View Document Text
Item 1 – Cover Page
Baldwin Investment Management, LLC
1001 Conshohocken State Road
Suite 1-202
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
610-260-1555
www.Baldwinmgt.com
March 2025
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Baldwin Investment Management, LLC (“Baldwin”). If you have any questions about the
contents of this Brochure, please contact us at 610-260-1555. 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.
Baldwin Investment Management LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration of
an Investment Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.
Additional information about Baldwin Investment Management, LLC also is available on the
SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
i
Item 2 – Material Changes
is a new document
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 March, 2025
prepared according to the SEC’s requirements and rules. As such, this Document is
materially different in structure and requires certain new information that our previous
brochure did not require.
In the future, this Item will discuss only specific material changes that are made to the
Brochure and provide clients with a summary of such changes. We will also reference the
date of our last annual update of our brochure.
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.
We will further provide you with a new Brochure as necessary based on changes or new
information, at any time, without charge.
Baldwin doesn’t charge performance-based fees to clients.
Currently, our Brochure may be requested by contacting Christina McCloy at 610-260-
1555 or cmccloy@baldwinmgt.com. Our Brochure is also available on our web site
www.baldwinmgt.com, also free of charge.
Additional information about Baldwin Investment Management, LLC 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 Baldwin Investment Management who are registered, or
are required to be registered, as investment adviser representatives of Baldwin Investment
Management.
ii
Item 3 -Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ............................................................................................................................................... i
Item 2 – Material Changes .................................................................................................................................. ii
4
Item 3 – Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ iii
5
Item 4 – Advisory Business ...............................................................................................................................
6
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.....................................................................................................................
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management....................................................
7
Item 7 – Types of Clients..................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ............................................
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................................ 10
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .......................................................... 10
Item 11 – Code of Ethics .................................................................................................................................. 11
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices ...................................................................................................................... 12
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ....................................................................................................................... 14
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................................ 14
Item 15 – Custody .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Item 16 – Investment Discretion .................................................................................................................. 15
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................................ 15
Item 18 – Financial Information ................................................................................................................... 16
iii
Item 4 – Advisory Business
Baldwin Investment Management, LLC became registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 5, 1999 and commenced business as an investment adviser on that
date.
Baldwin Investment Management’s Principal Owners are as follows:
Baldwin Investment Management, LLC is wholly owned by Baldwin Management, LLC. The
principal owners of Baldwin Management LLC are as follows:
W. Paul Havens, Jr. and Ida H. Havens Trust F/B/O Peter H. Havens.
Baldwin Investment Management LLC ("Baldwin"), provides continuous and regular
supervisory or management services. Baldwin gives continuous advice to its clients based on
the individual needs of each client. Baldwin provides investment supervisory services to
retail investors, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, pension and profit-
sharing plans.
Baldwin manages accounts on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.
If you invest with us on a discretionary basis, our firm will buy and sell investments in your
account(s) without requiring your pre-approval on an ongoing basis until you notify us in
writing to switch to non-discretionary. A non-discretionary account means that we seek your
approval to make the ultimate decision regarding the purchase or sale of investments in your
account. All agreements will remain in place until you or Baldwin terminate the relationship.
Baldwin’s advisory services include portfolio management of your account and financial
planning. We will monitor your account in accordance with your investment contract. In
these circumstances, all recommendations will be made to the client, and no action will be
taken within the account until signed authorization has been given from the client.
Additionally, Baldwin does invest in private funds. Before private funds are recommended
to any client, a client suitability review takes place to determine for which clients the
investment might be suitable. This review determines if the investment would be in the
client’s best interests based on their investment objectives, which are laid out in the
client’s investment strategy and stated investment guidelines or IPS,and if they are a
qualified purchaser. Once a review is done, the private fund is offered to clients whose
suitability matches the investment opportunity.
4
Account supervision is guided by the stated objectives of the client (i.e., maximum capital
appreciation, growth, income, or growth and income). Consideration is given to the
allocation of assets to equity and fixed income securities, and recommendations and
selections are tailored to the individual's overall investment objective. Baldwin requires
each and every client to complete an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) which is used to
manage client assets in accordance with their investment objectives, needs, goals and risk
profile.
Baldwin offers Financial Planning services to clients.
Assets Under Management
Baldwin’s Assets under Management calculated as of December 31, 2024 are:
Discretionary Assets:
$ 936,895,369
Non-Discretionary Assets: $ 297,377,555
Total:_ $ 1,234,272,924
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Generally, a minimum of $1,000,000 of assets under management is required for accounts,
although there are exceptions from time to time, based upon negotiations with the client.
Criteria that will generally be considered to allow for negotiation of fees include the
following:
1.
2.
3.
Having and maintaining an existing relationship with the firm.
Total portfolio value with the firm.
Assurances that the minimum will be met within a twelve-month period.
Certain assets are excluded from fee calculations, based upon negotiations with the client.
The client may terminate an investment advisory or financial planning agreement at any
time on written notice, and Baldwin may terminate the agreement after thirty days written
notice.
FEES- PERCENTAGE OF ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
Client's Fee Schedule for Discretionary Investment Management is as follows:
Equity and Balanced Portfolios:
Market Value
Fee
On the first $1 million
1.0%
Accounts over $1 million
negotiable
Fees are payable monthly or quarterly (either in advance or in arrears based on client
circumstances) based upon the calendar month end market value as provided by the
custodian (market value or fair market values in the absence of market value, plus any
credit balance or minus any debit balance) of the client's account. Client will authorize
Baldwin to invoice directly the custodian specified in the Services Agreement for such
5
management fees earned by Baldwin. Where a fee is based on asset value, such value shall
be determined by Baldwin, unless otherwise determined by the custodian, at the close of
business on the last business day of the billing period. A group of family accounts can be
created and considered as one account in computing the fee, upon client negotiation.
Criteria that are considered to begin negotiation in regard to requesting householding fees
are having and maintaining an existing relationship with the firm and the total portfolio
value. Fees are negotiable. Fees which may be paid in advance are refunded on a pro-rata
basis if the service is terminated within the payment period. If a client is invested in mutual
funds, a proportionate amount of the operating expenses of the various funds in which they
are invested are charged by the fund, including management fees that are paid to the funds'
advisers. Baldwin has no financial interest in such payments. Baldwin’s advisory fee
calculation takes into consideration the net capital flows for the period, that are greater
than $5,000. Where a client is invested in a private fund, fees will be calculated
retroactively upon receipt of fresh valuations. Fees for private funds will not be charged if
periodically current valuations are not provided by the fund. Additionally, flat retainer fees
may be negotiated by the client based upon, but not limited to, an individual client’s
financial circumstances and objectives.
For discretionary accounts, management fees are deducted automatically from accounts
custodied at Schwab, as authorized in the client custody agreement. For accounts held at
outside custodians, custodians are invoiced directly for management fees on monthly or
quarterly basis, dependent upon the client agreement. In the case where an account has
insufficient cash to pay the management fee, BIM arranges for the sale of securities to raise
cash in the account, to allow the fee to be adequately deducted.
Baldwin offers non-discretionary Advisory Investment Management services for a fee of
$300/hour or by a flat retainer fee which is determined during account negotiations.
Baldwin offers Financial Planning services to clients for a minimum fixed fee of $1,500.
Baldwin’s fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related
costs and expenses which shall be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain charges
imposed by custodians, brokers, third party investment and other third parties such as fees
charged by managers, custodial fees, deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer
taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage
accounts and securities transactions. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds also charge
internal management fees, which are disclosed in a fund’s prospectus.
Such charges, fees and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to Baldwin’s fee, and
Baldwin shall not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs. Item 12
further describes the factors that Baldwin considers in selecting or recommending broker-
dealers for client transactions and determining the reasonableness of their compensation
(e.g., commissions).
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management –
6
Baldwin does not charge its clients performance-based fees.
Item 7 – Types of Clients
Baldwin provides portfolio management services to individuals, high net worth individuals,
pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations and charitable organizations.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
Methods of Analysis
Our security analysis methods include fundamental analysis, technical and cyclical analysis
of the world economy, national economies, industry sectors and individual securities. Our
main sources of information are financial newspapers and magazines, inspection of
corporate activities, annual reports, prospectuses and filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and other regulators, research prepared by others, corporate ratings
services and company press releases.
Investment Strategies
Asset Allocation
Portfolios are individually structured to meet the growth and income needs of each client. We are
mindful of the importance of asset allocation and that tax efficient investing provides enhanced
long-term rewards.
Recognizing that an appropriate asset allocation plan significantly influences investment
performance, we initially meet with our clients to understand their risk sensitivity, as well
as their current and future goals and circumstances. We then structure an asset allocation
plan that fulfills our clients' needs and desires. While cash and high-quality bonds are
included in most asset allocation strategies, we believe that stocks will outperform fixed
income investments over the long run.
For discretionary accounts, Baldwin does not accept ESG mandates on client portfolios.
Baldwin does acknowledge that while it does not consider ESG in its investment strategy
and stock selection process, it may from time to time choose an investment solely based on
the selection criteria of the investment committee and the working list, which might have
ESG criteria attached to it.
For non-discretionary accounts, which are primarily made up of mutual fund clients,
Baldwin will adhere to client mandates to invest in ESG related investments as a portfolio
strategy, after a thorough discussion of the risk that is potentially involved with doing so.
7
Clients will be informed that by choosing to mandate these funds, they might be
relinquishing potential return because these funds are prohibited from including certain
company stocks that might provide better returns. Together with the advisor,
determination will be made to move forward with a client directed ESG mandate, once all
risks have been identified.
Equities
Our stock selection process combines the best of three methodologies: our proprietary
quantitative stock selection model, our qualitative stock research database and our
technical chart guidance.
Baldwin's proprietary quantitative stock selection model identifies global companies that
exhibit superior price and earnings growth patterns, with a lesser but significant focus on
price- earnings and price-to-sales attributes. We begin with a universe of over 1000
stocks, applying our formula to each in order to assign decile rankings. The stocks
favored in the rankings have performed extremely well to date.
From the stock universe, we select and maintain the Baldwin Working List which includes
approximately 100 stocks. Consistently high internal rankings and appropriate sector
representation are two key criteria in the compilation and maintenance of the Baldwin
Working List. Our portfolio managers meet frequently to discuss the relative growth
potential of each stock sector. Larger stock positions or a greater number of stocks are
purchased within sectors with strong growth prospects, while smaller positions or fewer
stocks are chosen within less favored sectors.
In addition, we maintain a comprehensive stock research database. Each portfolio manager
focuses on one or more equity sectors, such as Technology or Health Care, taking
responsibility for understanding the companies and their stories. Their qualitative opinions,
culled from a wide diversity of Wall Street and independent sources, are regularly added to
the stock research database and support Working and Select list decisions.
Our technical approach consists of reviewing a variety of technical price charts for
companies within our stock universe. These charts may serve as early warning indicators
for companies poised to out- or under- perform the market. We also recognize that these
images can assist us in our timing of stock purchases and sales and further enhance
investment performance.
Fixed Income
Taxable (government, agency and corporate) and tax-exempt (municipal) bonds are
considered, depending upon a client's tax status and overall market conditions.
8
In many of our fixed income portfolios, bonds mature every year. Replacement bonds may
be purchased with a maturity date beyond the longest existing in the portfolio. The
technique is known as laddering maturities. Laddering maturities ensures that a client's
holdings will better track the long-term direction of interest rates. Alternately, the
proceeds from the bonds maturing annually could be invested in different assets or used
for other purposes, depending upon client circumstances.
In sum, at Baldwin we are experienced at structuring and managing fixed income portfolios.
Risks
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Asset allocation strategies and
diversification do not promise any level of performance or guarantee against loss of
principal, and diversification may not protect against market risk.
Equities Risk
Systematic risk: Economic crisis, interest rates, political turmoil, recession and a host of
other factors can cause systematic risk. Systematic risk affects the market as a whole. A
broad range of securities in an investor's portfolio are exposed to systematic risk. This risk
impacts the entire markets and cannot be mitigated through diversification.
Correlation risk is the risk that two assets will not move up or down in value as predicted.
Correlation between stock price movements can also compound uncertainties. News
pertaining to some stocks can trigger fluctuations in some other stocks with a high
correlation.
Liquidity risk is the risk that a security is unable to be sold in a timely manner to prevent
significant loss or to reap desired profits. Stocks that are traded in low volumes are
referred to as illiquid and are difficult to sell.
Sector risk is the danger that the stocks of many of the companies in one sector (like health
care or technology) will fall in price at the same time because of an event that affects the
entire industry.
Fixed Income Risk
Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. Investment return and
principal value will fluctuate so that a fixed income investment, when sold or redeemed,
may be worth more or less than the original cost and potentially be subject to capital gains
taxes. Tax-exempt fixed income strategies invest in securities designed to pay income that
is exempt from certain income taxes, but a portion of the income may be subject to federal
or state income taxes or the alternative minimum tax. Federal or state changes in income or
alternative minimum tax rates or in the tax treatment of municipal bonds may make them
less attractive as investments and cause them to lose value.
Private Fund Risk
Private funds are illiquid. As a consequence, an investor’s ability to buy or sell easily is
9
extremely circumscribed versus an investment in actively traded public securities. A forced
sale of a private investment may entail rather severe penalties, resulting in the loss of
principal. An investor in a private fund should plan on remaining an investor in the fund
until its eventual windup or sale.
ESG Risk
Environmental risk attached to a company’s operations could be catastrophic. Hurricanes,
wild fires, earthquakes, etc. can destroy entire companies depending on where and how
geographically concentrated company operations are. Over the long term, changes in
climate can harm enterprise operations. Also social risks can present themselves when a
company’s management team seems to be working confrontationally against the social
norms of a host country/society. Governance risk can arise when a company’s management
team flouts laws or regulations to achieve illicit corporate goals or becomes complicit in
bad corporate behavior.
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 Baldwin or the
integrity of Baldwin. Baldwin Investment Management has no information applicable to
this Item.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Baldwin Management, LLC is a related entity by means of common control.
Baldwin will periodically refer clients to an affiliate, Baldwin Family Office LLC, which
provides certain administrative services such as tax preparation and tax planning, chief
financial officer services, foundation administration, and accounting services.
The Chief Executive Officer for Baldwin is Susan Berry-Gorelli. The Chief Compliance Officer
for Baldwin is Christina McCloy.
For its foundation clients, Baldwin may also refer clients to Baldwin Family Office LLC,
which provides certain administrative services such as
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
10
7.
maintaining a place of business
maintaining certain books and records;
assisting in the definition of foundation guidelines;
conducting site visits;
representing foundation at official functions;
providing accounting/tax/payroll functions;
arranging a solicitation compliance file system;
8.
9.
scheduling trustees' meetings and preparing minutes and
maintaining compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
As a result of the ownership relationship among Baldwin Investment Management LLC,
Baldwin Management LLC and Baldwin Family Office LLC, Baldwin Management LLC will
also benefit if a Baldwin client decides to utilize Baldwin Family Office LLC's services.
Baldwin Management LLC benefits from the revenues generated by its affiliate Baldwin
Family Office, LLC.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics
Baldwin 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 supervised persons at
Baldwin must acknowledge the terms of the Code of Ethics annually, or as amended.
Baldwin’s employees and persons associated with Baldwin are required to follow
Baldwin’s Code of Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable laws, officers,
directors and employees of Baldwin and its affiliates trade for their own accounts in
securities which are recommended to and/or purchased for Baldwin’s clients. The Code of
Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities and
interests of the employees of Baldwin 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 Baldwin‘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 Baldwin and its clients.
Certain employee accounts periodically trade in the same securities with client accounts
on an aggregated basis when consistent with Baldwin'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. Baldwin 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 trade order.
11
Baldwin’s clients or prospective clients may request a copy of the firm's Code of Ethics by
contacting Christina McCloy.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
Baldwin will select those brokers or dealers with the objective of seeking best execution..
Best price is normally an important factor in this decision, but the selection also takes into
account the reasonableness of commissions, the quality of brokerage services, including
such factors as execution capability, willingness to commit capital, creditworthiness and
financial stability and clearance and settlement capability, and the broker's ability to
provide professional research and other services. Baldwin may, therefore, use a broker
who provides useful research and securities transaction services even though a lower
commission may be charged by another broker who does not offer research and securities
transaction assistance. Accordingly, transactions will not always be executed at the lowest
available price or commission.
Such services may be useful to all of Baldwin's clients, but not all such services may be
useful for the account for which the particular transaction was affected.
Many clients, when undertaking an advisory relationship, have an existing brokerage
relationship, and they will instruct Baldwin to execute all transactions through the broker
with which this brokerage relationship already exists.
In the event that a client directs Baldwin to use a particular broker or dealer, Baldwin may
be unable, under those circumstances, to negotiate commissions and to obtain volume
discounts or best execution and clients who direct Baldwin to use a particular broker or
dealer may pay higher commission charges. In addition, under these circumstances there
may be a disparity in commission charges to clients who direct Baldwin to use a particular
broker or dealer.
Baldwin allocates securities and advisory recommendations among its clients in a fair and
equitable manner. From time to time, Baldwin may aggregate orders on behalf of its
advisory clients. In these cases, transaction costs are shared proportionately by account,
as applicable, which are part of the block. If an aggregated trade is not completely filled,
then the Adviser typically allocates the trade among the accounts, as applicable, on a pro
rata basis based upon account size. Exemptions are permitted on a case-by-case basis
when judged by the Advisor to be fair and reasonable to the accounts involved.
Baldwin has implemented procedures (the "Allocation Procedures") to prevent any client
account from being systematically disadvantaged by the aggregation of orders. The
Allocation Procedures require the distribution of investment opportunities among eligible
client accounts based on a number of factors, including the client's goals, the investment
guidelines for the accounts, the account's portfolios, the client's instructions to Baldwin, the
available cash and purchasing power of the accounts and Baldwin's judgment.
12
Custodians
Baldwin Investment Management, LLC primarily recommends that clients establish
brokerage accounts with the Schwab Institutional division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
(Schwab), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, member SIPC, to maintain custody of clients'
assets and to effect trades for their accounts. The exception to this is when an alternative
custodian is more suitable for the client, based on what is deemed suitable for the client
upon establishing a client agreement with Baldwin. Although Baldwin Investment
Management, LLC recommends that clients establish accounts at specific custodians., it is
the client's decision as to where to custody assets. . . Baldwin Investment Management, LLC
is independently owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab. Not all advisers
require their clients to recommend brokers and by directing brokerage we may be unable
to achieve most favorable execution of client transactions, which may cost the client more
money.
Schwab provides Baldwin Investment Management, LLC with access to its institutional
trading and custody services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors.
These services generally are available to independent investment advisors on an
unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the
advisor's clients' assets are maintained in accounts at Schwab Institutional. These
services are not contingent upon Baldwin Investment Management, LLC committing to
Schwab any specific amount of business (assets in custody or trading commissions).
Schwab's brokerage services include the execution of securities transactions, custody,
research, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise generally
available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher minimum
initial investment.
provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account
For accounts of Baldwin's clients maintained in custody at Schwab, Schwab will not charge
the client separately for custody or for) security trades executed with them, but will
receive compensation from Baldwin's clients in the form of other transaction-related
compensation on bond trades executed through Schwab. Schwab also will receive a fee
(generally lower than the applicable commission on trades it executes) for clearance and
settlement of trades executed through broker- dealers other than Schwab. Schwab's fees
for trades executed at other broker-dealers are in addition to the other broker-dealer's
fees. Thus, Baldwin may have an incentive to cause trades to be executed through Schwab
rather than another broker-dealer. Trades for client accounts held in custody at Schwab
may be executed through a different broker-dealer than trades for Baldwin's other clients.
Thus, trades for accounts custodied at Schwab may be executed at different times and
different prices than trades for other accounts that are executed at other broker-dealers.
Baldwin purchases, for clients, the lowest available cost mutual funds that it can find in
accordance with a client’s investment goals. Additionally, Baldwin does not participate in
ESG mandates and therefore does not have an ESG strategy.
Schwab's products and services that assist Baldwin Investment Management, LLC in
managing and administering clients' accounts include software and other technology that
(i)
13
statements); (ii) facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple
client accounts; (iii) provide research, pricing and other market data; (iv) facilitate
payment of Baldwin Investment Management, LLC fees from its clients' accounts; and (v)
assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. When Baldwin
receives such research and other services in connection with client securities transactions
through Schwab, we receive an economic benefit because we do not have to produce or pay
for that research and other services.
Baldwin also receives unsolicited research reports from various broker-dealers that
receive client commissions. All commissions charged, whether explicit or implicit, are
exclusively for execution only. Receipt of these unsolicited reports is not contingent upon
any level of brokerage business and Baldwin has not entered into any contract or
agreement concerning these reports. Baldwin does not receive any other research or
products or services from any broker-dealer or third party in connection with client
securities transactions (“soft dollar benefits”). Baldwin may have incentive to select or
recommend a broker-dealer based on Baldwin’s interest in receiving research, or other
products or services, rather than on our clients’ interest in receiving most favorable
execution. Furthermore, clients do not pay a higher commission than they would
otherwise pay if not for the provisions of services to Baldwin because Schwab does not
charge a commission for the execution of clients’ transactions. Therefore, such services
provided by Schwab are not considered soft dollar services that create conflicts of interest
with recommending them. Additionally, Baldwin also receives unsolicited research from
non-client executing brokers, as applicable.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Discretionary accounts are reviewed by a portfolio manager at least quarterly, while
non-discretionary accounts are reviewed as per terms of the client agreement. Review
may also be undertaken because of changes in market conditions, changes of securities
positions or changes in investment goals or policies. Baldwin currently has eight
portfolio managers. Discretionary clients receive quarterly reports outlining cost and
market value of all assets, a history of transactions during the preceding period, and a
summary of all gains and losses secured. Advisory clients receive reports as per the
client account contract.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Baldwin is not involved in any client referral agreements for fees or other compensation. Any
fees paid to Schwab for referrals are based on legacy arrangements, which has since been
discontinued.
Item 15 – Custody
Clients should receive at least quarterly statements from the broker dealer, bank or other
14
qualified custodian that holds and maintains clients’ investment assets. Baldwin urges you
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.
Because Baldwin fees are debited directly from custodial accounts based on authorization
provided in the client executed custodial agreements where client investments are held,
but not before an invoice is provided to the custodian, we are deemed to have constructive
custody. While we have custody for this limited purpose, we are not required to obtain a
surprise annual client account asset verification audit in reliance upon SEC interpretive
exemption afforded to registered investment advisers who qualify for such exemption
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 custody rule.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Baldwin 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. Baldwin Investment
Management does provide certain clients with non-discretionary advisory services through its RKM
subsidiary. At RKM, a client does participate in the investment decision making process and no trades
are executed without the clint’s permission, which is evidenced in writing. In all cases, however, such
discretion is to be exercised in a manner consistent with the stated investment objectives for the
particular client account. Investment discretion is granted to Baldwin by the client by the execution of
a limited power of attorney. This power of attorney is a part of the Baldwin Investment Management
Account and the brokerage account application.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, Baldwin observes the investment
policies, limitations and restrictions of the clients for which it advises. Investment
guidelines and restrictions must be provided to Baldwin in writing.
Clients that select discretionary accounts have the opportunity to impose reasonable
investment restrictions applicable to Client’s assets. Investment restrictions must be
reasonable, as solely determined by Baldwin, and must be complete and consistent with
applicable law.
Baldwin will observe the investment restrictions that the Client provides, if deemed
reasonable; provided that Baldwin reserves the right to seek further direction from the
Client before any such investment restrictions are observed.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
Baldwin is responsible to vote proxies, consents, waivers and other documents regarding
corporate actions, with respect to any securities held in Client's Account. If client chooses
to vote their own proxies or wishes a third party to vote on their behalf, client must
provide instruction on what party will be casting votes.
15
Baldwin will vote to protect the rights and enhance the economic welfare of those to whom
we owe a fiduciary duty.
Baldwin will vote with management when posed with organizational business decisions.
For votes related to Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (“ESG”), or when
votes represent political involvement, Baldwin will abstain the vote.
ERISA also sets forth special requirements for proxy voting for shares held by pension plan
accounts. Consistent with the ERISA definition of fiduciary responsibility, Baldwin votes all
proxies, and all proxy voting decisions are made solely in the best interests of the Plan's
participants and beneficiaries, unless the client has reserved the authority to direct the
voting of all proxies or a specified class of proxy issues. There must be an express
reservation of such authority, or the authority to unilaterally revoke Baldwin's authority to
vote proxies, if desired, in the Advisory Agreement.
As an optional service to clients, Baldwin employs a third-party voting service to execute
proxy votes, at the sole direction of Baldwin and Baldwin’s proxy voting policies. Baldwin will,
in the case of special circumstances wherein they feel the vote should be decided directly by a
client, refer the voting decision to the client, and then direct the execution of the vote to the
proxy-voting vendor.
All clients may request proxy voting records at any time by contacting Baldwin Investment
Management, LLC at (610) 260-1555 or by email request to their direct investment advisor.
Item 18 – Financial Information
Baldwin Investment Management 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.
16