Overview
- Headquarters
- Oakbrook, IL
- Average Client Assets
- $0.8 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $100,000
- SEC CRD Number
- 162442
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ROTHSCHILD WEALTH ADV2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $250,000 | 1.25% |
| $250,001 | $1,000,000 | 1.15% |
| $1,000,001 | $3,000,000 | 1.05% |
| $3,000,001 | $5,000,000 | 0.95% |
| $5,000,001 | $10,000,000 | 0.85% |
| $10,000,001 | and above | Negotiable |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $11,750 | 1.18% |
| $5 million | $51,750 | 1.04% |
| $10 million | $94,250 | 0.94% |
| $50 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $100 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
Clients
- HNW Share of Firm Assets
- 75.82%
- Total Client Accounts
- 3,656
- Discretionary Accounts
- 3,652
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 4
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Investment Advisor Selection
Regulatory Filings
Additional Brochure: ROTHSCHILD WEALTH ADV2A (2026-03-30)
View Document Text
Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV
Firm Brochure
March 30, 2026
Rothschild Wealth LLC
SEC File No. 801-74818
700 Commerce Drive, Suite 170
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-448-5711
info@rothschildwealth.com
www.rothschildwealth.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Rothschild Wealth LLC. If you have
any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at info@rothschildwealth.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 Rothschild is also available on the SEC website: www.adviserinfo/sec.gov
Item 2: Material Changes
Item 2: Material Changes
This Firm Brochure is our disclosure document prepared according to regulatory requirements and rules.
Consistent with the rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material changes to this and
subsequent Brochures within 120 days of the close of our business’ fiscal year. Furthermore, we will provide you
with other interim disclosures about material changes as necessary.
There are no material changes to this Brochure from the last annual update issued on March 26, 2025.
`
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................................................ 9
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ......................................................... 14
Item 7: Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ................................................. 16
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ........................................................................................................................... 28
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................................ 29
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading ... 32
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................... 34
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................... 40
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ........................................................................................ 41
Item 15: Custody .......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................... 43
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................................ 44
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................................ 45
Item 4: Advisory Business
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Ownership/Advisory History
Rothschild Wealth LLC (“Rothschild Wealth” or the “firm”) is an Illinois limited liability company principally owned
by Tin Goose Holdings LLC. The Managing Member of Rothschild Wealth is Sentinus Holdings, LLC. Rothschild
Wealth has been providing investment advisory and financial planning services since June 2012.
B. Advisory Services Offered
Rothschild Wealth is an independent investment advisory and financial planning firm offering a variety of
financial services to individuals and high-net-worth individuals, corporate executive groups, trusts, corporations,
partnerships, pension and profit sharing plans, institutional retirement (both ERISA and non-ERISA) plans, tax
exempt, and other legal entities. Advisory services may include financial planning, investment strategy, portfolio
management, tax preparation, tax and estate planning, as well as recommendation of third-party sub-advisers.
Discretionary Asset Management Services
For its discretionary asset management services, Rothschild Wealth receives a limited power of attorney to effect
securities transactions on behalf of its clients. Clients may grant Rothschild Wealth limited discretionary authority
with respect to advisory client assets, including discretion to select third-party sub-advisers on behalf of such
Rothschild Wealth advisory clients. Investment advisory services are provided on either a discretionary or non-
discretionary basis, depending on the agreement between the client and Rothschild Wealth. Rothschild Wealth
recommends securities transactions to its clients that include securities and strategies as described in Item 8 of
this Brochure.
In preparing the asset allocation, Rothschild Wealth will analyze each client’s current investments, investment
objectives, goals, age, time horizon, financial circumstances, investment experience, investment restrictions and
limitations, and risk tolerance. Rothschild Wealth’s objective is to review the client’s tax, financial, and estate
planning objectives and goals in connection with the client’s investment objectives, goals, tolerance for risk and
other personal and financial circumstances, and make appropriate asset allocation recommendations and
implementation decisions. Rothschild Wealth may engage third-party service providers to assist with the tax and
estate planning portion of the services provided to clients. In addition, Rothschild Wealth may utilize third-party
software to analyze individual security holdings and separate account managers utilized within the client’s
portfolio. Rothschild Wealth will monitor those portfolios and make additional recommendations from time to
time to rebalance and/or reallocate each client’s investments.
Rothschild Wealth’s investment advisory services to clients are based on asset allocation models that, as noted
above, take into account a client’s personal financial circumstances, investment objectives, and tolerance for risk
(e.g., cash-flow, tax, and estate). Rothschild Wealth’s engagement with a client will include, as appropriate, the
following:
▪ Providing assistance in reviewing the clients current investment portfolio against the client’s personal and
financial circumstances as disclosed to Rothschild Wealth in response to a questionnaire and/or in
discussions with the client and reviewed in meetings with Rothschild Wealth.
▪ Analyzing the client’s financial circumstances, investment holdings and strategy, and goals.
Item 4: Advisory Business
▪ Providing assistance in identifying a targeted asset allocation and portfolio design.
▪
Implementing and/or recommending mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and individual equity and
fixed income securities, each matched to the asset categories in the client’s targeted asset allocation for
consideration by the client.
▪ Reporting to the client on a quarterly basis or at some other interval agreed to with the client, information
on contributions and withdrawals in the client’s investment portfolio.
▪ Proposing changes in the client’s targeted asset allocation in consideration of changes in the client’s
personal circumstances, investment objectives and tolerance for risk, the performance record of any of
the client’s investments, and/or the performance of any fund or manager retained by the client.
Clients have the right to provide the firm with any reasonable investment restrictions on the management of
their portfolio, which must be in writing and sent to the firm. Clients should promptly notify the firm in writing
of any changes in such restrictions or in the client's personal financial circumstances, investment objectives, goals
and tolerance for risk. Rothschild Wealth will remind clients of their obligation to inform the firm of any such
changes or any restrictions that should be imposed on the management of the client’s account. Rothschild
Wealth will also contact clients at least annually to determine whether there have been any changes in a client's
personal financial circumstances, investment objectives and tolerance for risk.
Retirement Rollovers – Conflicts and Added Fees. Plan participants may be paying little or nothing for the plan’s
investment services. As such, investment management costs are likely to be higher when engaging an investment
adviser for professional investment management. Alternative courses of action are available to the plan
participant: (i) Assuming it is permitted by the Plan, you can leave your money in your current Plan. (ii) If you
have changed employers, you can roll your assets into the new employer’s Plan, if permissible by your new
employer. (iii) You can establish an IRA R/O and place into a commission-based account at a broker-dealer. (iv)
You can establish an IRA R/O and place into a fee-based advisory account. (v) You can withdraw your retirement
money and pay the taxes and any applicable penalties. Your decision to roll assets from a qualified plan to a
financial professional should be determined by your need for a desired level of investment services, the
associated costs, and access to a diverse range of investment products that meet your personal risk tolerance
and investment objective.
Institutional Investment Consulting
Rothschild Wealth also provides investment consulting and investment advisory services to institutional ERISA
(see detailed explanatory note under B.4. below) and non-ERISA retirement plans, trusts, foundations, estates,
charitable organizations, corporations, or other business entities. Institutional investment management services
typically include portfolio design, asset allocation modeling, preparation of investment policy statements,
screening and selection of investment managers, and performance monitoring. Depending on the client’s unique
circumstances, Rothschild Wealth may provide discretionary or non-discretionary investment consulting services
for institutions.
Selection of Other Advisers (Sub-Advisers)
As part of its portfolio management services, Rothschild Wealth may recommend one or more third-party sub-
advisers to manage all or a portion of the client's investment portfolio. Factors taken into consideration when
making recommendations include, but are not limited to, the sub-adviser’s performance, investment strategies,
methods of analysis, advisory and other fees, assets under management, and the client's financial objectives and
risk tolerance. Rothschild Wealth would generally retain authority to hire/fire the sub-adviser and regularly
Item 4: Advisory Business
monitors the performance of the sub-adviser to ensure its management and investment style remain aligned
with the client's objectives and risk tolerance.
Rothschild Wealth has sub-advisory agreements with unaffiliated registered investment advisers and platform
providers. Rothschild Wealth accesses various investment strategies made available through the sub-advisers’
investment platforms. Rothschild Wealth determines which strategies the client assets are to be invested in, and
thereafter the sub-adviser implements all trades necessary to cause such assets to be invested in the strategies.
Rothschild Wealth continuously manages any sub-adviser relationship and regularly monitors the client's
account(s) for performance metrics and adherence to the client's investment objectives. Each sub-adviser
maintains a separate disclosure document that Rothschild Wealth will provide to the client. The client should
carefully review the sub-adviser's disclosure document for information regarding fees, risks and investment
strategies, and conflicts of interest. The sub-adviser’s fee will be in addition to the advisory fees charged by
Rothschild Wealth.
Financial Planning Services
Clients will receive a written or oral report (depending on the client’s preference) providing them with a detailed
financial plan designed to help achieve their stated financial goals and objectives. Based on the client’s needs,
financial planning services may include (but are not limited to) the following:
▪ Preparation of a recommended asset allocation that serves to diversify the client’s portfolio among
different categories of investments, such as small, medium and large capitalization securities; corporate
and government fixed income (short-, intermediate- and long-term maturities); emerging market
securities (i.e., foreign issuers); and such other asset categories that are suitable in light of the client’s
investment goals, objectives, and risk tolerance.
▪ Preparation of an investment policy statement setting forth the investment plan of the client with specific
direction in terms of diversification requirements, tax issues, estate planning issues, risk tolerance,
retirement, and other identified objectives of the client, including a targeted rate-of-return objective.
▪ Preparation of a retirement plan that serves to identify whether the client is saving enough and investing
in a way that meets retirement objectives in light of the client’s financial circumstances and risk tolerance.
▪ Preparation of cash flow projections to ensure that the client can meet daily living expenses and
obligations.
▪ An insurance plan to meet the needs of the client, taking into account family, business, and other financial
objectives of the client.
▪ Preparation of an estate plan to ensure that wealth transition, tax, and related issues are met in
accordance with the client’s wishes. In many instances, an outside attorney will need to be hired to handle
specific legal issues that arise in the formation and implementation of an estate plan. Rothschild Wealth,
as a matter of policy, does not provide tax advice.
▪ A business exit/continuity plan, taking into account the business and personal goals and objectives of the
client, client’s family, employees, and other affected parties.
▪ Coordination of all planning into a single cohesive plan.
Rothschild Wealth gathers required information through in-depth personal interviews and questionnaires.
Information gathered includes a client’s current financial status, investment objectives, future goals, and attitudes
Item 4: Advisory Business
toward risk. Related documents supplied by the client are carefully reviewed, and a report is prepared covering
one or more of the above-mentioned topics as directed by the client.
401(k) Portfolio Management Services
Rothschild Wealth will provide non-discretionary portfolio management services to 401(k) plan participants. The
advice will consist of recommending suitable asset allocation based on the plan participant’s tolerance for risk,
and investment objectives accounting for the available investment alternatives available to the plan participant.
To the extent the client has a self-directed account, Rothschild Wealth may recommend a model portfolio of
diversified exchange-traded funds. Once the plan participant has engaged Rothschild Wealth for this service,
Rothschild Wealth will provide its recommendations through an automated email notification to the client,
advising the client when the portfolio requires rebalancing. As a courtesy, Rothschild Wealth will send applicable
clients a follow-up reminder within a reasonable period of time after the first email notification to rebalance the
portfolio. Any transactions required to effect the recommended rebalancing of the model portfolio will be the
sole responsibility of the client.
Institutional Retirement Investment Advisory Services
Employees in qualified retirement plans are protected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA), which requires employers, investment advisors, and plan administrators to put employees’ interests first
when managing retirement savings plans. Public retirement systems are governed by similar state laws and often
incorporate the protections of ERISA.
In order to demonstrate that a plan fiduciary has operated in a prudent manner, there are certain steps that the
fiduciary must take. Rothschild Wealth is committed to helping fiduciaries understand their roles and to assist
them in implementing a process that allows them to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
Rothschild Wealth offers government retirement systems, sponsors of employee benefit plans (defined
contribution and defined benefit) qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), and other retirement plans
not qualified under the IRC (including Taft-Hartley organizations and “church” plans), a range of discretionary
and non-discretionary services, including the selection of registered investment companies or other pooled
investment funds to be offered under the plan.
Rothschild Wealth will assist plan fiduciaries in the following:
▪
Investment Selection and Monitoring
• Creating an investment policy statement
• Modeling asset allocations
• Selecting investment managers
• Determining QDIA investment alternatives
• Monitoring the investment options against well-defined risk and return criteria
Rothschild Wealth’s investment professionals work in partnership with clients to create sound solutions
to investment challenges, including:
• Maximizing long-term return while not assuming unnecessary risk
• Creating an optimal portfolio that includes a diverse array of investment options that span the
risk/return spectrum
Item 4: Advisory Business
• Keeping plan sponsors current on manager performance and the events that may affect
performance
▪ Vendor Search and Selection and Plan Implementation
Rothschild Wealth also assists its retirement plan clients in selecting trustees, custodians, accountants,
actuaries, record keepers, and other service providers. This process involves:
• Generating criteria to identify appropriate service providers
• Developing or responding to requests for proposals
• Evaluating highly rated service provider candidates
Once a service provider is selected, Rothschild Wealth will assist a client in implementing the client’s retirement
plan program. In implementing the program, Rothschild Wealth will, among other things, review the plan design,
develop performance standards, and review the service provider’s contract.
Rothschild Wealth also provides assistance with strategic employee education and communications in
connection with client retirement plan programs.
Private Fund Portfolio Management
The firm serves as the investment manager to an affiliate private fund and continuously manages the fund’s
assets based on the investment goals and objectives as outlined in the fund’s offering documents.
C. Client-Tailored Services and Client-Imposed Restrictions
Each client’s account will be managed on the basis of the client’s financial situation and investment objectives,
and in accordance with any reasonable restrictions imposed by the client on the management of the account—
for example, restricting the type or amount of security to be purchased in the portfolio.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
Rothschild Wealth does not participate in wrap fee programs. (Wrap fee programs offer services for one all-
inclusive fee.)
E. Client Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, Rothschild Wealth had $1,691,283,127 in discretionary assets under management and
$6,226,180 in non-discretionary assets under management.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Methods of Compensation and Fee Schedule
Asset Management & Sub-Adviser Fees
The annual fee for services provided by Rothschild Wealth will be charged as a percentage of assets under
supervision. The fees will be computed in the following manner and charged quarterly in advance:
Basis point charge X market value of assets X actual number of days/365 days
The total managed account fee will include Rothschild Wealth’s tiered fee as outlined in the following fee
schedule (negotiable), plus a model manager and platform fee if a sub-adviser platform is utilized (sub-adviser’s
fee portion is non-negotiable).
Assets Under Supervision
$0–$250,000
$250,001–$1,000,000
$1,000,001–$3,000,000
$3,000,001–$5,000,000
$5,000,001–$10,000,000
Over $10,000,000
Annual Fee (%)
1.25%
1.15%
1.05%
0.95%
0.85%
Negotiable
Rothschild Wealth generally requires a minimum account value of $100,000 for accounts it manages on either a
discretionary or a non-discretionary basis. Prospective clients may find comparable services at more favorable
pricing elsewhere. For accounts utilizing a sub-adviser, Rothschild Wealth imposes a minimum account size of
$150,000. In the case of Rothschild Wealth-advised assets, Rothschild Wealth, in its sole discretion, may waive
the required minimum. Similarly situated clients with different investment adviser representatives may have
different negotiated fee schedules.
The sub-adviser’s fee is variable depending on the sub-adviser and strategy(ies) selected and may change. Clients
will be required to approve in writing any strategy change that results in an increased fee. Please ask your
Rothschild Wealth professional for a current list of strategies and their costs. In consideration for such services,
the sub-adviser will charge a program fee that includes the investment management fee of the strategists, the
administration of the program, and trading, clearance and settlement costs. As sub-adviser/strategy fees vary
depending on the platform and strategy(ies) selected, Rothschild Wealth has an economic incentive to
recommend those strategies that yield the highest fees to Rothschild Wealth. While Rothschild Wealth prioritizes
clients’ best interests, it’s important to be aware of this conflict of interest during the construction of the client’s
investment portfolio. Clients should note that comparable services may be available elsewhere at more favorable
pricing. Clients are encouraged to discuss with their financial professional the most appropriate tier of services,
given the client’s needs and the applicable cost given the client’s investment goals and objectives.
Asset-based fees are always subject to the investment advisory agreement between the client and Rothschild
Wealth. Such fees are payable quarterly in advance. The fees will be prorated if the investment advisory
relationship commences otherwise than at the beginning of a calendar quarter. The client and the client’s
custodian or broker-dealer will be invoiced at the beginning of each calendar quarter, based upon the market
value (market value plus any credit balance or minus any debit balance) of the client’s account at the end of the
previous quarter, as mutually agreed upon by the client and Rothschild Wealth. Adjustments for significant
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
contributions to a client’s portfolio are prorated for the quarter in which the change occurs; no adjustments will
be made for withdrawals.
A client investment advisory agreement may be canceled by either party by written notice. Upon termination,
and any earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable. The client has the right to terminate an agreement without
penalty within five business days after entering into the agreement.
Financial Planning Fees – Hourly or Fixed
Rothschild Wealth offers either hourly or fixed fee arrangements to all financial planning clients. Generally, the
more complex the financial planning engagement the higher likelihood that fixed fees will be negotiated, as it is
difficult with respect to complex cases to discern the exact number of hours required to provide services. In such
a case a fixed fee would be negotiated. Fixed fees are computed based upon a good faith estimate of hours
required to perform services. The applicant attempts to maintain parity with hourly and fixed charges while
allowing some flexibility in estimation, taking into account case complexity and client-specific circumstances.
Financial planning fees will be billed at the rate of $400 per hour, or a fixed fee mutually agreed upon by the
client and Rothschild Wealth. For hourly or fixed fee arrangements, Rothschild Wealth will provide the prospective
client with an estimate of the charges prior to finalizing the financial planning agreement. Deliverables, which is
defined as the financial planning report required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the financial planning
agreement, shall be completed and presented to the client within 180 days of the date the financial planning
agreement is signed by the client, subject to the client providing the required personal and financial information
necessary for Rothschild Wealth to produce the deliverables.
Invoices will be mailed out on a periodic basis. Clients seeking to terminate this service must do so in writing. A
financial planning agreement may be terminated by either party for any reason upon receipt of written notice.
401(k) Portfolio Management Services Fees
Rothschild Wealth’s asset-based fees for non-discretionary portfolio management services to 401(k) plans and
plan participants will be 1.25% and are negotiable.
Institutional Investment and Retirement Plan Advisory Fees
Rothschild Wealth’s fees for its institutional investment consulting services to retirement plan sponsors, corporate
trusts, endowments, etc., may be paid by the plan or trust or by the plan sponsor, and may be a flat fee or a fee
that is a percentage of the assets in the plan or a combination of flat fee and percentage of assets.
Non-Discretionary Asset-Based Fee Alternative
Fees for institutional asset management are generally calculated based on a percentage of client assets under
advisement and are calculated quarterly. The asset-based fee ranges from 0.10% to 1.00% of assets under
advisement and is negotiable.
Assets Under Advisement
Under $1,000,000
$1,000,001–$5,000,000
$5,000,001–$10,000,000
$10,000,001–$50,000,000
$50,000,001–$150,000,000
$150,000,001–$500,000,000
Over $500,000,000
Annual Fee Rate
Up to 1.00%
Up to 0.80%
Up to 0.60%
Up to 0.40%
Up to 0.20%
Up to 0.15%
Up to 0.10%
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Rothschild Wealth generally requires a minimum annual fee of $10,000. This equates to a minimum account
size of $1,000,000. As such, clients with plan balances of less than $1,000,000 may be charged a plan set-up fee
in year 1 to account for the upfront work to establish, set up, and implement a new plan. Rothschild Wealth
may waive the required minimum account values in special circumstances and reserves the right to make
exceptions to such minimum account values at its sole discretion.
Fees may be paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually (but typically quarterly or monthly) in advance
or arrears, as negotiated by Rothschild Wealth and the client. Fees that are a percentage of the plan’s assets
are based on the value of the aggregate assets as of the end of the preceding period for which the fee is being
calculated.
An agreement for institutional investment consulting services may be terminated upon 30 days’ notice to
Rothschild Wealth. Any unearned, prepaid fees for the quarter will be promptly refunded, and any earned,
unpaid fees will be due and payable.
B. Client Payment of Fees
Asset Management & Sub-Adviser Fees
For advisory fees charged in advance, Rothschild Wealth will deduct advisory fees directly from the client’s
account provided that (i) the client provides written authorization to the qualified custodian, and (ii) the qualified
custodian sends the client a statement, at least quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed from the account.
When fees are charged in arrears, they are based on the value of the account at the end of the billing period for
which services were provided.
If the client’s account is managed by a separate account manager, such manager will generally require that any
fees be paid on a quarterly basis, in advance, directly from the client’s account with the custodian of the portfolio
assets.
For its 401(k) Portfolio Management Services, Rothschild Wealth will either invoice the record keeper or the plan
sponsor, as directed by the plan sponsor. Clients will be billed monthly or quarterly, in advance or arrears, as
negotiated by Rothschild Wealth and the client.
For its institutional investment and retirement plan advisory accounts, Rothschild Wealth will bill in accordance
with the instructions of the institution. Fees may be paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually (but
typically quarterly or monthly) in advance or arrears, as negotiated by Rothschild Wealth and the institution.
The custodian will deliver directly to the client an account statement, at least quarterly, showing all investment
and transaction activity for the period, including fee disbursements from the account.
A client investment advisory agreement may be canceled by either party by written notice. Upon termination,
any earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable, and any unearned, prepaid fees will be promptly refunded. The
client has the right to terminate an agreement without penalty within five business days after entering into the
agreement.
Financial Planning Fees
Rothschild Wealth does require prepayment of financial planning fees. Financial planning fees are billed in
advance based upon the scope of the engagement. Deliverables, which is defined as the financial planning report
required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the financial planning agreement, shall be completed and
presented to the client within 180 days of the date the financial planning agreement is signed by the client,
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
subject to the client providing the required personal and financial information necessary for Rothschild Wealth
to produce the deliverables. Invoices will be mailed out upon the client and Rothschild Wealth signing a financial
planning contract.
In addition, clients may engage Rothschild Wealth for ongoing financial planning consulting on an annual
retainer, billed quarterly in advance. Such fees will be based upon a good faith estimate of the charges necessary
to fulfill Rothschild Wealth’s obligations given the unique personal and financial considerations relevant to the
client.
Unless otherwise arranged, all financial planning engagement fees are due in advance. A financial planning
agreement may be terminated by either party for any reason upon receipt of written notice within 5 days of the
effective date of the contract. If clients terminate the agreement during the month, Rothschild Wealth shall
promptly refund all prepaid, unearned fees to the client.
C. Additional Client Fees Charged
All fees paid for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by
Advisor Op (See Item 10.C.5 for additional disclosure re Advisor Op), exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, sub-
advisers, broker-dealers, and custodians retained by clients. Such fees and expenses are described in each
exchange-traded fund and mutual fund’s prospectus, each sub-adviser’s Form ADV and Brochure and Brochure
Supplement or similar disclosure statement, and by any broker-dealer or custodian retained by the client. If a
mutual fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an initial or deferred sales charge as further described
in the mutual fund’s prospectus. A client using Rothschild Wealth may be precluded from using certain mutual
funds or separate account managers because they may not be offered by the client’s custodian. Please refer to
the Brokerage Practices section (Item 12) for additional information regarding the firm’s brokerage practices.
Please note that for client accounts the firm maintains, the custodian generally does not charge clients separately
for custody services but is compensated by charging commissions or other fees on trades that it executes or that
settle into the custodian’s accounts (“transaction-based fees”). For some accounts, the client may be offered the
choice of asset-based pricing, where the custodian charges a percentage of the dollar amount of assets in the
account in lieu of transaction-based fees. If asset-based pricing is selected and very little trading is done for the
account, more fees could be paid by the client to the custodian than would have been charged under transaction-
based pricing. Factors the client should consider before selection asset-based pricing instead of transaction-
based pricing include the amount of trading expected in the portfolio, the size of the portfolio, and the
transaction fees and asset-based fees charged by the custodian.
D. External Compensation for the Sale of Securities to Clients
Rothschild Wealth’s advisory professionals are compensated primarily through a salary and bonus structure/
through a percentage of advisory fees charged to clients. Rothschild Wealth’s advisory professionals may be paid
sales, service or administrative fees for the sale of mutual funds or other investment products. Rothschild Wealth’s
advisory professionals may receive commission-based compensation for the sale of securities and insurance
products. Investment adviser representatives, in their capacity as a Rothschild Investment LLC (“RI”) registered
representative, are prohibited from earning an advisory fee on the securities value transferred from an advisory
client’s RI brokerage account unless commissions earned on such securities transactions occurred at least 12
months prior to the transfer. Please see Item 10.C. for detailed information and conflicts of interest.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Rothschild Wealth may be paid performance-based fees by the affiliate private fund for which it serves as the
investment manager. Such performance-based fees create an economic incentive for the investment manager to
take additional risks in the management of a client portfolio that may be in conflict with the client’s current
investment objectives and tolerance for risk. Please refer to Item 6 for more information on performance-based
fees.
E. Important Disclosure – Custodian Investment Programs
Please be advised that certain of the firm’s investment adviser representatives are registered with a broker-dealer
and/or the firm is a broker-dealer or affiliated with a broker-dealer. Under these arrangements, we can access
certain investment programs offered through the broker-dealer that offer certain compensation and fee
structures that create conflicts of interest of which clients need to be aware. As such, the investment adviser
representative and/or the firm may have an economic incentive to recommend the purchase of 12b-1 or revenue
share class mutual funds offered through the broker-dealer platform rather than from the investment adviser
platform. Please note the following:
Limitation on Mutual Fund Universe for Custodian Investment Programs: Please note that as a matter of policy we
prohibit the receipt of revenue share fees from any mutual funds utilized for our advisory clients’ portfolios. There
are certain programs in which we participate where a client’s investment options may be limited in certain of
these programs to those mutual funds and/or mutual fund share classes that pay 12b-1 fees and other revenue
sharing fee payments, and the client should be aware that the firm is not selecting from among all mutual funds
available in the marketplace when recommending mutual funds to the client.
Conflict Between Revenue Share Class (12b-1) and Non-Revenue Share Class Mutual Funds: Revenue share class/12b-1
fees are deducted from the net asset value of the mutual fund and generally, all things being equal, cause the
fund to earn lower rates of return than those mutual funds that do not pay revenue sharing fees. The client is
under no obligation to utilize such programs or mutual funds. Although many factors will influence the type of
fund to be used, the client should discuss with their investment adviser representative whether a share class from
a comparable mutual fund with a more favorable return to investors is available that does not include the
payment of any 12b-1 or revenue sharing fees given the client’s individual needs and priorities and anticipated
transaction costs. In addition, the receipt of such fees can create conflicts of interest in instances (i) where our
adviser representative is also licensed as a registered representative of a broker-dealer and receives a portion of
12b-1 and or revenue sharing fees as compensation – such compensation creates an incentive for the investment
adviser representative to use programs which utilize funds that pay such additional compensation; and (ii) where
the custodian receives the entirety of the 12b-1 and/or revenue sharing fees and takes the receipt of such fees
into consideration in terms of benefits it may elect to provide to the firm, even though such benefits may or may
not benefit some or all of the firm’s clients.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Rothschild Wealth may charge performance-based fees to qualified clients investing in the private fund who
meet certain criteria as described below. Clients are advised that performance-based fees involve a sharing of
any portfolio gains between the investor and the investment manager. Such performance-based fees create an
economic incentive for the investment manager to take additional risks in the management of a client portfolio
that may be in conflict with the client’s current investment objectives and tolerance for risk. The investment
manager is also incentivized to allocate more time to the management of performance-based portfolios and to
preference investment allocations and investment ideas of performance-based clients.
Performance-based fees are described in the fund’s offering documents. Performance-based fees may only be
offered to clients who meet one of the following criteria:
▪ A natural person who or a company that immediately after entering into the contract has at least
$1,100,000 under the management of the investment adviser;
▪ A natural person or a company that the investment adviser entering into the contract (and any person
acting on his behalf) reasonably believes, immediately prior to entering into the contract, either:
• Has a net worth (together, in the case of a natural person, with assets held jointly with a spouse) of
more than $2,200,000 at the time the contract is entered into, exclusive of the value of their primary
residence; or
•
Is a qualified purchaser as defined in section 2(a)(51)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(15U.S.C. 80a-2(51)(A)) at the time the contract is entered into; or
• A natural person who immediately prior to entering into the contract is:
▪ An executive officer, director, trustee, general partner, or person serving in similar capacity of
the investment adviser; or
▪ An employee of the investment adviser (other than an employee performing solely clerical,
secretarial, or administrative functions with regard to the investment adviser) who, in
connection with his or her regular functions or duties, participates in the investment activities
of such investment adviser, provided that such employee has been performing such functions
and duties for or on behalf of the investment adviser, or substantially similar functions or
duties for or on behalf of another company for at least 12 months.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Item 7: Types of Clients
Rothschild Wealth offers its investment services to various types of clients, including individuals and high-net-
worth individuals, corporate executive groups, trusts, corporations, partnerships, retirement plans, tax exempt,
proprietary private fund, and other legal entities. Although Rothschild Wealth provides investment services to
the various types of clients mentioned, the services are conditioned upon meeting certain minimum criteria
established by Rothschild Wealth for each of the investment programs it offers.
For retail client accounts, Rothschild Wealth generally requires a minimum account value of $100,000 for
accounts it manages on a discretionary basis. Prospective clients may find comparable services at more favorable
pricing elsewhere. For accounts utilizing a sub-adviser, Rothschild Wealth imposes a minimum account size of
$150,000. In the case of Rothschild Wealth supervised assets, Rothschild Wealth, in its sole discretion, may waive
the required minimum.
For institutional client accounts, Rothschild Wealth generally requires a minimum annual fee of $10,000. This
equates to a minimum account size of $1,000,000. As such, clients with plan balances of less than $1,000,000 may
be charged a plan set-up fee in year 1 to account for the upfront work to establish, set up, and implement a new
plan. Rothschild Wealth may waive the required minimum account values in special circumstances and reserves
the right to make exceptions to such minimum account values at its sole discretion.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Rothschild Wealth uses a variety of sources of data to conduct its economic, investment and market analysis,
such as financial newspapers and magazines, economic and market research materials prepared by others,
conference calls hosted by mutual funds, corporate rating services, annual reports, prospectuses, and company
press releases. It is important to keep in mind that there is no specific approach to investing that guarantees
success or positive returns; investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
Rothschild Wealth and its investment adviser representatives are responsible for identifying and implementing
the methods of analysis used in formulating investment recommendations to clients. The methods of analysis
may include quantitative methods for optimizing client portfolios, computer-based risk/return analysis, technical
analysis, and statistical and/or computer models utilizing long-term economic criteria.
▪ Optimization involves the use of mathematical algorithms to determine the appropriate mix of assets
given the firm’s current capital market rate assessment and a particular client’s risk tolerance.
▪ Quantitative methods include analysis of historical data such as price and volume statistics, performance
data, standard deviation and related risk metrics, how the security performs relative to the overall stock
market, earnings data, price to earnings ratios, and related data.
▪ Technical analysis involves charting price and volume data as reported by the exchange where the security
is traded to look for price trends.
▪ Computer models may be used to attempt the future value of a security based on assumptions of various
data categories such as earnings, cash flow, profit margins, sales, and a variety of other company specific
metrics.
In addition, Rothschild Wealth reviews research material prepared by others, as well as corporate filings,
corporate rating services, and a variety of financial publications. Rothschild Wealth may employ outside vendors
or utilize third-party software to assist in formulating investment recommendations to clients.
Mutual Funds, Exchange-Traded Funds, Third-Party Sub-Advisers, Individual Equity and Fixed Income
Securities, and Pooled Investment Vehicles
Rothschild Wealth may utilize ”institutional share class” mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and
individual securities (including fixed income instruments), and pooled investment vehicles.
Rothschild Wealth may also assist the client in selecting one or more appropriate sub-advisers for all or a portion
of the client’s portfolio. Such sub-advisers will typically manage assets for clients who commit to the manager a
minimum amount of assets established by that sub-adviser—a factor that Rothschild Wealth will take into
account when recommending sub-advisers to clients. Rothschild Wealth’s selection process cannot ensure that
sub-advisers will perform as desired, and Rothschild Wealth will have no control over the day-to-day operations
of any of its selected sub-advisers. Rothschild Wealth would not necessarily be aware of certain activities at the
underlying sub-adviser’s level, including without limitation a sub-adviser’s engaging in unreported risks,
investment “style drift,” or even regulatory breaches or fraud.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A description of the criteria to be used in formulating an investment recommendation for mutual funds,
exchange-traded funds, individual securities (including fixed-income securities), sub-advisers, and pooled
investment vehicles is set forth below.
Rothschild Wealth has formed relationships with third-party vendors that
▪ provide a technological platform for separate account management
▪ prepare performance reports
▪ perform or distribute research of individual securities
▪ perform billing and certain other administrative tasks
Rothschild Wealth may utilize additional independent third parties to assist it in recommending and monitoring
individual securities, funds, sub-advisers, and pooled investment vehicles to clients as appropriate under the
circumstances.
Rothschild Wealth reviews certain quantitative and qualitative criteria related to funds and sub-advisers and to
formulate investment recommendations to its clients. Quantitative criteria may include:
▪ performance history of a fund or sub-adviser evaluated against that of its peers and other benchmarks
▪ analysis of risk-adjusted returns
▪ analysis of the contribution to the investment return (e.g., manager’s alpha), standard deviation of returns
over specific time periods, sector and style analysis
▪
fund or sub-adviser’s fee structure
▪
relevant portfolio manager’s tenure
Qualitative criteria used in selecting/recommending funds or sub-advisers include the investment objectives
and/or management style and philosophy of a fund or sub-adviser; a mutual fund or sub-adviser’s consistency
of investment style; and employee turnover and efficiency and capacity.
Quantitative and qualitative criteria related to funds and sub-advisers are reviewed by Rothschild Wealth on a
quarterly basis or such other interval as appropriate under the circumstances. In addition, funds or sub-advisers
are reviewed to determine the extent to which their investments reflect any of the following: efforts to time the
market, engage in portfolio pumping, or evidence style drift such that their portfolios no longer accurately reflect
the particular asset category attributed to the fund or sub-adviser by Rothschild Wealth (all negative factors in
implementing an asset allocation structure).
Rothschild Wealth may negotiate reduced account minimum balances and reduced fees with sub-advisers under
various circumstances (e.g., for clients with minimum level of assets committed to the manager for specific
periods of time, etc.). There can be no assurance that clients will receive any reduced account minimum balances
or fees, or that all clients, even if apparently similarly situated, will receive any reduced account minimum balances
or fees available to some other clients. Also, account minimum balances and fees may significantly differ between
clients. Each client’s individual needs and circumstances will determine portfolio weighting, which can have an
impact on fees given the funds or sub-advisers utilized. Rothschild Wealth will endeavor to obtain equal
treatment for its clients with funds or sub-advisers, but cannot assure equal treatment.
Rothschild Wealth will regularly review the activities of funds and sub-advisers utilized for the client. Clients that
engage sub-advisers or invest in funds should first review and understand the disclosure documents of those
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
sub-advisers or funds, which contain information relevant to such retention or investment, including information
on the methodology used to analyze securities, investment strategies, fees and conflicts of interest. Similarly,
clients qualified to invest in pooled investment vehicles should review the private placement memoranda or other
disclosure materials relating to such vehicles before making a decision to invest.
Material Risks of Investment Instruments
Rothschild Wealth typically invests in equity securities, corporate debt instruments, municipal fixed income
instruments, government securities including asset-backed securities, and options on securities as detailed
below:
▪ Equity securities
▪ Warrants and rights
▪ Mutual fund securities
▪ Exchange-traded funds
▪ Corporate debt securities, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit
▪ Municipal securities
▪ U.S. government securities
▪ Private placements
▪ Pooled investment vehicles
▪ Structured products
▪ Exchange-traded notes
▪ Option contracts on securities
▪ Government and agency mortgage-backed securities
▪ Corporate debt obligations
▪ Mortgage-backed securities
▪ Collateralized obligations
Equity Securities
Investing in individual companies involves inherent risk. The major risks relate to the company’s capitalization,
quality of the company’s management, quality and cost of the company’s services, the company’s ability to
manage costs, efficiencies in the manufacturing or service delivery process, management of litigation risk, and
the company’s ability to create shareholder value (i.e., increase the value of the company’s stock price). Foreign
securities, in addition to the general risks of equity securities, have geopolitical risk, financial transparency risk,
currency risk, regulatory risk and liquidity risk.
Warrants and Rights
Warrants are securities, typically issued with preferred stock or bonds, that give the holder the right to purchase
a given number of shares of common stock at a specified price and time. The price of the warrant usually
represents a premium over the applicable market value of the common stock at the time of the warrant’s
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
issuance. Warrants have no voting rights with respect to the common stock, receive no dividends and have no
rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
Investments in warrants and rights involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for the
resale of the warrants and rights, potential price fluctuations due to adverse market conditions or other factors,
and failure of the price of the common stock to rise. If the warrant is not exercised within the specified time
period, it becomes worthless.
Mutual Fund Securities
Investing in mutual funds carries inherent risk. The major risks of investing in a mutual fund include the quality
and experience of the portfolio management team and its ability to create fund value by investing in securities
that have positive growth, the amount of individual company diversification, the type and amount of industry
diversification, and the type and amount of sector diversification within specific industries. In addition, mutual
funds tend to be tax inefficient and therefore investors may pay capital gains taxes on fund investments while
not having yet sold the fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)
ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a
portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. Some examples of ETFs are
SPDRs®, streetTRACKS®, DIAMONDSSM, NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking StockSM (“QQQs SM”), iShares® and
VIPERs®. The funds could purchase an ETF to gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market. The
funds, as a shareholder of another investment company, will bear their pro-rata portion of the other investment
company’s advisory fee and other expenses, in addition to their own expenses.
Investing in ETFs involves risk. Specifically, ETFs, depending on the underlying portfolio and its size, can have
wide price (bid and ask) spreads, thus diluting or negating any upward price movement of the ETF or enhancing
any downward price movement. Also, ETFs require more frequent portfolio reporting by regulators and are
thereby more susceptible to actions by hedge funds that could have a negative impact on the price of the ETF.
Certain ETFs may employ leverage, which creates additional volatility and price risk depending on the amount
of leverage utilized, the collateral and the liquidity of the supporting collateral.
Further, the use of leverage (i.e., employ the use of margin) generally results in additional interest costs to the
ETF. Certain ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore have additional volatility and liquidity risk. Volatility and
liquidity can severely and negatively impact the price of the ETF’s underlying portfolio securities, thereby
causing significant price fluctuations of the ETF.
Corporate Debt, Commercial Paper, and Certificates of Deposit
Fixed income securities carry additional risks than those of equity securities described above. These risks include
the company’s ability to retire its debt at maturity, the current interest rate environment, the coupon interest
rate promised to bondholders, legal constraints, jurisdictional risk (U.S or foreign) and currency risk. If bonds
have maturities of ten years or greater, they will likely have greater price swings when interest rates move up
or down. The shorter the maturity the less volatile the price swings. Foreign bonds also have liquidity and
currency risk.
Commercial paper and certificates of deposit are generally considered safe instruments, although they are
subject to the level of general interest rates, the credit quality of the issuing bank and the length of maturity.
With respect to certificates of deposit, depending on the length of maturity there can be prepayment penalties
if the client needs to convert the certificate of deposit to cash prior to maturity.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities carry additional risks than those of corporate and bank-sponsored debt securities
described above. These risks include the municipality’s ability to raise additional tax revenue or other revenue
(in the event the bonds are revenue bonds) to pay interest on its debt and to retire its debt at maturity.
Municipal bonds are generally tax free at the federal level but may be taxable in individual states other than
the state in which both the investor and municipal issuer is domiciled.
U.S. Government Securities
U.S. government securities include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and by U.S. government agencies and
instrumentalities. U.S. government securities may be supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Private Placements
Private placements carry significant risk in that companies using the private placement market conduct
securities offerings that are exempt from registration under the federal securities laws, which means that
investors do not have access to public information and such investors are not provided with the same amount
of information that they would receive if the securities offering was a public offering. Moreover, many
companies using private placements do so to raise equity capital in the start-up phase of their business or
require additional capital to complete another phase in their growth objective. In addition, the securities issued
in connection with private placements are restricted securities, which means that they are not traded on a
secondary market, such as a stock exchange, and they are thus illiquid and cannot be readily converted to cash.
Pooled Investment Vehicles
A pooled investment vehicle, such as a commodity pool or investment company, is generally offered only to
investors who meet specified suitability, net worth and annual income criteria. Pooled investment vehicles sell
securities through private placements and thus are illiquid and subject to a variety of risks that are disclosed in
each pooled investment vehicle’s confidential private placement memorandum or disclosure document.
Investors should read these documents carefully and consult with their professional advisors prior to
committing investment dollars. Because many of the securities involved in pooled investment vehicles do not
have transparent trading markets from which accurate and current pricing information can be derived, or in
the case of private equity investments where portfolio security companies are privately held with no publicly
traded market, the firm will be unable to monitor or verify the accuracy of such performance information.
Structured Products
Structured notes are fixed income securities that are issued by financial institutions with returns that are linked
to or based on, among other things, equity indices, a single equity security, a basket of equity securities, interest
rates, commodities, debt securities, exchange traded funds, and/or foreign currencies (a “Structured Note”).
The security, asset, or index on which a Structured Note is based is often called the “Reference Instrument.”
Structured Notes have a fixed maturity date and include two components – a bond component and an
embedded derivative. While some Structured Notes offer substantial protection of invested principal, others
offer limited or no principal protection.
The embedded derivatives within Structured Notes adjust the note's risk/return profile by including additional
modifying structures that can increase potential returns. The return performance of a Structured Note typically
tracks the return profile of the underlying debt obligation and the derivative that is embedded within it. Instead
of simply paying straight fixed or floating interest, Structured Notes can offer interest payments that are
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
tailored to specific indices and/or rates. The derivative securities that are embedded in the Structured Note can
also positively or negatively affect the redemption value and final maturity of the security.
Depending on complexity, risk profile, and numerous other factors, Structured Notes often pay interest or
coupon rates that are above the prevailing market rate. Many Structured Notes cap or limit the amount of
upside participation in the Reference Instrument or underlying asset, particularly in cases where the Structured
Note offers principal protection or pays interest that is above-market. Structured Notes are typically issued by
investment banks or their affiliates and feature a fixed maturity date.
Structured Notes are not suitable for everyone. All investors assume full credit risk of the security’s issuer and/or
guarantor. This means that the investor may lose all the monies invested, including all initial amounts invested
as principal protection may not apply, if the issuer and/or the guarantor become insolvent or fail in any way.
Each Structured Note involves varying degrees of risk and unique suitability issues that investors must consider
before investing in such securities. Structured Notes involve important legal and tax consequences and
investment risks, which each investor should discuss with qualified financial, accounting, and tax advisors
regarding the suitability of the specific Structured Note in light of each investor’s particular circumstances.
Understanding the Risk Factors. Before investing in any Structured Note security, it is important that you read
the pricing supplement, accompanying prospectus, and prospectus supplements to ensure that you
understand the risks associated with the specific Structured Note that you are purchasing.
Payment terms vary significantly for each Structured Note depending on the structure and component of the
specific security. While some Structured Notes may pay interest prior to liquidation, others may include
payments only upon maturity. Additionally, rates of return vary based on many factors, including the
performance of the underlying securities, assets, indices, and/or commodities.
Unless a Structured Note is specifically stated to be 100% principal protected or FDIC insured, some or all of
your invested principal may be at risk. The return of your principal is guaranteed only to the extent specified in
the specific offering terms for the Structured Note security you are purchasing and is specifically subject to the
credit and creditworthiness of the issuer and the underwriter. If there is a negative return on the underlying
security or Reference Instrument, then you may receive an amount that is less than your invested principal at
maturity and you could lose up to the percentage indicated in your initial investment terms. In some cases, you
may end up owning the underlying security at a price that is lower than the original purchase price.
As discussed in the risk factor explanation below, you are also advised that, in cases where the return on the
underlying securities is positive, payment may be limited if the structure includes a cap on the percentage
return for the underlying security or depending on how the percentage increase for the underlying security is
calculated as of the determination date. You are also advised that it may be difficult to sell or liquidate the
Structured Note or underlying security as there may be little or no secondary market for such securities, and
independent market pricing may be limited, or unavailable and market values may vary based on a variety of
factors affecting the underlying securities or assets. Such factors may include, among other things: time to
maturity; appreciation or depreciation of underlying securities; market volatility; interest rate fluctuations; and
myriad other events that may positively or negatively affect the value of underlying securities, indices, or assets.
Issuance price and note value. The price you will pay for a Structured Note at the time of issuance will often be
higher than the fair market value of the Structured Note on the date of issuance. The cover page of the offering
prospectus discloses the issuer’s estimated value of the Structured Note in order to enable you to note the
difference between the issuance price and the issuer’s estimated value of the note. The issuance price of the
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
note is typically higher than the estimated market value of the note because issuers include in the initial price
the costs for selling, structuring, and/or hedging their exposure on the note. Additionally, Structured Notes
often may not be resold on a daily basis, which makes it difficult to value them, particularly given their
complexity as compared to other financial products.
Liquidity. With the exception of Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”), Structured Notes are typically not listed on
any national securities exchange and can be difficult to sell, trade, or liquidate, especially in any large quantity
or within any limited period of time. Although some Structured Notes are listed on national securities
exchanges, such securities are often thinly traded and difficult to sell, trade, or liquidate. As a result, the issuing
financial institution’s broker-dealer affiliate or the broker-dealer distributor of the note may be the only
potential buyers for your Structured Note, and many issuers often specifically disclaim their intention to
repurchase or make markets in the notes that they issue. If you choose to invest in a Structured Note, you must
be prepared to hold the note until it reaches the maturity date or bear the risk of selling the note at a discount
to its value at the time of sale.
Payoff structure. Structured Notes often have complicated payoff structures that make it difficult to accurately
assess their value, risk, and growth potential over the term of the note. It can be complex to determine each
note’s performance, as the payoff structures and features vary considerably among different notes. For
example, payoff structures may be leveraged, inverse, or inverse-leveraged, which can result in larger returns
or losses for the investor. You should review the prospectus and pricing supplements carefully for each
Structured Note to ensure that you thoroughly understand how the payoff on each note will be calculated. For
example, the payoff on Structured Notes can depend on:
Participation rates. Many Structured Notes provide a minimum payoff of the invested principal plus an
additional payoff amount to the investor. This is calculated by multiplying the increase in the Reference
Instrument by a fixed percentage, which is often called the “participation rate.” The participation rate
determines how much of the increase in the Reference Instrument will be paid to you a purchaser of the
Structured Note.
Capped maximum returns. Some Structured Notes provide payments that are linked to a Reference Instrument
with a leveraged or enhanced participation rate, but the payoff amount is capped at a pre-set maximum payoff
amount. This means that the investor does not participate in any increase in the Reference Instrument above
the maximum payoff level.
Knock-in feature. Structured Notes often include a pre-specified threshold for the Reference Instrument that is
called a knock-in feature (also known as a barrier or trigger) that affects the payout return on the note. If the
Reference Instrument falls below a pre-specified level during the term of the note, you could lose some or all
of your principal investment at maturity. You could also lose the coupon payments scheduled throughout the
term of the note.
Credit Rating. While many Structured Notes, Reference Instruments, and underlying securities may be assigned
a credit rating from a national rating organization, many Structured Notes and underlying securities have no
credit rating. To the extent that a particular credit rating may pertain to the creditworthiness of the issuer, it is
not necessarily indicative of the risk associated with a specific Structured Note or Reference Instrument, index,
or asset. The presentation of a credit rating in relation to any Structured Note or underlying security may not
indicate or reflect the safety of the principal invested or the potential investment returns associated with the
investment. Such credit ratings may not affect or enhance the likely performance of the Structured Note
investment.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Tax
. The Structured Note investment may be treated as a “contingent payment debt instrument” for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. Consequently, even in cases where any accrued interest is not payable until maturity,
investors may be required to accrue such interest as ordinary income based on the “comparable yield” of the
underlying securities as determined by the underwriter. Rothschild Wealth strongly recommends that you
consult your tax advisor regarding such tax treatment and implications prior to purchasing any Structured Note
security.
Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)
ETNs are structured debt securities. ETN liabilities are unsecured general obligations of the issuer. Most ETNs
are designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETNs have expenses associated with their operation.
When a fund invests in an ETN, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it
will bear its pro rata portion of the ETN’s expenses. The risks of owning an ETN generally reflect the risks of
owning the underlying securities the ETN is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETN could result
in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETN expenses,
compared to owning the underlying securities directly it may be more costly to own an ETN. The value of an
ETN security should also be expected to fluctuate with the credit rating of the issuer.
Options on Securities
A call option is a contract under which the purchaser of the call option, in return for a premium paid, has the
right to buy the security (or index) underlying the option at a specified price at any time during the term of the
option. The writer of the call option, who receives the premium, has the obligation upon exercise of the option
to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. A put option gives its purchaser, in
return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying security at a specified price during the term of the option.
The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy, upon exercise of the option, the
underlying security (or a cash amount equal to the value of the index) at the exercise price. The amount of a
premium received or paid for an option is based upon certain factors, including the market price of the
underlying security, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price, the historical price volatility of
the underlying security, the option period and interest rates.
Government and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
The principal issuers or guarantors of mortgage-backed securities are the Government National Mortgage
Association (“GNMA”), Fannie Mae (“FNMA”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”).
GNMA, a wholly owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (“HUD”), creates pass-through securities from pools of government-guaranteed (Farmers’ Home
Administration, Federal Housing Authority or Veterans Administration) mortgages. The principal and interest
on GNMA pass-through securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
FNMA, which is a U.S. government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders that is
subject to regulation by the secretary of HUD, and FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. government,
issue pass-through securities from pools of conventional and federally insured and/or guaranteed residential
mortgages. FNMA guarantees full and timely payment of all interest and principal, and FHMLC guarantees
timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal of its pass-through securities. Mortgage-backed
securities from FNMA and FHLMC are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Corporate Debt Obligations
Corporate debt obligations include corporate bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper and other similar
corporate debt instruments. Companies use these instruments to borrow money from investors. The issuer
pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity.
Commercial paper (short-term unsecured promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their current
obligations and normally has a maturity of less than nine months. In addition, Rothschild Wealth may invest in
corporate debt securities registered and sold in the United States by foreign issuers (Yankee bonds) and those
sold outside the U.S. by foreign or U.S. issuers (Eurobonds).
Mortgage-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in a pool of mortgage loans originated by lenders such as
commercial banks, savings associations, and mortgage bankers and brokers. Mortgage-backed securities may
be issued by governmental or government-related entities, or by non-governmental entities such as special-
purpose trusts created by commercial lenders.
Pools of mortgages consist of whole mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans. The majority of these
loans are made to purchasers of between one and four family homes. The terms and characteristics of the
mortgage instruments are generally uniform within a pool but may vary among pools. For example, in addition
to fixed-rate, fixed-term mortgages, Rothschild Wealth may purchase pools of adjustable-rate mortgages,
growing equity mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and other types. Mortgage poolers apply
qualification standards to lending institutions, which originate mortgages for the pools as well as credit
standards and underwriting criteria for individual mortgages included in the pools. In addition, many
mortgages included in pools are insured through private mortgage insurance companies.
Mortgage-backed securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities, which normally provide for
periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates.
Most mortgage-backed securities, however, are pass-through securities, which means that investors receive
payments consisting of a pro rata share of both principal and interest (less servicing and other fees), as well as
unscheduled prepayments as loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. Additional
prepayments to holders of these securities are caused by prepayments resulting from the sale or foreclosure
of the underlying property or refinancing of the underlying loans. As prepayment rates of individual pools of
mortgage loans vary widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the average life of a particular mortgage-
backed security. Although mortgage-backed securities are issued with stated maturities of up to 40 years,
unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the mortgages may shorten considerably the
securities’ effective maturities.
Collateralized Obligations
Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued by
GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA (“mortgage assets”). CMOs are multiple-class debt obligations. Payments of principal
and interest on the mortgage assets are passed through to the holders of the CMOs as they are received,
although certain classes (often referred to as “tranches”) of CMOs have priority over other classes with respect
to the receipt of mortgage prepayments. Each tranche is issued at a specific or floating coupon rate and has a
stated maturity or final distribution date. Interest is paid or accrues in all tranches on a monthly, quarterly or
semi-annual basis. Payments of principal and interest on mortgage assets are commonly applied to the
tranches in the order of their respective maturities or final distribution dates, so that generally no payment of
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
principal will be made on any tranche until all other tranches with earlier stated maturity or distribution dates
have been paid in full.
Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan
obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed
securities. A CBO is a trust that is backed by a diversified pool of high-risk, below-investment-grade fixed
income securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others,
domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including
loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans.
B. Investment Strategy and Method of Analysis Material Risks
Leverage
Although Rothschild Wealth, as a general business practice, does not utilize leverage, there may be instances in
which exchange-traded funds, other separate account managers and, in very limited circumstances, Rothschild
Wealth will utilize leverage. In this regard, please review the following:
The use of leverage enhances the overall risk of investment gain and loss to the client’s investment portfolio. For
example, investors are able to control $2 of a security for $1. So, if the price of a security rises by $1, the investor
earns a 100% return on their investment. Conversely, if the security declines by $.50, then the investor loses 50%
of their investment. The use of leverage entails borrowing which results in additional interest costs to the investor.
Broker-dealers who carry customer accounts have a minimum equity requirement when clients utilize leverage.
The minimum equity requirement is stated as a percentage of the value of the underlying collateral security with
an absolute minimum dollar requirement. For example, if the price of a security declines in value to the point
where the excess equity used to satisfy the minimum requirement dissipates, the broker-dealer will require the
client to deposit additional collateral to the account in the form of cash or marketable securities. A deposit of
securities to the account will require a larger deposit, as the security being deposited is included in the
computation of the minimum equity requirement. In addition, when leverage is utilized and the client needs to
withdraw cash, the client must sell a disproportionate amount of collateral securities to release enough cash to
satisfy the withdrawal amount based upon similar reasoning as cited above.
Regulations concerning the use of leverage are established by the Federal Reserve Board and vary if the client’s
account is held at a broker-dealer versus a bank custodian. Broker-dealers and bank custodians may apply more
stringent rules as they deem necessary.
Short-Term Trading
Although Rothschild Wealth, as a general business practice, does not utilize short-term trading, there may be
instances in which short-term trading may be necessary or an appropriate strategy. In this regard, please read
the following:
There is an inherent risk for clients who trade frequently in that high-frequency trading creates substantial
transaction costs that in the aggregate could negatively impact account performance.
Option Strategies
Various option strategies give the holder the right to acquire or sell underlying securities at the contract strike
price up until expiration of the option. Each contract is worth 100 shares of the underlying security. Options entail
greater risk but allow an investor to have market exposure to a particular security or group of securities without
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
the capital commitment required to purchase the underlying security or groups of securities. In addition, options
allow investors to hedge security positions held in the portfolio. For detailed information on the use of options
and option strategies, please contact the Options Clearing Corporation for the current Options Risk Disclosure
Statement.
Rothschild Wealth as part of its investment strategy may employ the following strategies:
▪ Covered call writing
▪ Long call options purchases
▪ Long put options purchases
▪ Option spreading
▪ Short call option strategy
▪ Short put option strategy
▪ Equity collars
▪ Long straddles
Covered Call Writing
Covered call writing is the sale of in-, at-, or out-of-the money call option against a long security position held
in the client portfolio. This type of transaction is used to generate income. It also serves to create downside
protection in the event the security position declines in value. Income is received from the proceeds of the
option sale. Such income may be reduced to the extent it is necessary to buy back the option position prior to
its expiration. This strategy may involve a degree of trading velocity, transaction costs and significant losses if
the underlying security has volatile price movement. Covered call strategies are generally suited for companies
with little price volatility.
Long Call Option Purchases
Long call option purchases allow the option holder to be exposed to the general market characteristics of a
security without the outlay of capital necessary to own the security. Options are wasting assets and expire
(usually within nine months of issuance), and as a result can expose the investor to significant loss.
Long Put Option Purchases
Long put option purchases allow the option holder to sell or “put” the underlying security at the contract strike
price at a future date. If the price of the underlying security declines in value, the value of the long put option
increases. In this way long puts are often used to hedge a long stock position. Options are wasting assets and
expire (usually within nine months of issuance), and as a result can expose the investor to significant loss.
Option Spreading
Option spreading usually involves the purchase of a call option and the sale of a call option at a higher contract
strike price, both having the same expiration month. The purpose of this type of transaction is to allow the
holder to be exposed to the general market characteristics of a security without the outlay of capital to own
the security, and to offset the cost by selling the call option with a higher contract strike price. In this type of
transaction, the spread holder “locks in” a maximum profit, defined as the difference in contract prices reduced
by the net cost of implementing the spread. There are many variations of option spreading strategies; please
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
contact the Options Clearing Corporation for a current Options Risk Disclosure Statement that discusses each
of these strategies.
Short Call Option Strategy
Short call option strategy is highly speculative and has theoretical potential for unlimited loss. The seller (writer)
of the call option receives proceeds (premium) from the sale of the option. The expectation is that the value of
the underlying security will remain below the contract strike price and the option will expire worthless, allowing
the option writer to keep the entire amount of the sale proceeds (premium). Should the value of the underlying
security increase above the contract strike price, then the option writer can either purchase the call option at a
loss, or through a process of exercise and assignment be forced to sell the stock at the contract strike price. If
this happens, the option writer will have to go in the open market and buy an equivalent amount of stock to
cover the sale at prices that can be materially higher than the amount received from the sale.
Short Put Option Strategy
Short put option strategy is highly speculative and has theoretical potential for significant loss. The seller
(writer) of the put option receives proceeds (premium) from the sale of the option. The expectation is that the
value of the underlying security will remain above the contract strike price and the option will expire worthless,
allowing the option writer to keep the entire amount of the sale proceeds (premium). Should the value of the
underlying security decrease below the contract strike price, the option writer can either purchase the put
option at a loss, or through a process of exercise and assignment be forced to buy the stock at the contract
strike price. If this happens, the option writer will be purchasing the underlying security at a price potentially
well above its then-current market value, exposing the investor to potential loss.
Equity Collar
A collar combines both a cap and a floor. A cap gives the purchaser of the cap the right (for a premium
payment), but not the obligation, to receive the difference in the cost on some amount when a specified index
rises above the specified “cap rate.” A floor is the opposite of a cap—it gives the purchaser of the floor the
right (for a premium payment), but not the obligation, to receive the difference in interest payable on an
amount when a specified index falls below the specified “floor rate.” A collar involving stock is called an “equity
collar.” In a collar transaction, the buyer of the collar purchases a cap while selling a floor indexed to the same
rate or asset. A zero-cost collar results when the premium earned by selling a floor exactly offsets the cap
premium.
Long Straddle
A long straddle is the purchase of a long call and a long put with the same underlying security, expiration date
and strike price. This is a speculative trade that may be profitable when volatility is high and will result in a loss
when prices of the underlying security are relatively stable.
C. Concentration Risk
There is an inherent risk for clients whose investment portfolios lack diversification—that is, they have their
investment portfolios heavily weighted in a specific investment style, security, industry or industry sector,
geographic location, investment manager, type of investment instrument (equities versus fixed income). Clients,
who have diversified portfolios, as a general rule, incur less volatility and therefore less fluctuation in portfolio
value than those who have concentrated holdings. Concentrated holdings may offer the potential for higher gain
but also offer the potential for significant loss.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no current or pending disclosure items to report on behalf of Rothschild Wealth.
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There is nothing to report for this item.
B. Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report for this item.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report for this item.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Broker-Dealer or Representative Registration
Rothschild Wealth is not registered as a broker-dealer, but its related person, Rothschild Investment LLC (“RI”) is
a broker-dealer and investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Certain Rothschild Wealth professionals are registered
representatives of RI. As a result, such professionals are subject to the oversight of RI and the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). As such, clients of Rothschild Wealth should understand that their personal
and account information is available to FINRA and RI personnel in the fulfillment of their oversight obligations
and duties.
Rothschild Wealth professionals who effect transactions for advisory clients may receive transaction or
commission compensation from RI. The recommendation of securities transactions for commission creates a
conflict of interest in that Rothschild Wealth is economically incented to effect securities transactions for clients.
Although Rothschild Wealth strives to put its clients’ interests first, such recommendations may be viewed as
being in the best interests of Rothschild Wealth rather than in the client’s best interest. Rothschild Wealth
advisory clients are not compelled to effect securities transactions through RI.
B. Futures or Commodity Registration
Neither Rothschild Wealth nor its affiliates are registered as a commodity firm, futures commission merchant,
commodity pool operator, or commodity trading adviser and do not have an application to register pending.
C. Material Relationships Maintained by this Advisory Business and Conflicts of Interest
Broker-Dealer Activities
Please see Item 10.A. above.
Dual Registration as Investment Adviser Representatives
Certain Rothschild Wealth professionals are dually registered with our affiliate, Rothschild Investment LLC, as
investment adviser representatives. As a result, such professionals are economically incented to recommend the
adviser platform that yields the highest economic benefit to themselves. Please discuss with your financial advisor
whether the services can be provided through the platform that is more financially advantageous to the client.
Sentinus Insurance Services
Sentinus Insurance Services (“SIS”) is an affiliate that is utilized for the sales of insurance products. Certain
managers, members, and registered employees of Rothschild Wealth are agents for certain insurance carriers.
With respect to the provision of financial planning services, Rothschild Wealth professionals may recommend
insurance products offered by such carriers for whom they function as agents and receive a commission for doing
so. These insurance sales are placed through SIS. Clients are advised that there is a conflict of interest in that
there is an economic incentive to recommend insurance and other investment products of such carriers. Clients
are also advised that Rothschild Wealth professionals strive to put their clients’ interests first and foremost. Other
than for insurance products that require a securities license, such as variable insurance products, clients are not
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
required to utilize SIS for insurance products and may utilize any insurance carrier or insurance agency they
desire.
MM Money Managers Insurance Services
MM Money Managers Insurance Services (“M3IS”) is an affiliate that is utilized for the sales of insurance products.
Certain managers, members, and registered employees of Rothschild Wealth are agents for certain insurance
carriers. With respect to the provision of financial planning services, Rothschild Wealth professionals may
recommend insurance products offered by such carriers for whom they function as agents and receive a
commission for doing so. These insurance sales are placed through M3IS. Clients are advised that there is a
conflict of interest in that there is an economic incentive to recommend insurance and other investment products
of such carriers. Clients are also advised that Rothschild Wealth professionals strive to put their clients’ interests
first and foremost. Other than for insurance products that require a securities license, such as variable insurance
products, clients are not required to utilize M3IS for insurance products and may utilize any insurance carrier or
insurance agency they desire.
Advisor Op
Rothschild Wealth has formed a strategic relationship with Advisor Op (“AOP”), a Rothschild Wealth affiliate that
provides a platform that can act as an enterprise system for financial advisors by seamlessly integrating the many
vendors required to operate. AOP uses an application program interface to common vendors: CRM Aggregator,
Custodian, Portfolio Accounting, Billing, Risk Analyzer, and related functionality to provide a single point of
contact with customized reporting across all systems.
AOP’s platform assists investment advisors with various operations functions such as billing, trading, rebalancing,
risk analysis, performance reporting, and a platform for the use of third-party managers. Advisor Op is owned by
Jason Rolence, George Logemann, Britt Reynolds, Sentinus Holdings, and Reynolds Financial Group, and is
controlled by Jason Rolence and George Logemann. In addition to its back-office support services, AOP will make
available through this platform various third-party managers to manage subscriber firms’ advisory clients’
portfolio assets. AOP does not act as an investment adviser. Rather, it provides solely back-office software to
assist advisers with various operations, trading and reporting functions and provides a technological interface
for third party managers. All investment advice and client facing obligations are the responsibility of the platform
subscriber. AOP fees are in addition to any Rothschild Wealth and third-party manager fees and represent an
additional cost to the Rothschild Wealth client.
Proprietary Private Fund
Rothschild Wealth is the investment manager for an affiliate private fund. Investment advisory clients of
Rothschild Wealth may be solicited to invest in the fund. A conflict of interest arises in that there is an economic
incentive for Rothschild Wealth to solicit clients to invest directly in the fund versus a separately managed
account. Rothschild Wealth receives a performance fee allocation as disclosed in the Fund’s offering documents.
Performance-based fees may (i) create an incentive for the investment manager to incur trading and strategy
risks that may conflict with an investor's risk tolerance and investment objectives, (ii) create an incentive to
allocate more time to the management of the Fund, and (iii) create an incentive to allocate favorable investment
allocations to the Fund.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
D. Recommendation or Selection of Other Investment Advisors and Conflicts of Interest
Rothschild Wealth may engage sub-advisers to manage all or a portion of the client's assets. Rothschild Wealth’s
fees are in addition to the sub-advisers it utilizes. Rothschild Wealth will always act in the best interests of the
client, including when determining which sub-advisers to recommend and/or utilize for clients. Clients are under
no obligation to use any third-party provider recommended by Rothschild Wealth and may use the provider of
their choice.
The firm may enter into arrangements with promoters who will promote the advisory firm for compensation. The
receipt of such compensation creates a conflict of interest in that the promoter is economically incented to
promote our firm. See Item 14 of this Brochure for additional disclosure.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions, and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics Description
In accordance with the Advisers Act, Rothschild Wealth has adopted policies and procedures designed to detect
and prevent insider trading. In addition, Rothschild Wealth has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”). Among
other things, the Code includes written procedures governing the conduct of Rothschild Wealth’s advisory and
access persons. The Code also imposes certain reporting obligations on persons subject to the Code. The Code
and applicable securities transactions are monitored by the Chief Compliance Officer of Rothschild Wealth.
Rothschild Wealth will send clients a copy of its Code of Ethics upon written request.
Rothschild Wealth has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the interests of its clients are given
preference over those of Rothschild Wealth, its affiliates, and its employees. For example, there are policies in
place to prevent the misappropriation of material non-public information, and such other policies and
procedures reasonably designed to comply with federal and state securities laws.
B. Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest and Conflicts of Interest
Rothschild Wealth recommends, provides advice on, and manages a proprietary investment product. Rothschild
Wealth does not engage in principal trading (i.e., the practice of selling stock to advisory clients from a firm’s
inventory or buying stocks from advisory clients into a firm’s inventory).
C. Advisory Firm Purchase or Sale of Same Securities Recommended to Clients and Conflicts of
Interest
Rothschild Wealth, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and
retirement plans established by it may purchase or sell the same securities as are purchased or sold for clients in
accordance with its Code of Ethics policies and procedures. The personal securities transactions by advisory
representatives and employees may raise potential conflicts of interest when they trade in a security that is:
▪ owned by the client, or
▪ considered for purchase or sale for the client.
Such conflict generally refers to the practice of front-running (trading ahead of the client), which Rothschild
Wealth specifically prohibits. Rothschild Wealth has adopted policies and procedures that are intended to
address these conflicts of interest. These policies and procedures:
▪
require our advisory representatives and employees to act in the client’s best interest,
▪ prohibit front-running, and
▪ provide for the review of transactions to discover and correct any trades that result in an advisory
representative or employee benefitting at the expense of a client.
Advisory representatives and employees must follow Rothschild Wealth’s procedures when purchasing or selling
the same securities purchased or sold for the client.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading
D. Client Securities Recommendations or Trades and Concurrent Advisory Firm Securities
Transactions and Conflicts of Interest
Rothschild Wealth, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and
retirement plans established by it may effect securities transactions for their own accounts that differ from those
recommended or effected for other Rothschild Wealth clients. Rothschild Wealth will make a reasonable attempt
to trade securities in client accounts at or prior to trading the securities in its affiliate, corporate, employee or
employee-related accounts. Trades executed the same day will likely be subject to an average pricing calculation.
It is the policy of Rothschild Wealth to place clients’ interests above those of Rothschild Wealth and its employees.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
Custodian Recommendations
Rothschild Wealth does not maintain custody of client assets that we manage, although we may be deemed to
have custody of your assets if the client gives us authority to withdraw assets from the client’s account (see Item
15: Custody, below). Client assets must be maintained in an account at a “qualified custodian,” generally a broker-
dealer or bank. We recommend that our clients use Pershing LLC, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., or SEI (hereinafter
collectively referred to as “custodian”), FINRA-registered broker-dealers, members SIPC, as the qualified
custodian.
We are independently owned and operated and are not affiliated with the custodian. The custodian will hold
client assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities when we instruct them to. While we recommend
that clients use one of the above-named custodians, the client will decide whether to do so and will open their
account with the custodian by entering into an account agreement directly with them. Conflicts of interest
associated with this arrangement are described below as well as in Item 14: Client Referrals and Other
Compensation. Clients should consider these conflicts of interest when selecting their custodian.
We do not open the account for the client, although we may assist in doing so. Even though your account is
maintained at the custodian, and we anticipate that most trades will be executed through the custodian, we can
still use other brokers to execute trades for the client’s account as described below (see "Your Brokerage and
Custody Costs").
Soft Dollar Arrangements
Rothschild Wealth does not utilize soft dollar arrangements. Rothschild Wealth does not direct brokerage
transactions to executing brokers for research and brokerage services.
How We Select Brokers/Custodians
We recommend the above-mentioned custodians to hold client assets and execute transactions. When
considering whether the terms that the custodian provides are, overall, most advantageous to the client when
compared with other available providers and their services, we take into account a wide range of factors,
including:
▪ Combination of transaction execution services and asset custody services (generally without a separate
fee for custody)
▪ Capability to execute, clear, and settle trades (buy and sell securities for your account)
▪ Capability to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check requests, bill
payment, etc.)
▪ Breadth of available investment products (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, etc.)
▪ Availability of investment research and tools that assist us in making investment decisions
▪ Quality of services
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
▪ Competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest rates, other fees, etc.)
and willingness to negotiate the prices
▪ Reputation, financial strength, security and stability
▪ Prior service to us and our clients
▪ Services delivered or paid for by the custodian
▪ Availability of other products and services that benefit us, as discussed below (see "Products and Services
Available to Us from Custodian")
Your Brokerage and Custody Costs
For our clients' accounts that the custodian maintains, the custodian generally does not charge the client
separately for custody services but is compensated by charging the client either transaction fees or custodian
asset-based fees on trades that it executes or that settle into the client’s custodial account. Certain trades (for
example, mutual funds and ETFs) do not incur custodian commissions or transaction fees. The custodian may
also be compensated by earning interest on the uninvested cash in client accounts. The custodian’s commission
rates and asset-based fees applicable to our client accounts were negotiated based on the condition that our
clients collectively maintain a certain minimum amount of client assets at the custodian. This commitment
benefits the client because the overall commission rates you pay are lower than would be otherwise. In addition
to commissions or asset-based fees, the custodian charges clients a flat dollar amount as a "prime broker" or
"trade away" fee for each trade that we have executed by a different broker-dealer but where the securities
bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited (settled) into clients’ custodial accounts. These fees
are in addition to the commissions or other compensation clients pay the executing broker-dealer. Because of
this, in order to minimize client trading costs, we have the custodian execute most trades for client accounts.
We are not required to select the broker or dealer that charges the lowest transaction cost, even if that broker
provides execution quality comparable to other brokers or dealers. Although we are not required to execute
all trades through the custodian, we have determined that having the custodian execute most trades is
consistent with our duty to seek "best execution" of client trades. Best execution means the most favorable
terms for a transaction based on all relevant factors, including those listed above (see "How we select
brokers/custodians"). By using another broker or dealer, clients may pay lower transaction costs.
Products and Services Available to Us from the Custodian
The custodian provides us and our clients with access to their institutional brokerage services (trading, custody,
reporting, and related services), many of which are not typically available to the custodian’s retail customers.
However, certain retail investors may be able to get institutional brokerage services from the custodian without
going through us. The custodian also makes available various support services. Some of those services help us
manage or administer our clients' accounts, while others help us manage and grow our business. Schwab's
support services are generally available on an unsolicited basis (we don't have to request them) and at no
charge to us. Following is a more detailed description of the custodian’s support services:
Services that benefit you. The custodian’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of
investment products, execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products
available through the custodian include some to which we might not otherwise have access or that would
require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients. The custodian’s services described in
this paragraph generally benefit our clients and their accounts.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Services that do not directly benefit you. The custodian also makes available to us other products and services
that benefit us but do not directly benefit our clients or their accounts. These products and services assist us in
managing and administering our clients' accounts and operating our firm. They include investment research,
both the custodian’s own and that of third parties. We use this research to service all or a substantial number
of our clients' accounts, including accounts not maintained at the custodian. In addition to investment research,
the custodian may also make available software and other technology that:
▪ Provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account statements)
▪ Facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts
▪ Provide pricing and other market data
▪ Facilitate payment of our fees from our clients' accounts
▪ Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting
Services that generally benefit only us. The custodian also offers other services intended to help us manage and
further develop our business enterprise. These services may include:
▪ Educational conferences and events
▪ Consulting on technology and business needs
▪ Consulting on legal and compliance related needs
▪ Publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
▪ Access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and insurance providers
▪ Marketing consulting and support
The custodian may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party vendors
to provide the services to us. The custodian also discounts or waives its fees for some of these services or pays
all or a part of a third party's fees. The custodian may also pay for business consulting and professional services
received by Rothschild Wealth’s related persons, and may pay or reimburse expenses (including client transition
expenses, travel, lodging, meals and entertainment expenses for Rothschild Wealth personnel to attend
conferences). If you did not maintain your account with Schwab, we would be required to pay for those services
from our own resources.
Our Interest in the Custodian’s Services
The availability of these services from the custodian benefits us because we do not have to produce or purchase
them. We don't have to pay for the custodian’s services. The custodian has also agreed to pay for certain
technology, research, marketing, and compliance consulting products and services on our behalf once the value
of our clients' assets in accounts at the custodian reaches certain thresholds. The fact that we receive these
benefits from the custodian is an incentive for us to recommend the use of the custodian rather than making
such a decision based exclusively on our clients’ interest in receiving the best value in custody services and the
most favorable execution of their transactions. This is a conflict of interest. We believe, however, that taken in
the aggregate our recommendation of the custodian as custodian and broker is in the best interests of our
clients. Our selection is primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of the custodian’s services (see
"How we select brokers/ custodians") and not the custodian's services that benefit only us.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Rothschild Wealth does not engage in the practice of directing brokerage commissions in exchange for the
referral of advisory clients.
Directed Brokerage
Rothschild Wealth Recommendations
Rothschild Wealth typically recommends Pershing, Schwab, or Fidelity as custodian for clients’ funds and
securities and to execute securities transactions on its clients’ behalf.
Client-Directed Brokerage
Occasionally, clients may direct Rothschild Wealth to use a particular broker-dealer to execute portfolio
transactions for their accounts or request that certain types of securities not be purchased for their accounts.
Clients who designate the use of a particular broker-dealer should be aware that they will lose any possible
advantage Rothschild Wealth derives from aggregating transactions. Such client trades are typically effected
after the trades of clients who have not directed the use of a particular broker-dealer. Rothschild Wealth loses
the ability to aggregate trades with other Rothschild Wealth advisory clients, potentially subjecting the client
to inferior trade execution prices as well as higher commissions.
B. Aggregating Securities Transactions for Client Accounts
Best Execution
Rothschild Wealth may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with its primary custodians to
maintain custody of clients’ assets and to effect trades for their accounts. Such accounts will be prime broker
eligible so that if and when the need arises to effect securities transactions at broker-dealers ("executing brokers")
other than with the client’s current custodian, such custodian will accept delivery or deliver the applicable security
from/to the executing broker. Custodians charge a “trade away” fee which is charged against the client account
for each trade away occurrence. Other custodians have their own policies concerning prime broker accounts and
trade away fees. Clients are directed to consult their current custodian for their policies and fees.
Rothschild Wealth, pursuant to the terms of its investment advisory agreement with clients, may have
discretionary authority to determine which securities are to be bought and sold the amount of such securities,
the executing broker, and the commission rates to be paid to effect such transactions. Rothschild Wealth
recognizes that the analysis of execution quality involves a number of factors, both qualitative and quantitative.
Rothschild Wealth will follow a process in an attempt to ensure that it is seeking to obtain the most favorable
execution under the prevailing circumstances when placing client orders. These factors include but are not limited
to the following:
▪ The financial strength, reputation, and stability of the broker
▪ The efficiency with which the transaction is effected
▪ The ability to effect prompt and reliable executions at favorable prices (including the applicable dealer
spread or commission, if any)
▪ The availability of the broker to stand ready to effect transactions of varying degrees of difficulty in the
future
▪ The efficiency of error resolution, clearance, and settlement
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
▪ Block trading and positioning capabilities
▪ Performance measurement
▪ Online access to computerized data regarding customer accounts
▪ Availability, comprehensiveness, and frequency of brokerage and research services
▪ Commission rates
▪ The economic benefit to the client
▪ Related matters involved in the receipt of brokerage services
Consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities, Rothschild Wealth seeks to ensure that clients receive best execution
with respect to the clients’ transactions by blocking client trades to reduce commissions and transaction costs.
To the best of Rothschild Wealth’s knowledge, these custodians provide high-quality execution, and Rothschild
Wealth’s clients do not pay higher transaction costs in return for such execution.
Commission rates and securities transaction fees charged to effect such transactions are established by the
client’s independent custodian and/or broker-dealer. Based upon its own knowledge of the securities industry,
Rothschild Wealth believes that such commission rates are competitive within the securities industry. Lower
commissions or better execution may be able to be achieved elsewhere.
Security Allocation
Since Rothschild Wealth may be managing accounts with similar investment objectives, the firm may aggregate
orders for securities for such accounts. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as
expenses incurred in the transaction, is made by Rothschild Wealth in the manner it considers to be the most
equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to such accounts.
Rothschild Wealth’s allocation procedures seek to allocate investment opportunities among clients in the fairest
possible way, taking into account the clients’ best interests. Rothschild Wealth will follow procedures to ensure
that allocations do not involve a practice of favoring or discriminating against any client or group of clients.
Account performance is never a factor in trade allocations.
Rothschild Wealth’s advice to certain clients and entities and the actions of Rothschild Wealth for those and other
clients are frequently premised not only on the merits of a particular investment but also on the suitability of that
investment for the particular client in light of his or her applicable investment objectives, guidelines, and
circumstances. Thus, any action of Rothschild Wealth with respect to a particular investment may, for a particular
client, differ or be opposed to the recommendation, advice or actions of Rothschild Wealth to or on behalf of
other clients.
Order Aggregation
Orders for the same security entered on behalf of more than one client will generally be aggregated (i.e., blocked
or bunched) subject to the aggregation being in the best interests of all participating clients. Subsequent orders
for the same security entered during the same trading day may be aggregated with any previously unfilled orders.
Subsequent orders may also be aggregated with filled orders if the market price for the security has not materially
changed and the aggregation does not cause any unintended duration exposure. All clients participating in each
aggregated order will receive the average price and, subject to minimum ticket charges and possible step outs,
pay a pro rata portion of commissions.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
To minimize performance dispersion, “strategy” trades should be aggregated and average priced. However, when
a trade is to be executed for an individual account and the trade is not in the best interests of other accounts,
then the trade will only be performed for that account. This is true even if Rothschild Wealth believes that a larger
size block trade would lead to best overall price for the security being transacted.
Allocation of Trades
All allocations will be made prior to the close of business on the trade date. In the event an order is “partially
filled,” the allocation will be made in the best interests of all the clients in the order, taking into account all
relevant factors including, but not limited to, the size of each client’s allocation, clients’ liquidity needs, and
previous allocations. In most cases, accounts will get a pro forma allocation based on the initial allocation. This
policy also applies if an order is “over-filled.”
Rothschild Wealth acts in accordance with its duty to seek best price and execution and will not continue any
arrangements if it determines that such arrangements are no longer in the best interests of its clients.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Schedule for Periodic Review of Client Accounts or Financial Plans and Advisory Persons
Involved
The review of accounts of high-net-worth and affluent clients, including corporations, partnerships and trusts,
are conducted in the first instance by the investment adviser representative servicing the client relationship on
at least an annual basis. Such professionals are subject to the general authority of Rothschild Wealth’s Managing
Member. The Managing Member or his designee(s) must review and approve the opening of each new advisory
relationship and oversee reviews of client accounts. The Managing Member or his designee(s) is also responsible
for ensuring that any significant change in a client's investment strategy or in the concentration of a client's
assets is appropriate for and has been reviewed with the client.
The fund is managed in accordance with the terms of the fund’s offering documents.
B. Review of Client Accounts on Non-Periodic Basis
Rothschild Wealth investment adviser representatives may perform ad hoc reviews on an as-needed basis if there
have been material changes in the client’s investment objectives or risk tolerance, or a material change in how
Rothschild Wealth formulates investment advice.
For fund clients, Rothschild Wealth’s portfolio manager may perform ad hoc reviews on an as-needed basis if
there have been material changes in the fund’s investment objectives or investment strategies, economic or
market outlook.
C. Content of Client-Provided Reports and Frequency
Rothschild Wealth reports to the client on a quarterly basis or at some other interval agreed upon with the client,
information on contributions and withdrawals in the client's investment portfolio, and the performance of the
client's portfolio measured against appropriate benchmarks (including benchmarks selected by the client).
For investment advisory clients, the client’s independent custodian provides account statements directly to the
client no less frequently than quarterly. The custodian’s statement is the official record of the client’s securities
account and supersedes any statements or reports created on behalf of the client by Rothschild Wealth.
Financial planning clients receive written reports pursuant to the terms of their financial planning agreement.
For the private fund, please refer to the offering documents for more information.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided to the Advisory Firm from External Sources and Conflicts of Interest
Economic Benefits Received from Custodians
We receive an economic benefit from the custodian in the form of the support products and services it makes
available to us and other independent investment advisors whose clients maintain their accounts at the
custodian. In addition, the custodian has also agreed to pay for certain products and services for which we would
otherwise have to pay once the value of our clients' assets in accounts at the custodian reaches a certain size.
Clients do not pay more for assets maintained at the custodian as a result of these arrangements. However, we
benefit from the arrangement because the cost of these services would otherwise be borne directly by us. Clients
should consider these conflicts of interest when selecting a custodian. The products and services provided by the
custodian, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of interest are described above (see Item 12: Brokerage
Practices).
Referral Fees for Recommending Investment Managers
Rothschild Wealth may refer clients to certain investment management firms in return for an ongoing portion of
the advisory fee received by such investment manager. All such arrangements are in compliance with Investment
Advisers Act rule 206(4)-3. Generally, these requirements require the solicitor, Rothschild Wealth, to have a
written agreement with the investment management firm. Rothschild Wealth must provide the client with a
disclosure document describing the fees it receives from the investment management firm, whether those fees
represent an increase in fees that the investment management firm would otherwise charge the client, and
whether an affiliation exists between Rothschild Wealth and the investment management firm.
B. Advisory Firm Payments for Client Referrals
Rothschild Wealth may enter into arrangements with promoters, endorsers, solicitors, or with clients for
testimonials (herein collectively referred to as “promoter”) who will promote the advisory firm for compensation.
Agreements are required when compensation to the promoter is equal to or greater than $1,000. The receipt of
such compensation creates a conflict of interest in that the promoter is economically incented to promote our
firm. Please be advised that the firm’s payment of compensation to the promoter does not increase the client’s
advisory fee paid to the firm.
Item 15: Custody
Item 15: Custody
Rothschild Wealth is considered to have custody of client assets for purposes of the Advisers Act for the following
reasons:
▪ The client authorizes us to instruct their custodian to deduct our advisory fees directly from the client’s
account. The custodian maintains actual custody of clients’ assets.
▪ Our authority to direct client requests, utilizing standing instructions, for wire transfer of funds for first-
party money movement and third-party money movement (checks and/or journals, ACH, Fed-wires). The
firm has elected to meet the SEC’s seven conditions to avoid the surprise custody exam, as outlined below:
1. The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the client’s
signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third party’s account
number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
2. The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s form or
separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from time to time.
3. The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as a
signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization and provides a transfer of funds
notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
4. The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified custodian.
5. The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the third
party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the client’s instruction.
6. The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party of the
investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
7. The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the instruction
and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
▪ The firm or its affiliate is a managing member or general partner to a private fund vehicle. An independent
public accountant performs a surprise custody exam for pooled investment vehicles because the pooled
investment vehicle maintains its securities with a qualified custodian, and does not obtain an annual
financial audit. .
Individual advisory clients will receive at least quarterly account statements directly from their custodian
containing a description of all activity, cash balances, and portfolio holdings in their accounts. Clients are urged
to compare the account balance(s) shown on their account statements to the quarter-end balance(s) on their
custodian's monthly statement. The custodian’s statement is the official record of the account.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients may grant a limited power of attorney to Rothschild Wealth with respect to trading activity in their
accounts by signing the appropriate custodian limited power of attorney form. In such cases, Rothschild Wealth
will exercise full discretion as to the nature and type of securities to be purchased and sold, the amount of
securities for such transactions, the executing broker to be used, and the amount of commissions to be paid.
Investment limitations may be designated by the client as outlined in the investment advisory agreement. In
addition, subject to the terms of its investment advisory agreement, Rothschild Wealth may be granted
discretionary authority for the retention of independent third-party sub-advisers. Please see the applicable third-
party sub-adviser’s disclosure brochure for detailed information relating to discretionary authority.
With respect to its proprietary fund, Rothschild Wealth has full discretionary authority as to the management of
the fund.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Rothschild Wealth does not take discretion with respect to voting proxies on behalf of its clients. All proxy
material will be forwarded to the client by the client’s custodian for the client’s review and action. Clients may
contact the firm with questions regarding proxies they have received.
Except as required by applicable law, Rothschild Wealth will not be obligated to render advice or take any action
on behalf of clients with respect to assets presently or formerly held in their accounts that become the subject
of any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies.
From time to time, securities held in the accounts of clients will be the subject of class action lawsuits. Rothschild
Wealth has no obligation to determine if securities held by the client are subject to a pending or resolved class
action lawsuit. Rothschild Wealth also has no duty to evaluate a client’s eligibility or to submit a claim to
participate in the proceeds of a securities class action settlement or verdict. Furthermore, Rothschild Wealth has
no obligation or responsibility to initiate litigation to recover damages on behalf of clients who may have been
injured as a result of actions, misconduct, or negligence by corporate management of issuers whose securities
are held by clients.
Where Rothschild Wealth receives written or electronic notice of a class action lawsuit, settlement, or verdict
affecting securities owned by a client, it will forward all notices, proof of claim forms, and other materials to the
client. Electronic mail is acceptable where appropriate and where the client has authorized contact in this manner.
Item 18: Financial Information
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
Rothschild Wealth does not require the prepayment of fees of $1,200 or more, six months or more in
advance, and as such it is not required to file a balance sheet.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Advisory Firm’s Ability to Meet Commitments
to Clients
Rothschild Wealth does not have any financial issues that would impair its ability to provide services to
clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions During the Past Ten Years
There is nothing to report for this item.