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Disclosure Brochure
March 18, 2026
RICKETTS FINANCIAL, LLC
a Registered Investment Adviser
4360 Brownsboro Road, Suite 115
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 975-7326
www.ricketts-financial.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Ricketts Financial, LLC
(hereinafter “Ricketts Financial” or the “Firm”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure,
please contact the Firm at the telephone number listed above. The information in this brochure has not been
approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or by any state securities
authority. Additional information about the Firm is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
The Firm is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply any level of skill or training.
Disclosure Brochure
Ricketts Financial, LLC
Item 2. Material Changes
In this Item, Ricketts Financial is required to discuss any material changes that have been made to the
brochure since the last annual amendment dated March 19, 2025. The Firm has amended Item 4 to disclose
that C. McCauley Ricketts and Patrick Ricketts are the only owners of the Firm.
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Item 3. Table of Contents
Item 2. Material Changes .............................................................................................................................................. 2
Item 3. Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Item 4. Advisory Business ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Item 5. Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management .............................................................................. 10
Item 7. Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ....................................................................... 10
Item 9. Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................................................ 14
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................................... 14
Item 11. Code of Ethics .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Item 12. Brokerage Practices ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 13. Review of Accounts ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................................... 20
Item 15. Custody......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Item 16. Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................................... 21
Item 17. Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................................... 21
Item 18. Financial Information ................................................................................................................................... 22
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Item 4. Advisory Business
Ricketts Financial offers a variety of advisory services, which include financial planning, consulting, and
investment management services. Prior to Ricketts Financial rendering any of the foregoing advisory
services, clients are required to enter into one or more written agreements with Ricketts Financial setting
forth the relevant terms and conditions of the advisory relationship (the “Advisory Agreement”).
Ricketts Financial filed for registration as an investment adviser in May 2020 and is owned by C. McCauley
Ricketts and Patrick Ricketts. Ricketts Financial had a total of $314,041,958 in assets under management
as of March 2, 2026, $309,338,110 of which managed on a discretionary basis and $4,703,848 of which
was managed on a non-discretionary basis
While this brochure generally describes the business of Ricketts Financial, certain sections also discuss the
activities of its Supervised Persons, which refer to the Firm’s officers, partners, directors (or other persons
occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), employees or other persons who provide
investment advice on Ricketts Financial’s behalf and are subject to the Firm’s supervision or control.
Financial Planning and Consulting Services
Ricketts Financial offers clients a broad range of financial planning and consulting services, which include
any or all of the following functions:
•
Business Planning
•
Retirement Planning
•
Cash Flow Forecasting
•
Risk Management
•
Trust and Estate Planning
•
Charitable Giving
•
Financial Reporting
•
Distribution Planning
•
Investment Consulting
•
Tax Planning
•
Insurance Planning
•
Education Planning
In performing these services, Ricketts Financial is not required to verify any information received from the
client or from the client’s other professionals (e.g., attorneys, accountants, etc.,) and is expressly authorized
to rely on such information. Ricketts Financial recommends certain clients engage the Firm for additional
related services, its Supervised Persons in their individual capacities as insurance agents or registered
representatives of a broker-dealer and/or other professionals to implement its recommendations. Clients
are advised that a conflict of interest exists for the Firm to recommend that clients engage Ricketts Financial
or its affiliates to provide (or continue to provide) additional services for compensation, including
investment management services. Clients retain absolute discretion over all decisions regarding
implementation and are under no obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made by Ricketts
Financial under a financial planning or consulting engagement. Clients are advised that it remains their
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responsibility to promptly notify the Firm of any change in their financial situation or investment objectives
for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising Ricketts Financial’s recommendations and/or services.
Investment and Wealth Management Services
Ricketts Financial manages client investment portfolios on a discretionary and/or non-discretionary basis.
Ricketts Financial provides the investment management services separately, or as wealth management
services which include a broad range of financial planning and consulting services as well as discretionary
and non-discretionary management of investment portfolios.
Ricketts Financial primarily allocates client assets among various individual debt and equity securities, as
well as some mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and independent investment managers
(“Independent Managers”) in accordance with their stated investment objectives.
Where appropriate, the Firm also provides advice about any type of legacy position or other investment
held in client portfolios, but clients should not assume that these assets are being continuously monitored
or otherwise advised on by the Firm unless specifically agreed upon. Clients can engage Ricketts Financial
to manage and/or advise on certain investment products that are not maintained at their primary custodian,
such as variable life insurance and annuity contracts and assets held in employer sponsored retirement plans
and qualified tuition plans (i.e., 529 plans). In these situations, Ricketts Financial directs or recommends
the allocation of client assets among the various investment options available with the product. These assets
are generally maintained at the underwriting insurance company or the custodian designated by the
product’s provider.
Ricketts Financial tailors its advisory services to meet the needs of its individual clients and seeks to ensure,
on a continuous basis, that client portfolios are managed in a manner consistent with those needs and
objectives. Ricketts Financial consults with clients on an initial and ongoing basis to assess their specific
risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity constraints and other related factors relevant to the management of
their portfolios. Clients are advised to promptly notify Ricketts Financial if there are changes in their
financial situation or if they wish to place any limitations on the management of their portfolios. Clients
can impose reasonable restrictions or mandates on the management of their accounts if Ricketts Financial
determines, in its sole discretion, the conditions would not materially impact the performance of a
management strategy or prove overly burdensome to the Firm’s management efforts.
Retirement Plan Consulting Services
Ricketts Financial provides various consulting services to qualified employee benefit plans and their
fiduciaries. This suite of institutional services is designed to assist plan sponsors in structuring, managing
and optimizing their corporate retirement plans. Each engagement is individually negotiated and
customized, and includes any or all of the following services:
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•
Plan Design and Strategy
•
Plan Fee and Cost Analysis
•
Plan Review and Evaluation
•
Plan Committee Consultation
•
Executive Planning & Benefits
•
Fiduciary and Compliance
•
Investment Selection
•
Participant Education
As disclosed in the Advisory Agreement, certain of the foregoing services are provided by Ricketts
Financial as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”). In accordance with ERISA Section 408(b)(2), each plan sponsor is provided with a written
description of Ricketts Financial’s fiduciary status, the specific services to be rendered and all direct and
indirect compensation the Firm reasonably expects under the engagement.
Use of Independent Managers
As mentioned above, Ricketts Financial selects certain Independent Managers to actively manage a portion
of its clients’ assets. The specific terms and conditions under which a client engages an Independent
Manager are set forth in a separate written agreement with the designated Independent Manager. That
agreement can be between the Firm and the Independent Manager (often called a subadvisor) or the client
and the Independent Manager (sometimes called a separate account manager). In addition to this brochure,
clients will typically also receive the written disclosure documents of the respective Independent Managers
engaged to manage their assets.
Ricketts Financial evaluates a variety of information about Independent Managers, which includes the
Independent Managers’ public disclosure documents, materials supplied by the Independent Managers
themselves and other third-party analyses it believes are reputable. To the extent possible, the Firm seeks
to assess the Independent Managers’ investment strategies, past performance and risk results in relation to
its clients’ individual portfolio allocations and risk exposure. Ricketts Financial also takes into
consideration each Independent Manager’s management style, returns, reputation, financial strength,
reporting, pricing and research capabilities, among other factors.
Ricketts Financial continues to provide services relative to the discretionary or non-discretionary selection
of the Independent Managers. On an ongoing basis, the Firm monitors the performance of those accounts
being managed by Independent Managers. Ricketts Financial seeks to ensure the Independent Managers’
strategies and target allocations remain aligned with its clients’ investment objectives and overall best
interests.
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Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Ricketts Financial offers services on a fee basis based upon assets under management or advisement.
Additionally, certain of the Firm’s Supervised Persons, in their individual capacities, offers securities
brokerage services and/or insurance products under a separate commission-based arrangement.
Investment and Wealth Management Fees
Ricketts Financial offers investment management and wealth management services for an annual fee based
on the amount of assets under the Firm’s management. This management fee varies between 25 and 125
basis points (0.25% – 1.25%), depending upon the size and composition of a client’s portfolio, the type and
amount of services rendered and the individual(s) providing the services.
The annual fee is prorated and charged quarterly, in advance, based upon the market value of the assets
being managed or advised by Ricketts Financial on the last day of the previous quarter. If assets are
deposited into or withdrawn from an account after the inception of a billing period, the fee payable with
respect to such assets is not adjusted to reflect the interim change in portfolio value. The Firm includes
cash in a client’s account in determining the valuation for billing purposes. The Firm may, in its sole
discretion, not include cash in determining the fee, especially where a client has a high percentage of cash
for reasons other than the Firm's investment management decision. For the initial period of an engagement,
the fee is calculated on a pro rata basis. In the event the advisory agreement is terminated, the fee for the
final billing period is prorated through the effective date of the termination and the outstanding or unearned
portion of the fee is charged or refunded to the client, as appropriate.
Additionally, for asset management services the Firm provides with respect to certain client holdings (e.g.,
held-away assets, accommodation accounts, alternative investments, etc.), Ricketts Financial can negotiate
a fee rate that differs from the range set forth above. Clients are advised that a conflict of interest exists for
the Firm to recommend that clients engage Ricketts Financial for additional services for compensation,
including rolling over retirement accounts or moving other assets to the Firm’s management. Clients retain
absolute discretion over all decisions regarding engaging the Firm and are under no obligation to act upon
any of the recommendations.
Retirement Plan Consulting Fees
Ricketts Financial charges an asset based fee to provide clients with retirement plan consulting services.
Each engagement is individually negotiated and tailored to accommodate the needs of the individual plan
sponsor, as memorialized in the Agreement. These fees vary, based on the scope of the services to be
rendered, and ranges similar to the management fees (0.25% – 1.25%), depending upon services provided
and the amount of assets to be advised on.
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Fee Discretion
Ricketts Financial may, in its sole discretion, negotiate to charge a lesser fee based upon certain criteria,
such as anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to
be managed, related accounts, account composition, pre-existing/legacy client relationship, account
retention, pro bono activities, or competitive purposes.
Additional Fees and Expenses
In addition to the advisory fees paid to Ricketts Financial, clients also incur certain charges imposed by
other third parties, such as broker-dealers, custodians, trust companies, banks and other financial institutions
(collectively “Financial Institutions”). These additional charges include securities brokerage commissions,
transaction fees, custodial fees, fees charged by the Independent Managers, margin and other borrowing
costs, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund or ETF in a client’s account, as disclosed in the fund’s
prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses), deferred sales charges, odd-lot
differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage
accounts and securities transactions. The Firm’s brokerage practices are described at length in Item 12,
below.
Direct Fee Debit
Clients provide Ricketts Financial and/or certain Independent Managers with the authority to directly debit
their accounts for payment of the investment advisory fees. The Financial Institutions that act as the
qualified custodian for client accounts, from which the Firm retains the authority to directly deduct fees,
have agreed to send statements to clients not less than quarterly detailing all account transactions, including
any amounts paid to Ricketts Financial.
Use of Margin
Ricketts Financial can recommend that certain clients utilize margin in the client’s investment portfolio or
other borrowing. Ricketts Financial only recommends such borrowing for non-investment needs, such as
bridge loans and other financing needs. Client’s may also choose (without the Firm’s advice) to use margin
or other borrowing for investment purposes. The Firm’s fees are determined based upon the value of the
assets being managed gross of any margin or borrowing.
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Account Additions and Withdrawals
Clients can make additions to and withdrawals from their account at any time, subject to Ricketts
Financial’s right to terminate an account. Additions can be in cash or securities provided that the Firm
reserves the right to liquidate any transferred securities or declines to accept particular securities into a
client’s account. Clients can withdraw account assets on notice to Ricketts Financial, subject to the usual
and customary securities settlement procedures. However, the Firm designs its portfolios as long-term
investments and the withdrawal of assets may impair the achievement of a client’s investment objectives.
Ricketts Financial may consult with its clients about the options and implications of transferring securities.
Clients are advised that when transferred securities are liquidated, they may be subject to transaction fees,
short-term redemption fees, fees assessed at the mutual fund level (e.g., contingent deferred sales charges)
and/or tax ramifications.
Commissions and Sales Charges for Recommendations of Securities
Clients can engage certain persons associated with Ricketts Financial (but not the Firm directly) to render
securities brokerage services under a separate commission-based arrangement. Clients are under no
obligation to engage such persons and may choose brokers or agents not affiliated with Ricketts Financial.
Under this arrangement, the Firm’s Supervised Persons, in their individual capacities as registered
representatives of an unaffiliated broker-dealer, American Equity Investment Corporation (“American
Equity”), can provide securities brokerage services and implement securities transactions under a separate
commission based arrangement. Supervised Persons are entitled to a portion of the brokerage commissions
paid to American Equity, as well as a share of any ongoing distribution or service (trail) fees from the sale
of mutual funds. Ricketts Financial can also recommend no-load or load-waived funds, where no sales
charges are assessed, but where the Supervised Person receives other forms of compensation. Prior to
effecting any transactions, clients are required to enter into a separate account agreement with American
Equity.
A conflict of interest exists to the extent that a Supervised Person of Ricketts Financial recommends the
purchase or sale of securities through a brokerage relationship where that Supervised Persons receives
commissions or other additional compensation as a result of that recommendation (the “Brokerage
Relationship”). Because the Supervised Persons receive compensation in connection with the sale of
securities in the Brokerage Relationship, a conflict of interest exists as such Supervised Persons, have an
incentive to recommend more expensive securities or services to clients where such Supervised Persons
earn more compensation with respect to the sale of such securities through the Brokerage Relationship
rather than through an advisory relationship with the Firm. The Firm has procedures in place to ensure that
any recommendations made by such Supervised Persons to engage in the Brokerage Relationship are in the
best interest of that client. Clients should understand that the investments made in the Brokerage
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Relationship are not receiving advisory services from the Firm. Therefore, the Firm does not have a
fiduciary duty over the Brokerage Relationship recommendations.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Ricketts Financial does not provide any services for a performance-based fee (i.e., a fee based on a share
of capital gains or capital appreciation of a client’s assets).
Item 7. Types of Clients
Ricketts Financial offers services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations and other business entities, and
pension and profit sharing plans.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Investment Strategies
Ricketts Financial believes that sound portfolio construction begins with aligning investment goals to
appropriate investment strategies such as asset allocation, diversification, cost control and risk management,
while also applying periodic rebalancing. In doing so, the Firm takes a team approach in developing
practical equity investment solutions for clients based on their risk tolerance and goals. The Firm’s Equity
Strategy Team develops and implements a personalized equity portfolio for clients through research and
due diligence from independent third parties.
Ricketts Financial believes there are many significant considerations when constructing an investment
portfolio, including the client’s current financial situation, future needs for capital and risk tolerance to
name just a few. Investors have long recognized the importance of balancing risk and creating
diversification by dividing assets among major asset classes such as cash, bonds, stocks, insurance, and real
estate.
Ricketts Financial’s equity solutions strive to provide a sophisticated means to efficiently gain exposure to
equity market segments encompassing a wide range of market capitalizations, style and sectors. The Firm
makes it possible for clients to build tailored investment portfolios consistent with their financial needs,
risk tolerance and investment horizon. Ricketts Financial believes that selecting an appropriate equity
portfolio and conducting periodic reviews may help to achieve long-term investment goals.
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The Firm’s custom built equity portfolios are designed to produce long term return by combining dividents
with appreciated share prices. Portfolios will seek broad diversification across most major economic
sectors. A top down investment approach to these sectors will be taken to determine the desired sector
exposure of the portfolio. A bottom up approach to stock selection will be applied thereafter. In addition
to stock selection, the Firm believes additional equity products are important to add diversification in
lacking or complimenting market sectors, market caps, and themes by using a network of managed products
such as unit investment trusts, ETFs and mutual funds.
Ricketts Financial strives to find the highest quality investment grade bonds. Ricketts Financial is careful
to balance risk vs. reward when moving out the yield curve. Ricketts Financial strives to ladder each
portfolio to limit future interest risk. The constants in a volatile global economic environment are the fixed
income assets dedicated to maintaining that solid portfolio foundation. The Firm believes that staying the
course best ensures predictable cash flows, defined income streams and return of par value at maturity.
Risk of Loss
The following list of risk factors does not purport to be a complete enumeration or explanation of the risks
involved with respect to the Firm’s investment management activities. Clients should consult with their
legal, tax, and other advisors before engaging the Firm to provide investment management services on their
behalf.
Market Risks
Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and all investors should be guided
accordingly. The profitability of a significant portion of Ricketts Financial’s recommendations and/or
investment decisions may depend to a great extent upon correctly assessing the future course of price
movements of stocks, bonds and other asset classes. In addition, investments may be adversely affected by
financial markets and economic conditions throughout the world. There can be no assurance that Ricketts
Financial will be able to predict these price movements accurately or capitalize on any such assumptions.
Volatility Risks
The prices and values of investments can be highly volatile, and are influenced by, among other things,
interest rates, general economic conditions, the condition of the financial markets, the financial condition
of the issuers of such assets, changing supply and demand relationships, and programs and policies of
governments.
Cash Management Risks
The Firm may invest some of a client’s assets temporarily in money market funds or other similar types of
investments, during which time an advisory account may be prevented from achieving its investment
objective.
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Equity-Related Securities and Instruments
The Firm takes long positions in common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers traded on national securities
exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors.
These factors include, without limitation, factors specific to an issuer and factors specific to the industry in
which the issuer participates. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by
industry and/or economic trends and developments, and the stock prices of such companies may suffer a
decline in response. In addition, equity securities are subject to stock risk, which is the risk that stock prices
historically rise and fall in periodic cycles. U.S. and non-U.S. stock markets have experienced periods of
substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future. In addition, investments in small-
capitalization, midcapitalization and financially distressed companies may be subject to more abrupt or
erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity, and these issuers often face greater
business risks.
Fixed Income Securities
While the Firm emphasizes risk-averse management and capital preservation in its fixed-income bond
portfolios, clients who invest in this product can lose money, including losing a portion of their original
investment. The prices of the securities in our portfolios fluctuate. The Firm does not guarantee any
particular level of performance. Below is a representative list of the types of risks clients should consider
before investing in this product.
•
Interest rate risk. Prices of bonds tend to move in the opposite direction to interest rate changes.
Typically, a rise in interest rates will negatively affect bond prices. The longer the duration and
average maturity of a portfolio, the greater the likely reaction to interest rate moves.
• Credit (or default) risk. A bond’s price will generally fall if the issuer fails to make a scheduled
interest or principal payment, if the credit rating of the security is downgraded, or if the perceived
creditworthiness of the issuer deteriorates.
• Liquidity risk. Sectors of the bond market can experience a sudden downturn in trading activity.
When there is little or no trading activity in a security, it can be difficult to sell the security at or
near its perceived value. In such a market, bond prices may fall.
• Call risk. Some bonds give the issuer the option to call or redeem the bond before the maturity date.
If an issuer calls a bond when interest rates are declining, the proceeds may have to be reinvested
at a lower yield. During periods of market illiquidity or rising rates, prices of callable securities
may be subject to increased volatility.
• Prepayment risk. When interest rates fall, the principal of mortgage-backed securities may be
prepaid. These prepayments can reduce the portfolio’s yield because proceeds may have to be
reinvested at a lower yield.
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• Extension risk. When interest rates rise or there is a lack of refinancing opportunities, prepayments
of mortgage-backed securities or callable bonds may be less than expected. This would lengthen
the portfolio’s duration and average maturity and increase its sensitivity to rising rates and its
potential for price declines.
Mutual Funds and ETFs
An investment in a mutual fund or ETF involves risk, including the loss of principal. Mutual fund and ETF
shareholders are necessarily subject to the risks stemming from the individual issuers of the fund’s
underlying portfolio securities. Such shareholders are also liable for taxes on any fund-level capital gains,
as mutual funds and ETFs are required by law to distribute capital gains in the event they sell securities for
a profit that cannot be offset by a corresponding loss.
Shares of mutual funds are generally distributed and redeemed on an ongoing basis by the fund itself or a
broker acting on its behalf. The trading price at which a share is transacted is equal to a fund’s stated daily
per share net asset value (“NAV”), plus any shareholders fees (e.g., sales loads, purchase fees, redemption
fees). The per share NAV of a mutual fund is calculated at the end of each business day, although the actual
NAV fluctuates with intraday changes to the market value of the fund’s holdings. The trading prices of a
mutual fund’s shares may differ from the NAV during periods of market volatility, which may, among other
factors, lead to the mutual fund’s shares trading at a premium or discount to actual NAV.
Shares of ETFs are listed on securities exchanges and transacted at negotiated prices in the secondary
market. Generally, ETF shares trade at or near their most recent NAV, which is generally calculated at
least once daily for index-based ETFs and potentially more frequently for actively managed ETFs.
However, certain inefficiencies may cause the shares to trade at a premium or discount to their pro rata
NAV. There is also no guarantee that an active secondary market for such shares will develop or continue
to exist. Generally, an ETF only redeems shares when aggregated as creation units (usually 20,000 shares
or more). Therefore, if a liquid secondary market ceases to exist for shares of a particular ETF, a
shareholder may have no way to dispose of such shares.
Use of Independent Managers
As stated above, Ricketts Financial selects certain Independent Managers to manage a portion of its clients’
assets. In these situations, Ricketts Financial continues to conduct ongoing due diligence of such managers,
but such recommendations rely to a great extent on the Independent Managers’ ability to successfully
implement their investment strategies. In addition, Ricketts Financial does not have the ability to supervise
the Independent Managers on a day-to-day basis.
Use of Margin
As discussed above, the Firm does not recommend that clients use margin borrowing for investments, but
clients can decide to take margin in their accounts. While the use of margin borrowing for investments can
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substantially improve returns, it may also increase overall portfolio risk. Margin transactions are generally
effected using capital borrowed from a Financial Institution, which is secured by a client’s holdings. Under
certain circumstances, a lending Financial Institution may demand an increase in the underlying collateral.
If the client is unable to provide the additional collateral, the Financial Institution may liquidate account
assets to satisfy the client’s outstanding obligations, which could have extremely adverse consequences. In
addition, fluctuations in the amount of a client’s borrowings and the corresponding interest rates may have
a significant effect on the profitability and stability of a client’s portfolio.
Currency Risks
An advisory account that holds investments denominated in currencies other than the currency in which the
advisory account is denominated may be adversely affected by the volatility of currency exchange rates.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
Ricketts Financial has not been involved in any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client’s
evaluation of its advisory business or the integrity of its management.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
This item requires investment advisers to disclose certain financial industry activities and affiliations.
Registered Representatives of a Broker-Dealer
Certain of the Firm’s Supervised Persons are registered representatives of American Equity and provide
clients with securities brokerage services under a separate commission-based arrangement. This
arrangement is described at length in Item 5.
Licensed Insurance Agents
A number of the Firm’s Supervised Persons are licensed insurance agents and offer certain insurance
products on a fully-disclosed commissionable basis. A conflict of interest exists to the extent that Ricketts
Financial recommends the purchase of insurance products where its Supervised Persons are entitled to
insurance commissions or other additional compensation. The Firm has procedures in place whereby it
seeks to ensure that all recommendations are made in its clients’ best interest regardless of any such
affiliations.
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Item 11. Code of Ethics
Ricketts Financial has adopted a code of ethics in compliance with applicable securities laws (“Code of
Ethics”) that sets forth the standards of conduct expected of its Supervised Persons. Ricketts Financial’s
Code of Ethics contains written policies reasonably designed to prevent certain unlawful practices such as
the use of material non-public information by the Firm or any of its Supervised Persons and the trading by
the same of securities ahead of clients in order to take advantage of pending orders.
The Code of Ethics also requires certain of Ricketts Financial’s personnel to report their personal securities
holdings and transactions and obtain pre-approval of certain investments (e.g., initial public offerings,
limited offerings). However, the Firm’s Supervised Persons are permitted to buy or sell securities that it
also recommends to clients if done in a fair and equitable manner that is consistent with the Firm’s policies
and procedures. This Code of Ethics has been established recognizing that some securities trade in
sufficiently broad markets to permit transactions by certain personnel to be completed without any
appreciable impact on the markets of such securities. Therefore, under limited circumstances, exceptions
may be made to the policies stated below.
When the Firm is engaging in or considering a transaction in any security on behalf of a client, no
Supervised Person with access to this information may knowingly effect for themselves or for their
immediate family (i.e., spouse, minor children and adults living in the same household) a transaction in that
security unless:
•
the transaction has been completed;
•
the transaction for the Supervised Person is completed as part of a batch trade with clients; or
•
a decision has been made not to engage in the transaction for the client.
These requirements are not applicable to: (i) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii)
money market instruments, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper,
repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase
agreements; (iii) shares issued by money market funds; and iv) shares issued by other unaffiliated open-end
mutual funds.
Clients and prospective clients may contact Ricketts Financial to request a copy of its Code of Ethics by
contacting the Firm at the phone number on the cover page of this brochure.
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Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Recommendation of Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
Ricketts Financial recommends that clients utilize the custody, brokerage and clearing services of Charles
Schwab & Co, Inc. through its Schwab Advisor Services division (“Schwab”) for investment management
accounts. The final decision to custody assets with Schwab is at the discretion of the client, including those
accounts under ERISA or IRA rules and regulations, in which case the client is acting as either the plan
sponsor or IRA accountholder. Ricketts Financial is independently owned and operated and not affiliated
with Schwab. Schwab provides Ricketts Financial with access to its institutional trading and custody
services, which are typically not available to retail investors.
Factors which Ricketts Financial considers in recommending Schwab or any other broker-dealer to clients
include their respective financial strength, reputation, execution, pricing, research and service. Schwab
enables the Firm to obtain many mutual funds without transaction charges and other securities at nominal
transaction charges. Schwab has also agreed to reimburse clients for exit fees associated with moving
accounts to Schwab. The commissions and/or transaction fees charged by Schwab may be higher or lower
than those charged by other Financial Institutions.
The commissions paid by Ricketts Financial’s clients to Schwab comply with the Firm’s duty to obtain
“best execution.” Clients may pay commissions that are higher than another qualified Financial Institution
might charge to effect the same transaction where Ricketts Financial determines that the commissions are
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services received. In seeking best
execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the transaction represents
the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full range of a Financial Institution’s services,
including among others, the value of research provided, execution capability, commission rates and
responsiveness. Ricketts Financial seeks competitive rates but may not necessarily obtain the lowest
possible commission rates for client transactions.
Transactions may be cleared through other broker-dealers with whom the Firm and its custodians have
entered into agreements for prime brokerage clearing services. Should an account make use of prime
brokerage, the Client may be required to sign an additional agreement, and additional fees are likely to be
charged.
Consistent with obtaining best execution, brokerage transactions are directed to certain broker-dealers in
return for investment research products and/or services which assist Ricketts Financial in its investment
decision-making process. Such research will be used to service all of the Firm’s clients, but brokerage
commissions paid by one client may be used to pay for research that is not used in managing that client’s
portfolio. The receipt of investment research products and/or services as well as the allocation of the benefit
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of such investment research products and/or services poses a conflict of interest because Ricketts Financial
does not have to produce or pay for the products or services.
Ricketts Financial periodically and systematically reviews its policies and procedures regarding its
recommendation of Financial Institutions in light of its duty to obtain best execution.
Software and Support Provided by Financial Institutions
Ricketts Financial receives without cost from Schwab administrative support, computer software, related
systems support, as well as other third party support as further described below (together "Support") which
allow Ricketts Financial to better monitor client accounts maintained at Schwab and otherwise conduct its
business. Ricketts Financial receives the Support without cost because the Firm renders investment
management services to clients that maintain assets at Schwab. The Support is not provided in connection
with securities transactions of clients (i.e., not “soft dollars”). The Support benefits Ricketts Financial, but
not its clients directly. Clients should be aware that Ricketts Financial’s receipt of economic benefits such
as the Support from a broker-dealer creates a conflict of interest since these benefits will influence the
Firm’s choice of broker-dealer over another that does not furnish similar software, systems support or
services. In fulfilling its duties to its clients, Ricketts Financial endeavors at all times to put the interests of
its clients first and has determined that the recommendation of Schwab is in the best interest of clients and
satisfies the Firm's duty to seek best execution.
Specifically, Ricketts Financial receives the following benefits from Schwab: i) receipt of duplicate client
confirmations and bundled duplicate statements; ii) access to a trading desk that exclusively services its
institutional traders; iii) access to block trading which provides the ability to aggregate securities
transactions and then allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts; and iv) access to an electronic
communication network for client order entry and account information.
In addition, the Firm receives funds to be used toward qualifying third-party service providers for research,
marketing, compliance, technology and software platforms and other services. These services generally
are available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a
certain amount of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at Schwab. 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 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.
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Schwab also makes available to the Firm other products and services that benefit the Firm but may not
benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or Firm specific educational
events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab. Other potential benefits may include occasional business
entertainment of personnel of Ricketts Financial by Schwab 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 Ricketts Financial 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), provide research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of the Firm's fees
from its clients’ accounts, 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
the Firm’s accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. Schwab also makes available to
Ricketts Financial other services intended to help the Firm 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 the Firm
by independent third parties. Schwab may discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of
these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third-party providing these services to the Firm. While,
as a fiduciary, Ricketts Financial endeavors to act in its clients’ best interests, the Firm's recommendation
that clients maintain their assets in accounts at Schwab may be based in part on the benefits received and
not solely on the nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage services provided by Schwab, which
creates a potential conflict of interest.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Ricketts Financial does not consider, in selecting or recommending broker-dealers, whether the Firm
receives client referrals from the Financial Institutions or other third party.
Directed Brokerage
The client may direct Ricketts Financial in writing to use a particular Financial Institution to execute some
or all transactions for the client. In that case, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for the
account with that Financial Institution and the Firm will not seek better execution services or prices from
other Financial Institutions or be able to “batch” client transactions for execution through other Financial
Institutions with orders for other accounts managed by Ricketts Financial (as described above). As a result,
the client may pay higher commissions or other transaction costs, greater spreads or may receive less
favorable net prices, on transactions for the account than would otherwise be the case. Subject to its duty
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of best execution, Ricketts Financial may decline a client’s request to direct brokerage if, in the Firm’s sole
discretion, such directed brokerage arrangements would result in additional operational difficulties or
violate restrictions imposed by other broker-dealers (as further discussed below).
Commissions or Sales Charges for Recommendations of Securities
As discussed above, certain Supervised Persons in their respective individual capacities are registered
representatives of American Equity. These Supervised Persons are subject to FINRA Rule 3280 which
restricts registered representatives from conducting securities transactions away from their broker-dealer
unless the registered representatives give prior notice of such transactions to American Equity and, in most
circumstances, American Equity provides written consent. Therefore, clients are advised that certain
Supervised Persons are restricted to conducting securities transactions through American Equity if they
have not secured written consent from American Equity to execute securities transactions though a different
broker-dealer. Absent such written consent or separation from American Equity, these Supervised Persons
are generally prohibited from executing securities transactions through any broker-dealer other than
American Equity under its internal supervisory policies. The Firm is cognizant of its duty to obtain best
execution and has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed in such pursuit.
Trade Aggregation
Transactions for each client will be effected independently, unless Ricketts Financial decides to purchase
or sell the same securities for several clients at approximately the same time. Ricketts Financial may (but
is not obligated to) combine or “batch” such orders to obtain best execution, to negotiate more favorable
commission rates or to allocate equitably among the Firm’s clients differences in prices and commissions
or other transaction costs that might not have been obtained had such orders been placed independently.
Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to price and allocated among Ricketts Financial’s
clients pro rata to the purchase and sale orders placed for each client on any given day. To the extent that
the Firm determines to aggregate client orders for the purchase or sale of securities, including securities in
which Ricketts Financial’s Supervised Persons may invest, the Firm does so in accordance with applicable
rules promulgated under the Advisers Act and no-action guidance provided by the staff of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. Ricketts Financial does not receive any additional compensation or
remuneration as a result of the aggregation.
In the event that the Firm determines that a prorated allocation is not appropriate under the particular
circumstances, the allocation will be made based upon other relevant factors, which include: (i) when only
a small percentage of the order is executed, shares may be allocated to the account with the smallest order
or the smallest position or to an account that is out of line with respect to security or sector weightings
relative to other portfolios, with similar mandates; (ii) allocations may be given to one account when one
account has limitations in its investment guidelines which prohibit it from purchasing other securities which
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are expected to produce similar investment results and can be purchased by other accounts; (iii) if an
account reaches an investment guideline limit and cannot participate in an allocation, shares may be
reallocated to other accounts (this may be due to unforeseen changes in an account’s assets after an order
is placed); (iv) with respect to sale allocations, allocations may be given to accounts low in cash; (v) in
cases when a pro rata allocation of a potential execution would result in a de minimis allocation in one or
more accounts, the Firm may exclude the account(s) from the allocation; the transactions may be executed
on a pro rata basis among the remaining accounts; or (vi) in cases where a small proportion of an order is
executed in all accounts, shares may be allocated to one or more accounts on a random basis.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
Account Reviews
Ricketts Financial monitors client portfolios on a continuous and ongoing basis and regular account reviews
are conducted on at least an annual basis. Such reviews are conducted by the Firm’s Principals. All
investment advisory clients are encouraged to discuss their needs, goals and objectives with Ricketts
Financial and to keep the Firm informed of any changes thereto.
Account Statements and Reports
Clients are provided with transaction confirmation notices and regular summary account statements directly
from the Financial Institutions where their assets are custodied. From time-to-time or as otherwise
requested, clients may also receive written or electronic reports from Ricketts Financial and/or an outside
service provider, which contain certain account and/or market-related information, such as an inventory of
account holdings or account performance. Clients should compare the account statements they receive
from their custodian with any documents or reports they receive from Ricketts Financial or an outside
service provider.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
The Firm does not currently provide compensation to any third-party solicitors for client referrals.
The Firm receives economic benefits from Schwab. The benefits, conflicts of interest and how they are
addressed are discussed above in response to Item 12.
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Item 15. Custody
Ricketts Financial is deemed to have custody of client funds and securities because the Firm is given the
ability to debit client accounts for payment of the Firm’s fees. As such, client funds and securities are
maintained at one or more Financial Institutions that serve as the qualified custodian with respect to such
assets. Such qualified custodians will send account statements to clients at least once per calendar quarter
that typically detail any transactions in such account for the relevant period.
In addition, as discussed in Item 13, Ricketts Financial will also send, or otherwise make available, periodic
supplemental reports to clients. Clients should carefully review the statements sent directly by the Financial
Institutions and compare them to those received from Ricketts Financial. Any other custody disclosures
can be found in the Firm’s Form ADV Part 1.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
Ricketts Financial is given the authority to exercise discretion on behalf of clients. Ricketts Financial is
considered to exercise investment discretion over a client’s account if it can effect and/or direct transactions
in client accounts without first seeking their consent. Ricketts Financial is given this authority through a
power-of-attorney included in the agreement between Ricketts Financial and the client. Clients may request
a limitation on this authority (such as certain securities not to be bought or sold). Ricketts Financial takes
discretion over the following activities:
• The securities to be purchased or sold;
• The amount of securities to be purchased or sold;
• When transactions are made;
• The broker-dealer that executes trades (in the case of a prime brokerage relationship); and
• The Independent Managers to be hired or fired.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
Ricketts Financial does not accept the authority to vote a client’s securities (i.e., proxies) on their behalf.
Clients receive proxies directly from the Financial Institutions where their assets are custodied and may
contact the Firm at the contact information on the cover of this brochure with questions about any such
issuer solicitations.
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Item 18. Financial Information
Ricketts Financial is not required to disclose any financial information listed in the instructions to Item 18
because:
• The Firm does not require or solicit the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees six months or more
in advance of services rendered;
• The Firm does not have a financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its ability to meet
contractual commitments to clients; and
• The Firm has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time during the past ten years.
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