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Range Financial Group, LLC
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Range Financial Group, LLC.
If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (503) 482-4400 or by email at:
hello@rangefinancialgroup.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 Range Financial Group, LLC is also available on the SEC’s website at
https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/290001. Range Financial Group, LLC’s CRD number is: 290001.
7307 SW Beveland St #110
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 482-4400
hello@rangefinancialgroup.com
https://rangefinancialgroup.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 02/10/2026
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Item 2: Material Changes
There are no material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment of Range
Financial Group, LLC on January 23, 2025. Material changes relate to Range Financial Group, LLC’s
policies, practices or conflicts of interest.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................2
Item 5: Fees and Compensation .............................................................................................................................5
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ....................................................................8
Item 7: Types of Clients ..........................................................................................................................................8
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss ...............................................................9
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .........................................................................................................................13
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .........................................................................13
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...............14
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................15
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................17
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..........................................................................................18
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................................19
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................19
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ..............................................................................................19
Item 18: Financial Information .............................................................................................................................19
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Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Range Financial Group, LLC (hereinafter “RFGL”) is a Limited Liability Company
organized in the State of Oregon. The firm was formed in May 2018, and the principal
owner is Eric Dahm.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
RFGL offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. RFGL generally creates a
financial plan to learn about the client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk
tolerance levels) and then constructs a plan to aid in the selection of a portfolio that
matches each client's specific situation. Portfolio management services include, but are
not limited to, the following:
Asset allocation
Regular portfolio monitoring
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Investment strategy •
Asset selection
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Risk tolerance
RFGL evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance
levels and time horizon. RFGL will require discretionary authority from clients in order
to select securities and execute transactions without permission from the client prior to
each transaction. Risk tolerance levels are commonly documented through the client’s
completion of a virtual questionnaire through a third-party website or through a review
of the risk ratings of current portfolio assets with each client.
RFGL seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the
fiduciary duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of RFGL’s economic,
investment or other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, RFGL attempts
to avoid, among other things, investment or trading practices that systematically
advantage or disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, RFGL’s policy is to
seek fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its
clients to avoid favoring one client over another over time. It is RFGL’s policy to allocate
investment opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent,
including initial public offerings ("IPOs") and other investment opportunities that might
have a limited supply, among its clients on a fair and equitable basis over time.
Pension Consulting Services
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RFGL offers consulting services to pension or other employee benefit plans (including but
not limited to 401(k) plans). Pension consulting may include, but is not limited to:
identifying investment objectives and restrictions
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• providing guidance on various assets classes and investment options
• monitoring performance of investment options and making recommendations for
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•
changes
recommending other service providers, such as custodians, administrators and
broker-dealers
creating a written ERISA compliant pension consulting plan, when required
These services are based on the goals, objectives, demographics, time horizon, and/or risk
tolerance of the plan and its participants.
Financial Planning Only
Financial plans and financial planning may include but are not limited to: investment
planning; life insurance analysis; tax analysis; retirement planning; college planning; and
debt/credit planning.
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
RFGL generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, fixed income securities,
equities, ETFs (including ETFs in the gold and precious metal sectors), treasury inflation
protected/inflation linked bonds, non-U.S. securities, venture capital funds and private
placements. RFGL may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when
applicable.
Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money
creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that
requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under
this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations
(give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in
your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
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• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
RFGL will tailor a program for each individual client. This will include an interview
session to get to know the client’s specific needs and requirements as well as a plan that
will be executed by RFGL on behalf of the client. RFGL may use model allocations
together with a specific set of recommendations for each client based on their personal
restrictions, needs, and targets. Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain
securities or types of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs. However, if the
restrictions prevent RFGL from properly servicing the client account, or if the restrictions
would require RFGL to deviate from its standard suite of services, RFGL reserves the right
to end the relationship.
We provide comprehensive financial planning and wealth management and apply the
strategies that we feel are most appropriate. Clients are under no obligation to act upon
Range Financial Group's or associated person's recommendations. If you elect to act on
any of the recommendations, you are under no obligation to effect the transaction through
Range Financial Group or its associated person when the person is an agent with a
licensed broker-dealer or through any associate or affiliate of such person.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated fee that
includes management fees and transaction costs. RFGL does not participate in wrap fee
programs.
E. Assets Under Management
RFGL has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$403,426,416
$4,654,706
December 31, 2025
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
$1 - $500,000
1.25%
$500,001 - $2,000,000
1.00%
$2,000,001 - $10,000,000
0.75%
$10,000,001 - AND UP
0.50%
The above fee scheduled is “tiered”. An example of “Tiered” is a $2,000,000 client will pay
1.25% on the first $500,000 and 1.00% on the remaining $1,500,000.
RFGL’s fees are paid quarterly in advance, with payment due within 10 days from the
date of the invoice. Fees for partial quarters at the commencement or termination of our
agreement will be billed or refunded on a pro-rated basis contingent on the number of
days the account was open during the quarter. Quarterly fee adjustments for additional
assets received into the account during a quarter or for partial withdrawals will also be
provided on the above pro rata basis. The advisory fee is calculated using the value of the
assets in the Account on the last business day of the prior billing period.
In certain circumstances, fees may be negotiable, and the final fee schedule will be
memorialized in the client’s advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement
without penalty for a full refund of RFGL's fees within five business days of signing the
Investment Advisory Contract. When an agreement is terminated, we will refund any pre-
paid, unearned fees based on the number of days remaining in the quarter after
termination. Refunds will be made within 30 calendar days of the effective date of
termination. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract
immediately upon written notice.
Pension Consulting Services Fees
Asset-Based Fees for Pension Consulting
Total Pension Assets Under Management Minimum Annual Fee
$0 - $1,000,000
$5,000
$1,000,001 - AND UP
0.50%
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RFGL uses the value of the account as of the last business day of the billing period, after
taking into account deposits and withdrawals, for purposes of determining the market
value of the assets upon which the advisory fee is based.
Generally, RFGL’s pension consulting fees are paid quarterly in advance, with payment
due within 10 days from the date of the invoice. However, certain circumstances may
require payment of pension consulting fees in arrears. Client’s are advised to review their
final contract for detailed billing information. Fees for partial quarters at the
commencement or termination of our agreement will be billed or refunded on a pro-rated
basis contingent on the number of days the account was open during the quarter.
Quarterly fee adjustments for additional assets received into the account during a quarter
or for partial withdrawals will also be provided on the above pro rata basis.
Pension consulting fees are generally negotiable and the final fee schedule will be
memorialized in the client’s advisory agreement. The minimum rate for creating client
pension consulting plans is $5,000. This service may be canceled immediately upon
written notice.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a full refund of RFGL's fees
within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory Contract. Thereafter, clients
may terminate the pension consulting agreement immediately upon written notice. RFGL
uses an average of the daily balance in the client’s account throughout the billing period,
after taking into account deposits and withdrawals, for purposes of determining the
market value of the assets upon which the advisory fee is based.
Financial Planning Only Fees
Fixed Fees
The negotiated fixed rate for creating client financial plans is typically between $0 and
$50,000. Generally, financial plans require 50% payment in advance with he remainder
due upon final plan delivery. When necessary, a payment schedule can be negotiated on
a case-by-case basis.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for full refund of RFGL’s fees,
within five business days of signing the Financial Planning Agreement. Thereafter, clients
may terminate the Financial Planning Agreement generally upon written notice and will
be refunded the fees for work not yet completed.
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Portfolio Management Fees
Asset-based portfolio management fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts
with client's written authorization on a quarterly basis through the client’s custodian or
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may be invoiced and billed directly to the client on a quarterly basis. Clients may select to
be invoiced or to have fees withdrawn directly from their account.
Payment of Pension Consulting Fees
Asset-based or fixed pension consulting fees are withdrawn directly from the client's
accounts with client's written authorization on a quarterly basis or may be invoiced and
billed directly to the client on a quarterly basis. Clients may select to be invoiced or to
have fees withdrawn directly from their account. Clients are urged to review the contract
for the timing of such fee payments.
Payment of Financial Planning Only Fees
Financial planning fees are paid via check.
Fixed financial planning fees are paid 50% in advance, but never more than six months in
advance, with the remainder due upon presentation of the plan.
C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third party fees (i.e. custodian fees,
brokerage fees, mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and
distinct from the fees and expenses charged by RFGL. Please see Item 12 of this brochure
regarding broker-dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
RFGL collects certain fees in advance and certain fees in arrears, as indicated above.
When an agreement is terminated, we will refund any pre-paid, unearned fees based on
the number of days remaining in the quarter after termination. Refunds will be made
within 30 calendar days of the effective date of termination.
For all asset-based fees paid in advance, the fee refunded will be equal to the balance of
the fees collected in advance minus the daily rate* times the number of days elapsed in
the billing period up to and including the day of termination. (*The daily rate is calculated
by dividing the annual asset-based fee rate by 365.)
Fixed fees that are collected in advance will be refunded based on the prorated amount of
work completed at the point of termination.
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Eric Robert Dahm and Steven D Harpham are insurance agents. In this role, they accept
compensation for the sale of insurance products to RFGL clients.
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1. This is a Conflict of Interest
Supervised persons may accept compensation for the sale of investment products,
including asset based sales charges or service fees from the sale of mutual funds to
RFGL's clients. This presents a conflict of interest and gives the supervised person an
incentive to recommend products based on the compensation received rather than on
the client’s needs. When recommending the sale of investment products for which the
supervised persons receives compensation, RFGL will document the conflict of
interest in the client file and inform the client of the conflict of interest.
2. Clients Have the Option to Purchase Recommended Products From
Other Brokers
Clients always have the option to purchase RFGL recommended products through
other brokers or agents that are not affiliated with RFGL.
3. Commissions are not RFGL's primary source of compensation for
advisory services
Range Financial Group does not accept commission for the sale of securities or other
investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale
of mutual funds.
4. Advisory Fees in Addition to Commissions or Markups
investment products recommended
Advisory fees that are charged to clients are not reduced to offset the commissions or
markups on
to clients. All brokerage
commissions, stock transfer fees and other similar charges incurred in connection with
transactions for the account will be paid out of the assets in the account and are in
addition to the investment management fees paid to RFGL.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
RFGL does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital gains on
or capital appreciation of the assets of a client.
Item 7: Types of Clients
RFGL generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
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Individuals
High-Net-Worth Individuals
Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
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Charitable Organizations
Corporations or Business Entities
Range Financial Group does not have an account minimum. However, we may decline to accept
clients with smaller portfolios.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of
Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
RFGL’s methods of analysis may include Charting analysis, Cyclical analysis,
Fundamental analysis, Modern portfolio theory, Quantitative analysis and Technical
analysis.
Charting analysis involves the use of patterns in performance charts. RFGL uses this
technique to search for patterns used to help predict favorable conditions for buying
and/or selling a security.
Cyclical analysis involves the analysis of business cycles to find favorable conditions for
buying and/or selling a security.
Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial
health of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio
expected return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a
given level of expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from qualitative
considerations such as the character of management or the state of employee morale, such
as the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of sales, and so on.
Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market data; primarily price and volume.
Investment Strategies
RFGL utilizes multiple investment strategies to meet your investment objectives. These
methodologies are formulated based on a comprehensive review and assessment of your
expectations, investment time horizon, risk tolerance level, present investment allocation,
and current and projected financial requirements.
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Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
B. Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
Charting analysis strategy involves using and comparing various charts to predict long
and short term performance or market trends. The risk involved in using this method is
that only past performance data is considered without using other methods to crosscheck
data. Using charting analysis without other methods of analysis would be making the
assumption that past performance will be indicative of future performance. This may not
be the case.
Cyclical analysis assumes that the markets react in cyclical patterns which, once
identified, can be leveraged to provide performance. The risks with this strategy are two-
fold: 1) the markets do not always repeat cyclical patterns; and 2) if too many investors
begin to implement this strategy, then it changes the very cycles these investors are trying
to exploit.
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and
expected future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in
stocks that are undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is
that the market will fail to reach expectations of perceived value.
Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given two
portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one.
Thus, an investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected
returns. Conversely, an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more
risk. The exact trade-off will be the same for all investors, but different investors will
evaluate the trade-off differently based on individual risk aversion characteristics. The
implication is that a rational investor will not invest in a portfolio if a second portfolio
exists with a more favorable risk-expected return profile – i.e., if for that level of risk an
alternative portfolio exists which has better expected returns.
Quantitative analysis Investment strategies using quantitative models may perform
differently than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models,
the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical
issues in the construction and implementation of the models.
Technical analysis attempts to predict a future stock price or direction based on market
trends. The assumption is that the market follows discernible patterns and if these
patterns can be identified then a prediction can be made. The risk is that markets do not
always follow patterns and relying solely on this method may not take into account new
patterns that emerge over time.
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Investment Strategies
Long term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to its
nature, the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk that
will typically surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the investments.
These risks include but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk, interest rate
risk, economic risk, market risk, and political/regulatory risk.
Short term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability, and inflation, in addition to
the long term trading risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect investment
performance, particularly through increased brokerage and other transaction costs and
taxes.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment strategy.
The investment types listed below (leaving aside Treasury Inflation Protected/Inflation
Linked Bonds) are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government
agency.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you may
lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower investment
returns. The funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock “equity”
nature.
Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a
future payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The
value of equity securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each
company, industry conditions and the general economic environments.
Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount
of the payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government
debt securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured
products, such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds
may be the best known type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market
is volatile and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond
prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term
securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and
credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. The risk of default on treasury
inflation protected/inflation linked bonds is dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting
(extremely unlikely); however, they carry a potential risk of losing share price value, albeit
rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed income securities also include the
general risk of non-U.S. investing described below.
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Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges,
similar to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss (sometimes up to a 100%
loss in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the lack of
transparency in products and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the
possibility of inadequate regulatory compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include
trading risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks associated with a change in authorized
participants and non-participation of authorized participants, risks that trading price
differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price fluctuation and disassociation from
the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular trading adds cost to your
portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that one of the typical benefits of ETFs.
Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even
paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the
relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same
level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading
conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily
volume of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded
in ETFs based on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks
of their underlying securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in
smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as
applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange
rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs
that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector, are
generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with
that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex
investment strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold,
Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal) specifically
may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among them (1) large sales by the
official sector which own a significant portion of aggregate world holdings in gold and
other precious metals, (2) a significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold
or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators and
investors. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks
because of fees, expenses, and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount
to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes). The
degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another and losses may be
magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them.
Each ETF has a unique risk profile, detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar
material, which should be considered carefully when making investment decisions.
Private placements carry a substantial risk as they are subject to less regulation than are
publicly offered securities, the market to resell these assets under applicable securities
laws may be illiquid, due to restrictions, and the liquidation may be taken at a substantial
discount to the underlying value or result in the entire loss of the value of such assets.
Venture capital funds invest in start-up companies at an early stage of development in
the interest of generating a return through an eventual realization event; the risk is high
as a result of the uncertainty involved at that stage of development.
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Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and
economic change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in
accounting and the lesser degree of accurate public information available.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a
risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither RFGL nor its representatives are registered as, or have pending applications to
become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity
Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither RFGL nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications to
become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or
Commodity Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business
and Possible Conflicts of Interests
Eric Robert Dahm and Steven D Harpham are licensed insurance agents with Lenz
Financial Group. Eric Robert Dahm also offers disability insurance through Truluma.
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These activities create a conflict of interest since there is an incentive to recommend
insurance products based on commissions or other benefits received from the insurance
company, rather than on the client’s needs. Additionally, the offer and sale of insurance
products by supervised persons of RFGL are not made in their capacity as a fiduciary, and
products are limited to only those offered by certain insurance providers. RFGL addresses
this conflict of interest by requiring its supervised persons to act in the best interest of the
client at all times, including when acting as an insurance agent. RFGL periodically reviews
recommendations by its supervised persons to assess whether they are based on an
objective evaluation of each client’s risk profile and investment objectives rather than on
the receipt of any commissions or other benefits. RFGL will disclose in advance how it or
its supervised persons are compensated and will disclose conflicts of interest involving
any advice or service provided. At no time will there be tying between business practices
and/or services (a condition where a client or prospective client would be required to
accept one product or service conditioned upon the selection of a second, distinctive tied
product or service). No client is ever under any obligation to purchase any insurance
product. Insurance products recommended by RFGL’s supervised persons may also be
available from other providers on more favorable terms, and clients can purchase
insurance products recommended through other unaffiliated insurance agencies.
Robert Todd Fankhauser, CPA is an accountant and from time to time, may offer clients
advice or products from those activities and clients should be aware that these services
may involve a conflict of interest. RFGL always acts in the best interest of the client and
clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of RFGL in
connection with such individual’s activities outside of RFGL.
D. Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser
is Compensated for Those Selections
RFGL does not utilize nor select third-party investment advisers.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
RFGL has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited Purchases
and Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted Transactions,
Prohibited Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Confidentiality,
Service on a Board of Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with Laws and
Regulations, Procedures and Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting
Violations, Compliance Officer Duties, Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual
Review, and Sanctions. RFGL's Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any client
or prospective client.
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B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
RFGL does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related person
to RFGL or RFGL has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
RFGL or persons associated with RFGL may buy or sell the same securities that we
recommend to you or securities in which you are already invested. A conflict of interest
exists in such cases because we have the ability to trade ahead of you and potentially
receive more favorable prices than you will receive. To mitigate this conflict of interest, it
is our policy that neither our firm nor persons associated with our firm shall have priority
over your account in the purchase or sale of securities through the use of “block” or
“aggregated” transactions. Refer to the Brokerage Practices section in this brochure for
information on our “block” trading practices.
D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’
Securities
From time to time, representatives of RFGL may buy or sell the same securities for
themselves as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of RFGL to
buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients resulting in
representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients.
While RFGL allows the purchase or sale of the same securities that may be recommended
to and purchased on behalf of Clients, to mitigate the conflict of interest, such trades are
typically aggregated with Client orders through the use of “block” or “aggregated”
transactions. Refer to the Brokerage Practices section in this brochure for information on
RFGL’s “block” trading practices.
At no time will RFGL transact in any security to the detriment of any Client.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers
Custodians/broker-dealers will be recommended based on RFGL’s duty to seek “best
execution,” which is the obligation to seek execution of securities transactions for a client
on the most favorable terms for the client under the circumstances. Clients will not
necessarily pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and RFGL may also
consider the market expertise and research access provided by the broker-
dealer/custodian, including but not limited to access to written research, oral
communication with analysts, admittance to research conferences and other resources
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provided by the brokers that may aid in RFGL's research efforts. RFGL will never charge
a premium or commission on transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-
dealer/custodian.
RFGL recommends Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and
Altruist.
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
While RFGL has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used to pay
for third party services, RFGL may receive research, products, or other services from
custodians and broker-dealers in connection with client securities transactions (“soft
dollar benefits”). RFGL may enter into soft-dollar arrangements consistent with (and
not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. There can be no assurance that any particular client will
benefit from soft dollar research, whether or not the client’s transactions paid for it,
and RFGL does not seek to allocate benefits to client accounts proportionate to any
soft dollar credits generated by the accounts. RFGL benefits by not having to produce
or pay for the research, products or services, and RFGL will have an incentive to
recommend a broker-dealer based on receiving research or services. Clients should be
aware that RFGL’s acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result in higher commissions
charged to the client.
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
RFGL receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for using
that broker-dealer or third party.
3. Directed Brokerage (Clients Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian
to Use)
RFGL may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a specified
broker-dealer. If a client directs brokerage, then the client will be required to
acknowledge in writing that the client’s direction with respect to the use of brokers
supersedes any authority granted to RFGL to select brokers; this direction may result
in higher commissions, which may result in a disparity between free and directed
accounts; the client may be unable to participate in block trades (unless RFGL is able
to engage in “step outs”); and trades for the client and other directed accounts may be
executed after trades for free accounts, which may result in less favorable prices,
particularly for illiquid securities or during volatile market conditions. Not all
investment advisers allow their clients to direct brokerage.
B. Aggregating (“Block”) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
If RFGL buys or sells the same securities on behalf of more than one client, then it may
(but would be under no obligation to) aggregate or bunch such securities in a single
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transaction for multiple clients in order to seek more favorable prices, lower brokerage
commissions, or more efficient execution. In such case, RFGL would place an aggregate
order with the broker on behalf of all such clients in order to ensure fairness for all clients
and, the actual prices applicable to the aggregated transactions will be averaged, and the
account will be deemed to have purchased or sold its proportionate share of the securities
or instruments involved at the average price obtained.; Trades will be reviewed
periodically to ensure that accounts are not systematically disadvantaged by this policy.
RFGL would determine the appropriate number of shares and select the appropriate
brokers consistent with its duty to seek best execution, except for those accounts with
specific brokerage direction (if any).
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes
Those Reviews
All client accounts for RFGL's portfolio management services provided on an ongoing
basis are reviewed at least monthly by Eric Dahm, Chief Compliance Officer, with regard
to clients’ respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All accounts at RFGL
are assigned to this reviewer.
Financial planning only clients are provided a one-time financial plan concerning their
financial situation. After the presentation of the plan, there are no further reports. Clients
may request additional plans or reports for a fee.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client
Accounts
Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes
in client's financial situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical
move, or inheritance).
With respect to financial plans for clients engaging in financial planning only, RFGL’s
services will generally conclude upon delivery of the financial plan.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of RFGL's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and
calculation of fees. This written report will come from the custodian in the form of an
account statement.
Each financial planning only client will receive the financial plan upon completion.
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice
Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
RFGL does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party
for advice rendered to RFGL's clients.
With respect to Schwab, RFGL receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and
custody services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These
services generally are available to independent investment advisers on an unsolicited
basis, at no charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the adviser’s clients’
assets are maintained in accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include
brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody,
research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual
funds and other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional
investors or would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment. For RFGL
client accounts maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately
for custody services but is compensated by account holders through commissions or other
transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through
Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
Schwab also makes available to RFGL other products and services that benefit RFGL but
may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or
RFGL specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab Advisor
Services. Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment of
personnel of RFGL by Schwab Advisor Services personnel, including meals, invitations to
sporting events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of
which may accompany educational opportunities. Other of these products and services
assist RFGL in managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include software and
other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client account
data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and
allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide
research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of RFGL’s fees
from its clients’ accounts (if applicable), and assist with back-office training and support
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services generally may be
used to service all or some substantial number of RFGL’s accounts. Schwab Advisor
Services also makes available to RFGL other services intended to help RFGL manage and
further develop its business enterprise. These services may include professional
compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice
management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance,
employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In
addition, Schwab may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of
services rendered to RFGL by independent third parties. Schwab Advisor Services may
discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or
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a part of the fees of a third-party providing these services to RFGL. RFGL is independently
owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab.
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
RFGL does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory
personnel for client referrals.
Item 15: Custody
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, RFGL will be
deemed to have limited custody of client's assets and must have written authorization from the
client to do so. Clients will receive all account statements directly from the custodian and they
should carefully review those statements for accuracy.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
RFGL provides discretionary investment advisory services to clients. The advisory contract
established with each client sets forth the discretionary authority for trading. Where investment
discretion has been granted, RFGL generally manages the client’s account and makes investment
decisions without consultation with the client as to when the securities are to be bought or sold
for the account, the total amount of the securities to be bought/sold, what securities to buy or
sell, or the price per share. In some instances, RFGL’s discretionary authority in making these
determinations may be limited by conditions imposed by a client in the client’s investment
guidelines or objectives, or client instructions otherwise provided to RFGL.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
RFGL will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive proxies
directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy questions
to the issuer of the security.
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
RFGL neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $500 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet with
this brochure.
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B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to
Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither RFGL nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to reasonably
impair RFGL’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
RFGL has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
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