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Item 1
Cover Page
PFS Partners, LLC
Brochure
Dated: September 16, 2025
Contacts: David Vollmer
350 US Highway 46
Mine Hill, New Jersey 07803
www.precisionfinancialservices.com
973-927-6300
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of PFS Partners,
LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (973) 927-
6300 or david.vollmer@pfs-inc.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 PFS Partners, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
References herein to PFS Partners, LLC as a “registered investment adviser” or any reference to
being “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Item 2
Material Changes
There have been no material changes to this Brochure since PFS Partners’ last Annual Amendment filing
made on January 25, 2024.
PFS Partners’ Chief Compliance Officer, David Vollmer, remains available to address any questions that
an existing or prospective client may have regarding this Brochure.
Item 3
Table of Contents
Item 1 Cover Page .................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 Material Changes .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4 Advisory Business ........................................................................................................................ 3
Fees and Compensation .............................................................................................................. 11
Item 5
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management .......................................................... 15
Item 6
Item 7
Types of Clients .......................................................................................................................... 15
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ................................................... 15
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................ 18
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................. 18
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading.............. 19
Item 12 Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................... 20
Item 13 Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 22
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................. 22
Item 15 Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 22
Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................. 23
Item 16
Item 17 Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 23
Item 18 Financial Information ................................................................................................................. 23
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Item 4
Advisory Business
A. PFS Partners, LLC (the “Registrant”) is a limited liability company formed in June 2008
in the state of New Jersey. The Registrant became registered as an Investment Adviser
Firm in November 2008. The Registrant is solely owned by David Vollmer. Mr. Vollmer
is also the Registrant’s Managing Member.
B.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Registrant provides discretionary and/or non-discretionary investment advisory
services on a wrap or non-wrap fee basis. (See discussion below). If a client determines to
engage the Registrant on a wrap fee basis the client will pay a single fee for bundled
services (i.e., investment advisory, brokerage, custody). The services included in a wrap
fee agreement will depend upon each client’s particular need. If the client determines to
engage the Registrant on a non-wrap fee basis the client will select individual services on
an unbundled basis, paying for each service separately (i.e., investment advisory,
brokerage, custody).
NON-WRAP FEE BASIS
The Registrant provides discretionary and/or non-discretionary investment advisory
services on a non-wrap fee basis. The Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee is based
upon a percentage (%) of the market value of the assets placed under the Registrant’s
management, generally between negotiable and 1.50%.
PFS PARTNERS WRAP PROGRAM
The Registrant sponsors the PFS Partners Wrap Program (the “Program”) through which
it offers discretionary or non-discretionary investment management services on a wrap fee
basis. The services offered under, and the corresponding terms and conditions pertaining
to, the Program are discussed in the Wrap Fee Program Brochure, a copy of which is
presented to all prospective Program participants.
Under the Program, the Registrant is able to offer participants discretionary or non-
discretionary investment management services, for a single specified annual Program fee,
inclusive of trade execution, custody, reporting, account maintenance, investment
management fees, and in some instances, fees charged by independent managers and/or
separately managed accounts.
The current annual Program fee ranges from negotiable to 1.50%, depending upon the
complexity of the account, the amount of the client assets in the Program and the
independent/separately managed accounts utilized by the client’s investment portfolio.
The terms and conditions for client participation in the Program are set forth in detail in
the Wrap Fee Program Brochure, which is presented to all prospective Program participants
in accordance with disclosure requirements. All prospective Program participants should
read both the Brochure and the Wrap Fee Program Brochure, and ask any corresponding
questions that they may have, prior to participation in the Program.
As indicated in the Wrap Fee Program Brochure, participation in the Program may cost
more or less than purchasing such services separately. When managing a client’s account
on a wrap fee basis, the Registrant shall receive as payment for its asset management
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services, the balance of the wrap fee after all other non-excluded costs (including account
transaction fees) incorporated into the wrap fee have been deducted. As also indicated in
the Wrap Fee Program Brochure, the Program fee charged by the Registrant for
participation in the Program may be higher or lower than those charged by other sponsors
of comparable wrap fee programs.
Wrap Program-Conflict of Interest. Under the Registrant’s wrap program, the client
generally receives investment advisory services, the execution of securities brokerage
transactions, custody and reporting services for a single specified fee. When managing a
client’s account on a wrap fee basis, the Registrant shall receive as payment for its
investment advisory services, the balance of the wrap fee after all other costs incorporated
into the wrap fee have been deducted.
Because wrap program transaction fees and/or commissions are being paid by the
Registrant to the account custodian/broker-dealer, the Registrant has an economic
incentive to maximize its compensation by seeking to minimize the number of trades in the
client's account.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant provides financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance
planning, etc.) on a stand-alone separate fee basis. Registrant’s planning and consulting
fees are negotiable, but generally range from $2,000 to $15,000 on a fixed fee basis, and
from $150 to $300 on an hourly rate basis, depending upon the level and scope of the
service(s) required and the professional(s) rendering the service(s).
Prior to engaging the Registrant to provide planning or consulting services, clients are
generally required to enter into a Financial Planning and Consulting Agreement with
Registrant setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including
termination), describing the scope of the services to be provided, and the portion of the fee
that is due from the client prior to Registrant commencing services. If requested by the
client, Registrant may recommend the services of other professionals for implementation
purposes, including certain of the Registrant’s representatives in their individual capacities
as registered representatives of Leigh Baldwin & Co. (“LBC”) and/or in their capacities as
licensed insurance agents. (See disclosure below at Items 10.C below).
Clients are under no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended
professionals. The client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions
and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from the Registrant.
If a client engages any recommended unaffiliated professional, and a dispute arises
thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from
and against the engaged professional. At all times, the engaged licensed professional[s]
(i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.), and not the Registrant, shall be
responsible for the quality and competency of the services provided.
It remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any
change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing,
evaluating or revising Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
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RETIREMENT CONSULTING
The Registrant also provides retirement plan consulting/management services, pursuant to
which it assists sponsors of self-directed retirement plans organized under the Employee
Retirement Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The terms and conditions of the engagement
shall be set forth in a Retirement Plan Services Agreement between the Registrant and the
plan sponsor.
If the plan sponsor engages the Registrant in an ERISA Section 3(21) capacity, the
Registrant will assist with the selection and/or monitoring of investment options (generally
open-end mutual funds and exchange traded funds) from which plan participants shall
choose in self-directing the investments for their individual plan retirement accounts. If
the plan sponsor chooses to engage the Registrant in an ERISA Section 3(38) capacity,
Registrant may provide the same services as described above, but may also: create specific
asset allocation models that Registrant manages on a discretionary basis, which plan
participants may choose in managing their individual retirement account; and/or modify
the investment options made available to plan participants on a discretionary basis.
MISCELLANEOUS
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation
Services. As indicated above, to the extent requested by a client, Registrant may provide
financial planning and related consulting services. Neither the Registrant nor its investment
adviser representatives assist clients with the implementation of any financial plan, unless
they have agreed to do so in writing. The Registrant does not monitor a client’s financial
plan, and it is the client’s responsibility to revisit the financial plan with the Registrant, if
desired.
Furthermore, although the Registrant may provide recommendations regarding non-
investment related matters, such as estate planning, tax planning and insurance, the
Registrant does not serve as a law firm or accounting firm and no portion of Registrant’s
services should be construed as legal or accounting services. Accordingly, the Registrant
does not prepare estate planning documents or tax returns.
To the extent requested by a client, Registrant may recommend the services of other
professionals for certain non-investment implementation purpose (i.e., attorneys,
accountants, insurance agents, etc.), including representatives of Registrant in their
separate individual capacities as representatives of Leigh Baldwin & Co. (“LBC”), a
FINRA member broker-dealer and/or as licensed insurance agents. The client is under no
obligation to engage the services of any such recommended professional. The client retains
absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject
any recommendation from Registrant and/or its representatives.
If the client engages any recommended unaffiliated professional, and a dispute arises
thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from
and against the engaged professional. At all times, the engaged licensed professional[s]
(i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.), and not the Registrant, shall be
responsible for the quality and competency of the services provided.
Non-Discretionary Service Limitations. Clients that determine to engage the Registrant
on a non-discretionary investment advisory basis must be willing to accept that the
Registrant cannot effect any account transactions without obtaining prior consent to any
such transaction(s) from the client. Therefore, in the event of a market correction during
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which the client is unavailable, the Registrant will be unable to effect any account
transactions (as it would for its discretionary clients) without first obtaining the client’s
consent.
Cash Positions. Registrant continues to treat cash as an asset class. As such, unless
determined to the contrary by Registrant, all cash positions (money markets, etc.) shall
continue to be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating
Registrant’s advisory fee. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or
anticipated market conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated market
conditions/events will occur), Registrant may maintain cash positions for defensive
purposes. In addition, while assets are maintained in cash, such amounts could miss market
advances. Depending upon current yields, at any point in time, Registrant’s advisory fee
could exceed the interest paid by the client’s money market fund.
Cash Sweep Accounts. Certain account custodians can require that cash proceeds from
account transactions or new deposits, be swept to and/or initially maintained in a
specific custodian designated sweep account. The yield on the sweep account will
generally be lower than those available for other money market accounts. When this
occurs, to help mitigate the corresponding yield dispersion Registrant shall (usually within
30 days thereafter) generally (with exceptions) purchase a higher yielding money market
fund (or other type security) available on the custodian’s platform, unless Registrant
reasonably anticipates that it will utilize the cash proceeds during the subsequent 30-day
period to purchase additional investments for the client’s account. Exceptions and/or
modifications can and will occur with respect to all or a portion of the cash balances for
various reasons, including, but not limited to the amount of dispersion between the sweep
account and a money market fund, the size of the cash balance, an indication from the client
of an imminent need for such cash, or the client has a demonstrated history of writing
checks from the account.
The above does not apply to the cash component maintained within a Registrant actively
managed investment strategy (the cash balances for which shall generally remain in the
custodian designated cash sweep account), an indication from the client of a need for access
to such cash, assets allocated to an unaffiliated investment manager and cash balances
maintained for fee billing purposes.
The client shall remain exclusively responsible for yield dispersion/cash balance decisions
and corresponding transactions for cash balances maintained in any Registrant unmanaged
accounts.
Socially Responsible (ESG) Investing Limitations. Registrant does not maintain or
advocate an ESG investment strategy but will seek to employ ESG if directed by a client
to do so. If implemented, Registrant shall rely upon the assessments undertaken by the
unaffiliated mutual fund, exchange traded fund or separate account portfolio manager to
determine that the fund’s or portfolio’s underlying company securities meet a socially
responsible mandate.
Socially Responsible Investing involves the incorporation of Environmental, Social and
Governance (“ESG”) considerations into the investment due diligence process. ESG
investing incorporates a set of criteria/factors used in evaluating potential investments:
Environmental (i.e., considers how a company safeguards the environment); Social (i.e.,
the manner in which a company manages relationships with its employees, customers, and
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the communities in which it operates); and Governance (i.e., company management
considerations). The number of companies that meet an acceptable ESG mandate can be
limited when compared to those that do not and could underperform broad market indices.
Investors must accept these limitations, including potential for underperformance.
Correspondingly, the number of ESG mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are limited
when compared to those that do not maintain such a mandate. As with any type of
investment (including any investment and/or investment strategies recommended and/or
undertaken by Registrant), there can be no assurance that investment in ESG securities or
funds will be profitable or prove successful.
Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, and Digital Assets. The Registrant does not recommend or
advocate for the purchase of, or investment in, Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, or digital assets.
Such investments are considered speculative and carry significant risk. For clients who
want exposure to Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, or digital assets, the Registrant, may advise the
client to consider a potential investment in corresponding exchange traded securities, or an
allocation to separate account managers and/or private funds that provide cryptocurrency
exposure.
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are digital assets that can be used for various purposes,
including transactions, decentralized applications, and speculative investments. Most
digital assets use blockchain technology, an advanced cryptographic digital ledger to
secure transactions and validate asset ownership. Unlike conventional currencies issued
and regulated by monetary authorities, cryptocurrencies generally operate without
centralized control, and their value is determined by market supply and demand. While
regulatory oversight of digital assets has evolved significantly since their inception, they
remain subject to variable regulatory treatment globally, which may impact their risk
profile and liquidity.
Given that cryptocurrency investments are speculative and subject to extreme price
volatility, liquidity constraints, and the potential for total loss of principal, the Registrant
does not exercise discretionary authority to purchase cryptocurrency investments for
client accounts. Any investment in cryptocurrencies must be expressly authorized by the
client. Clients who authorize the purchase of a cryptocurrency investment must be
prepared for the potential for liquidity constraints, extreme price volatility, regulatory risk,
technological risk, security and custody risk, and complete loss of principal.
Retirement Rollovers-Potential for Conflict of Interest. A client or prospective client
leaving an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan (and
may engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former
employer’s plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is
available and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account
(“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the client’s age,
result in adverse tax consequences). If Registrant recommends that a client roll over their
retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Registrant, such a recommendation
creates a conflict of interest if Registrant will earn new (or increase its current)
compensation as a result of the rollover. If Registrant provides a recommendation as to
whether a client should engage in a rollover or not (whether it is from an employer’s plan
or an existing IRA), Registrant is acting as a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. No client is under any obligation
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to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by Registrant, whether it is from
an employer’s plan or an existing IRA.
Use of Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds. While the Registrant may
recommend allocating investment assets to mutual funds or exchange traded funds
(“ETFs”) that are not available directly to the public, the Registrant may also recommend
that clients allocate investment assets to publicly available mutual funds and ETFs that the
client could obtain without engaging Registrant as an investment adviser. However, if a
client or prospective client determines to allocate investment assets to publicly available
mutual funds or ETFs without engaging Registrant as an investment adviser, the client or
prospective client would not receive the benefit of Registrant’s initial and ongoing
investment advisory services.
Other mutual funds, such as those issued by Dimensional Fund Advisors (“DFA”), are
generally only available through selected registered investment advisers. Registrant may
allocate client investment assets to DFA mutual funds. Therefore, upon the termination of
Registrant’s services to a client, restrictions regarding transferability and/or additional
purchases of, or reallocation among DFA funds will apply.
Unaffiliated Private Investment Funds. Registrant also provides investment advice
regarding private investment funds. Registrant, on a non-discretionary basis, may
recommend that certain qualified clients consider an investment in private investment
funds, the description of which (the terms, conditions, risks, conflicts and fees, including
incentive compensation) is set forth in the fund’s offering documents. Registrant’s role
relative to unaffiliated private investment funds shall be limited to its initial and ongoing
due diligence and investment monitoring services. If a client determines to become an
unaffiliated private fund investor, the amount of assets invested in the fund(s) shall be
included as part of “assets under management” for purposes of Registrant calculating its
investment advisory fee. Registrant’s fee shall be in addition to the fund’s fees. Registrant’s
clients are under absolutely no obligation to consider or make an investment in any private
investment fund(s).
Private investment funds generally involve various risk factors, including, but not limited
to, potential for complete loss of principal, liquidity constraints and lack of transparency,
a complete discussion of which is set forth in each fund’s offering documents, which will
be provided to each client for review and consideration. Unlike liquid investments that a
client may own, private investment funds do not provide daily liquidity or pricing. Each
prospective client investor will be required to complete a Subscription Agreement,
pursuant to which the client shall establish that the client is qualified for investment in the
fund, and acknowledges and accepts the various risk factors that are associated with such
an investment. Registrant’s investment advisory fee disclosed at Item 5 below is in addition
to the fees payable to the private fund.
Valuation. In the event that Registrant references private investment funds owned by the
client on any supplemental account reports prepared by Registrant, the value(s) for all
private investment funds owned by the client shall reflect the most recent valuation
provided by the fund sponsor. However, if subsequent to purchase, the fund has not
provided an updated valuation, the valuation shall reflect the initial purchase price. If
subsequent to purchase, the fund provides an updated valuation, then the statement will
reflect that updated value. The updated value will continue to be reflected on the report
until the fund provides a further updated value.
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As result of the valuation process, if the valuation reflects initial purchase price or an
updated value subsequent to purchase price, the current value(s) of an investor’s fund
holding(s) could be significantly more or less than the value reflected on the report. Unless
otherwise indicated, Registrant shall calculate its fee based upon the latest value provided
by the fund sponsor.
Interval Funds/Risks and Limitations. Where appropriate, Registrant may utilize
interval funds (and other types of securities that could pose additional risks, including lack
of liquidity and restrictions on withdrawals). An interval fund is a non-traditional type
of closed-end mutual fund that periodically offers to buy back a percentage of outstanding
shares from shareholders. Investments in an interval fund involve additional risk, including
lack of liquidity and restrictions on withdrawals.
During any time periods outside of the specified repurchase offer window(s), investors will
be unable to sell their shares of the interval fund. There is no assurance that an investor
will be able to tender shares when or in the amount desired. There can also be situations
where an interval fund has a limited amount of capacity to repurchase shares and may not
be able to fulfill all purchase orders. In addition, the eventual sale price for the interval
fund could be less than the interval fund value on the date that the sale was requested.
While an internal fund periodically offers to repurchase a portion of its securities, there is
no guarantee that investors may sell their shares at any given time or in the desired amount.
As interval funds can expose investors to liquidity risk, investors should consider interval
fund shares to be an illiquid investment. Typically, the interval funds are not listed on any
securities exchange and are not publicly traded. Therefore, there is no secondary market
for the fund’s shares.
Because these types of investments involve certain additional risk, these funds will only be
utilized when consistent with a client’s investment objectives, individual situation,
suitability, tolerance for risk and liquidity needs. Investment should be avoided where an
investor has a short-term investing horizon and/or cannot bear the loss of some, or all, of
the investment. There can be no assurance that an interval fund investment will prove
profitable or successful. In light of these enhanced risks, a client may direct Registrant, in
writing, not to purchase interval funds for the client’s account.
Defined Outcome ETFs. When consistent with a client’s investment objectives,
Registrant may allocate investment assets to certain defined outcome ETFs. Defined
outcome ETFs are generally designed for defined upside growth and downside buffer (or
floor) levels, or defined acceleration, with various market exposures (e.g., US Equity, US
Technology, International, Emerging Markets, and US Treasuries).
These ETFs only seek to provide shareholders that hold shares for the entire Outcome
Period with their respective buffer level against Index losses during the Outcome Period.
Therefore, depending upon market conditions at the time of purchase, a shareholder that
purchases shares after the Outcome Period has begun may also lose their entire investment.
ETF shareholders are subject to an upside return cap (the “Cap”) that represents the
maximum percentage return an investor can achieve from an investment in the funds for
the Outcome Period, before fees and expenses.
If the Outcome Period has begun and the ETF has increased in value to a level near to the
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Cap, an investor purchasing at that price has little or no ability to achieve gains but remains
vulnerable to downside risks. Additionally, the Cap may rise or fall from one Outcome
Period to the next. The Cap, and the Fund’s position relative to it, should be considered
before investing in the Fund.
Portfolio Activity. Registrant has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the
client’s best interest. As part of its investment advisory services, Registrant will review
client portfolios on an ongoing basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon
various factors, including, but not limited to, investment performance, fund manager
tenure, style drift, account additions/withdrawals, and/or a change in the client’s
investment objective. Based upon these factors, there may be extended periods of time
when Registrant determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are neither necessary nor
prudent. Clients nonetheless remain subject to the fees described in Item 5 below during
periods of account inactivity.
ByAllAccounts, eMoney Advisor Platform, Tamarac, Fi360 and FanMail. Registrant
may provide its clients with access to an online platform hosted by ByAllAccounts, Inc.,
“eMoney Advisor” (“eMoney”), Tamarac, Fi360 and/or FanMail. These platforms allow a
client to view their complete asset allocation, including those assets that Registrant does
not manage (the “Excluded Assets”). Registrant does not provide investment management,
monitoring, or implementation services for the Excluded Assets. Therefore, Registrant
shall not be responsible for the investment performance of the Excluded Assets. The client
may choose to engage Registrant to manage some or all of the Excluded Assets pursuant
to the terms and conditions of an Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and
the client.
The eMoney platform also provides access to other types of information, including
financial planning concepts, which should not, in any manner whatsoever, be construed as
services, advice, or recommendations provided by Registrant. Finally, Registrant shall not
be held responsible for any adverse results a client may experience if the client engages in
financial planning or other functions available on the eMoney platform without
Registrant’s assistance or oversight.
Cybersecurity Risk. The information technology systems and networks that Registrant
and its third-party service providers use to provide services to Registrant’s clients employ
various controls that are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from
intentional or unintentional actions that could cause significant interruptions in Registrant’s
operations and/or result in the unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or
non-public personal information.
In accordance with Regulation S-P, the Registrant is committed to protecting the privacy
and security of its clients' non-public personal information by implementing appropriate
administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Registrant has established processes to
mitigate the risks of cybersecurity incidents, including the requirement to restrict access to
such sensitive data and to monitor its systems for potential breaches. Clients and Registrant
are nonetheless subject to the risk of cybersecurity incidents that could ultimately cause
them to incur financial losses and/or other adverse consequences.
Although the Registrant has established processes to reduce the risk of cybersecurity
incidents, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be successful, especially
considering that the Registrant does not control the cybersecurity measures and policies
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employed by third-party service providers, issuers of securities, broker-dealers, qualified
custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges, and other financial
market operators and providers. In compliance with Regulation S-P, the Registrant will
notify clients in the event of a data breach involving their non-public personal information
as required by applicable state and federal laws.
Client Obligations. In performing its services, Registrant shall not be required to verify
any information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is
expressly authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains their
responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any change in their financial
situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising
Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Disclosure Statement. A copy of the Registrant’s written Brochure as set forth on Part 2
of Form ADV and Client Relationship Summary as set forth in Form CRS shall be provided
to each client prior to, or contemporaneously with, the execution of the Investment Advisory
Agreement or Financial Planning and Consulting Agreement.
to providing
investment advisory services, an
C. The Registrant shall provide investment advisory services specific to the needs of each
client. Prior
investment adviser
representative will ascertain each client’s investment objective(s). Thereafter, the
Registrant shall allocate and/or recommend that the client allocate investment assets
consistent with the designated investment objective(s). The client may, at any time, impose
reasonable restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s services.
D. There is no significant difference between how the Registrant manages wrap fee accounts
and non-wrap fee accounts. However, as stated above, if a client determines to engage the
Registrant on a wrap fee basis the client will pay a single fee for bundled services (i.e.,
investment advisory, brokerage, custody) (See Item 4.B). The services included in a wrap
fee agreement will depend upon each client’s particular need. If the client determines to
engage the Registrant on a non-wrap fee basis the client will select individual services on
an unbundled basis, paying for each service separately (i.e., investment advisory,
brokerage, custody).
When managing a client’s account on a wrap fee basis, the Registrant shall receive as
payment for its investment advisory services, the balance of the wrap fee after all other
costs incorporated into the wrap fee have been deducted.
E. As of December 31, 2024, the Registrant had $367,281,362 in assets under management
on a discretionary basis and $457,691 on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Registrant provides discretionary and/or non-discretionary investment advisory
services on a wrap or non-wrap fee basis. (See discussion below). If a client determines to
engage the Registrant on a wrap fee basis the client will pay a single fee for bundled
services (i.e., investment advisory, brokerage, custody).
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NON-WRAP FEE BASIS
When engaged to provide discretionary and/or non-discretionary investment advisory
services on a non-wrap fee basis, the Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee shall vary
from negotiable up to 1.50% of the total assets placed under the Registrant’s
management/advisement and shall be based upon various objective and subjective
factors.
As indicated above, Registrant shall receive an investment advisory fee based upon a
percentage (%) of the market value of the assets placed under management generally
between negotiable and 1.50%. However, fees shall vary depending upon various objective
and subjective factors, including but not limited to: the representative assigned to the
account, the amount of assets to be invested, the complexity of the engagement, the
anticipated number of meetings and servicing needs, related accounts, future earning
capacity, anticipated future additional assets, and negotiations with the client. As a result,
similar clients could pay different fees, which will correspondingly impact a client’s net
account performance. Moreover, the services to be provided by the Registrant to any
particular client could be available from other advisers at lower fees.
Before engaging Registrant to provide investment advisory services, clients are required to
enter into a discretionary or non-discretionary Investment Advisory Agreement, setting
forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination), which describes
the fees and services to be provided.
PFS PARTNERS WRAP PROGRAM
Under the Program, the Registrant is able to offer participants discretionary or non-
discretionary investment management services, for a single specified annual Program fee,
inclusive of trade execution, custody, reporting, account maintenance, investment
management fees, and in some instances, fees charged by independent managers and/or
separately managed accounts.
The current annual Program fee ranges from negotiable to 1.50%, depending upon the
complexity of the account, the amount of the client assets in the Program and the
independent/separately managed accounts utilized by the client’s investment portfolio.
Clients may be responsible for, but not limited to, fees for trades executed away from the
account’s custodian, trustee fees, mutual fund internal expenses, ETF internal expenses,
mark-ups, mark-downs, transfer taxes, fees charged by independent managers and/or
separately managed accounts (when such managers require the client to enter into a dual
contract relationship) odd lot differentials, exchange fees, interest charges, American
Depository Receipt agency processing fees, and any charges, taxes or other fees mandated
by any federal, state or other applicable law or otherwise agreed to with regard to client
accounts (Such fees are in addition to any fees paid by the client to the Registrant and are
between the client and the account custodian). Furthermore, clients who maintain a
retirement account with their custodian are generally charged an annual maintenance fee.
Clients are charged approximately $35.00 to $40.00 per year to maintain a retirement
account with NFS.
These fees are in addition to the Registrant’s Program fee.
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FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant may provide financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance
planning, etc.) on a stand-alone fee basis. Registrant’s planning and consulting fees are
negotiable, but generally range from $2,000 to $15,000 on a fixed fee basis, and from $150
to $300 on an hourly rate basis, depending upon the level and scope of the service(s)
required and the professional(s) rendering the service(s).
RETIREMENT CONSULTING
The Registrant also provides pension consulting services, pursuant to which it assists
sponsors of self-directed retirement plans with the selection and/or monitoring of
investment alternatives (generally open-end mutual funds) from which plan participants
shall choose in self-directing the investments for their individual plan retirement accounts.
The Registrant charges an annual fee for Retirement Consulting Services which ranges
from 0.10% to 1.00% of plan assets depending on the services requested and the size of the
plan.
B. Clients may elect to have the Registrant’s advisory fees deducted from their custodial
account. Both Registrant's Investment Advisory Agreement and the custodial/clearing
agreement may authorize the custodian to debit the account for the amount of the
Registrant's investment advisory fee and to directly remit that management fee to the
Registrant in compliance with regulatory procedures. In the limited event that the
Registrant bills the client directly, payment is due upon receipt of the Registrant’s invoice.
Unless otherwise agreed, the Registrant shall deduct fees and/or bill clients quarterly in
advance.
C. As discussed below, unless the client directs otherwise or an individual client’s
circumstances require, the Registrant shall generally recommend that National Financial
Services, LLC, (“NFS”) a Fidelity Investments company, serve as the broker-
dealer/custodian for client investment management assets. Broker-dealers such as NFS
charge brokerage commissions and/or transaction fees for effecting certain securities
transactions.
In addition to Registrant’s investment management fee, brokerage commissions and/or
transaction fees, clients will also incur, relative to all mutual fund and exchange traded
fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g., management fees and other fund
expenses). Clients who maintain a retirement account with their custodian are generally
charged an annual maintenance fee. Clients are charged approximately $35.00 to $40.00
per year to maintain a retirement account with NFS.
Asset-Based Pricing Arrangements and Limitations. The Registrant has entered into an
“Asset-Based” pricing agreement with the account broker-dealer/custodian. Under an
the broker-dealer/custodian charges a fixed
“Asset-Based” pricing arrangement,
percentage fee for all account commissions/transactions based on the amount of assets
placed in custody and/or on the broker-dealer/custodian’s platform, and not based upon the
number of transactions executed. Generally, in an Asset-Based pricing arrangement, the
applicable fixed percentage fee decreases as the account value increases. In the alternative,
the broker-dealer/custodian could charge a separate commission/transaction fee upon the
execution of an account transaction. This is referred to as a “Transaction-Based” pricing
13
arrangement. Under a Transaction-Based pricing arrangement, the amount of fees charged
by the broker-dealer/custodian will vary depending upon the number of and type of
transactions that are placed for the account. Under either scenario, the fees charged by the
respective broker-dealer/custodian will not be incurred by those clients who choose to
engage the Registrant on a wrap fee basis. Instead, the Registrant shall be responsible for
transaction related fees payable to the broker-dealer/custodian for accounts managed under
the Registrant’s Program.
D. Registrant's annual investment advisory fee shall be prorated and paid quarterly, in
advance, based upon the market value of the assets, including accrued interest and
dividends, on the last business day of the previous quarter. Any variance will be detailed
in the agreement between the Registrant and the client. The Registrant adjusts for inflows
and outflows in excess of $100 upon the completion of each billing and a debit or credit is
applied to the client’s following quarterly fee accordingly.
The Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and the client will continue in
effect until terminated by either party by written notice in accordance with the terms of the
Investment Advisory Agreement. Upon termination, the Registrant shall refund the pro-
rated portion of the advanced advisory fee paid based upon the number of days remaining
in the billing quarter.
E. Registered Representatives of Leigh Baldwin & Co. In the event that the client desires,
the client can engage certain of Registrant’s representatives, in their separate and individual
capacities, as registered representatives of Leigh Baldwin & Co. (“LBC”), a FINRA
member broker-dealer, to implement investment recommendations on a commission basis.
In the event the client chooses to purchase investment products through LBC, LBC will
charge brokerage commissions to effect securities transactions, a portion of which
commissions LBC shall pay to Registrant’s representatives, as applicable. The brokerage
commissions charged by LBC may be higher or lower than those charged by other broker-
dealers. In addition, LBC, relative to commission mutual fund purchases, may also receive
additional ongoing 12b-1 trailing commission compensation directly from the mutual fund
company during the period that the client maintains the mutual fund investment.
1. Conflict of Interest: The recommendation by one of our investment adviser
representatives that a client purchase a commission product from LBC presents a
conflict of interest, as the receipt of commissions provides an incentive to
recommend investment products based on commissions to be received, rather than
on a particular client’s need. No client is under any obligation to purchase any
commission products from Registrant’s representatives.
2. Clients may purchase investment products recommended by Registrant through
other, non-affiliated registered representatives of a broker dealer.
3. The Registrant does not receive more than 50% of its revenue from advisory clients
as a result of commissions or other compensation for the sale of investment
products the Registrant recommends to its clients.
4. When Registrant’s representatives sell an investment product on a commission
basis, the Registrant does not charge an advisory fee in addition to the commissions
paid by the client for such product. When providing services on an advisory fee
the Registrant’s representatives do not also receive commission
basis,
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compensation for such advisory services. However, a client may engage the
Registrant to provide investment management services on an advisory fee basis
and separate from such advisory services purchase an investment product from
Registrant’s representatives on a separate commission basis.
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Neither the Registrant nor any supervised person of the Registrant accepts performance-
based fees.
Item 7
Types of Clients
The Registrant’s clients shall generally include individuals, business entities, pension and
profit sharing plans, trusts, estates and charitable organizations.
The Registrant generally requires an asset level $20,000 per each client account.
The Registrant, in its sole discretion, may waive its account minimum and/or charge a
lesser investment management fee based upon certain criteria (i.e., anticipated future
earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be
managed, householdings of related accounts, account composition, negotiations with
client, etc.).
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
A. The Registrant may utilize the following methods of security analysis:
Fundamental - (analysis performed on historical and present data, with the goal of
making financial forecasts)
Technical – (analysis performed on historical and present data, focusing on price
and trade volume, to forecast the direction of prices)
Cyclical – (analysis performed on historical relationships between price and
market trends, to forecast the direction of prices)
The Registrant may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
Long Term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
Short Term Purchases (securities sold within a year)
Options (contract for the purchase or sale of a security at a predetermined price
during a specific period of time)
Investment Risk. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it
should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment
strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or
undertaken by the Registrant) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
15
Investors generally face the following types investment risks:
Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices
to fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds
become less attractive, causing their market values to decline.
Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in
reaction to tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk
may be caused by external factors independent of the fund’s specific
investments as well as due to the fund’s specific investments. Additionally,
each security’s price will fluctuate based on market movement and emotion,
which may, or may not be due to the security’s operations or changes in its
true value. For example, political, economic and social conditions may trigger
market events which are temporarily negative, or temporarily positive.
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not
buy as much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the
rate of inflation.
Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may
have to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate).
This primarily relates to fixed income securities.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into
cash. Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a
standardized product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real
estate properties are not.
Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations
increases the risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of
its obligations in good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the
inability to meet loan obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining
market value.
B. The Registrant’s method of analysis and investment strategy does not present any
significant or unusual risks.
However, every method of analysis has its own inherent risks. To perform an accurate
market analysis the Registrant must have access to current/new market information. The
Registrant has no control over the dissemination rate of market information; therefore,
unbeknownst to the Registrant, certain analyses may be compiled with outdated market
information, severely limiting the value of the Registrant’s analysis. Furthermore, an
accurate market analysis can only produce a forecast of the direction of market values.
There can be no assurances that a forecasted change in market value will materialize into
actionable and/or profitable investment opportunities.
The Registrant’s primary investment strategies - Long Term Purchases and Short Term
Purchases - are fundamental investment strategies. However, every investment strategy has
its own inherent risks and limitations. For example, longer term investment strategies
require a longer investment time period to allow for the strategy to potentially develop.
Shorter term investment strategies require a shorter investment time period to potentially
develop but, as a result of more frequent trading, may incur higher transactional costs when
compared to a longer term investment strategy.
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In addition to the fundamental investment strategies discussed above, the Registrant may
also implement and/or recommend options strategies (“Covered Call Writing”) which has
a higher level of inherent risk.
Borrowing Against Assets/Risks. A client who has a need to borrow money could
determine to do so by using:
Margin-The account custodian or broker-dealer lends money to the client. The
custodian charges the client interest for the right to borrow money, and uses the assets
in the client’s brokerage account as collateral; and,
Pledged Assets Loan- In consideration for a lender (i.e., a bank, etc.) to make a loan
to the client, the client pledges investment assets held at the account custodian as
collateral.
These above-described collateralized loans are generally utilized because they typically
provide more favorable interest rates than standard commercial loans. These types of
collateralized loans can assist with a pending home purchase, permit the retirement of more
expensive debt, or enable borrowing in lieu of liquidating existing account positions and
incurring capital gains taxes. However, such loans are not without potential material risk
to the client’s investment assets. The lender (i.e., custodian, bank, etc.) will have recourse
against the client’s investment assets in the event of loan default or if the assets fall below
a certain level. For this reason, Registrant does not recommend such borrowing unless it is
for specific short-term purposes (i.e., a bridge loan to purchase a new residence). Registrant
does not recommend such borrowing for investment purposes (i.e., to invest borrowed
funds in the market). Regardless, if the client was to determine to utilize margin or a
pledged assets loan, the following economic benefits would inure to Registrant:
by taking the loan rather than liquidating assets in the client’s account, Registrant
continues to earn a fee on such Account assets; and,
if the client invests any portion of the loan proceeds in an account to be managed by
Registrant, Registrant will receive an advisory fee on the invested amount; and,
if Registrant’s advisory fee is based upon the higher margined account value,
Registrant will earn a correspondingly higher advisory fee. This could provide
Registrant with a disincentive to encourage the client to discontinue the use of margin.
The Client must accept the above risks and potential corresponding consequences
associated with the use of margin or a pledged assets loan.
Covered Call Writing. Covered call writing is the sale of in-, at-, or out-of- the money
call option against a long security position held in a client portfolio. This type of transaction
is intended to generate income. Income is received from the proceeds of the option sale.
Such income may be reduced to the extent it is necessary to buy back the option position
before its expiration. This strategy may involve a degree of trading velocity, transaction
costs and significant losses if the underlying security has volatile price movement. Covered
call strategies are generally suited for positions with little price volatility.
Options Strategies. Although the intent of the options-related transactions that may be
implemented by the Registrant is to hedge against principal risk, certain of the options-
related strategies (i.e., straddles, short positions, etc.), may, in and of themselves, produce
principal volatility and/or risk. Therefore, a client must be willing to accept these enhanced
volatility and principal risks associated with such strategies. In light of these enhanced
17
risks, client may direct the Registrant, in writing, not to employ any or all such strategies
for their accounts.
C. Currently, the Registrant primarily allocates client investment assets among various
exchange traded funds and mutual funds, individual equities (stocks) and debt instruments
(bonds) on a discretionary and/or non-discretionary basis in accordance with the client’s
designated investment objective(s).
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
On October 19, 2016, without admitting or denying the findings, Michael consented to
the sanction and to the entry of findings that he participated in private securities
transactions involving customers of a member firm without first providing the firm
written or oral notice of his activities. Although Michael did have outside business
actively on file with LPL, he did not notify the firm that he was participating in these
specific transactions. Michael assisted clients in setting up an LLC, funding the LLC and
making multiple loans from the LLC to borrowers. All third party borrowers made all
interest and principal payments due on the loans.
Michael was subsequently barred from associating with an FINRA member firm. More
information concerning this event can be found in his Brochure Supplement.
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registered Representative of LBC. As disclosed above in Item 5.E, certain of
Registrant’s representatives are also registered representatives of LBC, a FINRA member
broker-dealer.
B. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, a commodity
trading adviser, or a representative of the foregoing.
C. Registered Representatives of a Broker Dealer. As disclosed above in Item 5.E, certain
of Registrant’s representatives are registered representatives of LBC, a FINRA member
broker-dealer. Clients can choose to engage Registrant’s representatives, in their individual
capacities, to effect securities brokerage transactions on a commission basis.
Conflict of Interest: The recommendation by Registrant’s representatives, that a client
purchase a securities commission product presents a conflict of interest, as the receipt of
commissions provides an incentive to recommend securities products based on
commissions received, rather than on a particular client’s need. No client is under any
obligation to purchase any commission products from Registrant’s representatives. Clients
are reminded that they may purchase securities products recommended by Registrant
through other, non-affiliated registered representatives.
Licensed Insurance Agency and Agents. Precision Financial Services Inc. is an affiliated
life insurance agency. The Registrant may refer certain clients to Precision Financial Inc.
for insurance services and/or commission products. The recommendation by the Registrant
that a client engage the insurance services of Precision Financial Inc. presents a conflict of
18
interest as certain related persons, including the Registrant’s Managing Members, receives
a direct economic benefit from any such referral. No client is under any obligation to
engage the services of Precision Financial Inc. Furthermore, clients are reminded that they
may purchase insurance commission products recommended by Registrant through other,
non-affiliated insurance agencies and/or agents.
Licensed Insurance Agency and Agent. BJ Associates is partially owned by an
investment adviser representative of the Registrant. The Registrant may refer certain clients
to BJ Associates for insurance services and/or commission products. The recommendation
by the Registrant that a client engage the insurance services of BJ Associates presents a
conflict of interest as certain related persons receive a direct economic benefit from any
such referral. No client is under any obligation to engage the services of BJ Associates.
Furthermore, clients are reminded that they may purchase insurance commission products
recommended by Registrant through other, unrelated insurance agency.
D. Consultant to Third-Party. The Registrant may recommend the services of Halo
Securities, LLC, an unaffiliated broker-dealer (“Halo”). The Registrant serves as a
consultant with respect to certain retail clients of Halo and receives compensation for its
services. Therefore, there is a conflict of interest when the Registrant recommends Halo’s
services to clients or perspective clients. The Registrant believes this conflict is mitigated
as the Registrant does not charge an investment advisory fee on securities held by clients
through Halo.
With respect to this engagement, the unaffiliated broker-dealer maintains both the initial
and ongoing day-to-day relationship with the underlying client, including initial and
ongoing determination of client suitability. Although the Registrant may provide
information to an underlying client, the Registrant is not responsible for custodial selection
and cannot negotiate commissions and/or transaction costs, and/or seek better execution on
behalf of the underlying clients. The underlying clients with whom the Registrant interacts
are advised as to the limitations of Registrant’s duties.
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
A. The Registrant maintains an investment policy relative to personal securities transactions.
This investment policy is part of Registrant’s overall Code of Ethics, which serves to
establish a standard of business conduct for all of Registrant’s Representatives that is based
upon fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust, a copy of which is
available upon request.
In accordance with Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Registrant
also maintains and enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non-public information by the Registrant or any person associated with the
Registrant.
B. Neither the Registrant nor any related person of Registrant recommends, buys, or sells for
client accounts, securities in which the Registrant or any related person of Registrant has a
material financial interest.
C. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities that are
also recommended to clients. This practice may create a situation where the Registrant
19
and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to materially benefit from the sale
or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation creates a conflict of interest.
Practices such as “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security
recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the
rise in the market price which follows the recommendation) could take place if the
Registrant did not have adequate policies in place to detect such activities. In addition, this
requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-running” (i.e., personal trades executed
prior to those of the Registrant’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.
The Registrant has a personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal
securities transactions and securities holdings of each of the Registrant’s “Access Persons.”
The Registrant’s securities transaction policy requires that Access Person of the Registrant
must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with online access to their
holdings and securities transactions for monitoring and verification purposes.
D. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities, at or
around the same time as those securities are recommended to clients. This practice creates
a situation where the Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to
materially benefit from the sale or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation
creates a conflict of interest. As indicated above in Item 11C, the Registrant has a personal
securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal securities transaction and
securities holdings of each of Registrant’s Access Persons.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
A. In the event that the client requests that the Registrant recommend a broker-
dealer/custodian for execution and/or custodial services (exclusive of those clients that may
direct the Registrant to use a specific broker-dealer/custodian), Registrant generally
recommends that investment management accounts be maintained at NFS. Prior to
engaging Registrant to provide investment management services, the client will be required
to enter into a formal Investment Advisory Agreement with Registrant setting forth the
terms and conditions under which Registrant shall manage the client's assets, and a separate
custodial/clearing agreement with each designated broker-dealer/ custodian.
Factors that the Registrant considers in recommending NFS (or any other broker-
dealer/custodian to clients) include historical relationship with the Registrant, financial
strength, reputation, execution capabilities, pricing, research, and service. Although the
commissions and/or transaction fees paid by Registrant's clients shall comply with the
Registrant's duty to seek best execution, a client may pay a commission that is higher than
another qualified broker-dealer might charge to effect the same transaction where the
Registrant determines, in good faith, that the commission/transaction fee is reasonable. In
seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether
the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
range of broker-dealer services, including the value of research provided, execution
capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Registrant will
seek competitive rates, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates
for client account transactions. The brokerage commissions or transaction fees charged by
the designated broker-dealer/custodian are exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant's
investment management fee. The Registrant’s best execution responsibility is qualified if
20
securities that it purchases for client accounts are mutual funds that trade at net asset value
as determined at the daily market close.
1. Research and Additional Benefits
Although not a material consideration when determining whether to recommend that a
client utilize the services of a particular broker-dealer/custodian, Registrant receives
from NFS (or another broker-dealer/custodian, investment platform, unaffiliated
investment manager, vendor, unaffiliated product/fund sponsor, or vendor) without
cost (and/or at a discount) support services and/or products, certain of which assist the
Registrant to better monitor and service client accounts maintained at such institutions.
Included within the support services that may be obtained by the Registrant may be
investment-related research, pricing information and market data, software and other
technology that provide access to client account data, compliance and/or practice
management-related publications, discounted or gratis consulting services, discounted
and/or gratis attendance at conferences, meetings, and other educational and/or social
events, marketing support, computer hardware and/or software and/or other products
used by Registrant in furtherance of its investment advisory business operations.
As indicated above, certain of the support services and/or products that may be received
may assist the Registrant in managing and administering client accounts. Others do not
directly provide such assistance, but rather assist the Registrant to manage and further
develop its business enterprise.
There is no corresponding commitment made by the Registrant to NFS or any other
entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual
funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
2. The Registrant does not receive referrals from broker-dealers.
3. The Registrant does not generally accept directed brokerage arrangements (when a
client requires that account transactions be effected through a specific broker-dealer).
In such client directed arrangements, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements
for their account with that broker-dealer, and Registrant will not seek better execution
services or prices from other broker-dealers or be able to "batch" the client's
transactions for execution through other broker-dealers with orders for other accounts
managed by Registrant. As a result, client may pay higher commissions or other
transaction costs or greater spreads, or receive less favorable net prices, on transactions
for the account than would otherwise be the case.
In the event that the client directs Registrant to effect securities transactions for the
client's accounts through a specific broker-dealer, the client correspondingly
acknowledges that such direction may cause the accounts to incur higher commissions
or transaction costs than the accounts would otherwise incur had the client determined
to effect account transactions through alternative clearing arrangements that may be
available through Registrant. Higher transaction costs adversely impact account
performance.
Transactions for directed accounts will generally be executed following the execution
of portfolio transactions for non-directed accounts.
21
B. To the extent that the Registrant provides investment management services to its clients,
the transactions for each client account generally will be effected independently, unless
the Registrant decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several clients at
approximately the same time. The Registrant may (but is not obligated to) combine or
“bunch” such orders to seek best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates
or to allocate equitably among the Registrant’s clients differences in prices and
commissions or other transaction costs that might have been obtained had such orders been
placed independently. Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to price and
will be allocated among clients in proportion to the purchase and sale orders placed for
each client account on any given day. The Registrant shall not receive any additional
compensation or remuneration as a result of such aggregation.
Item 13
Review of Accounts
A. For those clients to whom Registrant provides investment supervisory services, account
reviews are conducted on a periodic basis by the Registrant's Principal, at least annually.
All investment supervisory clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to advise
the Registrant of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. All
clients (in person or via telephone) are encouraged to review financial planning issues (to
the extent applicable), investment objectives and account performance with the Registrant
on an annual basis.
B. The Registrant may conduct account reviews on an other than periodic basis upon the
occurrence of a triggering event, such as a change in client investment objectives and/or
financial situation, market corrections and client request.
C. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction confirmation notices and
regular written summary account statements directly from the broker-dealer/custodian
and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The Registrant may also provide a written
periodic report summarizing account activity and performance.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. As referenced in Item 12.A.1 above, the Registrant receives an economic benefit from NFS.
The Registrant, without cost (and/or at a discount), receives support services and/or
products from NFS.
There is no corresponding commitment made by the Registrant to NFS or any other entity
to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual funds,
securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
B. Neither the Registrant nor any of its representatives compensates any person other than its
supervised persons for client referrals.
Item 15
Custody
The Registrant shall have the ability to have its advisory fee for each client debited by the
custodian on a quarterly basis. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written
22
transaction confirmation notices and regular written summary account statements directly
from the broker-dealer/custodian and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The
Registrant may also provide a written periodic report summarizing account activity and
performance.
To the extent that the Registrant provides clients with periodic account statements or
reports, the client is urged to compare any statement or report provided by the Registrant
with the account statements received from the account custodian.
The account custodian does not verify the accuracy of the Registrant’s advisory fee
calculation.
Custody Situations: The Registrant engages in other practices and/or services on behalf
of its clients that require disclosure at ADV Part 1, Item 9, but which practices and/or
services are not subject to an annual surprise CPA examination in accordance with the
guidance provided in the SEC’s February 21, 2017 Investment Adviser Association No-
Action Letter.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
The client can determine to engage the Registrant to provide investment advisory services
on a discretionary basis. Prior to the Registrant assuming discretionary authority over a
client’s account, client shall be required to execute an Investment Advisory Agreement,
naming the Registrant as client’s attorney and agent in fact, granting the Registrant full
authority to buy, sell, or otherwise effect investment transactions involving the assets in
the client’s name found in the discretionary account.
Clients who engage the Registrant on a discretionary basis may, at any time, impose
restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s discretionary authority (i.e., limit the
types/amounts of particular securities purchased for their account, exclude the ability to
purchase securities with an inverse relationship to the market, limit or proscribe the
Registrant’s use of margin, etc.).
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
A. The Registrant does not vote client proxies. Clients maintain exclusive responsibility for:
(1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially
owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to the
client’s investment assets.
B. Clients will receive their proxies or other solicitations directly from their custodian. Clients
may contact the Registrant to discuss any questions they may have with a particular
solicitation.
Item 18
Financial Information
A. The Registrant does not solicit fees of more than $1,200, per client, six months or more in
advance.
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B. The Registrant is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its
ability to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over
certain client accounts.
C. The Registrant has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, David Vollmer, remains available to address
any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding the above disclosures
and arrangements.
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