Overview
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL
- Total Firm Assets
- $621 million
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $4.3 million
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (OAK FAMILY ADVISORS DISCLOSURE BROCHURE PART 2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.00% |
Minimum Annual Fee: $1,000
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $10,000 | 1.00% |
| $5 million | $50,000 | 1.00% |
| $10 million | $100,000 | 1.00% |
| $50 million | $500,000 | 1.00% |
| $100 million | $1,000,000 | 1.00% |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 89.05%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 128
- Total Client Accounts
- 853
- Discretionary Accounts
- 732
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 121
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 141332
Additional Brochure: OAK FAMILY ADVISORS DISCLOSURE BROCHURE PART 2A (2026-06-11)
View Document Text
Item 1 – Cover Page
Firm Brochure
(Part 2A of Form ADV)
OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
150 NORTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1760
CHICAGO, IL 60606
PHONE (312) 373-7221
FAX (312) 212-5449
WWW.OFALLC.COM
INFO@OFALLC.COM
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Oak
Family Advisors, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure,
please contact us at: (312) 373-7221, or by email at: INFO@OFALLC.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. Oak Family
Advisors, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. The registration of an Investment
Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.
Additional information about Oak Family Advisors, LLC is available on the SEC’s
Website - www.adviserinfo.sec.gov .
June 3, 2026
OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 2 - Material Changes
Annual Update
The Material Changes section of this brochure will be updated annually and/or when material
changes occur from the previous release of the Firm Brochure. In the future, we will deliver
to our clients, within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year, a free, updated Brochure that
either includes or is accompanied by a summary of material changes. Alternatively, we may
deliver a summary of material changes that includes an offer to provide a copy of the updated
brochure and information on how our clients may obtain the brochure.
Material Changes since the Last Annual Update
Item 4 – Advisory Business. The Firm Description has been modified to reflect our current
total assets under management as of December 31, 2025, as approximately $621,000,000
(approximately $526,000,000 in assets on a discretionary basis and approximately
$95,000,000 on a non-discretionary basis).
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation. The Investment Management Agreement tiered fee
schedule for Fixed Income and Equity has been removed. The annual fee for an Investment
Management Agreement has been modified to reflect that our annual fee is never more than
1% and is negotiable depending on the level of engagement and client-specific factors.
Item 15 – Custody. Although Oak Family Advisors does not take physical custody of client
accounts, we are deemed to have custody of client assets because we have authority to
deduct advisory fees directly from client accounts. In addition, because a supervised person
of the Firm is now acting as trustee for a deceased client’s trust until the trust has been
distributed to the beneficiaries, Oak Family Advisors is now deemed to have custody of those
trust account assets during the period in which the supervised person serves as trustee.
Item 19 – Other Disclosures. Our Privacy Notice has been updated to reflect our revised
information security practices to protect the security and confidentiality of nonpublic
information, our incident response program if such information has been accessed or used
without authorization, and information regarding our service provider oversight because of
major changes to Regulation S-P.
• Full Brochure Available
If you would like to receive a complete copy of our Firm Brochure, please contact us by
phone at (312) 373-7221 or by email at INFO@OFALLC.COM.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 3 - Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ............................................................................................................... i
Item 2 - Material Changes ..................................................................................................... ii
Annual Update ........................................................................................................... ii
Material Changes since the Last Annual Update ....................................................... ii
Full Brochure Available .............................................................................................. ii
Item 3 - Table of Contents .................................................................................................... iii
Item 4 - Advisory Business ................................................................................................... 1
Firm Description ......................................................................................................... 1
Principal Owners ........................................................................................................ 2
Types of Advisory Services ........................................................................................ 2
Client Relationships ................................................................................................... 2
Types of Agreements ................................................................................................. 2
Advisory Service Agreement ...................................................................................... 2
Asset Management .................................................................................................... 2
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation .......................................................................................... 3
Description ................................................................................................................. 3
Advisory Service Agreement ...................................................................................... 3
Investment Management Agreement ......................................................................... 3
Fee Billing .................................................................................................................. 3
Other Fees ................................................................................................................. 4
Transaction Costs ...................................................................................................... 4
Expense Ratios .......................................................................................................... 4
Past Due Accounts and Termination of Agreement ................................................... 4
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees ........................................................................................ 5
Sharing of Capital Gains ............................................................................................ 5
Item 7 - Types of Clients ....................................................................................................... 5
Description ................................................................................................................. 5
Account Minimums ..................................................................................................... 5
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss............................ 6
Methods of Analysis ................................................................................................... 6
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Fundamental Analysis ................................................................................................ 6
Technical Analysis/Charting ....................................................................................... 6
Sources of Information ............................................................................................... 6
Investment Strategies ................................................................................................ 7
Investment Strategy Risk ........................................................................................... 7
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information .......................................................................................... 8
Legal and Disciplinary ................................................................................................ 8
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................ 8
Financial Industry Activities ........................................................................................ 8
Affiliations ................................................................................................................... 8
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ................................................................................................................................... 9
Code of Ethics ............................................................................................................ 9
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions ........................................................... 9
Personal Trading ........................................................................................................ 9
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices .............................................................................................. 9
General ...................................................................................................................... 9
Best Execution ........................................................................................................... 9
Soft Dollars ............................................................................................................... 10
Order Aggregation .................................................................................................... 10
Client Directed .......................................................................................................... 10
Trade Errors ............................................................................................................. 11
Item 13 - Review of Accounts ............................................................................................. 11
Periodic Reviews ...................................................................................................... 11
Review Triggers ....................................................................................................... 11
Client Reports .......................................................................................................... 11
Item 14 - Client Referrals and Other Compensation ......................................................... 11
Solicitors................................................................................................................... 11
Other Compensation ................................................................................................ 11
Item 15 - Custody ................................................................................................................. 12
Custody .................................................................................................................... 12
Qualified Custodians ................................................................................................ 12
Account Statements ................................................................................................. 12
Performance Reports ............................................................................................... 12
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 16 - Investment Discretion .......................................................................................... 13
Discretionary Authority for Trading ........................................................................... 13
Limited Power of Attorney ........................................................................................ 13
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities ....................................................................................... 13
Proxy Votes .............................................................................................................. 13
Item 18 - Financial Information ........................................................................................... 14
Financial Condition ................................................................................................... 14
Item 19 - Other Disclosures ................................................................................................ 14
Business Continuity Plan.......................................................................................... 14
Privacy Notice .......................................................................................................... 15
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 4 - Advisory Business
Firm Description
investment management and
financial planning
Oak Family Advisors, LLC (Oak Family Advisors, OFA, Firm, our and/or we) provides
personalized confidential
to
individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations
and small businesses. Advice is provided through consultation with the client and may
include:
tax planning,
insurance review,
investment management,
retirement planning, and
• determination of financial objectives,
•
identification of financial problems,
• cash flow management,
•
•
•
• education funding,
•
• estate planning.
We are an investment management firm. Our Investment Management Services are
tailored to a client’s specific needs and goals as established through a dialogue
concerning their assets, liabilities, income, expenses, goals, and objectives. A long-
term investment plan is established, then reconfirmed or adjusted at least
annually. Clients may impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of
securities.
Oak Family Advisors renders discretionary investment management services by
investing in securities that the Firm believes are suitable for each client based on their
investment objectives, risk
individual client needs and
tolerance and other
circumstances. See Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations for
information about Oak Street Management Co., LLC.
An evaluation of each client's initial situation is generally provided to the client.
Periodic reviews, not less than annually, are also communicated to provide reminders
of the specific courses of action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews occur
but are not necessarily communicated to the client unless immediate changes are
recommended.
Other professionals (e.g. lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) are engaged
directly by the client on an as-needed basis, and we can work closely with them at
your request to help shape your plan. Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the client
in the event they should occur.
The initial meeting, which may be arranged by telephone at (312) 373-7221, and is
free of charge, is to be considered an exploratory interview to determine the extent to
which financial planning and investment management may be beneficial to the client.
We do not participate in the management of wrap account programs.
As of December 31, 2025, we managed total assets of approximately $621,000,000
(approximately $526,000,000 in assets on a discretionary basis and approximately
$95,000,000 on a non-discretionary basis).
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Principal Owners
Oak Family Holdings, LLC (OFH) is the manager of Oak Family Advisors. OFH is
owned and controlled by John H. Fitzpatrick, Non-Executive Chairman of Oak Family
Advisors, LLC. The Firm has been in business since 2006.
Types of Advisory Services
The Firm provides traditional asset management services as well as consulting
services. We match our advisory services to the individual needs of clients. On
occasion, clients may impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of
securities.
We view our clients’ individual situations holistically. This means that in addition to the
traditional asset management services we provide, we also endeavor to assist clients
as they navigate taxation and estate issues, trust services, gifting strategies, as well
as other matters, as the client desires.
Client Relationships
A client’s specific needs and goals are established through a dialogue about their
assets, liabilities, income, expenses, goals, and objectives. The goals and objectives
for each client are documented in our client relationship management system.
Agreements may not be assigned without the client’s consent.
Types of Agreements
The following agreements define the typical client relationships.
Advisory Service Agreement
Clients can choose to have the Firm manage their assets to obtain ongoing in-depth
advice and life planning. All aspects of the client’s financial affairs are reviewed,
including those of their children. Realistic and measurable goals are set and objectives
to reach those goals are defined. As goals and objectives change over time,
suggestions are made and implemented on an ongoing basis.
Asset Management
Portfolio assets generally include stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds,
where appropriate. They may also include:
• equities (stocks),
• warrants, corporate debt securities,
• commercial paper,
• certificates of deposit,
• municipal securities,
• mutual funds
• U.S. government securities,
• options contracts,
•
•
futures contracts, and
interests in partnerships.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation
Description
Oak Family Advisors bases our fees on a percentage of assets under management.
Fees are negotiable.
Advisory Service Agreement
The annual Advisory Service Agreement fee is based on a percentage of the
investable assets and is negotiable. Although the Advisory Service Agreement is an
ongoing agreement and constant adjustments are required, the length of service to
the client is at the client’s discretion. The client or the investment manager may
terminate an Agreement by written notice to the other party. At termination, fees will
be refunded to the clients on a pro rata basis for the portion of the quarter remaining.
The portfolio value at the completion of the prior full billing quarter is used as the basis
for the fee computation, adjusted for the number of days during the billing quarter prior
to termination.
Investment Management Agreement
Most clients choose to have us manage their investments pursuant to an Investment
Management Agreement. The annual fee for an Investment Management Agreement
is never more than 1% and is negotiable depending on the level of engagement (e.g.
asset management, financial planning, etc.) as well as client-specific factors.
As discussed in the Agreement, the Management Fee is billed on a quarterly basis, in
advance, based upon the portfolio value as of the last day of the previous quarter as
valued by the Custodian.
Fee Billing
Clients pay for investment management fees quarterly, in advance, meaning that we
invoice you at the beginning of the three-month billing period based upon the portfolio
value as of the last day of the previous quarter as valued by the Custodian.
Payment in full is expected upon invoice presentation. The client must consent in
advance to direct debiting of their investment account.
There are two options you may select to pay for our services:
• Direct debiting (preferred): At the inception of the relationship and each quarter
thereafter, we will notify your custodian of the amount of the fee due and payable
to us through our fee schedule and contract. The custodian does not validate or
check our fee or its calculation on the assets on which the fee is based. They will
“deduct” the fee from your Account(s) or, if you have more than one account, from
the account you have designated to pay our advisory fees.
o Each month, you will receive a statement directly from your custodian
showing all transactions, positions and credits / debits into or from your
account; the statements after the quarter end will reflect these transactions,
including the advisory fee paid by you to Oak Family Advisors.
• Pay-by-check: At the inception of the Account and each quarter thereafter, we
issue you an invoice for our services and you pay us by check or wire transfer
within 15 days of the date of the invoice.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Other Fees
Oak Family Advisors, in its sole discretion, may waive its minimum fee and/or charge
a lesser investment advisory fee based upon certain criteria (e.g., historical
relationship, type of assets, anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future
additional assets, dollar amounts of assets to be managed, related accounts, account
composition, negotiations with clients, etc.).
New Advisory Service Agreement fees are calculated on a formula basis and adjusted
for the complexity of individual situations. The formula is based on gross income, gross
assets, and other financial considerations.
Transaction Costs
for client
transactions, and determining
Our fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related
costs and expenses which shall be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain
charges imposed by custodians, brokers, third party investment and other third parties
such as fees charged by managers, custodial fees, deferred sales charges, odd-lot
differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and
taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. See also Item 10 – Other
Financial Industry Affiliations and Item 12 – Brokerage Practices for a description of
additional compensation received either directly or indirectly by Oak Family Advisors
and for a description of factors that Oak Family Advisors considers in selecting or
recommending broker-dealers
the
reasonableness of their compensation (e.g., commissions), and potential conflicts of
interests related to certain affiliations.
As a result of the above-mentioned activities, there is a conflict of interest in that there
is an incentive for agents to recommend those securities which generate income for
the agents, rather than on the client’s needs. We address our fiduciary duty by
maintaining oversight of the agent’s securities activities and certain outside business
activities. Such oversight includes the review of the agents’ securities business to
ensure they consider their advisory client’s best interests. Clients are advised of these
conflicts of interest in the disclosure documents, agreements and through consultation.
Oak Family Advisors or any of its supervised persons do not accept compensation for
the sale of securities or other investment products, including asset-based sales
charges or service fees from the sale of mutual funds.
Expense Ratios
When we deem it advisable, as part of achieving the optimal after-tax, after expense
investment returns for our clients, we may choose to invest a portion of a client’s
portfolio in collective funds, commonly referred to as ETF’s (exchange-traded funds)
and/or Mutual funds. In general, both collective fund categories generally charge a
management fee for the provider’s service as an investment manager. The
management fee is called an expense ratio. For example, an expense ratio of 0.50
means that the mutual fund company charges 0.5% for their services. These fees are
in addition to the fees paid by you to the Firm.
Past Due Accounts and Termination of Agreement
We reserve the right to stop work on any account that is more than 90 days overdue.
In addition, we reserve the right to terminate any financial planning engagement where
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
a client has willfully concealed or has refused to provide pertinent information about
financial situations when necessary and appropriate, in the Firm’s judgment, to
providing proper financial advice. Any unused portion of fees collected in advance will
be refunded within 30 days.
A client may terminate any of the agreements at any time by notifying Oak Family
Advisors in writing and paying the rate for the time spent on the investment advisory
engagement prior to notification of termination. If the client made an advance payment,
the Firm would refund any unearned portion of the advance payment.
The Firm may terminate any of the agreements at any time by notifying the client in
writing. If the client made advance payment, the Firm would refund any unearned
portion of the advance payment.
If a client has received the firm’s disclosure brochure at least 48 hours prior to signing
the investment advisory contract, the investment advisory contract may be terminated
by the client within five (5) business days of signing the contract without incurring any
advisory fees.
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees
Sharing of Capital Gains
We do not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains
on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client) as we believe that the use of a
performance-based fee structure creates the potential for a conflict of interest and may
create an incentive for the adviser to recommend an investment that may carry a
higher degree of risk to the client.
Item 7 - Types of Clients
Description
Oak Family Advisors provides investment advice mainly to:
•
Individuals
•
trusts
• estates
• pension and profit-sharing plans
• charitable organizations
• corporations and business entities.
Client relationships vary in scope and length of service.
Account Minimums
The Firm does not have a minimum account size but does have a minimum annual
fee of $1,000.00.
We have the discretion to waive the account fee minimum. Account fees of less than
$1,000.00 may be set up when the client and the advisor anticipate the client will add
additional funds to the accounts bringing the total to the minimum fee within a
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
reasonable time. Other exceptions will apply to employees of the Firm and their
relatives, or close relatives of existing clients.
Clients receiving ongoing asset management services will be assessed a $1,000.00
minimum annual fee. Clients with assets below a certain account size may pay a
higher percentage rate on their annual fees than the fees paid by clients with greater
assets under management.
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
techniques
including but not
limited
At its core, any selection of a security that may fit within a client’s portfolio starts with and
is largely determined based on a fundamental analysis of the security, the sector in which
it participates, the overall geographical area in which the investment focuses its activities,
as well as other factors. In making determination about the extent or size of the holding,
we may also employ other analysis
to
charting/technical analysis, but those are secondary to our fundamental analysis.
Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis maintains that markets may misprice a security in the short run,
but that the "correct" price will eventually be reached by the market. The fundamental
analysis of a business involves analyzing businesses, financial statements and health,
management and competitive advantages, and competitors and markets in which
companies participate.
Technical Analysis/Charting
Technical analysis maintains that all information is already reflected in the stock price.
Technical analysis is a discipline for forecasting the direction of prices through the
study of past market data, primarily price and volume. Generally, technical analysis
employs models and trading rules based on price and volume transformations, such
as the relative strength index, moving averages, regressions, inter-market and intra-
market price correlations, business cycles, stock market cycles or, classically, through
recognition of chart patterns.
Sources of Information
The main sources of information we use to analyze these investment strategies
include:
financial newspapers and magazines,
inspections of corporate activities,
research materials prepared by others,
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
•
•
•
• corporate rating services,
• annual reports,
• prospectuses,
•
• company press releases., analyst meetings, industry conferences
• meetings with portfolio company management
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Other sources of information that we may use include:
• YCharts,
• Value Line,
• Charles Schwab Institutional,
• Advisor Intelligence, and the
• World Wide Web.
Investment Strategies
The primary investment strategy used on client accounts is a strategic asset allocation
utilizing a core and satellite approach. This means that we use in- house resources to
select core equity and fixed income securities in areas where we believe we have a
core competency and passively managed index exchange traded funds in asset
classes we believe are not our core competency or supplemental to our core
competency. Lastly, we use selected actively managed funds where we believe a
particular manager has a differentiated strategy. Portfolios are globally diversified to
control the risk associated with traditional domestic markets only.
The investment strategy for a specific client is based upon the objectives stated by the
client during consultations. The client may change these objectives at any time. Each
client completes a Client Profile that assists us in establishing the correct asset
allocation investment strategy for that client.
Other strategies may include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading,
short sales, margin transactions, and option transactions.
Investment Strategy Risk
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. All
investments have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Our investment
approach and our asset allocation strategies are designed to achieve the appropriate
balance of risk and return for each client’s situation. Risks inherent in any investment
strategy include, but are not limited to the following:
•
Interest-Rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices
to fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds
become less attractive, causing their market values to decline.
factors
• Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction
to tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by
external
independent of a security’s particular underlying
circumstances. For example, political, economic, and social conditions may
trigger market events.
•
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy
as much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate
of inflation.
• Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value
of the dollar against the currency of the investment’s originating country. This
is also referred to as exchange rate risk.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
• Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may
have to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e. interest rate).
This primarily relates to fixed income securities.
• Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a
particular company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies
depend on finding oil and then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can
generate a profit. They carry a higher risk of profitability than an electric
company, which generates its income from a steady stream of customers who
buy electricity no matter what the economic environment is like.
• Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a
standardized product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real
estate properties are not.
• Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations
increases the risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms
of its obligations in good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the
inability to meet loan obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining
market value.
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information
Legal and Disciplinary
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding
any legal or disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of Oak Family
Advisors or the integrity of our management.
The Firm and its employees have not been involved in legal or disciplinary events
related to past or present investment clients of the Firm. Form ADV Part 2B contains
legal and disciplinary disclosures for any persons associated with the Firm.
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Financial Industry Activities
Oak Family Advisors is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a
registered investment adviser.
Oak Family Advisors is not registered as a broker dealer. The employees of the firm
are not registered as a registered representative of a broker dealer, a futures
commission merchant, commodity pool operator, or a commodity trading advisor.
Affiliations
Oak Family Advisors has arrangements that are material to its advisory business
and/or its clients with Oak Street Management Co., LLC, a management consulting
firm.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
The employees of the Firm have committed to a Code of Ethics that is available for
review by clients and prospective clients upon request. The Firm will provide a copy
of the Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
Oak Family Advisors and its employees may buy or sell securities that are also held
by clients. Employees may not trade their own securities ahead of client trades.
Employees comply with the provisions of the Firm’s Compliance Manual.
Personal Trading
Since most employee trades are small mutual fund trades, exchange-traded fund
trades, or specific stock or bond trades, the trades do not affect the securities markets,
and no preclearance for most trades is necessary. If employee accounts trade in the
same securities with client accounts, they will be on an aggregated basis when
consistent with our obligation of best execution. In such circumstances, the employee
and client accounts will share commission costs equally and receive securities at a
total average price. All employee trades are reviewed each quarter by Kathleen A.
Helminski, the Firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. The personal trading reviews ensure
that the personal trading of employees does not affect the markets, and that clients of
the Firm receive preferential treatment.
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices
General
Stocks and bonds may be purchased or sold through a brokerage account when
appropriate, and the brokerage firm may charge a fee for stock and bond trades. Oak
Family Advisors does not receive any compensation, in any form, from fund companies
or brokerage firms so employed.
The Firm does not have any affiliation with product sales firms. The Firm uses
investment managers for certain fixed income, equities, and alternative assets. Such
investment managers usually charge a fee based on a percentage of assets under
management. Fund companies charge each fund shareholder an investment
management fee that is disclosed in the fund prospectus. Stock brokerages may
charge a transaction fee for the purchase of some funds. The Firm does not receive
fees or commissions from any of these arrangements.
Best Execution
We are in the business of managing client assets and seeking to achieve the best
results for our clients. Part of the costs borne by our clients include transaction costs
and other charges that brokerage firms/custodians may charge for their independent
trade execution and custodial services. While we do not mandate any specific
custodian that our clients must use, we believe that there are several reputable firms
for this purpose. In general, we have found that Charles Schwab & Co has served our
clients well, and it is where, in lieu of a client direction, we feel that our clients, including
ourselves, are well-served on an overall execution and service basis (of note: we do
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
not receive any portion of any fees that any of our client’s custodians may charge for
their services).
This presents a conflict of interest since trades for client accounts are executed
through this custodian rather than regularly seeking the best execution through various
other brokerage firms. However, there are benefits the clients receive through our
institutional arrangements with our custodian that are not available to retail clients. We
also maintain a list of approved outside brokers that we believe will provide favorable
trade execution for certain securities and will execute those trades away from the
custodian if necessary.
Soft Dollars
We do not currently receive any software maintenance credits from our custodians
and/or do not have any other formal or informal arrangements or commitments with
any broker-dealers or third parties to utilize research, research-related products and
other services on a soft dollar commission basis.
Order Aggregation
Most trades are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds where trade aggregation does
not garner any client benefit. We may engage in bunched trading, which is the
purchase or sale of a security for the accounts of multiple clients in a single transaction.
If a bunched trade is executed, each participating client receives a price that
represents the average of the prices at which all the transactions in a given bunch
were executed. Executing a bunched trade allows transaction costs to be shared
equally and on a pro rata basis among all the participating clients. If the order is not
completely filled, the securities purchased or sold are distributed among participating
clients on a pro rata basis or in some other equitable manner.
Bunched trades are placed only when we reasonably believe that the combination of
the transactions provides better prices for clients than had individual transactions been
placed for clients. Transactions for nondiscretionary client accounts, if any, are not
bunched with transactions for discretionary client accounts. Transactions for the
accounts of our employees and advisory representatives may be included in bunched
trades. They receive the same average price and pay the same commissions and
other transaction costs as clients. Transactions for the accounts of our advisory
representatives or employees will not be favored over transactions for client accounts.
We are not obligated to include any client account in a bunched trade. Bunched trades
will not be effected for any client’s account if doing so is prohibited or otherwise
inconsistent with that client’s investment advisory agreement. No client will be favored
over any other client.
Client Directed
Clients may instruct us to direct all or a portion of the securities transactions for its
account to a specified broker or dealer. We will treat the client direction as a decision
by the client to retain the discretion that otherwise would have in selecting a broker-
dealer to effect transactions and in negotiating transaction fees generally for the
client's account. The client who directs us to use a specific broker may pay higher or
lower transaction fees such as commissions, commission equivalents, mark-ups,
mark-downs, dealer spreads, credits or otherwise, and may receive less or more
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favorable execution services than if the client did not direct transactions to a particular
broker.
Any instructions or limitation relating to the selection of broker-dealers must be in
writing. Because client-directed trades often cannot be aggregated with non-directed
trades, such designations may adversely affect OFA’s ability to obtain volume
discounts on aggregated orders or to obtain best price and execution by effecting
certain transactions directly with the market maker.
Trade Errors
We will attempt to correct trading errors as soon as they are discovered. To the extent
the error was caused by us, we will take appropriate steps to correct it at our expense.
Item 13 - Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
Account reviews are personally performed by each portfolio manager with the
frequency dictated by market conditions.
In addition, all portfolios are reviewed internally at least annually by the Firm’s
Investment Committee. Terrence S. Wilson, Charles M. Sloan, and William E. Driscoll
are members of the Firm's Investment Committee. At those reviews, the client’s
current security positions and the likelihood that the portfolio construction will
contribute to the investment objectives of the client are considered.
Clients receive periodic communications on at least an annual basis. This may include
a net worth statement, portfolio statement, and a summary of objectives and progress
toward meeting those objectives.
Review Triggers
Other conditions that may trigger a review are changes in the tax laws, new investment
information, and changes in a client's own situation.
Client Reports
Upon request and as part of scheduled review meetings, clients are provided Client
Appraisal Reports which may include charts and graphs that are generated from our
client relationship management system. These reports contain information about the
supervised assets under management and may also list approximations of
unsupervised positions held outside of the supervised assets. These outside
positions, which are updated manually with data provided by the client, are used for
long-term financial planning and net worth analysis.
Item 14 - Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Solicitors
The Firm does not compensate any third party for the referral of clients.
Other Compensation
Other than the fees described herein, we do not receive any other compensation
related to the management of client accounts.
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Item 15 - Custody
Custody
Custody means holding, directly or indirectly, client funds or securities or having any
authority to obtain possession of them. Although Oak Family Advisors does not take
physical custody of client accounts, we are deemed to have custody of client assets
because we have authority to deduct advisory fees directly from client accounts. The
custodian sends account statements directly to clients on a quarterly or more frequent
basis as required, and clients should carefully review those statements and compare
them to any account information that we may provide.
In addition, a supervised person of the Firm is now serving as the trustee for a
deceased client’s trust until the trust has been distributed to the beneficiaries. As a
result, Oak Family Advisors is now deemed to have custody of those trust account
assets during the period in which the supervised person serves as trustee. To mitigate
any potential conflicts of interest, the trust assets are held with an independent
qualified custodian, and the custodian sends statements to the trust attorney at least
quarterly.
Qualified Custodians
Recommendations are made to clients based on their needs for such services. We
recommend custodians based on the proven integrity and financial responsibility of
the custodian and the best execution of orders at reasonable commission rates. We
recommend brokerage firms and trust companies (qualified custodians), such as
Charles Schwab Institutional Brokerage Group; however, the Firm does not receive
fees or commissions from any of these arrangements.
Custodians may charge transaction fees on purchases or sales of certain mutual funds
and exchange-traded funds. These transaction charges are usually small and
incidental to the purchase or sale of a security.
Some of our clients have, for various reasons, directed us to broker execution or other
custody arrangements. For example, UBS, Credit Suisse, J.P. Morgan have been
used for foreign currency and securities and Midwest Trust Company for domestic real
estate funds, depending on the client’s needs.
Account Statements
All assets are held by qualified custodians and as such, we do not act as a custodian
of client assets. As a result, the qualified custodians provide account statements
directly to our clients at their address of record at least quarterly.
Performance Reports
Clients are urged to compare the account statements received directly from their
custodians to the performance report statements provided by Oak Family Advisors.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Item 16 - Investment Discretion
Discretionary Authority for Trading
We may manage your accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. We will
only manage your account on a discretionary basis upon obtaining your consent. This
discretion is to be exercised in a manner consistent with the stated investment
objectives for the client account. Your consent is typically granted and evidenced in
the client agreement that you sign with us. We define discretion as: the ability to trade
your account without obtaining your prior consent and to determine the securities and
amount of securities to be bought or sold and the timing of the purchase or sale. It
does not extend to the withdrawal or transfer of your account funds.
We may give advice and act in the performance of our duties to you, which differs from
advice given, or the timing and nature of action taken, with respect to our clients’
accounts.
Discretionary trading authority facilitates placing trades in your accounts on your
behalf so that we may promptly implement the investment policy that you have
approved in writing.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, we observe the investment
policies, limitations, and restrictions of the clients for which we advise. For registered
investment companies, our authority to trade securities may also be limited by certain
federal securities and tax laws that require diversification of investments and favor the
holding of investments once made.
Limited Power of Attorney
A limited power of attorney is a trading authorization for this purpose. You sign a
limited power of attorney so that we may execute the trades that you have approved.
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities
Proxy Votes
The Firm will accept delegation from our clients to vote proxies for securities held in
their accounts. When we have proxy voting authority, we acknowledge that we have a
fiduciary duty to vote proxies in the best interest of our clients. We will not vote proxies
for those clients who choose not to delegate proxy voting authority to us. Clients may,
at any time, change their proxy voting authorization.
We have adopted a Proxy Voting Policy which sets forth our policies and procedures
to make sure we are voting proxies in the best interest of our clients. Each proxy is
voted on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, we vote in accordance with
management’s recommendations since the securities we purchase are based on the
belief that management will maximize shareholder value. However, there may be
some cases where we will vote against management’s recommendations or even
refrain from voting a proxy if we determine that is the best course of action. It is
possible that a conflict of interest could arise regarding the voting of a particular proxy.
In that case, the portfolio manager who is conflicted is removed from the decision-
making process. Clients can also direct us how they would like us to vote their shares
in a particular situation if they notify us in writing within sufficient time prior to our voting.
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Clients may contact us to obtain information about how their proxies were voted and
to request a copy of our General Proxy Voting Summary.
We also make recommendations regarding corporate reorganizations and other
corporate actions and provide instructions to the custodian regarding these corporate
reorganizations and other corporate actions for those clients that delegate authority to
us.
We do not take any action but will render limited advice on request with respect to any
securities held in any accounts that are named in or subject to class action lawsuits or
bankruptcy proceedings. We will forward you any information we receive regarding
class action legal matters involving any security held in your account.
Item 18 - Financial Information
Financial Condition
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures about
financial conditions which would impair our ability to provide the advisory services
described herein. We have no financial commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary commitments to clients, and we have not been the subject of
a bankruptcy proceeding. We do not require or solicit prepayment of more than $500
in fees per client and six months or more in advance, therefore have no material
additional financial disclosures to make.
Item 19 - Other Disclosures
Business Continuity Plan
Oak Family Advisors has developed a Business Continuity Plan to address how we
will respond to events that may disrupt its business. Since timing and impact of
disasters is unpredictable, we will have to be flexible in responding to the events as
they occur. This plan is designed to permit us to resume operations as quickly as
possible, given the scope and severity of the significant business disruption. The
Business Continuity Plan covers data backup and recovery, mission critical systems,
financial and operational assessments, alternative communications, alternate
business locations, bank and counter-party impact, regulatory reporting, and the
assurance of prompt access to funds and securities for our customers.
Varying Disruptions – Significant business disruptions can vary in their scope, such as
emergencies affecting only a single building housing Oak Family Advisors, the
business district where we are located, the city where we are located, or the whole
region. Within each of these areas, the severity of the disruption can also vary from
minimal to severe. In a disruption to only us or a building housing us, our staff will work
remotely from home until the primary location is operational or a replacement location
is established, and staff will use their cell phones for contact purposes. In a disruption
affecting our business district, city, or region, or in a nationwide pandemic, our staff
will work remotely from home and use their cell phones to communicate with our
clients, custodians, etc. until the primary location is operational, or a replacement
location is established. In either situation, we plan to continue in business.
If you have questions about our Business Continuity Plan, please feel free to contact
us.
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OAK FAMILY ADVISORS, LLC
Privacy Notice
Oak Family Advisors is committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and
security of the personal information that is entrusted to us. Keeping your financial
information secure is one of our most important responsibilities.
The categories of nonpublic information that we collect from you may include
information about your personal finances, information about your health to the extent
that it is needed for the financial planning process, information about transactions
between you and third parties, and information from consumer reporting agencies,
e.g., credit reports. We use this information to help you meet your personal financial
goals and only access this information when needed. Everyone at our Firm is bound
by a Code of Ethics that requires confidential treatment of your client information and
is subject to disciplinary action if we fail to follow this Code.
We maintain written policies and procedures designed to protect the security and
confidentiality of nonpublic personal information. Our program includes measures to:
Identify and assess risks of unauthorized access or use;
Implement and monitor safeguards appropriate to our business model;
•
•
• Detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents affecting customer
information.
If we determine that nonpublic personal information has been or is reasonably likely to
have been accessed or used without authorization, we will notify affected individuals
as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days after that determination except where
a delay may be requested by law enforcement.
We require strict confidentiality in our agreements with unaffiliated third parties that
require access to your personal information, including financial service companies,
consultants, and auditors. Federal and state securities regulators may review the
Firm’s records and your personal records as permitted by law. With your permission,
we will disclose limited information to attorneys, accountants, and mortgage lenders
with whom you have established a relationship. We do not provide your personal
information to mailing list vendors or solicitors.
We require third-party service providers with access to nonpublic personal information
to:
• Maintain appropriate protection;
• Notify us promptly of any unauthorized access or use;
• Cooperate in incident response and mitigation efforts.
We also conduct ongoing due diligence and monitoring of service providers consistent
with regulatory requirements.
These protections apply to current and former clients as well as to individuals who
provide information to us in connection with a potential advisory relationship even if no
account is opened or no contract is signed.
We will provide initial privacy notices consistent with Regulation S-P. Consumers will
receive notice before any nonpublic personal information is shared with third parties,
and customers will receive notice before a customer relationship is established.
Privacy notices will be provided to all current clients when material changes are made
to the privacy policy and annually.
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