View Document Text
ITEM 1 – COVER PAGE
The Fiduciary Group
Part 2A of Form
ADV Brochure
310 Commercial Drive
Savannah, GA 31406
912.303.9000
www.thefiduciarygroup.com
August 20, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of The Fiduciary
Group, LLC d/b/a/ The Fiduciary Group (“TFG,” “we” or the “Firm”). If you have any questions about the
contents of this brochure, please contact TFG’s Chief Compliance Officer, Shanon Caddick, at
912.447.6869. 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 TFG is also available on the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
1
ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES
In this section, we provide information about material changes to our brochure since the last annual
update of March 28, 2025. We note the following:
Beginning in August 2025, we have begun a business arrangement with an affiliated firm under which
certain clients of our firm invest a portion of their assets in certain of the affiliated firm’s private
investment vehicles. Please see Items 4, 5, 10, and 11 for details of this arrangement.
We have enhanced our disclosures related to the investment management services we provide to clients
where a supervised person of the Firm serves as trustee, executor or power of attorney. When TFG is
engaged as investment adviser to a trust or estate where a supervised person of TFG is serving as trustee,
executor or power of attorney, TFG charges its investment management fee on all of the assets of the
trust or estate unless otherwise specifically stated in the investment management agreement with TFG.
Our advisory personnel who are trustees, executors or agent pursuant to a power of attorney have a
conflict of interest when they engage TFG to render investment advisory services. Their affiliation with
TFG creates an incentive to engage TFG to provide investment advisory services over an unaffiliated
investment adviser at rates that are not negotiated and potentially higher than rates charged by some
unaffiliated investment advisers. Further information is available in Item 5 of this Brochure.
TFG offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from unaffiliated third-party financial
institutions through Flourish Financial LLC (“Flourish”). Further information on this conflict of interest is
available in Items 4, 5, and 10 of this Brochure.
We offer clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from unaffiliated third-party financial
institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions, LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates,
“UPTIQ”) and Flourish Financial LLC (“Flourish”). Further information on this conflict of interest is available
in Items 4, 5, and 10 of this Brochure.
2
ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 1 – COVER PAGE ................................................................................................................................................ 1
ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES ................................................................................................................................... 2
ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... 3
ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS ................................................................................................................................... 4
ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION ......................................................................................................................... 7
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT ........................................................... 11
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 11
ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS ............................................... 12
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION ................................................................................................................... 15
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS .............................................................. 15
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL TRADING . 19
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES .......................................................................................................................... 19
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS ........................................................................................................................... 24
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION ................................................................................. 24
ITEM 15 – CUSTODY .................................................................................................................................................. 26
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION ........................................................................................................................ 26
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES .................................................................................................................... 26
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ...................................................................................................................... 27
3
ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS
History and Management
The Fiduciary Group, LLC (CRD #221530), succeeded to the advisory business of its predecessor Fiduciary
Services Corporation d/b/a The Fiduciary Group (CRD #104731 / SEC # 801-9822) effective April 1, 2015,
and continues to do business under the name of The Fiduciary Group (“TFG”). Originally founded in 1970,
TFG continues the advisory business of the predecessor firm in all respects. The advisory services and
management of TFG remain the same.
TFG is managed by TFG’s principals pursuant to a management agreement between TFG Partners, LLC
(“TFG Partners”) and TFG. TFG Partners is 100% owned by TFG Principals: Malcolm Butler, President and
CEO; Joel Goodman, Chief Investment Officer; and Scott McGhie, Director of Research and Portfolio
Management, (“TFG Principals”). The TFG Principals serve as leaders and officers of TFG and are
responsible for the management, supervision, and oversight of TFG, including control over advisory
services, investment decisions, client services, and fees. Shanon Caddick serves as the Chief Compliance
Officer (“CCO”) of TFG.
TFG Ownership Structure
TFG is part of the Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus LLC”) partnership. Specifically, TFG is a wholly-
owned indirect subsidiary of Focus LLC. Focus Financial Partners, Inc. is the sole managing member of
Focus LLC. Ultimate governance of Focus LLC is conducted through the board of directors at Ferdinand
FFP Ultimate Holdings, LP. Focus LLC is majority-owned, indirectly and collectively, by investment vehicles
affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (“CD&R”). Investment vehicles affiliated with Stone Point
Capital LLC (“Stone Point”) are indirect owners of Focus LLC. Because TFG is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Focus LLC, CD&R and Stone Point investment vehicles are indirect owners of TFG.
Focus LLC also owns other registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, pension consultants, insurance
firms, business managers and other firms (the “Focus Partners”), most of which provide wealth
management, benefit consulting and investment consulting services to individuals, families, employers,
and institutions. Some Focus Partners also manage or advise limited partnerships, private funds, or
investment companies as disclosed on their respective Form ADVs.
TFG offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from unaffiliated third-party financial
institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions, LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates,
“UPTIQ”) and Flourish Financial LLC (“Flourish”). Please see Items 5 and 10 for a fuller discussion of these
services and other important information.
TFG helps clients obtain certain insurance solutions by introducing clients to our affiliate, Focus Risk
Solutions, LLC (“FRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of our parent company, Focus Financial Partners, LLC.
Please see Items 5 and 10 for a fuller discussion of this service and other important information.
TFG has a business arrangement with SCS Capital Management LLC (“SCS”), who is an indirect, wholly
owned subsidiary of Focus LLC, under which certain clients of TFG have the option of investing in certain
private investment vehicles managed by SCS. TFG is an affiliate of SCS by virtue of being under common
control with it. Please see Items 5, 10, and 11 for further details.
TFG has a business arrangement with a subsidiary or subsidiaries of Origin Investments Group, LLC
4
(“Origin”), who are each an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Focus LLC, under which certain clients of
TFG have the option of investing in certain private investment vehicles by Origin. TFG is an affiliate of
Origin by virtue of being under common control with it. Please see Items 5, 10, and 11 for further details.
TFG Advisory Services
TFG primarily provides wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals and families, and
investment management services for trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, nonprofit
organizations, and other legal entities. These accounts are managed as separately managed accounts. TFG
also provides discretionary investment management services under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) Section 3(38) to participant-directed 401(k) plans. Where
requested, the principals of TFG accept appointments in their individual capacity as trustee, executor,
and/or power of attorney.
Separately Managed Accounts
We offer a wide range of services to our clients who own separately managed accounts. Our services
include rendering of investment advice and counseling; investment management; asset allocation;
selection and discretionary trading of equities, fixed income, and other instruments; and active portfolio
management and review. TFG works with each client to establish an appropriate investment policy
statement (IPS) based on the client’s objectives, unique circumstances, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
Clients can impose reasonable restrictions on TFG’s management of their accounts. TFG generally invests
client assets in domestic and international stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds
(“ETFs”).
Participant-Directed 401(k) Plans
TFG is a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) with
respect to investment management services and investment advice provided to ERISA plans and ERISA
plan participants. TFG is also a fiduciary under section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “IRC”) with respect to investment management services and investment advice provided to
individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), ERISA plans, and ERISA plan participants. As such, TFG is subject
to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the IRC, as applicable, that include, among other things,
prohibited transaction rules which are intended to prohibit fiduciaries from acting on conflicts of interest.
When a fiduciary gives advice, the fiduciary must either avoid certain conflicts of interest or rely upon an
applicable prohibited transaction exemption (a “PTE”).
In performing fiduciary advisory services for participant-directed 401(k) plans, The Fiduciary Group is a
Section 3(38) Investment Manager under ERISA. Fiduciary advisory services for 401(k) plans include:
1. Discretionary authority to select, monitor, remove, and replace the investment alternatives
available to plan participants under the terms of the plan. TFG screens mutual funds using a proprietary
filtering process based on generally accepted investment theories.
2. Discretionary authority to develop and amend a formal written Investment Policy Statement (IPS),
which establishes the specific standards and processes for investment operations of the plan.
3. Construction and management of asset-allocation model portfolios from which participants may
choose. These asset allocation model portfolios utilize the underlying investment options made
available to plan participants. Models are constructed to provide a range of asset allocation models
based on generally accepted investment theories.
5
TFG does not provide fiduciary investment advisory services to participants at a participant level, only at the
plan level. However, TFG provides investment education and guidance to participants so that participants
may choose an allocation strategy or portfolio from the available mutual funds that meets their needs,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
As a fiduciary, TFG has a duty of care and of loyalty to clients and are subject to obligations imposed on
the firm by the federal and state securities laws. As a result, clients have certain rights that cannot be
waived or limited by contract. Nothing in TFG’s agreement with clients should be interpreted as a
limitation of our obligations under the federal and state securities laws or as a waiver of any nonwaivable
rights clients possess.
Financial Planning Services
TFG offers financial planning services to assist clients in planning for and monitoring progress toward
achieving their financial goals such as saving for retirement, funding a child’s education, managing risk
through insurance, managing cash-flow prior to and during retirement, and transferring wealth during
lifetime and at death. After developing the plan, TFG works with the client to implement and monitor
execution of the plan. TFG does not sell any products or receive any financial incentives from third parties
tied to recommendations.
Trustee, Executor, and POA Appointments
When requested, the principals of TFG serve as trustee, executor, or power of attorney for clients. All
fiduciary appointments as trustee or executor are held by the firm's principals individually, for a separately
contracted fee.
When serving as trustee, the individual advisor performs all duties required under the terms of the special
or general purpose trust. The trustee manages the trust assets for the beneficiaries according to the terms
the grantor has set forth in the trust agreement. The trustee must use his or her best judgment to carry
out the grantor's directions and prudently manage the trust assets for the beneficiary. The trustee also
performs all administrative duties involved in managing the trust, including distribution of income to the
beneficiary, trust accounting and reporting, and tax filing. As trustee, the individual advisor contracts with
TFG to serve as discretionary investment manager for the trust assets. As power of attorney for clients,
the Firm’s principals approve the payment of bills and request checks and distributions to third parties on
the client’s behalf.
Our advisory personnel who are trustees, executors or agents pursuant to a power of attorney have a
conflict of interest when they engage TFG to render investment advisory services. Their affiliation with
TFG creates an incentive to engage TFG to provide investment advisory services over an unaffiliated
investment adviser at rates that are not negotiated and potentially higher than rates charged by some
unaffiliated investment advisers. These conflicts are mitigated by the fact that TFG principals accept
trustee, executor and power of attorney appointments for clients only upon client request, the trustee,
executor or power of attorney’s authority to appoint TFG as investment adviser is authorized by the trust
or other relevant governing document and the trustees,’ executors’ or power of attorney’s belief that they
can most efficiently and effectively service their clients when TFG has been appointed as investment
adviser.
We implement investment advice on behalf of certain clients in held-away accounts that are maintained
at independent third-party custodians. These held-away accounts are often 401(k) accounts, 529 plans
and other assets that are not held at our primary custodians.
6
Client Assets
As of December 31, 2024, TFG managed $1,728,035,318 in assets on behalf of approximately 667
households/legal entities and 1,604 separate accounts, of which $1,703,107,813 was managed on a
discretionary basis and $24,927,505 was managed on a non-discretionary basis.
ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION
TFG charges an annual investment management fee that is specified in TFG’s agreement with the client.
TFG’s standard fee schedule is listed below. When TFG is engaged as investment adviser to a trust or
estate where a supervised person of TFG is serving as trustee or executor, TFG charges its investment
management fee on all of the assets of the trust or estate unless otherwise specifically stated in the
investment management agreement with TFG.
Compensation for investment advisory services is payable only after service is provided on a quarterly
basis, or semi-quarterly basis in the case of certain 401(k) plans. No advisory fees are payable in advance.
All accounts are terminable at will at any time and fees are payable only for work performed prior to
termination. Clients receive a statement each quarter, or semi-quarterly in the case of sponsors of certain
401(k) plans, itemizing fees and explaining the calculation. For most clients, fees are deducted
automatically from assets under management after the end of each quarter or semi-quarter,
simultaneous with the issuance of the fee statement.
Investment Management Fee Schedule
The Investment Management services fee for both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts is an
annual rate of 1.00% of the value of the assets designated as subject to TFG’s management (the “account”)
up to $1 million, and a tiered rate for balances over $1 million as provided below, billed on a quarterly
basis. Each account is revalued on the last day of each quarter and the account is billed for one-quarter
of the total annual fee.
The Fiduciary Group Standard Fee Schedule
Cumulative at Tier End
Tier Rate and Tier End Fees
Tier Begin
Tier End
% Rate
$ Rate
% Rate
$ Rate
$0
$1,000,000
1.00%
$10,000
1.00%
$10,000
$1,000,000
$3,000,000
0.90%
$18,000
0.93%
$28,000
$3,000,000
$5,000,000
0.70%
$14,000
0.84%
$42,000
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
0.60%
$30,000
0.72%
$72,000
$10,000,000
$20,000,000
0.50%
$50,000
0.61%
$122,000
$20,000,000
$40,000,000
0.40%
$80,000
0.51%
$202,000
$40,000,000
$60,000,000
0.35%
$70,000
0.45%
$272,000
$60,000,000
$80,000,000
0.30%
$60,000
0.42%
$332,000
$80,000,000
$100,000,000
0.25%
$50,000
0.38%
$382,000
$100,000,000
$120,000,000
0.20%
$40,000
0.35%
$422,000
7
In certain circumstances, such as concentrated holdings with low cost basis (which will not be traded
frequently), the nature of the particular duties involved with account management, length or nature of
client relationship, or other unique factors, our fees are negotiable. Advisory fees for certain family
members are discounted or, for immediate family, waived.
Bill pay services are available upon request for a fixed fee, starting at $150 per quarter. The quoted
quarterly fee may be higher, depending on the amount of work involved. Depending on the amount of
assets under management and the complexity of personal transactions, the amount of the quarterly fee
for bill pay and other administrative services will be negotiated appropriately. All fees for administrative
and bill pay services will be quoted in writing in advance and approved by the client before the services are
rendered.
In rare instances, due to the particular nature of the work requested by the client in non-managed or non-
discretionary accounts, TFG will perform analyses and offer investment consultation for a fixed fee.
TFG charges fees quarterly in arrears based on the account value (including cash, accrued interest, accrued
dividends, and securities purchased on margin) at the end of the prior quarter. Most clients authorize TFG
to deduct fees automatically from their brokerage accounts, but clients may request that TFG send
quarterly invoices to be paid by check.
In all accounts, for marketable securities, the prices provided by custodians or, if unavailable, by publicly
available sources, are used for client reporting and fee billing. While TFG makes every effort to obtain
balances directly from the custodian of clients’ assets, for certain accounts with outside brokers or
custodians, TFG may request that the client regularly provide TFG with copies of clients’ account
statements. In some instances, precise account balances are unavailable to TFG on a timely basis. TFG’s
billing in those situations is therefore based on the most current information available to TFG when fees
are calculated. TFG does not independently value any private securities held in client accounts. The
financial information provided on a regular reporting basis by the issuer of private securities will be used
as the basis for client reporting and billing. This valuation is determined independently of TFG.
In addition to our fees, clients are responsible for fees, expenses and charges imposed by third parties in
connection with the investment and maintenance of their assets. These fees, expenses and charges could
potentially include brokerage commissions or securities transaction fees and other expenses and charges
imposed by the client’s custodian and/or broker-dealer, or custodial fees. Investment companies (mutual
funds, ETFs, and private investment funds) in which a client’s assets may be invested, and external
managers of separately managed accounts, charge additional management fees and other expenses as
described in the fund’s prospectus, private offering memorandum, or Form ADV 2A brochure, as
applicable. TFG does not receive any commissions from, or share revenues with, any mutual fund
managers. TFG’s fees are also separate from any custodial and trading or transaction-related fees and
costs that clients will bear. Please see Items 10 and 12 for further information. Unless otherwise agreed,
the minimum annual fee is $5,000 per client relationship ($1,250 per quarter).
For certain clients, we charge an advisory fee for services provided to the held-away accounts mentioned
above in Item 4, just as we do with client accounts held at our primary custodians. The specific fee
schedule charged by us is provided in the client’s investment advisory agreement with us.
8
Participant Directed 401(k) Plan Fee Schedule
In the 401(k) plans for which TFG provides plan-level fiduciary investment management, the maximum
fee is 0.80% for plans with up to $1,000,000 in assets. The fee as a percentage of assets reduces as plan
assets increase, per the following schedule:
When Plan Assets Reach
Rate
$0 - $999,999
$1,000,000 - $1,499,999
$1,500,000 - $1,999,999
$2,000,000 - $2,499,999
$2,500,000 - $2,999,999
$3,000,000 - $3,499,999
$3,500,000 - $4,499,999
$4,500,000 - $5,499,999
$5,500,000 - $6,499,999
$6,500,000 - $9,999,999
$10,000,000 - $14,999,999
$15,000,000 - $19,999,999
$20,000,000 - $24,999,999
$25,000,000 +
0.80%
0.75%
0.70%
0.65%
0.60%
0.55%
0.50%
0.45%
0.40%
0.35%
0.30%
0.25%
0.20%
$50,000 Flat Fee + 0.10% on
Assets > $25,000,000
In addition to TFG’s investment management fees, 401(k) plans and plan participants bear record keeping,
administrative, mutual fund management, and custodial fees, which are charged separately by other
service providers in the 401(k) platform, as itemized in the fee disclosures. A description of mutual fund
management fees and expenses is available in each fund's prospectus. TFG does not receive any
commissions from, or share revenues with, mutual fund managers or any other service providers in the
401(k) platform. Commissions which are part of the mutual fund managers’ expense are rebated to plan
participants to offset plan expenses.
Executor Fee Schedule
The annual fee for executor services (payable to the individual named executor) is in addition to the fees
charged by TFG to provide investment advisory services to the estate. On all assets includable in the gross
estate for federal estate tax purposes, and that the Executor has administrative oversight, the following
rates shall apply, subject to a minimum fee of $3,500. These rates also apply where a TFG representative
is named as successor Trustee of a revocable living trust for a deceased grantor requiring estate
administration services.
2.0% on the first $400,000
1.0% on the next $600,000
.50% on all over $1,000,000
Valuation of assets is based upon amounts as finally determined for Federal estate tax purposes. Where
Federal estate tax is not applicable, the valuation shall be fair market value at date of death.
9
Trustee Fee Schedule
The annual fee for trustee services (payable to the individual named trustee) is 0.25% of the trust asset
value and is in addition to the investment advisory fees TFG charges on all of the trust’s assets when TFG
has been engaged as investment adviser to the trust. Charges for trustee fees are for all normal and
customary duties of the trustee associated with administering and reporting on the trust account
according to the terms of the trust. In addition, a supplemental trust administration fee will be charged
where the bill pay, recordkeeping, and/or accounting and reporting duties are significant. The minimum
annual fee for trust services is $2,500. For clients who are not utilizing TFG Investment Management
services, the annual administrative fee for Trustee services (payable to the individual named Trustee) is
0.50% of the trust asset value. The minimum annual fee for these trust services is $5,000. All fees are billed
quarterly. Tax returns will be prepared by an independent CPA and those charges will be billed to the trust.
When special services are required for either estate or trust administration, appropriate reasonable
additional charges will apply. Services not contemplated in our basic fee rates include, but are not limited
to, litigation, operation or supervision of a going business, valuation, and other special services relating to
assets with limited marketability and/or not passing under the will or trust document. If out of town travel
is required, the account will be billed for reasonable travel and out-of-pocket costs. A 1% fee is charged
on trust termination.
Financial Planning Services
Financial planning services are included in the asset management fee for all current investment advisory
clients.
TFG does not have any arrangements, oral or in writing, where it is paid in cash by or receives some
economic benefit (including commissions, equipment, or non-research services) from a non-client in
connection with giving advice to clients. TFG is not directly or indirectly compensated by any person for
client referrals.
TFG offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from unaffiliated third-party financial
institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions, LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates,
“UPTIQ”) and Flourish Financial LLC (“Flourish”). Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus”) is a minority
investor in UPTIQ, Inc. UPTIQ is compensated by sharing in the revenue earned by such third-party
financial institutions for serving our clients. Although the revenue paid to UPTIQ benefits UPTIQ, Inc.’s
investors, including Focus, our parent company, no Focus affiliate will receive any compensation from
UPTIQ or Flourish that is attributable to our clients’ transactions. Further information on this conflict of
interest is available in Item 10 of this Brochure.
TFG helps our clients obtain certain insurance solutions by introducing clients to our affiliate, Focus Risk
Solutions, LLC (“FRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of our parent company, Focus Financial Partners, LLC.
FRS assists our clients with regulated insurance sales activity by advising our clients on insurance matters
and placing insurance products for them and/or referring our clients to certain third-party insurance
brokers (the “Brokers”), with whom FRS has agreements, which either separately or together with FRS
place insurance products for them. FRS does not receive any compensation from the Brokers or any other
third parties for serving our clients. Additionally, in exchange for allowing certain of the Brokers to offer
their services to clients of other Focus firms, FRS receives periodic fees (the “Platform Fees”) from such
Brokers. The Platform Fees are expected to change over time. Such Platform Fees are revenue for FRS
and, ultimately, for our common parent company, Focus, but we do not share in such revenue and no
portion of the Platform Fees is attributable to our clients’ use of the Brokers’ services. Further information
10
on this service is available in Item 10 of this Brochure.
TFG does not receive any compensation from SCS in connection with assets that our clients place in SCS’s
pooled investment vehicles. TFG’s clients are not advisory clients of and do not pay advisory fees to SCS.
However, our clients bear the costs of SCS’s investment vehicle or vehicle in which they are invested,
including any management fees and performance fees payable to SCS.
The allocation of TFG client assets to SCS’s pooled investment vehicles, rather than to an unaffiliated
investment manager, increases SCS’s compensation and the revenue to Focus LLC relative to a situation
in which our clients are excluded from SCS’s pooled investment vehicles or invested in an unaffiliated third
party’s pooled investment vehicles. As a consequence, Focus LLC has a financial incentive to cause us to
recommend that our clients invest in SCS’s pooled investment vehicles.
TFG does not receive any compensation from Origin in connection with assets that our clients place in
Origin’s pooled investment vehicles. TFG’s clients are not advisory clients of and do not pay advisory fees
to Origin. However, our clients bear the costs of Origin’s investment vehicle or vehicles in which they are
invested, including any management fees and performance fees payable to Origin.
The allocation of TFG client assets to Origin’s pooled investment vehicles, rather than to an unaffiliated
investment manager, increases Origin’s compensation and the revenue to Focus LLC relative to a situation
in which our clients are excluded from Origin’s pooled investment vehicles or invested in an unaffiliated
third party's pooled investment vehicles. As a consequence, Focus LLC has a financial incentive to cause
us to recommend that our clients invest in Origin’s pooled investment vehicles.
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
TFG does not charge any performance fees.
Some investment advisers experience conflicts of interest in connection with the side-by-side
management of accounts with different fee structures. However, these conflicts of interest are not
applicable to TFG.
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS
TFG primarily provides wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals and families, and
discretionary investment management services to trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans,
nonprofit organizations, and other legal entities. These accounts are managed as separately managed
accounts. TFG also serves as a fiduciary investment advisor under ERISA Section 3(38) to participant-
directed 401(k) plans. Where requested, the principals of TFG serve in their individual capacity as trustee,
executor, and/or power of attorney.
The average “account size” (assets under management per consolidated household across all client
relationships, including institutional accounts) as of December 31, 2024, was $2.6 million. Unless
otherwise agreed, TFG’s minimum entry asset size for separate account management is $500,000. For
401(k) plans, unless otherwise agreed, the minimum entry asset level is $1,000,000.
11
ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS
Method of Analysis and Investment Strategies
The Investment Team collectively conducts fundamental analysis on securities recommended for client
accounts. This analysis varies depending on the security in question. Sources for information include
Bloomberg and Morningstar, among other global data or research providers; annual reports, prospectuses,
and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and financial newspapers, magazines, and on-
line news sources. For stocks and bonds the analysis generally includes a review of:
• The issuer’s financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow
statement;
• Prospects for the issuer’s industry, as well as the issuer’s competitive position within its
industry;
• Valuation of the security; relative valuation to peer group; and historical valuation; and
• Any other factors considered relevant.
For mutual funds the analysis generally includes a review of:
• The fund’s management team;
• The fund’s historical risk and return characteristics;
• The fund’s exposure to sectors and individual issuers;
• The fund’s fee structure; and
• Any other factors considered relevant.
For ETF’s the analysis generally includes a review of:
• The fund’s historical risk and return characteristics;
• The fund’s exposure to sectors and individual issuers;
• The fund’s fee structure; and
• Any other factors considered relevant.
Where use of Separate Account Managers is warranted, the investment team conducts due diligence on
the manager’s investment strategy, risk-adjusted performance, style consistency, investment process,
and other factors considered relevant.
The Investment Team regularly shares the recommendations with TFG’s Investment Committee led by the
Chief Investment Officer. The Investment Committee generally meets monthly to discuss existing and
prospective investments. Investments are evaluated independently, as well as in the context of clients’
existing holdings and sector exposures.
TFG tends to follow four general investment strategies with corresponding asset allocation targets: Capital
Preservation; Income with Growth; Growth with Income; and Growth of Principal. Based on an
understanding of the client’s risk tolerance, liquidity and income needs, objectives, and time horizon, TFG
will agree with the client on an overall Investment Policy Statement (IPS) which reflects one of those four
strategies. The client’s IPS is documented and entered into the portfolio management system.
The strategies are implemented in the clients’ accounts using individual securities, mutual funds, and/or
ETFs. Accounts with less than $500,000 in assets are generally invested in mutual funds and ETFs and, with
few exceptions, conform to model portfolios for each of those strategies. Accounts with over $500,000 in
12
investment assets are more customized and generally utilize individual securities to fill the large cap
allocation, may utilize individual bonds, and will utilize mutual funds and ETFs to fill the satellite positions
in international and emerging market securities, small and mid-cap markets, and some fixed income
categories. We refer to these portfolios as “hybrid” portfolios due to the mix of individual securities and
mutual funds/ ETFs. Though we seek overall consistency in allocation targets in all consolidated accounts
with similar IPSs, individual holdings may vary depending on the timing of the investments, tax
considerations, and client preferences.
The Investment Team trades all client accounts. The Investment Team seeks to sequence the review and
trading of all accounts so as to be fair to all clients and ensure that no client or account is advantaged or
disadvantaged over another. In general, the Investment Team seeks to review and/or trade all model
portfolios (typically accounts with less than $500,000 in investment assets) at least annually or more
frequently based on market conditions and/or individual client needs.
The Investment Team seeks to review and/or trade all hybrid accounts quarterly. Simply because The
Investment Team reviews an account does not mean that positions in the account will be traded. In
addition, the advisor responsible for the client relationship reviews all client statements quarterly, before
the statement is distributed to the client, and checks to make sure that the overall portfolio allocation is
in line with the client’s IPS. The advisor notes any changes that need to be made in the account and instructs
the Investment Team to implement the changes.
The Investment Team seeks to invest cash in new accounts over a time period that is appropriate given the
size of the account, market dynamics, and the needs of the clients.
TFG primarily invests for relatively long-time horizons. However, market developments could cause TFG
to sell securities more quickly. On occasion, short term purchases (securities sold within a year) are used
to implement investment strategies.
Risk of Loss – General
All investing involves a risk of loss, including risk of loss of principal invested, that clients should be
prepared to bear. The investment strategies offered by TFG could lose money over short or even long
periods of time. Performance could be negatively impacted by a number of different market risks
including, but not limited to, that the portfolio management techniques used by TFG may not produce the
desired results. This could cause accounts to decline in value. In addition, TFG may rely on information
that turns out to be wrong. TFG selects investments based, in part, on information provided by issuers to
regulators or made directly available to TFG by the issuers or other sources. TFG is not always able to
confirm the completeness or accuracy of such information, and in some cases, complete and accurate
information is not available. Incorrect or incomplete information increases risk and could result in losses.
Potential Risks of Investing in Securities, Including Securities Purchased in Mutual Funds and ETFs Stock Market
Risk - Stock market risk is the possibility that stock prices overall will decline over short or extended
periods. Markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Markets periodically experience recessions, panics, crashes and other periods of volatility that can cause
substantial losses in the equity securities in clients’ investment portfolios.
Investing in small and medium-sized companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with
more established companies. Stocks of such companies may be subject to more volatility in price than
larger company securities.
13
Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign securities are subject to the same market risks as U.S. securities, such as
general economic conditions and company and industry prospects. However, foreign securities involve
the additional risk of loss due to political, economic, legal, regulatory, and operational uncertainties;
differing accounting and financial reporting standards; limited availability of information; currency
conversion; and pricing factors affecting investment in the securities of foreign businesses or
governments.
Interest Rate Risk - Bonds also experience market risk as a result of changes in interest rates. The general
rule is that if interest rates rise, bond prices will fall. The reverse is also true: if interest rates fall, bond
prices will generally rise. A bond with a longer maturity (or a bond fund with a longer average maturity)
will typically fluctuate more in price than a shorter-term bond. Because of their very short-term nature,
money market instruments carry less interest rate risk.
Credit Risk - Bonds and bond mutual funds are also exposed to credit risk, which is the possibility that the
issuer of a bond will default on its obligation to pay interest and/or principal. U.S. Treasury securities,
which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, have limited credit risk, while
securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored enterprises that
are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government may be subject to varying degrees of
credit risk. Corporate bonds rated BBB or above by Standard & Poor's are generally considered to carry
moderate credit risk. Corporate bonds rated lower than BBB are considered to have significant credit risk.
Of course, bonds with lower credit ratings generally pay a higher level of income to investors.
Liquidity Risk - Liquidity risk exists when a particular security is difficult to trade. A mutual fund’s
investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the mutual fund because the mutual fund may
not be able to sell the assets at the time desired for an acceptable price, or might not be able to sell the
assets at all.
Call Risk - Many fixed income securities have a provision allowing the issuer to repay the debt early,
otherwise known as a "call feature." Issuers often exercise this right when interest rates are low.
Accordingly, holders of such callable securities may not benefit fully from the increase in value that other
fixed income securities experience when rates decline. Furthermore, after a callable security is repaid
early, a mutual fund would reinvest the proceeds of the payoff at current interest rates, which would likely
be lower than those paid on the security that was called.
Objective/Style Risk - All of the mutual funds are subject, in varying degrees, to objective/style risk, which
is the possibility that returns from a specific type of security in which a mutual fund or manager invests will
trail the returns of the overall market.
U.S. Government Agency Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government agencies or government-
sponsored entities may not be guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. If a government- sponsored entity is
unable to meet its obligations, the securities of the entity could be adversely impacted.
Private Investment Funds
TFG recommends that certain clients invest their assets in private investment funds, such as private equity
funds. Private investment funds are generally illiquid, are less regulated than publicly traded securities,
can be leveraged and are only appropriate for financially sophisticated investors with sufficient risk
tolerance to withstand the loss of their investment in the fund. Clients are encouraged to carefully review
the risk factors contained in the private offering memorandum for the relevant fund before they invest.
14
Cybersecurity and Business Continuity Risks
The computer systems, networks and devices used by TFG and service providers to us and our clients to
carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or
interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures,
infiltration by unauthorized persons, and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized,
systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. A client could be negatively impacted as a
result of a cybersecurity breach.
Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from
computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or
otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity
breaches may cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses
to a client; impediments to trading; the inability by us and other service providers to transact business;
violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage,
reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent
release of confidential information.
Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in
which a client invests; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market
operators, banks, brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions; and other parties. In addition,
substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the
future.
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
TFG and its employees have not been involved in any legal or disciplinary events in the past 10 years that
is material to a client’s evaluation of the company or its personnel.
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
TFG and its employees do not have any relationships or arrangements with other financial services
companies that pose material conflicts of interest.
TFG recommends to certain 401(k) clients or prospects the record keeping and third-party administrative
services of Sentinel Benefits Group, LLC (“Sentinel”), which is an affiliate as it is also owned by Focus
Operating, LLC. However, 401(k) advisory clients receive a proposal directly from, and contract separately
with, Sentinel on an arm’s-length basis for those services if they so choose. No compensation or financial
incentives of any kind are exchanged between TFG and Sentinel with regard to mutual clients.
As noted above in response to Item 4, certain investment vehicles affiliated with CD&R collectively are
indirect majority owners of Focus LLC, and certain investment vehicles affiliated with Stone Point are
indirect owners of Focus LLC. Because TFG is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Focus LLC, CD&R and
Stone Point investment vehicles are indirect owners of TFG.
TFG does not receive compensation or financial incentives of any kind from any third-party advisors,
mutual funds, or Separate Account Managers it may recommend to clients.
15
Credit and Cash Management Solutions
TFG offers clients the option of obtaining certain financial solutions from unaffiliated third-party financial
institutions through UPTIQ Treasury & Credit Solutions, LLC (together with UPTIQ, Inc. and its affiliates,
“UPTIQ”) and Flourish Financial LLC (“Flourish”). These third-party financial institutions are banks and
non-banks that offer credit and cash management solutions to our clients, as well as certain other
unaffiliated third parties that provide administrative and settlement services to facilitate UPTIQ’s cash
management solutions. UPTIQ acts as an intermediary to facilitate our clients’ access to these credit and
cash management solutions. Flourish acts as an intermediary to facilitate our clients’ access to cash
management solutions.
TFG are a wholly owned subsidiary of Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus”). Focus is a minority investor
in UPTIQ, Inc. UPTIQ is compensated by sharing in the revenue earned by such third-party financial
institutions for serving our clients. Although the revenue paid to UPTIQ benefits UPTIQ, Inc.’s investors,
including Focus, no Focus affiliate will receive any compensation from UPTIQ that is attributable to our
clients’ transactions. Additionally, no Focus affiliate will receive any compensation from Flourish that is
attributable to our clients’ transactions.
For services provided by UPTIQ and Flourish to clients of other Focus firms and when legally permissible,
UPTIQ and Flourish each shares a portion of this earned revenue with our affiliate, Focus Solutions
Holdings, LLC (“FSH”). Such compensation to FSH is also revenue for FSH’s and our common parent
company, Focus. This compensation to FSH does not come from credit or cash management solutions
provided to any of our clients. However, the volume generated by our clients’ transactions allows Focus
to negotiate better terms with UPTIQ and Flourish, which benefits Focus.
TFG mitigates this conflict by: (1) fully and fairly disclosing the material facts concerning the above
arrangements to our clients, including in this Brochure; and (2) offering UPTIQ’s and Flourish’s solutions
to clients on a strictly nondiscretionary and fully disclosed basis, and not as part of any discretionary
investment services. Additionally, TFG notes that clients who use UPTIQ’s and Flourish’s services will
receive product-specific disclosures from the third-party financial institutions and other unaffiliated third-
party intermediaries that provide services to our clients.
TFG has an additional conflict of interest when we recommend credit solutions to our clients because our
interest in continuing to receive investment advisory fees from client accounts gives us a financial
incentive to recommend that clients borrow money rather than liquidate some or all of the assets we
manage.
Credit Solutions
Clients retain the right to pledge assets in accounts generally, subject to any restrictions imposed by
clients’ custodians. While credit solution programs that we offer facilitate secured loans through third-
party financial institutions, clients are free instead to work directly with institutions outside such
programs. Because of the limited number of participating third-party financial institutions, clients may be
limited in their ability to obtain as favorable loan terms as if the client were to work directly with other
banks to negotiate loan terms or obtain other financial arrangements.
Clients should also understand that pledging assets in an account to secure a loan involves additional risk
and restrictions. A third-party financial institution has the authority to liquidate all or part of the pledged
16
securities at any time, without prior notice to clients and without their consent, to maintain required
collateral levels. The third-party financial institution also has the right to call client loans and require
repayment within a short period of time; if the client cannot repay the loan within the specified time
period, the third-party financial institution will have the right to force the sale of pledged assets to repay
those loans. Selling assets to maintain collateral levels or calling loans may result in asset sales and
realized losses in a declining market, leading to the permanent loss of capital. These sales also may have
adverse tax consequences. Interest payments and any other loan-related fees are borne by clients and
are in addition to the advisory fees that clients pay us for managing assets, including assets that are
pledged as collateral. The returns on pledged assets may be less than the account fees and interest paid
by the account. Clients should consider carefully and skeptically any recommendation to pursue a more
aggressive investment strategy in order to support the cost of borrowing, particularly the risks and costs
of any such strategy. More generally, before borrowing funds, a client should carefully review the loan
agreement, loan application, and other forms and determine that the loan is consistent with the client’s
long-term financial goals and presents risks consistent with the client’s financial circumstances and risk
tolerance.
TFG uses UPTIQ to facilitate credit solutions for our clients.
Cash Management Solutions
For cash management programs, certain third-party intermediaries provide administrative and settlement
services to our clients. Engaging the third-party financial institutions and other intermediaries to provide
cash management solutions does not alter the manner in which we treat cash for billing purposes. Clients
should understand that in rare circumstances, depending on interest rates and other economic and
market factors, the yields on cash management solutions could be lower than the aggregate fees and
expenses charged by the third-party financial institutions, the intermediaries referenced above, and us.
Consequently, in these rare circumstances, a client could experience a negative overall investment return
with respect to those cash investments. Nonetheless, it might still be reasonable for a client to participate
in a cash management program if the client prefers to hold cash at the third-party financial institutions
rather than at other financial institutions (e.g., to take advantage of FDIC insurance).
TFG uses UPTIQ and Flourish to facilitate cash management solutions for our clients.
Focus Risk Solutions
TFG helps our clients obtain certain insurance solutions by introducing clients to our affiliate, Focus Risk
Solutions, LLC (“FRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of our parent company, Focus Financial
Partners, LLC (“Focus”). FRS assists our clients with regulated insurance sales activity by advising our
clients on insurance matters and placing insurance products for them and/or referring our clients to
certain third-party insurance brokers (the “Brokers”), with whom FRS has agreements, which either
separately or together with FRS place insurance products for them.
Neither TFG nor FRS receives any compensation from the Brokers or any other third parties for providing
insurance solutions to our clients. For services provided by FRS to clients of other Focus firms, FRS receives
a percentage of the upfront commission or a percentage of the ongoing premiums for policies successfully
placed with insurance carriers on behalf of referred clients. Additionally, in exchange for allowing certain
of the Brokers to offer their services to clients of other Focus firms, FRS receives periodic fees (the
“Platform Fees”) from such Brokers. The Platform Fees are expected to change over time. Such Platform
17
Fees are revenue for FRS and, ultimately, for our common parent company, Focus, but TFG does not share
in such revenue and no portion of the Platform Fees is attributable to our clients’ use of the Brokers’
services. Such compensation to FRS, including the Platform Fees, is also revenue for our common parent
company, Focus. However, this compensation to FRS does not come from insurance solutions provided to
any of our clients. The volume generated by our clients’ transactions does benefit FRS and Focus in
attracting, retaining, and negotiating with the Brokers and insurance carriers. TFG mitigates this conflict
by: (1) fully and fairly disclosing the material facts concerning the above arrangements to our clients,
including in this Brochure; (2) offering FRS solutions to clients on a strictly nondiscretionary and fully
disclosed basis, and not as part of any discretionary investment services; and (3) not sharing in any portion
of the Platform Fees. Additionally, TFG notes that clients who use FRS’s services will receive product-
specific disclosure from the Brokers and
insurance carriers and other unaffiliated third-party
intermediaries that provide services to our clients.
The insurance premium is ultimately dictated by the insurance carrier, although in some circumstances
the Brokers or FRS may have the ability to influence an insurance carrier to lower the premium of the
policy. The final rate may be higher or lower than the prevailing market rate. TFG can offer no assurances
that the rates offered to you by the insurance carrier are the lowest possible rates available in the
marketplace.
SCS Capital Management LLC
TFG has a business relationship with other Focus firms that is material to our advisory business or to our
clients. Under certain circumstances we offer our clients the opportunity to invest in pooled investment
vehicles managed by SCS. SCS provides these services to such clients pursuant to limited liability company
agreement or limited partnership agreement documents and in exchange for a fund-level management
fee and performance fee paid by our clients and not by us. SCS, like TFG, is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Focus LLC and is therefore under common control with TFG. The allocation of our clients’
assets to SCS’s pooled investment vehicles, rather than to an unaffiliated investment manager, increases
SCS’s, and indirectly, Focus LLC’s, compensation and revenue. As a consequence, Focus LLC has a financial
incentive to cause TFG to recommend that our clients invest in SCS’s pooled investment vehicles, which
creates a conflict of interest with TFG clients who invest, or are eligible to invest, in SCS’s pooled investment
vehicles. More information about Focus LLC can be found at www.focusfinancialpartners.com.
TFG believes this conflict is mitigated because of the following factors: (1) this arrangement is based on
our reasonable belief that investing a portion of TFG’s clients’ assets in SCS’s investment vehicles is in the
best interests of the clients; (2) SCS and its investment vehicles have met the due diligence and
performance standards that we apply to outside, unaffiliated investment managers; (3) clients will invest
in the pooled investment vehicles on a nondiscretionary basis through the completion of subscription
documentation; (4) subject to redemption restrictions, we are willing and able to reallocate TFG client
assets to other unaffiliated or affiliated investment vehicles, in part or in whole, if SCS’s services become
unsatisfactory in our judgment and at our sole discretion; and (5) we have fully and fairly disclosed the
material facts regarding this relationship to you, including in this Brochure, and TFG clients who invest in
SCS’s pooled investment vehicles have given their informed consent to those investments.
Origin Investment Group, LLC
TFG has a business relationship with other Focus firms that is material to our advisory business or to our
clients. Under certain circumstances we offer our clients the opportunity to invest in pooled investment
18
vehicles. More
information
about
Focus
LLC
can be
found
vehicles managed by Origin. Origin provides these services to such clients pursuant to limited liability
company agreement or limited partnership agreement documents and in exchange for a fund-level
management fee and performance fee paid by our clients and not by us. Origin, like TFG, is an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Focus LLC and is therefore under common control with TFG. The allocation of
our clients’ assets to Origin’s pooled investment vehicles, rather than to an unaffiliated investment manager,
increases Origin’s, and indirectly, Focus LLC’s, compensation and revenue. As a consequence, Focus LLC has
a financial incentive to cause TFG to recommend that our clients invest in Origin’s pooled investment
vehicles, which creates a conflict of interest with TFG clients who invest, or are eligible to invest, in Origin’s
pooled
at
investment
www.focusfinancialpartners.com.
We believe this conflict is mitigated because of the following factors: (1) this arrangement is based on our
reasonable belief that investing a portion of TFG’s clients’ assets in Origin’s investment vehicles is in the best
interests of the clients; (2) Origin and its investment vehicles have met the due diligence and performance
standards that we apply to outside, unaffiliated investment managers; (3) clients will invest in the pooled
investment vehicles on a nondiscretionary basis through the completion of subscription documentation;
(4) subject to redemption restrictions, we are willing and able to reallocate TFG client assets to other
unaffiliated or affiliated investment vehicles, in part or in whole, if Origin’s services become unsatisfactory
in our judgment and at our sole discretion; and (5) we have fully and fairly disclosed the material facts
regarding this relationship to you, including in this Brochure, and TFG clients who invest in Origin’s pooled
investment vehicles have given their informed consent to those investments.
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND
PERSONAL TRADING
TFG has adopted a written code of ethics that is applicable to all employees. Among other things, the code
requires TFG and its employees to act in clients’ best interests, abide by all applicable regulations, avoid
even the appearance of insider trading, and pre-clear and report on many types of personal securities
transactions. TFG’s restrictions on personal securities trading apply to employees, as well as employees’
family members living in the same household. A copy of TFG’s code of ethics is available upon request.
TFG’s employees are generally permitted to trade alongside client accounts as long as they receive the
average price that is applicable to clients and pay their share of any transaction costs. However, no
employees are allowed to participate in partially filled orders until all clients’ orders have been filled. The
Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Investment Officer monitor employee trading, relative to client
trading, in order to detect and prevent conflicts with client trades.
Preclearance from the Director of Research and/or the Chief Investment Officer, or a named designee, is
required for any personal trades in reportable securities. TFG does not grant preclearance where it would
appear that an employee’s trading could disadvantage TFG’s clients.
TFG recommends that certain of our clients invest in a private investment fund managed by an affiliated
Focus partner firm. Please refer to Items 4, 5 and 10 for additional information.
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES
TFG evaluates and recommends “qualified custodians” (generally broker-dealers or banks), who are
19
required under the Advisers Act to maintain physical custody of clients’ assets. In evaluating and
recommending broker-dealers to serve as custodians of client assets, we seek to recommend a
custodian/broker who will hold client assets and execute transactions on terms that are overall most
advantageous when compared to other available providers and services.
TFG seeks to identify the best balance of cost, service, and technology integration. We consider a wide
range of factors, including, among others: capability to execute, clear, and settle trades; transaction costs
and competitiveness of the price of services; breadth of investment products made available (stocks,
bonds, mutual funds, ETF offerings); integration capability with TFG’s trading, reporting, and compliance
systems; diversity of account types; money market offerings; the client portal; the firm’s differentiated
value proposition; reputation, financial strength, and stability of the provider; capability to facilitate
transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check requests, bill payment); and overall
transaction costs for both small and large accounts.
TFG recommends that its clients use either Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) or Fidelity Clearing &
Custody Solutions (“Fidelity”) to provide custody and execution services. The vast majority of existing
accounts are held at Schwab. Because we saw advantages for clients to have multiple platforms from which
to choose, we evaluated several alternatives and chose Fidelity as an additional custodian. In our view,
there is no pure, objective methodology to decide which client belongs with which custodian, but rather
a subjective assessment of each client and prospect, along with our knowledge of the custodians in use.
We recommend the custodian whose service platform best fits with the needs of the client and the nature
of the account.
We are independently owned and operated and are not affiliated with either Schwab or Fidelity. TFG does
not receive “soft dollar benefits” from the broker-dealers it recommends.
Products and Services Available to TFG from Schwab and Fidelity
Schwab Advisor Services™ (formerly called Schwab Institutional®) is Schwab’s business serving
independent investment advisory firms like TFG. Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions® is Fidelity’s
business serving independent investment advisory firms like TFG. Both of these brokers/custodians
provide TFG and its clients with access to its institutional brokerage - trading, custody, reporting, and
related services - many of which are not typically available to Schwab or Fidelity retail customers. Schwab
and Fidelity also make available various support services. Some of those services help TFG manage or
administer clients’ accounts, while others help TFG manage and grow its business. Schwab’s support
services generally are available on an unsolicited basis (TFG does not have to request them) and at no
charge as long as TFG’s clients collectively maintain at least $10 million in assets at Schwab. If TFG’s clients
collectively have less than $10 million in assets at Schwab, Schwab may charge TFG quarterly service fees
of $1,200. Given that TFG’s clients collectively custody in excess of $1 billion at Schwab, we believe that
the $10 million minimum is immaterial. Fidelity may charge an additional platform fee of $2,500 per
quarter in the event that TFG’s clients hold less than $25 million in assets at Fidelity after the first year of
engaging its services. Given that TFG’s clients collectively custody in excess of $200 million at Fidelity, we
believe that the $25 million minimum is immaterial.
Following is a more detailed description of Schwab’s and Fidelity’s support services:
20
Services that Benefit Clients
Schwab’s and Fidelity’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment
products, execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products
available through Schwab and Fidelity include some to which TFG might not otherwise have access or that
would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by TFG’s clients.
Services that May Not Directly Benefit Clients
Schwab and Fidelity also make available other products and services that benefit TFG but may not directly
benefit clients. These products and services assist TFG in managing and administering TFG’s clients’
accounts. Schwab and Fidelity also make available software and other technology utilized by TFG that:
• Provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements)
• Facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts
• Provide pricing and other market data
• Facilitate payment of TFG’s fees from TFG’s clients’ accounts
• Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting
• Assist with administering TFG’s compliance program.
Services that Generally Benefit Only TFG
Schwab and Fidelity also offer other services intended to help TFG manage and further develop its
business enterprise. These services include:
• Educational conferences and events
• Consulting on technology, compliance, legal, and business needs
• Publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
Schwab and Fidelity may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, they will arrange for third-
party vendors to provide the services to TFG. Schwab and Fidelity may also discount or waive its fees for
some of these services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees.
Our receipt of economic benefits from a custodian creates a potential conflict of interest since these
benefits has the potential to influence the Firm’s recommendation of custodians who provide over
another that does not furnish similar software, systems support, or services. As a fiduciary investment
advisor, TFG is obligated to act in the best interests of its clients and to place its clients’ interests before
its own. Although the decision as to where to custody their assets is ultimately made by the clients, TFG
will only recommend to its clients that they custody their assets at a financial services firm that TFG
believes is in the best interests of its clients.
Directed Brokerage
Clients may have a pre-established relationship with a broker and they will instruct TFG to execute all
transactions through that broker. In directing the use of a particular broker or dealer, clients may lose out
on certain benefits that may otherwise be obtained and it should be understood that TFG will not have
authority to obtain volume discounts. Consequently, if the client selects its own broker or dealer to
21
execute transactions for the client’s account, the client may forfeit more favorable commission and
execution rates and more favorable execution than would be the case if it utilized the broker or dealer
recommended by TFG. Clients who direct that trades be placed through a selected broker may also be
disadvantaged as to the time the trades are placed, in that if a particular security is being bought or sold
for multiple client accounts, TFG will typically place all of the trades for clients at Schwab and Fidelity before
trades are placed through other brokers.
Most of the assets held in 401(k) plans for which The Fiduciary Group provides fiduciary investment
management are held in custody at Charles Schwab Trust Company. Record keeping and third party
administrative services are provided by The Retirement Plan Company, Principal Financial Group, or
Sentinel Benefits & Financial Group.
The Selection of Trading Counterparties
TFG can typically trade accounts held at Schwab and Fidelity using other broker/dealers. However, Schwab
and Fidelity charges clients trade-away fees that TFG believes outweigh any benefits from trading stocks,
mutual funds, or ETFs with other brokers. The availability and pricing of bonds varies more widely, so prior
to placing a bond trade, TFG solicits bids from several dealers and then executes the trade with the dealer
that offers sufficient liquidity and the most favorable pricing.
For clients who elect to have their accounts held by firms other than Schwab or Fidelity, TFG’s approach
is generally to trade stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs with the chosen custodian.
Best Execution Reviews
On at least an annual basis TFG’s Chief Compliance Officer and other senior executives evaluate the pricing
and services offered by Schwab, Fidelity, and other trading counterparties with those offered by other
reputable firms. TFG has sought to make a good-faith determination that Schwab, Fidelity, and other
chosen trading counterparties provide clients with good services at competitive prices.
Aggregated Trades
Even though our trades tend not to move the markets and we typically review and trade accounts
individually, we typically aggregate trades when executing a block trade.
When executing a block trade, the individual managing the trade will allocate the securities across the
accounts, considering account size, diversification, cash availability, and other factors, including, where
appropriate, the value of having a round lot in the portfolio.
All Fidelity clients participating in each aggregated order shall receive the average daily price regardless
of submission time, but Schwab clients participating in each aggregated order shall receive the average
price consistent with the timing of the separate order. In rare instances where there is a material intraday
movement, we may use an average price for orders that were not originally aggregated.
Clients participating in a block trade receive the same average price and incur trading costs that are the
same as would be paid if they were traded individually. Employees may be included side- by-side in
bunched client trades.
TFG shall make every effort to formulate allocations on trade tickets prior to execution. If the entire order
is filled, clients shall receive their portion of the allocation specified on the initial allocation.
22
In the event an order is “partially filled,” the allocation shall be made in the best interests of all the clients
in the order, taking into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the size of each client’s
allocation, clients’ liquidity needs and previous allocations. Normally, TFG seeks to ensure that accounts
will get a pro-rata allocation based on the initial allocation. TFG will seek to complete any unfilled client
orders on the next trading day. Employees are excluded from bunched trades whenever client orders are
only partially filled.
Client Referrals
TFG does not compensate Schwab, Fidelity, or any other custodian or broker/dealer for referring client
accounts.
Soft Dollars
TFG does not engage in soft dollar arrangements.
Trade Errors
TFG has implemented policies and procedures to ensure that the utmost care is taken in making and
implementing investment decisions of behalf of client accounts. To the extent that any errors occur, they
are to be (a) corrected as soon as practicable and in such a manner that the client incurs no loss, (b)
reported to the CCO, and (c) scrutinized carefully with a view toward implementing procedures to prevent
or reduce future errors, if necessary.
In the event of a trade error loss on Schwab:
•
•
If the gain or loss is less than $100, Schwab absorbs the gain or loss;
If the loss is greater than $100, TFG reimburses Schwab and will book the charge against its
operating expenses;
If the gain is greater than $100, Schwab donates the gain to charity.
•
In the event of a trade error on Fidelity, TFG will reimburse clients for all losses. An Advisor Error Account
is used by Fidelity to facilitate a process to make the client whole. The Advisor Error Account nets gains
against losses on corresponding buys and sells made on the same trading day. TFG is not entitled to retain
“net gains” from Advisor Error Account trade corrections. “Net gains” are defined as positive balances
resulting from any and all trade corrections processed the same business day. Any positive balances will
be swept from the Advisor Error Account at the end of the quarter by Fidelity.
Valuation of Securities
To the extent possible, TFG will always rely on independent 3rd party pricing for publicly traded, daily valued
securities (primarily the broker and if pricing is not available from broker, from an independent provider
such as Yahoo Finance). If a pricing issue arises that is not covered by these procedures, TFG’s portfolio
managers shall use its best efforts and all appropriate means to obtain all relevant information in order
to determine a fair value. If it is deemed necessary or prudent, TFG may hire an independent third party
to provide an appraisal of the security. For situations in which neither an exchange nor a broker, dealer or
market maker issues a price for a security, TFG shall follow "fair valuation" procedures as discussed below.
The valuation of investments for which there is no readily available pricing information is a highly
judgmental process, which cannot be subjected to a simple mechanistic formula. The most critical factors
are that valuations must be prepared with integrity and based on a common-sense approach. In general,
the “fair value” of a portfolio security is defined as the price a client might reasonably expect to receive
23
from the sale of a security in the normal course of business to an arm's-length buyer. Fair value is not
meant to be based on what can be obtained from an immediate "fire sale" disposition, nor on what a
buyer might pay at some later time, such as when the market ultimately realizes the security’s true value
as currently perceived by the portfolio manager. Rather, the fair valuation methodologies employed by
TFG shall attempt to represent the amount at which an asset could be acquired or sold in a current
transaction between willing parties in which the parties each acted knowledgeably, prudently, and
without compulsion. Valuation of real estate investments are generally determined by annual tax
assessments. Life insurance and annuity contracts are normally updated annually based on independent
valuations provided by the insurer’s statement. Notes and partnerships are usually valued based on the
original amount of the indebtedness less payments and plus interest where applicable. We attempt to
value closely held securities based on an independent source such as the Board’s valuation, buy back offer,
or book value. We also rely on client provided values.
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
Accounts under TFG’s management are monitored on an ongoing basis by the investment advisors and
the Chief Compliance Officer. The investment advisors review each account in detail at least annually, as
well as in connection with each client meeting. On at least a quarterly basis the lead investment advisor
reviews the clients’ quarterly portfolio appraisal reports, including reports that are designed to identify
accounts that are outside the expected ranges for returns, exposure to asset classes, and exposure to
industry sectors. Reviews of client accounts will also be triggered if a client changes his or her investment
objectives, or if the market, political, or economic environment changes materially.
Mutual fund positions are monitored on a monthly basis, or intra-monthly if circumstances, such as the
departure of a fund manager, arise. If a fund is replaced in the investment line-up of the 401(k) plans we
manage, it is changed out in all portfolios holding that position.
TFG provides quarterly portfolio appraisal reports for all separate account management clients, unless the
client requests an appraisal report on a monthly basis. Quarterly reports include asset allocation, portfolio
values, cost basis, unrealized gain/loss, time weighted return performance, change in value since last
reported period, management fee report, and a summary transaction report of any receipts and
disbursements. TFG’s investment advisors review all client portfolio appraisals before they are distributed,
to determine whether the account is in line with expectations and the IPS, and to define the action, if any,
to be taken during the following quarter. The Chief Compliance Officer conducts an independent review
of the reports.
Clients receive at least quarterly statements from their qualified custodian reflecting all balances and
transactions. In 401(k) plans for which TFG serves as the fiduciary investment advisor, the record keeper
provides quarterly reports to the plan sponsor and all participants, as well as daily valued account
information via their participant and plan sponsor access website.
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
TFG does not pay any portion of its advisory fees to anyone in connection with the referral of a client to
TFG. TFG does not share its fee with anyone, nor does TFG share in the fees of any service providers or
professionals whom it recommends to clients or with whom it collaborates or works on a client’s behalf.
Other than the previously described products and services that TFG receives from Schwab and Fidelity, TFG
does not receive any other economic benefits from non- clients in connection with the provision of
24
investment advice to clients.
TFG’s parent company is Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus”). From time to time, Focus holds partnership
meetings and other industry and best-practices conferences, which typically include TFG, other Focus firms
and external attendees. These meetings are first and foremost intended to provide training or education
to personnel of Focus firms, including TFG. However, the meetings do provide sponsorship opportunities
for asset managers, asset custodians, vendors and other third-party service providers. Sponsorship fees
allow these companies to advertise their products and services to Focus firms, including TFG. Although
the participation of Focus firm personnel in these meetings is not preconditioned on the achievement of
a sales target for any conference sponsor, this practice could nonetheless be deemed a conflict as the
marketing and education activities conducted, and the access granted, at such meetings and conferences
could cause TFG to focus on those conference sponsors in the course of its duties. Focus attempts to
mitigate any such conflict by allocating the sponsorship fees only to defraying the cost of the meeting or
future meetings and not as revenue for itself or any affiliate, including TFG. Conference sponsorship fees
are not dependent on assets placed with any specific provider or revenue generated by such asset
placement.
The following entities have provided conference sponsorship to Focus from January 1, 2024 to February
1, 2025:
• Advent Software, Inc. (includes SS&C)
• BlackRock, Inc.
• Blackstone Administrative Services Partnership L.P.
• Capital Integration Systems LLC (CAIS)
• Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
• Confluence Technologies Inc.
• Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (includes Parametric Portfolio Associates)
• Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (includes Fidelity
Institutional Asset Management and FIAM)
• Flourish Financial LLC
• Franklin Distributors, LLC (includes O’Shaughnessy Asset Management, L.L.C. (OSAM) and
CANVAS)
• K&L Gates LLP
• Nuveen Securities, LLC
• Orion Advisor Technology, LLC
• Pinegrove Capital Partners LLC (includes Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions)
• Practifi, Inc.
• Salus GRC, LLC
• Stone Ridge Asset Management LLC
• The Vanguard Group, Inc.
• TriState Capital Bank
• UPTIQ, Inc.
You can access a more recently updated list of recent conference sponsors on Focus’ website through the
following link:
https://focusfinancialpartners.com/conference-sponsors/
25
ITEM 15 – CUSTODY
TFG is deemed to have legal custody over client assets when TFG has authority to debit client fees from
their custodial accounts, when clients give TFG the authority pursuant to standing letters of authorization
(“SLOA”) to instruct account custodians to transfer client assets to third parties, and when TFG personnel
serve as trustee for or hold a general power of attorney over the assets of advisory clients. We are
required under the custody rule to obtain verification of client assets over which we have custody, except
where exempted by the rule or where the SEC has provided no action relief from the verification
requirement. Clients may view copies of the verification reports under our Firm’s report on the SEC
website, at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Account custodians send statements directly to the account owners on at least a quarterly basis. Clients
should carefully review these statements and should compare them to any account information provided
by TFG.
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION
TFG has investment discretion over most clients’ accounts. Clients grant TFG trading discretion through
TFG’s advisory contract. This means that TFG has the client’s authority to determine, without obtaining
specific client consent, the securities to be bought and sold, the amount of securities to be bought and
sold, the broker or dealer to be used, and the commission rates paid.
In rare instances, TFG will serve as a non-discretionary investment advisor. In those cases, a special
addendum to the contract is executed stating that the relationship is a non-discretionary relationship,
which means that trades cannot be placed except under the client’s advance consent.
Clients can place reasonable restrictions on TFG’s investment discretion. For example, some clients have
asked TFG not to buy securities issued by companies in certain industries, or not to sell certain securities
where the client has a particularly low tax basis.
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
We accept the authority to vote proxies for clients and, accordingly, have adopted and implemented
written policies and procedures governing the voting of client securities.
TFG considers the reputation, experience, and competence of a company’s management and board of
directors when it evaluates a prospective investment. In general, TFG votes in favor of routine corporate
matters, such as the re-approval of an auditor or a change of a legal entity’s name. TFG also generally
votes in favor of compensation practices and other measures that are in-line with industry norms, that
allow companies to attract and retain key employees and directors, that reward long-term performance,
and that align the interests of management and shareholders.
TFG has not identified any material conflicts of interest in connection with past proxy votes. Such a conflict
could arise if, for example, a client was a senior executive with a publicly traded company and other clients
held securities issued by that company. Absent specific client instructions, if TFG identifies a material
conflict of interest it will follow the procedures outlined in its proxy voting policies.
26
A copy of TFG’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as specific information about how TFG has
voted in the past, is available upon written request. Upon written request, clients can also take
responsibility for voting their own proxies, or can give TFG instructions about how to vote their respective
shares.
Class Actions Service
TFG has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures governing the submission of Class
Action Claims. All class action claims will be treated in accordance with these policies and procedures.
TFG delegates to Broadridge Global Securities Class Action Recovery Service the responsibility for
identifying and filing securities class action settlement claims on behalf of client accounts for cases in which
the client is eligible to participate. Broadridge will provide the following services:
• Annual analysis of trading data to identify the holders of any securities that are covered by a
class action award, and file claims on behalf of those eligible to participate.
• Track and monitor settlement claims to ensure that they are paid in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Enable clients to take part in both U.S. and Global securities class action settlements.
• Allow clients to recover the maximum amount to which they are entitled.
Clients will automatically be covered by the Broadridge Class Action service, unless they wish to opt out
of this service. There is no cost to the client or TFG for this service if no reward is obtained. In the event
of a recovery, as compensation for its services, Broadridge will receive 20% of any award they recover on
the client’s behalf. TFG believes this is the most efficient and effective way for clients’ class action award
claims to be administered.
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TFG has never filed for bankruptcy and is not aware of any financial condition that is expected to affect
its ability to manage client accounts. Therefore, TFG has no disclosure relevant to this item.
27