View Document Text
Split Creek LLC
DBA Split Creek Capital LLC
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Split Creek LLC DBA Split
Creek Capital LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (434) 414-
1477 or by email at: scc@splitcreekcapital.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 Split Creek LLC DBA Split Creek Capital LLC is also available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Split Creek LLC DBA Split Creek Capital LLC’s CRD number is: 319437.
2310 Monacan Trail Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 414-1477
scc@splitcreekcapital.com
https://www.splitcreekcapital.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 03/06/2026
i
Item 2: Material Changes
The material changes in this brochure from the last updating amendment of Split Creek LLC DBA Split
Creek Capital LLC on 10/01/2025 are described below. Material changes relate to Split Creek LLC DBA
Split Creek Capital LLC’s policies, practices or conflicts of interests.
• Split Creek LLC has no material changes to report.
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 ...................................................................... 6
Item 7: Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss ................................................................. 7
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .......................................................................................................................... 12
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .......................................................................... 12
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................. 13
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................. 14
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................ 16
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ........................................................................................... 17
Item 15: Custody .................................................................................................................................................... 18
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................. 18
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ............................................................................................... 18
Item 18: Financial Information ............................................................................................................................. 19
iii
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Split Creek LLC DBA Split Creek Capital LLC (hereinafter “SCC”) is a Limited Liability
Company organized in the State of Virginia. The firm was formed in January 2022, and
the principal owner is David Berend van Roijen.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
SCC offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. SCC 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
SCC evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance
levels and time horizon. SCC 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.
SCC seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the fiduciary
duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of SCC’s economic, investment or
other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, SCC attempts to avoid, among
other things, investment or trading practices that systematically advantage or
disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, SCC’s policy is to seek fair and
equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its clients to avoid
favoring one client over another over time. It is SCC’s policy to allocate investment
opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent, including
initial public offerings ("IPOs") and other investment opportunities that might have a
limited supply, among its clients on a fair and equitable basis over time.
2
Selection of Other Advisers
SCC may direct clients to third-party investment advisers. Before selecting other advisers
for clients, SCC will verify that all recommended advisers are properly licensed, notice
filed, or exempt in the states where SCC is recommending the adviser to clients.
Subadviser Services
SCC may also act as a subadviser to advisers unaffiliated with SCC. These third-party
advisers would outsource portfolio management services to SCC. This relationship will
be memorialized in each contract between SCC and the third-party advisor.
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
SCC generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, fixed income securities, real
estate funds (including REITs), insurance products including annuities, equities, hedge
funds, private equity funds, ETFs (including ETFs in the gold and precious metal sectors),
treasury inflation protected/inflation linked bonds, commodities, non-U.S. securities,
venture capital funds and private placements, although SCC primarily recommends
equities. SCC may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when
applicable.
Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money
creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires
us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special
rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations
(give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in
your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
3
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
SCC 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 SCC on behalf of the client. SCC 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
SCC from properly servicing the client account, or if the restrictions would require SCC
to deviate from its standard suite of services, SCC 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. SCC does not participate in wrap fee
programs.
E. Assets Under Management
SCC has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$ 63,012,343.00
$ 64,689,589.00
December 2025
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
$0 - $500,000
1.75%
$500,001 - $1,000,000
1.50%
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000
1.25%
$5,000,001 - AND UP
1.00%
4
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 SCC's fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory
Contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract
immediately upon written notice.
Selection of Other Advisers Fees
When SCC opts to recommend a TAMP to clients, clients will pay the standard fees for
portfolio management as disclosed above. Because SCC absorbs the fees charged by a
TAMP, it may have an incentive to recommend clients use its standard portfolio
management services as SCC retains the entire AUM fee for standard portfolio
management. The TAMP will receive a portion of the fee ranging from 10%-30%.
However, SCC will always make recommendations in the best interests of its clients.
Subadviser Services Fees
SCC may also act as a subadviser to unaffiliated third-party advisers and SCC would
receive a share of the fees collected from the third-party adviser’s client. SCC typically
receives a fee ranging from 10% to 30%. The fees charged are negotiable and will not
exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency. This relationship will be
memorialized in each contract between SCC and the third-party adviser.
Financial Planning Fees
Fixed Fees
The negotiated fixed rate for creating client financial plans is between $500 and $10,000.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for full refund of SCC’s 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. Fees are paid in advance.
5
Payment of Subadviser Fees
Subadviser fees may be withdrawn from client’s accounts or clients may be invoiced for
such fees, as disclosed in each contract between SCC and the applicable third-party
adviser.
Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Financial planning fees are paid via check and wire.
Fixed financial planning fees are paid in arrears upon completion.
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 SCC. Please see Item 12 of this brochure
regarding broker-dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
SCC collects certain fees in advance and certain fees in arrears, as indicated above.
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.)
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Neither SCC nor its supervised persons accept any compensation for the sale of
investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of
mutual funds.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
SCC 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.
6
Item 7: Types of Clients
SCC generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
❖
❖
Individuals
High-Net-Worth Individuals
There is no account minimum for any of SCC’s services.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of
Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
SCC’s methods of analysis include Cyclical analysis, Fundamental analysis, Modern
portfolio theory and Quantitative 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.
Investment Strategies
SCC uses long term trading, short term trading, short sales and options trading (including
covered options, uncovered options, or spreading strategies).
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
7
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.
Investment Strategies
SCC's use of short sales and options trading generally holds greater risk, and clients
should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any of those 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.
Options transactions involve a contract to purchase a security at a given price, not
necessarily at market value, depending on the market. This strategy includes the risk that
an option may expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value, as well as the
possibility of leveraged loss of trading capital due to the leveraged nature of stock options.
8
Short sales entail the possibility of infinite loss. An increase in the applicable securities’
prices will result in a loss and, over time, the market has historically trended upward.
Short term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability, and inflation, in addition to
the long term trading risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect investment
performance, particularly through increased brokerage and other transaction costs and
taxes.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
SCC's use of short sales and options trading generally holds greater risk of capital loss.
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
9
transparency in products and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the
possibility of inadequate regulatory compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include
trading risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks associated with a change in authorized
participants and non-participation of authorized participants, risks that trading price
differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price fluctuation and disassociation from
the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular trading adds cost to your
portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that one of the typical benefits of ETFs.
Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even
paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the
relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same
level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading
conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily
volume of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded
in ETFs based on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks
of their underlying securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in
smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as
applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange
rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs
that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector, are
generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with
that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex
investment strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold,
Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal) specifically
may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among them (1) large sales by the
official sector which own a significant portion of aggregate world holdings in gold and
other precious metals, (2) a significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold
or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators and
investors. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks
because of fees, expenses, and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount
to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes). The
degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another and losses may be
magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them.
Each ETF has a unique risk profile, detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar
material, which should be considered carefully when making investment decisions.
Real estate funds (including REITs) face several kinds of risk that are inherent in the real
estate sector, which historically has experienced significant fluctuations and cycles in
performance. Revenues and cash flows may be adversely affected by: changes in local real
estate market conditions due to changes in national or local economic conditions or
changes in local property market characteristics; competition from other properties
offering the same or similar services; changes in interest rates and in the state of the debt
and equity credit markets; the ongoing need for capital improvements; changes in real
estate tax rates and other operating expenses; adverse changes in governmental rules and
fiscal policies; adverse changes in zoning laws; the impact of present or future
environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws.
10
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.
Hedge funds often engage in leveraging and other speculative investment practices that
may increase the risk of loss; can be highly illiquid; are not required to provide periodic
pricing or valuation information to investors; May involve complex tax structures and
delays in distributing important tax information; are not subject to the same regulatory
requirements as mutual funds; and often charge high fees. In addition, hedge funds may
invest in risky securities and engage in risky strategies.
Private equity funds carry certain risks. Capital calls will be made on short notice, and
the failure to meet capital calls can result in significant adverse consequences, including
but not limited to a total loss of investment.
Private placements carry a substantial risk as they are subject to less regulation than are
publicly offered securities, the market to resell these assets under applicable securities
laws may be illiquid, due to restrictions, and the liquidation may be taken at a substantial
discount to the underlying value or result in the entire loss of the value of such assets.
Venture capital funds invest in start-up companies at an early stage of development in
the interest of generating a return through an eventual realization event; the risk is high
as a result of the uncertainty involved at that stage of development.
Commodities are tangible assets used to manufacture and produce goods or services.
Commodity prices are affected by different risk factors, such as disease, storage capacity,
supply, demand, delivery constraints and weather. Because of those risk factors, even a
well-diversified investment in commodities can be uncertain.
Options are contracts to purchase a security at a given price, risking that an option may
expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value. An uncovered option is a type
of options contract that is not backed by an offsetting position that would help mitigate
risk. The risk for a “naked” or uncovered put is not unlimited, whereas the potential loss
for an uncovered call option is limitless. Spread option positions entail buying and selling
multiple options on the same underlying security, but with different strike prices or
expiration dates, which helps limit the risk of other option trading strategies. Option
transactions also involve risks including but not limited to economic risk, market risk,
sector risk, idiosyncratic risk, political/regulatory risk, inflation (purchasing power) risk
and interest rate risk.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Risks: ESG oriented investments may be
subject to risks in addition to those of non-ESG oriented investments. ESG models may
11
limit the number of investment opportunities available, and as a result, at times the
investment may underperform funds that are not subject to such special investment
conditions. For example, the fund may decline to purchase certain securities when it is
otherwise advantageous to do so, or the fund may sell certain securities for ESG reasons
when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so. There is no guarantee that the investments
will reflect the ESG considerations of any particular investor.
Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and
economic change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in
accounting and the lesser degree of accurate public information available.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a
risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither SCC 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 SCC 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.
12
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business
and Possible Conflicts of Interests
Neither SCC nor its representatives have any material relationships to this advisory
business that would present a possible conflict of interest.
13
D. Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser
is Compensated for Those Selections
When SCC opts to recommend a TAMP to clients, clients will pay the standard fees for
portfolio management as disclosed above in Item 5. Because SCC absorbs the fees
charged by a TAMP, it may have an incentive to recommend clients use its standard
portfolio management services as SCC retains the entire AUM fee for standard portfolio
management. However, SCC will always make recommendations in the best interests of
its clients.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
SCC 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. SCC's Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any client
or prospective client.
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
SCC does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which SCC or a related
person has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of SCC may buy or sell securities for themselves that
they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
SCC to buy or sell the same securities before or after 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. While SCC will not discuss with
clients each specific instance of trading similar securities, the firm will document
internally any transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest. Moreover, SCC
will, consistent with its fiduciary duty, act in the clients’ best interest and will never
engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are
being bought or sold.
14
D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’
Securities
From time to time, representatives of SCC may buy or sell securities for themselves at or
around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
SCC 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. While SCC will not discuss with clients each
specific instance of trading at or around the same time as clients, the firm will document
internally any transactions that would be construed as conflicts of interest. Moreover, SCC
will, consistent with its fiduciary duty, act in the clients’ best interest and will never
engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when representatives of SCC
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 SCC’s duty to seek “best
execution,” which is the obligation to seek execution of securities transactions for a client
on the most favorable terms for the client under the circumstances. Clients will not
necessarily pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and SCC 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 SCC's research efforts. SCC will never charge a
premium or commission on transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-
dealer/custodian. SCC will have an incentive to recommend a broker-dealer based on its
interest in receiving the research or other products or services rather than on clients’
interest in receiving most favorable execution.
SCC will require clients to use Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co.,
Inc.
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
While SCC has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used to pay
for third party services, SCC may receive research, products, or other services from
custodians and broker-dealers in connection with client securities transactions (“soft
dollar benefits”). SCC 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 SCC does not seek to allocate benefits to client accounts proportionate to any soft
15
dollar credits generated by the accounts. SCC benefits by not having to produce or
pay for the research, products or services, and SCC will have an incentive to
recommend a broker-dealer based on receiving research or services. Clients should be
aware that SCC’s acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result in higher commissions
charged to the client.
With respect to Schwab, SCC receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and
custody services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These
services generally are available to independent investment advisers on an unsolicited
basis, at no charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the adviser’s
clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s
services include brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities
transactions, custody, research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and
reports, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise
generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly
higher minimum initial investment. For SCC 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 SCC other products and services that benefit SCC but
may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or
SCC specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab Advisor
Services. Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment of
personnel of SCC 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 SCC 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 SCC’s fees from its clients’ accounts (if
applicable), and assist with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping
and client reporting. Many of these services generally may be used to service all or
some substantial number of SCC’s accounts. Schwab Advisor Services also makes
available to SCC other services intended to help SCC manage and further develop its
business enterprise. These services may include professional compliance, legal and
business consulting, publications and conferences on practice management,
information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee
benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition,
Schwab may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services
rendered to SCC 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 SCC. SCC is independently
owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab.
16
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
SCC 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
SCC will require that clients use a specific broker-dealer to execute transactions. By
directing brokerage, SCC may be unable to achieve most favorable execution of client
transactions which could cost clients’ money in trade execution. Not all advisers
require or allow their clients to direct brokerage.
B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
If SCC 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, SCC 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. SCC would determine the appropriate
number of shares and select the appropriate brokers consistent with its duty to seek best
execution.
Additionally, if SCC does not aggregate securities in a single transaction for multiple
clients when buying or selling the same securities on behalf of more than one client, then
SCC may be unable to achieve most favorable execution of client transactions, which
could cost clients’ money in trade execution.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes
Those Reviews
All client accounts for SCC's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis are reviewed
at least quarterly by David Berend van Roijen, Managing Member and Chief Compliance
Officer, with regard to clients’ respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All
accounts at SCC are assigned to this reviewer.
All financial planning accounts are reviewed upon financial plan creation and plan
delivery by David Berend van Roijen, Managing Member and Chief Compliance Officer.
Financial planning clients are provided a one-time financial plan concerning their
17
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, SCC’s services will generally conclude upon delivery of
the financial plan.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of SCC's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and
calculation of fees. This written report will come from the custodian. SCC will also provide
at least quarterly a separate written statement to the client.
SCC will also provide at least quarterly a separate written statement to the client, which
will include the formula used to calculate the fee, the time period covered by the fee, and
the amount of assets under management on which the fee was based.
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)
SCC does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party for
advice rendered to SCC's clients.
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
SCC does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory personnel
for client referrals.
18
C. Trade Error Proceeds
Part of SCC’s obligation is to identify and correct errors as soon as discovered while
following fiduciary standards and acting in the client's best interests. If there is a profit
resulting from a trade error, SCC or the executing broker-dealer may hold the profit in a
firm trade error account in accordance with applicable accounting standards and donate
them to charity at least annually. No trade error will benefit Split Creek LLC or any
employee of the firm.
Item 15: Custody
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, SCC 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.
Clients will also receive statements from SCC and are urged to compare the account statements
they received from custodian with those they received from SCC.
Standing Letters of Authorization
SCC has custody due to clients giving the Firm limited power of attorney in a standing letter of
authorization (“SLOA”) to disburse funds to one or more third parties as specifically designated
by the client. In such circumstances, the Firm will implement the steps in the SEC’s no-action
letter on February 21, 2017 which includes (in summary): i) client will provide instruction for the
SLOA to the custodian; ii) client will authorize the Firm to direct transfers to the specific third
party; iii) the custodian will perform appropriate verification of the instruction and provide a
transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer; iv) the client will have the ability
to terminate or change the instruction; v) the Firm will have no authority or ability to designate
or change the identity or any information about the third party; vi) the Firm will keep records
showing that the third party is not a related party of the Firm or located at the same address as
the Firm; and vii) the custodian will send the client an initial and annual notice confirming the
SLOA instructions.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
SCC 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, SCC 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, SCC’s 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 SCC. Clients with discretionary accounts
19
will execute a limited power of attorney to evidence discretionary authority. Clients may, but
typically do not, impose restrictions in investing in certain securities or types of securities in
accordance with their values or beliefs.
SCC will also have discretionary authority to determine the broker or dealer to be used for a
purchase or sale of securities for a client's account.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
SCC 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.
20
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
SCC 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 SCC nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to reasonably
impair SCC’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
SCC has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
21