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Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
February 2026
NWM Advisors, LLC
735 Tank Farm Road, Suite 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Firm Contact:
Kevin Nichols
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of NWM Advisors, LLC.
If clients have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (805) 781-2773 or
nichols@nwmadvisors.com . The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any State Securities Authority. Additional
information about our firm is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching
CRD #283714.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of our firm and/or our
associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Clients are encouraged to review
this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise clients for more information
on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
NWM Advisors, LLC is required to make clients aware of information that has changed since the last annual
update to the Firm Brochure (“Brochure”) and that may be important to them. Clients can then determine
whether to review the brochure in its entirety or to contact us with questions about the changes.
Since our last annual filing on February 25, 2025, our firm has no material changes to disclose.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Item 3: Table of Contents
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Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 4: Advisory Business
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Item 15: Custody
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Item 18: Financial Information
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Item 4: Advisory Business
Our firm is dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of investment
advisory services. Our firm is a limited liability company
formed under the laws of the State of California in
2016 and has been in business as an investment adviser since that time. Our firm is wholly owned by Kevin
Nichols.
Our firm provides asset management and investment consulting services for many different types of clients
to help meet their financial goals while remaining sensitive to risk tolerance and time horizons. As a
fiduciary it is our duty to always act in the client’s best interest. This is accomplished in part by knowing
the client. Our firm has established a service-oriented advisory practice with open lines of communication.
Working with clients to understand their investment objectives while educating them about our process,
facilitates the kind of working relationship we value.
Types of Advisory Services Offered
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
As part of our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service clients will be provided asset management as
well as ad-hoc financial consultations. This service is designed to assist clients in meeting their financial
goals. Our firm conducts client meetings to understand their current financial situation, existing resources,
financial goals, and tolerance for risk. Based on what is learned, an investment approach is presented to the
client, consisting of individual stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds and other public and private securities or
investments. Once the appropriate portfolio has been determined, portfolios are regularly monitored, and
if necessary, rebalanced based upon the client’s individual needs, stated goals and objectives. Upon client
request, our firm provides a summary of observations and recommendations for the planning or consulting
aspects of this service.
529 Account Management Services through American Funds:
As part of this service, we manage section 529 accounts with portfolios consisting of mutual funds available
through American Funds (“AF”), a family of funds available from the Capital Group. This service is
complimentary. We will not evaluate any type of security other than mutual funds offered by AF. Portfolios will
be designed to meet a particular investment goal, determined to be suitable to the client’s circumstances.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
Our firm provides retirement plan consulting services to employer plan sponsors on an ongoing basis.
Generally, such consulting services consist of assisting employer plan sponsors in establishing, monitoring
and reviewing their company's participant-directed retirement plan. As the needs of the plan sponsor
dictate, areas of advising could include: investment options, plan structure and participant education.
•
Retirement Plan Consulting services typically include:
•
Establishing an Investment Policy Statement – Our firm will assist in the development of a
statement that summarizes the investment goals and objectives along with the broad strategies to
be employed to meet the objectives.
Investment Options – Our firm will work with the Plan Sponsor to evaluate existing investment
options and make recommendations for appropriate changes.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
•
•
Asset Allocation and Portfolio Construction – Our firm will recommend strategic asset allocation
models to aid Participants in developing strategies to meet their investment objectives, time
horizon, financial situation and tolerance for risk.
Investment Monitoring – Our firm will monitor the performance of the investments and notify the
client in the event that underperformance causes us to recommend a change in the investment
choices, and in times of market volatility.
In providing services for retirement plan consulting, our firm does not provide any advisory services with
respect to the following types of assets: employer securities, real estate (excluding real estate funds and
publicly traded REITS), participant loans, non-publicly traded securities or assets, other illiquid investments,
or brokerage window programs (collectively, “Excluded Assets”).
All retirement plan consulting services shall be in compliance with the applicable state laws regulating
retirement consulting services. This applies to client accounts that are retirement or other employee
benefit plans (“Plan”) governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”). If the client accounts are part of a Plan, and our firm accepts appointment to provide services to
such accounts, our firm acknowledges its fiduciary standard within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA
as designated by the Retirement Plan Consulting Agreement with respect to the provision of services
described therein.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
Our firm offers individualized investment advice to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management clients.
General investment advice will be offered to our Retirement Plan Consulting clients.
Each Comprehensive Portfolio Management client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the
types of investments to be held in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of
securities may not be possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
Our firm does not offer or sponsor a wrap fee program.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025 our firm manages $317,186,141 of assets on a discretionary basis and
$11,871,483 on a non-discretionary basis for a total of $329,057,624 in assets under management.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
Section 529 accounts through American Funds:
Asset Management for section 529 accounts through American Funds will not be assessed asset
management fees. This service does not include discretionary trading authority by our firm. Our firm shall
never have custody of any client funds or securities.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
The maximum annual fee charged for this service will not exceed 1.5%. Fees to be assessed will be outlined
in the advisory agreement to be signed by the Client. Annualized fees are billed on a pro-rata basis quarterly
in advance or in arrears based on the value of the account(s) on the last day of the previous quarter. Fees
are negotiable and will be deducted from client account(s). Adjustments will be made for deposits and
withdrawals during the quarter. In rare cases, our firm will agree to directly invoice. Our firm will agree to
direct bill clients upon request. Further, it’s important to note that our firm will bill on cash and cash
equivalents held in client accounts unless specified in writing. As part of this process, Clients understand
the following:
a)
b)
c)
The client’s custodian sends statements at least quarterly, showing all disbursements for each
account, including the amount of the advisory fees paid to our firm;
Clients provide authorization permitting the custodian to deduct these fees;
NWMA will send an invoice directly to the custodian. If NWMA sends an invoice to the Client, a
legend urging the comparison of information provided in the statement with those from the
qualified custodian will be included.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
Our Retirement Plan Consulting services are billed on a fee based on the percentage of Plan assets under
management. The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee charged, is based on the scope and
complexity of our engagement with the client. Fees based on a percentage of managed Plan assets will not
exceed 1.50%. The fee-paying arrangements for Retirement Plan Consulting service will be determined on
a case-by-case basis and will be detailed in the signed consulting agreement. Clients or the Plan’s Third
Party Administrator will be invoiced directly for the fees.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Clients may incur transaction charges for trades executed in their accounts. These transaction fees are
separate from our firm’s advisory fees and will be disclosed by the chosen custodian. Clients may also pay
charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund, which shall be disclosed
in the fund’s prospectus (i.e., fund management fees, initial or deferred sales charges, mutual fund sales
loads, 12b-1 fees, surrender charges, variable annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, and
other fund expenses). Our firm does not receive a portion of these fees.
Termination & Refunds
Either party may terminate the signed Comprehensive Portfolio Management Agreement at any time. Upon
receipt of your notice of termination, our firm will process a pro-rate refund of the unearned portion of the
advisory fees charged in advance at the beginning of the quarter.
Either party to a Retirement Plan Consulting Agreement may terminate at any time by providing written
notice to the other party. Full refunds will only be made in cases where cancellation occurs within five (5)
business days of signing an agreement. After five (5) business days from initial signing, either party must
provide the other party thirty (30) days written notice to terminate billing. Billing will terminate 30 days
after receipt of termination notice. Clients will be charged on a pro-rata basis, which takes into account
work completed by our firm on behalf of the client. Clients will incur charges for bona fide advisory services
rendered up to the point of termination (determined as 30 days from receipt of said written notice) and
such fees will be due and payable.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Commissionable Securities Sales
Our firm and representatives do not sell securities for a commission in advisory accounts.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
Our firm does not charge performance-based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
Our firm has the following types of clients:
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Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals/Families;
Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations;
Pension and Profit Sharing Plans;
Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and/or Other Business Types.
Our firm does not impose requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Our firm will utilize several disciplines of analysis. On occasion we will use a technical analysis for
forecasting the direction of prices through the study of past market data, primarily price and volume by
examining what investors fear or think about those developments and whether or not investors have the
wherewithal to back up their opinions as opposed to a fundamental analysis which examines earnings,
dividends, new products, research and the like. Technical analysis is frequently contrasted with
fundamental analysis and each has limitations because of assumptions about the market. We enlist a more
rational approach by utilizing both types of analyses. Studying recurring, preferably periodic, movements
in prices or other time series or cyclical analysis may also be incorporated in our methods of analysis.
Cyclical may too narrowly predict price without integrating relevant factors. We strive to avoid risks of any
one method by incorporating several methods.
Investment Strategies We Use & Asset Classes
Our firm will make long term purchases (securities held at least a year), short term purchases (securities
sold within a year), and on rare occasions, trading (securities sold within 30 days). Generally, there is more
risk involved with shorter term trading. Primarily we use Strategic Asset Allocation. This involves
spreading your investments across several asset classes—such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents—to
reflect your particular goals. Asset allocation allows your portfolio to participate in a variety of market
sectors while potentially minimizing overall volatility. Asset allocation doesn’t ensure a profit or protect
against loss. The goal is to help achieve an optimal blend of investments tailored to your personal goals,
time horizon, and risk profile. This process encompasses setting investment objectives, establishing
weightings for various asset classes, choosing specific investments, and making adjustments as
circumstances dictate.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Cash & Cash Equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents generally refer to either United States dollars or
highly liquid short-term debt instruments such as, but not limited to, treasury bills, bank CD’s and
commercial papers. Generally, these assets are considered nonproductive and will be exposed to inflation
risk and considerable opportunity cost risk. Investments in cash and cash equivalents will generally return
less than the advisory fee charged by our firm. Our firm may recommend cash and cash equivalents as part
of our clients’ asset allocation when deemed appropriate and in their best interest. Our firm considers cash
and cash equivalents to be an asset class. Therefore, our firm will assess an advisory fee on cash and cash
equivalents unless indicated otherwise in writing.
Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”):
An ETF is a type of Investment Company (usually, an open-end fund or
unit investment trust) whose primary objective is to achieve the same return as a particular market index.
The vast majority of ETFs are designed to track an index, so their performance is close to that of an index
mutual fund, but they are not exact duplicates. A tracking error, or the difference between the returns of a
fund and the returns of the index, can arise due to differences in composition, management fees, expenses,
and handling of dividends. ETFs benefit from continuous pricing; they can be bought and sold on a stock
exchange throughout the trading day. Because ETFs trade like stocks, you can place orders just like with
individual stocks - such as limit orders, good-until-canceled orders, stop loss orders etc. They can also be
sold short. Traditional mutual funds are bought and redeemed based on their net asset values (“NAV”) at
the end of the day. ETFs are bought and sold at the market prices on the exchanges, which resemble the
underlying NAV but are independent of it. However, arbitrageurs will ensure that ETF prices are kept very
close to the NAV of the underlying securities. Although an investor can buy as few as one share of an ETF,
most buy in board lots. Anything bought in less than a board lot will increase the cost to the investor.
Anyone can buy any ETF no matter where in the world it trades. This provides a benefit over mutual funds,
which generally can only be bought in the country in which they are registered.
One of the main features of ETFs are their low annual fees, especially when compared to traditional mutual
funds. The passive nature of index investing, reduced marketing, and distribution and accounting expenses
all contribute to the lower fees. However, individual investors must pay a brokerage commission to
purchase and sell ETF shares; for those investors who trade frequently, this can significantly increase the
cost of investing in ETFs. That said, with the advent of low-cost brokerage fees, small or frequent purchases
of ETFs are becoming more cost efficient.
Individual Stocks
: A common stock is a security that represents ownership in a corporation. Holders of
common stock exercise control by electing a board of directors and voting on corporate policy. Investing in
individual common stocks provides us with more control of what you are invested in and when that
investment is made. Having the ability to decide when to buy or sell helps us time the taking of gains or
losses. Common stocks, however, bear a greater amount of risk when compared to certificate of deposits,
preferred stock and bonds. It is typically more difficult to achieve diversification when investing in
individual common stocks. Additionally, common stockholders are on the bottom of the priority ladder for
ownership structure; if a company goes bankrupt, the common stockholders do not receive their money
until the creditors and preferred shareholders have received their respective share of the leftover assets.
Mutual Funds
: A mutual fund is a company that pools money from many investors and invests that money
in a variety of differing security types based on the objectives of the fund. The portfolio of the fund consists
of the combined holdings it owns. Each share represents an investor’s proportionate ownership of the
fund’s holdings and the income those holdings generate. The price that investors pay for mutual fund shares
are the fund’s per share net asset value (“NAV”) plus any shareholder fees that the fund imposes at the time
of purchase (such as sales loads). Investors typically cannot ascertain the exact make-up of a fund’s
portfolio at any given time, nor can they directly influence which securities the fund manager buys and sells
or the timing of those trades. With an individual stock, investors can obtain real-time (or close to real-time)
pricing information with relative ease by checking financial websites or by calling a broker or your
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NWM Advisors, LLC
investment adviser. Investors can also monitor how a stock’s price changes from hour to hour—or even
second to second. By contrast, with a mutual fund, the price at which an investor purchases or redeems
shares will typically depend on the fund’s NAV, which is calculated daily after market close.
The benefits of investing through mutual funds include: (a) Mutual funds are professionally managed by an
investment adviser who researches, selects, and monitors the performance of the securities purchased by
the fund; (b) Mutual funds typically have the benefit of diversification, which is an investing strategy that
generally sums up as “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Spreading investments across a wide range of
companies and industry sectors can help lower the risk if a company or sector fails. Some investors find it
easier to achieve diversification through ownership of mutual funds rather than through ownership of
individual stocks or bonds.; (c) Some mutual funds accommodate investors who do not have a lot of money
to invest by setting relatively low dollar amounts for initial purchases, subsequent monthly purchases, or
both.; and (d) At any time, mutual fund investors can readily redeem their shares at the current NAV, less
any fees and charges assessed on redemption.
Mutual funds also have features that some investors might view as disadvantages: (a) Investors must pay
annual fees, and other expenses regardless of how the fund performs. Depending on the timing of their
investment, investors may also have to pay taxes on any capital gains distributions they receive. This
includes instances where the fund performed poorly after purchasing shares.; (b) Investors typically cannot
ascertain the exact make-up of a fund’s portfolio at any given time, nor can they directly influence which
securities the fund manager buys and sells or the timing of those trades.; and (c) With an individual stock,
investors can obtain real-time (or close to real-time) pricing information with relative ease by checking
financial websites or by calling a broker or your investment adviser. Investors can also monitor how a
stock’s price changes from hour to hour—or even second to second. By contrast, with a mutual fund, the
price at which an investor purchases or redeems shares will typically depend on the fund’s NAV, which the
fund might not calculate until many hours after the investor placed the order. In general, mutual funds must
calculate their NAV at least once every business day, typically after the major U.S. exchanges close.
When investors buy and hold an individual stock or bond, the investor must pay income tax each year on
the dividends or interest the investor receives. However, the investor will not have to pay any capital gains
tax until the investor actually sells and makes a profit. Mutual funds, however, are different. When an
investor buys and holds mutual fund shares, the investor will owe income tax on any ordinary dividends in
the year the investor receives or reinvests them. Moreover, in addition to owing taxes on any personal
capital gains when the investor sells shares, the investor may have to pay taxes each year on the fund’s
capital gains. That is because the law requires mutual funds to distribute capital gains to shareholders if
they sell securities for a profit, and cannot use losses to offset these gains.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock market
may increase and the account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market may decrease
and the account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that clients understand the risks associated with
investing in the stock market, are appropriately diversified in investments, and ask any questions.
Risk Associated with Cash and Cash Equivalents
Our firm generally invests client cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of Deposit,
high-grade commercial paper and/or government backed debt instruments. Ultimately, our firm tries to
achieve the highest return on client cash balances through relatively low-risk conservative investments. In
most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money market or cash account so that our
firm may debit advisory fees for our services related to our Asset Management services, as applicable.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to the evaluation of our advisory business or the
integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Our firm has no other financial industry activities and affiliations to disclose.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal
Trading
As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts
and to act solely in the best interest of each of our clients at all times. Our fiduciary duty is the underlying
principle for our firm’s Code of Ethics, which includes procedures for personal securities transaction and
insider trading. Our firm requires all representatives to conduct business with the highest level of ethical
standards and to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times. Upon employment with our firm,
and at least annually thereafter, all representatives of our firm will acknowledge receipt, understanding and
compliance with our firm’s Code of Ethics. Our firm and representatives must conduct business in an honest,
ethical, and fair manner and avoid all circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of
complete loyalty to all clients. This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics. If
a client or a potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy will be provided promptly
upon request.
Our firm recognizes that the personal investment transactions of our representatives demands the application
of a Code of Ethics with high standards and requires that all such transactions be carried out in a way that does
not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, our firm also believes that if investment goals are
similar for clients and for our representatives, it is logical, and even desirable, that there be common ownership
of some securities.
1
In order to prevent conflicts of interest, our firm has established procedures for transactions effected by our
. In order to monitor compliance with our personal trading policy,
representatives for their personal accounts
our firm has pre-clearance requirements and a quarterly securities transaction reporting system for all of our
representatives.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends, buys or sells for client accounts, securities in which our
firm or a related person has a material financial interest without prior disclosure to the client.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also recommended
to clients. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead
of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which is available upon request.
1
For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse, his/her
minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our associate controls,
including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Likewise, related persons of our firm buy or sell securities for themselves at or about the same time they buy
or sell the same securities for client accounts. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons
will place client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which
is available upon request. Further, our related persons will refrain from buying or selling the same securities
prior to buying or selling for our clients in the same day unless included in a block trade.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
Our firm does not maintain custody of client assets. Client assets must be maintained by a qualified
custodian. Our firm seeks to recommend a custodian who will hold client assets and execute transactions
on terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their
services. The factors considered, among others, are these:
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Timeliness of execution
Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
Research services provided
Ability to provide investment ideas
Execution facilitation services provided
Record keeping services provided
Custody services provided
Frequency and correction of trading errors
Ability to access a variety of market venues
Expertise as it relates to specific securities
Financial condition
Business reputation
Quality of services
With this in consideration our firm has an arrangement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) herein
referred to as (“Custodian” and “Our Custodian”), as qualified custodian from whom our firm is independently
owned and operated. Our Custodian offers services to independent investment advisers which includes
custody of securities, trade execution, clearance and settlement of transactions. Our Custodian enable us to
obtain many no-load mutual funds without transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal
transaction charges. Our Custodian does not charge client accounts separately for custodial services. Client
accounts will be charged transaction fees, commissions or other fees on trades that are executed or settle into
the client’s custodial account. Transaction fees are negotiated with Our Custodian, which are generally
discounted from customary retail commission rates. This benefits clients because the overall fee paid is often
lower than would be otherwise.
The qualified custodian may make certain research and brokerage services available at no additional cost
to our firm. Research products and services provided may include: research reports on recommendations or
other information about particular companies or industries; economic surveys, data and analyses; financial
publications; portfolio evaluation services; financial database software and services; computerized news and
pricing services; quotation equipment for use in running software used in investment decision-making; and
other products or services that provide lawful and appropriate assistance to our firm in the performance of
our investment decision-making responsibilities. The aforementioned research and brokerage services qualify
for the safe harbor exemption defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Our Custodian does not make client brokerage commissions generated by client transactions available for
our firm’s use. The aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage
accounts. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to purchase the same or similar services
at our own expense.
As part of our fiduciary duty to our clients, our firm will endeavor at all times to put the interests of our
clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by our firm or our
related persons creates a potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence our firm’s choice of
Custodian as custodial recommendation. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when our firm
chose to recommend Our Custodian and has determined that the recommendation is in the best interest of our
firm’s clients and satisfies our fiduciary obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
Our clients may pay a transaction fee or commission to Our Custodian that is higher than another qualified
broker dealer might charge to effect the same transaction where our firm determines in good faith that the
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the
client as a whole.
In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the
transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full range of a broker-
dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution capability, commission rates, and
responsiveness. Although our firm will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all clients, our firm may not
necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific client account transactions.
Soft Dollars
Our firm does not receive soft dollars in excess of what is allowed by Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. The safe harbor research products and services obtained by our firm will generally
be used to service all of our clients but not necessarily all at any one particular time.
Client Brokerage Commissions
Our Custodian does not make client brokerage commissions generated by client transactions available for
our firm’s use.
Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
Our firm does not direct client transactions to a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
Neither our firm nor any of our firm’s representatives have discretionary authority in making the
determination of the brokers-dealers and/or custodians with whom orders for the purchase or sale of
securities are placed for execution, and the commission rates at which such securities transactions are
effected. Our firm routinely recommends that clients direct us to execute through a specified broker-dealer.
Our firm recommends the use of Our Custodian.
Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
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NWM Advisors, LLC
A retirement or ERISA plan client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its account through a
specific broker or dealer in order to obtain goods or services on behalf of the plan. Such direction is
permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable expenses of the plan incurred in
the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise would be obligated and empowered to pay. ERISA
prohibits directed brokerage arrangements when the goods or services purchased are not for the exclusive
benefit of the plan. Consequently, our firm will request that plan sponsors who direct plan brokerage
provide us with a letter documenting that this arrangement will be for the exclusive benefit of the plan.
Client-Directed Brokerage
Our firm allows clients to direct brokerage outside our recommendation. Our firm may be unable to achieve
the most favorable execution of client transactions. Client directed brokerage may cost clients more money.
For example, in a directed brokerage account, clients may pay higher brokerage commissions because our
firm may not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, or clients may receive less favorable
prices.
Aggregation of Purchase or Sale
Our firm provides investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which portfolio
transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same security for
numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment objectives. Although
such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or disadvantageous to any one or
more particular accounts, they are affected only when our firm believes that to do so will be in the best interest
of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur, the objective is to allocate the executions
in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts involved. In any given situation, our firm attempts to
allocate trade executions in the most equitable manner possible, taking into consideration client objectives,
current asset allocation and availability of funds using price averaging, proration and consistently non-
arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
Our management personnel or financial advisors review accounts on at least a quarterly basis for our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management clients. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether client
accounts are in line with their investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market conditions,
and investment policies, if applicable. Our firm may review client accounts more frequently than described
above. Among the factors which may trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the
client’s life events, requests by the client, etc. Our firm does not provide written reports to clients, unless
asked to do so. Verbal reports to clients take place on at least an annual basis when our Asset Management
clients are contacted.
Retirement Plan Consulting clients receive reviews of their retirement plans for the duration of the service.
Our firm also provides ongoing services where clients are met with upon their request to discuss updates
to their plans, changes in their circumstances, etc. Retirement Plan Consulting clients do not receive written
or verbal updated reports regarding their plans unless they choose to engage our firm for ongoing services.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
(see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices)
Our firm receives economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services made
available to our firm and other independent investment advisors that have their clients maintain accounts
at Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit our firm, and the related conflicts of interest are
described above
. The availability of Schwab’s products and services is
not based on our firm giving particular investment advice, such as buying particular securities for our
clients.
Referral Fees
In accordance with Rule 206 (4)-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, our firm does not provide cash
or non-cash compensation directly or indirectly to unaffiliated persons for testimonials or endorsements
(which include client referrals).
Item 15: Custody
Direct Fee Debiting
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets (which are maintained by a qualified
custodian, as discussed above), we are deemed to have custody of certain client assets if given the authority
to withdraw assets from client accounts, as further described below under “Standing Instructions.” All our
clients receive account statements directly from their qualified custodian(s) at least quarterly upon
opening of an account. We urge our clients to carefully review these statements. Clients are encouraged to
raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their assets and our custodial
recommendations.
Standing Letters of Authorization
•
The SEC issued a no-action letter (“Letter”) with respect to the Rule 206(4)-2 (“Custody Rule”) under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided guidance on the Custody Rule as well
as clarified that an adviser who has the power to disburse client funds to a third party under a standing
letter of instruction (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody. As such, our firm has adopted the following
safeguards in conjunction with our custodian:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the client’s
signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third party’s account
number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s form or
separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from time to time.
The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as a
signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and provides a transfer of
funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified custodian.
The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the third
party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the client’s
instruction.
The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party of the
investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
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NWM Advisors, LLC
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to an
executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, our firm is authorized
to execute securities transactions, determine which securities are bought and sold, and the total amount to
be bought and sold. Should clients grant our firm non-discretionary authority, our firm would be required
to obtain the client’s permission prior to effecting securities transactions. Limitations may be imposed by
the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of discretion with our firm’s written
acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Our firm does not accept the proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies or other
solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are sent to our firm,
our firm will forward them to the appropriate client and ask the party who sent them to mail them directly
to the client in the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions they may have about
particular proxy votes or other solicitations.
Item 18: Financial Information
•
Our firm is not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
•
•
Our firm does not require the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees and six or more months in
advance.
Our firm does not take custody of client funds or securities.
Our firm does not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary obligations to clients.
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NWM Advisors, LLC