS, are subject to the
general oversight of PKS and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (“FINRA”). As
such, clients of Mosaic Wealth should understand that their personal and account
information is available to FINRA and PKS for the fulfillment of their regulatory oversight
obligations and duties.
B. Futures or Commodity Registration
Neither Mosaic Wealth nor its affiliates are registered as a commodity firm, futures
commission merchant, commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor and do not
have an application to register pending.
C. Material Relationships Maintained by this Advisory Business and
Conflicts of Interest
Broker-Dealer Registration
As noted above, certain managers, members, and registered personnel of Mosaic Wealth
are associated persons of PKS, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer and member of SIPC.
Mosaic Wealth professionals who effect transactions for advisory clients may receive
transaction or commission compensation from PKS. The recommendation of securities
transactions for commission creates a conflict of interest in that Mosaic Wealth is
economically incented to effect securities transactions for clients. Although Mosaic Wealth
strives to put its clients’ interests first, such recommendations may be viewed as being in
the best interests of Mosaic Wealth rather than in the client’s best interest. Mosaic Wealth
advisory clients are not compelled to effect securities transactions through PKS.
Focus Financial Partners
As noted above in response to Item 4, certain investment vehicles affiliated with CD&R
collectively are indirect majority owners of Focus LLC, and certain investment vehicles
affiliated with Stone Point are indirect owners of Focus LLC. Because Mosaic Wealth is an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Focus LLC, CD&R and Stone Point investment
vehicles are indirect owners of Mosaic Wealth.
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
CD&R and Stone Point Funds
Mosaic Wealth has recommended, and may in the future recommend, that clients invest or
stay invested in funds managed and/or sponsored by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC
(“CD&R”) / Stone Point Capital LLC (“Stone Point”) or one of their affiliates (each such
vehicle, an “Owner-Affiliated Fund”), if Mosaic Wealth determines that such investments
are in the best interest of clients. Fees charged by each Owner-Affiliated Fund will be paid
directly or indirectly to CD&R and/or its affiliates / Stone Point and/or its affiliates. A
conflict of interest exists because CD&R / Stone Point investment vehicles are indirect
owners of Mosaic Wealth, and CD&R and/or its affiliates / Stone Point and/or its affiliates
will benefit financially if Mosaic Wealth recommends investment in or continued
investment in Owner-Affiliated Funds. Although Mosaic Wealth will only recommend such
investments if it believes that they are in the best interest of clients, it is nonetheless
possible that this conflict of interest might influence Mosaic Wealth’s advice, consciously
or unconsciously.
We believe this conflict is mitigated because of the following factors: (1) this
recommendation is based on our judgment that investing a portion of our clients’ assets in
the Owner-Affiliated Funds is in the best interest of the affected clients; (2) CD&R / Stone
Point and the Owner-Affiliated Funds have met the due diligence and performance
standards that we apply to outside, unaffiliated investment managers; (3) if the Owner-
Affiliated Funds are private funds, then clients will invest in such Owner-Affiliated Funds
on a nondiscretionary basis through the completion of subscription documentation; (4)
subject to redemption restrictions, we are willing and able to reallocate client assets to
other unaffiliated investment vehicles, in part or in whole, if CD&R’s / Stone Point’s
services become unsatisfactory in our judgment and at our sole discretion; and (5) we have
fully and fairly disclosed the material facts regarding this relationship to you, including in
this Brochure, and Mosaic Wealth clients who invest in Owner-Affiliated Funds have given
their informed consent to those investments.
UPTIQ Credit and Cash Management Solutions
Mosaic Wealth offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from
unaffiliated third-party financial institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions,
LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates, “UPTIQ”). These third-party financial
institutions are banks and non-banks that offer credit and cash management solutions to
our clients, as well as certain other unaffiliated third parties that provide administrative
and settlement services to facilitate UPTIQ’s cash management solutions. UPTIQ acts as an
intermediary to facilitate our clients’ access to these credit and cash management
solutions.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus”). Focus is a
minority investor in UPTIQ, Inc. UPTIQ is compensated by sharing in the revenue earned
by such third-party financial institutions for serving our clients. The revenue paid to
UPTIQ also benefits UPTIQ Inc.’s investors, including Focus. When legally permissible,
UPTIQ also shares a portion of this earned revenue with our affiliate, Focus Solutions
Holdings, LLC (“FSH”). For non-residential mortgage loans made to our clients, UPTIQ will
share with FSH up to 25% of all revenue it receives from the third-party financial
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
institutions. For securities-backed lines of credit (“SBLOCs”) made to our clients, UPTIQ
will share with FSH up to 75% of all revenue it receives from such third-party financial
institutions. For cash management products and services provided to our clients, UPTIQ
will share with FSH up to 33% of all revenue it receives from the third-party financial
institutions and other intermediaries that provide administrative and settlement services in
connection with this program. This earned revenue is indirectly paid by our clients through
an increased interest rate charged by the third-party financial institutions for credit
solutions or reduced yield paid by the providers of cash management solutions. FSH
distributes this revenue to us when we are licensed to receive such revenue (or when no
such license is required) and the distribution is not otherwise legally prohibited. This
revenue is also revenue for FSH’s and our common parent company, Focus. Additionally,
the volume generated by our clients’ transactions allows Focus to negotiate better terms
with UPTIQ, which benefits Focus and us. Accordingly, we have a conflict of interest when
recommending UPTIQ’s services to clients because of the compensation to us and to our
affiliates, FSH and Focus, and the transaction volume to UPTIQ. We mitigate this conflict
by: (1) fully and fairly disclosing the material facts concerning the above arrangements to
our clients, including in this Brochure; and (2) offering UPTIQ’s solutions to clients on a
strictly nondiscretionary and fully disclosed basis, and not as part of any discretionary
investment services. Additionally, we note that clients who use UPTIQ’s services will
receive product-specific disclosure from the third-party financial institutions and other
unaffiliated third-party intermediaries that provide services to our clients.
We have an additional conflict of interest when we recommend credit solutions to our
clients because our interest in continuing to receive investment advisory fees from client
accounts gives us a financial incentive to recommend that clients borrow money rather
than liquidate some or all of the assets we manage.
Credit Solutions. Clients retain the right to pledge assets in accounts generally, subject to
any restrictions imposed by clients’ custodians. While credit solution programs that we
offer facilitate secured loans through third-party financial institutions, clients are free
instead to work directly with institutions outside such programs. Because of the limited
number of participating third-party financial institutions, clients may be limited in their
ability to obtain as favorable loan terms as if the client were to work directly with other
banks to negotiate loan terms or obtain other financial arrangements.
Clients should also understand that pledging assets in an account to secure a loan involves
additional risk and restrictions. A third-party financial institution has the authority to
liquidate all or part of the pledged securities at any time, without prior notice to clients and
without their consent, to maintain required collateral levels. The third-party financial
institution also has the right to call client loans and require repayment within a short
period of time; if the client cannot repay the loan within the specified time period, the
third-party financial institution will have the right to force the sale of pledged assets to
repay those loans. Selling assets to maintain collateral levels or calling loans may result in
asset sales and realized losses in a declining market, leading to the permanent loss of
capital. These sales also may have adverse tax consequences. Interest payments and any
other loan-related fees are borne by clients and are in addition to the advisory fees that
clients pay us for managing assets, including assets that are pledged as collateral. The
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
returns on pledged assets may be less than the account fees and interest paid by the
account. Clients should consider carefully and skeptically any recommendation to pursue a
more aggressive investment strategy in order to support the cost of borrowing, particularly
the risks and costs of any such strategy. More generally, before borrowing funds, a client
should carefully review the loan agreement, loan application, and other forms and
determine that the loan is consistent with the client’s long-term financial goals and
presents risks consistent with the client’s financial circumstances and risk tolerance.
We use UPTIQ to facilitate credit solutions for our clients.
Cash Management Solutions. For cash management programs, certain third-party
intermediaries provide administrative and settlement services to our clients. Engaging the
third-party financial institutions and other intermediaries to provide cash management
solutions does not alter the manner in which we treat cash for billing purposes. Clients
should understand that in rare circumstances, depending on interest rates and other
economic and market factors, the yields on cash management solutions could be lower
than the aggregate fees and expenses charged by the third-party financial institutions, the
intermediaries referenced above, and us. Consequently, in these rare circumstances, a
client could experience a negative overall investment return with respect to those cash
investments. Nonetheless, it might still be reasonable for a client to participate in a cash
management program if the client prefers to hold cash at the third-party financial
institutions rather than at other financial institutions (e.g., to take advantage of FDIC
insurance).
We use UPTIQ to facilitate cash management solutions for our clients.
Focus Risk Solutions
Mosaic Wealth helps clients obtain certain insurance products from unaffiliated insurance
companies by introducing clients to our affiliate, Focus Risk Solutions, LLC (“FRS”), a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mosaic Wealth’s parent company, Focus Financial Partners, LLC
(“Focus”). FRS acts as an intermediary to facilitate our clients’ access to insurance products.
FRS has agreements with certain third-party insurance brokers (the “Brokers”) under
which the Brokers assist our clients with regulated insurance sales activity.
If FRS refers one of our clients to a Broker and there is a subsequent purchase of insurance
through the Broker, FRS will receive a portion of the upfront and/or ongoing commissions
paid to the Broker by the insurance carrier with which the policy was placed. The amount
of revenue earned by FRS for the sale of these insurance products will vary over time in
response to market conditions. The amount of insurance commission revenue earned by
FRS is considered for purposes of determining the amount of additional compensation that
certain of our financial professionals are entitled to receive. The amount of revenue earned
by FRS for a particular insurance product will also differ from the amount of revenue
earned by FRS for other types of insurance products. This revenue is also revenue for our
and FRS’s common parent company, Focus. Accordingly, we have a conflict of interest
when recommending FRS’s services to clients because of the compensation to certain of
our financial professionals and to our affiliates, FRS and Focus. We address this conflict by:
(1) fully and fairly disclosing the material facts concerning the above arrangements to our
clients, including in this Brochure; and (2) offering FRS solutions to clients on a strictly
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
nondiscretionary and fully disclosed basis, and not as part of any discretionary investment
services. Additionally, we note that clients who use FRS’s services will receive product-
specific disclosure from the Brokers and insurance carriers and other unaffiliated third-
party intermediaries that provide services to our clients.
The insurance premium is ultimately dictated by the insurance carrier, although in some
circumstances the Brokers or FRS may have the ability to influence an insurance carrier to
lower the premium of the policy. The final rate may be higher or lower than the prevailing
market rate, and may be higher than if the policy was purchased directly through the
Broker without the assistance of FRS. We can offer no assurances that the rates offered to
the client by the insurance carrier are the lowest possible rates available in the
marketplace.
Sentinel
Mosaic Wealth recommends to certain 401(k) clients or prospects the record keeping and
third-party administrative services of Sentinel Benefits Group, LLC (“Sentinel”), which is an
affiliate as it is also owned by Focus Operating, LLC. However, 401(k) advisory clients
receive a proposal directly from, and contract separately with, Sentinel on an arm’s-length
basis for those services if they so choose. No compensation or financial incentives of any
kind are exchanged between Mosaic Wealth and Sentinel with regard to mutual clients.
Related Private Fund Manager
Mosaic Wealth has a business relationship with other Focus firms that is material to Mosaic
Wealth’s advisory business or to Mosaic Wealth’s clients. Under certain circumstances
Mosaic Wealth offers clients the opportunity to invest in pooled investment vehicles
managed by SCS. SCS provides these services to such clients pursuant to limited liability
company agreement or limited partnership agreement documents and in exchange for a
fund-level management fee and performance fee paid by clients and not by Mosaic Wealth.
SCS, like Mosaic Wealth, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Focus LLC and is
therefore under common control with Mosaic Wealth. The allocation of clients’ assets to
SCS’s pooled investment vehicles, rather than to an unaffiliated investment manager,
increases SCS’s, and indirectly, Focus LLC’s, compensation and revenue. As a consequence,
Focus LLC has a financial incentive to cause Mosaic Wealth to recommend that clients
invest in SCS’s pooled investment vehicles, which creates a conflict of interest with Mosaic
Wealth clients who invest, or are eligible to invest, in SCS’s pooled investment vehicles.
More information about Focus LLC can be found at www.focusfinancialpartners.com.
Mosaic Wealth believes this conflict is mitigated because of the following factors: (1) this
arrangement is based on reasonable belief that investing a portion of Mosaic Wealth’s
clients’ assets in SCS’s investment vehicles is in the best interests of the clients; (2) SCS and
its investment vehicles have met the due diligence and performance standards that we
apply to outside, unaffiliated investment managers; (3) clients will invest in the pooled
investment vehicles on a nondiscretionary basis through the completion of subscription
documentation; (4) subject to redemption restrictions, Mosaic Wealth is willing and able to
reallocate Mosaic Wealth client assets to other unaffiliated or affiliated investment
vehicles, in part or in whole, if SCS’s services become unsatisfactory in Mosaic Wealth’s
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
judgment and at Mosaic Wealth’s sole discretion; and (5) Mosaic Wealth has fully and fairly
disclosed the material facts regarding this relationship to clients, including in this
Brochure, and Mosaic Wealth clients who invest in SCS’s pooled investment vehicles have
given informed consent to those investments.
Licensed Insurance Professionals
Certain managers, members, and registered employees of Mosaic Wealth are licensed
insurance agents and may recommend insurance products offered by such carriers for
whom they function as an agent and receive a commission for doing so. Please be advised
there is a conflict of interest in that there is an economic incentive to recommend
insurance and other products of such carriers. Please also be advised that Mosaic Wealth
strives to put its clients’ interests first and foremost. Other than for insurance products
that require a securities license, such as variable insurance products, clients may utilize
any insurance carrier or insurance agency they desire. For products requiring a securities
and insurance license, clients may be limited to those insurance carriers that have a selling
agreement with Mosaic Wealth’s employing broker-dealer.]
D. Recommendation or Selection of Other Investment Advisors and
Conflicts of Interest
As noted in Item 4, the Advisor may implement all or a portion of a client’s investment
portfolio with one or more third-party separate account managers. The Advisor does not
receive any compensation, nor does this present a material conflict of interest. The Advisor
will only earn its investment advisory fee as described in Item 5.A.
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Item 11:
Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics Description
In accordance with the Advisers Act, Mosaic Wealth has adopted policies and procedures
designed to detect and prevent insider trading. In addition, Mosaic Wealth has adopted a
Code of Ethics (the “Code”). Among other things, the Code includes written procedures
governing the conduct of Mosaic Wealth's advisory and access persons. The Code also
imposes certain reporting obligations on persons subject to the Code. The Code and
applicable securities transactions are monitored by the chief compliance officer of Mosaic
Wealth. Mosaic Wealth will send clients a copy of its Code of Ethics upon written request.
Mosaic Wealth has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the interests of its
clients are given preference over those of Mosaic Wealth, its affiliates and its employees.
For example, there are policies in place to prevent the misappropriation of material non-
public information, and such other policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply
with federal and state securities laws.
B. Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest
and Conflicts of Interest
Mosaic Wealth does not engage in principal trading (i.e., the practice of selling stock to
advisory clients from a firm’s inventory or buying stocks from advisory clients into a firm’s
inventory).
Mosaic Wealth recommends that certain of our clients invest in a private investment fund
managed by an affiliated Focus partner firm. Please refer to Items 4, 5 and 10 for additional
information.
C. Advisory Firm Purchase or Sale of Same Securities Recommended to
Clients and Conflicts of Interest
Mosaic Wealth, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable
organizations and retirement plans established by it may purchase or sell the same
securities as are purchased or sold for clients in accordance with its Code of Ethics
policies and procedures. The personal securities transactions by advisory representatives
and employees may raise potential conflicts of interest when they trade in a security that
is:
owned by the client, or
considered for purchase or sale for the client.
Such conflict generally refers to the practice of front-running (trading ahead of the client),
which Mosaic Wealth specifically prohibits. Mosaic Wealth has adopted policies and
procedures that are intended to address these conflicts of interest. These policies and
procedures:
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
require our advisory representatives and employees to act in the client’s best
interest
prohibit fraudulent conduct in connection with the trading of securities in a client
account
prohibit employees from personally benefitting by causing a client to act, or fail to
act in making investment decisions
prohibit the Advisor or its employees from profiting or causing others to profit on
knowledge of completed or contemplated client transactions
allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner
provide for the review of transactions to discover and correct any trades that result
in an advisory representative or employee benefitting at the expense of a client.
Advisory representatives and employees must follow Mosaic Wealth’s procedures when
purchasing or selling the same securities purchased or sold for the client.
D. Client Securities Recommendations or Trades and Concurrent Advisory
Firm Securities Transactions and Conflicts of Interest
Mosaic Wealth, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable
organizations, and retirement plans established by it may effect securities transactions for
their own accounts that differ from those recommended or effected for other Mosaic
Wealth clients. Mosaic Wealth will make a reasonable attempt to trade securities in client
accounts at or prior to trading the securities in its affiliate, corporate, employee or
employee-related accounts. Trades executed the same day will likely be subject to an
average pricing calculation. It is the policy of Mosaic Wealth to place the clients’ interests
above those of Mosaic Wealth and its employees.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Item 12:
Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
Custodian Recommendations
Mosaic Wealth may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with the Schwab
Advisor Services division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., or Fidelity Institutional division of
Fidelity Investments (hereinafter collectively referred to as “custodian”), FINRA-registered
broker-dealers, members SIPC, to maintain custody of clients’ assets and to effect trades
for their accounts. Although Mosaic Wealth may recommend that clients establish
accounts at the custodian, it is the client’s decision to custody assets with the custodian.
Mosaic Wealth is independently owned and operated and not affiliated with custodian. For
Mosaic Wealth client accounts maintained in its custody, the custodian generally does not
charge separately for custody services but is compensated by account holders through
commissions and other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that
are executed through the custodian or that settle into custodian accounts.
Mosaic Wealth considers the financial strength, reputation, operational efficiency, cost,
execution capability, level of customer service, and related factors in recommending
broker-dealers or custodians to advisory clients.
In certain instances and subject to approval by Mosaic Wealth, Mosaic Wealth will
recommend to clients certain other broker-dealers and/or custodians based on the needs
of the individual client, and taking into consideration the nature of the services required,
the experience of the broker-dealer or custodian, the cost and quality of the services, and
the reputation of the broker-dealer or custodian. The final determination to engage a
broker-dealer or custodian recommended by Mosaic Wealth will be made by and in the
sole discretion of the client. The client recognizes that broker-dealers and/or custodians
have different cost and fee structures and trade execution capabilities. As a result, there
may be disparities with respect to the cost of services and/or the transaction prices for
securities transactions executed on behalf of the client. Clients are responsible for
assessing the commissions and other costs charged by broker-dealers and/or custodians.
How We Select Brokers/Custodians to Recommend
Mosaic Wealth seeks to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold client assets and
execute transactions on terms that provide the most value given a particular client’s
needs when compared to other available providers and their services. We consider a wide
range of factors, including, among others, the following:
combination of transaction execution services along with asset custody services
(generally without a separate fee for custody)
capability to execute, clear, and settle trades (buy and sell securities for client
accounts)
capabilities to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire
transfers, check requests, bill payment, etc.)
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
breadth of investment products made available (stocks, bonds, mutual funds,
exchange-traded funds (ETFs), etc.)
availability of investment research and tools that assist us in making investment
decisions
quality of services
competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest
rates, other fees, etc.) and willingness to negotiate them
reputation, financial strength, and stability of the provider
their prior service to us and our other clients
availability of other products and services that benefit us, as discussed below
Client’s Custody and Brokerage Costs
For client accounts that the Advisor maintains, the custodian generally does not charge
clients separately for custody services but is compensated by charging either transaction
fees or custodian asset-based fees on trades that it executes or that settle into the
custodian’s accounts. For some accounts, the custodian may charge a percentage of the
dollar amount of assets in the account in lieu of commissions. The custodian’s
commission rates and asset-based fees applicable to the Advisor’s client accounts were
negotiated based on the Advisor’s commitment to maintain a certain minimum amount of
client assets at the custodian. This commitment benefits the client because the overall
commission rates and asset-based fees paid are lower than they would be if the Advisor
had not made the commitment. In addition to commissions [or] asset-based fees], the
custodian charges a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or “trade away” fee for each
trade that the Advisor has executed by a different broker-dealer but where the securities
bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited (settled) into the client’s
custodian account. These fees are in addition to the commissions or other compensation
the client pays the executing broker-dealer. Because of this, in order to minimize the
client’s trading costs, the Advisor has the custodian execute most trades for the account.
Soft Dollar Arrangements
Mosaic Wealth does not utilize soft dollar arrangements. Mosaic Wealth does not direct
brokerage transactions to executing brokers for research and brokerage services.
Institutional Trading and Custody Services
The custodian provides Mosaic Wealth with access to its institutional trading and
custody services, which are typically not available to the custodian’s retail investors.
These services generally are available to independent investment advisors on an
unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a certain minimum amount of the
advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at a particular custodian. The
custodian’s brokerage services include the execution of securities transactions, custody,
research, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise generally
available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher minimum
initial investment.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Other Products and Services
Custodian also makes available to Mosaic Wealth other products and services that benefit
Mosaic Wealth but may not directly benefit its clients’ accounts. Many of these products
and services may be used to service all or some substantial number of Mosaic Wealth's
accounts, including accounts not maintained at custodian. The custodian may also make
available to Mosaic Wealth software and other technology that
provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account
statements)
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client
accounts
provide research, pricing and other market data
facilitate payment of Mosaic Wealth’s fees from its clients’ accounts
assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting
The custodian may also offer other services intended to help Mosaic Wealth manage and
further develop its business enterprise. These services may include
compliance, legal and business consulting
publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance
providers
The custodian may also provide other benefits such as educational events or occasional
business entertainment of Mosaic Wealth personnel. In evaluating whether to
recommend that clients custody their assets at the custodian, Mosaic Wealth may take
into account the availability of some of the foregoing products and services and other
arrangements as part of the total mix of factors it considers, and not solely the nature,
cost or quality of custody and brokerage services provided by the custodian, which may
create a potential conflict of interest.
Independent Third Parties
The custodian may make available, arrange, and/or pay third-party vendors for the types
of services rendered to Mosaic Wealth. The custodian may discount or waive fees it
would otherwise charge for some of these services or all or a part of the fees of a third
party providing these services to Mosaic Wealth.
Additional Compensation Received from Custodians
Mosaic Wealth may participate in institutional customer programs sponsored by broker-
dealers or custodians. Mosaic Wealth may recommend these broker-dealers or
custodians to clients for custody and brokerage services. There is no direct link between
Mosaic Wealth’s participation in such programs and the investment advice it gives to its
clients, although Mosaic Wealth receives economic benefits through its participation in
the programs that are typically not available to retail investors. These benefits may
include the following products and services (provided without cost or at a discount):
Receipt of duplicate client statements and confirmations
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Research-related products and tools
Consulting services
Access to a trading desk serving Mosaic Wealth participants
Access to block trading (which provides the ability to aggregate securities
transactions for execution and then allocate the appropriate shares to client
accounts)
The ability to have advisory fees deducted directly from client accounts
Access to an electronic communications network for client order entry and account
information
Access to mutual funds with no transaction fees and to certain institutional money
managers
Discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice
management products or services provided to Mosaic Wealth by third-party
vendors
The custodian may also pay for business consulting and professional services received by
Mosaic Wealth’s related persons, and may pay or reimburse expenses (including client
transition expenses, travel, lodging, meals and entertainment expenses for Mosaic
Wealth’s personnel to attend conferences). Some of the products and services made
available by such custodian through its institutional customer programs may benefit
Mosaic Wealth but may not benefit its client accounts. These products or services may
assist Mosaic Wealth in managing and administering client accounts, including accounts
not maintained at the custodian as applicable. Other services made available through the
programs are intended to help Mosaic Wealth manage and further develop its business
enterprise. The benefits received by Mosaic Wealth or its personnel through
participation in these programs do not depend on the amount of brokerage transactions
directed to the broker-dealer.
Mosaic Wealth also participates in similar institutional advisor programs offered by other
independent broker-dealers or trust companies, and its continued participation may
require Mosaic Wealth to maintain a predetermined level of assets at such firms. In
connection with its participation in such programs, Mosaic Wealth will typically receive
benefits similar to those listed above, including research, payments for business
consulting and professional services received by Mosaic Wealth’s related persons, and
reimbursement of expenses (including travel, lodging, meals and entertainment expenses
for Mosaic Wealth’s personnel to attend conferences sponsored by the broker-dealer or
trust company).
As part of its fiduciary duties to clients, Mosaic Wealth endeavors at all times to put the
interests of its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of
economic benefits by Mosaic Wealth or its related persons in and of itself creates a
potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence Mosaic Wealth’s
recommendation of broker-dealers for custody and brokerage services.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
The Advisor’s Interest in Custodian’s Services
The availability of these services from the custodian benefits the Advisor because the
Advisor does not have to produce or purchase them. The Advisor does not have to pay for
the custodian’s services so long as a certain minimum of client assets is kept in accounts
at the custodian. Custodian’s services may give the Advisor an incentive to recommend
that clients maintain their accounts with the custodian based on the Advisor’s interest in
receiving the custodian’s services that benefit the Advisor’s business rather than based on
the client’s interest in receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable
execution of client transactions. This is a potential conflict of interest. The Advisor
believes, however, that the selection of the custodian as custodian and broker is in the
best interest of clients. It is primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of the
custodian’s services and not the custodian’s services that benefit only the Advisor.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Mosaic Wealth does not engage in the practice of directing brokerage commissions in
exchange for the referral of advisory clients.
Directed Brokerage
Mosaic Wealth Recommendations
Mosaic Wealth typically recommends Fidelity or Schwab as custodian for clients’ funds
and securities and to execute securities transactions on its clients’ behalf.
Client-Directed Brokerage
Occasionally, clients may direct Mosaic Wealth to use a particular broker-dealer to
execute portfolio transactions for their account or request that certain types of securities
not be purchased for their account. Clients who designate the use of a particular broker-
dealer should be aware that they will lose any possible advantage Mosaic Wealth derives
from aggregating transactions. Such client trades are typically effected after the trades of
clients who have not directed the use of a particular broker-dealer. Mosaic Wealth loses
the ability to aggregate trades with other Mosaic Wealth advisory clients, potentially
subjecting the client to inferior trade execution prices as well as higher commissions.
B. Aggregating Securities Transactions for Client Accounts
Best Execution
Mosaic Wealth may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with Fidelity or
Schwab to maintain custody of clients’ assets and to effect trades for their accounts. Such
accounts will be prime broker eligible so that if and when the need arises to effect
securities transactions at broker-dealers ("executing brokers") other than with the client’s
current custodian, such custodian will accept delivery or deliver the applicable security
from/to the executing broker. Fidelity or Schwab charges a “trade away” fee which is
charged against the client account for each trade away occurrence. Other custodians have
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
their own policies concerning prime broker accounts and trade away fees. Clients are
directed to consult their current custodian for their policies and fees.
Mosaic Wealth, pursuant to the terms of its investment advisory agreement with clients,
has discretionary authority to determine which securities are to be bought and sold, the
amount of such securities, the executing broker, and the commission rates to be paid to
effect such transactions. Mosaic Wealth recognizes that the analysis of execution quality
involves a number of factors, both qualitative and quantitative. Mosaic Wealth will follow a
process in an attempt to ensure that it is seeking to obtain the most favorable execution
under the prevailing circumstances when placing client orders. These factors include but
are not limited to the following:
The financial strength, reputation and stability of the broker
The efficiency with which the transaction is effected
The ability to effect prompt and reliable executions at favorable prices (including
the applicable dealer spread or commission, if any)
The availability of the broker to stand ready to effect transactions of varying
degrees of difficulty in the future
The efficiency of error resolution, clearance and settlement
Block trading and positioning capabilities
Performance measurement
Online access to computerized data regarding customer accounts
Availability, comprehensiveness, and frequency of brokerage and research services
Commission rates
The economic benefit to the client
Related matters involved in the receipt of brokerage services
Consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities, Mosaic Wealth seeks to ensure that clients
receive best execution with respect to clients’ transactions by blocking client trades to
reduce commissions and transaction costs. To the best of Mosaic Wealth’s knowledge,
these custodians provide high-quality execution, and Mosaic Wealth’s clients do not pay
higher transaction costs in return for such execution.
Commission rates and securities transaction fees charged to effect such transactions are
established by the client’s independent custodian and/or broker-dealer. Based upon its
own knowledge of the securities industry, Mosaic Wealth believes that such commission
rates are competitive within the securities industry. Lower commissions or better
execution may be able to be achieved elsewhere.
Security Allocation
Since Mosaic Wealth may be managing accounts with similar investment objectives, Mosaic
Wealth may aggregate orders for securities for such accounts. In such event, allocation of
the securities so purchased or sold, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, is made
by Mosaic Wealth in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with
its fiduciary obligations to such accounts.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Mosaic Wealth’s allocation procedures seek to allocate investment opportunities among
clients in the fairest possible way, taking into account the clients’ best interests. Mosaic
Wealth will follow procedures to ensure that allocations do not involve a practice of
favoring or discriminating against any client or group of clients. Account performance is
never a factor in trade allocations.
Mosaic Wealth’s advice to certain clients and entities and the action of Mosaic Wealth for
those and other clients are frequently premised not only on the merits of a particular
investment, but also on the suitability of that investment for the particular client in light of
his or her applicable investment objective, guidelines and circumstances. Thus, any action
of Mosaic Wealth with respect to a particular investment may, for a particular client, differ
or be opposed to the recommendation, advice, or actions of Mosaic Wealth to or on behalf
of other clients.
Order Aggregation
Orders for the same security entered on behalf of more than one client will generally be
aggregated (i.e., blocked or bunched) subject to the aggregation being in the best interests
of all participating clients. Subsequent orders for the same security entered during the
same trading day may be aggregated with any previously unfilled orders. Subsequent
orders may also be aggregated with filled orders if the market price for the security has not
materially changed and the aggregation does not cause any unintended duration exposure.
All clients participating in each aggregated order will receive the average price and, subject
to minimum ticket charges and possible step outs, pay a pro rata portion of commissions.
To minimize performance dispersion, “strategy” trades should be aggregated and average
priced. However, when a trade is to be executed for an individual account and the trade is
not in the best interests of other accounts, then the trade will only be performed for that
account. This is true even if Mosaic Wealth believes that a larger size block trade would
lead to best overall price for the security being transacted.
Allocation of Trades
All allocations will be made prior to the close of business on the trade date. In the event an
order is “partially filled,” the allocation will be made in the best interests of all the clients in
the order, taking into account all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the size of
each client’s allocation, clients’ liquidity needs and previous allocations. In most cases,
accounts will get a pro forma allocation based on the initial allocation. This policy also
applies if an order is “over-filled.”
Mosaic Wealth acts in accordance with its duty to seek best price and execution and will
not continue any arrangements if Mosaic Wealth determines that such arrangements are
no longer in the best interest of its clients.
Trade Errors
From time to time, Mosaic Wealth may make an error in submitting a trade order on the
client’s behalf. When this occurs, Mosaic Wealth may place a correcting trade with the
broker-dealer. If an investment gain results from the correcting trade, the gain will remain
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
in client’s account unless the same error involved other client account(s) that should have
received the gain, it is not permissible for client to retain the gain, or Mosaic Wealth
confers with client and client decides to forego the gain (e.g., due to tax reasons).
If the gain does not remain in client’s account and Schwab is the custodian, Schwab will
donate the amount of any gain $100 and over to charity. If a loss occurs greater than $100,
Mosaic Wealth will pay for the loss. Schwab will maintain the loss or gain (if such gain is not
retained in client’s account) if it is under $100 to minimize and offset its administrative
time and expense. Generally, if related trade errors result in both gains and losses in
client’s account, they may be “netted.”
If the gain does not remain in client’s account and Fidelity is the custodian, any gains are
given to charity. If there are any losses, Mosaic Wealth will cover the loss.
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Item 13: Review of Accounts
Item 13:
Review of Accounts
A. Schedule for Periodic Review of Client Accounts or Financial Plans and
Advisory Persons Involved
Securities in client accounts are monitored on a regular and ongoing basis by the Chief
Investment Officer, or a Principal of Mosaic Wealth. The frequency of reviews is
determined based on the client’s investment objectives, but reviews are conducted no less
frequently than annually. More frequent reviews may also be triggered by a change in the
client’s investment objectives, tax considerations, large deposits or withdrawals, large
purchases or sales, loss of confidence in the underlying investment, or changes in macro-
economic climate.
For those clients that engage for investment consulting services as part of its wealth
management services, such reviews are conducted on an “as needed” basis.
All clients are encouraged to discuss their needs, goals, and objectives with Mosaic Wealth
and to keep Mosaic Wealth informed of any changes thereto. Mosaic Wealth contacts
ongoing advisory clients at least annually to review its previous services and/or
recommendations and to discuss the impact resulting from any changes in the client’s
financial situation and/or investment objectives.
B. Review of Client Accounts on Non-Periodic Basis
In addition to the investment monitoring noted in Item 13.A. above, each client account
shall be reviewed at least annually. Reviews may be conducted more frequently at the
client’s request. Accounts may be reviewed as a result of major changes in economic
conditions, known changes in the client’s financial situation, and/or large deposits or
withdrawals in the client’s account[s]. The client is encouraged to notify Mosaic Wealth if
changes occur in the client’s personal financial situation that might adversely affect the
client’s investment plan. Additional reviews may be triggered by material market, economic
or political events.
Mosaic Wealth may perform ad hoc reviews on an as-needed basis if there have been
material changes in the client’s investment objectives or risk tolerance, or a material
change in how Mosaic Wealth formulates investment advice.
C. Content of Client-Provided Reports and Frequency
The client’s independent custodian provides account statements directly to the client no
less frequently than quarterly. The custodian’s statement is the official record of the
client’s securities account and supersedes any statements or reports created on behalf of
the client by Mosaic Wealth.
The Advisor may also provide clients with periodic reports regarding their holdings,
allocations, and performance.
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item 14:
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided to the Advisory Firm from External Sources
and Conflicts of Interest
Participation in Institutional Advisor Platform (Fidelity)
Mosaic Wealth has established an institutional relationship with Fidelity to assist the
Advisor in managing client account[s]. Access to the Fidelity Institutional platform is
provided at no charge to the Advisor. The Advisor receives access to software and related
support without cost because the Advisor renders investment management services to
clients that maintain assets at Fidelity. The software and related systems support may
benefit the Advisor, but not its clients directly. In fulfilling its duties to its clients, the
Advisor endeavors at all times to put the interests of its clients first. Clients should be
aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits from a custodian creates a conflict
of interest since these benefits may influence the Advisor's recommendation of this
custodian over one that does not furnish similar software, systems support, or services.
Additionally, the Advisor may receive the following benefits from Fidelity: receipt of
duplicate client confirmations and bundled duplicate statements; access to a trading desk
that exclusively services its institutional participants; access to block trading which
provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions and then allocate the appropriate
shares to client accounts; and access to an electronic communication network for client
order entry and account information. The Advisor will also receive credits from Fidelity
that can be used toward qualifying third-party service providers used in connection with
the initial set up of the Advisor's research technology, software platforms, as well as
offsetting client transfer/close out fees for the Denver office.
Participation in Institutional Advisor Platform (Schwab)
Mosaic Wealth has also established an institutional relationship with Schwab through its
“Schwab Advisor Services” unit, a division of Schwab dedicated to serving independent
advisory firms like Mosaic Wealth. As a registered investment advisor participating on the
Schwab Advisor Services platform, Mosaic Wealth receives access to software and related
support without cost because the Advisor renders investment management services to
clients that maintain assets at Schwab. Services provided by Schwab Advisor Services
benefit the Advisor and many, but not all services provided by Schwab will benefit clients.
In fulfilling its duties to its clients, the Advisor endeavors at all times to put the interests of
its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits
from a custodian creates a conflict of interest since these benefits may influence the
Advisor's recommendation of this custodian over one that does not furnish similar
software, systems support, or services.
Services that Benefit the Client – Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access
to a broad range of investment products, execution of securities transactions, and custody
of client’s funds and securities. Through Schwab, the Advisor may be able to access certain
investments and asset classes that the client would not be able to obtain directly or
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
through other sources. Further, the Advisor may be able to invest in certain mutual funds
and other investments without having to adhere to investment minimums that might be
required if the client were to directly access the investments.
Services that May Indirectly Benefit the Client – Schwab provides participating advisors
with access to technology, research, discounts and other services. In addition, the Advisor
receives duplicate statements for client accounts, the ability to deduct advisory fees,
trading tools, and back-office support services as part of its relationship with Schwab.
These services are intended to assist the Advisor in effectively managing accounts for its
clients but may not directly benefit all clients.
Services that May Only Benefit the Advisor – Schwab also offers other services to Mosaic
Wealth that may not benefit the client, including educational conferences and events,
consulting services, and discounts for various service providers. Access to these services
creates a financial incentive for the Advisor to recommend Schwab, which results in a
conflict of interest. Mosaic Wealth believes, however, that the selection of Schwab as
custodian is in the best interests of its clients.
Referrals to Other Investment Advisors
When deemed to be in the client’s best interest, Mosaic Wealth may refer clients to other
investment advisors. In such arrangements, Mosaic Wealth has a conflict of interest in that
Mosaic Wealth will receive a portion of the other investment advisor’s fee collected from
the client for the referral of the client and the ongoing relationship management support
provided by Mosaic Wealth. Mosaic Wealth will provide each solicited client with a
promoter disclosure and the other investment advisor’s Form ADV Part 2A Disclosure
Brochure. Clients are under no obligation to engage the services of other investment
advisors.
Focus Financial Partners
Mosaic Wealth’s parent company is Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus”). From time to
time, Focus holds partnership meetings and other industry and best-practices
conferences, which typically include Mosaic Wealth, other Focus firms and external
attendees. These meetings are first and foremost intended to provide training or education
to personnel of Focus firms, including Mosaic Wealth. However, the meetings do provide
sponsorship opportunities for asset managers, asset custodians, vendors and other third-
party service providers. Sponsorship fees allow these companies to advertise their
products and services to Focus firms, including Mosaic Wealth. Although the participation
of Focus firm personnel in these meetings is not preconditioned on the achievement of a
sales target for any conference sponsor, this practice could nonetheless be deemed a
conflict as the marketing and education activities conducted, and the access granted, at
such meetings and conferences could cause Mosaic Wealth to focus on those conference
sponsors in the course of its duties. Focus attempts to mitigate any such conflict by
allocating the sponsorship fees only to defraying the cost of the meeting or future
meetings and not as revenue for itself or any affiliate, including Mosaic Wealth. Conference
sponsorship fees are not dependent on assets placed with any specific provider or revenue
generated by such asset placement.
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
The following entity has provided conference sponsorship to Focus from January 1, 2023, to
March 1, 2024:
Orion Advisor Technology, LLC
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
Fidelity Institutional Asset Management LLC
TriState Capital Bank
StoneCastle Network, LLC
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
B. Advisory Firm Payments for Client Referrals
Employee Incentive Compensation
Mosaic Wealth offers additional non-cash compensation to employees for achieving
certain firm-level goals. This creates a conflict of interest in that Mosaic Wealth is
economically incentivized to recommend clients add assets to their Mosaic Wealth
advisory relationship in which Mosaic Wealth earns additional compensation. Mosaic
Wealth mitigates this conflict through disclosure and by basing its recommendations and
investment decisions on the individual needs, goals, and investment objectives of its
clients.
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Item 15: Custody
Item 15:
Custody
Mosaic Wealth is considered to have custody of client assets for purposes of the Advisers
Act for the following reasons:
The client authorizes us to instruct their custodian to deduct our advisory fees
directly from the client’s account. The custodian maintains actual custody of clients’
assets.
Our authority to direct client requests, utilizing standing instructions, for wire
transfer of funds for first-party money movement and third-party money
movement (checks and/or journals, ACH, Fed-wires). The Advisor has elected to
meet the SEC’s seven conditions to avoid the surprise custody exam, as outlined
below:
1. The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that
includes the client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s
address or the third party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer
should be directed.
2. The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified
custodian’s form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a
specified schedule or from time to time.
3. The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the
instruction, such as a signature review or other method to verify the client’s
authorization, and provides a transfer of funds notice to the client promptly
after each transfer.
4. The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s
qualified custodian.
5. The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the
identity of the third party, the address, or any other information about the third
party contained in the client’s instruction.
6. The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a
related party of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the
investment adviser.
7. The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice
confirming the instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Individual advisory clients will receive at least quarterly account statements directly from
their custodian containing a description of all activity, cash balances, and portfolio holdings
in their accounts. Clients are urged to compare the account balance(s) shown on their
account statements to the quarter-end balance(s) on their custodian's monthly statement.
The custodian’s statement is the official record of the account. Private fund investors will
receive fund level statements of all activity, cash balances, and portfolio holdings on a
quarterly basis from their qualified custodian.
An investment adviser representative of Mosaic Wealth serves in a finance and treasury
capacity for an advisory client of Mosaic Wealth. As such, Mosaic Wealth is deemed to have
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Item 15: Custody
custody of client assets and therefore subject to a surprise annual audit by an independent
certified public accounting firm.
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Item 16: Investment Discretion
Item 16:
Investment Discretion
Clients may grant a limited power of attorney to Mosaic Wealth with respect to trading
activity in their accounts by signing the appropriate custodian limited power of attorney
form. In those cases, Mosaic Wealth will exercise full discretion as to the nature and type of
securities to be purchased and sold, the amount of securities for such transactions, the
executing broker to be used, and the amount of commissions to be paid. Investment
limitations may be designated by the client as outlined in the investment advisory
agreement. In addition, subject to the terms of its investment advisory agreement, Mosaic
Wealth may be granted discretionary authority for the retention of independent third-
party investment management firms. Investment limitations may be designated by the
client as outlined in the investment advisory agreement. Please see the applicable third-
party manager’s disclosure brochure for detailed information relating to discretionary
authority.
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Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Item 17:
Voting Client Securities
Mosaic Wealth does not take discretion with respect to voting proxies on behalf of its
clients. All proxy material will be forwarded to the client by the client’s custodian for the
client’s review and action. Clients may contact the Advisor with questions regarding
proxies they have received.
Mosaic Wealth will endeavor to make recommendations to clients on voting proxies
regarding shareholder vote, consent, election or similar actions solicited by, or with
respect to, issuers of securities beneficially held as part of Mosaic Wealth supervised
and/or managed assets. In no event will Mosaic Wealth take discretion with respect to
voting proxies on behalf of its clients.
Except as required by applicable law, Mosaic Wealth will not be obligated to render advice
or take any action on behalf of clients with respect to assets presently or formerly held in
their accounts that become the subject of any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies.
From time to time, securities held in the accounts of clients will be the subject of class
action lawsuits. Mosaic Wealth has no obligation to determine if securities held by the
client are subject to a pending or resolved class action lawsuit. Mosaic Wealth also has no
duty to evaluate a client’s eligibility or to submit a claim to participate in the proceeds of a
securities class action settlement or verdict. Furthermore, Mosaic Wealth has no obligation
or responsibility to initiate litigation to recover damages on behalf of clients who may have
been injured as a result of actions, misconduct, or negligence by corporate management of
issuers whose securities are held by clients.
Where Mosaic Wealth receives written or electronic notice of a class action lawsuit,
settlement, or verdict affecting securities owned by a client, it will forward all notices,
proof of claim forms, and other materials to the client. Electronic mail is acceptable where
appropriate and where the client has authorized contact in this manner.
Page 56
Item 18: Financial Information
Item 18:
Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
Mosaic Wealth does not require the prepayment of fees of $1200 or more, six months or
more in advance, and as such is not required to file a balance sheet.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Advisory Firm’s
Ability to Meet Commitments to Clients
Mosaic Wealth does not have any financial issues that would impair its ability to provide
services to clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions During the Past Ten Years
There is nothing to report on this item.
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