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Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
February 2026
1957 Carson St. Suite 100
Torrance, CA 90501
www.tortugawealth.com
Firm Contact:
Angela Park Sheldon
Chief Compliance Officer
firm
is also available on
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Tortuga
Wealth Management, Inc. dba Tortuga Wealth Management. If clients have any questions about the
contents of
this brochure, please contact us at (310) 906-0517 or by email at
angela@tortugawealth.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
the SEC’s website at
information about our
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching CRD #153737.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of our firm
and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Clients are
encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise
clients for more information on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
Tortuga Wealth Management is required to make clients aware of information that has changed since
the last annual update to the Firm Brochure (“Brochure”) and that may be important to them. Clients
can then determine whether to review the brochure in its entirety or to contact us with questions
about the changes.
Since the last annual amendment filed on 02/05/2025, we have no material changes to disclose.
ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
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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 & Compensation ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management ........................................................................... 8
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements .................................................................................................... 8
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ................................................................... 9
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations .................................................................................. 11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in ............................................................................................... 11
Client Transactions & Personal Trading ...................................................................................................................... 11
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................................................... 12
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ....................................................................................................... 14
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ..................................................................................................... 15
Item 15: Custody .................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Item 16: Investment Discretion ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 18: Financial Information ........................................................................................................................................ 17
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Our firm is dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of
investment advisory services. Our firm is a corporation formed under the laws of the State of
California in 2010 and has been in business as an investment adviser since that time. Our firm is
owned by Kevin Lee Bidenkap (50%) and Angela Park Sheldon (50%).
The purpose of this Brochure is to disclose the conflicts of interest associated with the investment
transactions, compensation and any other matters related to investment decisions made by our firm
or its representatives. As a fiduciary, it is our duty to always act in the client’s best interest. This is
accomplished in part by knowing our client. Our firm has established a service-oriented advisory
practice with open lines of communication for many different types of clients to help meet their
financial goals while remaining sensitive to risk tolerance and time horizons. Working with clients to
understand their investment objectives while educating them about our process, facilitates the kind
of working relationship we value.
Types of Advisory Services Offered
Financial Planning & Consulting:
Our firm provides a variety of standalone financial planning and consulting services to clients for the
management of financial resources based upon an analysis of current situation, goals, and objectives.
Financial planning services will typically involve preparing a financial plan or rendering a financial
consultation for clients based on the client’s financial goals and objectives. This planning or
consulting may encompass Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Charitable
Planning, Education Planning, Corporate and Personal Tax Planning, Cost Segregation Study,
Corporate Structure, Real Estate Analysis, Mortgage/Debt Analysis, Insurance Analysis, Lines of
Credit Evaluation, or Business and Personal Financial Planning.
Written financial plans or financial consultations rendered to clients usually include general
recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the clients.
Implementation of the recommendations will be at the discretion of the client. Our firm provides
clients with a summary of their financial situation, and observations for financial planning
engagements. Financial consultations are not typically accompanied by a written summary of
observations and recommendations, as the process is less formal than the planning service. Assuming
that all the information and documents requested from the client are provided promptly, plans or
consultations are typically completed within 6 months of the client signing a contract with our firm.
LPL Financial Sponsored Advisory Programs
:
TWM may provide advisory services through certain programs sponsored by LPL Financial LLC (LPL),
a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer. Below is a brief description of each LPL advisory
program available to [Advisor]. For more information regarding the LPL programs, including more
information on the advisory services and fees that apply, the types of investments available in the
programs and the potential conflicts of interest presented by the programs please see the program
account packet (which includes the account agreement and LPL Form ADV program brochure) and the
Form ADV, Part 2A of LPL or the applicable program.
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Our firm receives compensation as a result of a client’s participation in an LPL program. Depending on,
among other things, the size of the account, changes in its value over time, the ability to negotiate fees or
commissions, and the number of transactions, the amount of this compensation may be more or less
than what our firm would receive if the client participated in other programs, whether through LPL or
another sponsor, or paid separately for investment advice, brokerage and other services.
Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP)
OMP offers clients the ability to participate in a professionally managed asset allocation program using
Optimum Funds shares. Under OMP, client will authorize LPL on a discretionary basis to purchase and
sell Optimum Funds pursuant to investment objectives chosen by the client. TWM will assist the client
in determining the suitability of OMP for the client and assist the client in setting an appropriate
investment objective. TWM will have discretion to select a mutual fund asset allocation portfolio
designed by LPL consistent with the client’s investment objective. LPL will have discretion to purchase
and sell Optimum Funds pursuant to the portfolio selected for the client. LPL will also have authority to
rebalance the account.
A minimum account value of $10,000 is required for OMP. In certain instances, LPL will permit a lower
minimum account size.
Personal Wealth Portfolios Program (PWP)
PWP offers clients an asset management account using asset allocation model portfolios designed by
LPL. TWM will have discretion for selecting the asset allocation model portfolio based on client’s
investment objective. TWM will also have discretion for selecting third party money managers (PWP
Advisors), mutual funds and ETFs within each asset class of the model portfolio. LPL will act as the
overlay portfolio manager on all PWP accounts and will be authorized to purchase and sell on a
discretionary basis mutual funds, ETFs and equity and fixed income securities.
A minimum account value of $250,000 is required for PWP. In certain instances, LPL will permit a lower
minimum account size
Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP)
MWP offers clients a professionally managed mutual fund asset allocation program. TWM will obtain
the necessary financial data from the client, assist the client in determining the suitability of the MWP
program and assist the client in setting an appropriate investment objective. TWM will initiate the steps
necessary to open an MWP account and have discretion to select a model portfolio designed by LPL’s
Research Department consistent with the client’s stated investment objective. LPL’s Research
Department or third-party portfolio strategists are responsible for selecting the mutual funds or ETFs
within a model portfolio and for making changes to the mutual funds or ETFs selected.
The client will authorize LPL to act on a discretionary basis to purchase and sell mutual funds and ETFs
and to liquidate previously purchased securities. The client will also authorize LPL to effect rebalancing
for MWP accounts.
MWP requires a minimum asset value for a program account to be managed. The minimums vary
depending on the portfolio(s) selected and the account’s allocation amongst portfolios. The lowest
minimum for a portfolio is $25,000. In certain instances, a lower minimum for a portfolio is permitted.
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Manager Access Select Program (MAS)
Manager Access Select provides clients access to the investment advisory services of professional
portfolio management firms for the individual management of client accounts. TWM will assist client in
identifying a third-party portfolio manager (Portfolio Manager) from a list of Portfolio Managers made
available by LPL. The Portfolio Manager manages client’s assets on a discretionary basis. TWM will
provide initial and ongoing assistance regarding the Portfolio Manager selection process.
A minimum account value of $100,000 is required for Manager Access Select, however, in certain
instances, the minimum account size may be lower or higher.
TWM receives compensation as a result of a client’s participation in an LPL program. Depending on,
among other things, the type and size of the account, type of securities held in the account, changes
in its value over time, the ability to negotiate fees or commissions, the historical or expected size or
number of transactions, and the number and range of supplementary advisory and client-related
services provided to the client, the amount of this compensation may be more or less than what TWM
would receive if the client participated in other programs, whether through LPL or another sponsor,
or paid separately for investment advice, brokerage and other services.
The account fee may be higher than the fees charged by other investment advisors for similar
services. For instance, FutureAdvisor offers direct-to-consumer services similar to GWP. Therefore,
clients could generally pay a lower advisory fee for algorithm-driven, automated (“robo”) investment
advisory services through FutureAdvisor or other robo providers. However, clients using such direct
robo services will forgo opportunities to utilize LPL-constructed model portfolios or to work directly
with a financial advisor.
Clients should consider the level and complexity of the advisory services to be provided when
negotiating the account fee (or the advisor fee portion of the account fee, as applicable) with TWM.
With regard to accounts utilizing third-party portfolio managers under aggregate, all-in-one account
fee structures (including MAS, PWP and the legacy MWP fee structure), because the portion of the
account fee retained by TWM varies depending on the portfolio strategist fee associated with a
portfolio, TWM has a financial incentive to select one portfolio instead of another portfolio.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
Our firm offers individualized investment advice to Wrap Comprehensive Portfolio Management
Clients. General investment advice will be offered to our Financial Planning & Consulting clients.
Each Wrap Comprehensive Portfolio Management Client has the opportunity to place reasonable
restrictions on the types of investments to be held in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in
certain securities or types of securities may not be possible due to the level of difficulty this would
entail in managing the account.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
Our firm offers and sponsors a wrap fee program. Asset Management services are only offered
through wrapped accounts, which are managed on an individualized basis according to the client’s
investment objectives, financial goals, risk tolerance, etc. Please see our Part 2A, Appendix 1 (the
“Wrap Fee Program Brochure”) for more information.
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Tortuga Wealth Management
Regulatory Assets Under Management
Our firm manages $222,882,492 on a discretionary basis and $0 on a non-discretionary basis as of
12/31/2025.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
Financial Planning & Consulting:
Our firm charges on an hourly or flat fee basis for financial planning and consulting services. The total
estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee charged, is based on the scope and complexity of our
engagement with the client. The maximum hourly fee to be charged will not exceed $1,000. Flat fees
will not exceed $20,000. The fee-paying arrangements will be determined on a case-by-case basis
and will be detailed in the signed consulting agreement. Our firm will not require a retainer exceeding
$1200 when services cannot be rendered within 6 months.
LPL Financial Sponsored Advisory Programs:
LPL Financial Sponsored Advisory Program
Annual Percentage of assets charged:
Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP)
Personal Wealth Portfolios Program (PWP)
2.50%
Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP)
2.50%
Manager Access Select Program (MAS)
2.83%*
3.00%
The fees for LPL’s Financial Sponsored Advisory Programs are billed on a pro-rata annualized basis
quarterly in advance based on the value of your account on the last day of the previous quarter. LPL
Financial establishes and maintains their own separate billing process over which we have no
control. For more information regarding the LPL sponsored advisory programs, please see the LPL
Financial Form ADV Part 2 or applicable client agreement. LPL makes billing adjustments for deposits
and withdrawals within the quarter.
LPL Financial serves as program sponsor, investment adviser and broker-dealer for the LPL
Sponsored Advisory Programs. Our firm and LPL may share in the account fee and other fees
associated with program accounts.
* The MWP account fee consists of an LPL program fee, a strategist fee (if applicable) and an advisor
fee of up to 2.00%. Accounts remaining under the legacy fee structure may be charged one aggregate
account fee, for which the maximum account fee is 2.50%. See the MWP program brochure for more
information.
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Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Non-Wrap Clients will incur transaction fees for trades executed by their chosen custodian, via
individual transaction charges. These transaction fees are separate from our firm’s advisory fees and
will be disclosed by the chosen custodian.
Clients may also pay holdings charges imposed by the chosen custodian for certain investments,
charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund, which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees, distribution fees, surrender charges,
variable annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, mark-ups and mark-downs, spreads
paid to market makers, fees for trades executed away from custodian, wire transfer fees and other
fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions). Our firm does not receive a
portion of these fees.
Wrap clients will not incur transaction costs for trades by their chosen custodian. More information
about this can be found in our separate Wrap Fee Program Brochure.
Termination & Refunds
Either party may terminate an LPL Financial Sponsored Advisory Program according to the terms of
the executed advisory contract. Upon receipt of your notice of termination, LPL will process a pro-rata
refund of the unearned portion of the advisory fees charged in advance at the beginning of the
quarter.
Financial Planning & Consulting clients may terminate their agreement at any time before the
delivery of a financial plan by providing written notice. For purposes of calculating refunds, all work
performed by us up to the point of termination shall be calculated at the hourly fee currently in effect.
Clients will receive a pro-rata refund of unearned fees based on the time and effort expended by our
firm.
Commissionable Securities Sales
Representatives of our firm are also associated with LPL as broker-dealer registered representatives
(“Dually Registered Persons”). In their capacity as registered representatives of LPL, certain Dually
Registered Persons may earn commissions for the sale of securities or investment products that they
recommend for brokerage clients. They do not earn commissions on the sale of securities or
investment products recommended or purchased in advisory accounts through our firm. Clients have
the option of purchasing many of the securities and investment products made available through
another broker-dealer or investment adviser. When purchasing these securities and investment
products away from our firm, however, Clients will not receive the benefit of the advice and other
services we provide.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
Our firm does not charge performance-based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
Our firm typically services Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals;
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Our requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us are defined above
in item 4 of this brochure.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or managing
client assets:
Charting.
In this type of technical analysis, we review charts of market and security activity in an
attempt to identify when the market is moving up or down and to predict when how long the trend
may last and when that trend might reverse.
Fundamental Analysis.
We attempt to measure the intrinsic value of a security by looking at economic
and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the financial condition
and management of the company itself) to determine if the company is underpriced (indicating it
may be a good time to buy) or overpriced (indicating it may be time to sell). Fundamental analysis
does not attempt to anticipate market movements. This presents a potential risk, as the price of a
security can move up or down along with the overall market regardless of the economic and financial
factors considered in evaluating the stock.
Technical Analysis.
We analyze past market movements and apply that analysis to the present in an
attempt to recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and potentially predict future price
movement. Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition of a company.
This presents a risk in that a poorly-managed or financially unsound company may underperform
regardless of market movement.
Cyclical Analysis.
In this type of technical analysis, we measure the movements of a particular stock
against the overall market in an attempt to predict the price movement of the security.
Investment Strategies We Use
We use the following strategies in managing client accounts, provided that such strategies are
appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
Long term purchases.
When utilizing this strategy, we may purchase securities with the idea of
holding them for a relatively long time (typically held for at least a year). A risk in a long-term
purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time, we may not take advantages
of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover, if our predictions are incorrect, a
security may decline sharply in value before we make the decision to sell.
Short-term purchases.
When utilizing this strategy, we purchase securities with the idea of selling
them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). We do this in an attempt to take
advantage of conditions that we believe will soon result in a price swing in the securities we purchase.
Asset Allocation.
Rather than focusing primarily on securities selection, we attempt to identify an
appropriate ratio of securities, fixed income, and cash suitable to the client’s investment goals and
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risk tolerance. A risk of asset allocation is that the client may not participate in sharp increases in a
particular security, industry or market sector. Another risk is that the ratio of securities, fixed income,
and cash will change over time due to stock and market movements and, if not corrected, will no
longer be appropriate for the client’s goals.
Trading.
We purchase securities with the idea of selling them very quickly (typically within 30 days
or less). We do this in an attempt to take advantage of our predictions of brief price swings.
Short sales.
We borrow shares of a stock for your portfolio from someone who owns the stock on a
promise to replace the shares on a future date at a certain price. Those borrowed shares are then
sold. On the agreed-upon future date, we buy the same stock and return the shares to the original
owner. We engage in short selling based on our determination that the stock will go down in price
after we have borrowed the shares. If we are correct and the stock price has gone down since the
shares were purchased from the original owner, the client account realizes the profit.
Margin transactions.
We will purchase stocks for your portfolio with money borrowed from your
brokerage account. This allows you to purchase more stock than you would be able to with your
available cash and allows us to purchase stock without selling other holdings.
Option writing.
We may use options as an investment strategy. An option is a contract that gives the
buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset (such as a share of stock) at a specific
price on or before a certain date. An option, just like a stock or bond, is a security. An option is also a
derivative, because it derives its value from an underlying asset.
Cryptocurrency Products.
We may recommend investment in digital (crypto) currency products.
These products may are generally structured as a trust or exchange traded fund which pool capital
together to purchase holdings of digital currencies or derivatives based on their value. Such products
are extremely volatile and are suitable only as a means of diversification for investors with high risk
tolerances. Furthermore, these securities carry very high internal expense ratios, and may use
derivatives to achieve leverage or exposure in lieu of direct cryptocurrency holdings. This can result
in tracking error and may sell at a premium or discount to the market value of their underlying
holdings. Security is also a concern for digital currency investments which make them subject to the
additional risk of theft, as they are typically held with a non-traditional custodial platform.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock
market may increase, and the account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market
may decrease, and the account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that clients understand the risks
associated with investing in the stock market, and that their assets are appropriately diversified in
investments. Clients are encouraged to ask our firm any questions regarding their risk tolerance.
Description of Material, Significant or Unusual Risks
Our firm generally invests client cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of
Deposit, high-grade commercial paper and/or government backed debt instruments. Ultimately, our
firm tries to achieve the highest return on client cash balances through relatively low-risk
conservative investments. In most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money
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market account so that our firm may debit advisory fees for our services related to our Wrap
Comprehensive Portfolio Management Clients, as applicable.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to the evaluation of our advisory business
or the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Our firm is not registered, nor does it have an application pending to register, as a broker-dealer,
registered representative of a broker dealer, investment company or pooled investment vehicle,
other investment adviser or financial planner, futures commission merchant, commodity pool
operator, commodity trading advisor, banking or thrift institution, accountant or accounting firm,
lawyer or law firm, insurance company or agency, pension consultant, real estate broker or dealer or
a sponsor or syndicator of limited partnership, or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
Representatives of our firm are Dually Registered Persons. LPL is a broker-dealer that is
independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with our firm. Please refer to Item 12 for a
discussion of the benefits our firm may receive from LPL Financial and the conflicts of interest
associated with receipt of such benefits.
Representatives of our firm are insurance agents/brokers. They offer insurance products and receive
customary fees as a result of insurance sales. A conflict of interest exists as these insurance sales
create an incentive to recommend products based on the compensation adviser and/or our
supervised persons may earn. To mitigate this potential conflict, our firm will act in the client’s best
interest.
Please see Item 4 above for more information about the selection of LPL’s third party money
managers. The compensation paid to our firm by third party managers may vary, and thus, creates a
conflict of interest in recommending a manager who shares a larger portion of its advisory fees over
another manager. Prior to referring clients to third party advisors, our firm will ensure that third
party advisors are licensed or notice filed with the respective authorities. A potential conflict of
interest for our firm in utilizing a third party advisor is receipt of discounts or services not available
to us from other similar advisers. In order to minimize this conflict our firm will make our
recommendations/selections in the best interest of our clients.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in
Client Transactions & Personal Trading
As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material
facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of our clients at all times. Our fiduciary duty is the
underlying principle for our firm’s Code of Ethics, which includes procedures for personal securities
transaction and insider trading. Our firm requires all representatives to conduct business with the
highest level of ethical standards and to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times.
Upon employment with our firm, and at least annually thereafter, all representatives of our firm will
acknowledge receipt, understanding and compliance with our firm’s Code of Ethics. Our firm and
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representatives must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all circumstances
that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to all clients. This disclosure
is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics. If a client or a potential client wishes to
review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy will be provided promptly upon request.
1
Our firm recognizes that the personal investment transactions of our representatives demands the
application of a Code of Ethics with high standards and requires that all such transactions be carried out
in a way that does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, our firm also believes that if
investment goals are similar for clients and for our representatives, it is logical, and even desirable, that
there be common ownership of some securities.
In order to prevent conflicts of interest, our firm has established procedures for transactions effected by
. In order to monitor compliance with our personal
our representatives for their personal accounts
trading policy, our firm has pre-clearance requirements and a quarterly securities transaction reporting
system for all of our representatives.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends, buys or sells for client accounts, securities in
which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest without prior disclosure to the
client.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also
recommended to clients. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place
client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which
is available upon request.
Likewise, related persons of our firm buy or sell securities for themselves at or about the same time they
buy or sell the same securities for client accounts. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our
related persons will place client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of
Ethics, a copy of which is available upon request. Further, our related persons will refrain from buying
or selling the same securities prior to buying or selling for our clients in the same day unless included in
a block trade.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
We seek to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold your assets and execute transactions on
terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their
services. We consider a wide range of factors, including, among others, these:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of trading intentions
Timeliness of execution
Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
Liquidity of the securities traded
Willingness to commit capital
Ability to place trades in difficult market environments
1
For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse,
his/her minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our
associate controls, including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Research services provided
Ability to provide investment ideas
Execution facilitation services provided
Record keeping services provided
Custody services provided
Frequency and correction of trading errors
Ability to access a variety of market venues
Expertise as it relates to specific securities
Financial condition
Business reputation
Our firm recommends that Clients establish accounts with LPL Financial (“LPL”), member
FINRA/SIPC, to maintain custody of clients’ assets and to effect trades for their accounts. LPL
provides brokerage and custodial services to independent investment advisory firms, including our
firm. For accounts custodied at LPL, LPL is generally compensated by clients through commissions,
trails, or other transaction-based fees for trades that are executed through LPL or that settle into LPL
accounts. For IRA accounts, LPL generally charges account maintenance fees. In addition, LPL also
charges clients miscellaneous fees and charges, such as account transfer fees.
While LPL does not participate in, or influence the formulation of, the investment advice our firm
provides, certain supervised persons of our firm are Dually Registered Persons. Dually Registered
Persons are restricted by certain Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules and
policies from maintaining accounts at another custodian or executing transactions in such accounts
through any broker-dealer or custodian that is not approved by LPL. As a result, the use of other
trading platforms must be approved by our firm and LPL.
Clients should also be aware that for accounts where LPL serves as the custodian, our firm is limited
to offering services and investment vehicles that are approved by LPL, and may be prohibited from
offering services and investment vehicles that may be available through other broker-dealers and
custodians, some of which may be more suitable for a client’s portfolio than the services and
investment vehicles offered through LPL. Clients should understand that not all investment advisers
require that Clients custody their accounts and trade through specific broker-dealers.
Benefits Received by Our Personnel
LPL makes available to our firm various products and services designed to assist our firm in
managing and administering client accounts. Many of these products and services may be used to
service all or a substantial number of accounts, including accounts not held with LPL. These include
software and other technology that provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmation
and account statements); facilitate trade execution (and aggregation and allocation of trade orders
for multiple client accounts); provide research, pricing information and other market data; facilitate
payment of our firm’s fees from its clients’ accounts; and assist with back-office functions;
recordkeeping and client reporting.
LPL also makes available to our firm other services intended to help manage and further develop our
business. Some of these services assist our firm to better monitor and service program accounts
maintained at LPL. Many of these services, however, benefit only our firm. These support services
and/or products may be provided without cost, at a discount, and/or at a negotiated rate, and include
practice management-related publications; consulting services; attendance at conferences and
seminars, meetings, and other educational and/or social events; marketing support; and other
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products and services used by our firm in furtherance of the operation and development of its
investment advisory business.
The products and services described above are provided to our firm as part of its overall relationship
with LPL. While as a fiduciary, our firm endeavors to act in its clients’ best interests, the receipt of
these benefits creates a conflict of interest because our firm’s requirement that Clients custody their
assets at LPL is based in part on the benefit to our firm of the availability of the foregoing products
and services and not solely on the nature, cost or quality of custody or brokerage services provided
by LPL. Our firm’s receipt of some of these benefits may be based on the amount of advisory assets
custodied on the LPL platform.
Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
Our firm does not direct client transactions to a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar
benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
Neither our firm nor any of our firm’s representatives have discretionary authority in making the
determination of the brokers-dealers and/or custodians with whom orders for the purchase or sale
of securities are placed for execution, and the commission rates at which such securities transactions
are effected. Our firm routinely requires that clients direct us to execute through a specified broker-
dealer. Our firm recommends the use of LPL. Each client will be required to establish their account(s)
with LPL if not already done. Please note that not all advisers have this requirement.
Client-Directed Brokerage
Our firm does not allow client-directed brokerage outside our recommendations.
Aggregation of Purchase or Sale
Our firm provides investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which
portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment
objectives. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or
disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts, they are affected only when our firm believes
that to do so will be in the best interest of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations
occur, the objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts
involved. In any given situation, our firm attempts to allocate trade executions in the most equitable
manner possible, taking into consideration client objectives, current asset allocation and availability of
funds using price averaging, proration and consistently non-arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
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Tortuga Wealth Management
Our management personnel or financial advisors under the supervision of Angela Park Sheldon, CCO
review accounts on at least an annual basis for our Wrap Comprehensive Portfolio Management
Clients. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether client accounts are in line with their
investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market conditions, and investment
policies, if applicable. Our firm does not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so.
Verbal reports to clients take place on at least an annual basis when our Wrap Comprehensive
Portfolio Management Clients are contacted.
Our firm may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors which
may trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events, requests
by the client, etc.
Financial Planning clients do not receive reviews of their written plans unless they take action to
schedule a financial consultation with us. Our firm does not provide ongoing services to financial
planning clients, but are willing to meet with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to
their plans, changes in their circumstances, etc. Financial Planning clients do not receive written or
verbal updated reports regarding their financial plans unless they separately engage our firm for a
post-financial plan meeting or update to their initial written financial plan.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
LPL Financial
Our firm may receive from LPL or a mutual fund company, without cost and/or at a discount non
soft-dollar support services and/or products, to assist us to better monitor and service client
accounts maintained at such institutions. Included within the support services our firm may receive
investment-related research, pricing information and market data, software and other technology
that provide access to client account data, compliance and/or practice management-related
publications, discounted or gratis consulting services, discounted and/or gratis attendance at
conferences, meetings, and other educational and/or social events, marketing support, computer
hardware and/or software and/or other products used by us to assist us in our investment advisory
business operations. Our clients do not pay more for investment transactions effected and/or assets
maintained at LPL as result of this arrangement. There is no commitment made by us to LPL or any
other institution as a result of the above arrangement.
Referral Fees
In accordance with Rule 206 (4)-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, our firm does not provide
cash or non-cash compensation directly or indirectly to unaffiliated persons for testimonials or
endorsements (which include client referrals).
Item 15: Custody
All of our clients receive at least quarterly account statements directly from their custodians. Upon
opening an account with a qualified custodian on a client's behalf, we promptly notify the client in
writing of the qualified custodian's contact information. If we decide to also send account statements
to clients, such notice and account statements include a legend that recommends that the client
compare the account statements received from the qualified custodian with those received from our
firm.
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Tortuga Wealth Management
LPL is the qualified custodian and maintains custody of client funds and securities in a separate
account for each client under the client’s name. LPL as a qualified custodian sends account statements
showing all transactions, positions, and all deposits and withdrawals of principal and income. LPL
sends account statements monthly when the account has had activity or quarterly if there has been
no activity. Clients should carefully review those account statements.
Although most securities available in program accounts are custodied at LPL, there are certain
securities managed as part of the account that are held at third parties, and not at LPL. For example,
variable annuities, hedge funds and managed futures are often held directly with the investment
sponsor. For those outside positions, client will receive confirmations and statements directly from
the investment sponsor.
We encourage our clients to raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their
assets. The custodians we do business with will send you independent account statements listing
your account balance(s), transaction history and any fee debits or other fees taken out of your
account.
Third Party Money Movement:
On February 21, 2017, the SEC issued a no-action letter (“Letter”) with respect to Rule 206(4)-2
(“Custody Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided
guidance on the Custody Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who has the power to disburse client
funds to a third party under a standing letter of instruction (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody. As
such, our firm has adopted the following safeguards in conjunction with our custodian:
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The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s
form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from
time to time.
The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as
a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and provides a
transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified
custodian.
The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the
client’s instruction.
The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party
of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
an executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, our firm is
authorized to execute securities transactions, determine which securities are bought and sold, and
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Tortuga Wealth Management
the total amount to be bought and sold. Should clients grant our firm non-discretionary authority,
our firm would be required to obtain the client’s permission prior to effecting securities transactions.
Limitations may be imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of
discretion with our firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Our firm does not accept the proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies or
other solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are sent
to our firm, our firm will forward them to the appropriate client and ask the party who sent them to
mail them directly to the client in the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions
they may have about particular proxy votes or other solicitations.
Third party money managers selected or recommended by our firm may vote proxies for clients.
Therefore, except in the event a third party money manager votes proxies, clients maintain exclusive
responsibility for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities
beneficially owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to the client’s
investment assets. Therefore (except for proxies that may be voted by a third party money manager),
our firm and/or the client shall instruct the qualified custodian to forward to copies of all proxies and
shareholder communications relating to the client’s investment assets.
Item 18: Financial Information
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Our firm is not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
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Our firm does not require the prepayment of more than $1200 in fees when services cannot
be rendered within 6 months.
Our firm does not take custody of client funds or securities.
Our firm does not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary obligations to clients.
Our firm has never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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Tortuga Wealth Management