Overview
- Headquarters
- Dallas, TX
- Total Firm Assets
- $288 million
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $1.3 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $25,000
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A FEB 2022)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $250,000 | 1.25% |
| $250,001 | $1,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $1,000,001 | $2,000,000 | 0.90% |
| $2,000,001 | $3,000,000 | 0.80% |
| $3,000,001 | $4,000,000 | 0.70% |
| $4,000,001 | and above | Negotiable |
Minimum Annual Fee: $300
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $10,625 | 1.06% |
| $5 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $10 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $50 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $100 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 35.82%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 82
- Total Client Accounts
- 333
- Discretionary Accounts
- 329
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 4
Services Offered
Services: Portfolio Management for Individuals, Educational Seminars
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 166970
Primary Brochure: ADV PART 2A FEB 2022 (2026-07-27)
View Document Text
Worth Asset Management, LLC
17855 Dallas Parkway, Suite 150
Dallas, Texas 75287
Telephone: (469) 257-5074
Website: www.worthassetmgmt.com
July 27, 2026
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Worth Asset Management, LLC.
If you have any questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (469)
257-5074 or by email to info@worthassetmgmt.com.
The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Worth Asset Management (“Worth”) is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an
Investment Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written
communications of an Adviser provide you with information about which you determine to
hire or retain an Adviser.
Additional information about Worth Asset Management, LLC also is available on the SEC’s
Item 1 – Cover Page
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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Item 2 – Material Changes
On July 28, 2010, the United State Securities and Exchange Commission published
“Amendments to Form ADV” which amends the disclosure document that we provide to
clients as required by SEC Rules. This Brochure dated October 17, 2023 is prepared
according to the SEC’s new requirements and rules. In the future, this document may be
revised. If so, we will reference the revision date.
Pursuant to new SEC Rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any materials
changes to this and subsequent Brochures within 120 days of the close of our business’
fiscal year. We may further provide other ongoing disclosure information about material
changes as necessary.
There have been material changes to the Brochure since the last dated filing of February 25,
2026.
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 11: Code of Ethics
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item 16: Investment Discretion
We will further provide you with a new Brochure as necessary based on changes or new
information, at any time, without charge.
Currently, our Brochure may be requested by contacting Jim Clark at (469) 257-5074 or by
email to jclark@worthassetmgmt.com. Additional information about Worth Asset
Management is also available via the SEC’s web site www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The SEC’s
web site also provides information about any persons affiliated with Worth who are
registered, or are required to be registered, as Investment Adviser Representatives of
Worth.
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Item 3 – Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page …………………………………………………………………………………………..
1
Item 2 – Material Changes …………………………………………………………………………………
2
Item 3 – Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………………………
3
Item 4 – Advisory Business ……………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation ……………………………………………………………………….. 5
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ……………………….
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Item 7 – Types of Clients …………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss …………………. 7
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ……………………………………………………………………… 9
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ……………………………
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Item 11 – Code of Ethics ……………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices …………………………………………………………………………… 12
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ……………………………………………………………………………. 14
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensations ………………………………………….. 15
Item 15 – Custody ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ………………………………………………………………………… 16
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities ………………………………………………………………………. 16
Item 18 – Financial Information …………………………………………………………………………. 17
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
Firm Description
Worth Asset Management Inc. was founded as a Limited Liability Company in the state of
Texas in February 2013. Worth Asset Management is registered as a Securities Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) regulated Registered Investment Adviser (“RIA”). As of the December
Principal Owners
31, 2025, the Firm had $288,200,656 of assets under management.
Clark Family Trust is the majority owner / member and Charles Waring is a minority
Types of Advisory Services
owner/member of Worth Asset Management, LLC.
Worth provides investment supervisory services, also known as asset management services
and manages investment advisory accounts not involving investment supervisory services.
On more than an occasional basis, Worth furnishes advice to clients on matters not
involving securities, such as financial planning matters, insurance issues, and trust services
that often include estate planning. Services provided are financial planning, cash
management, distribution planning, portfolio allocations, and reporting. On a regular basis,
Worth advises clients on insurance including term life, whole life, universal life, variable
universal life, indexed universal life, long term care, disability and annuities. Worth may
recommend outside insurance agents to customers. Worth does not share in insurance
commissions with any insurance agents. While all clients of Worth do benefit from our
proprietary analysis and approach to investment management, each client does have the
opportunity to impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
Worth tailors our advice to the specific needs and objectives of the client. Depending on the
client’s objectives, Worth or the Investment Advisor Representative will complete a
financial profile or questionnaire so that it accurately reflects the client’s financial situation,
investment objectives, tolerance for risk, and investment time horizon, among other
considerations, and will also answer client questions about the programs and our services.
Based on this information, Worth or the Investment Advisor Representative will
recommend and assist the client to designate an investment strategy that is suitable for the
client. We permit clients to impose reasonable restrictions on the types of securities we
purchase for their account, and permit clients to change the restrictions by written
instruction to us.
Due to client restrictions and other differences regarding each account, performance of a
client’s account may be different from the performance of other accounts in the same model
or strategy. On an ongoing basis, Worth or the Investment Advisor Representative reviews
and adjusts the portfolios to ensure they continue to reflect the intended investment
Insurance Services
objectives, as well as any reasonable restrictions imposed by the client.
When appropriate, WAM may recommend that a client obtain insurance, including fixed
annuities, fixed indexed annuities and variable annuities as part of an overall financial plan.
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WAM has a relationship with DPL Financial Partners, LLC (“DPL”) to assist in providing
insurance services. DPL is a third-party provider of a platform of insurance consultation
services to investment advisers with clients who have current or future needs for insurance
products. DPL's platform is available to SEC- and state-registered investment advisers
("RIAs"). By working with DPL, we can provide access to insurance reviews/analyses,
education, and insurance solutions in a conflict free manner.
DPL offers RIAs memberships to its platform for a fixed annual fee. Through its licensed
insurance agents, who are also registered representatives of The Leaders Group, Inc. (“The
Leaders Group”), an unaffiliated SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA member offers
members a variety of services relating to commission free, fee only insurance products.
These services include, among others, providing members with analyses of their current
methodology for evaluating client insurance needs, educating and acting as a resource to
members regarding insurance products generally and specific insurance products owned
by their clients or that their clients are considering purchasing, and providing members
access to, and marketing support for, commission free, fee only products that insurers have
agreed to offer to members’ clients through DPL’s platform. For
DPL is licensed as an insurance producer in Kentucky and other jurisdictions where
required to perform the platform services. Its representatives are also licensed as insurance
producers, appointed as insurance agents of the insurers offering their products through
the platform, and registered representatives of The Leaders Group.
Clients are under no obligation to use DPL’s service and may seek insurance advice from
any licensed agent. The insurance products and fee structures available from DPL may
differ from those available from other third-party insurance agents. WAM recommends that
you fully evaluate products and fee structures to determine which arrangements are most
favorable to you prior to making an investment decision. We do not receive commissions for
Sub-Advisors
insurance products selected by the client, whether secured through DPL or any other agent.
WAM may enter into sub-advisory agreements (SAAs) for separately managed account(s)
with another registered investment adviser. Such SAAs are normally established to fulfill
specific strategy mandates required in our efforts to meet our client's goals and objectives.
We will periodically perform due diligence reviews or review due diligence reports
provided by the sub-advisory firm. We will maintain the executed agreements for these
arrangements on file for review and presentation to our SAA clients upon request.
We may select and recommend one or more sub-advisor managers that we believe are
appropriate for the client’s needs and objectives. In some cases, we do not make individual
security selection decisions in the account that is serviced by the sub-advisor. The sub-
advisor will buy and sell securities over time as they manage the account directly on the
client’s behalf. We will monitor the investment account, but not to the same degree as
accounts we directly manage. We will review the sub-advisor’s reports and investment
returns and perform periodic due diligence on the sub-advisor. In other cases, WAM
provides the sub-advisor with a target portfolio allocation, and the sub-advisor will
implement the transactions necessary to carry out the portfolio allocation, taking into
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account the tax implications of trading/rebalancing a portfolio and minimizing these
implications where appropriate.
The method of fee payment to the sub-advisors utilized by WAM will be dependent on
WAM’s agreement with that sub-advisor. For certain sub-advisors, the sub-advisor will be
paid by WAM for their services.
Our firm will collect our fee from the client, and we pay the sub-advisor for their services
directly. For other subadvisors, the sub-advisor shall debit the sub-advisory fee directly
from the managed account. In some cases, the subadvisor will also debit WAM’s fee as well.
The sub-advisor will then remit WAM portion of the fee to WAM. These arrangements can
provide incentive for WAM and its representatives to utilize a sub- advisor. However, WAM
will always put the client’s best interest before our own.
Sub-advisors that WAM may recommend clients to include but are not limited to: AQR
Capital Management LLC and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC. Clients of some sub-
advisors will be required to sign an investment advisory agreement with that sub-advisor.
For those sub-advisors that do not require the client to sign an investment advisory
agreement, WAM will establish a firm-level sub-advisory agreement. WAM will assist with
Turnkey Asset Management Program
the management of the client’s account.
Worth has engaged Focus Partners Advisor Solutions, LLC (“FPAS”), a registered investment
adviser, to provide portfolio management and back-office services for certain client accounts.
FPAS’s services include trade processing, collection of management fees, record maintenance,
report preparation, marketing assistance, investment research, and sub-advisory investment
management. In its role as sub-adviser, FPAS may design, implement, and monitor investment
strategies or model portfolios used in Worth client accounts, subject to Worth’s oversight and any
client-imposed restrictions. Worth retains overall responsibility for the advisory relationship,
including determining whether the use of FPAS is appropriate for each client and monitoring
FPAS’s performance and adherence to client objectives.
For investment management services, Worth will request authority from the client to delegate
discretion to trade in the client’s account, and to receive quarterly payments directly from the
client’s account held by an independent custodian. Clients may provide written limited
authorization to Worth or its designated service provider, FPAS, to withdraw fees from the account.
Clients will receive custodial statements showing the advisory fees debited from their account(s).
Certain third-party administrators will calculate and debit Worth’s fee and remit such fee to Worth.
Electronic Signatures and Execution of Agreements
Our firm primarily utilizes electronic means to execute investment advisory agreements and other
formal documents. Clients may sign and transmit agreements via facsimile, DocuSign, or other
secure electronic platforms. By utilizing these methods, the firm and the client agree that such
electronic versions are considered legally binding and carry the same weight as original "wet ink"
signatures.
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Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
may send bills for its fees for direct payment by the bank or firm holding
As compensation for the services provided under this Agreement, the Advisor is to receive
an investment management fee at an annual rate based on the value of the account
calculated as of the last business day of the month or the average balances for the month.
All fees are calculated on a monthly basis in arrears and payable monthly. The Client agrees
and acknowledges the investment management fees will be withdrawn from the client’s
account(s). If this agreement commences and/or terminates before month-end, the
amount of the fee payable shall be prorated and appropriately adjusted. Client agrees that
the Advisor
Client’s securities and funds, provided that at the same time Advisor provides notice of its
billing to Client in the custodial statements. Some portion of these fees may be shared with
registered investment advisor agents.
Fee Schedule:
Fees are negotiated and agreed upon with client based on factors such as the
amount of assets being managed, level of service and assets used in client’s portfolio.
Fixed Annual Rate:
0.80 % to 1.5 %
Floating Annual Rate:
$0 - $250k - 1.25%
$250k - $1m - 1%
$1m - $2m - .90%
$2m - $3m - .80%
$3m - $4m - .70%
$4m+ Dependent on services offered
For the use of the DPL insurance platform, the Adviser will pay an annual fixed fee
for the use of this platform. For providing platform services to RIAs, DPL receives
service fees from the insurers that offer their commission free products through the
platform. These service fees are based on the insurance premiums received by the
insurers from DPL members’ clients and a possible conflict of interest. WAM has
procedures in place to address any conflicts of interest to act the best interests of the
client.
$0 - $250k - .75%
$250k - $1m - .5%
$1m - $2m - .4%
$2m - $3m - .3%
$3m - $4m - .2%
$4m+ Dependent on services offered
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Minimum Annual Fee: $300
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•
Worth, in its sole discretion, may waive its minimum annual fee and/or charge a
lesser investment advisory fee based upon certain criteria (e.g., historical
relationship, type of assets, anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future
additional assets, dollar amounts of assets to be managed, related accounts, account
composition, negotiations with clients, etc.).
•
Additional Charges: stock and fund transaction fees, and outside services for
performance accounting and compliance. Fees associated with the service of the
account such as wire fees, electronic fund transfers, returned check fees, overnight
fees, custodial fees, exchange fees or other charges required by the custodial firm or
by law. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds also charge internal management
fees, which are disclosed in a fund’s prospectus.
•
If sufficient cash is not available in the account to pay the fees when due, Worth will
liquidate securities selected by Worth without prior notice to the client. If mutual
funds are liquidated, the client may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge,
an early redemption fee, or a fee to discourage short-term trading of fund shares. If
the liquidated securities have declined in value, the client will realize a loss and
forego the opportunity for future appreciation of the securities.
Clients can generally purchase the same or similar investment products or services
through other firms that are not affiliated with us. However, clients who obtain
investment products or services through other firms will not receive the benefit of
the services we provide in determining which investment products or services may
be appropriate in view of the client’s financial situation, investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and liquidity needs. Our fees may be higher (or lower) than fees charged
by other advisers or institutions for similar services with better (or worse)
performance or lower (or higher) risk. Clients should consider carefully all the direct
and indirect fees and expenses of our services and the investment products we
recommend to fully understand the total costs and assess the value of our services.
Worth does not charge for its financial planning services other than the fee listed above.
Worth reserves the right to stop work on any account that is more than 90 days overdue. In
addition, Worth reserves the right to terminate any Registered Investment Advisory
Agreement where a client has willfully concealed or has refused to provide pertinent
information about financial situations when necessary and appropriate, in Worth’s
Sub-Advisor Fees
judgment, to providing proper financial advice.
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The investment management fees charged by the designated sub-advisors, together with
the fees charged by the corresponding designated broker dealer/custodian of the Client’s
assets, may be exclusive of, and in addition to, WAM‘s investment advisory fee set forth
above. For accounts custodied at Schwab, portfolio implementation fees will be charged by
a sub-advisor, annually for up to 0.16% of assets under management, to be charged
quarterly in arrears based on the average daily balance of the assets in the account during
the previous quarter.
e.g.
Item 12 further describes the factors that Worth considers in selecting or recommending
broker-dealers for client transactions and determining the reasonableness of their
Turnkey Asset Management Program Fees
compensation (
, commissions).
Worth has contracted with Focus Partners Advisor Solutions, LLC (“FPAS”), a registered investment
adviser, to provide services including trade processing, collection of management fees, record
maintenance, report preparation, marketing assistance, research, and certain sub-advisory
investment management services. In certain instances, Worth pays FPAS a fee for these services
based on the management fees paid to Worth on accounts that use FPAS services. The fee paid by
Worth to FPAS varies based on the total client assets administered and/or sub-advised by FPAS
through Worth. These FPAS fees will not be separately charged to advisory clients and are included
within the advisory fees charged to clients. However, there may be other fees that clients pay
directly to FPAS under separate fee agreements that are unrelated to Worth’s advisory fee.
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Worth does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains
on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client).
Item 7 – Types of Clients
Worth provides portfolio management services to individuals, high net worth individuals,
trusts, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans and 401(k) plans. Worth requires a
minimum account value of $25,000. Worth may waive the account minimum or require a
higher or lower minimum for an account, in its sole discretion. If the aggregate value of the
client’s account falls below the account minimum, Worth has the right to require deposit of
additional amounts to bring the value of the account up to the account minimum or close
and liquidate the account and send the proceeds to the client in accordance with the client’s
written delivery instructions.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Security analysis methods may include charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis,
and cyclical analysis. The main sources of information include in-house research, financial
websites, inspections of corporate activities, research materials prepared by third parties,
corporate rating services, timing services, annual reports, prospectuses, filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and company press releases. Our methods of analysis
assume the accuracy of the information we analyze, such as ratings, financials, and
research. While we are alert to indications that data may be incorrect, there is always a risk
Investment Strategies
that our analysis may be compromised by inaccurate or misleading information.
The investment strategy for a specific client is based upon the objectives stated by the client
on account forms and during consultations. The client may change these objectives at any
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time and is responsible for notifying his or her financial advisor of any changes. Each client
executes account documents including a financial profile that state their objectives and
their desired investment strategy.
Other strategies may include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, margin
transactions, and option writing (including selling covered calls). Strategies will include use
of individual stocks, individual bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds and options.
Risk of Loss
Investing in
securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor.
Our investment
approach constantly keeps the risk of loss in mind.
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Investors face the following investment risks:
•
Interest-rate risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to
fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less
attractive, causing their market values to decline.
•
Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to
tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external
factors independent of a security’s particular underlying circumstances. For
example, political, economic and social conditions may trigger market events.
•
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as
much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of
inflation.
•
Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the
United States dollar against the currency of the investment’s originating country.
This is also referred to as exchange rate risk.
•
Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have
to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This
primarily relates to fixed income securities.
•
Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular
company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies depend on finding
oil and then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can generate a profit. They
carry a higher risk of profitability than an electric company, which generates its
income from a steady stream of customers who buy electricity no matter what the
economic environment is like.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized
product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties
are not.
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•
•
Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations increases the
risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its obligations in
good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan
obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
•
Insolvency of Brokers and Others: Clients will be subject to the risk of failure of the
brokerage firms that execute their trades or the clearinghouses of which such
brokerage firms are members. Although we believe the institutions, we recommend
have sufficient capital, there is no assurance this will continue to be the case.
Trade Errors: On infrequent occasions, an error may be made in a client account. For
example, a security may be erroneously purchased for a client account instead of
sold. In these situations, if Worth was responsible for such error, Worth’s policy is to
restore or return the account to the position it would have been in had the trading
error not occurred. Depending on the circumstances, various corrective steps may
be taken, including but not limited to, canceling the trade, adjusting an allocation, or
reimbursing the account.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered Investment Advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any
legal or disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of Worth or the
integrity of Worth’s management. As of the date of this brochure there were no material
legal or disciplinary events.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Investment Advisor Representatives with Worth are licensed as insurance agents for
various life insurance companies. Clients who wish to purchase fixed annuities, indexed
annuities or traditional insurance products outside of a fee based advisory account may
choose to work through their Investment Advisor Representative for these types of
insurance products on a commission or fee basis. Clients are under no obligation to
implement any recommendations their financial advisor makes to buy insurance products.
To the extent the Investment Advisor Representative receives separate sales-related
compensation from the sale of insurance products, Worth Asset Management does not
reduce or offset his advisory fees, salary or any consulting fees by the amount of such
compensation. The potential of compensation may impair the objectivity of the Investment
Advisor Representative and could influence him or her to make recommendations based on
the additional sales compensation he or she will receive rather than the needs or best
interests of the client.
•
In order to address this conflict of interest, Worth has implemented the following
procedures:
We disclose the potential conflicts to our clients;
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•
•
We collect and maintain adequate information about our clients and accounts,
including their financial circumstances, investment objectives, and risk tolerance,
and we conduct regular account reviews to confirm portfolios are suitable;
•
We periodically compare holdings and performance of all accounts with similar
strategies to identify significant performance disparities indicative of unusual
treatment;
We educate our employees regarding our fiduciary responsibilities, regardless of fee
arrangement.
Worth has contracted with FPAS, a registered investment adviser, to provide portfolio
management and back-office services to certain Worth clients. FPAS’s services include trade
processing, collection of management fees, record maintenance, report preparation,
marketing assistance, research, and sub-advisory investment management services. In its
capacity as sub-adviser, FPAS may design, implement, and monitor investment strategies or
model portfolios used in Worth client accounts.
Worth compensates FPAS for these services based on the management fees paid to Worth
on accounts utilizing FPAS services and/or on the total assets administered or sub-advised
by FPAS through Worth. Because FPAS’s compensation is linked to the use of FPAS services
and strategies, Worth has a financial incentive to recommend or retain FPAS as a service
provider and sub-adviser. This creates a conflict of interest, as Worth’s recommendation to
use FPAS could be influenced by the compensation and operational support it receives from
FPAS rather than being based solely on what is in the client’s best interest. Worth addresses
this conflict by disclosing the relationship and compensation arrangement, performing due
diligence and ongoing monitoring of FPAS, and making recommendations consistent with
its fiduciary duty to place clients’ interests ahead of its own.
Worth, its supervised persons, or related persons may also have other financial industry
affiliations (such as insurance activities or relationships with other advisers or custodians).
Any such affiliations that present material conflicts of interest will be disclosed in this
brochure and, if applicable, in the brochure supplements for individual supervised persons.
Certain of our investment advisers recommend the services of Barbara J. Thompson CPA for
tax preparation and accounting services. Barbara J. Thompson is registered as a certified
public accounting firm in the state of Texas. This affiliation represents a conflict of interest
as Barbara J. Thompson, CPA may recommend our investment services to her clients.
While Worth does not receive from or pay referral fees to Barbara J. Thompson, CPA, Worth
does receive economic benefit from its relationship with Barbara J. Thompson, CPA as Alton
“Bart” Thompson is an employee of Worth.
Clients of Worth are free to choose any accounting and tax service provider other than
Barbara J. Thompson, CPA and are not required to use the accounting and tax services of
Barbara J. Thompson, CPA to be a client of Worth.
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Item 11 – Code of Ethics
Worth has adopted a Code of Ethics for all supervised persons of the firm describing its
high standard of business conduct, and fiduciary duty to its clients. The Code of Ethics
includes provisions relating to the confidentiality of client information, a prohibition on
insider trading, a prohibition of rumor mongering, restrictions on the acceptance of
significant gifts and the reporting of certain gifts and business entertainment items, and
personal securities trading procedures, among other things. All Investment Advisor
Representatives of Worth must acknowledge the terms of the Code of Ethics annually, or as
amended.
Worth anticipates that, in appropriate circumstances, consistent with clients’ investment
objectives, it will cause accounts over which Worth has management authority to effect and
will recommend to investment advisory clients or prospective clients, the purchase or sale
of securities in which Worth, its affiliates and/or clients, directly or indirectly, have a
position of interest. Worth’s employees and persons associated with Worth are required to
follow Worth’s Code of Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable laws, officers,
directors and employees of Worth and its affiliates may trade for their own accounts in
securities which are recommended to and/or purchased for Worth’s clients which may
create a conflict of interest between the client transaction price and the employee
transaction price. See also Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations.
The Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities
and interests of the employees of Worth will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the
best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the same
time, allowing employees to invest for their own accounts. Under the Code certain classes of
securities have been designated as exempt transactions, based upon a determination that
these would materially not interfere with the best interest of Worth’s clients. In addition,
the Code requires pre-clearance of many transactions, and restricts trading in close
proximity to client trading activity. Nonetheless, because the Code of Ethics in some
circumstances would permit employees to invest in the same securities as clients, there is a
possibility that employees might benefit from market activity by a client in a security held
by an employee. Employee trading is continually monitored under the Code of Ethics, and to
reasonably prevent conflicts of interest between Worth and its clients.
Certain affiliated accounts may trade in the same securities with client accounts on an
aggregated basis when consistent with Worth's obligation of best execution. In such
circumstances, the affiliated and client accounts will share commission costs equally and
receive securities at a total average price. Worth will retain records of the trade order
(specifying each participating account) and its allocation, which will be completed prior to
the entry of the aggregated order. Completed orders will be allocated as specified in the
initial trade order. Partially filled orders will be allocated on a pro rata basis. Any exceptions
will be explained on the Order.
Worth, its related persons, and FPAS may from time to time invest in the same or similar
securities that Worth or FPAS recommends or purchases for client accounts. These
activities create potential conflicts of interest, including the possibility that Worth or FPAS
personnel could benefit from knowledge of client trading activity. Worth seeks to manage
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these conflicts through its Code of Ethics, which includes provisions such as reporting and
pre-clearance of certain personal trades, restrictions on trading in securities where clients
have pending orders, and periodic reviews of employee trading.
As described in Item 14, FPAS may pay various forms of direct and indirect compensation to
Worth or its investment adviser representatives for reasonable business or educational
purposes as described in FPAS’s Form ADV Part 2A.. These arrangements create an
incentive for Worth and its representatives to recommend or continue using FPAS services
and strategies. Worth addresses this conflict by disclosing the relationship and
compensation, subjecting FPAS to due diligence and ongoing oversight, and making
recommendations consistent with its fiduciary obligations.
Worth’s clients or prospective clients may request a copy of the firm's Code of Ethics by
contacting Worth by telephone at (469) 257-5074 or by email to
jclark@worthassetmgmt.com
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
Selecting Brokerage Firms
Advisory accounts are held at national custodial firms. Worth recommends custodians
based on financial strength, best execution of orders and reasonable commission rates.
As a fiduciary, we are obligated to seek out the best execution of client transactions for
accounts that we manage. In general, the execution of securities transactions is at a total
cost to process each transaction and are the most favorable under the circumstances.
However, we do not limit the best execution to the lowest available price. Additional factors
are taken into consideration when determining the arrangement and services in the
selection of a broker-dealer or qualified custodian. Our review consists of reviewing the
commission and fee structures of various broker-dealers, research platforms, and execution
services. Accordingly, while we consider competitive rates, we do not necessarily obtain
the lowest possible commission rates for account transactions. Therefore, the overall
services provided by unaffiliated broker-dealers and qualified custodians are evaluated to
determine the best execution. You can pay trade execution charges and higher commissions
through the trading platforms approved by us than through platforms that have not been
approved by us.
Worth may combine or aggregate orders for multiple accounts with orders for other
accounts for the purpose of “block trading.” Block trading can enable the Advisor to obtain
better prices and reduce overall transaction charges, executing trades in a timelier manner,
and allocating transaction costs among all the accounts included in the block. However,
clients should be aware that due to the types of investments in various accounts, and
differences in account objectives, cash positions, account types, and the systems Worth has
available for placing orders with broker-dealers, block orders may be uncommon for some
or all accounts. Accounts whose orders are not aggregated with other orders of other
accounts will not receive the benefits of potentially lower transaction costs, timelier or
better execution, or volume discounts that might be obtained by accounts whose orders are
aggregated. Block orders will usually be executed through an “average price account” or
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similar account such that transactions for all accounts participating in the order will be
averaged as to price and transaction costs, and the securities purchased, or net proceeds
received will be allocated pro rata among the accounts in proportion to their respective
orders placed that trading day. Typically, partial fills will be allocated among accounts in
proportion to the total orders participating in the block, unless Worth determines that
another method of allocation is equitable (such as a rotation or other method). Such
exceptions may occur due to varying cash availability across accounts, divergent investment
objectives, existing concentrations, tax considerations, investment restrictions,
performance relative to the applicable benchmark, performance relative to other accounts
in the same Strategy, or desire to avoid “odd lots” (an amount of a security that is less than
the normal unit of trading for that security). Schwab will charge a $5 trade commission on
block trades for trades over 500 shares.
WAM has a relationship with DPL. DPL provides comprehensive reviews of insurance
products that WAM representatives may recommend a new product or replacement
product if warranted. It would be the client’s discretion as to whether the product is
purchased or not. WAM does not receive any commissions as a result of any purchase but
may charge a fee based on the value of the insurance product. Through WAM’s subscription
with Black Diamond, Black Diamond pays for WAM’s annual subscription cost with DPL.
Worth, its related persons, and FPAS may from time to time invest in the same or similar
securities that Worth or FPAS recommends or purchases for client accounts. These
activities create potential conflicts of interest, including the possibility that Worth or FPAS
personnel could benefit from knowledge of client trading activity. Worth seeks to manage
these conflicts through its Code of Ethics, which includes provisions such as reporting and
pre-clearance of certain personal trades, restrictions on trading in securities where clients
have pending orders, and periodic reviews of employee trading.[11][10]
As described in Item 14, FPAS may provide various forms of direct and indirect
compensation or non-cash benefits to Worth or its investment adviser representatives for
reasonable business or educational purposes. These arrangements create an incentive for
Worth and its representatives to recommend or continue using FPAS services and
strategies. Worth addresses this conflict by disclosing the relationship and compensation,
subjecting FPAS to due diligence and ongoing oversight, and making recommendations
Soft Dollar Agreements / Arrangements
consistent with its fiduciary obligations.
Worth does not receive any compensation from Soft Dollar Agreements or Arrangements.
Advisory clients will be advised on the different custodial firm options. Clients may pay
higher commissions based on the custodial firm chosen. Worth does not direct client
accounts in return for product, research or services.
RESEARCH AND OTHER BENEFITS
Products & Services Available to Us from Schwab
Schwab Advisor Services (formerly called Schwab Institutional) is Schwab’s business
serving independent investment advisory firms like ours. They provide us and our clients
with access to its institutional brokerage – trading, custody, reporting, and related services
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– many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail customers. Schwab also makes
available various support services. Some of those services help us manage or administer
our clients’ accounts, while others help us manage and grow our business. Schwab’s
support services are generally available on an unsolicited basis and at no charge to us as
long as we maintain a total of at least $10 million of our clients’ assets in accounts at
Schwab.
Services that Benefit Client
Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment
products, execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment
products available through Schwab include some to which we might not otherwise have
access, or that would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by our
clients. Schwab’s services described in this paragraph generally benefit clients or their
account(s).
Services that May Not Directly Benefit Clients
Schwab also makes available to us other products and services that benefit us but cannot
directly benefit the client or their account(s). These products and services assist us in
managing and administering our clients’ accounts. They include investment research, both
Schwab’s own and that of third parties. We can use this research to service all or some
substantial number of our clients’ accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab.
In addition to investment research, Schwab also makes available software and other
technology that:
provides access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations
•
and account statements);
facilitates trade execution and allocates aggregated trade orders for multiple
•
client accounts;
•
provides pricing and other market data;
•
facilitates payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts; and
•
assists with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting.
Schwab also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our
business enterprise. These services include:
•
educational conferences and events
•
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
publications and conferences on practice management and business
•
succession; and
access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and
•
insurance providers.
Schwab can provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-
party vendors to provide the services to us. Schwab can also discount or waive its fees for
some of these services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees.
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Irrespective of direct or indirect benefits to our client through Schwab, we strive to enhance
the client’s experience, help reach their goals and put their interests before that of our firm
or its associated persons.
BROKERAGE FOR CLIENT REFERRALS
We do not receive client referrals from broker-dealers.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE
We do not recommend, request, require, or permit clients to direct us to executed
transactions through a specific broker-dealer other than those we recommend.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Client accounts are reviewed, at a minimum on a quarterly basis. Client transactions are
reviewed by Jim Clark per the firm's written supervisory procedures. The review will be for
accuracy, completeness and suitability.
Clients receive brokerage statements in any monthly period there is activity; at a minimum
every quarter. The statements are generated and delivered by mail or email by one of Worth
Asset Management’s custodial firms. Clients electing performance tracking and reporting
will be provided Black Diamond reports. These reports include portfolio appraisal,
performance, realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses. The clients may
also receive financial and retirement planning reports.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We receive an economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services it
makes available to us and other independent investment advisors whose clients maintain their
accounts at Schwab.
Worth may receive various forms of direct and indirect compensation from FPAS for reasonable
business or educational purposes. FPAS may provide or pay for training, educational conferences,
marketing support, or other business-related benefits to Worth or its investment adviser
representatives. These arrangements are described in FPAS’s Form ADV Part 2A and may include
payment or reimbursement of travel or registration expenses, sponsorship of events, or provision
of marketing materials or technology support.
We can occasionally pay a referral fee to third-party endorsers. However, no fee is paid
unless we have a signed and executed solicitor agreement. You must sign a disclosure form
containing the referral agreement's details. Our fiduciary duties still apply to referral
relationships, and we must put the interest of our clients first and see the best execution of
securities transactions on behalf of our clients.
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Item 15 – Custody
Currently all advisory accounts are held at Charles Schwab, member FINRA/SIPC. Neither
Worth nor its Investment Advisory Representatives have custody or possession of client’s
funds and/or securities. Neither Worth nor its Investment Advisory Representatives
provides or performs depository or custodial services with respect to client’s accounts. For
our client accounts maintained in their custody, Charles Schwab generally is compensated
by our clients through commissions and other transaction-related or asset-based fees for
securities trades that are executed through the custodian’s accounts.
Clients should receive at least quarterly statements from the custodian that holds and
maintains client’s investment assets. Worth urges clients to carefully review such
statements and compare such official custodial records to the account statements that we
may provide to you. Our statements may vary from custodial statements based on
accounting procedures, reporting dates, or valuation methodologies of certain securities.
Worth may also provide advisory clients with portfolio statements and performance
Confidentiality of Client Information
reports provided by third-party vendors.
Protecting the confidentiality of its customers’ nonpublic information is paramount for
Worth. As such, Worth has instituted policies and procedures to ensure that nonpublic
customer information is kept confidential. Worth does not disclose nonpublic personal
information about its clients or former clients to any non-affiliated third parties, except as
provided pursuant to its privacy policies or as required by or permitted by law. In the
course of servicing a client’s account, Worth may share client information with service
providers, such as transfer agents, custodians, broker-dealers, accountants, and attorneys.
Each has agreed to keep such information confidential. Worth utilized a third-party
portfolio reporting software company, Black Diamond. Customer transactions are
downloaded from the custodial firm to Black Diamond for use in portfolio reporting. Clients
are urged to compare the account statements received directly from their custodians to the
performance report statements provided by Black Diamond. No customer privacy
information is shared with Black Diamond.
For customers wishing to share account information with a designated person(s) they may
complete the “Trusted Contact” form or section on the new account form.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Worth usually receives discretionary authority from the client at the outset of an advisory
relationship to select the identity and amount of securities to be bought or sold. In all cases,
however, such discretion is to be exercised in a manner consistent with the stated
investment objectives for the client’s account. Worth permits customers to impose
reasonable restrictions on the types of securities purchased for their account, and permit
customers to change the restrictions by written instruction to the firm.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, Worth observes the investment
policies, limitations and restrictions of the clients for which it advises. For registered
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investment companies, Worth’s authority to trade securities may also be limited by certain
federal securities and tax laws that require diversification of investments and favor the
holding of investments once made. Worth Investment Advisor Representatives have the
authority to determine, without obtaining specific client consent, the securities to be
bought or sold, and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold.
For accounts utilizing FPAS’s sub-advisory services, clients authorize Worth to delegate some or all
of this discretionary authority to FPAS. FPAS may exercise discretion to implement and adjust
investment strategies or model portfolios in the client’s account, subject to Worth’s oversight and
any client-imposed restrictions. Clients may impose reasonable limitations on discretionary
authority—such as prohibiting certain securities or sectors—by notifying Worth in writing.
Discretionary authority also typically includes authorization for Worth or FPAS’s designated service
providers to instruct the custodian or third-party administrators to deduct advisory fees from client
accounts.
Worth and its employees may buy or sell securities that are also held by advisory clients.
Employees may not trade their own securities ahead of client trades. Worth employees and
Investment Advisor Representatives must comply with the provisions of Worth Asset
Management’s Written Supervisory Procedures.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
Neither Worth nor its Investment Advisor Representative vote proxies on securities. We
require the client to retain responsibility for voting all account securities. Worth will not
vote, exercise rights, make elections, or take other such actions with respect to securities
held for accounts we manage. If desired, a client may instruct us in writing to forward to the
client or a third-party materials we receive pertaining to proxy solicitations or similar
matters. Upon receipt of such written instructions, we will use reasonable efforts to
forward such materials in a timely manner. In the absence of a written request, we will
discard account proxy and related materials. Clients may obtain proxy materials directly by
written request to the account’s custodian.
Similarly, we do not advise or exercise rights, make elections, or take other actions with
respect to legal proceedings involving companies whose securities are or were held in a
client's account, such as asserting claims or voting in bankruptcy or reorganization
proceedings, or filing "proofs of claim" in class action litigation. If desired, a client may
instruct us in writing to forward to the client or a third party any materials we receive
pertaining to such matters. Upon our receipt of such written instructions, we will use
reasonable efforts to forward such materials in a timely manner. In the absence of a written
request, we will discard such materials. Written instructions should be sent by mail to the
address shown on the cover page of this Brochure If a conflict of interest exists, it will be
disclosed to the Client.
As a matter of firm policy and practice, Worth does not have any authority to and does not
vote proxies on behalf of advisory clients. Clients retain the responsibility for receiving and
voting proxies for any and all securities maintained in client portfolios. Worth may provide
advice to clients regarding the clients’ voting of proxies.
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Item 18 – Financial Information
Worth has no financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and
fiduciary commitments to clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
A balance sheet is not required to be provided because Worth does not serve as a custodian
for client funds or securities and does not require prepayment of fees of more than $1200
per client, and six months or more, in advance. Worth has never been the subject of a
bankruptcy petition.
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