View Document Text
Verde Capital Management, Inc. – ADV Part 2A – 10/2025
PART 2A OF FORM ADV - BROCHURE
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
8031 Ortonville Road, Suite 210 Clarkston, MI 48348
(248) 528-1870 www.verdecm.com
October 17, 2025
This Brochure provides you information about the qualifications and business practices of Verde Capital
Management, Inc. (referred to in this Brochure as “us,” “we,” “our” or the “firm”).
If you have any
questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (248) 528-1870. The information in
this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
We are a registered investment adviser.
Registration of an adviser does not imply any level of skill or
training.
Additional information about us also is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov .
ITEM 2: MATERIAL CHANGES
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment of Verde Capital
Management, Inc. on October 17, 2025, are described below.
●
Verde Capital Management has included derivatives transactions into its advisory business (Item
4).
●
Verde Capital Management has updated its pricing structure (Item 5).
●
Verde Capital Management has included derivatives transactions, the use of margin, and
securities-backed lending in its investment strategies (Item 8).
●
Verde Capital management has updated its client referral and compensation programs (Item 14).
ITEM 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER PAGE
i
ITEM 2: MATERIAL CHANGES
ii
ITEM 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS
iii
ITEM 4: ADVISORY BUSINESS
1
ITEM 5: FEES AND COMPENSATION
2
-
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
3
-
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
3
ITEM 6: PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
5
ITEM 7: TYPES OF CLIENTS
5
ITEM 8: METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS
5
ITEM 9: DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
10
ITEM 10: OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
10
ITEM 11: CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
AND PERSONAL TRADING
11
ITEM 12: BROKERAGE PRACTICES
11
ITEM 13: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
13
ITEM 14: CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
13
ITEM 15: CUSTODY
15
ITEM 16: INVESTMENT DISCRETION
16
ITEM 17: VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
16
ITEM 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
16
ITEM 4: ADVISORY BUSINESS
Our Owners and Principals
We are a Michigan corporation established in 2008.
Carl Szasz is our sole principal and owns
more than twenty-five percent (25%) of our firm’s common stock.
Our Advisory Services
Investment Management – Qualified Plans
We provide investment management services to qualified retirement plans subject to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). As part of our services to qualified plans,
we act as a 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary manager under ERISA. This means that when we are performing
discretionary services on behalf of the plan, the plan fiduciary is shifting its fiduciary responsibility to us
for the selection of the plan’s investments.
Rather than always creating a formal written Investment Policy Statement (IPS), we offer a fund menu
lineup of investments that are diversified across all major asset classes, including U.S. Stocks,
International
Stocks,
Bonds,
Commodities, and Real Estate. Some of our plans also allow for
cryptocurrency ETFs. Within each asset class, we further diversify into various segments, such as Large
Cap Stocks, Mid Cap Stocks, Small Cap Stocks, Short-Term Bonds, Intermediate-Term Bonds, and
Long-Term Bonds.
Outside Management and 401(k) Advisory Services
We also provide investment advice to our clients on their qualified retirement plan assets. If we
provide you with investment management services for assets held in your retirement account, we will
consider your goals and objectives; and we will make suggestions on how you might allocate plan assets
among the investment options provided by your plan sponsor.
You may implement our investment
recommendations or we, with your authorization and using your personal identification number, will
execute any agreed upon allocation changes. We will manage your retirement assets according to the
terms of the investment advisory agreement we sign with you.
If our services are discontinued, you must promptly change your personal identification number
so as to assure we do not have any further access to your account.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
1
Investment Management Services
We offer investment management services through our wrap fee program.
We emphasize
continuous personal client contact and interaction in providing discretionary investment supervisory
services.
A complete description of the program and its fees are contained in our Part
2A Appendix, which is the Program Brochure. To request a copy of the Program Brochure please contact
our President and Chief Compliance Officer, Carl Szasz at (248) 528-1870 or carlszasz@verdecm.com .
Financial Planning
We offer financial planning only for clients that utilize either our investment management
services or digital investment services. This is not offered as a stand-alone service. Financial plans and
financial planning may include, but not limited to: risk management, investment planning, tax planning,
retirement planning, estate planning, charitable planning, education planning, business planning and
asset protection planning.
Financial Coaching
We offer financial coaching for clients of all service models, and non-clients.
This is offered as a
standalone service with a separate agreement and payment schedule. Financial coaching may include,
but is not limited to: budget analysis, cash flow management, savings planning, debt reduction
strategies, and behavioral finance education.
Tax Preparation Services
We offer tax preparation for VCM clients of all service models.
This is offered as a standalone service
with a separate agreement and payment schedule. Tax preparation may include, but is not limited to: a
review of a client’s past tax returns, analysis of a client’s current tax forms and documents, preparation
of a client’s tax return, and filing of the tax return.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
2
Use of Synthetic Instruments and Derivatives
Verde Capital Management, Inc. (“Verde”) may, where appropriate, employ derivative instruments such
as exchange-traded options, futures, structured notes, or synthetic positions (including “box spreads”
and similar strategies) to implement investment or hedging objectives within client accounts. These
transactions are used only to manage exposure, replicate market positions, or improve portfolio
efficiency. Verde does not act as a dealer or counterparty, extend credit, or engage in proprietary
synthetic-loan transactions. All such activity is conducted through qualified custodians or regulated
counterparties in accordance with client objectives and applicable law.
Educational Seminars/Workshops
We provide periodic educational seminars and workshops to clients and the general public free
of charge. Seminar topics include, but are not limited to; behavioral finance, financial planning,
retirement planning, and Planning for Your 401K.
Assets Under Management
We manage your assets on either a discretionary or nondiscretionary basis. As of December 31,
2024, Verde Capital Management (VCM) managed approximately $574,277,304.16 in client assets on a
discretionary basis and $31,446,126.87 on a non-discretionary basis.
ITEM 5: FEES AND COMPENSATION
Investment Management for Qualified Plans
Investment Management – Qualified Plans
Under our new pricing structure, plan sponsors pay a flat fee based on the anticipated workload for the
year. For example, if we are onboarding a plan and transitioning to a new recordkeeper, we may quote
12 hours of work at $250 per hour, billed monthly over the year. Conversely, if a plan is already
integrated with payroll, requires minimal testing, and only needs one virtual education session for
employees, we may quote six hours at $250 per hour. Our rate ranges from $250 to $500 per month,
depending on the number of advisors involved and their experience with 401(k) plans. Fees remain fixed
until they are updated and are billed in equal monthly increments via credit card or direct bank transfer
from the plan sponsor. We assist the Plan Sponsor with compiling or responding to information
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
3
requested by the Plan's provider for compliance testing and preparation of the Form 5500. We are not
responsible for conducting any testing or preparing of the Form 5500.
Fees do not include brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related costs and
expenses incurred in connection with providing investment management services to the Plan. Mutual
funds and ETFs also charge internal management fees, which are disclosed in the fund’s prospectus.
Such charges, fees and commissions are in addition to our fee.
For our ERISA plan clients who signed investment management agreements with us prior to
January 1, 2025, our fees and services will be as set forth in the client's investment management
agreement.
Outside Management and 401(k) Advisory Services
When we provide continuous and regular investment advisory services to you for your 401(k)
participant assets, we will charge you a fee of 0.50% to 1.5% for the assets under our management
depending on the complexity of your plan and the nature of your individual circumstances. In addition
to our fees, you are responsible for all mutual fund expenses, transaction fees, and administrative costs
charged by other parties for these accounts.
If you choose, you may grant us limited discretionary authority in the investment advisory
agreement to bill your custodian directly and to instruct your custodian to deduct our advisory fees for
our 401(k) advisory services directly from your other non-qualified account.
Investment Management Fees
If you utilize our investment management services under our wrap fee program, we charge you
an annual fee based upon a percentage of the market value of your assets under our management. Our
fee for the program is called a “wrap fee,” which means that our fee includes all commissions or
transaction fees which otherwise would be incurred by you.
A complete description of the program and its fees are contained in our Part 2A Appendix 1,
which is the Program Brochure. To request a copy of the Program Brochure please contact our President
and Chief Compliance Officer, Carl Szasz at (248) 528-1870 or carlszasz@verdecm.com .
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
4
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
FEE
$0-1,000,000
1.50%
$1,000,001-2,500,000
1.40%
$2,500,001-5,000,000
1.10%
$5,000,001-10,000,000
0.80%
$10,000,001+
0.60%
At the time the Account is opened, we will determine the fees to be charged to Client. Fees
payable under the Assets Under Management Payment Schedule is the percentage of the market value
of the Assets under Sub-Advisor’s management. We charge our fee monthly, in arrears, based upon the
average daily Account balance as valued by the custodian. The average daily Account balance is
calculated by taking the average of each day’s ending market value for the number of days in the billing
period.
We calculate the standard annual fee by applying the above fee schedule to the average daily
Account balance for the period and then dividing it by 12 to determine the monthly fee.
The
percentage
fee
payable
under
the
assets
under management payment schedule
corresponds only to those assets in that specific bracket. To illustrate, if a client deposits $2,500,000 to
its account, 1.5% will be charged to the first $1,000,000 (or, $15,000) and 1.4% will be charged on the
remaining $1,500,000 (or, $21,000), for a total fee of $36,000.
Financial Planning
Fees for financial planning services are based upon the income of Client, as set forth in the table
below.
However, if Client has sufficient Assets in its Account, Advisor will waive its fees for financial
planning services, and Advisor’s fees will instead be based upon the Assets under Management Payment
Schedule as set forth in the relevant Service Schedule.
The minimum assets under management to
qualify for the waiver of the financial planning services fees are as set forth in the third column of the
table below:
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
5
ANNUAL GROSS INCOME PAYMENT
SCHEDULE
INCOME
INCOME BASED FEE
MINIMUM AUM TO
WAIVE FINANCIAL
PLANNING FEES
$0-100,000
$100/month
$80,000
$100,001-150,000
$150/month
$120,000
$150,001-200,000
$200/month
$160,000
$200,001-250,000
$250/month
$200,000
$250,001-300,000
$300/month
$240,000
$300,001-350,000
$350/month
$280,000
$350,001-400,000
$400/month
$320,000
$400,001-450,000
$450/month
$360,000
$450,001+
$500/month
$400,000
At the time the Account is opened, we will determine the fees to be charged to the Client. We
will re-assess the fees to be charged once the Client’s assets reach the minimum AUM level required to
waive income based fees.
At that time, income based fees will be waived and fees will be charged
based on the assets under management payment schedule.
Financial Coaching Programs:
We offer three financial coaching programs, each with distinct focuses and pricing structures.
Roadmap to Hope Session: This session is priced at $295 for personal coaching and $395 for
personal and business coaching. The session focuses on teaching cash flow management. We review and
analyze the client’s personal budget, and the coach helps create a new budget using a new cash flow
management system and plan for cash flow goals.
Go Program: The total cost for this program is $1200, with a 10% discount if paid in full.
Alternatively, it can be billed at $400 monthly for three months. This coaching plan focuses on healthy
financial management behaviors, including managing expenses, creating, maintaining, and updating a
budget, reducing debt, evaluating savings, and long-term goals. The program includes access to the Plan
Ahead Spending Plan, Debt Reduction Calculator, and email support, as well as 6 bi-weekly one-on-one
coaching sessions over 3 months.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
6
Change Program: This program is priced at $2100 total cost, with a 10% discount if paid in full. It
can also be billed at $350 monthly for six months. The coaching plan focuses on healthy financial
management behaviors, including managing expenses, creating, maintaining, and updating a budget,
reducing debt, evaluating savings, and long-term goals. The program includes access to the Plan Ahead
Spending Plan, Debt Reduction Calculator, and email support, plus 8
bi-weekly and 2 monthly one-on-one coaching sessions over 6 months.
Tax Preparation
Fees for Tax Preparation for VCM clients will be charged a minimum rate of $450 for individual
tax returns (1040) and $1200 for business tax returns (1120s, 1065, etc.) This rate is subject to increase
due to the complexity of the tax return and the client’s situation. Any additional tax engagements
$150/hour (non-filing, amendments, etc) A quote and engagement letter will be provided to a client
before work is started for the client to review and approve. Clients will pay for these standalone
services separately.
Direct Billing to Your Custodian
With your authorization, we will directly debit fees from your accounts or bill you for our fees.
Generally, our clients authorize us under the investment advisory agreement to deduct our fees directly
from their account. If you provide us such authorization, the custodian’s periodic statements will show
each fee deduction from your account. You may withdraw this authorization for direct billing of these
fees at any time by notifying your custodian or us in writing. Fees paid directly by check or credit card
are due upon receipt of the fee invoice.
ITEM 6: PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
We do not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains on or
capital appreciation of your assets).
ITEM 7: TYPES OF CLIENTS
We offer financial planning and investment management services to individuals, high net worth
individuals, trusts and estates, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable institutions, and corporations
and other business entities.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
7
We do not impose any conditions for starting or maintaining an investment management
account, such as a minimum annual fee or account balance. There is no minimum account size for our
financial planning services.
ITEM 8: METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS
Methods of Analysis
We utilize fundamental analysis to evaluate investments.
Fundamental analysis is a technique
that attempts to determine a security’s value by focusing on the economic well-being of a financial entity
as opposed to only its price movements.
When conducting fundamental analysis, we will review a
company’s financial statements and consider factors including, but not limited to, whether the
company’s revenue is growing, if the company is profitable, if the company is in a strong enough position
to beat its competitors in the future, and if the company is able to repay its debts. Because it can take a
long time for a company’s value to be reflected in the market, the risk associated with this method of
analysis is that a gain is not realized until the stock’s market price rises to the company’s true value.
The valuation method is a technique used to calculate a theoretical value for a security in order
to estimate potential future market prices.
When utilizing the valuation method, we will review such
things as a security’s earnings per share, price to earnings and growth rate.
We also utilize technical analysis to evaluate potential investments. Unlike fundamental analysis,
technical analysis does not analyze the company’s value, but instead analyzes the stock’s price
movement in the market. Charting is a form of technical analysis in which the various technical factors
are diagrammed in order to illustrate patterns. Technical analysis studies the supply and demand in the
market in an attempt to determine what direction, or trend, will continue in the future. However, there
are risks involved with this method, including the risk that the trends will change unpredictably, which is
why we use a combination of methods and obtain information from a variety of sources.
We obtain information from a number of sources, both public and by purchase, including
research materials prepared by third-parties, corporate rating services, annual reports, prospectuses and
filings with the SEC and company press releases. We believe these resources for information are reliable
and regularly depend on these resources for making our investment decisions; however, we are not
responsible for the accuracy or completeness of this information.
Investment Strategies
We use a variety of investment strategies depending on your circumstances, financial objectives
and needs.
We may recommend implementing one or more of the following investment strategies:
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
8
long-term purchases (held at least a year), short term purchases (held less than a year), trading (held less
than 30 days), margin transactions (purchase of a security on credit extended by a securities company),
and option writing (selling an option) or a combination of these strategies to help you meet your
investment objectives.
Long-Term Purchases – The Long-Term assumption is that financial market values will increase
over time (at least a year) and this may not happen. There is also the risk that the segment of the market
you are invested in (or perhaps just your particular investment) will decrease over time even if overall
stock market values increase. In addition, purchasing investments long-term may create an opportunity
cost, “locking-up” assets that you may be better off using elsewhere.
Short-Term Purchases and Trading – Securities are purchased with the idea of selling them very
quickly (typically within 30 days or less). This is done in an attempt to take advantage of predictions of
brief price swings.
The Short-Term strategy may produce higher gains however, the risk may be greater.
Decision to use or not use short-term investments must be made in terms of the level of risk and the
projected time frame for meeting your goals.
In addition, securities held less than one year before
selling it are classified, by the IRS, as a short-term capital gain and the profit is taxed as ordinary income.
Short sales – Short selling is the selling of a security that the seller does not own based on the
assumption that the seller will be able to buy the stock at a lower amount than the price at which the
seller sold short.
Managers use short positions to reduce the risk of long positions purchased with
money borrowed on margin. If correct and the stock price has gone down since the shares were
borrowed from the original owner, the client account realizes the profit. As stock prices increase, short
seller losses also increase as short sellers rush to buy the stock to cover their positions. This increase in
demand, in turn, further drives the prices up, increasing losses.
Margin transactions – Stocks may be purchased for client portfolios with money borrowed from
the broker. This allows the investor to purchase more stock than they would be able to with their
available cash, and allows the purchase of stock without selling other holdings. A risk in margin trading is
that, in volatile markets, securities prices can fall very quickly. If the value of the securities in your
account minus what you owe the broker falls below a certain level, the broker will issue a “margin call”,
and you will be required to sell your position in the security purchased on margin or add more cash to
the account. In some circumstances, you may lose more money than you originally invested.
Securities
backed
lending.
Verde
may,
when
appropriate,
assist
clients
in
arranging
securities-backed lines of credit through qualified custodians or third-party lenders. These facilities
provide liquidity by using portfolio assets as collateral. Verde does not act as a lender or receive
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
9
compensation from lending institutions. Clients are responsible for understanding the terms and
potential implications of such borrowing.
Option writing. Verde may employ option strategies, including writing (selling) call or put
options, to generate income, manage risk, or adjust portfolio exposure. In certain cases, Verde may
implement structured or “synthetic” option combinations—such as box spreads or similar offsetting
positions—to manage interest-rate exposure or lock in defined outcomes within client accounts. These
strategies are used only when consistent with a client’s investment objectives and financial profile. While
such positions are designed to achieve specific economic results, they are subject to market, liquidity,
and execution risks, and may not perform as intended.
We may recommend implementing these strategies using mutual funds (held directly or held
within variable annuities or life insurance products), exchange traded funds, options, and other types of
investments. We often recommend mutual funds of different kinds to promote portfolio diversification
within various asset classes, such as industry sectors, domestic/international, or equities/bonds.
We
may recommend periodic purchases, sales, and exchanges of those mutual fund shares within mutual
fund families and between different mutual fund families when there are changes in your needs, market
conditions, or economic developments.
Types of Investments and Risk of Loss
We offer advice about a wide variety of investment types, including mutual funds, index funds,
exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), international securities, derivatives, and variable annuities, and publicly
traded digital asset trusts, each having different types and levels of risk. We will discuss these risks with
you in determining the investment objectives that will guide our investment advice for your account. We
will explain and answer any questions you have about these kinds of investments, which present special
considerations such as the following.
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that you should be prepared to bear. Obtaining higher
rates of return on investments typically entails accepting higher levels of risk.
We work with you to
attempt to identify the balance of risks and rewards that is appropriate and comfortable for you.
However, it is still your responsibility to ask questions if you do not fully understand the risks associated
with any investment or investment strategy.
While we cannot foresee all potential risks, and many more exist than listed below, these are the
most common risks investors face:
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
10
Interest-rate Risk:
Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to fluctuate. For
example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less attractive, causing their market
values to decline.
Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, ETF, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to market
events or other factors.
This type of risk is caused by external factors independent of a security's
particular individual circumstances.
For example, political, economic and social conditions may trigger
market events.
Inflation Risk:
When inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as much as a dollar in the
future, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation. Your investment may lose value if it
is not keeping pace with inflation.
Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the dollar relative
to the currency of the investment's home country. This is also referred to as exchange rate risk.
International Risk: International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, differences in generally accepted accounting principles, or
economic or political instability in other nations.
Reinvestment Risk: The risk that proceeds from maturing investments may have to be reinvested
at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e. interest rate). This primarily affects fixed income securities.
Financial Risk:
Excessive borrowing to finance a business' operations increases the risks to
profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its debt obligations in good times and bad.
The inability to meet debt obligations, in severe economic downturns, may result in declining market
value of the company’s debt and equity securities or possibly even bankruptcy.
Securities-backed lending risk: Borrowing against securities may increase liquidity but also
introduces the risk of margin calls and forced liquidation if collateral values fall. Declines in account value
can reduce or eliminate available credit, and pledged assets may be sold without prior notice.
Margin transaction risk: Margin borrowing magnifies both gains and losses. A market downturn
can quickly erode equity in a margined account, requiring additional funds or the liquidation of positions.
Interest costs further reduce returns and can compound losses.
Option and synthetic strategy risk: spreads and other structured combinations can involve
significant leverage and may lose value rapidly if market conditions move unexpectedly. These
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
11
instruments may carry liquidity and counterparty risks, and losses can exceed the amount initially
invested.
The previously mentioned risks will vary for each type of investment; therefore, we will diversify
your account in an attempt to mitigate those risks. Nevertheless, diversification alone cannot eliminate
the possibility of significant price declines. We will work with you to attempt to identify the balance of
risk and reward that is appropriate and comfortable for you. However, it is still your responsibility to ask
questions if you do not fully understand the risks associated with any investment or investment strategy.
Also, while we strive to render our best judgment on your behalf, many economic and market
variables beyond our control can affect the performance of your investments and we cannot assure you
that your investments will be profitable or assure you that no losses will occur in your investment
portfolio. Past performance is one relatively important consideration with respect to any investment or
investment advisor, but it is not a predictor of future performance.
Interval funds are a type of closed-end fund that allow withdrawals only at set times, usually
once a quarter.
The fund may also impose limits on how much may be withdrawn during a quarter.
Interval funds will usually invest in high-yielding and low-liquidity type investments that may not be
found in normal mutual funds. This carries additional liquidity and valuation risk.
Mutual Funds, Index Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds
Exchange traded products are types of securities that derive their value from a basket of
securities such as stocks, bonds, commodities or indices and trade on exchanges during the day like
individual stocks, while traditional mutual funds are priced once a day at the close. The value of our
portfolio will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. ETFs trade like a stock, and there will
be brokerage commissions associated with the buying and selling of the ETFs unless trading occurs in a
wrap fee program.
Mutual funds and ETFs that we typically use charge their shareholders various advisory fees and
expenses associated with the establishment and operation of the funds. These fees will generally include
a management fee, shareholder servicing, other fund expenses, and sometimes a distribution fee. If the
fund also imposes sales charges, you may pay an initial or deferred sales charge. We generally use a
combination of no-load retail and institutional class mutual funds that may or may not have transaction
fees. When selecting a fund, we will consider a variety of factors including its expense ratio and other
factors that may vary depending on the client. Based upon these and other considerations, in some
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
12
instances we may choose a no transaction fee (“NTF” or no-load) share class having higher on-going fund
expenses (which reduce the return of the fund) over an institutional share class that imposes transaction
fees but has a lower on-going fund expense ratio.
Our share class selections are based upon then
available information and circumstances, which may later turn out differently for many reasons beyond
our control, including your changing investment objectives, financial needs, or time horizon.
These
separate fees and expenses are disclosed in each fund’s current prospectus, which is available from the
fund or we can provide it to you upon request.
Consequently, for any type of fund investment, it is important for you to understand that you are
directly and indirectly paying two levels of advisory fees and expenses: one layer of fees at the fund level
and one layer of advisory fees and expenses to us. Generally speaking, most mutual funds may be
purchased directly, without using our services and without incurring our advisory fees.
Variable Annuities
Variable annuities are highly complex financial products offered by insurance companies.
Investment in a variable annuity contract is subject to both general market risk and the insurance
company’s credit risk.
These and other risks are described in the variable annuities’ prospectuses.
Variable annuities are regulated under both securities and insurance laws and related rules and
regulations. Variable annuities offer various benefits and features which may or may not have value to
you depending on your circumstances, which we can discuss with you. Like other types of investments,
commissions are paid for the purchase of variable annuities and there may be substantial surrender
charges. These commissions, surrender charges, and other expenses are disclosed in the prospectus.
Like mutual funds, insurance companies charge a variety of fees and charges against the assets
invested in the separate accounts of their policyholders. As noted above, this means that there are two
layers of advisory fees paid – one layer to the insurance company and one layer to our firm for our
advisory services.
We do not generally recommend variable annuities due to substantial costs.
However, if you
come to us already owning variable annuities, and we determine that it is not suitable to liquidate them
due to surrender charges, taxes, or other factors, we will review the separate accounts with you and
provide investment advice concerning them, based upon our agreement with you.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
13
Publicly Traded Cryptocurrency Trusts
If suitable for a client, we recommend investments in publicly traded trusts established for the
purpose of investing in and holding cryptocurrency, specifically Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Bitcoin and
Ethereum are digital assets that are created and transmitted through the operations of the peer-to-peer
decentralized network of computers that operates on cryptographic protocols.
Bitcoin and Ethereum
trusts typically charge their shareholders various fees and expenses associated with the establishment
and operation of the trust, including a fee paid to the sponsor of the trust.
Bitcoin and Ethereum
exchanges are largely unregulated and lack transparency. Over the past five years, Bitcoin and Ethereum
exchanges have closed due to fraud, business failure or security breaches. In many instances, customers
lost some or all of their investment.
There are many other risks associated with investments in Bitcoin
and Ethereum trusts and their underlying investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum which are described in
the trust's prospectus.
ITEM 9: DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
As a registered investment adviser, we must inform you of all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of our firm or the integrity of our
management. We have no legal or disciplinary events to disclose.
ITEM 10: OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Mr. Carl Szasz is the owner of Verde Real Estate, LLC, which solely owns a commercial office
building in Clarkston, MI. Mr. Szasz may offer existing clients advice or products from those activities, or
tenants of Verde Real Estate, LLC, may become clients of Verde Capital Management, Inc. Therefore, a
potential conflict of interest exists when we recommend that you rent office space in the building
owned and managed by Verde Real Estate, LLC. To mitigate any conflict of interest, we do not require
you or any client to rent office space through Verde Real Estate, LLC, or that tenants or employees of
tenants become clients of Verde Capital Management, Inc. You are free to rent office space where you
deem fit, and which best suits your needs and budget.
Mr. Szasz, Mr. Smart, Ms. Lundberg, and Mr. Yarosh are also certified by Sedera Health to act as
affiliate sales representatives under Verde Capital Management, Inc., an affiliated organization with
Sedera Health, to sell membership plans under Sedera Access+ and Sedera Select+ to individuals,
families, organizations, and employers.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Therefore, a potential conflict of interest exists when we
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
14
recommend that you select to use Sedera Health’s individual/family/employer plans in lieu of traditional
health insurance products as part of our financial planning advice. To mitigate any conflict of interest, we
do not require you to select to become a member of Sedera Health, and you are free to select the health
care tools (member cost sharing or traditional health insurance) directly or from an unaffiliated insurance
agent.
Some Investment Adviser Representatives with Verde Capital Management, Inc are licensed
insurance agents. This activity creates a conflict of interest since there is an incentive to recommend
insurance products based on commissions or other benefits received from the insurance company, rather
than on the client’s needs. Additionally, the offer and sale of insurance products by supervised persons
of Verde Capital Management, Inc. are not made in their capacity as a fiduciary, and products are limited
to only those offered by certain insurance providers. Verde Capital Management, Inc. addresses this
conflict of interest by requiring its supervised persons to act in the best interest of the client at all times,
including when acting as an insurance agent. Verde Capital Management, Inc. periodically reviews
recommendations by its supervised persons to assess whether they are based on an objective evaluation
of each client’s risk profile and investment objectives rather than on the receipt of any commissions or
other benefits. Verde Capital Management, Inc. will disclose in advance how it or its supervised persons
are compensated and will disclose conflicts of interest involving any advice or service provided. At no
time will there be tying between business practices and/or services (a condition where a client or
prospective client would be required to accept one product or service conditioned upon the selection of
a second, distinctive tied product or service). No client is ever under any obligation to purchase any
insurance product.
Insurance products recommended by Verde Capital Management, Inc.’s supervised
persons may also be available from other providers on more favorable terms, and clients can purchase
insurance products recommended through other unaffiliated insurance agencies.
ITEM 11: CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
AND PERSONAL TRADING
We have adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) describing the standards of business conduct we
expect all officers, directors, employees, and advisory representatives to follow. The Code also describes
certain reporting requirements with which particular individuals associated with or employed by us must
comply. We will provide a free copy of the Code to you upon request.
Our principals and representatives will often own the same securities we recommend to you or
our other clients. Generally, these securities will be shares of open ended mutual funds or stocks and
bonds actively traded on a national securities exchange or market where the time and size of their
purchases or sales will not affect transactions for you or our other clients. If we do recommend the
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
15
purchase or sale of a thinly traded security to you, we will ensure that our principals’ and
representatives’ transactions do not adversely affect you nor improperly benefit them, typically by
completing our principals’ and representatives’ transactions after all your and other client transactions
have been made. Orders for your account and our own accounts may sometimes be aggregated or
“batched” into one large order as described in “ BROKERAGE PRACTICES ” below.
You may request a copy of our Code by contacting our President, Carl Szasz at (248) 528-1870 or
carlszasz@verdecm.com .
ITEM 12: BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Directed Brokerage & Soft Dollars
Custodians/broker-dealers will be recommended based on Verde Capital Management’s duty to
seek “best execution,” which is the obligation to seek to execute securities transactions for a client on
terms that are the most favorable to the client under the circumstances. The client will not necessarily
pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and Verde Capital Management may also consider
the market expertise and research access provided by the payment of commissions, including but not
limited to access to written research, oral communication with analysts, admittance to research
conferences and other resources provided by the brokers to aid in the research efforts of Verde Capital
Management. Verde Capital Management will never charge a premium or commission on transactions,
beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-dealer/custodian.
Verde Capital Management recommends Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services, and
TradePMR, Inc. (“TradePMR”).
Verde Capital Management is separate and unaffiliated from Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services, and TradePMR.
Trade-PMR clears trades and custodies assets with First Clearing, FINRA member broker-dealers.
First Clearing is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC., a non-bank affiliate of Wells
Fargo & Company. Trade-PMR acts as an introducing broker dealer on a fully disclosed basis. Trade-PMR
and First Clearing are members of SIPC and are unaffiliated registered broker dealers and FINRA
members.
The brokerage commissions
and/or transaction fees charged by
Trade-PMR or any other designated broker-dealer are exclusive of and in addition to Verde Capital
Management’s fee. Verde Capital Management regularly reviews these programs to seek to ensure that
its recommendation is consistent with its fiduciary duty. Factors which Verde Capital Management
considers in recommending Trade-PMR and First Clearing or any other broker-dealer or custodian to
clients include their respective financial strength, reputation, execution, pricing, research, and service.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
16
The commissions and/or transaction fees charged by these brokers may be higher or lower than those
charged by other broker-dealers.
In addition, Trade-PMR provides Verde Capital Management with access to its institutional
trading and custody services, which are typically not available to retail investors. These brokerage
services include the execution of securities transactions, research, and access to mutual funds and other
investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a
significantly higher minimum initial investment.
Additionally, Verde Capital Management may receive the following benefits from Trade-PMR:
receipt of duplicate client confirmations and bundled duplicate statements; access to a trading desk that
exclusively services its participants; access to block trading which provides the ability to aggregate
securities transactions and then allocates the appropriate shares to client accounts; and access to an
electronic communication network for client order entry and account information.
1. Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
Verde Capital Management does not have access to research, products, or other services from its
broker/dealer in connection with client securities transactions (“soft dollar benefits”) consistent
with (and not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and may consider these benefits in recommending brokers.
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
Verde Capital Management receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for
using that broker-dealer or third party.
3. Clients Directing Which Custodian to Use
Verde Capital Management may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a
specified custodian. Clients must refer to their advisory agreements for a complete understanding
of how they may be permitted to direct brokerage. If a client directs their advisor to use a specific
custodian, the client will be required to acknowledge in writing that the client’s direction with
respect to the use of custodians supersedes any authority granted to Verde Capital Management to
select custodians; this direction may result in higher fee for various services offered by the
custodian.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
17
Aggregation of Orders
We have adopted a trade allocation policy to govern how we handle the aggregation of orders
for more than one client’s account. From time to time and only where appropriate, we aggregate orders
for securities transactions for more than one client and, in appropriate circumstances, include
proprietary accounts. In doing so, we strive to treat each client fairly and will not favor one client or a
proprietary account over another client.
When executed, we will allocate the aggregated order in
accordance with policies and procedures intended to achieve fair treatment. The purpose of aggregating
orders is for our administrative convenience and, in some transactions, to obtain better execution for the
aggregated order than might be achieved by processing each of the transactions separately.
We will not aggregate orders for a client having a directed brokerage relationship.
A
consequence of not aggregating your order with other orders for the same securities is that you may not
obtain as good a price or as low a cost in a separate transaction as clients whose orders have been
aggregated.
Each account that participates in an aggregated order will participate at the average share price
for all transactions ordered by our firm in that security on a given business day.
If permitted by the
broker-dealer effecting the transaction, transaction costs will be shared on a pro rata basis.
Some
broker-dealers charge brokerage commissions to each participating client in accordance with the size of
that client’s part of the aggregated order, regardless of the total size of the aggregated order.
If an
aggregated order is not filled in its entirety, it will be allocated among participating accounts on a pro
rata basis.
ITEM 13: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
The frequency and triggering factors for internal account reviews depend upon the services we
provide to you.
We are available to meet with you on a quarterly basis to review your account. Our
advisory representatives share responsibility for these reviews.
For investment management services to ERISA plans generally on a quarterly basis, we will
prepare and deliver a report to the plan’ Fiduciary evaluating and summarizing the previous quarter’s
market environment, performance results of the investments in the account, total value of plan assets
held in the account, a summary of the plan’s asset allocation, the fees and expense ratio of each
investment alternative and other information relevant to the maintenance of the account.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
18
You must contact us when a real or potential change in your financial condition occurs so we can
review the portfolio along with your new information to ensure the investment strategies continue to be
appropriate.
ITEM 14: CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services provides Verde Capital Management with access to
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services’ institutional trading and custody services, which are typically
not available to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services retail investors. These services generally are
available to independent investment advisers on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a
total of at least $10 million of the adviser’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc. Advisor Services. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services includes brokerage services that
are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research, including that in the form of
advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise
generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher minimum initial
investment. For Verde Capital Management client accounts maintained in its custody, Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc. Advisor Services generally does not charge separately for custody services but is compensated
by account holders through commissions or other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities
trades that are executed through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services or that settle into Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services accounts.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services ("Schwab”) provides Verde Capital Management
with access to Schwab’s institutional trading and custody services, which are typically not available to
Schwab’s retail investors. These services generally are available to independent investment advisers on
an unsolicited basis, at no charge to the investment adviser as long as a total of at least $10 million of
the investment adviser’s assets under management are maintained in accounts at Schwab. Schwab
includes brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody,
research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and
other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require
a significantly higher minimum initial investment. For Verde Capital Management client accounts
maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody services but is
compensated by account holders through commissions or other transaction-related or asset-based fees
for securities trades that are executed through Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
19
Schwab also makes available to Verde Capital Management other products and services that
benefit Verde Capital Management but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may
include: Entertainment Benefits
●
National, regional or Verde Capital Management specific educational events organized and/or
sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services. ● Occasional business
entertainment of personnel of Verde Capital
Management, including meals, invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and
other forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany educational opportunities
Client Account Administration Benefits
●
Software and other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client
account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements). Provide research, pricing
information, and other market data, facilitate payment of VCMI’s fees from its clients’ accounts
(if applicable).
●
Facilitating trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client
accounts if applicable).
●
Assistance with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Business Development Benefits
●
Professional, compliance, and legal consulting. Publications and conferences on practice
management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance.
●
Human capital consultants, insurance, and marketing.
In addition, Schwab may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered
to Verde Capital Management by independent third parties. Schwab may discount or waive fees it would
otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third-party providing
these services to Verde Capital Management. These benefits, whether paid directly to Verde or to a
third-party on Verde’s behalf, constitute a conflict of interest because they create an incentive to solicit
clients to Verde in order to maintain at least $10 million in assets under management with Schwab and
to recommend Schwab for custody and brokerage services. Verde Capital Management is independently
owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
20
As noted in Item 12, Verde Capital Management will receive additional benefits from Trade-PMR
which includes electronic systems that assist in the management of Verde Capital Management client
accounts, access to research, the ability to directly debit client fees, software and other technology that
provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate
trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts), pricing
information and other market data, assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Verde Capital Management may recommend Sedera Health (plans include Sedera Access Plus
and Sedera Select Plus), a medical cost sharing program, to some clients as an alternative to traditional
health insurance. There is no direct link between Verde Capital Management and the advice it gives to
its clients to become a Sedera Health Member, although Verde Capital Management receives economic
benefits when individuals, businesses, and/or employers, including Verde Capital Management clients,
choose to sign up with Sedera Health under the Verde Capital Management affiliation program. Clients,
individuals, businesses, and employers may choose to sign up with Sedera Health directly, and bypass the
Verde Capital Management affiliation program. If direct participation with Sedera Health is used instead,
Verde Capital Management will not receive an economic benefit due to a client, individual, business, or
employer participating with Sedera Health. There is no change in price for either Sedera Access Plus or
Sedera Select Plus if an individual, client, business, and/or employer chooses direct participation with
Sedera Health over participation in the Verde Capital Management affiliation program.
Verde Capital
Management Investment and Service Advisors who refer an individual, client, business, or employer to
Sedera Health, that then selects to participate with Sedera Health under the affiliation program, also
receive an economic benefit.
Verde Capital Management offers a fee discount to clients who are immediate family members of
existing clients, including spouses, parents, children, and siblings. The discount may also apply to related
household accounts managed under a unified investment plan. Eligibility and discount levels are
determined at Verde’s discretion based on account size, household relationship, and overall relationship
value. All clients have the opportunity to opt into the program and receive the same level of service
regardless of whether a discount applies.
Verde maintains an internal employee referral program under which firm personnel may receive
a bonus (currently $100, no more than $1000 in any given 12 month period) for introducing a new client
relationship. These bonuses are paid directly by the firm and are not charged to the client. No solicitor or
third-party referral arrangements are used, and no one outside the firm receives referral-based
compensation. All activities under this program comply with Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-3 (Cash Solicitation
Rule) and related guidance, even though the compensation is internal and non-transactional in nature.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
21
ITEM 15: CUSTODY
You will receive statements from the broker-dealer or other qualified custodian that holds and
maintains your investment assets at least quarterly.
We urge you to carefully review such statements
and compare such official custodial records to the account statements that we may provide to you, as
described in the “REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS” beginning on page 10.
Our statements may vary from
custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, or valuation methodologies of
certain securities.
Custody is disclosed in Form ADV because Verde Capital Management has authority to transfer
money from client account(s), which constitutes a standing letter of authorization (SLOA). Verde Capital
Management also has custody for the purposes of maintaining client login credentials for limited
held-away accounts not custodied through one of Verde’s qualified custodians (e.g. an employer
sponsored retirement plan, or a health savings account).
Verde also has custody for the purposes of
direct fee deduction, and for Verde or a related person is a trustee or POA for a Verde Capital
Management client.
As of November 2021, we use a third party platform to facilitate management of the vast
majority of held away assets such as defined contribution plan participant accounts, with discretion. The
platform allows us to avoid being considered to have custody of Client funds since we do not have direct
access to Client log-in credentials to affect trades. We are not affiliated with the platform in any way and
receive no compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be provided to the Client
allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once the Client account(s) is connected to the
platform, Adviser will review the current account allocations. When deemed necessary, the Adviser will
rebalance the account considering client investment goals and risk tolerance, and any change in
allocations will consider current economic and market trends. The goal is to improve account
performance over time, minimize loss during difficult markets, and manage internal fees that harm
account performance. Client account(s) will be reviewed at least quarterly and allocation changes will be
made as deemed necessary.
ITEM 16: INVESTMENT DISCRETION
We generally receive discretionary authority in writing from clients at the outset of an advisory
relationship in the investment management agreement. If you choose to do so, discretionary authority
grants us the ability to determine, without obtaining your specific consent, the securities to be bought or
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
22
sold for your portfolio and the amount of securities to be bought or sold. As described in more detail in
“ ADVISORY BUSINESS ” beginning on page , you may establish written investment guidelines and
restrictions.
In all cases, however, such discretion is to be exercised in a manner consistent with your
stated investment objectives for the account and by considering the size of your account and your risk
tolerance.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, we observe any investment policies,
limitations and restrictions you provide to us in writing.
Also, you may sign an agreement with your custodian which generally includes a limited power of
attorney granting us authority to direct and implement the investment and reinvestment of your assets
within the account, but not direct the assets outside of the account.
ITEM 17: VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
As a matter of firm policy and practice, we will not be responsible for responding to proxies that
are solicited with respect to annual or special meetings of shareholders of securities held in your
account. Proxy solicitation materials will be forwarded to you by your custodian for response and voting.
ITEM 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
As a registered investment adviser, we must provide you with certain financial information or
disclosures about our financial condition if we have financial commitments that impair our ability to
meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to you.
We have not been the subject of a bankruptcy
proceeding and do not have any financial commitments that would impair our ability to meet any
contractual or fiduciary commitments to you.
Part 2A of Form ADV – Brochure
Verde Capital Management, Inc.
23