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Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
One Orange Way
Windsor, Connecticut 06095
Telephone: 800-356-2906
Email: voyafacompliance@voya.com
Web Address: www.voyafinancialadvisors.com
August 27, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Voya Financial
Advisors, Inc. ("VFA" or “Firm”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at 800-356-2906 or email at voyafacompliance@voya.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 body or regulatory authority.
Additional information about VFA is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You
can search this site by a unique identifying number, known as a CRD number. VFA's CRD number is
2882.
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Item 2 Material Changes
The following summarizes the material changes made to VFA's Brochure since March 28, 2025:
1)
Item 9
Item 9 has been updated to include an order issued by the California Department of Insurance dated
August 4, 2025.
Additional Non-Material Changes
Further non-material changes to VFA’s Brochure include clarifications regarding VFA’s business
practices, assets under management, grammatical changes, and additional edits to improve clarity.
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Item 3
Table of Contents
Page
Item 1
Cover Page
1
Item 2
Material Changes
2
Item 3
Table of Contents
3
Item 4
Advisory Business
4
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
20
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
31
Item 7
Types of Clients
31
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
32
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
35
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
41
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Item 11
Transactions and Personal Trading
44
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
46
Item 13
Review of Accounts
47
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
48
Item 15
Custody
54
Item 16
Investment Discretion
54
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
55
Item 18
Financial Information
55
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Item 4
Advisory Business
VFA is dually registered as an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker dealer with its principal
place of business located in Windsor, Connecticut. VFA began conducting business as an investment
adviser in 1994. VFA, through predecessor firms, began conducting business as a broker-dealer in 1968.
Please note that being registered with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Listed
below is the Firm's principal shareholder (i.e., those individuals and/or entities that control 25% or more of
VFA). Throughout this Brochure, clients of the firm that utilize investment advisory services may be
referred to as either “you” or “Client.”
• Voya Holdings, Inc., 100% Shareholder
In addition, the following affiliates indirectly own 25% or more of VFA:
• Voya Financial, Inc., a publicly traded company and the sole shareholder of Voya Holdings, Inc.
VFA offers the following investment advisory services through its associated or access persons, who are
also known as Investment Adviser Representatives ("IARs").
Your IAR does not have the ability to withdraw cash from your account without your express
authorization.
Unless specifically stated, you may make additions and withdrawals from your account at any time. If
your account falls below the minimum required account value, VFA may terminate your account. You
may add securities to your account. However, VFA reserves the right to not accept particular securities
into your account.
The value of financial investments rises and falls, and no financial plan can guarantee results.
Accordingly, VFA cannot guarantee future financial results or the achievement of your financial goals
through implementation of a financial plan or any advice or recommendations provided to you. VFA does
not monitor the day-to-day performance of your specific investments. As with any investment program,
you can lose some or all of your money by investing through VFA’s investment advisory programs.
If your financial situation changes, including your goals and objectives, it is important that you let your IAR
know as soon as possible.
Client’s understanding of the ability to tolerate market fluctuations is important in designing any
investment portfolio. Accordingly, it is important for the Client to identify to Client’s IAR the Client’s ability
to tolerate the uncertainties, complexities and volatility inherent in the investment market.
A risk profile is developed under each program based, in part, on data the Client furnished to the IAR,
including information about his or her time horizon, investment goals, and other factors. Some of the
factors that influence the Client’s risk tolerance assessment include but are not limited to present financial
condition, financial ability to accept risk, future financial goals, discretionary income and its variability, and
willingness to accept volatility. These factors, combined with the Client’s personal risk profile, indicate the
Client’s ability to accept investment risk to meet long-term financial goals. The Client understands that
higher returns often involve more volatility and a willingness to tolerate declines in the value of the
portfolio to achieve those returns. The Client risk profile is reflected on the Client’s Agreement with VFA,
the Investment Policy Statement, and Risk Tolerance Questionnaire. A Client’s IAR will review the Client’s
personal risk profile and investment goals and strategies annually.
VFA makes a variety of financial products from a number of product sponsors available on its product
shelf and through its investment advisory programs. For a financial product to be included on VFA’s
product shelf, the product sponsor is, subject to certain exceptions, generally required to participate in
VFA’s Product Partners Program, as described in Item 14. VFA reserves the right to not include product
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sponsors on its product shelf, therefore not permitting you to purchase the products of certain product
sponsors through VFA, if the product sponsor does not participate in the Product Partners Program. This
creates a conflict of interest, as VFA chooses which products to make available to you based on the
compensation paid to VFA by the sponsors of those products. This conflict results in VFA recommending
financial products and services to you that are more expensive than similar products and services you
could obtain elsewhere.
Additionally, VFA will consider the entirety of the product sponsor’s relationship with VFA and VFA’s
affiliates in determining whether to place, or to continue to offer, a product sponsor’s products on VFA’s
product shelf. This creates a conflict of interest, as part of VFA’s determination as to whether to offer a
product to you for sale depends, in part, upon the business and monetary considerations of the product
sponsor’s relationship with VFA and its affiliates. This conflict results in VFA recommending financial
products and services to you that are more expensive than similar products and services you could obtain
elsewhere.
VFA policy makes certain share classes of mutual fund products available on its investment advisory
platform, as opposed to other share classes of the same product. The share classes VFA makes
available on its investment advisory platform are selected because such share classes provide
compensation to the Firm. Other share classes, such as certain R Share classes generally (defined
below), do not provide additional compensation to the Firm. You are able to purchase the same or other
similar products that the Firm offers at other investment advisers, and such investment advisers will make
available lower cost share classes of those products to you. For example, in certain circumstances, VFA
offers retirement share, or “R Share” classes to retirement plan customers, where available, and if the
requirements for use of such class in the product’s prospectus or statement of additional information are
met, but does not offer R Share classes to non-retirement plan customers, despite R Shares being
available, in certain circumstances, to non-retirement plan customers and generally being less costly than
the share classes VFA offers to investment advisory customers. Other mutual fund share classes, such
as “clean shares” are also available but not used by VFA because such mutual fund share classes do not
pay additional revenue to VFA. Such other share classes are available to you through other investment
firms, which would result in lower cost to you. Similarly, investment advisory services fees charged by
other investment advisers may be similar to or lower than the fees that VFA charges.
Different share classes of the same mutual fund represent the same underlying investments. However,
since different share classes have different costs, the overall costs of owning each share class differ. This
means that one share class of a particular mutual fund will be more costly than other share classes of the
same fund over time. This increased cost negatively affects the investment return for that particular share
class over time.
VFA’s ability to offer you mutual funds and other products is limited by the availability of those products,
including different share classes of the same mutual fund, through Pershing, LLC (“Pershing”), the Firm’s
clearing broker-dealer. Other investment advisers, including but not limited to investment advisers
available through VFA’s third party money manager programs discussed in this Item 4, through their
clearing broker-dealer, offer different share classes of the same mutual funds, as well as other investment
products, for a lower cost.
VFA policies make certain financial products and account types available to clients only in the Firm’s role
as a broker-dealer, for which it receives commissions. Other registered investment advisers may offer
such financial products in an investment advisory account, shares of which may be purchased net of
commission, resulting in more shares to the customer than if the same product is purchased through the
Firm on a commission basis. Purchasing such products through the Firm in its role as broker-dealer will
result in the client receiving fewer shares for the same purchase price than the customer would receive if
purchased in an investment advisory account. Clients will receive lower investment returns over the short
term, and incur higher execution costs due to the Firm’s policy, as compared to the same financial
product held in an investment advisory account. In certain scenarios, a client will pay more fees and
expenses over the course of holding the product by purchasing it from VFA in its capacity as a broker-
dealer than the client would pay if the product had been purchased in an investment advisory account.
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Since offering such financial products only in the Firm’s capacity as a broker-dealer creates a conflict of
interest, the Firm has an obligation to notify clients of, and to obtain informed consent for, these types of
recommendations at the time of sale. VFA does not owe clients a fiduciary duty in circumstances when it
offers clients products in its role as a broker-dealer.
SELECT ADVANTAGE ADVISORY IRA
The Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program is an individual retirement account program offered
through VFA in which trading and custodial services are provided by Voya Institutional Trust Company
(VITC) and administrative and recordkeeping services are provided by Voya Retirement Insurance and
Annuity Company (VRIAC). VFA and the IAR assigned to the account provide non-discretionary
investment advice regarding investments in the Client’s account. Both VRIAC and VITC are affiliated
companies of VFA.
The Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program offers the Client a range of mutual funds in which to
invest. The mutual funds are contained in a mutual fund custodial account custodied by VITC. VRIAC
performs all administrative and recordkeeping services in the mutual fund custodial account, including
effecting transactions in the mutual fund custodial account, and performing accounting services, fee
calculations and fee deductions.
VFA and the IAR assigned to the account will provide account services for the Voya Select Advantage
Advisory IRA Program, including an initial consultation to determine the Client’s financial situation and
investment objectives. Based on the Client’s financial situation, goals, objectives, and other information
provided by the Client, the Client will be provided with investment recommendations and periodic
investment related services in connection with assets in the account. Client understands and agrees that
Client is not obligated to follow any investment recommendations made by VFA or IAR.
Transactions (mutual fund rebalancing, purchases, sales exchanges and liquidations) in the account
initiated upon advice by the IAR will be executed on a non-discretionary basis, meaning that the IAR must
obtain the Client’s prior authorization before entering any such transaction. The prior sentence does not,
however, apply to automatic rebalancing transactions effected in accordance with Client’s elections in the
Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA Application.
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES
MODEL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Morningstar Wealth Management and Morningstar Wealth Management Tax Sensitive Model
Portfolio Program and Voya Global Perspectives Market Models Series, and Unified Managed
Account Program
Morningstar Wealth Management and Morningstar Wealth Management Tax Sensitive Model
Portfolio Program
VFA has an agreement with an unaffiliated, independent investment adviser, Morningstar Investment
Management, LLC. ("Morningstar"), to provide model portfolio allocations to VFA in two programs: (1) the
Morningstar Wealth Management Program and (2) a tax-sensitive version known as the Morningstar
Wealth Management Tax Sensitive (collectively, "Morningstar Wealth Management Program").
Morningstar also provides capital market assumptions to VFA at no additional cost as part of the suite of
services provided.
Morningstar selects the investment options included in the Morningstar Wealth Management Program
from a universe of investment options that VFA makes available for the Program. Morningstar constructs
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and manages the Tax Sensitive Program with the objective to seek to maximize portfolio return while
managing risk and attempting to minimize the effect of taxation.
Each model portfolio is designed to meet a particular investment goal (i.e. income, growth and income,
growth or aggressive growth), as well as tax considerations. The IAR and the client discuss a client's
particular circumstance and establish goals and objectives. The IAR helps determine the client's
individual objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The IAR then helps the client to
develop an IPS that results in the recommendation of a model portfolio that is suitable for the client.
Once the model portfolio is recommended to the client, the client’s account is managed based on the
overall model, rather than specifically to each client's individual needs. Clients give VFA limited trading
discretionary authority to execute trades, without the client's prior approval for each trade, in accordance
with Morningstar’s model portfolio allocations. Clients will have the opportunity, subject to a non-
negotiable $5,000 administrative fee as described in Item 5, to place reasonable restrictions on the types
of investments to be held in their account. Clients retain individual ownership of all securities.
Voya Global Perspectives Market Models ("GPMM")
GPMM is a portfolio management service that offers model asset allocation portfolios (“GPMM Models”)
for clients to choose from (i.e., income, growth and income, growth or aggressive growth). The GPMM
strategy is available through either open-end mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”).
Mutual Fund Series
In the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series, clients invest exclusively in mutual funds. The vast majority
of mutual funds included in the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series are selected from the Voya family of
mutual funds (“Voya funds”). In certain situation, a non-Voya fund may be used in the program.
Voya Investment Management (“Voya IM”), an affiliate of Voya, is the strategist for each of these
GPMM Models (the “Voya IM Strategist”). In making its fund selections, the Voya IM Strategist
generally chooses from the Voya funds. However, it is possible that non-Voya funds will be
selected if the Voya funds fail to meet a particular investment need of the GPMM – Mutual Fund
Series. The Program relies on a set of predetermined rules to make any changes or modifications
to or to rebalance the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series Models.
Voya IM serves as the adviser to Voya funds and receives a management fee from each fund;
these management fees are in addition to any fee paid by the client. Additionally, in some cases
Voya IM acts as sub-adviser for certain of the non-Voya funds selected for the GPMM – Mutual
Fund Series, and will receive sub-management fees from those funds as to which it acts as a
sub-adviser. This creates a conflict of interest, as it incentivizes Voya IM to select Voya funds,
and non-Voya funds that pay Voya IM sub-management fees, for inclusion in the GPMM Mutual
Fund Series. Fund company sponsors whose mutual funds are included in the GPMM – Mutual
Fund Series are required to participate in VFA’s Product Partner Program as a prerequisite to
inclusion in the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series. This creates a conflict of interest, as the array of
mutual funds available to you in the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series are limited to those that pay
fees to VFA under the Product Partners Program, as discussed in Item 14.
Participation in the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series is not necessary to purchase Voya funds, which
can be purchased separately. Additional information about each fund in the GPMM – Mutual
Fund Series is available in the fund prospectus, and additional information about the GPMM –
Mutual Fund Series is available in the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series Schedule 1.
ETF Series
In the GPMM – ETF Series, clients invest exclusively in ETFs. Voya IM, an affiliate of Voya , is
the strategist for each of these GPMM – ETF Series models (the “Voya IM Strategist”). In making
its selections, the Voya IM Strategist chooses from a list of approved ETFs. The Program relies
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on a set of predetermined rules to make any changes or modifications to or to rebalance the
GPMM – ETF Series models.
The IAR and the client discuss a client's particular circumstances. The IAR helps the client determine his
or her goals and objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The IAR then helps the client
to develop an IPS that results in the recommendation of an investment portfolio that includes GPMM –
Mutual Fund Series Models or ETF Series Models. Generally, GPMM Accounts are managed by Voya IM
based on the overall model, rather than on each client's individual needs. Clients, nevertheless, may
impose reasonable restrictions on the assets in the Program, provided however, that VFA may refuse to
accept or to continue to provide investment advisory services with respect to such program assets, as the
case may be, if it determines such restrictions are unreasonable. Clients retain individual ownership of all
securities.
With respect to GPMM, the portfolio is automatically rebalanced on a quarterly basis so that the
percentages invested in each fund are adjusted to approximate the percentages invested in each fund
initially; this may entail reducing the investment in certain funds and increasing the investment in others.
With respect to the GPMM ETF Series, rebalancing occurs quarterly when a position increases or
decreases by 5% or more, subject to a $250 trade minimum. With respect to the GPMM Mutual Fund
Series, rebalancing occurs quarterly when a position increases or decreases by 5% or more and is not
subject to a minimum trade restriction.
Effective February 24, 2024, asset allocations for GPMM portfolios are determined each quarter by the
year-over-year earnings growth of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. When earnings growth is positive,
portfolios hold “base” allocations. When earnings growth turns negative, portfolios shift to “defensive”
allocations, reducing equities by half and reallocating pro-rata to fixed income asset classes. Client
acknowledges that these transactions are part of the GPMM Series and provides authorization to
implement these rules-based transactions on Client’s behalf on a quarterly basis.
In certain situations, such as when a mutual fund or ETF closes or when a portfolio manager departs,
Voya IM may replace the fund or ETF with another appropriate investment provided the management fee
and other compensation paid to Voya IM and its affiliates from the new investment is no greater than that
paid from the investment being replaced.
Under GPMM, neither VFA nor its affiliates have discretion over client's decision to invest a particular
model. The final decision to select and invest in a portfolio managed by Voya IM is made by the client.
Furthermore, with respect to the portfolio managed by Voya IM, neither VFA nor its affiliates is acting as a
fiduciary within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) or the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Voya Choice Advisory*
*Please note that the Voya Choice Advisory programs are closed to new investors.
Voya Choice Advisory, which includes Voya Opportunity Choice Advisory, is referred to as "Voya Choice."
Voya Choice is an asset allocation program managed by the Investment Selection Committee ("ISC").
The ISC uses model asset allocations provided by Morningstar as the basis for developing model
portfolios. The model asset allocations are defined in terms of risk from conservative to aggressive.
Morningstar also provides capital market assumptions to VFA at no additional cost as part of the suite of
services provided.
The ISC periodically reviews the investment options available in the model portfolios. Investment
selections in each model portfolio are reviewed using information such as performance, risk, risk-adjusted
performance, style, consistency and expenses. Upon review, the ISC makes specific recommendations of
investment options for the model portfolios. The investments in the model portfolios for Voya Choice are
selected by the ISC from a menu of approximately 225 mutual fund families, as well as other possible
investments.
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The IAR and the client discuss a client's particular circumstance and establish goals and objectives. The
IAR helps determine the client's individual objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The
IAR then helps the client to develop an IPS that results in the recommendation of a model portfolio that is
suitable for the client. Once the model portfolio is recommended to the client, the portfolio is managed
based on the overall model, rather than specifically to each client's individual needs. The IAR must have
verbal authorization from the client to execute each recommendation made.
Clients will have the opportunity, subject to a non-negotiable $5,000 administrative fee as described in
Item 5, to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in their account.
The Fidelity Program
Please note that the Fidelity Program is closed to new investors.
The Voya Asset Management Program through Fidelity Investments is referred to as the "Fidelity
Program." The Fidelity Program is a non-discretionary managed account program offered only to
participants in certain retirement plans where a Voya company does not have a product offering available
to the plan. As a general matter, the Fidelity Program is not open to new plans.
The IAR and the client discuss a client's particular circumstance and establish goals and objectives. The
IAR helps determine the client's individual objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The
IAR then helps the client to develop an IPS that results in the recommendation of an asset allocation that
is suitable for the client. Once the asset allocation is recommended to the client, the portfolio is managed
based on the overall model, rather than specifically to each client's individual needs. Mutual funds
available through Fidelity Investments are used to fulfill the recommended asset allocation. Client
transactions may be executed through the retirement plan and/or through a brokerage account
established with Fidelity Investments. Clients sign a limited written trading authorization allowing the IAR
to execute Fidelity mutual fund transactions in the client's account. Transactions are executed through
Fidelity Investments using its Wealthscape system. Fidelity Management Trust Company, 82 Devonshire
Street, Boston, MA 02109 is the custodian for these accounts.
Unified Managed Account Program and Investor Channel Unified Managed Account Program
VFA sponsors the Unified Managed Account Program and the Investor Channel Unified Managed
Account Program (together, the "UMA Programs"), which are wrap fee programs. A wrap fee program is
an advisory program under which a specified fee or fees, not based directly on transactions in the client's
account, is charged for advisory services. Services may include portfolio management or advice
concerning the selection of other investment advisers, and the execution of client transactions and
custody of program assets.
Through the UMA Programs, clients are provided with investment services from the IAR and/or
Independent Investment Strategists (“IIS”). Through the use of IISs, the UMA Programs offer the ability to
combine multiple investment disciplines and investment options in a single account. Each account may
contain multiple sleeves, including sleeves managed by affiliated or unaffiliated IISs (“IIS Sleeves”). VFA
has limited discretionary trading authority as it relates to adhering to changes in the IIS Sleeves, if
authorized by the Client. Investment options include, but are not limited to, mutual funds, fixed income
securities, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), separately managed accounts, model portfolios, stocks and
bonds. VFA provides clients with advice, custodial, trade execution and related services for a single
asset-based fee. Trades will be executed by VFA and cleared through Pershing LLC.
Your IAR will assist you in determining an appropriate investment strategy to follow. VFA will generally
rebalance your account quarterly, whenever the portfolio and/or investments within a sleeve fall outside of
certain allocation parameters.
IIS Sleeves are managed by the IIS(s) based on the portfolio’s goal, rather than on each client’s individual
needs. Clients, nevertheless, may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, types
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of securities, or industry sectors, provided, however, that VFA may refuse to accept or to continue to
provide investment advisory services with respect to such program assets, as the case may be, if it
determines such restrictions are unreasonable or impracticable.
The Unified Managed Account Program offers the option to permit VFA, through its IAR to exercise
discretion in moving client balances in the Unified Managed Account Program among unaffiliated IIS
Sleeves without client’s prior consent. This discretionary authority is in addition to the limited discretionary
trading authority to adhere to changes in the IIS Sleeves described in this section. The complete terms of
VFA and its IAR’s discretionary authority with respect to client’s Unified Managed Account Program
account is contained in the Unified Managed Account Program agreement.
The Investor Channel Unified Managed Account Program is available through VFA’s phone-based IARs.
It offers fewer IIS Sleeves than the Unified Managed Account Program. Unlike in the Unified Managed
Account Program, where IARs are paid a portion of the investment advisory fees charged to the client,
phone-based IARs are employees of Voya Financial, Inc., and earn a salary and incentive payouts, as
described in Items 5 and 14, rather than an advisory fee. This creates a conflict of interest, as it
incentivizes VFA to offer the Investor Channel Unified Managed Account Program to clients, which limits
investor choice in IISs and permits VFA to retain a higher amount of investment advisory fees than in the
Unified Managed Account Program.
VFA has selected certain affiliated and unaffiliated asset managers to participate in the UMA Programs
(the “Strategists”). Products and portfolios, including mutual funds and money market funds, offered
VFA’s affiliate Voya Investment Management (“Voya IM”) may be offered as part of the UMA Programs.
As an Affiliated Strategist, Voya IM will receive management fees from the Voya funds. No portion of any
affiliated product’s advisory, administrative, service, or other fees will be offset against the Management
Fee or Custody Fee. We recognize the inherent conflicts of interest when assessing Affiliated Strategists
and assisting clients in selecting investment managers, because VFA and/or our affiliates receive more
aggregate fees if clients select an investment manager that is affiliated with our firm. To mitigate this
conflict, VFA applies the same methodology described in the section entitled “Strategist Selection,” of the
VFA Wrap Fee Program Brochure, to our review of affiliated and unaffiliated Strategists.
For additional details on the UMA Programs please review VFA's Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 Unified
Managed Account Wrap Program Brochure, and VFA's Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 Investor Channel
Unified Managed Account Wrap Program Brochure, both of which are available upon request from your
IAR or from VFA.
Voya Digital AdviserTM
Please note that the Voya Digital Adviser program is closed to new investors.
VFA sponsors Voya Digital AdviserTM, an online digital advice wrap fee program (the “VDA Program”).
The VDA Program is a limited digital advice tool that provides clients with the recommendation of a model
portfolio managed by an Independent Investment Strategist (“IIS”). Each account is assigned an IAR.
While the IAR will not participate in the recommendation of the model portfolio, he or she is available to
answer questions related to opening a VDA Program account and client’s investment through VDA. IAR
will offer to, and if accepted, meet at least once annually with the client to discuss client’s investment
objectives, risk tolerance, goals, and other factors to help ensure that investment through VDA continues
to meet the client’s needs.
In recommending a model portfolio to you, VDA obtains your responses to questions that gauge your risk
tolerance (the “risk tolerance questionnaire”). Each response option to the risk tolerance questionnaire is
assigned a predetermined score based on the level of risk tolerance that VFA has associated with each
response option. The VDA Program assigns a score to each client based on their responses (the “Risk
Score”). If the client has at least $15,000 to invest, the VDA Program will ask whether the client desires a
“strategic” or “tactical” model portfolio. The VDA Program will recommend a model portfolio to the client
based on his or her Risk Score and desire for a “strategic” or “tactical” portfolio.
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The model portfolios are managed by the IIS(s) based on the portfolio’s goal, rather than on each client’s
individual needs. Clients, nevertheless, may impose reasonable restrictions on the management of assets
through the VDA Program; provided, however, that VFA may refuse to accept or to continue to provide
investment advisory services with respect to such program assets, as the case may be, if it determines
such restrictions are unreasonable.
For additional details on the VDA Program, please review VFA's Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 Voya
Digital AdviserTM Wrap Program Brochure, which is available upon request from your IAR or from VFA.
This brochure contains important information about the VDA Program, including but not limited to further
information about the model portfolios available through the VDA Program, the digital nature of the VDA
Program, and the conflicts of interest and risks associated therewith.
As wrap fee programs, the UMA Programs, and the VDA Program offer you the ability to invest in multiple
investment strategies managed by a number of investment strategists. This means that your IAR is
responsible for recommending the strategist(s) to provide the model asset allocation, rather than
recommending the individual investments in your portfolio. This differs from non-wrap fee programs,
where the IAR is responsible for recommending investments to you. VFA and its IARs receive a portion of
the total fee paid by you to invest through a wrap fee program.
THIRD PARTY MONEY MANAGER PROGRAMS
VFA also offers investment advisory management programs to clients through third party money manager
programs.
The IAR and the client discuss a client's particular circumstances and establish goals and objectives. The
IAR helps determine the client's individual objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The
IAR then helps the client to develop an IPS that results in the recommendation of a model portfolio that is
suitable for the client.
The IAR then recommends an unaffiliated third party money manager on VFA's approved list of providers
which has a portfolio management style that is suitable for that client. Factors considered in
recommending a third party money manager include account size, risk tolerance, the opinion of each
client and the investment philosophy of the selected registered investment adviser. Depending on the
third party money manager program, the client's portfolio will either be managed based on the client's
specific investment objectives or according to a specific model portfolio. Clients should refer to the
recommended registered investment adviser's firm brochure - or other disclosure document for a full
description of the services offered by the third party money manager. IARs are available to meet with
clients as needed to discuss any changes and review the performance of their account.
VFA periodically reassess, but does not continuously monitor, the performance of the selected third-party
money managers. If VFA or the IAR determines that a particular selected third-party money manager is
not managing the client's portfolio in a manner consistent with the client's IPS, or the client's investment
objectives and situation changes, the IAR may recommend a different third party money manager,
another advisory product, or a non-advisory product. Under this scenario, the IAR assists the client in
selecting a new registered investment adviser and/or program. However, the decision to move to a new
registered investment adviser and/or program is solely at the discretion of the client.
SERVICES OFFERED WITH VOYA RETIREMENT ADVISORS, LLC AND
MORNINGSTAR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC (“VRA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser under common control
with VFA. VRA provides advisory services to retirement plan participants. VRA offers two advisory
programs with Morningstar Investment Management, collectively referred to as “VRA powered by
Morningstar”. One advisory program offers a point-in-time recommendation advice (“Online Advice”), the
second is a discretionary fee-based ongoing advice service (“Professional Management”).
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Each program relies upon the investment options the plan sponsor selected for the plan and the
investment methodology and computer programs (the “Workstation”) of Morningstar Investment
Management (“Morningstar”), an independent financial expert/sub-adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Morningstar, Inc. The investment options are selected by the plan sponsor and made available to plan-
participants for self-directed investing or as the underlying investment options upon which the Workstation
leverages to generate advice recommendations. The Workstation generates financial analysis, asset
allocation and investment recommendations relevant to retirement planning.
VRA provides advisory services online and via through its Investment Advisor Representatives
(“Advisors”). VFA and its IARs are able to refer retirement plan participants to enroll in the programs
offered by VRA powered by Morningstar.
VRA offers individualized participant investment advice and account management services (the
"Program") called Online Advice (“OA”) and Professional Management (“PM”) services to certain
retirement plan participants. The OA is an investment advisory tool participants can access and use
online to receive a point-in-time asset allocation recommendation on their account. PM is a discretionary
managed account program where participants can enroll (online, via an enrollment form or via an Advisor)
and receive ongoing advice to their account, including updated investment recommendations and
allocation changes. For additional information on the “OA” and “PM” programs see below.
VRA Powered by Morningstar - Online Advice
If you prefer to receive point-in-time investment advice using a self-service and self-implementation
approach without the help of an Advisor, you can access the OA program directly via the internet. OA is
an online investment advice service provided by Morningstar. OA is a computer model and incorporates
financial analysis and asset allocation methods consistent with Morningstar guidelines and generally
accepted financial planning and asset allocation principles. OA is based on a point-in-time analysis and is
not an ongoing management service. This program is designed to:
• assist you in setting retirement goals;
• provide goal-appropriate saving and investment recommendations;
• help you monitor your retirement account; and
• permit you to perform “what-if” modeling.
The OA program will provide specific investment allocation recommendations among the funds made
available in the participant’s retirement plan by the plan sponsor. These recommendations are not an
endorsement of any particular investment. OA will also generate an estimate of the likelihood of the
participant reaching their retirement goals. This estimate is based on information provided and/or verified
by the participant and is not a guarantee of future results and can and will change over time.
The OA program does not include continued monitoring of the investment advice provided for the
participant’s account. Participants must implement the recommendations received themselves and revisit
the OA site in order to update their information and receive updated recommendations. Participants
maintain full control of their account and are under no obligation to implement the recommendations
received.
VRA Powered by Morningstar - Professional Management
In retirement plan accounts of certain plan participants, VRA provides an optional managed account
program called Professional Management (“PM”). For purposes of this program, VRA shall act as an
“investment manager” as defined under Section 3(38) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
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1974, as amended (“ERISA”) for plans who are subject to ERISA. This means that VRA implements its
investment recommendations and may make changes designed to keep your savings rate and
investment allocation aligned with your goals. To learn if this program is available to you, you may either
call us to speak with an Advisor or read your plan’s fact sheet.
VRA recommendations consider your current savings and number of years to your assumed retirement
age along with a number of other inputs. PM output is delivered by Advisors who are contacted by calling
your plan’s toll-free information line. Alternatively, you have the ability to enroll in the PM service through
your employer sponsored plan website.
Central to the delivery of PM is the Advisor’s use of the advice workstation. The workstation relies on the
proprietary methodology developed and maintained by Morningstar to create target allocations and
forecasts for participants.
The forecasts generated by the advice workstation focus on a personalized analysis and are designed to
answer the following questions:
• What is the chance that I might reach my retirement goal(s)? • What is the range of income I
might expect in retirement?
• How much might my portfolio be worth at retirement? The forecasted retirement income is
based on income provided by the following sources:
• Your retirement accounts (including individual retirement plan accounts and other accounts
designated for retirement);
• Your pension;
• Social Security estimates; and
• other sources of retirement-designated income.
The objective of this process is to provide a personalized asset allocation and personalized
retirement savings strategy.
The result is a personalized, inflation-adjusted retirement income forecast. VRA uses the forecasts
described above to offer strategies designed to help improve your understanding of, and ability to achieve
your retirement goal(s).
For example, if the illustrations show a shortfall of retirement income (as compared to your expected
needs), one or a combination of the following actions would be discussed:
• increase contributions to the retirement plan account;
• change investment mix;
• retire later or supplement your income during retirement; and
• reduce retirement income expectations.
If you elect to enroll in the PM program through an Advisor, the Advisor will model assumed changes to
savings rates and investment allocations and communicate the results to you during the course of your
conversation. This approach is designed to help you understand how actions such as reallocating
investments or increasing your savings may improve your chances to achieve your retirement goal(s). If
you enroll in the PM program, you authorize VRA to provide discretionary ongoing management of your
retirement plan account(s) which would include a personalized combination of the following actions with
the objective of achieving your retirement goals: rebalancing, updating your investment allocation and
adjusting your allocation overtime based on your changing retirement time horizon. Rebalancing and re-
optimization occur quarterly.
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Income Secure Income Secure is a feature offered through both OA and PM, where Participants age 50
and older and within 5 years of their retirement age are presented with an annual spending plan for the
duration of their retirement. The spending plan includes a detailed overview of the income sources that
comprise their annual income so they know how much to consider withdrawing each year from their
accounts. Pre-retirees (within one year of default retirement age of 65 or user-selected retirement age)
and retirees also have access to a user interface specifically designed to provide a more tailored and
insightful planning experience.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES
VFA and its IARs provide individual and specialty financial planning services to clients on either a one-
time or an annual basis. Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of a client’s
current and future financial situation and needs using variables that may include current and future
income, expenses, investment growth, cash flows, asset values and withdrawal plans. Based on the
client’s financial situation, goals, investment objectives, needs and risk tolerance, IARs may make asset
class or asset allocation recommendations. Through the financial planning process, all questions,
information and analysis are considered as to how they may impact the financial situation of the client.
Clients receive either a written plan or summary report of the services provided, which provides the client
with detailed evaluation or advice designed to help them achieve their financial goals and objectives.
VFA cannot guarantee future financial results or the achievement of the client’s financial goals through
implementation of a financial plan or any advice or recommendations provided. VFA does not monitor the
day-to-day performance of the client’s specific investments.
In general, the financial planning may address the following services in either the one-time or the
annual/ongoing plan. Not all services listed are available in an annual/ongoing financial plan. Detailed
descriptions of each service are contained in the Financial Planning and Consulting Services Agreement.
Please read that agreement carefully before engaging in any of the services below:
Financial Planning Services
Consulting Services
Specialty Services (Financial
Planning or Consulting)
Business Planning Services
General financial
information/education
Cash flow, budgeting, and major
purchase buy/sell decisions
Estate distribution services
(one time service only)
Cash flow, budgeting, and major
purchase buy/sell planning
Individual savings goals, asset
allocation, and insurance
planning
Retirement planning
Education Planning
Insurance review
Estate/Legacy review
Estate Planning
Special Needs Planning
Divorce Planning
(one time service only)
Investment Planning
Retirement planning/Social
Security review
Education Funding
Qualified Plan and IRA
distribution analysis
Executive Planning with stock
option and deferred
compensation evaluations
Retirement Social Security
benefit analysis
Plan Reviews (one-time service
only; Plan reviews are included in
annual/ongoing service)
The client is under no obligation to act on the advice of VFA, IARs or any other affiliated persons. The
client must decide whether to implement any advice or recommendations made by VFA, IARs or any
other affiliated person. If the client does follow such recommendation, the client acknowledges that
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he/she is under no obligation to effect the transactions through VFA or its affiliates. Clients should
carefully review all sales charges, front-end or deferred, ongoing fees and loads, and liquidation,
termination and asset fees charged in all products or service programs before investing.
Financial Planning and Consulting Services Term
One-time services do not require VFA or IARs to monitor client’s assets or monitor financial markets on
an ongoing basis for such client, and do not include periodic plan reviews or updates. Delivery of the
written plan or summary report constitutes completion of the one-time service and shall occur within
ninety (90) days of the signing of the agreement for most one-time planning services. Certain specialty
planning services may take longer to complete.
Annual/ongoing services begin on the date of the signing of the agreement and continue until the renewal
date, as defined in the agreement. The annual service will automatically renew on the first day of the
month following the annual anniversary date for a period of one (1) year unless terminated by either party
pursuant to the terms described below. Delivery of the written plan or summary report does not constitute
completion of the agreement and shall occur within ninety (90) days of the initial planning year and within
ninety (90) days of the renewal date for each subsequent renewal year.
To provide services under agreement the IAR gathers information through personal interviews.
Information gathered may include the client's current financial status, tax status, future goals, return
objectives and attitudes towards risk. The IAR carefully reviews documents supplied by the client, which
may include a questionnaire completed by the Client, and prepares a written report. Should the client
choose to implement the recommendations contained in the plan, the Client should work closely with
his/her attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and/or stockbroker. Implementation of recommendations is
entirely at the client's discretion.
IARs do not make recommendations concerning the purchase or sale of specific securities when
preparing financial plans. However, in response to requests by clients for advice or recommendations to
implement a financial plan, the IAR's recommendations are limited to only those products offered through
VFA, where the IAR is registered as an investment adviser representative and as a registered
representative of the broker dealer. Similarly, any insurance recommendations will be limited to the
insurance companies the IAR is appointed with as an insurance agent or broker. This creates a conflict
of interest as the Firm may recommend the use of proprietary insurance or investment products and will
recommend a product for which VFA or its IAR will earn compensation. You are able to purchase the
same or other similar products and services at another broker-dealer or investment adviser, but for a
lower cost.
Voya Financial, Inc., and VFA may make available direct Financial Planning or Consulting Services at no
additional cost to clients, including via a web-based platform.
Termination of the Financial Planning or Consulting Services Agreement
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty within five (5) business days of entering into the
agreement. Any party may terminate the agreement at any time after the five business day period without
penalty upon written notice to the other party. Clients agree that such termination will not affect the
liabilities or obligations which arise from transactions initiated prior to termination. Upon termination of the
agreement, any fees collected by VFA for one-time planning services will be reimbursed in full if a plan
has not been delivered. Any annual planning fees collected but not earned will be reimbursed to Clients at
a pro-rata share based on the amount of days remaining in the payment installment period. The
agreement will not terminate in the event that the IAR establishing the agreement is no longer associated
with VFA or is otherwise removed from the agreement. VFA reserves the right to replace the IAR
providing services under the agreement, with or without cause.
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The VFA Financial Planning or Consulting Services Agreement that the client is required to review
and execute prior to the preparation and delivery of any type of services contains additional
disclosures. Please review that agreement carefully prior to signing the agreement.
BE READY PROGRAM
Be Ready is a program for employees of selected worksite plan sponsors who are clients of a VFA
affiliate. Be Ready gives employees access to VFA financial professionals who can help them with a
wide range of investment strategies and prepare for retirement. Through Be Ready, VFA may make
available financial planning services to employees of selected worksite plan sponsors. The costs for
products and services assessed to employees participating in the Be Ready program are set out in the
applicable section of this Brochure. Additionally, VFA may make available services on a one-time, non-
discretionary basis at a client’s request at no additional cost to the client.
Financial Planning/Analysis Services: Consists of consultation with the client to collect information
about client’s goals, risk tolerance and current financial situation, and financial analysis that results in a
written evaluation addressing client’s retirement income goals and other financial goals as well as risk
analysis. The consultation sessions typically will not exceed three sessions of one hour each. The written
evaluation will address the financial plan and any of the following goals, as described above: Asset
Allocation; Business Retirement Planning; Education Funding; Estate Planning; Financial Analysis and
Statements; General Analysis and Planning; and Insurance Profile/Analysis. If additional time is required
to develop the plan, additional consultations are available at an hourly rate.
The financial planning services offered through Be Ready follow the guidelines found in this Brochure.
For additional information about financial planning services offered by VFA, please see the section titled
“Financial Planning” in this Item 4.
Be Ready Services: VFA may also offer a variety of consultation services to Be Ready clients on a one-
time, non-discretionary basis at no additional cost to those clients. These services provide basic asset
allocation and funding guidance appropriate for clients’ goals and risk tolerance, and in certain instances,
provide corresponding investment recommendations, which may result in establishment of an ongoing
advisory relationship as part of VFA’s Advisory Programs described in this Brochure. The Be Ready
Services are not a substitute for a comprehensive financial plan.
Neither the Financial Planning Services nor the Be Ready Services offered to Be Ready clients shall
require VFA or IARs to monitor clients’ assets on an ongoing basis, nor shall it require that VFA or IARs
update recommendations to reflect changes in clients’ circumstances. These services will also not require
VFA or IARs to monitor financial markets and conditions for clients and will not require that VFA or IARs
perform ongoing analysis of clients’ assets for factors that may impact performance.
Clients may request an annual review session. Such annual review sessions shall review changes to the
client’s financial situation. The annual review may or may not include an accompanying written report.
The annual review is not a substitute for a comprehensive financial plan. Clients are solely responsible for
contacting their IAR to schedule an annual review session. VFA reserves the right to subsequently limit,
modify or discontinue offering annual review sessions or to charge a fee for annual reviews in the future.
Clients are solely responsible for implementing any recommendations made as part of the Financial
Planning and Be Ready services. IARs will not exercise discretion over a client’s assets in connection
with these services. In addition to the Financial Planning Services and Be Ready services described in
this section, Be Ready clients may also be offered certain advisory products as described elsewhere in
this Brochure.
FINANCIAL PLANNING SEMINARS
IARs may conduct seminars which may include, among other topics, presentations on financial planning,
various securities and insurance strategies, business planning, long-term care and/or retirement planning.
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Attendees are under no obligation to do so, but are encouraged to have individual consultations with the
IAR and to have a financial plan prepared. In addition, certain IARs receive approval to charge the
corporate sponsors of their seminars a fixed fee to hold seminars for the corporation's employees. This
fee is not tied to a per employee attendance count.
PLAN SPONSOR SERVICES
(formerly referred to as “EPIC Services”)
VFA offers consulting and advisory services for employer-sponsored retirement plans that are designed
to assist plan sponsors of employee benefit plans (“Plan Sponsor(s)”). VFA may also assist Plan
Sponsors with enrollment and/or providing investment education to plan participants and beneficiaries.
VFA provides these retirement plan services through certain of its IARs who have gone through specific
training and received approval to offer these services, and may charge a fee for Plan Sponsor Services,
as described in this Form ADV Part 2A and the ERISA Plan Investment Consulting Agreement
(“Agreement”).
Plan Sponsor Services are either ERISA fiduciary services or ERISA non-fiduciary services. ERISA non-
fiduciary services may be performed only so that they would not be considered fiduciary services under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). When delivering ERISA
fiduciary services, VFA will perform those services to the plan as a fiduciary, generally under ERISA
Section 3(21)(A)(ii). When providing any ERISA fiduciary services under ERISA Section 3(21)(A)(ii), VFA
will solely be making recommendations to the Plan Sponsor and the Plan Sponsor retains full
discretionary authority and control over assets of the plan. VFA offers these consulting and advisory
services to employer-sponsored retirement plans regardless of whether a plan is subject to ERISA.
Under limited circumstances and subject to the IAR’s approval by VFA’s Home Office, VFA will perform
ERISA fiduciary services as an “investment manager” pursuant to ERISA Section 3(38). In such a
circumstance, VFA, through its IAR, will exert discretionary authority and power to manage, acquire, or
dispose of any asset of the Plan. Importantly, this means that VFA will not seek Plan Sponsor’s prior
consent or authority prior to executing securities transactions and taking other actions with respect to
Plan assets.
Plan Sponsor may engage VFA to perform Plan Sponsor Services by completing a Plan Investment
Consulting Advisory Services Agreement providing information about the plan, including but not limited to
options available through the plan, plan objectives, investment objectives, investment risk tolerance,
demographics about plan participants, and third-party service providers. VFA will provide Plan Sponsor a
copy of this Form ADV Part 2A and the Agreement for review. The Agreement describes the terms of the
arrangement between VFA and the Plan Sponsor, including a description of the retirement plan services
and the fees to be charged by VFA. By signing the Agreement, the Plan Sponsor represents that Plan
Sponsor has received sufficient information and determined that the retirement plan services selected
are: (i) necessary for the operation of the plan and (ii) reasonable and appropriate based upon the
compensation to be paid for the Services. Plan Sponsor must sign and submit the Agreement to VFA
before VFA performs any Plan Sponsor Services.
Description of the Retirement Plan Services
VFA offers any of the following 3(21), and in certain limited circumstances, 3(38) Fiduciary, and Non-
Fiduciary Retirement Plan Services:
Plan Sponsor – ERISA 3(21) Fiduciary Services:
1) Recommendations to establish or revise the Plan’s Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”)
2) Recommendations to select and monitor the Designated Investment Alternatives (“DIAs”)
3) Recommendations to allocate and rebalance model asset allocation portfolios
4) Recommendations to select and monitor investment managers
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Plan Sponsor – ERISA Non-Fiduciary Services:
1) Assistance with Plan governance and committee education
a) Determining Plan objectives and options available through the plan
b) Reviewing retirement plan committee structure and requirements
c) Reviewing participant education and communication strategy,
including ERISA 404(c)
requirements
d) Coordinating and reconciling participant disclosures under ERISA 404(a)
e) Developing requirements for responding to participant requests for additional information
f) Developing and maintaining a fiduciary audit file
g) Attending periodic meetings with plan committee (upon request by plan sponsor)
2) Assistance with Plan fiduciaries’ vendor management (service provider selection/review)
a) Reviewing fees and services and identifying procedures to track the receipt and evaluation of
ERISA 408(b)2 disclosures
b) Providing periodic benchmarking of fees and services to assist review for reasonableness
c) Reviewing ERISA spending accounts or plan expense recapture accounts (“PERAs”)
d) Generating and evaluating service provider requests for proposals (“RFPs”) and or requests from
information (“RFIs”)
e) Support with contract negotiations
f) Service provider transition and/or plan conversion
g) Plan establishment and administration
3) Investment Education for Plan fiduciaries
Investment Policy Statements
a)
b) Assessment of overall investment structure of Plan
c) Review of the Plan’s investment options
d) Review of Qualified Designated Investment Alternatives (“QDIA”)
e) Search and review of investment managers
Plan Participant - ERISA Non-Fiduciary Services
1) Employee investment education and communication
a) Providing group enrollment and investment education meetings
b) Providing fee specific education and communicate the Plan’s requirements for requesting
additional information about plan fees and expenses
c) Supporting individual participant questions
d) Providing periodic updates, upon request of newsletter
e) Assisting participants with retirement preparation
Potential Additional Retirement Services Provided Outside of the Agreement
In providing Plan Sponsor Services, VFA and its IARs may establish a client relationship with one or more
plan participants or beneficiaries. Such client relationships develop in various ways, including, but not
limited to:
1) as a result of a decision by the participant or beneficiary to purchase
services from VFA not involving the use of plan assets;
2) as part of an individual or family financial plan for which any specific
investment
the allocation of assets or
3)
recommendations concerning
recommendations relate exclusively to assets held outside of the plan; or
through an Individual Retirement Account rollover (“IRA Rollover”).
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If VFA is providing Plan Sponsor Services to a plan, IARs may, when requested by a plan participant or
beneficiary, arrange to provide services to that participant or beneficiary through a separate agreement
that excludes any investment advice on plan assets (but may consider the participant’s or beneficiary’s
interest in the plan in providing that service). If a plan participant or beneficiary desires to affect an IRA
Rollover, IAR will obtain a written acknowledgement from the plan participant. Any decision to affect the
rollover or about what to do with the rollover assets remains that of the participant or beneficiary alone.
AMOUNT OF MANAGED ASSETS
As of December 31, 2024, VFA had $2,744,735,129 of assets under management on a non-discretionary
basis plus $46,838,757 assets under management on a discretionary basis.
BNY INVESTMENT CREDIT LINE PROGRAM
BNY Mellon, an affiliate of Pershing, offers the Investment Credit Line program to its customers. This
product allows BNY Mellon customers to borrow funds utilizing assets held in the customers’ account
custodied with Pershing as collateral for the loan. Although this program is not offered through VFA, IARs
can refer Clients to BNY Mellon if Clients desire to establish a line of credit using securities held in their
investment advisory account. Clients are not allowed to use funds received through this program to
purchase securities or insurance products offered through VFA. No compensation is received by VFA or
IARs for the referral or if the client establishes a line of credit. BNY Mellon offers the Investment Credit
Line to its customers in its sole discretion, and VFA in no way oversees the BNY Mellon Investment Credit
Line, nor determines who is eligible to participate.
BNY Mellon is a parent company of and custodian for Pershing and acts as transfer agent for Voya
Investment Management, an affiliate of VFA. This creates a conflict of interest, as BNY Mellon maintains
a pre-existing business relationship with VFA’s clearing firm and an affiliate of VFA. As discussed in Item
4, above, VFA considers the entirety of a product sponsor’s relationship with VFA and VFA’s affiliates in
determining whether to offer, or continue to offer a product sponsor’s product(s), which includes, but is
not limited to, Pershing and BNY Mellon’s relationship with VFA and VFA’s affiliates.
CASH ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
*Please note that VFA no longer offers AssetMark Programs for new accounts.
AssetMark offers the Cash Advantage program to VFA clients with certain AssetMark Trust Company
custodial accounts. The Cash Advantage program is a securities-backed line of credit linked to your
account held at AssetMark Trust. Unlike a margin account, these borrowed funds cannot be utilized to
purchase additional securities. If you decide to open a Cash Advantage account, please carefully
consider the following:
1. You are borrowing money that you will be required to pay back.
2. Cash Advantage is only available for accounts that are not retirement accounts. For purposes of
this Brochure, a “Retirement Account” is an account held by an ERISA plan or an account
otherwise subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g. IRA).
3. You are using the securities that you own in the account as collateral.
4. You are charged an interest rate that is subject to change and the rate can go up or down.
5. Depending on the relation between the account value, credit limit and amount borrowed,
collateral devaluations may limit the available credit or possibly require a deposit of additional
assets or immediate payment.
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6. Due to the fact that securities are pledged to support the outstanding loan amount, AssetMark
Trust Company can limit client withdrawals from the account until loan requirements are met or
the loan is paid off.
7. AssetMark Trust Company may request additional information such as, but not limited to, a credit
check in order to complete their review of your account(s).
For the Cash Advantage program, there is an agreement between AssetMark Trust Company and The
Bancorp, Inc (“Bancorp”). No agreements are in place between VFA and Bancorp. Bancorp does not
compensate VFA for referrals or otherwise. VFA allows AssetMark to offer this service as a courtesy to
our clients, and in no way oversees the program.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
In general, fees for VFA investment advisory services are based upon a percentage of assets under
management and are charged monthly or quarterly in advance by debiting advisory fees from client
accounts, except as otherwise specified below. VFA will prorate the monthly or quarterly fee it charges
you if more than $10,000 is deposited or withdrawn from your account during the billing period. Certain
clients may have unique fee arrangements that are not specified herein.
Fees that are specific to each VFA investment advisory program are described in detail in Item 5. Account
sizes specified for each program are negotiable under certain circumstances. VFA may group certain
related client accounts for the purposes of achieving the minimum account size and determining the
annualized fee.
Although VFA has established the fee schedules described in this Brochure, VFA’s IARs, with the
exception of its phone-based IARS, may negotiate alternative fees on a client-by-client basis. The fee
schedules contained in this Item 5, therefore, are the maximum amount, or ceiling, that VFA can charge.
Depending on the distribution channel of your IAR, you will receive higher or lower fees in any of VFA’s
investment advisory programs. Client facts, circumstances and needs are considered in determining the
fee schedule. These facts include the complexity of the client’s situation, assets to be placed under
management, anticipated future additional assets, related accounts, portfolio style and account
composition, among other factors. The specific annual fee schedule is identified in the contract between
the IAR and each client.
VFA’s phone service employee IARs (commonly referred to as the “Investor Channel”) may engage
prospective and current customers, including those Clients with existing VFA retail accounts or Voya
retirement plan participants who have separated from their employer-sponsored plan offered by our
affiliates, VRIAC and Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC, to offer the opportunity to participate in the
Select Advantage Advisory Program or other affiliated programs or products. VFA does not pay the
Investor Channel IARs any portion of the investment advisory fee VFA earns. Rather, Investor Channel
IARs earn a salary and monthly incentive payouts based on individual performance factors, which differ
depending on the IAR’s role. These factors include achieving individual and department annual sales
goals, client engagement activity, client retention, and customer satisfaction. This compensation model
creates a conflict of interest, as Investor Channel IARs are incentivized to sell products and services, and
retain assets within their employer sponsored plan and rollover assets to VFA or an affiliate VFA and its
affiliates to increase their incentive compensation. The IAR is incentivized to make recommendations
based on the IARs performance factors, which creates a conflict of interest. VFA addresses this conflict
by disclosing it and through supervision of its phone service employee IARs which is designed to ensure
appropriateness of the advice and recommendations provided by its IARs.
VFA policies make certain financial products, such as illiquid non-traded products, available to clients only
in the Firm’s role as a broker-dealer, for which it receives commissions. Other registered investment
advisers may offer such financial products in an investment advisory account, shares of which may be
20 | P a g e
purchased net of commission, resulting in more shares to the customer than if the same product is
purchased through the Firm on a commission basis. Purchasing such products through the Firm in its role
as broker-dealer will result in the client receiving fewer shares for the same purchase price than the
customer would receive if purchased in an investment advisory account. Clients will receive lower
investment returns over the short term, and incur higher execution costs due to the Firm’s policy, as
compared to the same financial product held in an investment advisory account. In certain scenarios, a
client will pay more fees and expenses over the course of holding the product by purchasing it from VFA
in its capacity as a broker-dealer than the client would pay if the product had been purchased in an
investment advisory account. Since offering such financial products only in the Firm’s capacity as a
broker-dealer creates a conflict of interest, the Firm has an obligation to notify clients of, and to obtain
informed consent for, these types of recommendations at the time of sale. VFA does not owe clients a
fiduciary duty in circumstances when it offers clients products in its role as a broker-dealer.
VFA policy makes certain share classes of products available on its investment advisory platform, as
opposed to other share classes of the same product. The share classes VFA makes available on its
investment advisory platform are selected, in part, because such share classes provide compensation to
the Firm. You are able to purchase the same or similar products that the Firm offers at other investment
advisers, and such investment advisers will make available lower cost share classes of those products to
you. For example, VFA does not offer retirement share, or “R Share” classes to non-retirement plan
customers, despite R Shares being less costly than the share classes VFA offers to investment advisory
customers. Other mutual fund share classes, such as “clean shares” are also available but not used by
VFA because such mutual fund share classes do not pay additional revenue to VFA. Such other share
classes are available to you through other investment firms, which would result in lower cost to you.
Similarly, investment advisory services fees charged by other investment advisers may be similar to or
lower than the fees that VFA charges.
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Termination of the Advisory Relationship
A client agreement may be terminated at any time, by either party, for any reason. Termination by the
client is effective upon receipt of written notice by VFA unless a later date is requested in the client’s
notice and agreed to by VFA. Termination by VFA is effective 30 days from the date of written notice to
the client, unless a later date is stated in the notice. Client may terminate without penalty within five
business days of entering into an investment advisory agreement. As disclosed above, certain fees are
paid in advance of services provided. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will
be promptly refunded. In calculating a client’s reimbursement of fees, VFA will pro rate the reimbursement
according to the number of days remaining in the billing period.
SELECT ADVANTAGE ADVISORY IRA
The Client will be charged, and VFA and the IAR will receive, an advisory fee for the investment advice
and other services provided to the account by VFA and the IAR. The advisory fee amount and frequency
are determined by an agreement between the Client and the IAR and are reflected in the Voya Select
Advantage Advisory IRA Program account application. The advisory fee is calculated based on the
average monthly account value over the assessment period as of the last day of the calendar quarter or
month. The advisory fee is deducted by VRIAC from the Client’s account in arrears and is paid to VFA
either quarterly or monthly (based on the frequency chosen). Please see the Voya Select Advantage
Advisory Account Agreement for more information regarding the advisory fee, including the maximum
advisory fee that VFA and its IAR may charge.
In addition to the advisory fee, accounts in the Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program are subject
to a variety of additional fees and expenses assessed by VRIAC and VITC. Information concerning these
fees are included in the Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA Disclosure Statements and Custodial
Account Agreement disclosure document under “What Fees will I Pay?” Some of these fees are received
by VRIAC and VITC, and others are received by unaffiliated mutual fund companies.
The Voya Select Advantage Advisory Program is sponsored and administered by affiliates of VFA.
Therefore, VFA has a conflict of interest when it recommends the Voya Select Advantage Advisory
Program, as the Voya Select Advantage Advisory Program provides a financial benefit to affiliates of
VFA.
In particular, Voya Financial Partners, LLC and VRIAC, affiliates of VFA, receive 12b-1 fees in connection
with mutual funds contained in the Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA product. While VFA and its IARs
do not receive the 12b-1 fees, the receipt of these 12b-1 fees by Voya Financial Partners, LLC and
VRIAC create a conflict of interest for VFA and its IARs, as affiliates of VFA earn more money when you
invest though the Voya Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program. VFA addresses this conflict by
identifying and disclosing this conflict of interest to you.
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES
MODEL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT FEES
Morningstar Wealth Management / Morningstar Wealth Management Tax Sensitive Model Portfolio
Program, Voya Global Perspectives Market Models Series, Voya Choice Advisory, The Fidelity
Program, and Unified Managed Account Program.
The annualized fee will be charged as a percentage of assets under management, according to the
following schedules:
1. Morningstar Wealth Management / Morningstar Wealth Management Tax Sensitive Model
Portfolio Program
Maximum Annual Total Client Fee
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Portfolio Value
From To
Annual Total Client Fee
First
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
$ 0 - $ 250,000
$ 250,001 - $ 500,000
$ 500,001 - $ 1,000,000
$ 1,000,001 - $ 2,000,000
$ 2,000,001 - $ 5,000,000
$ 5,000,001 - $ 10,000,000
$10,000,001 and over
2.75%
2.75%
2.50%
2.35%
2.10%
2.05%
2.00%
A minimum of $25,000 of assets under management is generally required for the Morningstar Wealth
Management Programs. Clients electing to exclude certain funds from their Morningstar Wealth
Management Program accounts will be assessed a non-negotiable $5,000 administrative fee.
Morningstar also provides capital market assumptions to VFA at no additional cost as part of the suite of
services provided.
2. Voya Global Perspectives Market Models ("GPMM")
Mutual Fund Series
The total annualized fee for services under the GPMM – Mutual Fund Series consists of a Management
Fee and a Custody Fee. The Management Fee is composed of a Strategist Fee and an Advisory Fee.
The maximum total annual fee will not exceed 2.75%. The Management Fee is assessed based on the
total market value of the GPMM account and applied by asset tier per account, as stated on the Fee
Schedule in the GPMM account agreement. Voya IM has waived charging a strategist fee for the GPMM
– Mutual Fund Series, although Voya IM will receive management fees from the Voya funds, and sub-
management fees from the non-Voya funds selected. No portion of any affiliated product’s advisory,
administrative, service, or other fees will be offset against the Management Fee or Custody Fee.
A minimum of $1,000 of assets under management is generally required for GPMM – Mutual Fund
Series.
ETF Series
The total annualized fee for services under the GPMM – ETF Series consists of a Management Fee and
a Custody Fee. The Management Fee is composed of a Strategist Fee and an Advisory Fee. The
maximum total annual fee will not exceed 2.75%. The Management Fee is assessed based on the total
market value of the GPMM account and applied by asset tier per account, as stated on the Fee Schedule
in the GPMM account agreement. No portion of any affiliated product’s advisory, administrative, service,
or other fees will be offset against the asset-based fee.
A minimum of $15,000 of assets under management is generally required for GPMM – ETF Series
Maximum Annual Total Client Fee
Portfolio Value
From To
Annual Total Client Fee
First
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
$ 0 - $ 250,000
$ 250,001 - $ 500,000
$ 500,001 - $ 1,000,000
$ 1,000,001 - $ 2,000,000
$ 2,000,001 - $ 5,000,000
$ 5,000,001 - $ 10,000,000
$10,000,001 and over
2.75%
2.75%
2.50%
2.35%
2.10%
2.05%
2.00%
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3. Voya Choice Advisory
Voya Choice Advisory is closed to new clients.
Maximum Annual Total Client Fee
Portfolio Value
From To
Annual Total Client Fee
First
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
$ 0 - $ 250,000
$ 250,001 - $ 500,000
$ 500,001 - $ 1,000,000
$ 1,000,001 - $ 2,000,000
$ 2,000,001 - $ 5,000,000
$ 5,000,001 - $ 10,000,000
$10,000,001 and over
2.75%
2.75%
2.50%
2.35%
2.10%
2.05%
2.00%
A minimum of $25,000 of assets under management is generally required for Voya Choice Advisory.
Clients that elected to exclude certain funds from their Voya Choice Advisory accounts will be assessed a
non-negotiable $5,000 administrative fee.
4. The Fidelity Program
The Fidelity Program is closed to new clients.
Assets Under
Management
Maximum
Annual Fee
Up to $250,000
$250,001- $500,000
$500,001 and greater
1.00%
0.75%
0.50%
There is a $5,000 minimum account balance for participation in the Fidelity Program.
In the Fidelity Program, the client fee is deducted by Fidelity upon calculation and instruction from VFA in
accordance with direction from the client. Clients who invest through the Fidelity Program must maintain
sufficient assets in the account to meet quarterly fee deductions. The fee is calculated using the account
balance on the first business day of the previous quarter. Advisory fee deduction will commence on the
first full quarter following enrollment in the Fidelity Program.
Additional Charges to Fidelity Program Clients:
Clients may pay separate custodial fees or charges associated with the maintenance of accounts at
Fidelity Investments. Brokerage link clients will pay transaction charges for purchases and sales in their
account. Fidelity Program clients should refer to their agreement with Fidelity Investments for information
regarding applicable custodial and transactional fees.
5. UMA Programs:
The total annual client fee for services under the Unified Managed Account Program consists of the
Management Fee and the Custody Fee. The Management Fee is composed of the Strategist Fee(s), a
VFA Administrative Fee, and an Adviser Fee. As shown in the table below, the maximum total annual fee
for the IIS Sleeve(s) will not exceed 2.75%. The Management Fee is assessed based on the total market
value of the UMA account and applied by asset tier per account, as stated on the Fee Schedule in the
Unified Managed Account Program account agreement. On the client’s behalf, VFA pays a portion of the
total annual client fee to the IIS for services. Any transfer of assets from one IIS to a different IIS may
result in a higher or lower Management Fee, as a result of the difference in the Management Fees that
24 | P a g e
each IIS charges. No portion of any affiliated product’s advisory, administrative, service, or other fees will
be offset against the total annual client fee.
Maximum Total Annual Client Fee
From To
Portfolio
Value
Annual Total Client Fee
of IIS Sleeve(s)
First
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
$ 0 - $ 250,000
$ 250,001 - $ 500,000
$ 500,001 - $ 1,000,000
$ 1,000,001 - $ 2,000,000
$ 2,000,001 - $ 5,000,000
$ 5,000,001 - $ 10,000,000
$10,000,001 and over
2.75%
2.75%
2.50%
2.35%
2.10%
2.05%
2.00%
VFA may require a minimum account value depending on the strategy selected which is reflected on the
UMA Program Advisory Account Agreement. IIS Sleeves may have different minimum investment
requirements.
The maximum annual total client fee for services under the Investor Channel Unified Managed Account
Program will not exceed 1.37%. The maximum annual total client fee is assessed based on the total
market value of the Investor Channel Unified Managed Account Program account and applied by asset
tier per account, as stated on the Fee Schedule in the Investor Channel Unified Managed Account
agreement. On the client’s behalf, VFA pays a portion of the total annual client fee to the IIS for services.
Any transfer of assets from one IIS to a different IIS may result in a higher or lower Management Fee, as
a result of the difference in the Management Fees that each IIS charges. No portion of any affiliated
product’s advisory, administrative, service, or other fees will be offset against the total annual client fee.
A minimum account value of $1,000 is generally required for the Investor Channel Unified Managed
Account Program, dependent upon the Strategist selected. Please refer to the VFA's Form ADV Part 2A,
Appendix 1 Investor Channel Unified Managed Account Wrap Program Brochure for more detailed
information about the fees applicable to the Investor Channel Unified Managed Account Program.
The UMA Programs incorporate fees that would otherwise be assessed to the client account including,
among other things, transaction costs, paper surcharges and the annual IRA custodial fee. Certain
account-level miscellaneous fees are not incorporated. VFA will, in its sole discretion, negotiate
alternative account-level miscellaneous fees or waive such fees on a client-by-client basis.
Certain miscellaneous fees are lower for clients who have provided VFA and its IAR discretionary
authority to manage and move amongst unaffiliated IIS Sleeves without the client’s prior consent. A listing
of these miscellaneous fees are contained in client’s Unified Managed Account Program Agreement. It is
important that clients understand that granting or eliminating discretionary authority for VFA, through its
IAR, to manage an Adviser Sleeve and move amongst unaffiliated IIS Sleeves without the client’s prior
consent will result in lower (by granting such discretionary authority) or higher (by eliminating such
discretionary authority) miscellaneous fees.
6. VDA Program:
The VDA Program charges an asset-based fee comprised of four components for its services (the “Asset-
Based Fee”). The Asset-Based Fee consists of the Strategist Fee, the Custody Fee, the VFA
Administrative Fee, and the Advisor Fee. The maximum total annual Asset-Based Fee for the VDA
Program is 1.1%. The Asset-Based Fee is assessed based on the total market value of the client’s VDA
Program account, as described in the VDA Program account agreement, and VFA's Form ADV Part 2A,
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Appendix 1 Voya Digital AdviserTM Wrap Program Brochure, which is available upon request from your
IAR or from VFA.
VFA's Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 Voya Digital AdviserTM Wrap Program Brochure contains further
information about the Asset-Based Fee and the other fees and costs you incur by investing through the
VDA Program, including but not limited to the fees and costs charged by the securities contained in the
model portfolios and miscellaneous account and service fees. You should read VFA's Form ADV Part 2A,
Appendix 1 Voya Digital AdviserTM Wrap Program Brochure carefully before choosing to invest in the VDA
Program.
The Strategists in the UMA Programs, and the VDA Program use investment products for which Pershing
assesses a ticket charge to VFA for transactions made in VFA client accounts. Some Strategists,
however, utilize investment products without ticket charges, which reduces the cost VFA bears to
maintain these programs for clients. Generally, investment products for which Pershing does not assess a
ticket charge to VFA have higher costs to clients than those investment products for which Pershing
charges a ticket charge to VFA. The avoidance of ticket charges is a conflict of interest for VFA, as it
incentivizes VFA to select Strategists for inclusion in these programs that choose investments without
ticket charges, which results in higher overall costs for the client, rather than selecting Strategists based
upon perceived client need. VFA addresses this conflict of interest by identifying and disclosing this
conflict of interest to you, and by reviewing Strategists for these programs to ensure their
appropriateness.
VRA Powered by Morningstar
VFA’s affiliate VRA earns revenue from participation in the VRA powered by Morningstar program
negotiated between plan sponsors and VRA. VRA earns revenue through the Professional Management
program fee, an the asset-based fee for ongoing Professional Management program services. The fee
can be a single flat tier or a multi-tier based model where the incremental fee amount will reduce as the
participant account balance reaches plan sponsor negotiated breakpoints. The Professional Management
fees vary by plan as do the asset level breakpoints and are considered confidential trade secrets. The
Professional Management fee does not exceed 0.65% for the lowest asset level breakpoint annually .
VRA provides plan specific platform fee, The Professional Management program asset-based fee and
asset level break point information in custom service description communications. These service
description communications are available to all plan participants as part of the plan’s rollout of VRA
services. Additionally, service description communications are provided as part of the Professional
Management program welcome kit.
Please read your plan’s service description communications to learn about the specific fees for your plan.
In addition to the delivery methods identified above, you can get a fact sheet by calling your plan’s
information line and by asking to speak with an Advisor or by accessing the Online Advice or Professional
Management web site for your plan.
Funds or plan investments may charge expenses and fees that are in addition to the VRA advisory fee.
Please refer to the prospectus, fund fact sheet or other fund description for information regarding fees
that apply to the funds.
There is no additional cost or obligation for using the Online Advice services either online or through the
plan’s toll-free information line and speaking with Advisor. If you enroll in the Professional Management
program, fees will be deducted from your retirement plan account on a monthly or quarterly basis. Fees
are paid in arrears and begin as of the first day of the month or quarter you enroll regardless of what day
of the period you enroll. Participant fees are customized for each plan separately based upon several
plan factors as well as the individual participant account balance. The fee is calculated at each calendar
26 | P a g e
month or quarter end, based on the period ending value, and is assessed within fifteen days after the end
of such time period. VRA will deduct the fee from your account automatically. If a participant enrolls in
multiple Professional Management program accounts with the same plan sponsor, the value of the
accounts will be combined for the purpose of assessing total advisory fees. Please contact an Advisor for
more details specific to your plan.
In the event that an IAR registered with VFA recommends, assists, or refers a retirement plan participant
to enroll in VRA Powered by Morningstar, VRA will pay VFA and the IAR a portion of the Professional
Management fee collected by VRA. This creates a conflict of interest as it incentivizes VFA and its IARs
to recommend enrollment in VRA Powered by Morningstar. Participants may access the VRA Powered
by Morningstar program online without involvement of VFA or its IARs, in which case no portion of the
Professional Management fee is paid to VFA or its IARs.
THIRD PARTY MONEY MANAGER PROGRAM FEES
Fees for the Third Party Money Manager Programs may be negotiated but generally range from 0.75 to
2.50%, depending on the third party money manager program selected, the size of the account and the
services provided. Under some programs, an inclusive fee covers account management, brokerage,
clearing, custody and administrative services. In other programs, the account may be charged separately
for these services. The amount of the fees, the services provided, the payment structure, termination
provisions, account minimums, and other aspects of each program are detailed and disclosed in the
unaffiliated third party money manager's disclosure document. VFA may share in the fee.
VFA charges its IARs a fee for the IAR’s clients’ assets held at third party money managers. This is a
conflict of interest, as it creates a disincentive for your IAR to recommend third party money manager
programs to you.
From time to time, VFA may add or remove third-party asset management programs to or from its
investment advisory program platform. During such transitions, VFA may offer incentives to customers in
the form of discounts or other incentives on certain programs, to either encourage adoption of those
certain program(s) or to ameliorate potential costs of such removals. VFA may also provide increased
compensation to IARs who use those certain program(s) for customers whose previous program(s) have
been removed. This increased compensation creates a conflict of interest for your IAR by incentivizing the
choosing of one program over another.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES FEES
VFA's financial planning or consulting services fee is determined based on the nature of the services
provided and the complexity of each client’s circumstances. All fees are agreed to prior to entering into
the Financial Planning or Consulting Services Agreement with any client. You should discuss fees and
services with your advisor as the fees may be negotiable.
Financial planning or consulting fees are calculated on either a flat fee or an hourly basis. Fees are
generally based on the complexity of the client’s situation and/or the amount of time necessary to prepare
a financial plan or provide the services as agreed upon in writing by the client. If you are charged hourly,
your IAR will provide an estimate of the total hours at the time of signing of the financial planning
agreement.
The one-time financial planning or consulting services fee may be payable at the time the client signs the
agreement, within 30 days of delivery of the completed plan or services, or a portion of the fee may be
collected at the time the agreement is signed with the remaining portion of the fee due within thirty days of
the delivery and/or presentation of the plan or services. Annual planning or consulting service fees are
billed and due monthly, quarterly, or annually, in advance, for the services agreed upon.
27 | P a g e
The agreement contains payment installment options that the client may select. Please review the
financial planning agreement carefully prior to signing.
Client may terminate without penalty within five business days of entering into the agreement. Upon
termination of any agreement after the initial five-day period, any one-time fees collected will be
reimbursed in full if the financial plan or agreed-to services have not been delivered. Any prepaid,
unearned annual planning fees will be promptly refunded. In calculating a client’s reimbursement of
annual planning fees, VFA will pro rate the reimbursement according to the number of days remaining in
the billing period.
FINANCIAL PLANNING SEMINAR FEES
Seminar fees are set by the IAR who is conducting the seminar and may be up to $500 per person. IARs
that have been given approval may charge the corporate sponsors of their seminars a fixed fee, not to
exceed $10,000, to hold seminars for the corporation's employees. This fee is not tied to a per-employee
attendance count.
ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL FEES
Mutual Fund Fees: All fees paid to VFA for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from
the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or ETFs to their shareholders. The fees and
expenses of mutual funds and ETFs are described in each fund's prospectus. These fees will generally
include a management fee and other fund expenses and may include asset based sales charges, service
fees, and/or distribution fees (“12b-1 fees”). In most cases, mutual fund companies offer multiple share
classes of the same mutual fund. Some share classes of a fund charge a higher internal expense,
including but not limited to 12b-1 fees, whereas other share classes of the same fund charge a lower
internal expense, with or without 12b-1 fees.
Different share classes of the same mutual fund represent the same underlying investments. Since
different share classes have different costs, the overall costs of owning each share class differ. This
means that one share class of a particular mutual fund will be more costly than other share classes of the
same fund over time. This increased cost negatively affects the investment return for that particular share
class over time.
Institutional and investment advisory share classes typically have lower expense ratios, do not charge
12b-1 fees, and are less costly for a client to hold than Class A shares or other share classes that are
eligible to purchase in an investment advisory account. Mutual funds that offer institutional share classes,
investment advisory share classes, and other share classes with lower expense ratios are available to
clients who meet specific eligibility requirements that are described in the mutual fund’s prospectus or in
its statement of additional information. These eligibility requirements include, but may not be limited to,
investments meeting certain minimum dollar amount thresholds and accounts that the fund considers
qualified, fee-based programs.
VFA receives 12b-1 fees from certain share classes of mutual funds with respect to the following
accounts: (1) accounts that are managed on a non-discretionary basis (“Non-Discretionary Accounts”);
and (2) accounts that are both managed on discretionary basis and are not Retirement Accounts
(“Discretionary Non-Retirement Accounts”). The receipt of 12b-1 fees presents a conflict of interest
because it gives VFA and its IARs an incentive to recommend mutual funds for accounts based on the
compensation received rather than on a client’s needs. You should be aware of this conflict and discuss
with your IAR whether mutual funds selected or to be selected for your account pay a 12b-1 fee. You
should consider 12b-1 fees when negotiating fees with your IAR. In the event that VFA receives 12b-1
fees for funds, VFA will credit the account for such fees. If the fund also imposes sales charges, a client
may pay an upfront or deferred sales charge.
28 | P a g e
The lowest-cost mutual fund share class for a particular fund may not be offered through VFA or made
available by VFA for purchase within specific types of investment advisory program accounts. Clients
should never assume that they will be invested in the share class with the lowest possible expense ratio
or cost. VFA urges clients to discuss with their IAR whether a lower-cost share class is available for their
particular account, and why the particular fund(s) or other investments that will be purchased or held in
their account are appropriate for them considering their expected holding period, investment objective,
risk tolerance, time horizon, financial condition, amount invested, trading frequency, the amount of the
advisory fee charged. Clients should also ask their IAR whether the client will pay transaction charges for
fund purchases and sales, whether the client will pay higher internal fund expenses in lieu of transaction
charges that could adversely affect long-term performance, and the relevant tax considerations of the
mutual fund share class(es) or investment(s) selected for the client’s account.
VFA, through its IARs, may recommend, select, or continue to hold a mutual fund share class that
charges clients higher internal expenses than other available share classes for the same fund. For
example, in certain circumstances, VFA may offer retirement share, or “R Share” classes to retirement
plan customers, where available, and if the requirements for use of such class in the product’s prospectus
or statement of additional information are met, but does not offer R Share classes to non-retirement plan
customers, despite R Shares being available, in certain circumstances, to non-retirement plan customers
and generally being less costly than the share classes VFA offers to investment advisory customers.
Other mutual fund share classes, such as “clean shares” are also available but not used by VFA because
such mutual fund share classes do not pay additional revenue to VFA. Such other share classes are
available to you through other investment firms, which would result in lower cost to you.
A client could invest in a mutual fund directly, without VFA's investment advisory services, which are
designed, among other things, to assist the client in determining which mutual fund or funds are most
appropriate to each client's financial condition and objectives. Accordingly, the client should review both
the fees charged by the funds and VFA's investment advisory fees to fully compare and understand the
total amount of fees to be paid by the client and, therefore, evaluate the advisory services being provided.
Certain VFA IARs supervise the investment advisory activities of other IARs. VFA refers to these
supervising IARs as “OSJs.” In exchange for these supervisory services, OSJs receive a higher
percentage of the fees that VFA earns in exchange for the investment advice and product
recommendations VFA provides to clients, including those made by the OSJ him or herself. The fees that
certain of these OSJs earn for supervisory services are higher for the Firm’s investment advisory
programs than the products offered by the Firm in its role as broker-dealer. This creates a conflict of
interest, as it incentivizes such VFA OSJs to concentrate the sales, and the sales of the IARs that they
supervise, on products and services offered by the Firm in its role as investment adviser.
Wrap Fee Programs and Separately Managed Account Fees: Clients participating in separately
managed account programs may be charged various program fees in addition to the advisory fee charged
by VFA. Such fees may include the investment advisory fees of the independent third party money
managers, which may be charged as part of a wrap fee arrangement. In a wrap fee arrangement, clients
pay a single fee for investment advisory, brokerage and custodial services. Client’s portfolio transactions
may be executed without commission charges in a wrap fee program. In evaluating the wrap fee program,
the client should also consider that, depending upon the level of the wrap fee charged by the third party
investment adviser, the amount of portfolio activity in the client’s account, and other factors, the wrap fee
may or may not exceed the aggregate cost of such services if they were to be provided separately. The
client's IAR will review with clients any separate program fees that may be charged to clients.
Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to VFA's investment advisory fees, clients are also
responsible for the fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker dealers, including,
29 | P a g e
but not limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker dealer for a third party investment
adviser.
Clients may also interact with VFA in its role as a broker-dealer. Clients will pay commissions or other
transaction charges for investments purchased through VFA in its role as a broker-dealer, but will not pay
an investment advisory fee in connection with those investments. Please see item 10 of this Brochure for
additional information regarding VFA’s broker-dealer activities.
VFA's clearing firm, Pershing, charges VFA a paper surcharge for each paper statement per statement
cycle (which could be monthly or quarterly depending on a client’s investments, holdings, and activity)
and for each trade confirmation issued to clients for transactions in an account. VFA adds a surcharge of
$0.25 and instructs Pershing to assess the entire $1.00 fee on behalf of Voya to your account for each
such paper statement and trade confirmation issued. You can avoid this $1.00 per paper statement and
trade confirmation surcharge by opting into electronic delivery of these statements and confirmations
through Pershing’s opt-in process. Note that opting into VFA’s
electronic delivery process does not opt a client into Pershing’s process for statements and confirmations.
You may be subject to certain miscellaneous fees based on activity within your account. Such charges
include, but are not be limited to, check fees, transfer fees, and termination fees. Fees are a combination
of a fee charged by Pershing plus an associated fee by VFA. Not all programs charge miscellaneous
fees, and certain fees may be applicable in some programs and not others. Although VFA has
established the fee schedules described in this paragraph, VFA will, in its sole discretion, negotiate
alternative fees or waive fees on a client-by-client basis. Please consult your investment advisory
program agreement and any associated “Schedule of Miscellaneous Account and Service Fees” for more
information regarding the fees payable in your Account.
PLAN SPONSOR SERVICES FEES
Fees for the Plan Sponsor Services (“Fees”) are negotiable. A description of the different types of fees
for Plan Sponsor Services appears in the fee schedule below.
Fee Type
Fee Range
Asset based Fees (% of Plan assets)
Up to a maximum of 100 basis points
Hourly Rate
Up to a maximum of $500 per hour
Flat Fee
Flat fees will be negotiated with and agreed upon
by plan sponsor up to a maximum of $100,000 per
plan per year
How Plan Sponsor Services Fees May Be Paid
The fees described above may be paid by the Plan record keeper directly from Plan assets, accounts or
investments. Alternatively, fees for retirement plan services may be billed to the Plan Sponsor.
How Asset Based Fees are Calculated
The initial Fee will be prorated based upon the number of days remaining in the initial quarterly
period from the date of execution of the Agreement.
The initial Fee will be based upon the market value of the plan assets at the close of business on
the last business day of the initial quarterly period.
Thereafter, the quarterly portion of any annual asset-based Fees will be based upon the market
value of the plan assets at the close of business on the last business day of the previous
calendar quarter (without adjustment for anticipated withdrawals by plan participants or
beneficiaries or other anticipated or scheduled transfers or distributions of assets)
30 | P a g e
Calculation of Prorated Asset Based Fee (Upon Termination)
If the Agreement is terminated prior to the end of a quarter, VFA will be entitled to a quarterly
fee, prorated for the number of days in the quarter prior to the effective date of termination, and
for asset-based fees, based on the market value of the plan assets at the close of business on
the effective date of termination.
Plan Sponsors receiving Plan Sponsor Services may pay more or less than a client might otherwise pay if
purchasing the Plan Sponsor Services separately or through another service provider. There are several
factors that determine whether the costs would be more or less, including, but not limited to, the size of
the plan, the specific investments made by the plan, the number of locations of participants, the Plan
Sponsor Services offered by another service provider, and the actual costs of Plan Sponsor Services
purchased elsewhere. In light of the specific Plan Sponsor Services offered by VFA the Fees charged
may be more or less than those of other similar service provider.
All fees paid to VFA for Plan Sponsor Services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses
charged by mutual funds, variable annuities and exchange traded funds to their shareholders. These
fees and expenses are described in each investment’s prospectus. These fees will generally include a
management fee, other expenses, and possible distribution fees. If the investment also imposes sales
charges, a client may pay an initial or deferred sales charge. The Plan Sponsor Services provided by
VFA may, among other things, assist the client in determining which investments are most appropriate to
each client's financial condition and objectives and to provide other administrative assistance as selected
by the client. Accordingly, the client should review both the fees charged by the funds, the fund manager,
the plan’s other service providers and the fees charged by VFA to fully understand the total amount of
fees to be paid by the client and to evaluate the Plan Sponsor Services being provided.
No increase in the Fees will be effective without prior written notice. While not necessarily related to the
Services, various vendors, product providers, distributors and others provide non-monetary compensation
by paying some expenses related to training and education, including travel expenses, and attaining
professional designations. VFA might receive payments to subsidize its own training programs. Certain
vendors invite VFA IARs to participate in conferences, on-line training or provide the Firm publications
that may further its IARs and employees’ skills and knowledge. Some product sponsors occasionally
provide VFA IARs gifts, meals and entertainment of reasonable value consistent with industry rules and
regulations. Such payments and non-monetary compensation reflect a conflict of interest for your IAR and
VFA because they may incentivize VFA or your IAR to use certain vendors over others.
Item 6 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
VFA does not charge performance-based fees, so there are no situations where accounts with
performance-based fees are managed side-by-side with accounts subject to the fees described in Item 5.
Item 7
Types of Clients
VFA provides investment advisory services to the following types of clients:
Individuals, including high net worth individuals
•
• Pension and profit sharing plans (and plan participants)
• Municipalities and other government entities
• Charitable organizations and other tax exempt enterprises
• Corporations, trusts, or other entities not listed above
Certain investment advisory programs offered through VFA are subject to account minimums. The
minimums applicable to each program are disclosed in Item 5 of this Brochure. IARs may choose not to
accept an investment advisory relationship due to the assets, or lack thereof, that the potential client is
proposing to invest with VFA.
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Certain account types are only available through the Firm in certain investment advisory programs. The
Firm offers donor advised funds, but does so at this time only through the Firm’s Unified Managed
Account Program. This is a conflict of interest, as the Firm restricts donor advised funds to the Unified
Managed Account Program to support its own business model, instead of client preference. Donor
advised funds are available at other broker dealers and investment advisers for less cost.
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Most of the advisory services we provide involve the purchase or liquidation of securities. All investing
involves the risk of loss, including the loss of your entire principal value. This risk varies based on the type
of the security purchased. All securities sold have disclosure documentation that discusses these risks.
The initial disclosure document is commonly referred to as a prospectus, but may be called something
else depending on the type of security you have purchased. Publicly-traded companies also maintain
periodically updated disclosure documents that are useful in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of
that publicly-traded company’s securities. In any case, it is extremely important that you read these
documents in their entirety. If you have any additional questions regarding your investments, please
speak with your IAR immediately.
Methods of Analysis
IARs use a variety of methods to analyze a client’s situation as well as economic factors to develop
investment advice. IARs may use one or more of the following methods of analysis to formulate
investment advice and/or manage client assets.
Charting: The IAR reviews charts of market and security activity to discern trends in market movements
in an attempt to potentially predict future market trends.
Fundamental Analysis: IARs evaluate economic and financial factors to determine if a security may be
underpriced, overpriced or fairly priced.
Technical Analysis: IARs analyze past market movements and apply that analysis to the present
conditions in an attempt to recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and potentially predict future
price movement.
Cyclical Analysis: IARs analyze past market movements and apply that analysis in an attempt to
recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and potentially predict future price movements.
Quantitative Analysis: IARs analyze mathematical models in an attempt to obtain more accurate
measurements of a company’s value to potentially predict changes to that data.
Qualitative Analysis: IARs subjectively evaluate non-quantifiable factors, and attempt to potentially
predict changes to share price based on that data.
Asset Allocation: IARs attempt to identify an appropriate ratio of asset classes that are consistent with
the client’s investment goals and risk tolerance.
Mutual Fund and / or ETF Analysis: IARs evaluate a variety of factors in an attempt to potentially
predict the future performance of the mutual fund or ETF. The IAR may consider, among other things, the
experience, expertise, investment philosophy, and past performance to determine if the manager has
demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of time and in different economic conditions. The IAR may
monitor the manager’s underlying holdings, strategies and concentrations.
Third Party Money Manager Analysis: The IAR may evaluate the experience, expertise, investment
philosophies, and past performance of independent third party investment managers in an attempt to
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determine if that manager has demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of time and in different
economic conditions. The IAR may monitor the manager’s underlying holdings, strategies and
concentrations.
Risks of Various Methods of Analysis
There are risks inherent in each type of analysis described above. For example, a risk of any method of
analysis that considers past performance as a predictor of future performance is that past performance is
no guarantee of future results. Some methods of analysis, such as fundamental analysis, focus on
identifying the value of the company, without considering external factors such as market movements.
Failure to consider external factors presents a potential risk, as the price of a security may be impacted by
the overall market, regardless of the economic and financial factors considered in evaluating the specific
stock.
Other methods of analysis, such as technical analysis, evaluate external factors, but do not consider the
underlying financial condition of a company. Failure to consider a company’s underlying value presents a
risk that a poorly-managed or financially unsound company may under-perform regardless of positive
market movements.
A risk of investing with a third party manager who has been successful in the past is that he/she may not
be able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as VFA does not control the underlying
investments in a third party manager’s portfolio, there is also a risk that a manager may deviate from the
stated investment mandate or strategy of the portfolio, making it a less suitable investment for clients.
Moreover, as VFA does not control the manager’s daily business and compliance operations, VFA may
be not be aware of any lack of internal controls necessary to prevent business, regulatory or reputational
deficiencies.
Most methods of analysis require the IAR to make one or more assumptions or subjective judgments. If
any of the assumptions or judgments are incorrect or are not realized, then the analysis may be
inaccurate. Finally, all of the methods of analysis described above rely on the assumption that all publicly-
available sources of information are accurate and that the analysis is not compromised by inaccurate or
misleading information.
Investment Strategies
The following strategies may be used 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: IAR recommends the purchase of securities with the idea of holding them in the
client's account for a year or longer. Typically this strategy is used when the IAR believes the securities
may be currently undervalued, and/or the IAR wants exposure to a particular asset class over time,
regardless of the current projection for this class.
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time, the IAR may
not take advantage of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover, if the strategy is
incorrect, a security may decline sharply in value before the IAR makes the recommendation to sell.
Additionally, although historical data indicates that the purchase and holding of securities over a long
period of time can produce a positive return, the approach tends to be more successful for investors who
have a significant period of time to invest, such as ten to twenty years, in order to be able to withstand
market fluctuations. Investors who need access to their assets may be forced to sell assets in a declining
market, and may be subject to many of the risks experienced by short-term investors. See the discussion
of risks in the section on “Short-term purchases” below.
Short-term purchases: When utilizing this strategy, IAR recommends securities with the strategy of
selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less) in an attempt to take advantage of
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conditions that the IAR believes could soon result in a price swing in the securities recommended. Short-
term purchases may enable a client to take advantage of market volatility. However, there are costs and
risks associated with short-term trading. Frequent trading can increase the transaction costs associated
with a portfolio, and reduce the client's overall return. Frequent trading can also lead to undesirable tax
consequences and complex reporting obligations. It is possible to lose money if an investment declines in
value. The risk of loss is amplified if the client’s portfolio is leveraged.
Margin transactions: A margin account is an account where you may borrow funds for the purpose of
purchasing additional securities. With the client's prior authorization, securities may be purchased for the
client's portfolio through a margin loan. Purchasing securities on margin allows the client to purchase
more than he or she would be able to with available funds and allows the purchase of additional securities
without having to sell other holdings. The use of a margin loan creates a conflict of interest in that portfolio
risk, indebtedness and the investment advisory fee paid may be higher than if such a strategy were not
used. Also, since the client is taking out a loan to purchase securities the client is charged interest on the
margin loan balance. Pershing assess interest on your margin debit balances, and shares a portion of
that interest with VFA. This is a conflict of interest, as VFA is incentivized to open margin accounts for the
interest that it receives. Please consult the 10b-16 disclosure provided to you at account opening and
your account statement for information regarding the amount of interest you pay for margin debit
balances.
Margin investing is not right for every investor. Margin borrowing increases an investor’s level of market
risk; a declining market may result in even greater losses than if the client invested without margin. A
client must repay a margin loan, regardless of the underlying value of the securities purchased. If the
value of the margined securities in a client’s account falls below the minimum maintenance requirements,
Pershing will issue a maintenance call requiring the client to deposit additional cash or acceptable
collateral. If a client fails to meet a maintenance call, Pershing may be forced to sell some or all of the
securities in the account to protect its loan, even if the client is not able to provide prior approval.
Option writing: With the client's prior authorization and VFA's approval, IARs may recommend options
as an investment strategy. An option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to
buy or sell a security at a specific price on or before a certain date. An option is a type of security, just like
a stock or bond. An option is also a derivative, because it derives its value from the value of an underlying
asset. Options can be used to speculate on the possibility of a sharp price swing. They can also be used
to provide a "hedge" against the purchase of the underlying security. Options can be used to limit the
potential upside and downside fluctuations of a security in a portfolio.
Option strategies involve risk, and they are not suitable for every investor. Many options strategies are
designed to minimize risk by hedging existing portfolios. Such strategies can also prevent upside
appreciation in a security. Options carry no guarantees. It is possible to lose all of the principal amount
invested, and sometimes more can be lost as well. Gains earned on an option can be realized very
quickly, but losses can mount quickly as well. It is important to understand all the risks associated with
holding, writing, and trading options before including them in an investment portfolio.
Risk of Loss: Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. Any of
the following risks, among others, could affect performance or cause an investment to lose money or to
underperform market averages.
Diversification: Allocation among different asset classes does not guarantee a profit or protect against risk
of loss.
Equities: The price of a given company’s stock could decline or under perform for many reasons
including, among others, poor management, financial problems, or business challenges. If a company
declares bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, its stock could become worthless.
Fixed Income: Fixed income products are affected by a number of risks, including fluctuations in interest
rates, credit risk, and prepayment risk. In general, as prevailing interest rates rise, fixed income prices will
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fall. Bonds face credit risk if a decline in an issuer’s credit worthiness causes a bond’s price to decline.
Finally, fixed income products may be subject to prepayment risk; when interest rates fall, a borrower may
choose to borrow money at a lower rate, while paying off previously issued bonds. High yield bonds are
subject to additional risks, such as increased risk of default and greater volatility.
International Investments: International investing may not be suitable for every investor and is subject to
additional risks, including currency fluctuations, political factors, tax withholding, lack of liquidity, absence
of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting foreign issuers. These risks
may be magnified for foreign issuers in emerging markets.
Market Capitalization: Stocks fall into three broad market capitalization categories - large, mid and small.
Investing primarily in one category carries the risk that, due to current market conditions, that category
may be out of favor with investors. If valuations of large capitalization companies appear to be greatly out
of proportion to the valuations of mid or small capitalization companies, investors may migrate to the
stock of mid and small capitalization companies, causing an investment in these companies to increase in
value more rapidly than an investment in larger, fully-valued companies. Investing in mid and small
capitalization companies may be subject to special risks associated with narrower product lines, more
limited financial resources, smaller management groups, and a more limited trading market for their stock
as compared with larger companies. As a result, stock of mid and small capitalization companies may
decline significantly in market downturns.
Past Performance: Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Stock Prices: Stock prices are volatile and are affected by the real or perceived impacts of such factors as
economic conditions and political events. The stock market tends to be cyclical, with periods when stock
prices generally rise and periods when stock prices generally decline. Any given stock market segment
may remain out of favor with investors for a short or long period of time, and stocks as an asset class may
underperform bonds or other asset classes during some periods.
Securities investments fluctuate and are not guaranteed and clients may lose the principal invested.
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
The following are disciplinary events relating to VFA and/or VFA's management personnel that are
material to an evaluation of VFA's investment advisory business and the integrity of VFA's management:
1)
On August 4, 2025, the California Department of Insurance issued an Order adopting a Special
Notice of Defense under File No. LBB 2466-D. Through the Special Notice of Defense, the Firm
admitted allegations contained in the First Amended Accusation filed under the above cause number
which stated that the Firm failed to timely notify the Commissioner of a change in the firm’s background
information on three (3) occasions within thirty (30) days of the date the Firm learned of the change in
said background information. The background information at issue included three (3) regulatory actions
belated reported by the Firm, including: (1) a March 1, 2017, FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and
Consent, reported by the Firm on April 4, 2017, (2) a December 21, 2020, SEC Order Instituting
Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions
and a Cease-and-Desist Order, reported by the Firm on January 26, 2021; and (3) a September 13,
2024, Order issued by the Arizona Corporation Commission, reported by the Firm on October 16, 2024.
The California Department of Insurance’s Order found that these late notifications constituted a failure to
perform a duty required by the California Insurance Code. The Order required the Firm to pay $10,000 in
penalties and $10,000 in costs.
2) The Arizona Corporation Commission, Securities Division alleged that VFA violated Arizona Revised
Statutes section 44-1961(A)(12) by failing to reasonably supervise its salesman. The salesman, an
employee of VFA, conducted back-office transactions in securities on behalf of portfolio managers. In
2019, the employee moved from Iowa, where he maintained registration as a broker-dealer agent and
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investment adviser representative, to Arizona. The employee notified VFA when he moved to Arizona,
and VFA updated his address by filing an amended Form U-4. Inadvertently and contrary to VFA's
internal policies, VFA failed to select Arizona as an additional jurisdiction in which to seek
registration. The employee performed his job duties as a back-office trade processor and facilitated the
execution of securities orders within or from Arizona from June 2019 until May 2024. In October 2023,
VFA submitted an application for registration upon behalf of the employee as a salesman and an
investment adviser representative. On September 13, 2024, the Arizona Corporation Commission,
Securities Division issued an Order to Cease and Desist, Order for Administrative Penalties, and Consent
to do the Same which required VFA to pay a civil penalty of $75,000. The Arizona Corporation
Commission approved the employee’s registration on September 23, 2024.
3) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) alleged that, between March 2018 and September
2019, Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (“Firm”) paid approximately $2.9 million in compensation to an
unregistered entity in connection with the sale of variable universal life insurance (“VUL”), a securities
product. The unregistered entity was a limited liability company primarily owned by an insurance agent
who was not registered with FINRA. The Firm and the unregistered entity were parties to a Variable
Marketing Agreement, which provided that the unregistered entity would provide services to facilitate the
VUL sales such as distributing sales materials and assisting with sales promotional activities. FINRA
alleged that these transactions violated FINRA Rules 2040 and 2010. Without admitting or denying
FINRA’s findings, the Firm accepted and consented to the described findings and to the entry of a
censure and fine in the amount of $500,000 by agreeing to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent
(“AWC”) with FINRA. FINRA accepted the AWC on January 25, 2024.
(“Order”). The Firm agreed
to a
4) Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (“Firm”) submitted an offer of settlement that the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) agreed to accept. The Firm agrees, without admitting or denying the
findings, that it violated Sections 206(2) and 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder by
breaching its fiduciary duty to its investment advisory clients in connection with (a) Firm’s mutual fund
share class selection practices and the financial benefits it received for advising clients to purchase and
hold mutual fund share classes that paid fees pursuant to Investment Company Act Rule 12b-1 (“12b-1
fees”); (b) Firm’s receipt of compensation in connection with certain client cash sweep accounts; and (c)
Firm’s policy requiring investment advisory clients to pay an upfront brokerage commission when
purchasing illiquid alternative investment products (“Illiquid Alts”) when the same investment was
available to investment advisory clients with the brokerage commissions waived. From January 13, 2013
through December 31, 2018, Firm received 12b-1 fees when a lower-cost share class was available, and
in some instances avoided paying certain transaction fees, when it purchased, recommended, or held
mutual funds for investment advisory clients, without providing adequate disclosure. From January 13,
2013 to December 31, 2018 the unaffiliated clearing broker the Firm used for client accounts (the
“Clearing Broker”) paid Firm a portion of the revenue Clearing Broker received from client balances in
cash sweep products, which payments the Firm failed to adequately disclose. From January 13, 2013
through July 28, 2017, the Firm caused certain investment advisory clients to pay higher fees in the form
of upfront commissions when purchasing Illiquid Alts when those same products were available with
commissions waived, which practice the Firm failed to adequately disclose. Without admitting or denying
these findings, the Firm consented to the entry of an Order Instituting Administrative and Cease and
Desist Proceedings
censure and disgorgement of
$11,547,820, prejudgment interest of $2,371,335 and a civil monetary penalty of $9,000,000. The Firm
agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations or future violations of Sections
206(2) and 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder. The Firm further agreed to comply
with the following undertakings: notify affected investment advisory clients within 30 days of the Order,
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retain an independent compliance consultant within 30 days of the Order to conduct a review of the Firm’s
compensation receipt and disclosure practices with respect to advisory client investments, and adopt all
of recommendations contained in the independent compliance consultant’s reports. The Firm will certify
its compliance with the previous undertakings no later than sixty days from the completion of the
undertaking. The Order was executed on December 21, 2020.
5) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (Firm)
disadvantaged certain retirement plan and charitable organization customers that were eligible to
purchase Class A shares in certain mutual funds without a front-end sales charge (Eligible Customers)
between January 1, 2009 and May 26, 2016. Eligible Customers were instead sold Class A shares with a
front-end sales charge or Class B or C shares with back-end sales charges and higher ongoing fees and
expenses. FINRA also alleged that during this period, the Firm failed to reasonably supervise the
application of sales charge waivers to mutual funds transactions by Eligible Customers, failed to maintain
written supervisory procedures designed to assist financial advisors in determining whether a customer
was eligible for a sales charge waiver, and failed to notify and train its financial advisors regarding the
availability of mutual fund sales charge waivers for Eligible Customers. FINRA alleged that these
supervisory violations resulted in the Firm violating NASD Conduct Rule 3010 (for violations before
December 1, 2014), FINRA Rule 3110 (for violations after December 1, 2014), and FINRA Rule 2010.
Without admitting or denying these findings, the Firm entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and
Consent (AWC) with FINRA, in which it consented to the entry of censure, and agreed to provide
remediation to Eligible Customers who qualified for, but did not receive, the applicable mutual fund sales-
charge waiver. The Firm further agreed to provide FINRA with i) a schedule of Eligible Customers
identified for remediation, and a detailed plan to remediate Eligible Customers based on specific details
within 60 days of the AWC’s acceptance, and ii) a satisfactory proof of payment of restitution to Eligible
Customers by a registered principal of the Firm no later than 180 days from the AWC’s acceptance. The
Firm estimates that Eligible Customers were overcharged by $125,982. FINRA accepted the AWC on
4/23/2019.
6) The Securities and Business Investments Division of the Connecticut Department of Banking
(“Division”) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (“Firm”) violated Section 36b-31-6(f) of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (the “Regulations”) by failing to enforce and maintain a system
for supervising the activities of its agents, investment adviser agents and Connecticut office operations
that was reasonably designed to achieve compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations. The
allegations pertain to former Firm agent Dale Quesnel’s (“Quesnel”) sale of unregistered securities to
investors in Connecticut and other states (“Investors”). The Division found, through a March 3, 2016 order
against Quesnel, that Quesnel participated in private securities transactions without providing prior written
notice to the Firm. The Firm acknowledged the Division’s allegations against it and, without admitting or
denying them, entered into a Consent Order (the “Order”) in which it consented to the entry of the
following sanctions: a) the Firm shall cease and desist from directly or indirectly violating the Connecticut
Securities Act or any regulation, rule, or order adopted or issued thereunder, including, without limitation,
any activity in or from Connecticut that violates Section 36b-31-6(f) of the Regulations; b) an
administrative fine, payable to the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut, of $100,000; c) the
establishment and administration of a fund (the “Fund”) to reimburse Investors in the amount of $915,000,
and the use of all reasonable efforts to confirm that the contact and address information for the Investors
is up to date; d) no later than thirty days from the Order, distribution of a copy of the Order and a written
notice, preapproved by the Division Director, to Investors stating that the Investor or its estate is entitled
to a payment from the Fund if he or she responds to the Firm within sixty days and provides distribution
instructions sufficient to make a payment, and e) no later than ninety days from the Order, disbursement
of money owed from the Fund, according to the amounts identified by the Division, to the Investors that
replied, and provide proof of disbursement to the Division via a copy of the check or wire transfer to each
Investor. The Firm agreed to immediately notify the Division if any Investor cannot be located after a
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diligent search, fails to provide sufficient disbursement instructions, fails to timely respond to the notice, or
unequivocally denies disbursement in writing. The Order was entered on March 11, 2019.
7) Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (“Firm”) has submitted an offer of settlement that the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has agreed to accept. The Firm agrees, without admitting or denying such
findings, that it violated Rule 30(a) of Regulation S-P (the “Safeguards Rule”) and Rule 201 of Regulation
S-ID (the “Identity Theft Red Flags Rule”) by failing to adopt written policies and procedures reasonably
designed to protect customer records and information, and failing to develop and implement a written
Identity Theft Prevention Program. Over six days in April, 2016, one or more persons impersonating the
Firm’s independent contractor representatives called the Firm’s technical support line, in two instances
using phone numbers the Firm had previously identified as associated with fraudulent activity, and
requested a reset of three representatives’ passwords for the web portal used to access Firm customer
information. The portal was serviced and maintained by the Firm’s parent company, Voya Financial, Inc.
The intruders used the Firm’s independent contractor representatives’ usernames and passwords to log
in to the portal and gain access to personal identifying information (“PII”) for at least 5,600 Firm
customers, and subsequently obtained account documents containing PII of at least one Firm
customer. The intruders used customer information to create new voya.com customer profiles, giving
them access to PII and account information of two additional customers. There have been no known
unauthorized transfers of funds or securities from Firm customer accounts as a result of the attack. The
Firm violated the Safeguards Rule because its policies and procedures to protect customer information
and to prevent and respond to cyber security incidents were not reasonably designed to meet these
objectives. In particular, the Firm’s policies and procedures with respect to resetting the Firm’s
independent contractor representatives’ passwords, terminating web sessions in its proprietary gateway
system for such representatives, identifying higher-risk representatives and customer accounts for
additional security measures, and creation and alteration of voya.com customer profiles, were not
reasonably designed. The Firm violated the Identity Theft Red Flags Rule because it did not review and
update its Identity Theft Prevention Program in response to changes in risks to its customers, or provide
adequate training to its employees. Additionally, the Identity Theft Prevention Program did not include
reasonable policies and procedures to respond to identity theft red flags, such as those detected by the
Firm during the April 2016 intrusion. The Firm consented to the entry of an Order Instituting
Administrative and Cease and Desist Proceedings ("Order"), a censure, and civil money penalty in the
amount of $1,000,000. The Firm agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations or
future violations of Rule 30(a) of Regulation S-P and of Rule 201 of Regulation S-ID. The Firm further
agreed to comply with the following undertakings. The Firm shall retain an independent compliance
consultant (“Consultant”) to conduct a comprehensive review of the Firm’s policies and procedures for
compliance with Regulation S-P and Regulation S-ID. The Firm will fully cooperate with the Consultant,
and require the Consultant submit a written Initial Report to the Firm and the SEC within ninety days of
this Order. The Firm agrees to adopt the recommendations from the Initial Report, subject to adoption of
alternative policies, procedures, or systems, within 90 days of its issuance. The Consultant shall
complete its review and issue a written Final Report within nine months of the Order, and the Firm shall
take necessary and appropriate steps to implement all recommendations and alternative policies,
procedures or systems. The Firm will certify its compliance with each of the previous undertakings. The
Order was executed on September 26, 2018.
8) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Securities Division alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
("Firm") violated the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 110A (“Act’), by failing
to register two (2) of its investment adviser representatives who had a place of business in
Massachusetts and provided investment advisory services to residents of the Commonwealth between
August 24, 2012 to January 30, 2017 (the “Relevant Period”). The Firm admitted to the facts described
but neither admitted nor denied any violations of law. The Firm consented to the entry of a Consent Order
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that found that the Firm violated sections 201(c) and 201(d) of the Act. The Firm agreed to i.) cease and
desist from any violations of sections 201(c) and 201(d) of the Act in the Commonwealth, ii.) register its
investment adviser representatives in the Commonwealth prior to them providing investment advisory
services in the Commonwealth, iii.) review its written supervisory policies and procedures with respect to,
and provide compliance with sections 201(c) and 201(d) of the Act, iv.) pay restitution of all asset
management fees paid by clients located in the Commonwealth to the representatives in question during
the Relevant Period (“Eligible Clients”), which was determined to amount to $10,936.47, v.) memorialize
its restitution in a letter (“Restitution Letter”) to each Eligible Client within thirty (30) days of the Consent
Order, and vi.) provide the Restitution Letter to the Division at least ten (10 ) days prior to the sending of
the Restitution Letter to Eligible Clients. The Firm further agreed to reimburse the asset management fees
to each Eligible Client within forty-five (45) days of the Consent Order, and submit to the Division a report
detailing the distribution of all funds to Eligible Clients within ninety (90) days of the Consent Order. The
Firm paid a fine of $75,000. This matter was resolved on July 31, 2017.
9) The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (“Firm”),
in its role as a Registered Investment Adviser, failed to disclose to its clients the compensation it received
through an arrangement with a third party broker-dealer (“Clearing Firm”), and conflicts of interest arising
from that compensation. Through an addendum to the fully-disclosed clearing agreement between
Clearing Firm and the Firm, Clearing Firm shared with the Firm certain revenues it received from the
mutual funds in Clearing Firm’s no-transaction-fee mutual fund program (“NTF Program”). In a separate
agreement, Clearing Firm agreed to pay the Firm a certain percentage of service fees that Clearing Firm
received from certain mutual funds in the NTF Program in exchange for the Firm performing certain
administrative services on Clearing Firm’s behalf. The SEC alleged that these payments created a
conflict of interest in that they provided a financial incentive for the Firm to favor the mutual funds in the
NTF Program over other investments when giving investment advice to its advisory clients. The SEC
alleged that the Firm did not disclose the aforementioned arrangements or the resulting conflict of interest
to its advisory clients, resulting in a violation of Sections 206(2) and 207 of the Advisers Act. The SEC
also alleged that, by not adequately implementing policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure
proper disclosure of conflicts of interests, the Firm violated Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule
206(4)-7 thereunder. Without admitting or denying these findings, the Firm consented to the entry of an
Order Instituting Administrative and Cease and Desist Proceedings (“Order”). The Firm agreed to a
censure and disgorgement of $2,621,324, prejudgment interest of $174,629.78 and a civil monetary
penalty of $300,000. The Firm agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations or
future violations of Sections 206(2), 206(4) and 207 of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder.
The Firm further agreed to comply with the following undertakings: the Firm will provide a copy of the
Order to each of the Firm’s existing advisory clients within forty-five days of the entry of the Order and
further comply with all disclosure obligations concerning the Order under the Advisers Act. The Firm will
certify its compliance with the previous undertaking no later than sixty days from the completion of the
undertaking. The Order was executed on March 8, 2017.
10) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
(“Firm”) failed to report to TRACE 100 transactions in TRACE Agency/Securitized Products (“SP”) within
the time permitted by FINRA Rule 6730, constituting 26.25 percent of the transactions in TRACE-eligible
SP (381) that the Firm reported to TRACE during the fourth quarter of 2015. This conduct constituted
separate and distinct violations of FINRA Rule 6730(a) and a pattern or practice of late reporting without
exceptional circumstances in violation of FINRA Rule 2010. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s
findings, the Firm accepted and consented to the described findings and to the entry of a censure and
fine in the amount of $7,500 by agreeing to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”) with
FINRA. FINRA accepted the AWC on March 1, 2017.
11) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
(“Firm”) failed to (a) implement a supervisory system and procedures designed to reasonably ensure
suitability of its multi-share class variable annuities sold to customers, (b) identify and investigate red flags
in variable annuity sales, (c) supervise variable annuity sales, and (d) implement an adequate supervisory
system and procedures for variable annuity exchange transactions. The Firm’s failures included, but were
not limited to supervision and oversight, and the maintenance of policies and procedures regarding the
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sale of L-share variable annuities with Long-Term Income riders and no persistency credits to investors
with long-term time horizons. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, the Firm accepted and
consented to the entry of findings and the sanctions described below by agreeing to a Letter of
Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”) that was accepted by FINRA on November 2, 2016. The AWC
included a Firm censure and fine in the amount of $2,750,000. The Firm agreed to pay restitution to
customers in accordance with a plan not unacceptable to FINRA in an amount that will total not less than
$1,800,000. The Firm additionally agreed to review and revise, as necessary, its systems, policies and
procedures and training with respect to multi-share class variable annuity sales. The Firm will certify to
FINRA that it has established policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to achieve
compliance with applicable FINRA and NASD rules.
12) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Securities Division (the “Division”) alleged that the Firm
violated Section 204(a)(2)(J) of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act by failing to include specific
policies regarding voting shareholder proxies in its written supervisory procedures or other manuals. The
Division found that two Firm representatives voted shareholder proxies on behalf of customers despite
VFA’s position that it does not permit registered representatives to vote shareholder proxies on behalf of
customers. VFA entered into a Consent Order with the Division on June 22, 2016. VFA admitted the
Division’s Statement of Facts but neither admitted nor denied the Violations of Law contained therein.
VFA was censured and paid an administrative fine of $100,000.00 to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. VFA was also required to certify that it had reviewed its written supervisory policies and
procedures with respect to broker-dealer representative proxy voting. VFA agreed to report to the Division
within thirty (30) days of the Consent Order regarding the steps taken by VFA during its review, along with
conclusions and recommendations resulting from the review.
13) The Florida Office of Financial Regulation alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (“Firm”) was in
violation of Rule 69W-600.013(1)(h)(1), Florida Administrative Code, - by violating NASD Rule 3010(b)(1),
by failing to enforce its written supervisory procedures in the supervision of variable annuity purchases.
Without admitting or denying the findings, the Firm consented to the described sanctions and to the entry
of a Final Order. In the Final Order, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation stated that the Firm’s trade
review principals failed to request additional information to determine suitability for six (6) customer
annuity purchases, failed to obtain full documentation of variable annuity purchases for four (4) customer
files, and failed to adequately review surrender charges on twenty-two (22) annuity transactions, of which
fourteen (14) were identified by the Firm. - The Firm agreed to cease and desist from violations of
Chapter 517, Florida Statutes, and the Office’s rules promulgated thereunder, and agreed to strictly
comply with all provisions of Chapter 517, Florida Statutes, and the Office’s rules promulgated
thereunder. The Firm paid an administrative fine of $50,000. This matter was resolved on February 25,
2016.
14) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
(“Firm”) failed to identify and apply volume discounts to certain customers’ eligible purchases of Real
Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) and Business Development Companies (“BDCs”), resulting in
customers paying excessive sales charges of approximately $42,000. The Firm has paid restitution in the
amount of $42,166.56, in addition to interest in the amount of $3,519.65. Also, it was found the Firm
failed to establish, maintain and enforce a supervisory system and written supervisory procedures with
respect to the sale of REITs and BDCs. The FINRA findings also stated that the Firm failed to identify and
apply sales charge discounts to certain customers’ eligible purchases of Unit investment Trusts (“UITs”).
Specifically, the Firm failed to supply discounts resulting in the customers paying excessive sales charges
of $322,000. The Firm has already paid restitution to all affected customers. Also, the Firm failed to
establish, maintain and enforce a supervisory system and written supervisory procedures reasonably
designed to ensure customers received sales charge discounts on eligible UIT purchases. Without
admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, the Firm consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of
findings by agreeing to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with FINRA on July 20, 2015, which
included a Firm censure and fine in the amount of $325,000.
15) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) alleged that Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. and
four control affiliates (Directed Services, LLC, Voya America Equities, Inc., Voya Financial Partners, LLC,
and Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC) collectively known as (“Respondent Firms”), were involved in
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violations of the supervision and email retention requirements of FINRA rules and federal securities laws
over an extended period of time. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, the Respondent Firms
consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings by agreeing to a Letter of Acceptance,
Waiver and Consent with FINRA. The Respondent Firms were censured and fined in the aggregate
amount of $1.2 million, of which Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. was responsible for $347,394.96. In the
Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, FINRA acknowledged that the Respondent Firms self-reported the
email issues described herein and undertook an internal review of their supervisory policies, procedures
and systems relating to these issues. FINRA stated that the sanctions reflect the credit that the
Respondent Firms have been given for self-reporting these issues, and for the substantial assistance they
provided to FINRA during its investigation by, among other things, providing information obtained as a
result of their internal investigation. The Respondent Firms further agreed to comply with the following
undertakings: the Respondent Firms will each conduct a comprehensive review of their systems and
procedures for the capture, retention and review of email to determine that those systems and procedures
are reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the recordkeeping and supervisory requirements of
FINRA rules and the federal securities laws.
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Affiliations:
VFA is indirectly owned by Voya Financial, Inc. and is under common control with the following insurance
companies: Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“VRIAC”), ReliaStar Life Insurance
Company and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York.
As required, any affiliated investment advisers are specifically disclosed in Section 7.A. on Schedule D of
Form ADV, Part 1. Part 1 of VFA's Form ADV can be accessed by following the directions provided on the
Cover Page of this Brochure.
In addition to VFA being a registered investment adviser, VFA is a broker-dealer member of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). A list of affiliated broker dealers is specifically disclosed in
Section 7.A. on Schedule D of Form ADV, Part 1, which can be accessed by following the directions
provided on the Cover Page of this Firm Brochure.
As discussed in Items 4 and 5 of this Brochure, affiliates of VFA offer products and services that VFA
offers to its customers. In particular, VFA offers a) investment model portfolios and mutual funds created,
advised, and/or managed by Voya IM, b) custodial mutual fund products created, managed, and
administered by VRIAC and VITC, and c) equity and fixed income securities issued by Voya Financial,
Inc. VFA phone-based IARs may refer clients to services offered by affiliated investment adviser Voya
Retirement Advisors, LLC (VRA), which is factored into compensation for these IARs as described by
Item 5, above. VFA has a conflict of interest in offering these products to you, as affiliates of VFA earn
revenue by your investment in these products. VFA addresses this conflict of interest by identifying and
disclosing this conflict of interest to you, and by reviewing the recommendations and transactions made
by IARs to clients to ensure their appropriateness.
Pursuant to an agreement between VFA and Voya IM, Voya IM makes model portfolios available to
VFA’s IARs at no additional cost to clients. These model portfolios contain an asset allocation that VFA
IAR’s can utilize to develop their investment recommendations and advice to clients. This is a conflict of
interest, as VFA’s use of Voya IM’s services is due, in part, to the fact that Voya IM does not charge VFA
for the services, rather than solely the nature and quality of the services provided.
As discussed in Items 4 and 5 of this Brochure, Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC (“VRA”) is an affiliate of
VFA and registered investment adviser. Pursuant to an agreement between VRA and VFA, VFA’s IARs
may refer and solicit clients to participate in the VRA Powered by Morningstar program. In the event that
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an IAR registered with VFA recommends, assists, or refers a retirement plan participant to enroll in VRA
Powered by Morningstar, VRA will pay VFA and the IAR a portion of the Professional Management fee
collected by VRA. This creates a conflict of interest as it incentivizes VFA and its IARs to recommend
enrollment in VRA Powered by Morningstar. Participants may access the VRA Powered by Morningstar
program online without involvement of VFA or its IARs, in which case no portion of the Professional
Management fee is paid to VFA or its IARs.
VFA IARs service VRIAC’s tax-exempt market and corporate retirement plan business in their roles as
registered representatives of VFA (“RAD Channel IAR”). While VFA generally keeps a portion of the
compensation generated from product sales, the Firm pays its RAD Channel IARs 100% of the
compensation generated in connection with each particular RAD Channel IAR’s sales and servicing of
Voya tax-exempt market retirement plans (e.g., 401(a), 403(b) and 457 plans) and both qualified and non-
qualified corporate retirement and deferred compensation plans. This creates a conflict of interest as it
incentivizes RAD Channel financial professionals to sell Voya retirement plan products as opposed to
non-Voya retirement plan products, for which they will receive less compensation. Further, RAD Channel
IARs earn additional compensation from the Firm’s affiliate, VRIAC, and VFA in the following ways:
1. RAD Channel IARs that meet a certain threshold of sales of VRIAC products for the prior two out
of three years are eligible to become classified as statutory employees of VRIAC, which affords
such RAD Channel IARs benefits such as health insurance and retirement plan benefits. The
status of a RAD Channel financial professional as a statutory employee of VRIAC is reassessed
annually and this status is extended through the upcoming calendar year.
2. RAD Channel IARs who transition out of statutory employee status are eligible for a fixed dollar
bonus based on the prior year’s weighted mix of retail and plan sponsor sales. Additionally, a
select number of RAD Channel IARs are eligible for a fixed dollar bonus based on sales of VRIAC
products.
3.
Individual RAD Channel IARs, or a group of RAD Channel IARs, who meet a certain threshold of
prior-year sales for select VRIAC Healthcare, Education, and Government lines of business, are
eligible to receive additional Supplemental Bonus Compensation based on a percentage of
assets in eligible plans.
The arrangements described in 1-3 above create a conflict of interest, as they incentivize RAD
Channel IARs to concentrate their activities on selling and servicing VRIAC products, as opposed
to selling retail investment products.
4. Certain RAD Channel IARs are on a tiered payment plan based on 12 months of rolling retail and
retirement plan sales. These RAD Channel IARs will earn a higher percentage of compensation
from VFA if their sales increase above a certain threshold. A RAD Channel IAR whose sales
exceeds a threshold will qualify for a higher tier level, and remain at the higher tier level until the
end of the year. The IAR will receive a one-time bonus payment from VFA for the difference in the
amount of compensation paid to the IAR at the lower tier level compared to what the IAR would
have received at the higher tier level as if the IAR had been at the higher tier level for the entire
year. This arrangement creates a conflict of interest, as it provides an incentive for the IAR to sell
more products in order to reach a higher tier level and receive more compensation.
Broker-Dealer Registrations of IARs:
IARs of VFA are separately registered with VFA as registered representatives. They may also be
independent insurance agents appointed with various insurance companies. As such, IARs are able to
receive separate, yet customary, commission compensation resulting from implementing brokerage and
insurance product transactions on behalf of investment advisory clients. Clients, however, are not under
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any obligation to engage these individuals in their role as a registered representative of a broker-dealer or
insurance agent. A VFA brokerage client who opens a new advisory account with VFA or converts the
brokerage account to an advisory account will be assessed applicable advisory fees and, as a result, VFA
earns additional compensation following the conversion of a brokerage account to become an advisory
client.
Firm policies make certain financial products available only through a commission-based transaction, in
which the IAR receives commissions in his or her role as a registered representative. Purchasing such
products through the Firm in its role as broker-dealer will result in the client receiving fewer shares for the
same purchase price than the customer would receive if purchased in an investment advisory account.
Since offering such financial products only in the Firm’s capacity as a broker-dealer creates a conflict of
interest, the Firm has an obligation to notify clients of, and to obtain informed consent for
recommendations of these financial products at the time of sale.
While VFA and its IARs must place the interest of the clients first as part of VFA's fiduciary obligation,
clients should be aware that the receipt of additional compensation itself creates a conflict of interest, and
affects the judgment of IARs when making recommendations. VFA takes the following steps to address
this conflict:
• VFA discloses material conflicts of interest to clients, including the potential for VFA and IARs to
earn compensation from advisory clients in addition to advisory fees;
• VFA discloses to clients that they are not obligated to purchase recommended investment
products from IARs or affiliated companies;
• VFA collects, maintains and documents accurate, complete and relevant client background
information, including the client’s financial goals, objectives and risk tolerance;
• VFA requires that IARs seek prior approval of any outside business activity so that VFA may
confirm that any conflicts of interests in such activities are properly addressed;
As previously disclosed, IARs recommend the services of various third party money managers to VFA
clients. In exchange for this recommendation, VFA receives referral fees from the selected third party
money managers. The fee received by VFA is typically a percentage of the fee charged by that third party
money manager to the referred client. VFA and its IARs will only recommend third party money managers
that pay a referral fee.
Certain VFA IARs are licensed as insurance agents, and also own licensed insurance agencies (“IAR-
Owned Agencies”). VFA maintains contractual arrangements with IAR-Owned Agencies, as well as Voya
Insurance Solutions, Inc. (“VIS”) and nonaffiliated insurance agencies (together with IAR-Owned
Agencies and VIS, “Insurance Agencies”) to perform certain application processing functions with respect
to fixed indexed annuity contracts that clients can purchase. In exchange for performing certain functions,
the Insurance Agencies receive a portion of the compensation earned from the fixed indexed annuity
contract sale. This creates a conflict of interest, as IARs who own the IAR-Owned Agencies are
incentivized to sell you a fixed indexed annuity contract, as they and entities they own earn more
compensation, in certain circumstances, for fixed indexed annuities as opposed to other products
available on VFA’s investment advisory platform. Further, VFA is incentivized to recommend fixed
indexed annuity contracts to you so that VIS and the nonaffiliated insurance agencies with which VFA
maintains contractual relationships receive additional compensation.
VFA follows the rules of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and state law regarding the
receipt of referral fees for solicitation of investment advisory clients. Registered representatives of VFA
may provide investment advisory services to you without being registered as an IAR under exemptions to
registration that exist in certain states’ laws.
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VFA IARs may recommend the services of Savvi Financial, LLC. (“Savvi”), a third party investment
advisory firm, to generate investment and general financial recommendations to clients. The Client may
then decide whether to implement the recommendations made by Savvi, either through VFA or through
another financial intermediary. VFA pays a fee to Savvi for Savvi’s services to VFA’s clients and potential
clients. Further, VFA’s parent organization, Voya Financial, Inc., maintains an investment in Savvi, with an
option to increase its ownership percentage. This creates a conflict of interest, as use of Savvi by VFA
clients, or customers of VFA affiliates, will increase the value of Savvi, which increases the value of Voya
Financial, Inc.’s ownership share of Savvi. Clients are not obligated to utilize Savvi’s services. VFA
addresses this conflict of interest by identifying and disclosing this conflict of interest to you
With the exception of the Voya Insured Bank Deposit Program (as discussed in Item 14, below)
products and services offered by VFA are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, National Credit Union Share Insurance Program, or any agency of the United States
or state governments. As such, they may fluctuate in value and are subject to investment risk,
including potential loss of the principal amount invested.
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
VFA has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth high ethical standards of business conduct required of
our employees and IARs, including compliance with applicable federal securities laws. A copy of VFA's
Code of Ethics is available to advisory clients and prospective clients. A copy may be requested by email
sent to voyafacompliance@voya.com, or by calling 800-356-2906.
VFA's Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that the personal securities transactions, activities and
interests of VFA’s employees and IARs will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the best interests of
investment advisory clients, and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing
employees and IARs to invest for their own accounts. VFA's Code of Ethics requires its IARs to report
holdings and transactions in securities. IARs must submit information related to their securities holdings
within 10 days of employment or engagement with VFA and annually thereafter within thirty days of the
end of each annual period. Transactions in securities performed by IARs at certain brokerage or financial
services firms are captured and fed daily to VFA for surveillance. For accounts where transactions in
securities are not automatically fed to VFA electronically, IARs must submit quarterly reports detailing
said transactions. These reports must be submitted within thirty days of the close of the quarter in a
manner approved by VFA
VFA's Code of Ethics includes the Firm's policy prohibiting the use of material non-public information. All
registered employee access persons and IARs are reminded that such non-public information may not be
used in a personal or professional capacity. Among other things, VFA's Code of Ethics requires the prior
approval of any acquisition of securities in a limited offering (e.g., private placement) and prohibits
investing in an initial public offering ("IPO") and an initial coin offerings (“ICO”). The Code also provides
for oversight, enforcement and record keeping provisions. VFA and its IARs may buy securities for the
Firm or for themselves from VFA investment advisory clients, or sell securities owned by the Firm or the
individual(s) to investment advisory clients. We will ensure, however, that such transactions are
conducted in compliance with all the provisions under Section 206(3) of the Advisers Act governing
principal transactions to investment advisory clients.
VFA may, at times, effect an agency cross transaction for an investment advisory client, provided that the
transaction is consistent with the Firm's fiduciary obligation to the client and that all requirements are met.
An agency cross transaction is a transaction where VFA acts as an investment adviser in relation to a
transaction in which VFA or any person controlled by or under common control with VFA acts as broker
for both the investment advisory client and for another person on the other side of the transaction.
Client funds may be invested in shares of mutual funds for which an affiliate of VFA serves as an
investment manager ("Affiliated Funds"). The affiliate will receive a management fee, outlined in the
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prospectus, from the Affiliated Fund. Assets invested in Affiliated Funds are included in the asset-based
fee charged to the client. In addition, IARs are required to report all personal securities transactions
conducted in Affiliated Funds.
VFA may aggregate trades of employees, associated persons and IARs with client transactions where
possible and when in compliance with VFA's obligation to seek best execution for our clients. When
trades are aggregated, participating clients will receive an average share price and transaction costs will
be shared equally and on a pro-rata basis. In the cases where there is a partial execution of a particular
batched order, VFA will allocate all purchases pro-rata, with each account paying the average price. Our
employee accounts will be included in the pro-rata allocation.
As these situations represent actual or potential conflicts of interest to VFA clients, VFA has established
the following policies and procedures for implementing the Code of Ethics to ensure VFA complies with its
regulatory obligations and provides its clients and potential clients with full and fair disclosure of such
conflicts of interest:
1. No VFA IAR may place his or her own interest above the interest of an investment advisory client.
2. No IAR may purchase or sell securities for their personal portfolio(s) where their decision is a result of
information received due to his or her association with VFA unless the information is also available to the
investing public.
3. No person associated with VFA may purchase or sell any security prior to a transaction(s) being
implemented for an investment advisory client account. This prevents such individuals from benefiting
from transactions placed on behalf of investment advisory client accounts.
4. VFA requires prior approval for any private placement investments by IARs of the Firm.
5. VFA maintains a record of all reportable securities holdings of its IARs. These holdings are reviewed
on a regular basis by our Firm's Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.
6. VFA has established procedures for the maintenance of all required books and records.
7. Clients may choose to decline to implement any advice given, except in situations where the client has
authorized VFA to use discretionary authority when purchasing or selling securities.
8. VFA and its IARs must act in accordance with all applicable Federal and State regulations governing
registered investment advisory practices.
9. VFA requires delivery and acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics by each VFA associated person.
10. VFA has established policies requiring the reporting of Code of Ethics violations to senior
management.
11. Any individual who violates any of the above restrictions may be subject to disciplinary action, up to
and including termination.
As disclosed in Item 10 of this Brochure, IARs are separately registered as registered representatives of
VFA and/or are licensed as an insurance agent/broker of various insurance companies. Please refer to
Item 10 for a detailed explanation of these relationships and important conflict of interest disclosures.
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Item 12 Brokerage Practices
VFA has a fully disclosed clearing agreement with Pershing. Pershing maintains and holds funds and
securities for the UMA Programs, all Morningstar Wealth Management / Morningstar Wealth Management
Tax Sensitive Model Portfolio Program, GPMM, any IIS-managed model currently or historically offered
through VFA, and Voya Choice Advisory accounts held by VFA.
Factors considered in selecting Pershing include its expertise as a clearing firm, the existing broker dealer
clearing relationship VFA has with Pershing, its financial strength, reputation, reporting, technology, and
ability to work with broker dealers and investment advisers who have independent contractors, and
execution pricing.
Pershing is the only firm with which VFA has a fully disclosed clearing agreement. Therefore, VFA can
only execute your transactions through Pershing for its non-Third Party Money Manager programs.
Further, VFA would incur costs and expenses in the event that it decided to terminate its clearing
arrangement with Pershing. This exclusivity and costs that VFA would incur in terminating the
arrangement or adding another clearing firm creates a conflict of interest, as VFA routes your orders
through Pershing for its own contractual arrangements, including the compensation arrangements
described herein, without regard to whether your transaction could be executed for less cost and on
better terms at another clearing firm. Other clearing firms offer less expensive execution of customer
transactions, and in certain circumstances, execution of customer transactions on better terms. The fees
charged by VFA and Pershing, or any other designated custodians are exclusive of and in addition to
VFA’s investment advisory fees.
Pursuant to an agreement with Pershing, Pershing reimburses the Firm for transition fees incurred in
moving new customer assets to the Pershing platform. Additionally, with respect to Individual Retirement
Accounts (“IRA”) held on the Pershing platform, the Firm is credited $5.00 of each annual maintenance
fee for IRAs that hold general securities, and $2.50 for IRAs that hold only mutual funds as revenue
sharing. This reimbursement and credit creates a number of conflicts of interest. First, it incentivizes the
Firm to custody assets, including IRA accounts, on the Pershing platform as opposed to another
custodian that neither reimburses the Firm for transition fees nor credits the Firm a portion of the annual
IRA maintenance fee. Second, the Firm is incentivized to open IRA accounts that are not limited to mutual
funds, as opposed to those that are limited to mutual funds, as a means to receive the higher revenue
sharing amount.
Through an agreement with Pershing, VFA is paid a percentage fee by Pershing on all assets (mutual
funds, exchange traded funds, equities, bonds and other assets) above a certain threshold custodied at
Pershing by VFA customers. Pershing pays VFA a higher percentage if the assets VFA holds at Pershing
meet certain thresholds. VFA receives this percentage fee payment from Pershing in addition to any
payments it may receive on such assets from its Product Partner firms described above. In addition,
Pershing pays VFA a per account fee for each customer account of VFA held at Pershing. These
payments create a conflict of interest between VFA and its customers, as these payments provide VFA
with an incentive to recommend investing through Pershing as opposed to another investment program
that does not provide VFA with such fees. You are be able to purchase the same or other similar
securities, products and services at another broker-dealer or investment adviser, but for a lower cost.
Pershing also exempts the Firm from payment of 5% of the VFA’s total inactive account fees, and
reimburses VFA a portion of each annual fee for Pershing Corestone checking features placed on
customer accounts. The exemption and reimbursement are conflicts of interest. VFA earns compensation
via cost avoidance with respect to inactive account fees and therefor has an incentive not to trade in client
investment advisory accounts, and is incentivized to recommend customers add Corestone checking
features to their account due to Pershing’s reimbursement of a portion of the Corestone fees.
VFA financial professionals may recommend mutual funds that participate in Pershing’s FundVest mutual
fund program (the "FundVest Program") to clients that meet certain purchase requirements. The
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FundVest Program was established and is maintained by Pershing. In the FundVest Program, ticket
charges are waived for purchases of funds that would normally carry a ticket charge. Pershing, in its sole
discretion, may add or remove mutual funds from the FundVest Program without prior notice. Share
classes of certain funds in the FundVest Program are more expensive than the share classes of the same
or other similar funds offered outside of the FundVest program, or through other investment advisers. As
discussed in Item 5, above, VFA’s financial professionals are incentivized to avoid ticket charges in VFA’s
investment advisory programs where the financial professional is assessed the ticket charges associated
with your investment by concentrating his or her recommendations to or investment selections for clients
on mutual funds that participate in the FundVest Program. This is a conflict of interest, as the financial
professional is incentivized to choose investments based on avoided costs for the financial professional,
rather than the client’s needs and the ultimate cost of the investment to the client.
VFA also participates in Pershing’s FundVest No Transaction Fee Exchange Traded Fund Program (the
“NTF ETF Program”) The NTF ETF Program was established and is maintained by Pershing. In the NTF
ETF Program, ticket charges are waived for purchases of exchange traded funds that would normally
carry a ticket charge. Pershing, in its sole discretion, may add or remove exchange traded funds from the
NTF ETF Program without prior notice. Exchange traded funds in the NTF ETF program are generally
more expensive than exchange traded funds outside of the NTF ETF Program that contain similar
investment objectives and underlying investments, and those offered through other investment advisers.
VFA’s IARs are incentivized to avoid ticket charges in VFA’s investment advisory programs where the IAR
is assessed the ticket charges associated with your investment by concentrating his or her
recommendations to or investment selections for clients on exchange traded funds that participate in the
NTF ETF Program. This is a conflict of interest, as the IAR is incentivized to choose investments based
on avoided costs for the IAR, rather than the client’s needs and the ultimate cost of the investment to the
client.
Further, Pershing charges VFA an asset-weighted fee in instances where clients are charged an asset-
weighted fee. However, Pershing’s calculation of the asset-weighted fee charge to VFA excludes
securities that participate in the FundVest program, while VFA’s assessment of the asset-weighted fee to
clients includes those securities. This is a conflict of interest, as VFA is incentivized to choose FundVest
securities for client accounts to minimize its costs paid to Pershing, while not passing that reduction in
costs to clients. In other words, VFA makes more money on trades in which VFA or an IAR recommends
or utilizes a FundVest fund. Other investment advisers may not charge customers an asset-weighted fee
in similar circumstances.
VFA will hold customers’ checks made payable to third parties, such as insurance companies, investment
companies, and VFA’s clearing broker-dealer, Pershing, LLC (Pershing) in connection with subscription-
way (directly held) transactions, to rollover funds from a qualified retirement plan, and the opening of a
new account with VFA and Pershing. VFA holds such checks during the pendency of its principal review
of the transaction or the new account in accordance with applicable FINRA and SEC guidance and rules.
Each check held by VFA is safeguarded in accordance with VFA’s procedures. VFA may hold a check for
no more than seven (7) business days. If the VFA principal reviewer approves the transaction or new
account, the check will be forwarded to the product issuer or Pershing, respectively, no later than Noon
on the business day following approval of the transaction or new account. If the VFA principal reviewer
rejects the transaction or new account, the check will be returned to the customer no later than Noon on
the business day following rejection of the transaction or new account.
Item 13 Review of Accounts
INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES
MODEL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Morningstar Wealth Management / Morningstar Wealth Management Tax Sensitive Model Portfolio
Program, Voya Global Perspectives Market Models Series, Voya Choice Advisory, The Fidelity
Program, and Unified Managed Account Program
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Reviews: VFA periodically reassess, but does not continuously monitor, the performance of the selected
registered investment adviser(s). If VFA or the IAR determines that a particular selected registered
investment adviser(s) is not managing the client's portfolio in a manner consistent with the client's IPS, or
the client's investment objectives and situation changes, the IAR may recommend a different registered
investment adviser(s). If your IAR has discretion with respect to your account, the advisor will not monitor
the performance of your account on a day-to-day basis.
The IAR will offer to meet at least annually with the client to review performance, changes in the client's
net worth, income, goals and investment objectives, to determine if there are material changes to the
client's financial condition, and to discuss if the client wishes to impose any reasonable management
restrictions on the account
Reports: Clients have access to monthly statements and confirmations of transactions from Pershing.
Clients also have access to quarterly performance reports summarizing account performance, balances
and holdings provided by request from the applicable third-party online platform.
THIRD PARTY MONEY MANAGERS
Reviews: Clients of third party money managers should refer to the independent registered investment
adviser’s Firm Brochure (or other disclosure document used in lieu of the brochure) for information
regarding the nature and frequency of reviews provided by that independent registered investment
adviser. VFA periodically reassess, but does not continuously monitor, the performance of the selected
third-party money managers. If VFA or the IAR determines that a particular selected third-party money
manager is not managing the client's portfolio in a manner consistent with the client's IPS, or the client's
investment objectives and situation changes, the IAR may recommend a different third party money
manager. Under this scenario, the IAR assists the client in selecting a new registered investment adviser
and/or program. However, the decision to move to a new registered investment adviser and/or program is
solely at the discretion of the client. If your IAR has discretion with respect to your account, the advisor
will not monitor the performance of your account on a day-to-day basis.
.
Reports: These clients should refer to the independent registered investment adviser’s Firm Brochure (or
other disclosure document used in lieu of the brochure) for information regarding the nature and
frequency of reports provided by that independent registered investment adviser. VFA does not typically
provide reports in addition to those provided by the independent registered investment adviser selected to
manage the client's assets.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES
Reviews: Reviews may occur at different stages depending on the nature and terms outlined in the
financial planning or consulting services agreement, however, typically no formal reviews will be
conducted for clients unless otherwise specifically stated in the agreement. Typically, the agreement ends
with the delivery of the financial plan, except as may be specifically stated in the financial plan.
Reports: Clients receive a completed financial plan or written summary of the services provided.
Additional reports are not typically provided unless otherwise specifically stated in the agreement.
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
It is VFA's policy not to engage solicitors or to pay related or non-related persons for referring potential
clients to VFA.
VFA offers clients different investment options in its various products sponsored by many different
companies, focusing on some of the largest product providers that offer a broad spectrum of investment
products.
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Product Partners Program
(“Product Partners”)
to
receive services and value
from VFA
through
VFA sponsors the Product Partners Program. This program enables participating investment product
reporting,
providers
marketing/sponsorship/engagement opportunities with VFA and its registered representatives and
investment adviser representatives (“IARs”), enhanced communication, education, access to key contacts
at VFA, and relationship management. Participation in the Product Partners Program is contingent upon
the products offered by the potential Product Partner meeting VFA’s product standards and, generally,
the payment of fees to VFA, as discussed below. Affiliates of VFA may be Product Partners. Product
Partners may also participate in Pershing’s FundVest program.
Product Partners attend or sponsor education and training meetings for an additional fee to VFA through
the Voya Engagement Program. Non partners are also permitted to attend sponsor education and training
meetings through the Voya Engagement Program in exchange for a fee, at the sole discretion of VFA.
In general, for a product to be included on VFA’s approved product shelf, the product sponsor must
participate in the Product Partners Program by paying the applicable fee, as described below. There are,
however, product sponsors that do not pay to participate in the Product Partners Program, and whose
products are permitted on the VFA approved product shelf. Additionally, not all share classes of products
for a given Product Partner pay additional revenue to VFA. Further, VFA’s calculation of the fees a
Product Partner owes will exclude certain kinds of accounts and products, depending upon the
agreement between the Product Partner and VFA. VFA reserves the right to not include product sponsors
on its product shelf, therefore not permitting you to purchase certain products through VFA, if the product
sponsor does not participate in the Product Partners Program. This creates a conflict of interest, as VFA
chooses which products to make available to you based on the remuneration paid to VFA by the
sponsors of those products. This conflict results in VFA recommending financial products and services to
you that are more expensive than similar products and services you could obtain elsewhere.
Product Partners pay a fee to VFA to compensate VFA for the opportunities offered through the Product
Partners Program. The total fees paid by a Product Partner are the greater of (1) a minimum flat fee or
(2) the total fees applicable to a relevant product type (“Product Type Fees”). The Product Type Fees
paid to VFA vary by product type and are based on the following factors: (1) the amount of VFA customer
assets held in the Product Partner’s products; (2) the amount of sales of Product Partner’s products to
VFA customers; and/or (3) in the case of exchange-traded funds sold to VFA customers, a flat annual fee.
The additional compensation VFA receives in connection with the sale of Product Partner products poses
a conflict of interest for VFA to promote such products over other products as to which VFA does not
receive such additional compensation. However, Clients are able to purchase, through other firms,
Product Partner products, other products and services offered through VFA, or similar products and
services, for a lower cost.
VFA from time-to-time adds or removes specific firms from its Product Partners Program. Certain
products offered by the Product Partners listed are not offered through the Firm’s investment advisory
program. Below is the current list of Product Partners:
Mutual Fund/Exchange Traded Fund Product Partners:
• Alger Funds
• American Century Investments
• Amundi Pioneer Asset Management
• Aquila Group of Funds
• Buffalo Funds
• Federated Investors
• Fidelity Institutional Asset Management
• First Trust
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• Franklin Templeton Investments
•
Invesco Funds
• Lord Abbett Funds
• Mainstay Funds (NY Life)
• MassMutual Funds
• Morgan Stanley Investment Management
• Neuberger Berman Funds
• PIMCO Funds
• Principal Funds
• Prudential Global Investment Management
• T. Rowe Price Funds
• Thornburg Investment Management
• Transamerica Mutual Funds
• Victory Capital Management
• Virtus Investment Partners
• WisdomTree Exchange Traded Funds
Insurance Product Partners:
• Athene
• Allianz
• Brighthouse Financial
• Great American Insurance Group (MassMutual Ascend)
•
Jackson National Life Insurance
• Nationwide Life and Annuity Company
• Protective Life Insurance Company
• Pruco Life insurance Company (Prudential)
• Sammons Financial (Midland National Life Insurance Company and North American Life)
• Transamerica Life Insurance Company
Third Party Platform Partners:
• Flexible Plan Investments Ltd.
• SEI Investment Management
VFA has entered into arrangements outside of the Product Partners Program for the following product
sponsors:
Voya IM: While Voya IM receives opportunities similar to those received by non-affiliated Product
Partners, Voya IM’s arrangement with VFA is not subject to the Product Partners Program. VFA receives
compensation from Voya IM based on a percentage of assets invested in funds for which Voya IM acts as
investment manager. Though the amount of compensation paid to VFA by Voya IM will vary each year,
the compensation will represent a sum of up to 0.51% of VFA customer assets held in funds for which
Voya IM acts as investment manager, subject to certain exceptions based upon the fund, the share class
of the fund, or the account type in which the fund is held.
VRIAC: While VRIAC receives opportunities similar to those received by non-affiliated Product Partners,
VRIAC’s arrangement with VFA is not subject to the Product Partners Program. VFA receives
compensation from VRIAC based upon a) new sales of Voya Select Advantage Advisory accounts, and
b) VFA customer assets invested in Voya Select Advantage Advisory accounts. Though the amount of
compensation paid to VFA by VRIAC will vary each year, the annual compensation will represent a sum
of 0.10% of VFA customer assets held in Voya Select Advantage Advisory accounts.
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VFA Strategic Partner Program
Prior to January 1, 2018, VFA maintained the Strategic Partner program. VFA is still subject to certain
Strategic Partner agreements and will continue to receive payments from product sponsors participating
in the Strategic Partner Program. VFA expects to accrue payments from the following product sponsors
under the Strategic Partner Program:
Mutual Fund Sponsors
• BlackRock Investment Management
• DWS Funds (Deutsche Asset Management)
• Hartford Funds
•
JP Morgan Asset Management
Variable Annuity Sponsors
• Corebridge
• Hartford Life Insurance
• Lincoln Financial Group
• Venerable Annuity
Third Party Platform Sponsors
• Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC
As a Client of VFA, you may be invited to attend seminars or training and educational meetings. If you
attend a training or educational meeting with your IAR and a product sponsor is present, you should
assume that the product sponsor has paid for all or a portion of the cost of the meeting or event, including
the cost of travel to the event, and any meals or accommodations offered. Additionally, product sponsors
may provide business entertainment or nominal gifts to VFA IARs and employees. Payments by the
product sponsor to cover all or a portion of the cost of a meeting or event, as well as the receipt of
business entertainment or nominal gifts by VFA personnel from product sponsors are conflicts of interest,
as they incentivize VFA and its IARs to recommend and select investments based on the value of the
meetings, events, business entertainment, or nominal gifts offered by the product sponsor, rather than the
client’s investment needs.
From time to time, product sponsors will reimburse VFA’s IARs for the purchase of software that the IAR
uses in conducting securities business. This reimbursement creates a conflict of interest as it incentivizes
the IAR to recommend the products of the product sponsor offering reimbursement.
Companies that are not Product Partners may at times send VFA payments and/or non-cash
compensation in recognition of VFA's efforts in educating its IARs regarding such companies' products,
which payments and/or non-cash compensation pose a conflict of interest for VFA to promote such
products over other products.
VFA and VRIAC offer incentive programs through which VFA’s IARs are eligible to receive awards,
including but not limited to trips, cash bonuses, and non-cash items. These incentive programs are based
on client engagement activities, client service ratings, total securities product sales or assets retained
through and on behalf of VFA or VRIAC. From time to time, VFA and VRIAC will weight certain products
or services more heavily in its calculations for purposes of qualifying for such incentives. For example,
VFA may weigh investment advisory programs assets under management more heavily than other sales.
Such weighting provides incentives for your IAR to recommend such weighted products or services over
others with less weighting. The existence of these incentive programs and the possibility of receiving
incentive awards create a conflict of interest, as they incentivize IARs to sell customers products through
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VFA and VRIAC, and retain customer assets with VFA and VRIAC. In addition, VRIAC provides more
qualifying spots on awards trips to RAD Channel IARs for sales of tax-exempt retirement products than it
does for sales of retail financial products. This creates a conflict of interest, as it incentivizes RAD
Channel IARs to focus on tax-exempt market product sales and asset retention.
The Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program, issued by an affiliate of VFA, does not charge IARs a
platform fee for holding client assets. However, assets held in the Select Advantage Advisory IRA
Program are included in the calculation to determine the incentive awards described in the previous
paragraph. This creates a conflict of interest, as it incentives VFA’s IARs to place client assets in the
Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program, thereby avoiding a platform fee and continuing to include such
assets in the calculation for incentive awards. Further, VFA has a conflict of interest in not charging
platform fees to IARs for Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program assets, as it incentivizes increased
assets to be held with an affiliate of VFA.
The Firm holds competitions throughout the course of the calendar year that award tuition rebates and
prizes to the top five IARs based on assets under management. Tuition rebates and prizes provided to
the top five IARs are worth between $400-$500 and $500 respectively for each adviser. The existence of
such content(s) create a conflict of interest for your advisor, as it incentivizes your IAR to increase his or
her assets under management to qualify for the prizes associated with the contest(s).
As part of its due diligence of new products and services to offer to clients, the Firm will, from time to time,
send its employees to product sponsor or service provider offices or other locales. The product sponsor
or service provider will cover the cost of such travel. This is a conflict of interest, as VFA is incentivized to
offer the products and services of sponsors and providers that cover the cost of any due diligence travel,
as opposed to those sponsors and providers that do not cover the cost of such travel.
VFA advisors may use the AssetMark Platform, which may allow VFA, subject to negotiation with
AssetMark, to receive certain allowances, reimbursements or services from AssetMark in connection with
VFA investment advisory services to its clients. In addition to the fee reductions and/or allowances
granted VFA by AssetMark, AssetMark may agree to provide VFA or its advisers with organizational
consulting, education, training and marketing support. This creates a conflict of interest, as it incentivizes
VFA and its IARs to recommend the AssetMark Platform instead of other third party money manager
programs.
VFA’s phone service employee IARs (commonly referred to as the “Investor Channel”) may engage
prospective and current customers, including those Clients with existing VFA retail accounts or Voya
retirement plan participants who have separated from their employer-sponsored plan offered by our
affiliates, VRIAC and Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC, or are otherwise eligible, to offer the
opportunity to participate in the Select Advantage Advisory Program or other affiliated programs or
products. VFA does not pay the Investor Channel IARs any portion of the investment advisory fee VFA
earns. Rather, Investor Channel IARs earn a salary and monthly incentive payouts based on individual
performance factors, which differ depending on the IAR’s role. These factors include achieving individual
and department annual sales goals, client engagement activity, client retention, and customer
satisfaction. This compensation model creates a conflict of interest, as Investor Channel IARs are
incentivized to sell products and services, and retain assets within their employer sponsored plan and
rollover assets to VFA or an affiliate VFA and its affiliates to increase their incentive compensation. The
IAR is incentivized to make recommendations based on the IARs performance factors, which creates a
conflict of interest. VFA addresses this conflict by disclosing it and through supervision of its phone
service employee IARs which is designed to ensure appropriateness of the advice and recommendations
provided by its IARs.
Sales of such managed account services that are produced by VFA’s phone service IARs may generate
referral payments to the agent of record for the existing Voya product. Where that is the case, VFA and
the agent of record may enter into rules of engagement that govern how rollover sales opportunities will
be allocated between VFA’s phone service IARs and the agent of record. Typically, low balance rollover
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opportunities are allocated to VFA’s phone service IARs and higher balance opportunities are allocated to
the agent of record. VFA, through its IARs, concentrates its rollover sales efforts on certain proprietary
products and services. Other products and services are available through other distributors.
As described in Items 4 and 5, Morningstar provides capital market assumptions to VFA at no additional
cost as part of the suite of services it provides. For information concerning VFA’s relationship with
Morningstar, please consult Items 4 and 5 of this Brochure.
Non-employee IARs are required to pay a platform fee to VFA to access the Firm’s systems, and a
separate platform fee to access third party money manager programs. The fee is calculated as a
percentage of the IARs assets under their management with the Firm plus a fixed fee for each account in
the ISS Individual Portfolio Management program. Additionally, IARs are charged a small account
platform fee for accounts under $50,000 of assets in the aforementioned programs that are not part of a
larger “household” of assets. With the exception of the third party money manager programs, as an IAR’s
assets under management increases, the percentage used to calculate the platform fee decreases. VFA’s
platform fee structure creates a number of conflicts of interest. It (i) incentivizes the IAR to increase the
amount of assets under their management to pay a lower platform fee, (ii) disincentivizes the use of the
ISS Individual Portfolio Management program based on the fees assessed to the IAR in those programs,
(iii) incentivizes IARs to not accept investment advisory accounts of less than $50,000, and (iv)
incentivizes the IAR to choose which platform and investment advisory product to recommend to you
based on the fees that the IAR will incur, rather than your investment needs.
VFA provides forgivable loans to certain IARs as an incentive to join or remain with the Firm. The loans
are offered to IARs at VFA’s discretion and vary in amount and terms. Principal amounts loaned to IARs
are based, in part, on the amount of customer assets that the Firm anticipates will be transferred to VFA
by the IAR or the perceived profitability to the Firm of the IAR’s business. For financial professionals
recruited to the Firm, the principal amounts are loaned either upon joining the Firm, or partly upon joining,
with the remaining amount loaned upon either the passage of a threshold period of time or a certain
threshold of assets being moved to the Firm. Loaned amounts pursuant to a loan are forgiven at regular
intervals based on a IAR’s continued affiliation in good standing with the Firm. A IAR is responsible for
paying back any amounts owed if he or she fails to abide by the terms of the loan, including but not
limited to failure to maintain securities licensure or affiliation with the Firm. The Firm offering forgivable
loans to IARs creates a conflict of interest, as it incentivizes IARs to select the Firm to service your
account(s), and remain with VFA for the duration of the loan’s forgiveness terms, instead of another firm
that may not offer loans, but may offer the same or similar services of VFA for a lower cost.
Client cash positions in VFA investment advisory accounts will be deposited into VFA’s cash sweep
program, the Voya Financial Advisors Insured Bank Deposit Account (“VIBD”), subject to certain
exceptions. Effective April 1, 2024, Cash balances, including those deposited in VIBD, are not subject to
VFA’s applicable advisory fees and other asset-based fees, and VFA does not include such cash
balances in its calculation of the fees payable by the client for investment advisory services. Also,
effective April 1, 2024, VFA includes balances in money market sleeves in its calculation of VFA’s
applicable Advisory Fees, including Custody Fees and Administrative Fees, for UMA Programs. The
VIBD program is designed to temporarily hold cash balances in your investment account, and is
not designed to act as retail bank account, nor a long-term, ongoing investment vehicle.
VFA determines the interest rate payable to you in VIBD in accordance with a formula that considers: (1)
the Weighted Average Total All-In Cost of Funds published by IntraFi Network, (2) fees paid to service
providers in connection with the VIBD program, and (3) a percentage of the overall interest rate VFA
retains for providing the VIBD program. VFA also considers the prevailing interest rates available to
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customers through bank deposit cash sweep accounts at other broker-dealer and investment advisory
firms, which VFA deems to be peer firms in its sole discretion, as approved by VFA’s Investment Product
Due Diligence Committee. Further, VFA is compensated on cash balances in VIBD by retaining a portion
of the fee that the banks pay for assets for which each bank acts as custodian. The total amount of the
fee that VFA receives affects the amount of interest payable to customers on cash balances in VIBD.
Therefore, VFA has a conflict of interest with regard to the VIBD program. First, it is incentivized to move
customer cash balances to VIBD to earn its fee, and second, any increase in the fee VFA chooses to
receive will decrease the amount of interest received by customers. A copy of the VIBD Disclosure
Booklet is available at the following internet address: www.voyafinancialadvisors.com/banksweep.
While VFA’s default cash sweep option for clients is VIBD, certain clients will, depending upon account
type and other circumstances, have another cash sweep option. VFA offers VIBD to customers due to the
remuneration it receives in connection with the program. This presents a conflict of interest, as VFA is
incentivized to place client cash sweep balances in VIBD, both for the remuneration it receives and for
circumstances relating to VFA’s investment advisory business model, rather than individualized client
circumstances. Other cash sweep programs and investments, including those that VFA can offer, but
chooses not to, present higher 7-day yields of up to 4.04% (as of December 31, 2023), with lower overall
costs, for you, the client.
Given current fees paid by the Banks, it is important that clients understand that VFA retains a monthly
target of 49% of the available interest rate VFA receives on assets held in the VIBD program, with the
client receiving the remaining 51%. While the goal of VFA is to maintain a 51% client and 49% VFA split
of the available interest rate VFA receives on assets held in the VIBD program, actual interest paid by
banks through the program fluctuates daily, so the split ratio could vary, with the client’s daily interest
being lower or higher than 51%.
Item 15 Custody
With the exception of client accounts holding the Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program, VFA does not
have actual or constructive custody of client accounts. VFA, through its clearing firm, Pershing, directly
debits investment advisory fees from client accounts. VFA has constructive custody of client assets in the
Select Advantage Advisory IRA Program because its affiliate, VITC is the asset custodian for the Select
Advantage Advisory IRA Program. VFA is operationally independent from VITC.
VITC, for the Select Advantage Advisory program, and Pershing, for all other non-third party manager
programs, sends clients a quarterly account statement showing all activity, including deposits and
withdrawals of funds, purchases and sales of securities, transfers, securities positions and charges within
the account during the reporting period.
VFA calculates the amount of the investment advisory fee to be deducted. Therefore it is important for
clients to carefully review their account statements to verify the accuracy of the calculation, among other
things. Clients should contact VFA directly if they believe that there are any errors in their statement.
FolioDynamix, Inc, on behalf of VFA, also provides clients access to performance reports on a quarterly
basis. Clients should carefully compare the information provided on these statements to confirm that all
account transactions, holdings and values are correct and current. VFA statements may vary from
custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates or valuation methodologies of
certain securities, so clients are advised to contact VFA and the custodian with questions.
Item 16 Investment Discretion
Clients may authorize their VFA IAR to exercise discretion when executing transactions in their accounts.
When an IAR is authorized by the client to exercise discretion, he or she may execute trades in a client's
account without contacting the client prior to each trade to obtain the client's permission. Only IARs who
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have received written authorization from both the client and VFA may exercise discretion in clients'
accounts. This discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the client:
• determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
• determine the price and amount of the security to buy or sell; and/or
• determine the time to buy or sell the security
Clients give IARs discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary agreement with VFA, and may
terminate this authority by giving VFA written instructions. VFA exercises discretion in its wrap fee
programs.
Discretion by VFA in wrap fee programs is limited to effecting transactions in the client’s account to align
to the model portfolio(s) selected by the client. Further information regarding the extent of VFA’s
discretionary authority in wrap fee programs is contained in Appendix 1, wrap fee program brochure for
each wrap fee program, and each wrap fee program’s account agreement. No separate approval is
required for VFA IARs to utilize wrap fee programs.
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
As a matter of Firm policy, VFA does not vote proxies on behalf of clients and does not offer any
consulting assistance regarding proxy issues to clients. Therefore, although VFA may provide investment
advisory services relative to client investment assets, clients maintain the right and 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 investments. Clients
are responsible for instructing each custodian to forward to the client copies of all proxies and
shareholder communications relating to the client’s investment assets.
Item 18 Financial Information
VFA may require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $1200 per client more than six months in advance
of the investment advisory services rendered under an annual financial planning agreement. Therefore,
VFA is required to include a financial statement. A current audited balance sheet can be found at the
conclusion of this brochure.
As a registered investment adviser that maintains discretionary trading authority for client accounts, VFA
is also required to disclose any financial condition that is reasonable likely to impair its ability to meet its
contractual obligations. To the best of VFA's knowledge and belief, VFA has no financial circumstance
that is reasonably likely to materially adversely affect its ability to provide investment advisory services to
its clients, and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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