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Nicholson Wealth Management Group, LLC
Form ADV Part 2A
Brochure Supplement
February 2, 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Nicholson Wealth
Management Group, LLC dba. Nicholson Wealth Management Group. If you have any questions regarding
the contents of this brochure, please do not hesitate to contact Lonny Elfenbein our Chief Compliance
Officer, by telephone at (513) 977-8330 or by email at lonny.elfenbein@dinsmorecomplianceservices.com.
The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Nicholson Wealth Management Group, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain
level of skill or training. Additional information about Nicholson Wealth Management Group, LLC is
available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
8 N. Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
843-790-2625
Item 2 – Material Changes
Form ADV Part 2A requires registered investment advisers to amend their brochure when information
becomes materially inaccurate. If there are any material changes to an adviser’s disclosure brochure, the
adviser is required to notify you and provide you with a description of the material changes.
• There have been no material changes to our ADV Part 2A since our last annual update on March
12, 2025
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Item 3 - Table of Contents
Item 2 – Material Changes ............................................................................................................................ 2
Item 3 - Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 3
Item 4 - Advisory Business ........................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................... 5
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ............................................................... 8
Item 7 - Types of Clients .............................................................................................................................. 8
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ...................................................... 8
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information .............................................................................................................. 12
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................. 12
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions ................................................. 13
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................... 13
Item 13 – Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 16
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................. 17
Item 15 – Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................. 18
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 18
Item 18 – Financial Information ................................................................................................................. 18
Item 4 - Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Nicholson Wealth Management Group, LLC dba. Nicholson Wealth Management Group (“NWMG” or the
“Firm”) is a limited liability company organized in the State of South Carolina. NWMG is an investment
advisory firm registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). NWMG is
owned by Joseph L. Nicholson.
B. Types of Advisory Services
NWMG provides personalized financial planning and discretionary and non-discretionary investment
advisory services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, and entities, including, but not
limited to, family offices, trusts, estates, private foundations nonprofit organizations, endowments, and
qualified retirement plans.
Investment Management Services
NWMG offers investment management services on a discretionary basis and non-discretionary basis. All
investment advice provided is customized to each client’s investment objectives and financial needs. The
information provided by the client, together with any other information relating to the client’s overall
financial circumstances, will be used by NWMG to determine the appropriate portfolio asset allocation and
investment strategy for the client. Financial planning services may also be provided, depending on the
agreement with the client. Any provided financial planning will include recommendations for retirement
planning, educational planning, estate planning, tax planning and insurance needs and analysis, as applicable
to the client.
The securities utilized by NWMG for investment in client accounts mainly consist of registered mutual
funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs), but we will also invest in equity securities, corporate bonds,
REITS and variable annuities, among others, if we determine such investments fit within a client’s
objectives and are in the best interest of our clients.
Investment Management Services to Retirement Plans
NWMG offers discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services to qualified plans, including 401k
plans. These services include, depending upon the needs of the plan client, recommending, or for
discretionary clients selecting, investment options for plans to offer to participants, ongoing monitoring of
a plan’s investment options, assisting plan fiduciaries in creating and/or updating the plan’s written
investment policy statements, working with plan service providers, and providing general investment
education to plan participants.
Note for IRA and Retirement Plan Clients: When NWMG provides investment advice to you regarding
your retirement plan account or individual retirement account, NWMG is a fiduciary within the meaning
of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable,
which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way NWMG makes money creates some conflicts with
your interests, so NWMG operates under a special rule that requires NWMG to act in your best interest and
not put NWMG’s interest ahead of yours.
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C. Client-Tailored Advisory Services
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on the management of their accounts if NWMG determines, in
its sole discretion, that the conditions would not materially impact the performance of a management
strategy or prove overly burdensome for NWMG’s management efforts.
D. Information Received From Clients
NWMG will not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or the information provided by clients. NWMG
is not obligated to verify any information received from a client or other professionals (e.g., attorney,
accountant) designated by a client, and NWMG is expressly authorized by the client to rely on such
information provided. Under all circumstances, clients are responsible for promptly notifying NWMG in
writing of any material changes to the client’s financial situation, investment objectives, time horizon, or
risk tolerance.
E. Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025 NWMG managed $321,991,464 in Client assets, all of which is being managed
on a discretionary basis. Clients may request more current information at any time by contacting NWMG.
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation
NWMG charges fees based on a percentage of assets under management, depending on the particular types
of services to be provided. The specific fees charged by NWMG for services provided will be set forth in
each client’s Agreement.
A. Investment Management Services
Fees for Investment Management Services
NWMG charges an annual advisory fee that is agreed upon with each client and set forth in an agreement
executed by NWMG and the client. NWMG’s fee for investment management services is based on a
percentage the value of a client’s assets under management. The advisory fee for the initial quarter shall
be paid, on a pro rata basis, in advance, based on the value of the assets under management upon completion
of funding the account(s) by the client. For subsequent quarters, the advisory fee shall be paid, in advance,
based on the asset value of the client’s accounts as of the last business day of the preceding quarter as
provided by third-party sources, such as pricing services, custodians, fund administrators, and client-
provided sources.
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Following is NWMG’s asset based fee schedule for Investment Management Services:
FEE SCHEDULE
Market Value of Assets
Rate
Up to $500,000
1.50%
$500,001 to $1,000,000
1.25%
$1,000,001 to $2,500,000
1.00%
$2,500,001 to 5,000,000
0.90%
$5,000,001 to 10,000,000
0.85%
10,000,001 to 15,000,000
0.80%
15,000,001 to 20,000,000
0.75%
Over $20,000,000
negotiable
The percentage for the highest range of Managed Asset value achieved
applies to all Managed Assets, not just Managed Assets within that range.
Fees for Investment Management Services to Retirement Plans
Retirement plan advisory clients will be charged an annual fee that is determined by the plan client and
NWMG. Factors that are referenced in determing the fee include, but are not limited to, such things as the
services provided and the complexity of the plan advisory client. The fee may be an asset based fee or a
fixed fee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, NWMG and the client may choose to negotiate an annual advisory fee
that varies from the schedule set forth above. Factors upon which a different annual advisory fee may be
based include, but are not limited to, the size and nature of the relationship, the services rendered, the
nature and complexity of the products and investments involved, time commitments, and travel
requirements. The advisory fee charged by the Firm will apply to all of the client’s assets under
management, unless specifically excluded in the client agreement. The advisory fee includes any
provided financial planning services described above. Although NWMG believes that its fees are
competitive, clients should understand that lower fees for comparable services may be available from
other sources and firms.
Clients that received services from NWMG personnel while NWMG personnel were affiliated with a
different financial services provider may be subject to fee schedules different than the fee schedule
provided above. These “grandfathered” fee schedules may be more or less costly than the above listed fee
schedule.
The investment advisory agreement between NWMG and the client may be terminated at will by either
NWMG or the client upon written notice. NWMG does not impose termination fees when the client
terminates the investment advisory relationship, except when agreed upon in advance.
B. Payment of Fees
NWMG generally deducts its advisory fee from a client’s investment account(s) held at his/her custodian.
Upon engaging NWMG to manage such account(s), a client grants NWMG this limited authority through
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a written instruction to the custodian of his/her account(s). The client is responsible for verifying the
accuracy of the calculation of the advisory fee; the custodian will not determine whether the fee is accurate
or properly calculated. See Section A herewith for further information on fee billing. A client may utilize
the same procedure for financial planning or consulting fees if the client has investment accounts held at a
custodian.
Although clients generally are required to have their investment advisory fees deducted from their accounts,
in some cases, NWMG will directly bill a client for investment advisory fees if it determines that such
billing arrangement is appropriate given the circumstances.
The custodian of the client’s accounts provides each client with a statement, at least quarterly, indicating
separate line items for all amounts disbursed from the client's account(s), including any fees paid directly
to NWMG.
Clients may make additions to and withdrawals from their account at any time, subject to NWMG’s right
to terminate an account. Additions may be in cash or securities provided that the Firm reserves the right to
liquidate transferred securities or decline to accept particular securities into a client’s account. Clients may
withdraw account assets at any time on notice to NWMG, subject to the usual and customary securities
settlement procedures. However, the Firm generally designs its portfolios as long-term investments and the
withdrawal of assets may impair the achievement of a client’s investment objectives. NWMG may consult
with its clients about the options and implications of transferring securities. Clients are advised that when
transferred securities are liquidated, they may be subject to transaction fees, short-term redemption fees,
fees assessed at the mutual fund level (e.g. contingent deferred sales charges) and/or tax ramifications.
C. Clients Responsible for Fees Charged by Financial Institutions
In connection with NWMG’s management of an account, a client will incur fees and/or expenses separate
from and in addition to NWMG’s advisory fee. These additional fees may include transaction charges and
the fees/expenses charged by any custodian, subadvisor, mutual fund, ETF, transfer taxes, odd lot
differentials, exchange fees, interest charges, ADR processing fees, and any charges, taxes or other fees
mandated by any federal, state or other applicable law, retirement plan account fees (where applicable),
margin interest, brokerage commissions, mark-ups or mark-downs and other transaction-related costs,
electronic fund and wire fees, and any other fees that reasonably may be borne by a brokerage account.
Please see Item 12 of this brochure regarding brokerage practices.
D. Prepayment of Fees
As noted in Item 5(B) above, NWMG’s advisory fees generally are paid in advance. Upon the termination
of a client’s advisory relationship, NWMG will issue a refund equal to any unearned management fee for
the remainder of the quarter. The client may specify how he/she would like such refund issued (i.e., a check
sent directly to the client or a check sent to the client’s custodian for deposit into his/her account).
E. Outside Compensation for the Sale of Securities or Other Investment Products to Clients
NWMG does not buy or sell securities and does not receive any compensation for securities transactions in
any client account, other than the investment advisory fees noted above. However, as further described in
Item 10, certain personnel of NWMG, in their individual capacities, are licensed as insurance professionals.
Such persons earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products to clients.
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Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
NWMG does not charge performance-based fees or participate in side-by-side management. Performance-
based fees are fees that are based on a share of a capital gains or capital appreciation of a client’s account.
Side-by-side management refers to the practice of managing accounts that are charged performance-based
fees while at the same time managing accounts that are not charged performance-based fees. NWMG’s fees
are calculated as described in Item 5 above.
Item 7 - Types of Clients
NWMG offers investment advisory services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, and
entities, including, but not limited to, family offices, trusts, estates, private foundations nonprofit
organizations, endowments, and qualified retirement plans. NWMG does not impose a minimum portfolio
size or a minimum initial investment to open an account. However, NWMG does reserve the right to accept
or decline a potential client for any reason in its sole discretion.
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Risk of Loss
A primary step in NWMG’s investment strategy is getting to know the clients – to understand their financial
condition, risk profile, investment goals, tax situation, liquidity constraints – and assemble a complete
picture of their financial situation. To aid in this understanding, NWMG offers clients financial planning
that is highly customized and tailored. This comprehensive approach is integral to the way that NWMG
does business. Once NWMG has a true understanding of its clients’ needs and goals, the investment process
can begin, and the Firm can recommend strategies and investments that it believes are aligned with the
client’s goals and risk profile.
NWMG primarily employs technical and fundamental analysis methods in developing investment strategies
for its clients. In addition, NWMG will employ tactical allocation strategies depending upon client needs
and NWMG’s view of the marketplace. Research and analysis from NWMG is based on numerous sources,
including third-party research materials and publicly-available materials, such as company annual reports,
prospectuses, and press releases. NWMG generally employs a long-term investment strategy for its clients,
as consistent with their financial goals. At times, the Firm 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.
Client portfolios with similar investment objectives and asset allocation goals may own different securities
and investments. The client’s portfolio size, tax sensitivity, desire for simplicity, income needs, long-term
wealth transfer objectives, time horizon and choice of custodian are all factors that influence NWMG’s
investment recommendations.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss. A client can lose all or a substantial portion of his/her
investment. A client should be willing to bear such a loss. Some investments are intended only for
sophisticated investors and can involve a high degree of risk.
B. Material Risks Involved
Investing in securities involves a significant risk of loss which clients should be prepared to bear. NWMG’s
investment recommendations are subject to various market, currency, economic, political and business
risks, and such investment decisions will not always be profitable. Clients should be aware that there may
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be a loss or depreciation to the value of the client’s account. There can be no assurance that the client’s
investment objectives will be obtained and no inference to the contrary should be made.
Generally, the market value of equity stocks will fluctuate with market conditions, and small- stock prices
generally will fluctuate more than large-stock prices. The market value of fixed income securities will
generally fluctuate inversely with interest rates and other market conditions prior to maturity. Fixed income
securities are obligations of the issuer to make payments of principal and/or interest on future dates, and
include, among other securities: bonds, notes and debentures issued by corporations; debt securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, or by a non-U.S.
government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities; municipal securities; and mortgage-backed and
asset- backed securities. These securities may pay fixed, variable, or floating rates of interest, and may
include zero coupon obligations and inflation-linked fixed income securities. The value of longer duration
fixed income securities will generally fluctuate more than shorter duration fixed income securities.
Investments in overseas markets also pose special risks, including currency fluctuation and political risks,
and it may be more volatile than that of a U.S. only investment. Such risks are generally intensified for
investments in emerging markets. In addition, there is no assurance that a mutual fund or ETF will achieve
its investment objective. Past performance of investments is no guarantee of future results.
Additional risks involved in the securities recommended by NWMG include, among others:
• Stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. The market value of
equity securities will generally fluctuate with market conditions. Stock markets tend to move in
cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. Prices of equity securities tend
to fluctuate over the short term as a result of factors affecting the individual companies, industries
or the securities market as a whole. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than
fixed income securities.
•
• Sector risk, which is the chance that significant problems will affect a particular sector, or that
returns from that sector will trail returns from the overall stock market. Daily fluctuations in
specific market sectors are often more extreme than fluctuations in the overall market.
Issuer risk, which is the risk that the value of a security will decline for reasons directly related
to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, and reduced demand for the
issuer's goods or services.
• Non-diversification risk, which is the risk of focusing investments in a small number of issuers,
industries or foreign currencies, including being more susceptible to risks associated with a single
economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified portfolio might be.
• Value investing risk, which is the risk that value stocks not increase in price, not issue the
anticipated stock dividends, or decline in price, either because the market fails to recognize the
stock’s intrinsic value, or because the expected value was misgauged. If the market does not
recognize that the securities are undervalued, the prices of those securities might not appreciate
as anticipated. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.
Value stocks are typically less volatile than growth stocks, but may lag behind growth stocks in
an up market.
• Smaller company risk, which is the risk that the value of securities issued by a smaller company
will go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably as compared to more widely held
securities. Investments in smaller companies are subject to greater levels of credit, market and
issuer risk.
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•
• Foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk, which is the risk that investing in foreign securities result
in the portfolio experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a portfolio that
invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. Risks associated with investing in foreign
securities include fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies that may affect the
U.S. dollar value of a security, the possibility of substantial price volatility as a result of political
and economic instability in the foreign country, less public information about issuers of
securities, different securities regulation, different accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and less liquidity than in the U.S. markets.
Interest rate risk, which is the chance that prices of fixed income securities decline because of
rising interest rates. Similarly, the income from fixed income securities may decline because of
falling interest rates.
• Credit risk, which is the chance that an issuer of a fixed income security will fail to pay interest
and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make
such payments will cause the price of that fixed income security to decline.
• Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) risk, which is the risk of an investment in an ETF, including
the possible loss of principal. ETFs typically trade on a securities exchange and the prices of
their shares fluctuate throughout the day based on supply and demand, which may not
correlate to their net asset values. Although ETF shares will be listed on an exchange, there
can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or continue. Owning an ETF
generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. ETFs
are also subject to secondary market trading risks. In addition, an ETF may not replicate
exactly the performance of the index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including
transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the
secondary market, or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to weighting
of securities or number of securities held.
• Management risk, which is the risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses applied by
NWMG may not produce the desired results and that legislative, regulatory, or tax
developments, affect the investment techniques available to NWMG. There is no guarantee that
a client’s investment objectives will be achieved.
•
• Real Estate risk, which is the risk that an investor’s investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts
(“REITs”) or real estate-linked derivative instruments will subject the investor to risks similar to
those associated with direct ownership of real estate, including losses from casualty or
condemnation, and changes in local and general economic conditions, supply and demand, interest
rates, zoning laws, regulatory limitations on rents, property taxes and operating expenses. An
investment in REITs or real estate-linked derivative instruments subject the investor to
management and tax risks.
Investment Companies (“Mutual Funds”) risk, when an investor invests in mutual funds, the
investor will bear additional expenses based on his/her pro rata share of the mutual fund’s
operating expenses, including the management fees. The risk of owning a mutual fund generally
reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the mutual fund holds.
• Commodity risk, generally commodity prices fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in
market and economic conditions or political circumstances (especially of key energy-producing
and consuming countries), the impact of weather on demand, levels of domestic production and
imported commodities, energy conservation, domestic and foreign governmental regulation
(agricultural, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control), international politics, policies of
OPEC, taxation and the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems and
the emotions of the marketplace. The risk of loss in trading commodities can be substantial.
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•
• Cybersecurity risk, which is the risk related to unauthorized access to the systems and networks of
NWMG and its service providers. The computer systems, networks and devices used by NWMG
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 or functionality.
Cybersecurity breaches 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 other compliance costs; as
well as the inadvertent release of confidential information. Similar adverse consequences could
result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issues 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 those entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
• Closed-End Funds risk, Closed-end funds typically use a high degree of leverage. They may be
diversified or non-diversified. Risks associated with closed-end fund investments include liquidity
risk, credit risk, volatility and the risk of magnified losses resulting from the use of leverage.
Additionally, closed-end funds may trade below their net asset value.
Structured Notes risk -
o Complexity. Structured notes are complex financial instruments. Clients should understand
the reference asset(s) or index(es) and determine how the note’s payoff structure incorporates
such reference asset(s) or index(es) in calculating the note’s performance. This payoff
calculation may include leverage multiplied on the performance of the reference asset or index,
protection from losses should the reference asset or index produce negative returns, and fees.
Structured notes may have complicated payoff structures that can make it difficult for clients
to accurately assess their value, risk and potential for growth through the term of the structured
note. Determining the performance of each note can be complex and this calculation can vary
significantly from note to note depending on the structure. Notes can be structured in a wide
variety of ways. Payoff structures can be leveraged, inverse, or inverse-leveraged, which may
result in larger returns or losses. Clients should carefully read the prospectus for a structured
note to fully understand how the payoff on a note will be calculated and discuss these issues
with NWMG.
o
o Market risk. Some structured notes provide for the repayment of principal at maturity, which
is often referred to as “principal protection.” This principal protection is subject to the credit
risk of the issuing financial institution. Many structured notes do not offer this feature. For
structured notes that do not offer principal protection, the performance of the linked asset or
index may cause clients to lose some, or all, of their principal. Depending on the nature of the
linked asset or index, the market risk of the structured note may include changes in equity or
commodity prices, changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, and/or market volatility.
Issuance price and note value. The price of a structured note at issuance will likely be higher
than the fair value of the structured note on the date of issuance. Issuers now generally disclose
an estimated value of the structured note on the cover page of the offering prospectus, allowing
investors to gauge the difference between the issuer’s estimated value of the note and the
issuance price. The estimated value of the notes is likely lower than the issuance price of the
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note to investors because issuers include the costs for selling, structuring and/or hedging the
exposure on the note in the initial price of their notes. After issuance, structured notes may not
be re-sold on a daily basis and thus may be difficult to value given their complexity.
o Liquidity. The ability to trade or sell structured notes in a secondary market is often very
limited, as structured notes (other than exchange-traded notes known as ETNs) are not listed
for trading on securities exchanges. As a result, the only potential buyer for a structured note
may be the issuing financial institution’s broker-dealer affiliate or the broker-dealer distributor
of the structured note. In addition, issuers often specifically disclaim their intention to
repurchase or make markets in the notes they issue. Clients should, therefore, be prepared to
hold a structured note to its maturity date, or risk selling the note at a discount to its value at
the time of sale.
o Credit risk. Structured notes are unsecured debt obligations of the issuer, meaning that the
issuer is obligated to make payments on the notes as promised. These promises, including any
principal protection, are only as good as the financial health of the structured note issuer. If
the structured note issuer defaults on these obligations, investors may lose some, or all, of the
principal amount they invested in the structured notes as well as any other payments that may
be due on the structured notes.
There also are risks surrounding various insurance products that are recommended to NWMG clients from
time to time. Such risks include, but are not limited to loss of premiums. Prior to purchasing any insurance
product, clients should carefully read the policy and applicable disclosure documents.
Clients are advised that they should only commit assets for management that can be invested for the long
term, that volatility from investing can occur, and that all investing is subject to risk. NWMG does not
guarantee the future performance of a client’s portfolio, as investing in securities involves the risk of loss
that clients should be prepared to bear.
Past performance of a security or a fund is not necessarily indicative of future performance or risk of loss.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or disciplinary
events that would be material to a client’s evaluation of the adviser and the integrity of the adviser’s
management. NWMG has no information applicable to this Item.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Licensed Insurance Agents
Advisory persons of NWMG are licensed as insurance professionals. Such persons earn commission based
compensation for selling insurance products to clients. Insurance commissions earned by advisory persons
who are insurance professionals are separate from and in addition to NWMG’s advisory fee. This practice
presents a conflict of interest as an advisory person who is an insurance professional has an incentive to
recommend insurance products for the purpose of generating commissions rather than solely based on client
needs. NWMG addresses this conflict through disclosure and strives to make recommendations which are
in the best interests of its clients. Clients are under no obligation to purchase insurance products through
any person affiliated with NWMG. NWMG’s clients should understand that lower fees and/or commissions
for comparable services may be available from other insurance providers.
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Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
A. Description of Code of Ethics
NWMG has a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) which requires NWMG’s employees (“supervised persons”) to
comply with their legal obligations and fulfill the fiduciary duties owed to the Firm’s clients. Among other
things, the Code of Ethics sets forth policies and procedures related to conflicts of interest, outside business
activities, gifts and entertainment, compliance with insider trading laws and policies and procedures
governing personal securities trading by supervised persons.
Personal securities transactions of supervised persons present potential conflicts of interest with the price
obtained in client securities transactions or the investment opportunity available to clients. The Code
addresses these potential conflicts by prohibiting securities trades that would breach a fiduciary duty to a
client and requiring, with certain exceptions, supervised persons to report their personal securities holdings
and transactions to NWMG for review by the Firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Code also requires
supervised persons to obtain pre-approval of certain investments, including initial public offerings and
limited offerings.
NWMG will provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker-Dealers
NWMG generally recommends that its investment management clients utilize the custody and brokerage
services of an unaffiliated broker/dealer custodians (a “BD/Custodian”) with which NWMG has an
institutional relationship. Currently, this includes Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), which is a
“qualified custodian” as that term is described in Rule 206(4)-2 of the Advisers Act. Each BD/Custodian
provides custody of securities, trade execution, and clearance and settlement of transactions placed on
behalf of clients by NWMG. If your accounts are custodied at Schwab, Schwab will hold your assets in a
brokerage account and buy and sell securities when we instruct them to. Clients will pay fees to Schwab
for custody and the execution of securities transactions in their accounts.
In making BD/Custodian recommendations, NWMG will consider a number of judgmental factors,
including, without limitation: 1) clearance and settlement capabilities; 2) quality of confirmations and
account statements; 3) the ability of the BD/Custodian to settle the trade promptly and accurately; 4) the
financial standing, reputation and integrity of the BD/Custodian; 5) the BD/Custodian’s access to markets,
research capabilities, market knowledge, and any “value added” characteristics; 6) NWMG’s past
experience with the BD/Custodian; and 7) NWMG’s past experience with similar trades. Recognizing the
value of these factors, clients may pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might
have charged for effecting the same transaction.
In exchange for using the services of Schwab, NWMG may receive, without cost, computer software and
related systems support that allows NWMG to monitor and service its clients’ accounts maintained with
Schwab. Schwab also makes available to the Firm products and services that benefit the Firm but may not
directly benefit the client or the client’s account. These products and services assist NWMG in managing
and administering client accounts. They include investment research, both Schwab’s own and that of third
parties. NWMG may use this research to service all or some substantial number of client accounts, including
accounts not maintained at Schwab. In addition to investment research, Schwab also makes available
software and other technology that:
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• provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements);
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts;
facilitate payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts; and
assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting.
•
• provide pricing and other market data;
•
•
Schwab also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our business enterprise.
These services include:
educational conferences and events;
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and insurance providers.
•
•
• publications and conferences on practice management and business succession; and
•
Schwab may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party vendors to
provide the services to the Firm. Schwab may also discount or waive its fees for some of these services or
pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide the Firm with other benefits such as
occasional business entertainment of Firm personnel.
In addition, NWMG receives from Schwab support up to $60,000 to be used toward qualifying marketing,
technology, consulting and/or research expenses incurred by NWMG in registering and launching the
operations of NWMG. This support is available to NWMG during the first 12 months from the start of
NWMG clients having assets custodied at Schwab, and the support amount to be received by NWMG is
dependent upon the amount of NWMG client assets transferred to Schwab during this 12 month period.
Furthermore, Schwab has agreed to reimburse up to $150,000 in account termination fees charged to
NWMG clients by the former custodian of the clients’ accounts. This reimbursement is also available during
this initial 12 month period.
The benefits received by NWMG through its participation in the Schwab custodial platform do not depend
on the amount of brokerage transactions directed to Schwab. In addition, there is no corresponding
commitment made by NWMG to Schwab to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any
specific mutual funds, securities or other investment products as a result of participation in the program.
While as a fiduciary, we endeavor to act in our clients’ best interests, our recommendation that clients
maintain their assets in accounts at Schwab will be based in part on the benefit to NWMG of the availability
of some of the foregoing products and services and not solely on the nature, cost or quality of custody and
brokerage services provided by Schwab. The receipt of these benefits creates a potential conflict of interest
and may indirectly influence NWMG’s choice of Schwab for custody and brokerage services.
NWMG will periodically review its arrangements with the BD/Custodians and other broker-dealers against
other possible arrangements in the marketplace as it strives to achieve best execution on behalf of its clients.
In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the
transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full range of a broker-
dealer’s services, including, but not limited to, the following:
•
a broker-dealer’s trading expertise, including its ability to complete trades, execute and
settle difficult trades, obtain liquidity to minimize market impact and accommodate
unusual market conditions, maintain anonymity, and account for its trade errors and correct
them in a satisfactory manner;
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•
•
•
•
a broker-dealer’s infrastructure, including order-entry systems, adequate lines of
communication, timely order execution reports, an efficient and accurate clearance and
settlement process, and capacity to accommodate unusual trading volume;
a broker-dealer’s ability to minimize total trading costs while maintaining its financial
health, such as whether a broker-dealer can maintain and commit adequate capital when
necessary to complete trades, respond during volatile market periods, and minimize the
number of incomplete trades;
a broker-dealer’s ability to provide research and execution services, including advice as to
the value or advisability of investing in or selling securities, analyses and reports
concerning such matters as companies, industries, economic trends and political factors, or
services incidental to executing securities trades, including clearance, settlement and
custody; and
a broker-dealer’s ability to provide services to accommodate special transaction needs,
such as the broker-dealer’s ability to execute and account for client-directed arrangements
and soft dollar arrangements, participate in underwriting syndicates, and obtain initial
public offering shares.
NWMG’s clients may utilize qualified custodians other than Schwab for certain accounts and assets,
particularly where clients have a previous relationship with such qualified custodians.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
NWMG does not select or recommend BD/Custodians based solely on whether or not it may receive client
referrals from a BD/Custodian or third party.
Client Directed Brokerage
Generally, in the absence of specific instructions to the contrary, for brokerage accounts that clients engage
NWMG to manage on a discretionary basis, NWMG has full discretion with respect to securities
transactions placed in the accounts. This discretion includes the authority, without prior notice to the client,
to buy and sell securities for the client’s account and establish and affect securities transactions through the
BD/Custodian of the client’s account or other broker-dealers selected by NWMG. In selecting a broker-
dealer to execute a client’s securities transactions, NWMG seeks prompt execution of orders at favorable
prices.
A client, however, may instruct NWMG to custody his/her account at a specific broker-dealer and/or direct
some or all of his/her brokerage transactions to a specific broker-dealer. In directing brokerage transactions,
a client should consider whether the commission expenses, execution, clearance, settlement capabilities,
and custodian fees, if any, are comparable to those that would result if NWMG exercised its discretion in
selecting the broker-dealer to execute the transactions. Directing brokerage to a particular broker-dealer
may involve the following disadvantages to a directed brokerage client:
• NWMG’s ability to negotiate commission rates and other terms on behalf of such clients
•
could be impaired;
such clients could be denied the benefit of NWMG’s experience in selecting broker-dealers
that are able to efficiently execute difficult trades;
• opportunities to obtain lower transaction costs and better prices by aggregating (batching)
the client’s orders with orders for other clients could be limited; and
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•
the client could receive less favorable prices on securities transactions because NWMG
may place transaction orders for directed brokerage clients after placing batched
transaction orders for other clients.
In addition to accounts managed by NWMG on a discretionary basis where the client has directed the
brokerage of his/her account(s), certain institutional accounts may be managed by NWMG on a non-
discretionary basis and are held at custodians selected by the institutional client. The decision to use a
particular custodian and/or broker-dealer generally resides with the institutional client. NWMG endeavors
to understand the trading and execution capabilities of any such custodian and/or broker-dealer, as well as
its costs and fees. NWMG may assist the institutional client in facilitating trading and other instructions to
the custodian and/or broker-dealer in carrying out NWMG’s investment recommendations.
Trade Errors
NWMG’s goal is to execute trades seamlessly and in the best interests of the client. In the event a trade
error occurs, NWMG endeavors to identify the error in a timely manner, correct the error so that the client’s
account is in the position it would have been had the error not occurred, and, after evaluating the error,
assess what action(s) might be necessary to prevent a recurrence of similar errors in the future.
Trade errors generally are corrected through the use of a “trade error” account or similar account at Schwab,
or another BD, as the case may be. In the event an error is made in a client account custodied elsewhere,
NWMG works directly with the broker in question to take corrective action. In all cases, NWMG will take
the appropriate measures to return the client’s account to its intended position.
B. Trade Aggregation
To the extent that the Firm determines to aggregate client orders for the purchase or sale of securities,
including securities in which the Firm’s supervised persons may invest, the Firm will generally do so in a
fair equitable manner in accordance with applicable rules promulgated under the Advisers Act and guidance
provided by the staff of the SEC and consistent with policies and procedures established by the Firm.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
A. Periodic Reviews
While investment management accounts are monitored on an ongoing basis, NWMG’s investment adviser
representatives seek to have at least one annual meeting with each client to conduct a formal review of the
clients’ accounts. Accounts are reviewed for consistency with the investment strategy and other
parameters set forth for the account and to determine if any adjustments need to be made.
B. Other Reviews and Triggering Factors
In addition to the periodic reviews described above, reviews may be triggered by changes in an
account holder’s personal, tax or financial status. Other events that may trigger a review of an account are
material changes in market conditions as well as macroeconomic and company- specific events. Clients
are encouraged to notify NWMG of any changes in his/her personal financial situation that might affect
his/her investment needs, objectives, or time horizon.
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C. Regular Reports
Written brokerage statements are generated no less than quarterly and are sent directly from the qualified
custodian. These reports list the account positions, activity in the account over the covered period, and
other related information. Clients are also sent confirmations following each brokerage account transaction
unless confirmations have been waived.
NWMG may also determine to provide account statements and other reporting to clients on a periodic
basis. NWMG also provides account reports during client meetings.
Clients are urged to carefully review all custodial account statements and compare them to any statements
and reports provided by NWMG. NWMG statements and reports may vary from custodial statements
based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, or valuation methodologies of certain securities.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to Clients
NWMG does not receive benefits from third parties for providing investment advice to clients.
B. Compensation to Non-Supervised Persons for Client Referrals
NWMG seeks to enter into agreements with individuals and organizations, some of whom may be
affiliated or unaffiliated with NWMG for the referral of clients to us. All such agreements will be in writing
and comply with the applicable state and federal regulations. If a client is introduced to NWMG by a
solicitor, NWMG will pay that solicitor a fee in accordance with the applicable federal and state securities
law requirements. While the specific terms of each agreement may differ, generally, the compensation will
be based upon NWMG’s engagement of new clients and the retention of those clients and would be
calculated using a varying percentage of the fees paid to NWMG by such clients until the account is closed
by written authorization from the client. Any such fee shall be paid solely from NWMG’s fees, and shall
not result in any additional charge to the client.
Each prospective client who is referred to NWMG under such an arrangement will receive a copy of this
Brochure and a separate written disclosure document disclosing the nature of the relationship between the
third party solicitor and NWMG and the compensation that will be paid by us to the third party. The
solicitor is required to obtain the client’s signature acknowledging receipt of this Brochure and the
solicitor’s written disclosure statement. In any case, applicable state laws may require these persons to
become licensed either as representatives of NWMG or as an independent investment adviser. NWMG
will request that our clients acknowledge this arrangement prior to acceptance of the clients’ account.
Item 15 – Custody
All clients must utilize a “qualified custodian” as detailed in Item 12. Clients are required to engage the
custodian to retain their funds and securities and direct NWMG to utilize the custodian for the client’s
securities transactions. NWMG’s agreement with clients and/or the clients’ separate agreements with the
B/D Custodian may authorize NWMG through such BD/Custodian to debit the clients’ accounts for the
amount of NWMG’s fee and to directly remit that fee to NWMG in accordance with applicable custody
rules.
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The BD/Custodian recommended by NWMG has agreed to send a statement to the client, at least quarterly,
indicating all amounts disbursed from the account including the amount of management fees paid directly
to NWMG. NWMG encourages clients to review the official statements provided by the custodian, and to
compare such statements with any reports or other statements received from NWMG. For more information
about custodians and brokerage practices, see “Item 12 - Brokerage Practices.”
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing NWMG with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to a grant
of a limited power of attorney contained in NWMG’s client agreement. By granting NWMG investment
discretion, a client authorizes NWMG to direct securities transactions and determine which securities are
bought and sold, the total amount to be bought and sold, and the costs at which the transactions will be
effected. Clients may impose reasonable limitations in the form of specific constraints on any of these
areas of discretion with the consent and written acknowledgement of NWMG if NWMG determines, in its
sole discretion, that the conditions would not materially impact the performance of a management strategy
or prove overly burdensome for NWMG. See also Item 4(C), Client-Tailored Advisory Services.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
NWMG does not accept the authority to and does not vote proxies on behalf of clients. Clients retain the
responsibility for receiving and voting proxies for all and any securities maintained in client portfolios.
Item 18 – Financial Information
NWMG is not required to disclose any financial information pursuant to this item due to the
following:
a) NWMG does not require or solicit the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees six months
or more in advance of rendering services;
b) NWMG is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its ability
to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over certain client
accounts; and
c) NWMG has never been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
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