View Document Text
Sonoma Allocations
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Sonoma Allocations. If you
have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (707) 387-4557 or by email at:
info@sonomaallocations.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 Sonoma Allocations is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.advisorinfo.sec.gov. Sonoma Allocations’ CRD number is: 335435.
50 Old Courthouse Square, Suite 300
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 387-4557
info@sonomaallocations.com
Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 02/03/2026
i
Item 2: Material Changes
Sonoma Allocations has the following material changes to report. Material changes relate to Sonoma Allocations’
policies, practices or conflicts of interest.
• The firm has updated its assets under management. (Item 4.E.)
• The firm has updated Item 14 of this brochure to disclose client referrals we may receive through various
lead generators.
ii
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes ........................................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4: Advisory Business ...........................................................................................................................................2
Item 5: Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................................................4
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management .............................................................................7
Item 7: Types of Clients ..............................................................................................................................................7
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss..........................................................................7
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .............................................................................................................................. 10
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ................................................................................... 11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ............................ 12
Item 12: Brokerage Practices................................................................................................................................... 13
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................... 14
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ................................................................................................ 15
Item 15: Custody ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................... 17
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ..................................................................................................... 17
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................................ 17
iii
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Sonoma Allocations LLC dba Sonoma Allocations (hereinafter “Sonoma Allocations”) is a Limited
Liability Company organized in the State of California. The firm was formed in May 2021, and the
principal owners are Todd Gomes and Ben Sedillo.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
Sonoma Allocations offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. Sonoma Allocations creates an
Investment Policy Statement for each client, which outlines the client’s current situation (income,
tax levels, and risk tolerance levels) and then constructs a plan to aid in the selection of a portfolio
that matches each client's specific situation. Portfolio management services include, but are not
limited to, the following:
•
•
•
Investment strategy
Asset allocation
Risk tolerance
•
•
•
Personal investment policy
Asset selection
Regular portfolio monitoring
Sonoma Allocations evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk
tolerance levels and time horizon. Sonoma Allocations will require discretionary authority from
clients in order to select securities and execute transactions without permission from the client
prior to each transaction. Risk tolerance levels are documented in the Investment Policy
Statement, which is given to each client.
Sonoma Allocations seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the
fiduciary duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of Sonoma Allocations’ economic,
investment or other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, Sonoma Allocations
attempts to avoid, among other things, investment or trading practices that systematically
advantage or disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, Sonoma Allocations’ policy
is to seek fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its clients
to avoid favoring one client over another over time. It is Sonoma Allocations’ policy to allocate
investment opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent,
including initial public offerings ("IPOs") and other investment opportunities that might have a
limited supply, among its clients on a fair and equitable basis over time.
401K/Pension Consulting Services
Sonoma Allocations offers consulting services to pension or other employee benefit plans
(including but not limited to 401(k) plans). Pension consulting may include, but is not limited to:
2
•
•
•
•
•
•
identifying investment objectives and restrictions
providing guidance on various assets classes and investment options
recommending money managers to manage plan assets in ways designed
to achieve objectives
monitoring performance of money managers and investment options and
making recommendations for changes
recommending other service providers, such as custodians, administrators
and broker-dealers
creating a written pension consulting plan
These services are based on the goals, objectives, demographics, time horizon, and/or risk
tolerance of the plan and its participants.
Financial Planning
Financial plans and financial planning may include, but are not limited to: investment planning;
life insurance; tax concerns; retirement planning; college planning; and debt/credit planning.
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
Sonoma Allocations generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, fixed income
securities, insurance products including annuities, equities, ETFs (including ETFs in the gold and
precious metal sectors), treasury inflation protected/inflation linked bonds and non-U.S.
securities. Sonoma Allocations may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when
applicable.
Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are
laws governing retirement accounts. We also have a fiduciary duty under the Investment
Advisors Act of 1940 with respect to all client accounts. The way we make money creates some
conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your
best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special rule’s provisions, we
must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give
prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give
loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
•
Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your
best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
3
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
Sonoma Allocations will tailor a program for each individual client. This will include an interview
session to get to know the client’s specific needs and requirements as well as a plan that will be
executed by Sonoma Allocations on behalf of the client. Sonoma Allocations may use model
allocations together with a specific set of recommendations for each client based on their
personal restrictions, needs, and targets. Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain
securities or types of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs. However, if the
restrictions prevent Sonoma Allocations from properly servicing the client account, or if the
restrictions would require Sonoma Allocations to deviate from its standard suite of services,
Sonoma Allocations reserves the right to end the relationship.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated fee that
includes management fees and transaction costs. Sonoma Allocations does not participate in
wrap fee programs.
E. Assets Under Management
Sonoma Allocations has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts:
Non-discretionary Amounts:
Date Calculated:
$350,000,000
$0
December 2025
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Investment advisory fees are negotiable based on the scope and complexity of the services as well
as the amount of time and expertise required but generally do not exceed 1.50%.
The advisory fee is calculated using the value of the assets in the Account on the last business day
of the prior billing period.
These fees are generally negotiable and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the client’s
advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a full refund of
Sonoma Allocations’ fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory Contract.
Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract generally with 14 days'
written notice.
4
401K/Pension Consulting Services Fees
Asset-Based Fees for Pension Consulting
Total Assets Under Management
Annual Fee
All Assets
Up to 1.00%
The advisory fee is calculated using the value of the assets on the last business day of the prior
billing period
These fees are generally negotiable and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the client’s
advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a full refund of
Sonoma Allocations’ fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory Contract.
Thereafter, clients may terminate the pension consulting agreement generally with 14 days'
written notice.
Financial Planning Fees
Fixed Fees
The negotiated fixed rate for creating client financial plans is up to $5,000.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for full refund of Sonoma Allocations’ fees,
within five business days of signing the Financial Planning Agreement. Thereafter, clients may
terminate the Financial Planning Agreement generally upon written notice.
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Portfolio Management Fees
Asset-based portfolio management fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts with
client's written authorization on a quarterly basis or may be invoiced and billed directly to the
client on a quarterly basis. Fees are paid in advance.
Payment of 401K/Pension Consulting Fees
Asset-based pension consulting fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts with
client's written authorization, or may be invoiced and billed directly to the client. Clients may
select the method in which they are billed. Fees are paid monthly or quarterly in advance or
arrears. Clients may select the frequency in which they are billed.
5
Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Financial planning fees are paid via check and wire.
Fixed financial planning fees are paid 50% in advance, but never more than six months in advance,
with the remainder due upon presentation of the plan.
C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third party fees (i.e. custodian fees, brokerage fees,
mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and distinct from the fees and
expenses charged by Sonoma Allocations. Please see Item 12 of this brochure regarding broker-
dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
Sonoma Allocations collects fees in advance. Refunds for fees paid in advance but not yet earned
will be refunded on a prorated basis and returned within fourteen days to the client via check, or
return deposit back into the client’s account.
For all asset-based fees paid in advance, the fee refunded will be equal to the balance of the fees
collected in advance minus the daily rate* times the number of days elapsed in the billing period
up to and including the day of termination. (*The daily rate is calculated by dividing the annual
asset-based fee rate by 365.)
Fixed fees that are collected in advance will be refunded based on the prorated amount of work
completed at the point of termination.
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Supervised persons in their outside business activities (see Item 10 below) is licensed to accept
compensation for the sale of investment products to Sonoma Allocations clients. This presents a
conflict of interest and gives the supervised person an incentive to recommend products based
on the compensation received rather than on the client’s needs. When recommending the sale of
securities or investment products for which the supervised persons receives compensation,
Sonoma Allocations will document the conflict of interest in the client file and inform the client of
the conflict of interest. Clients always have the right to decide whether to purchase Sonoma
Allocations -recommended products and, if purchasing, have the right to purchase those products
through other brokers or agents that are not affiliated with Sonoma Allocations.
Commissions are not Sonoma Allocations’ primary source of compensation for advisory services.
Advisory fees that are charged to clients are not reduced to offset the commissions or markups
on securities or investment products recommended to clients.
6
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Sonoma Allocations does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital
gains on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Sonoma Allocations generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
Individuals
High-Net-Worth Individuals
Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
Charitable Organizations
Corporations or Business Entities
There is an account minimum of $500,000, which may be waived by Sonoma Allocations in its discretion.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
Sonoma Allocations’ methods of analysis include Cyclical analysis, Fundamental analysis, Modern
portfolio theory, Quantitative analysis and Technical analysis.
Cyclical analysis involves the analysis of business cycles to find favorable conditions for buying
and/or selling a security.
Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial health
of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio expected
return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a given level of
expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from qualitative
considerations such as the character of management or the state of employee morale, such as
the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of sales, and so on.
Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market data; primarily price and volume.
7
Investment Strategies
Sonoma Allocations uses long term trading.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
B. Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
Cyclical analysis assumes that the markets react in cyclical patterns which, once identified, can
be leveraged to provide performance. The risks with this strategy are two-fold: 1) the markets do
not always repeat cyclical patterns; and 2) if too many investors begin to implement this strategy,
then it changes the very cycles these investors are trying to exploit.
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and expected
future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in stocks that are
undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is that the market will fail
to reach expectations of perceived value.
Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given two
portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one. Thus, an
investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected returns. Conversely,
an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more risk. The exact trade-off will be
the same for all investors, but different investors will evaluate the trade-off differently based on
individual risk aversion characteristics. The implication is that a rational investor will not invest in
a portfolio if a second portfolio exists with a more favorable risk-expected return profile – i.e., if
for that level of risk an alternative portfolio exists which has better expected returns.
Quantitative analysis Investment strategies using quantitative models may perform differently
than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models, the weight placed
on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical issues in the construction
and implementation of the models.
Technical analysis attempts to predict a future stock price or direction based on market trends.
The assumption is that the market follows discernible patterns and if these patterns can be
identified then a prediction can be made. The risk is that markets do not always follow patterns
and relying solely on this method may not take into account new patterns that emerge over time.
Investment Strategies
Long term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to its nature,
the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk that will typically
surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the investments. These risks include
but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk, interest rate risk, economic risk, market
risk, and political/regulatory risk.
8
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment strategy. The
investment types listed below (leaving aside Treasury Inflation Protected/Inflation Linked Bonds)
are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you may lose
money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower investment returns. The
funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock “equity” nature.
Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a future
payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The value of equity
securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each company, industry conditions
and the general economic environments.
Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount of the
payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government debt
securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured products, such
as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds may be the best known
type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market is volatile and fixed income
securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa.
This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also
carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and credit and default risks for both issuers and
counterparties. The risk of default on treasury inflation protected/inflation linked bonds is
dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting (extremely unlikely); however, they carry a potential
risk of losing share price value, albeit rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed income
securities also include the general risk of non-U.S. investing described below.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, similar
to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss (sometimes up to a 100% loss in the case
of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the lack of transparency in products and
increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the possibility of inadequate regulatory
compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include trading risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks
associated with a change in authorized participants and non-participation of authorized
participants, risks that trading price differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price
fluctuation and disassociation from the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular
trading adds cost to your portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that one of the typical benefits
of ETFs. Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even
paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the relevant
indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same level of liquidity.
Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading conditions are more accurately
reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily volume of the ETF itself. Implied
liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded in ETFs based on its underlying assets.
ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks of their underlying securities, which may include
the risks associated with investing in smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and
9
fixed income investments (as applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest
rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging
markets. ETFs that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector,
are generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with
that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex investment
strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold, Silver, or Palladium
Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal) specifically may be negatively impacted by
several unique factors, among them (1) large sales by the official sector which own a significant
portion of aggregate world holdings in gold and other precious metals, (2) a significant increase
in hedging activities by producers of gold or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the
attitude of speculators and investors. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of
the index it tracks because of fees, expenses, and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium
or discount to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes).
The degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another and losses may be magnified
if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them. Each ETF has a unique
risk profile, detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar material, which should be
considered carefully when making investment decisions.
Annuities are a retirement product for those who may have the ability to pay a premium now and
want to guarantee they receive certain monthly payments or a return on investment later in the
future. Annuities are contracts issued by a life insurance company designed to meet requirement
or other long-term goals. An annuity is not a life insurance policy. Variable annuities are designed
to be long-term investments, to meet retirement and other long-range goals. Variable annuities
are not suitable for meeting short-term goals because substantial taxes and insurance company
charges may apply if you withdraw your money early. Variable annuities also involve investment
risks, just as mutual funds do.
Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and economic
change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in accounting and the lesser
degree of accurate public information available.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a risk of loss
that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
10
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither Sonoma Allocations nor its representatives are registered as, or have pending applications
to become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool
Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither Sonoma Allocations nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications
to become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or Commodity
Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business and
Possible Conflicts of Interests
Todd Arthur Gomes is an independent licensed insurance agent. This activity creates a conflict of
interest since there is an incentive to recommend insurance products based on commissions or
other benefits received from the insurance company, rather than on the client’s needs.
Additionally, the offer and sale of insurance products by supervised persons of Sonoma
Allocations are not made in their capacity as a fiduciary, and products are limited to only those
offered by certain insurance providers. Sonoma Allocations addresses this conflict of interest by
requiring its supervised persons to act in the best interest of the client at all times, including when
acting as an insurance agent. Sonoma Allocations periodically reviews recommendations by its
supervised persons to assess whether they are based on an objective evaluation of each client’s
risk profile and investment objectives rather than on the receipt of any commissions or other
benefits. Sonoma Allocations will disclose in advance how it or its supervised persons are
compensated and will disclose conflicts of interest involving any advice or service provided. At no
time will there be tying between business practices and/or services (a condition where a client or
prospective client would be required to accept one product or service conditioned upon the
selection of a second, distinctive tied product or service). No client is ever under any obligation to
purchase any insurance product. Insurance products recommended by Sonoma Allocations’
supervised persons may also be available from other providers on more favorable terms, and
clients can purchase insurance products recommended through other unaffiliated insurance
agencies.
Ben Sedillo is an independent licensed insurance agent. This activity creates a conflict of interest
since there is an incentive to recommend insurance products based on commissions or other
benefits received from the insurance company, rather than on the client’s needs. Additionally,
11
the offer and sale of insurance products by supervised persons of Sonoma Allocations are not
made in their capacity as a fiduciary, and products are limited to only those offered by certain
insurance providers. Sonoma Allocations addresses this conflict of interest by requiring its
supervised persons to act in the best interest of the client at all times, including when acting as
an insurance agent. Sonoma Allocations periodically reviews recommendations by its supervised
persons to assess whether they are based on an objective evaluation of each client’s risk profile
and investment objectives rather than on the receipt of any commissions or other benefits.
Sonoma Allocations will disclose in advance how it or its supervised persons are compensated and
will disclose conflicts of interest involving any advice or service provided. At no time will there be
tying between business practices and/or services (a condition where a client or prospective client
would be required to accept one product or service conditioned upon the selection of a second,
distinctive tied product or service). No client is ever under any obligation to purchase any
insurance product. Insurance products recommended by Sonoma Allocations’ supervised persons
may also be available from other providers on more favorable terms, and clients can purchase
insurance products recommended through other unaffiliated insurance agencies.
D. Selection of Other Advisors or Managers and How This Advisor is
Compensated for Those Selections
Sonoma Allocations does not utilize nor select third-party investment advisors.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
Sonoma Allocations has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited
Purchases and Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted Transactions,
Prohibited Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Confidentiality, Service on a
Board of Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with Laws and Regulations, Procedures
and Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting Violations, Compliance Officer Duties,
Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual Review, and Sanctions. Sonoma Allocations’ Code
of Ethics is available free upon request to any client or prospective client.
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
Sonoma Allocations does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related
person to Sonoma Allocations or Sonoma Allocations has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of Sonoma Allocations may buy or sell securities for
themselves that they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for
representatives of Sonoma Allocations to buy or sell the same securities before or after
12
recommending the same securities to clients resulting in representatives profiting off the
recommendations they provide to clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest.
Sonoma Allocations will always document any transactions that could be construed as conflicts of
interest and will never engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar
securities are being bought or sold.
D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’ Securities
From time to time, representatives of Sonoma Allocations may buy or sell securities for
themselves at or around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for
representatives of Sonoma Allocations to buy or sell securities before or after recommending
securities to clients resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide
to clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, Sonoma Allocations will
never engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of Sonoma
Allocations buy or sell securities at or around the same time as clients.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers
Custodians/broker-dealers will be recommended based on Sonoma Allocations’ duty to seek
“best execution,” which is the obligation to seek execution of securities transactions for a client
on the most favorable terms for the client under the circumstances. Clients will not necessarily
pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and Sonoma Allocations may also consider
the market expertise and research access provided by the broker-dealer/custodian, including but
not limited to access to written research, oral communication with analysts, admittance to
research conferences and other resources provided by the brokers that may aid in Sonoma
Allocations’ research efforts. Sonoma Allocations will never charge a premium or commission on
transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-dealer/custodian.
Sonoma Allocations recommends Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc..
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
While Sonoma Allocations has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used
to pay for third party services, Sonoma Allocations may receive research, products, or other
services from custodians and broker-dealers in connection with client securities transactions
(“soft dollar benefits”). Sonoma Allocations may enter into soft-dollar arrangements
consistent with (and not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. There can be no assurance that any particular
client will benefit from soft dollar research, whether or not the client’s transactions paid for
it, and Sonoma Allocations does not seek to allocate benefits to client accounts proportionate
to any soft dollar credits generated by the accounts. Sonoma Allocations benefits by not
having to produce or pay for the research, products or services, and Sonoma Allocations will
13
have an incentive to recommend a broker-dealer based on receiving research or services.
Clients should be aware that Sonoma Allocations’ acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result
in higher commissions charged to the client.
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
Sonoma Allocations receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for
using that broker-dealer or third party.
3. Clients Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian to Use
Sonoma Allocations may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a specified
broker-dealer. If a client directs brokerage, then the client will be required to acknowledge in
writing that the client’s direction with respect to the use of brokers supersedes any authority
granted to Sonoma Allocations to select brokers; this direction may result in higher
commissions, which may result in a disparity between free and directed accounts; the client
may be unable to participate in block trades (unless Sonoma Allocations is able to engage in
“step outs”); and trades for the client and other directed accounts may be executed after
trades for free accounts, which may result in less favorable prices, particularly for illiquid
securities or during volatile market conditions. Not all investment advisors allow their clients
to direct brokerage.
B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
If Sonoma Allocations buys or sells the same securities on behalf of more than one client, then it
may (but would be under no obligation to) aggregate or bunch such securities in a single
transaction for multiple clients in order to seek more favorable prices, lower brokerage
commissions, or more efficient execution. In such case, Sonoma Allocations would place an
aggregate order with the broker on behalf of all such clients in order to ensure fairness for all
clients; provided, however, that trades would be reviewed periodically to ensure that accounts
are not systematically disadvantaged by this policy. Sonoma Allocations would determine the
appropriate number of shares and select the appropriate brokers consistent with its duty to seek
best execution, except for those accounts with specific brokerage direction (if any).
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those
Reviews
All client accounts for Sonoma Allocations’ advisory services provided on an ongoing basis are
reviewed at least quarterly by Todd Gomes, Managing Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, with
regard to clients’ respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All accounts at Sonoma
Allocations are assigned to this reviewer.
14
All financial planning accounts are reviewed upon financial plan creation and plan delivery by
Todd Gomes, Managing Partner and Chief Compliance Officer. Financial planning clients are
provided a one-time financial plan concerning their financial situation. After the presentation of
the plan, there are no further reports. Clients may request additional plans or reports for a fee.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client Accounts
Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes in
client's financial situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical move, or
inheritance).
With respect to financial plans, Sonoma Allocations’ services will generally conclude upon delivery
of the financial plan.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of Sonoma Allocations’ advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
monthly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and calculation
of fees. This written report will come from the custodian.
Each financial planning client will receive the financial plan upon completion.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to
Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
Sonoma Allocations does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third
party for advice rendered to Sonoma Allocations’ clients.
With respect to Schwab, Sonoma Allocations receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and
custody services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These services
generally are available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge
to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in
accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include brokerage services that are
related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research, including that in the form
of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are
otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher
minimum initial investment. For Sonoma Allocations client accounts maintained in its custody,
Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody services but is compensated by account
holders through commissions or other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities
trades that are executed through Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
Schwab also makes available to Sonoma Allocations other products and services that benefit
Sonoma Allocations but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national,
15
regional or Sonoma Allocations specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by
Schwab Advisor Services. Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment
of personnel of Sonoma Allocations by Schwab Advisor Services personnel, including meals,
invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment,
some of which may accompany educational opportunities. Other of these products and services
assist Sonoma Allocations in managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include
software and other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client
account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution
(and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide
research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of Sonoma Allocations’
fees from its clients’ accounts (if applicable), and assist with back-office training and support
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services generally may be used to
service all or some substantial number of Sonoma Allocations’ accounts. Schwab Advisor Services
also makes available to Sonoma Allocations other services intended to help Sonoma Allocations
manage and further develop its business enterprise. These services may include professional
legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice
compliance,
management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee
benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Schwab may
make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to Sonoma
Allocations by independent third parties. Schwab Advisor Services may discount or waive fees it
would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third-party
providing these services to Sonoma Allocations. Sonoma Allocations is independently owned and
operated and not affiliated with Schwab.
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
Sonoma Allocations may receive client referrals from Zoe Financial, Inc through its participation
in Zoe Advisor Network (ZAN). Zoe Financial, Inc is independent of and unaffiliated with Sonoma
Allocations and there is no employee relationship between them. Zoe Financial established the
Zoe Advisor Network as a means of referring individuals and other investors seeking fiduciary
personal investment management services or financial planning services to independent
investment advisors. Zoe Financial does not supervise Sonoma Allocations and has no
responsibility for Sonoma Allocations’ management of client portfolios other advice or services.
Sonoma Allocations pays Zoe Financial an on-going fee for each successful client referral. This fee
is usually a percentage of the advisory fee that the client pays to Sonoma Allocations (“Solicitation
Fee”). Sonoma Allocations will not charge clients referred through Zoe Advisor Network any fees
or costs higher than its standard fee schedule offered to its clients. For information regarding
additional or other fees paid directly or indirectly to Zoe Financial Inc, please refer to the Zoe
Financial Disclosure and Acknowledgement Form.
Sonoma Allocations engages SmartAsset, an independent third-party marketing and lead
generation service, to introduce prospective clients to the Adviser. SmartAsset is not an
investment adviser and does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding the
Adviser. Under this arrangement, SmartAsset refers prospective clients who have expressed
interest in receiving information about investment advisory services. Sonoma Allocations
compensates SmartAsset through a fee that is generally based on the number of leads provided
or client introductions made. The fee paid to SmartAsset does not increase the advisory fees paid
16
by clients. Clients are not obligated to engage Sonoma Allocations as a result of a SmartAsset
referral and may choose to engage other advisers.
Item 15: Custody
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, Sonoma Allocations
will be deemed to have limited custody of client's assets and must have written authorization from the
client to do so. Clients will receive all account statements and billing invoices that are required in each
jurisdiction, and they should carefully review those statements for accuracy.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Sonoma Allocations provides discretionary investment advisory services to clients. The advisory contract
established with each client sets forth the discretionary authority for trading. Where investment
discretion has been granted, Sonoma Allocations generally manages the client’s account and makes
investment decisions without consultation with the client as to when the securities are to be bought or
sold for the account, the total amount of the securities to be bought/sold, what securities to buy or sell,
or the price per share. In some instances, Sonoma Allocations’ discretionary authority in making these
determinations may be limited by conditions imposed by a client (in investment guidelines or objectives,
or client instructions otherwise provided to Sonoma Allocations.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
Sonoma Allocations will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive
proxies directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy questions
to the issuer of the security.
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
Sonoma Allocations neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per
client, six months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet
with this brochure.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet
Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither Sonoma Allocations nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to
reasonably impair Sonoma Allocations’ ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
17
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
Sonoma Allocations has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
18