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March 28, 2025
(Part 2A of Form ADV)
CW ADVISORS, LLC
155 Seaport Blvd, 3rd Floor
BOSTON, MA 02210
(617) 428-7600
Fax (617) 428-7699
www.cwadvisorsgroup.com
compliance@cwadvisorsgroup.com
This Form ADV2A (“Disclosure Brochure”) provides information about the
qualifications and business practices of CW Advisors, LLC. If you have any
questions about the contents of this Disclosure Brochure, please contact us at:
(617) 428-7600, or by email at: compliance@cwadvisorsgroup.com. The
information in this Disclosure Brochure has not been approved or verified by the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), or by any state securities
authority, and registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or
training.
Additional information about CW Advisors, LLC is available on the SEC’s website
at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with our firm name or our CRD#
310873.
Item 2. Material Changes
Annual Update
The Material Changes section of this Form ADV 2A (“Disclosure Brochure”) will be
updated annually or when material changes occur since the previous released version.
Material Changes since the Last Update.
This Brochure, dated March 28, 2025, provides information about the qualifications and
business practices of CW Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor” or “CWA”).
The following material change has been made to this Disclosure Brochure since the last
filing and distribution to Clients:
Effective December 13, 2024, Scott Dell’Orfano was appointed as the Advisor’s
Chief Executive Officer.
Effective December 13, 2024, Paul Lonergan transitioned to Chairman of the
Board.
The Advisor recommends clients invest in CW Multi-Strategy Private Markets
Fund 2024, L.P. Please see Item 10 for additional details.
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Table of Contents
Material Changes .................................................................................................. 2
Advisory Business .................................................................................................. 4
Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................... 10
Performance-Based Fees ..................................................................................... 13
Types of Clients .................................................................................................... 14
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ............................. 14
Disciplinary Information ......................................................................................... 22
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ................................................ 22
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading ........................................................................................... 25
Brokerage Practices ............................................................................................. 27
Review of Accounts .............................................................................................. 28
Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................ 29
Custody ................................................................................................................. 32
Investment Discretion ........................................................................................... 33
Voting Client Securities ......................................................................................... 33
Financial Information ............................................................................................. 34
Privacy .................................................................................................................. 34
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Item 4. Advisory Business
Firm Description
CW Advisors, LLC (herein the “Advisor”, “CWA”, “we” or “us”) operates as a Delaware Limited
Liability Company, is located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was established in
March 2009.
The Advisor offers personalized investment management services to individuals, high net
worth individuals and families, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, other investment
advisors, private funds, corporations, and/or other business entities (each, a “Client”). The
Advisor also provides these services to pension and profit-sharing plans, including plans
subject to the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The Advisor also
offers personalized, independent wealth management and financial planning services, which
are intended to provide a comprehensive view of the Client’s entire financial situation. As
noted below, the Advisor also offers family office services to certain Qualified Clients, who are
Clients with either $1,100,000 in assets under management or have a net worth of
$2,200,000, as defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
(“Advisers Act”).
The Advisor serves as a fiduciary to Clients, as defined under applicable laws and
regulations. As a fiduciary, the Advisor upholds a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith
towards each Client, and as such is required to disclose all material conflicts of interest, and
to mitigate potential conflicts of interest. The Advisor’s fiduciary commitment is further
described in the Code of Ethics. For more information regarding the Code of Ethics, please
see Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading.
CWA offers a variety of risk-managed strategies, where the investment management approach
for each covers a range of risk profiles from conservative to aggressive, in combination with a
comprehensive suite of financial planning tools and strategies. Advisor makes available active,
passive, strategic, quantitative, and environmentally conscious investment strategy options to fit
different Client preferences and risk profiles. We may also recommend that asset management
service be provided by a third-party money manager for all or a portion of a Client’s portfolio
through a sub-advisory relationship. Generally, we retain discretion over assets designated to
the third-party money manager, making decisions based on our periodic assessments to
reallocate assets or hire or fire the third-party manager. For assets placed within a private fund
or alternative investment, the Advisor will retain non-discretionary authority. Details on each
investment management strategy are in Item 8 of this Disclosure Brochure.
The Advisor employs investment strategies that use, but are not limited to, exchange-traded
funds (“ETFs”), no-load mutual funds, money markets and other similar public securities. The
securities in our portfolios represent a variety of asset classes, including U.S. and international
equities, U.S. fixed income and international bonds, and unique classes such as commodity
futures, international real estate, and emerging markets. While the specific holdings in our
portfolios change during the year, we may also use nontraditional asset classes that utilize
various hedge fund strategies or private investments. Investments also include equities
(stocks), warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit,
municipal securities, investment company securities, variable life insurance, variable annuities,
mutual funds shares, U. S. Government securities, options contracts, futures contracts, and
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interests in partnerships. Clients can impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or
types of securities. CWA does not accept any commissions or referral fees from financial
product sales.
Among other advisers, CWA, in certain instances, engages with Congress Asset
Management Company, LLP (“Congress Asset”), an SEC registered investment advisor, to
provide investment management services. See Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities
and Affiliations of this Disclosure Brochure for more information regarding the Advisor’s
relationship with Congress Asset. The Advisor engages Congress Asset as an investment
manager for investing Client assets in U.S. equities, U.S. fixed income and, when
appropriate, for investing Client assets in risk managed portfolios primarily comprised of ETFs
(herein “Core” assets). Congress Asset also utilizes investments in REITs, energy master
limited partnerships (“MLPs”), commodities, high yield bonds and emerging markets (herein
“Satellite”). Satellite investments offer the potential of higher levels of active alpha (returns
derived from skilled active management) or exotic beta (exposure to risk factors with low
correlation to global markets).
The Advisor also may recommend to Clients investments held in certain privately offered
pooled investment vehicles for which CWA serves as investment manager (a “CWA Fund”
and collectively, “CWA Funds”) or investments held in internally managed separately
managed account(s).
The Advisor may also recommend to its more sophisticated high net worth Clients investment
in a private fund or investment vehicle advised or managed by a non-affiliated investment
manager (collectively with CWA Funds, “Private Funds”).
The Advisor’s primary office is located at 155 Seaport Blvd, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02210.
CWA also maintains satellite offices at:
• 8 Wright Street, Westport, CT 06880;
• 15169 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 205, Scottsdale, AZ 85254;
• 6639 Bay Laurel Dr, Suite B, Avila Beach, CA 93424;
• 6345 Woodside Court, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046;
• 9155 S. Dadeland Blvd., Suite 1212, Miami, FL 33156-2739;
• 308 E Lancaster Ave, Suite 300, Wynnewood, PA 19096;
• 800 Boylston Street, Suite 2830, Boston, MA 02199-8090;
• 3625 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619;
• 74 West Broad Street, Suite 320, Bethlehem, PA 18018;
• 1806 Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond VA 23230;
• 271 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 200, Waltham, MA 02452;
• 111 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 17069, Chicago, IL 60604; and
• 37 Stonehouse Road Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920.
Principal Owners
The Advisor is organized as a Delaware limited liability company. The Advisor is owned by
Congress Buyer, Inc., which is owned by private equity funds managed by Audax
Management Company, LLC dba Audax Private Equity (“Audax”), detailed in Item 10 below.
CWA is operated by its Executive Officers Scott Dell’Orfano (Chief Executive Officer), Ken
Zannoni (President and Chief Wealth Officer), Richard Villiotte (President and Chief Operating
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Officer), Jennifer DeSisto (Chief Investment Officer), Erin Wendell (Chief Financial Officer),
Candace Cavalier (Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel), Michael Galvin
(Executive Managing Director), and Paul Lonergan (Chairman of the Board). Details of
ownership and control of CWA are provided on Form ADV Part 1, which is available on the
SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Types of Advisory Services
The Advisor provides its Clients with regular and continuous investment advice, which is
particularly tailored to each Client’s investment needs. The Advisor provides various types of
investment supervisory services where the Advisor retains investment discretion over the
Client’s assets, which are generally invested in separately managed accounts and/or pooled
investment vehicles managed by third-party investment managers. The Advisor also offers
non-discretionary investment services tailored to the Client’s needs. Please refer to Item 16
for more information about investment discretion.
The Advisor’s primary business is providing a wide range of wealth management services
tailored to fit each Client’s risk tolerance, financial goals, liquidity needs, time horizon and
personal values. The Advisor also offers family office services for certain types of larger
Clients requiring such services.
As of December 31, 2024, the Advisor managed $9,205,611,801 in discretionary assets and
$96,373,059 in non-discretionary assets. As of December 31, 2024, total assets under
management (“AUM”) were $9,301,984,860.
Wealth Management
The Advisor reviews a Client's time horizon, objectives, tax situation, income and liquidity
needs and will recommend a portfolio asset allocation mix based on such criteria. Based on
the suggested allocation, the Advisor will recommend certain stocks, mutual funds, alternative
investments, exchange traded funds, options, and/or investment manager[s] to the Client.
The first part of our process is to identify, in light of Client’s risk tolerance and financial goals,
the most suitable investment strategy for the accounts being brought under
management. Prior to the Advisor providing investment management services, each Client will
have entered into separate investment management agreements with the Advisor. The
investment management agreement between the Client and the Advisor generally grants the
Advisor discretion over the assets held and managed. A Client may also limit such discretion
by the Advisor, pursuant to written instruction.
For assets the Advisor recommends that Clients utilize one or more unaffiliated investment
managers or investment platforms (collectively “investment managers”) for all or a portion of a
Client’s investment portfolio, based on the Client’s needs and objectives. In certain instances,
the Client may be required to authorize and enter into an investment management agreement
with the 3rd party investment manager(s) (“Independent Manager[s]”) that defines the terms in
which the Independent Manager[s] will provide its services. The Advisor will perform initial and
ongoing oversight and due diligence over each Independent Manager to ensure the strategy
remains aligned with Clients’ investment objectives and overall best interests. The Advisor will
also assist the Client in the development of the initial policy recommendations and managing
the ongoing Client relationship. The Client, prior to entering into an agreement with an
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Independent Manager, will be provided with the Independent Manager's Form ADV Part 2A -
Disclosure Brochure (or a brochure that makes the appropriate disclosures).
The investment manager[s] contracted by the Client, on recommendation of the Advisor, will
invest each Client's assets in accordance with the Client's stated objectives, subject to any
restrictions agreed upon between the Client and each Independent Manager.
The Advisor reviews each Independent Manager prior to recommending such investment
manager to its Clients and again at least annually, to ensure that such manager continues to
be capable of providing suitable investment management services to its Clients. Such review
includes a review of: AUM; performance history; types of portfolios offered (strategies,
methods of analysis and sources of information); portfolio management tenure; fees and
expenses; risk versus return profile; portfolio turnover; account minimum; and/or disciplinary
history. The Advisor receives no direct financial compensation from the investment managers
it recommends. Investment managers have hosted educational seminars for Clients and may
host future educational seminars for Clients.
If the Advisor believes an investment manager is no longer suited to provide services to a
Client, the Advisor generally has the authority under the investment management agreement
to terminate and replace an investment manager. The Client may also recommend or direct
the Advisor to remove a particular investment manager from his or her account[s].
The Advisor will distribute to Clients a copy of the Disclosure Brochure for each Private Fund
investment manager managing a portion of the Client's assets, so that the Client sees
additional details regarding the investment strategy and fees payable to such Private Fund
investment manager.
Client accounts are reviewed at least annually. In addition, Client accounts are rebalanced or
reallocated, based on the Client's portfolio's performance, changing financial circumstances
and any other relevant factors. In some cases, Advisor may recommend rebalancing account
assets so that the Client’s assets remain invested according to the targeted ranges
established by the agreed upon asset allocation strategy. Advisor may adjust the criteria for
assigning assets to categories or add or eliminate instruments from a Client’s allocation
strategy. Should the Client’s individual situation change, Advisor will assist the Client in
revising the current portfolio and/or reevaluate his or her financial situation to determine if a
different portfolio or allocation would be appropriate.
Although the investment management agreement between the Client and the Advisor is a
continuing agreement, the length of service is at the parties’ discretion. The Client or the
Advisor may terminate an Agreement with written notice, up to thirty (30) days in-advance, to
the other party. Upon confirmation, we consider a relationship for which a client has delinked
our access to account(s) to be a terminated relationship upon knowledge of this situation.
As discussed more fully below in “Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies,” the
Advisor primarily utilizes Congress Asset as an investment manager.
Family Office Services
As an extension of the Advisor’s wealth management services, the Advisor also provides
specialized administrative services to businesses, estates, and Qualified Client families in
assisting them with their complex needs, such as: estate planning, tax planning, charitable
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giving, wealth distribution and family budgeting. The Advisor’s family office service delivers
these services beginning with the integration of a Client’s financial data to formulate a family
office construct and strategic purpose. The Advisor then implements the family office through its
wealth management capability and an engaged partnership with the Client’s other financial
service providers, such as certified public accountants, law firms and trust companies. Such
firms may have an existing relationship with the Client or be appointed by the Client on
recommendation by the Advisor. The Advisor receives no direct financial compensation from
the firms it recommends.
Any legal or tax suggestions provided to Client will be for informational purposes only. Each
Client should consult with the Client's third-party legal and tax professionals to determine
whether any referenced legal or tax suggestions may be applicable to his or her situation.
Investment Portfolio Management
CWA will provide continual portfolio management services for investing each CWA Fund
portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives.
Retirement Accounts
When CWA provides investment advice to Clients regarding ERISA retirement accounts or
individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), the Advisor is a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of
ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), as applicable, which are laws governing
retirement accounts. When deemed to be in the Client’s best interest, the Advisor will provide
investment advice to a Client regarding a distribution from an ERISA retirement account or to
roll over the assets to an IRA, or recommend a similar transaction including rollovers from one
ERISA sponsored Plan to another, one IRA to another IRA, or from one type of account to
another account (e.g. commission-based account to fee-based account). Such a
recommendation creates a conflict of interest if the Advisor will earn a new (or increase its
current) advisory fee as a result of the transaction. No client is under any obligation to roll over
a retirement account to an account managed by the Advisor.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
The Advisor provides advisory services on behalf of employer sponsored retirement plans
(each a “Plan”) and companies (each the “Plan Sponsor”). The Advisor’s retirement plan
advisory services are designed to assist the Plan Sponsor in meeting its fiduciary obligations
to the Plan. Each engagement is customized to the needs of the Plan and Plan Sponsor.
Services may include:
•
Employee Enrollment and Education Tracking
•
IPS Design and Monitoring
•
Investment Management and Investment Consulting
•
Performance Reporting
•
Ongoing Investment Recommendation and Assistance
•
ERISA 404(c) Assistance
•
Vendor Analysis
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Certain of these services are provided by the Advisor serving in the capacity as a fiduciary
under ERISA. In accordance with ERISA Section 408(b)(2), the Plan Sponsor is provided with
a written description of the Advisor’s fiduciary status, the specific services to be rendered and
all direct and indirect compensation the Advisor reasonably expects under the engagement.
CWA Services Provided to Other Investment Advisors
CW Advisor Solutions (“CWAS”) is a division of CWA that offers sub-advisory services to other
independently registered investment advisors, who care for clients on a fiduciary basis and
want to maintain their independence. Our comprehensive suite of business solutions offered
includes investment management, back-office support, management consulting and business
continuity planning solutions.
CWAS provides two fundamental sets of services to independently registered investment
advisors: Strategic Partnership outsourcing solutions and PRISM continuity and succession
planning. Our services may best fit independently registered investment advisors that are
planning-oriented and committed to offering exceptional client service. While using our
services, the owners of these firms continue to own 100% of their brand and equity.
Investment Outsourcing Solutions
Our Strategic Partnership service is designed for independently registered investment advisors
run by solo practitioners and small ensembles to leverage resources of a larger firm while
enjoying the flexibility and benefits of a small firm. Importantly, strategic partners can access
these resources without forfeiting their independence.
CWAS serves as a sub-advisor to clients of registered investment advisors with Level 1
Strategic Partnerships. Our internal investment team is responsible for construction, research,
decision-making, trading and rebalancing the assets designated to us and determined to be
suitable by the strategic partner. We also provide investment and financial planning education
as part of our offering. Level 2 Strategic Partners, in addition to Level 1 services, receive
operational support and technology solutions to enhance execution of key business functions.
Continuity & Succession Solutions
CWAS offers continuity and succession planning solutions designed for independently
registered investment advisors. Our continuity planning solution, PRISM, protects clients in
the event of the death or disability of the advisor. When a triggering event occurs, clients of
the advisor will be given the opportunity to become clients of CWA and the advisor and/or the
beneficiaries of the advisor will be compensated for the value of those clients who choose to
transition to CWA. The PRISM agreement is revocable at any time, for any reason. Our
succession planning solution is designed to assist advisors planning for retirement and begins
with our Strategic Partnership service. The advisor will transition clients to our investment
platform as the advisor prepares for an eventual exit.
Tailored Relationships and Client Imposed Restrictions
The Advisor works with each Client’s risk tolerance, financial goals, liquidity needs, time
horizon and personal values. Stated goals and objectives are documented and may also
include reasonable requirements and restrictions stipulated by the Client. Such
requirements and restrictions may include investing in strategies incorporating
environmental, social and governance screens or, for personal and/or religious
considerations. CWA will assist the Client in understanding and evaluating the potential
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impact of these restrictions on the portfolio.
Financial Planning
Through its wealth management service, the Advisor also offers comprehensive financial
planning services to Clients requiring such services and has processes in place to assist
Clients in a deeper understanding of their financial picture. These services include
comprehensive financial planning, fact-finding, goal setting, estate tax strategies, wealth
distribution and plan implementation services. CWA assists Clients in pre- and post-retirement
cash flow and tax management issues, asset allocation strategies designed to mitigate taxes,
required minimum distribution selection, and a host of other best practices intended to help a
Client manage their financial life before and in retirement. Financial planning advice is tailored
to meet the individual needs of each Client and may include a statement of net worth and cash
flow, review of investment accounts, including asset allocation and repositioning
recommendations, strategic tax planning, review of retirement accounts, estate planning,
review of insurance policies, including recommendations for changes, and education funding
planning and recommendations. The Client may also engage the Advisor for financial planning
services under a separate agreement.
CWA does not directly sell insurance products. Financial planning services are provided
through the investment management agreement. Implementation of the recommendations of
the financial plan are typically executed at the discretion of the Client.
The Advisor does not offer a Wrap Fee Program to new Clients, however, the Advisor has a
legacy Client where securities transaction fees are combined with investment advisory fee into
a single asset-based fee. Including these fees into a single asset-based fee is considered a
“Wrap Fee Program.”
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Description
Generally, the Advisor bases its fees on a percentage of assets managed by Advisor. The
Advisor and Client may agree on services outside of the investment management agreement.
Generally, in a dual contract arrangement, fees payable to the Advisor for wealth management
services will range between 50 basis points and 150 basis points (annualized) multiplied by the
total assets managed by the Advisor. Certain legacy engagements may be charged fees that
differ from the stated fee range.
Generally, in a dual contract arrangement, the Client would also be responsible for fees due
both to the Advisor and the investment manager[s] with whom they have contracted with. (See
“Other Fees” below).
The Advisor’s fees may vary, depending on the Client's circumstances (such as account size,
complexity, relationship to other accounts, and investment strategies and managers
employed, etc.).
The Client may make additions or withdrawals from the account[s] at any time, subject to the
Advisor’s right to terminate an account or the overall relationship. Additions may be in cash or
securities provided that the Advisor reserves the right to liquidate any transferred securities or
decline to accept particular securities into a Client’s account[s]. Clients may withdraw account
assets on notice to CWA, subject to the usual and customary securities settlement procedures.
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However, the Advisor typically designs its investment portfolios as long-term investments, and
the withdrawal of assets may impair the achievement of a Client’s investment objectives. CWA
may consult the Client about certain implications of such transactions. Clients are advised that
when such securities are liquidated, they may be subject to securities transaction fees, short-
term redemption fees, and/or tax ramifications. For all assets deposited into or withdrawn from
the Client’s account[s], the Advisor’s fee will be adjusted in the next billing period to reflect the
fee difference. The Advisor, at its sole discretion, will negotiate a fee that differs from the
schedule above for certain account[s] or holdings.
Family Office Services
Each agreement between the Advisor and the Client for family office services is negotiated
based on the size, complexity, and breadth of each Client’s needs. Generally, such fees will
be based on a percentage of assets advised upon and/or managed. If services are in excess
of the standard services in the investment management agreement, the Advisor will charge a
fixed annual rate of up to $250,000, payable quarterly.
Private Funds
CWA may receive a fee for providing investment advisory services to CWA Funds and non-
investment advisory services to Private Funds. Non-advisory services may include activity
relating to fund administration, distribution, and/or investor services. Such a fee will be set-forth
in each Private Fund’s Operating Agreement. CWA may also receive reimbursement for certain
expenses it incurs relating to the organization and distribution of Private Funds, pursuant to the
provisions of each Private Fund’s offering documents.
Other Services Fees
Upon mutual agreement between the Advisor and the Client, the Advisor will engage in
advisory and non-advisory services not discussed in this document, where such fees will be
negotiated and memorialized in a written agreement among the parties.
ERISA Accounts
CWA is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory Clients that are employee benefit plans or
individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) pursuant to ERISA, and regulations under the IRC. As
such, CWA is subject to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the IRC that include,
among other things, restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation. Fees can range up
to 130 basis points and are negotiable depending on the size and complexity of the Plan. Fees
are billed either in advance or arrears of each month or quarter pursuant to the terms of the
retirement plan advisory agreement. Fees can be deducted from the accounts of the plan
participants or paid directly by the plan sponsor.
Financial Planning Service
If engaged separately, financial planning fees for project-based engagements are agreed upon
between the Advisor and Client with a maximum fee of up to $25,000. Based on that agreed-
upon fee, 50% of the fee is paid to the Advisor upon the execution of the financial planning
agreement with the remaining 50% of the fee due upon completion of the agreed-upon
deliverable[s].
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Fee Billing
For investment management services, fees are billed quarterly, in advance or arrears. Fees
charged in advance will be based on the market value of assets at the end of the previous
calendar quarter. Fees charged in arrears are based on the market values of assets at the end
of the calendar quarter. Certain legacy clients are charged fees based on previously agreed
upon engagements, which are honored by the Advisor. For assets placed in alternative
investments, the Advisor reserves the right to bill on the most recently available valuation
before the end of a calendar quarter, if valuations are not readily available at the end of the
respective billing period. Fees are usually deducted from a designated Client account[s] at the
custodian to facilitate billing. The Client must consent in advance to direct debiting of their
investment account[s]. Clients should be aware of their responsibility to verify the accuracy of
the fee amount submitted to the custodian by CWA, as the custodian will not determine
whether the fee has been properly calculated.
All securities, cash and cash equivalents in the account(s) will be included in calculating the
value of the account(s) for purposes of computing Advisor’s fees, unless otherwise agreed
upon between parties.
Fees assessed on a fixed basis for family office services are payable quarterly, in arrears.
Clients are advised that all fees paid to the Advisor are separate and distinct from the fees
and expenses charged by investment managers, investment funds and custodians
recommended to Clients by the Advisor. The Client is responsible for all securities execution
and custody fees charged by the Custodian, if applicable. Certain custodians do not charge
securities transaction fees for ETF and equity trades in a Client's account, provided that the
account meets the terms and conditions of the custodian's brokerage requirements.
However, the custodians typically charge for mutual funds and other types of investments,
and typically charge wire transfer and/or electronic fund processing fees.
Clients for which investments in Private Funds may be appropriate, suitable, and eligible (e.g.,
real estate partnerships, private equity funds and/or hedge funds) will normally be charged a
management fee and other fees and expenses by the Private Fund (which may or may not be
related to CWA). In addition, investment managers of these Private Funds typically also
charge a performance fee once the private fund exceeds a target rate of return or returns all
capital. It is particularly important to understand all fees and expenses, in addition to CWA
fees, applicable to any specific investment prior to making a decision to invest.
Other Fees
Custodians, at their sole discretion, may charge transaction fees on purchases or sales of
certain mutual funds, ETFs, stocks and bonds. These fees are in addition to the fees paid by
you to CWA. Transaction fees are usually incidental to the purchase or sale of a security, and in
our opinion, the selection of the security is usually more important than the transaction fee
charged by the custodian, as applicable. CWA does not receive any compensation from
transaction fees charged by the custodians. For further information on Brokerage Practices,
please see Item 12 of this brochure.
Mutual fund companies and ETF issuers charge their shareholders an investment management
fee, or expense ratio, that is disclosed in the fund or ETF prospectus. These fees are in addition
to the fees paid by you to CWA. CWA does not receive any compensation for management
fees charged by a mutual fund or ETF provider.
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Clients whose assets are designated to a third-party money manager will have fees, in addition
to the fees paid by you to CWA. These fees are calculated by the third-party money manager
and deducted directly from your account. CWA does not receive any compensation for
management fees charged by a third-party money manager.
Past due Accounts and Termination of Client Agreements
The Advisor reserves the right to stop work on any account where fees due to the Advisor are
more than ninety (90) days overdue.
A Client may terminate their agreement with the Advisor within five (5) business days of
signing their agreement without incurring any advisory fees. Furthermore, the Client or the
Advisor may terminate their agreement upon up to thirty (30) days written notice to the other
party. Writing can be by regular mail, fax, or email; instant message or other like services are
not permissible.
Either party can terminate the retirement plan advisory agreement, at any time, by providing
advance written notice to the other party (writing can be by regular mail, fax, or email; instant
message or other like services are not permissible).
Upon notice of termination from the Client, the Advisor will await further instructions from the
Client as to when and how Client requests to liquidate and/or transfer the portfolio and remit
the proceeds. Upon receiving instructions, the Advisor will instruct the Client’s investment
manager, brokers, dealers, mutual fund sponsors and others to liquidate and/or transfer the
portfolio and remit proceeds to the Client. The Client will be invoiced for any investment
management fees earned by the Advisor up to and including the effective date of termination.
The Advisor can make no representation regarding puts, holds or other investment features
that may limit a Client's ability to liquidate or transfer all or a portion of the Client’s portfolio.
In the event of termination, when appropriate written notification has been provided, a Client’s
obligation to pay advisory fees (pro-rated through the date of termination) will remain. As
applicable, a Client will receive a pro-rata refund of any prepaid and unearned fees.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees
Performance-Based Fees
The Advisor does not charge a performance-based fee in relation to services it provides.
However, the Advisor may recommend investment managers and investment funds, including
Private Funds, which assess a performance-based fee. Such a recommendation to invest
with an investment manager or investment fund with a performance-based fee arrangement
would be preceded by an assessment by the Advisor as to the suitability and appropriateness
of such an investment, relative to other similar investments, if any, which do not have a
performance-based fee arrangement.
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Item 7. Types of Clients
Description
The Advisor offers personalized investment management services to individuals, high net worth
individuals and families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing
plans, private funds, corporations, and other business entities. CWAS serves as a sub-advisor
to other registered investment advisors and enters into agreements with investors of those
entities. The amount of each type of Client is available on the Advisor's Form ADV Part 1A.
These amounts change over time and are updated at least annually by the Advisor. Client
relationships vary in scope and length of service.
Account Minimums
Generally, Clients wishing to hire the Advisor for wealth management services should have at
least $1 million in investable assets. The Advisor retains the right to waive such minimum,
considering various facts including, but not limited to, long-standing relationships, anticipated
additions to AUM, related accounts, type of assets, anticipated future earning capacity and
the strategy and investment managers utilized. Account minimums for family office services
are determined on a facts and circumstances basis, considering the complexity of the
prospective Client’s needs.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Wealth Management Clients and Family Office Clients
The Advisor works closely with Clients to determine their investment goals and levels of risk
tolerance. The Advisor's basic investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that long-term
returns are determined primarily by asset allocation. The Advisor attempts to construct an
asset allocation designed to meet each Client's time horizon, risk tolerance, cash needs and
other objectives. The Advisor will then implement such asset allocation for each Client. The
Advisor uses a Core and Satellite approach to investment management. This approach allows
the Advisor to manage each Client’s portfolio to:
• Separate and manage various sources of portfolio risk to improve portfolio
structure and efficiency;
• Add return generating opportunities and / or volatility-reducing asset classes to a
portfolio; and
Increase the likelihood of meeting their specific financial goals.
•
Core strategies provide efficient exposure to asset classes that are broadly representative of
the market (much of this market representation comes in the form of equity and fixed income
instruments). While implementation strategies vary, the Advisor believes that a combination of
active, structured and passive strategies provide a solid core for most investors.
Satellite strategies generally deliver higher levels of active alpha (returns derived from skilled
active management) or exotic beta (exposure to risk factors with low correlation to global
markets) and can enhance expected returns. Examples include REITs, energy MLPs,
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commodities, high yield bonds, private equity, emerging markets securities, and interest rate
management investments, such as interest rate and Index swaps and other derivative
securities, which allow for active management of duration and yield.
In addition, CWA has various internally managed risk-managed active strategies. Series and
the portfolio include the Prime Series, Market Series, Quantitative Series, Strategic Market
Series, Alpine Series, Clean, Green, Global Market Series, and Clean, Green, and Global
Strategic Series.
Third-party Investment Manager Due Diligence
Each investment manager on the Advisor’s platform is monitored throughout the year and
reviewed at least annually. Each investment manager review is presented to the Advisor’s
Investment Oversight Committee (“IOC”). The IOC is chaired by the Advisor’s Chief
Investment Officer (“CIO”) and is responsible for recommending to the Advisor’s management
the hiring or removal of an investment manager. Investment manager reviews include
discussions on investment performance, market events/trends, organizational changes,
and/or new investment strategies.
Further, prior to adding an investment manager on the Advisor’s platform, the Advisor will
conduct initial due diligence that is presented to the IOC for evaluation. The IOC, in-turn, will
either recommend, or not, the hiring of such investment manager.
Each Client is unique, and some Clients have outside accounts with investment limitations or
restrictions, have special or unique investment needs or circumstances, or may request
information or opinions about investment products that are not included in the investments
approved by the IOC. In these situations, the due diligence and process described above is
often not fully engaged.
Internally Advised Private Funds
Consistent with all of our investment strategies, oversight of CWA Funds will be the
responsibility of the IOC and the CWA Board of Directors.
Monitoring of Client Accounts
The Advisor monitors the performance of the Clients’ accounts at least annually in order to
confirm the portfolio allocation remains in line with the Client’s risk tolerance and investment
objectives. The Advisor reviews broad asset class allocation, investment strategies within each
asset class, as well as underlying security performance within each investment strategy.
Risk of Loss
Securities investments are not guaranteed, and you may lose money on your investments. Each
investment style or strategy will carry different levels of risk, and risk factors specific to each
investment product or security are disclosed in the prospectus, offering memorandum or other
similar disclosure materials specific to each investment. Clients should review all risk factors
carefully before making a decision to invest and must be willing to bear these risks. All
investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Our investment approach
constantly keeps the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the following investment risks:
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Investment management services include the purchase and sale of securities which involve a
certain level of inherent risk. The risk includes the potential loss of principal value. CWA’s
investment service is based on a process that provides two separate kinds of risk management:
asset class diversification and traditional value investing strategies.
1. Asset Class Diversification - CWA tactically changes the portfolio asset allocation to reflect
our views of market value on an ongoing basis. Most portfolios are diversified in terms of global
asset classes. In general, CWA has complete discretion in securities chosen or recommended,
amounts of securities in Client accounts and choice of broker dealer to execute trades.
2. Value Investing - As a value manager, a key factor to managing risk is our selling technique,
which requires constant reevaluation of the value proposition of the securities we hold as prices
fluctuate and other opportunities present themselves. This constant monitoring is carried out
by an experienced investment team. By utilizing a team approach to the decision-making
process, we feel that we are adding another layer of risk protection in volatile markets.
Third-Party Money Managers: For assets designated to a third-party money manager, the third-
party manager is responsible for continuous monitoring, the selection of securities and trade
execution in such accounts. CWA may retain discretion over assets designated to the third-
party money manager, using both subjective and objective evaluation factors including but not
limited to manager style, previous experience, investment approach, size of firm, holdings,
historical performance, and turnover. CWA may select a more costly active manager if we
believe that the manager can access a more favorable return stream relative to risk.
Margin: CWA uses margin in Client accounts, as appropriate and authorized by the Client.
All investing involves some level of risk, including but not limited to the following:
• 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. Securities with greater interest rate
sensitivity and longer maturities are generally subject to greater fluctuations in value.
In a rising interest rate environment, a Client’s fixed income portfolio may lose value.
A bond with a longer maturity will typically fluctuate more in price than a shorter-term
bond. Shorter term money market instruments carry less interest rate risk.
• Asset Valuation: The identification of securities and other assets believed to be
undervalued is a difficult task and there are no assurances that such opportunities will
be successfully recognized or acquired.
• Market Risk: All securities investments are subject to changes in the marketplace.
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. Economies and
financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected,
which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region may
adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. At times,
movements in the market can be significant, which will cause the value of an
investor’s account to change.
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o Stock Market Risk: The chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock
markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of
falling prices.
• 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.
Inflation also generally leads to higher interest rates, which may cause the value of
many types of fixed income investments to decline.
• Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the
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 and
most private equity funds are not. A lack of liquidity will impact the marketability of a
security, meaning that it may not be purchased or sold without negatively impacting its
price. Liquidity risk is the risk that may occur due to the inability to convert a security or
hard asset to cash without a loss of capital and/or income in the process. Liquidity risk
generally arises when an individual with immediate cash needs holds a valuable asset
that cannot trade or sell at market value due to a previously agreed upon holding period.
• 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.
• Investment Model Allocation and Planning Tool Risk: With regard to risk managed
portfolios, the investment manager’s strategic allocation assumptions and market
momentum signals which drive tactical allocation and decisions regarding cash balances,
may be incorrect and may result in underperformance relative to other investments.
Financial planning tools rely heavily on assumptions, simulations and historical information
that may or may not end up being accurate generally or given a specific Client’s
circumstances.
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• Sector Risk: The chance that significant problems will affect a particular sector, or that
returns from that sector will trail returns from the overall stock market. Daily fluctuations in
specific market sectors are often more extreme than fluctuations in the overall market.
• Foreign securities and emerging markets risk: Foreign securities are subject to
interest-rate, currency-exchange-rate, economic, and political risks, all of which may be
magnified in emerging markets. Foreign securities are subject to the same market risk as
US securities and involve risk of loss due to political, economic, legal, regulatory and
currency risk. There are also differences in accounting and financial reporting standards.
Further, events and evolving conditions in certain economies or markets may alter the
risks associated with investments tied to countries or regions that historically were
perceived as comparatively stable becoming riskier and more volatile.
• ETF Risks: ETFs are investments whose shares are bought and sold on security
exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market
segment or index. Some ETFs are SPDRs, PowerShares and iShares. Our investment
strategies could purchase ETFs to gain exposure to a portion of the US or foreign markets,
sectors, industry, or commodities. Our investment strategies for investing in another
investment company will bear their pro rata share of the other investment company’s
advisory fee and other expenses, in addition to their own. The performance of ETFs is
subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The price of the ETFs will
fluctuate with the price of the underlying securities that make up the funds.
Specifically, ETFs, depending on the underlying portfolio and its size, can have a wide
price (Bid and Ask) spreads, thus diluting or negating any upward price movements of the
ETF or enhancing any downward price movement. In addition, ETFs have a trading risk
based on the loss of cost efficiency if the ETFs are traded actively and a liquidity risk if the
ETFs have a large bid-ask spread and low trading volume. The price of an ETF fluctuates
based upon the market movements and may dissociate from the index being tracked by
the ETF or the price of the underlying investments. An ETF purchased or sold at one point
in the day may have a different price than the same ETF purchased or sold a short time
later. Also, ETFs require more frequent portfolio reporting by regulators and are thereby
more susceptible to actions by hedge funds that could have a negative impact on the price
of an ETF. Certain ETFs employ leverage, which creates additional volatility and price risk
depending on the amount of leverage utilized, collateral, and liquidity of the supporting
collateral. The use of leverage increases interest rate cost to the ETF as well as increases
the level of volatility.
• Mutual Fund Risks: The major risk of investing in a mutual fund includes the quality and
experience of the mutual fund portfolio management team and their ability to create fund
value by investing in securities that have growth, the amount of individual company
diversification, the type and amount of industry diversification, and the type and amount of
sector diversification within specific industries. The performance of mutual funds is subject
to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The price of the mutual funds will
fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities that make up the funds. The price of a
mutual fund is typically set daily; therefore, a mutual fund purchased at one point in the
day will typically have the same price as a mutual fund purchased later that same day.
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• Commodities Risk: Commodities include soft assets such as crops and coffee that are
generally extracted from the ground, as well as hard assets such as minerals and metals
that are mined. Investing in commodities carries significant risks, including price, credit,
and market risk. Many physical commodities, as well as intangible commodities (such as
security or fixed income indices) serve as the underlying asset to commodity futures
contracts.
• Company Risk: When investing in stock positions, there is always a certain level of
company or industry-specific risk that is inherent in each investment. This is also referred
to as non-systemic risk and it can be reduced through appropriate diversification. There is
the risk that the company will perform poorly or have its value reduced based on factors
specific to the company or its industry. For example, if a company’s employees go on
strike or the company receives unfavorable media attention for its actions, the value of the
company may be reduced.
• Management Risk: An investment’s value varies with the success and failure of the
investment strategies, research, analysis, and determination of portfolio securities. If
investment strategies do not produce the expected returns, the value of the investment will
decrease. Also, Client account balances maintained at banking institutions or securities
firms may exceed FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Commission or fdic.gov) or SIPC
(Securities Investor Protection Corporation or sipc.org) insurance limits, to the extent those
programs are applicable.
• Client Imposed Investment Restrictions Risk: Clients who place restrictions on
investing in certain industries or specific companies for social, religious, statutory, or other
reasons, may forgo investment opportunities that are in the best economic interest of the
Client. Such restrictions may result in performance less favorable than other Client
accounts managed by CWA without such restrictions.
• Risks for all forms of analysis: While we are alert to indications that data may be
incorrect, there is always a risk that our analysis may be compromised by inaccurate or
misleading information. Information that we gather and impart depends upon to be
accurate and unbiased information we received, which includes, but is not limited to:
corporate annual reports, filings with the SEC, company press releases, research
material reported by others, financial newspapers and magazines, corporate
ratings/analytical services, government reports, etc.
• Technical Risk: Technical analysis utilizes statistics to determine trends in security
prices. This type of analysis tends to focus on but is not limited to factors such as
trading volume, demand, and volatility. Technical chart analysis is also used, which
involves the assessment of historical charts and graphs.
• Margin Risk: The use of short-term margin borrowings results in certain additional risks
to a Client. For example, if securities pledged to brokers to secure a Client's margin
accounts decline in value, the Client could be subject to a "margin call," pursuant to
which it must either deposit additional funds with the broker or be the subject of
mandatory liquidation of the pledged securities to compensate for the decline in value.
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• Options Contract Risk:
Investments in options contracts have the risk of losing value in a relatively short period
of time. Option contracts are leveraged instruments that allow the holder of a single
contract to control many shares of an underlying stock. Leverage risk highlights how a
small investment can lead to significant gains or losses, amplifying both returns and the
potential for total loss. Market risk points to the vulnerability of options to overall market
movements and economic conditions, which can adversely affect option values even if
predictions about the underlying asset are correct. Liquidity risk arises from the potential
difficulty in selling options at fair prices before expiration, which could lead to significant
losses. Lastly, expiration risk underlines the importance of timing in options trading, as
options can become worthless if not exercised before their expiration date, impacting
investment outcomes especially for those near expiration.
• Alternative Investments (Limited Partnerships) Risk:
Alternative Investments are normally investments with companies or sectors that are
not publicly traded. These investments are normally very illiquid and can be volatile;
therefore, they are not ideal for clients with frequent or unknown cash needs. There is
normally no public market for alternative investments. As a result, if investors need to
sell their shares, they will most likely do so at a substantial discount. Further, depending
on the terms of the investment, the investor may not be able to transfer or sell their
shares. The risk of investing in alternative investments is a substantial or complete loss
of invested funds. In addition, investors may not see any return on investment for some
time depending on the type of investment and as a result, these investments should be
seen as long-term investments subject to a high risk of loss. Investments in alternative
investments are made through a subscription agreement between the investor, the
alternative investment entity, its general partner, and/or its investment manager. This
means that the terms of the investment are explicitly outlined in the offering documents
of the alternative investment.
• Cyber Security Risk: Cyber security is a generic term used to describe the
technology, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, systems,
computers, programs, and data from cyber-attacks and hacking by other computer
users, and to avoid the resulting damage and disruption of hardware and software
systems, loss or corruption of data, and/or misappropriation of confidential information.
With the increased use of technologies to conduct business, such as the Internet, CWA
is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. CWA relies on
communications technology, systems, and networks to engage with Clients,
employees, accounts, shareholders, and service providers, and a cyber incident may
inhibit CWA’s ability to use these technologies. In general, cyber incidents can result
from deliberate attacks or unintentional events by insiders or third parties, including
cybercriminals, competitors, nation-states and “hacktivists,” among others. Cyber-
attacks include, but are not limited to, phishing, gaining unauthorized access to digital
systems (e.g., through “hacking” or infection from or spread of malware, ransomware,
computer viruses or other malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating
assets or sensitive information, structured query language attacks, corrupting data, or
causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that
does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service
attacks on websites. A denial-of-service attack is an effort to make network services
unavailable to intended users, which could cause CWA and Clients to lose access to
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their electronic accounts, potentially indefinitely. Employees and service providers of
CWA may not be able to access electronic systems to perform critical duties, such as
trading and account oversight, during a denial-of-service attack. Although there are
security risks associated with “screen scraping,” which clients must be prepared to
bear, risks are to some extent mitigated by regular oversight and availability of client
investment data and reporting. "Screen scraping” is a data collection method where the
perpetrator scans user’s compromised system to obtain data from open applications
that are being displayed on the monitor. There is also the possibility for systems
failures due to malfunctions, user error and misconduct by employees and agents,
natural disasters, or other foreseeable and unforeseeable events.
Because technology is consistently changing, new ways to carry out cyber-attacks are
always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been
identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations
on CWA’s ability to plan for or respond to a cyber-attack. Like other business
enterprises, CWA and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to
experience, cyber incidents consistently. In addition to deliberate cyber-attacks,
unintentional cyber incidents can occur, such as the inadvertent release of confidential
information by CWA or its service providers. To date, cyber incidents have not had a
material adverse effect on CWA’s business operations or performance.
CWA uses third party service providers who are also heavily dependent on computers
and technology for their operations. Cybersecurity failures or breaches by CWA, our
partners, other service providers and the issuers of securities in which a Client invests,
may disrupt and otherwise adversely affect their business operations. This may result in
financial losses and costs to CWA or Clients or cause violations of applicable privacy
and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or
other compensation costs, litigation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition,
substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future.
In addition, compliance with current and future privacy, data protection and information
security laws could significantly impact current and planned privacy and information
security related practices, the collection, use, sharing, retention, destruction and
safeguarding of personal data and some of a Client’s current and planned business
activities. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in fines,
sanctions or other penalties, which could materially and adversely affect the results of
operations of a Client and/or its investing securities and overall business, as well as
have an impact on reputation. While CWA and many of its service providers have
established business continuity plans and risk management systems intended to
identify and mitigate cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and
systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. CWA cannot
control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers and
issuers in which CWA invests on behalf of Clients. CWA and Clients could be
negatively impacted as a result.
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Item 9. Disciplinary Information
Legal and Disciplinary
On December 22, 2014, the SEC brought a settled fraud action against F-Squared
Investments, Inc. (“F-Squared”), an unaffiliated investment manager. In connection with the
resolution, F-Squared admitted, among other things, to making false claims regarding its
AlphaSector strategy. More specifically, it falsely represented that: (a) the signals that formed
the basis of its AlphaSector index returns had been used to manage Client assets from April
2001 to September 2008; and (b) the strategy significantly outperformed the S&P 500 Index
during that period.
The Advisor, through its former registration, had utilized the Alpha Sector investment strategy to
manage a portion of its Clients’ assets from May 2009 to October 2013. During this period, less
than 5% of assets under CWA’s management were invested pursuant to this strategy. In
October 2013, CWA became aware of information that caused it to question the accuracy of F-
Squared’s representations and promptly removed from its advertising materials all references to
F-Squared’s performance prior to September 2008. Then, in December 2013, the Advisor
ceased using the AlphaSector signals entirely and terminated its relationship with F-Squared.
The SEC conducted a sweep of investment advisers that had relied on F-Squared’s
representations, and on August 25, 2016, it entered orders against 13 such advisers, including
CWA. With respect to CWA, the SEC order found, in sum and substance, that despite its due
diligence, CWA negligently relied on F-Squared representations in advertising F-Squared’s
strategy, in violation of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rules 206(4)-1(a)(5) and 204-
2(a)(16) thereunder. Without admitting or denying the findings, CWA consented to the entry of a
cease-and desist order imposing a $100,000 penalty. A copy of the order can be found at
https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2016/ia-4507.pdf
Except for the matter discussed above, the Advisor has not been involved in legal, regulatory
or disciplinary events related to past or present investment Clients that would be material to
the evaluation of CWA or the integrity of its management personnel.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Activities and Affiliations
The Advisor is not affiliated with any custodian or non-advisory service provider, which
performs services to the Advisor or its Clients. In addition, the Advisor does not engage in
financial industry activities except for the advisory services performed and disclosed in this
Brochure.
As discussed throughout this Disclosure Brochure, the Advisor partners with but is independent
from Congress Asset. The Advisor has, historically, leveraged investment expertise and
operations support from Congress Asset. Additionally, the entities have - at times - jointly paid
for expenses, such as salaries and infrastructure costs. Congress Asset has also shared in
certain CWA expenses, including those resulting from the opening of CWA’s branch offices.
Such arrangements are and have been at no cost to the Clients of either Congress Asset or the
Advisor.
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While considering a broad variety of investment options, the Advisor primarily selects and
retains the investment management services of Congress Asset to actively manage domestic
equities and domestic investment grade fixed income. The Advisor believes that its relationship
with Congress Asset operates at a level of transparency and access, which exceeds the levels
of transparency and access provided by unaffiliated investment managers and is to the benefit
of its Clients. The compensation of the Advisor’s employees does not vary depending on the
investment vehicles selected for Client(s) portfolios.
Congress Asset Management Company, LLP
Paul A. Lonergan, Chairman of the Board of CWA, is currently a non-voting member on the
Management Committee of Congress Asset, and he receives compensation for his services.
Congress Asset is an investment advisor registered with the SEC (CRD No. 105161; SEC
No. 801-23386). The Advisor may recommend or engage Congress Asset to manage all or a
portion of a Client's investment portfolio.
CWA Clients enter into a separate investment management agreement with Congress Asset,
including via a dual contract arrangement for which CWA may retain discretion to increase or
decrease assets managed by Congress Asset. For certain Clients who wish to solely contract
with CWA, rather than contracting directly with Congress Asset, a ‘single contract’ agreement
exists where Congress Asset manages CWA Clients’ assets pursuant to a sub-advisory
agreement between CWA and Congress Asset. The sub-advisory agreement provides for
investment management and related trading and operational support. CWA pays Congress
Asset a percentage of the advisory fee it collects.
The Advisor is sensitive to perceived and potential conflicts, which may arise regarding Mr.
Lonergan’s relationship with Congress Asset.
CWA Funds
CWA is the investment advisor to CWA Funds, where compensation is generated through an
advisory fee. When a Client invests in a CWA Fund, CWA will waive its advisory fee on the
Client’s assets invested in the CWA Funds. Additional details on the CWA Funds and their fees
are disclosed in the respective private offering documents. Clients of CWA are not obligated to
invest in a CWA Fund, but should understand that in some cases the fees paid to CWA as an
advisor to CWA Funds may be higher than a fee that would otherwise be charged on the
Client’s assets, depending on their specific fee schedule and breakpoints.
Audax Private Equity Business LP
As disclosed in Item 4.A, the Advisor’s principal owners are two private equity funds, Audax
Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P. and Audax Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P. (the “Audax PE VII
Funds”), that are managed by Audax, a registered investment advisor. Audax Private Equity
Business VII LP, an affiliate of Audax, is the General Partner of the Audax PE VII Funds. Audax
and its affiliates (collectively, “Audax Group”) provide investment advice to other private funds,
separately managed accounts, and other investment accounts (collectively, the “Audax
Funds”). The Audax Funds generally seek to invest in or make loans to middle-market
companies but, from time to time, invest in investment advisers.
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The affiliation between the Advisor and Audax Group poses a potential conflict of interest, when
the Advisor recommends an investment into an Audax Fund or related Audax Investment,
where Audax is entitled to revenue generated by such investments. Further, for certain
investments recommended by the Advisor, Audax may also have beneficial ownership in such
investments, potentially at different levels of the company’s capital structure. In such cases,
Audax Group may take actions that conflict with the interests of the Advisor's Clients. To
mitigate this conflict, the Advisor ensures that only suitable Audax investments are
recommended to Clients. In addition, the Advisor does not have any direct incentive tied to
revenues generated from Audax related activities, where there is no incentive for the Advisor
for revenues generated by Audax Fund investments.
If any additional conflicts become apparent, the Advisor will provide separate disclosures of the
conflict to the Client and how such conflicts are mitigated, demonstrating that investments
recommended by the Advisor are in the Client’s best interest.
Aspera Limited Partnership
The Advisor serves as the investment manager to Aspera Limited Partnership (“Aspera”),
where an affiliated person of the Advisor serves as its General Partner. Aspera is not offered to
any Clients of the Advisor, nor is it offered to any new investors.
MJA Special Opportunities Fund, LP
The Advisor serves as the investment manager to MJA Special Opportunities Fund, LP (“MJA
Fund”), where an affiliated person of the Advisor is the owner of the MJA Fund’s General
Partner. MJA Fund is not offered to any Clients of the Advisor, nor is it offered to any new
investors.
CW Multi-Strategy Private Markets Fund 2024, L.P.
The Advisor recommends that certain clients invest in CW Multi-Strategy Private Markets Fund
2024, L.P. (“CW MSPM Fund”), a fund managed by Allocate Management Company, LLC. The
Advisor had a financial incentive to recommend the CW MSPM Fund, which is detailed in the
Private Placement Memorandum of CW MSPM Fund. Please note, the Advisor does not have
any additional incentive to recommend the CW MSPM Fund.
Alumni Venture Group
Mr. Zannoni is an Investment Advisory Council member of Alumni Venture Group. Clients of the
Advisor may be recommended to invest into an investment vehicle affiliated with Alumni
Venture Group. Mr. Zannoni does not receive any compensation nor receive any renumerations
related to the affiliated with Alumni Venture Group.
Additional Information
Some employees, affiliated persons of the Advisor, engage in outside business activities,
including investments advisory activities, such as Aspera and MJA Fun
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Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
The Advisor has adopted a “Code of Ethics”, pursuant to Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act.
The Code of Ethics (“Code”) sets forth high ethical standards of business conduct, including
compliance with applicable federal securities laws.
CWA’s personnel owe duties of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards its Clients, and have
an obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of the Code of Ethics but to the
general principles that guide the Code of Ethics. All Supervised Persons must avoid
activities, interests and relationships that run contrary or appear to run contrary to the best
interests of our Clients.
All associates of the Advisor (herein our “Supervised Persons”) are required to comply with
CWA’s Code, which provides a standard of business conduct and also imposes reporting
requirements and restrictions on the purchase or sale of securities with regard to their own
accounts and the accounts of certain affiliated persons. The Code is based on the overriding
principle that CWA is a fiduciary to Clients and must act in their best interests at all times. At
all times, the Advisor places Client interests ahead of our own.
Supervised Persons also must not:
• Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a Client;
• Make any untrue statements of a material fact to a Client or omit to state to a Client any
material facts that are necessary to make the statements made (in light of the
circumstances under which they are made) not misleading;
• Engage in any act, practice, or course of business, which operates or would operate as a
fraud or deceit upon a Client;
• Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a Client;
• Use their positions, or any investment opportunities presented by virtue of their positions,
to their personal advantage or to the detriment of a Client; or
• Conduct personal trading activities in contravention of the Code or applicable legal
principles or in such a manner as may be inconsistent with the duties owed to Clients as a
fiduciary.
As noted above, these general standards are meant as overriding guidelines to be adhered to
in all current and emerging situations and are not limited to the detailed behavior specifically
discussed in the Code. The Code also addresses other areas of business conduct, including:
duty of confidentiality, reporting suspected wrongdoing, gifts and entertainment, outside
employment, insider trading and personal securities transactions.
In the event of a violation of the Code, the Advisor will impose such sanctions as deemed
necessary and appropriate. Sanctions range from a letter of censure, suspension of
employment without pay, referral to the appropriate regulatory agency or permanent termination
of employment.
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The Code is subject to periodic review by the CCO with regard to CWA’s business activities,
associates and emerging risks. A copy of our Code is available to our advisory Clients and
prospective Clients. You may request a copy by email sent to
compliance@cwadvisorsgroup.com, or by calling us at (617) 428-7600.
Personal Trading
CWA seeks to ensure that personal trading activities of its associates who have access to
nonpublic client or portfolio holdings information (Access Persons), do not conflict with the
interests of CWA Clients. To guard against any potential conflicts of interest with our Clients,
CWA Access Persons are required to disclose annually each securities account to CWA and to
either provide or arrange for their brokerage firm to provide duplicate account statements and
confirms necessary to allow CWA to monitor trade activities and keep the records required by
the Advisers Act and rules thereunder.
The Code of Ethics also imposes restrictions on Access Persons personal securities
transactions and accounts. Such restrictions include: (a) prohibitions on trading in securities
while in possession of related material, nonpublic information (MNPI); (b) blackout periods; and
(c) reporting of personal securities accounts, transactions and/or holdings to the CCO. The
CCO will maintain Access Persons quarterly transaction reports and annual holdings
disclosures in keeping with the firm’s fiduciary and recordkeeping responsibilities.
As noted above, the full text of the Advisor's Code is available to Clients upon request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
The Advisor or individuals associated with the Advisor may buy or sell - for their personal
account[s] - investment products identical to those recommended to and held by Clients.
However, no person employed by the Advisor may intentionally purchase or sell any security
prior to transactions implemented for an advisory account, where such employees may benefit
from transactions subsequently placed on behalf of advisory accounts. Individuals associated
with the Advisor may personally invest in unaffiliated Private Funds that are recommended to
Clients. In certain circumstances, in meeting certain minimum thresholds of total assets placed
in the unaffiliated Private Fund, both CWA employees’ and Clients’ fees charged on those
assets may be reduced equally. The Advisor will ensure adequate due diligence and that the
investment into the unaffiliated Private Fund is in the Client’s best interest.
The Advisor or the investment managers may recommend or use their discretion to affect a
purchase or sale in securities of companies for which the Advisor, the investment managers
or their affiliates act as a sponsor, advisor, investor and/or investment manager, including
mutual funds advised or sub advised by Congress Asset.
In addition, the Advisor or the investment managers may also recommend or use their
discretion to affect a transaction in their Client accounts, in securities of companies (or
securities of affiliates of such companies) in which the Advisor, the investment managers or
their affiliates or their personnel may have an ownership or management interest.
In connection with its investment activities, the Advisor may receive information that is not
generally available to the public. The Advisor is not obligated to make such information
available to its Clients or to use such information to effect transactions for its Clients. These
procedures may limit CWA from being able to purchase or sell securities of the issuer to whom
the material, non-public information pertains.
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Supervised Persons are not permitted to trade their own securities ahead of known Client
trades. Supervised Persons must comply with all provisions of our Compliance Program.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
General
Excluding CWA Funds, only the Client has authority to select the custodian/broker dealer for
custody and execution services. The Advisor may make recommendations to the Client as to
which custodians would be appropriate for the Client. The Client will engage the broker-dealer
or custodian (herein the "Custodian") to safeguard Client assets and authorize CWA to direct
trades to this Custodian as agreed in the Investment Management Agreement. CWA does
maintain institutional relationships with various Custodians.
The Client may also instruct their investment manager[s] to direct trades to their custodian or
to a particular broker dealer. Clients will not incur any extra fee or cost by the Advisor when
using a custodian recommended or not recommended. However, the Advisor may be limited in
the services it can provide if the recommended Custodian is not utilized. CWA Funds will be
custodied as provided in their offering documents. Further, CWA does not have the
discretionary authority to negotiate commissions on behalf of our Clients on a trade-by-trade
basis.
CWA will generally recommend that Clients establish their account[s] at Fidelity Clearing &
Custody Solutions, a related entity of Fidelity Investments, Inc. (collectively “Fidelity”) or
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), FINRA-registered broker-dealers and members of
SIPC. In general, Fidelity and Schwab will serve as the Client’s “qualified custodians.” CWA is
independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with a Custodian. CWA maintains an
institutional relationship with Fidelity and Schwab, whereby the Advisor receives economic
benefits from Fidelity and Schwab. CWA participates in the institutional platforms at Schwab
and Fidelity and receives Client and investor referrals. Please see Item 14 below.
CWA considers the Custodian’s respective financial strength, reputation, execution, pricing,
research and service when providing a recommendation to a Client. CWA and Clients receive
some benefits from Schwab or Fidelity through participation in the institutional platforms and
referral programs, such as attainment of many mutual funds without transaction charges and
other securities at nominal transaction charges.
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
Soft dollars are revenue programs offered by broker-dealers/custodians whereby an advisor
enters into an agreement to place security trades with a broker-dealer/custodian in exchange
for research and other services. We do not participate in soft dollar programs sponsored or
offered by any broker- dealer/custodian except as permitted under the safe harbor rules. We
may receive certain economic benefits from our recommended custodians.
Directed Trading
The Client and its custodian may require the investment manager to direct security trades to a
particular broker or custodian. In such cases, neither the Advisor nor the investment manager
are able to negotiate commission rates or spreads and may not be able to obtain the same
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execution it receives for other Clients. Directed trades may not be able to be “bundled” with
other Clients’ orders and sometimes receive a less favorable price. This means that directed-
trade Clients may receive worse prices than non-directed Clients receive. Additionally, Clients
who direct trades to a particular broker or dealer may experience higher commissions, greater
spreads, or less favorable net prices than they would if the Advisor or investment manager[s]
were able to select brokers or dealers.
Order Aggregation
Transactions for each Client will generally be executed independently, unless the Advisor
decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several Clients at approximately the same
time. CWA can, but is not obligated to, combine or “batch” such orders to obtain best execution
and negotiate more favorable transaction rates. The Advisor may, but is not obligated to,
allocate equitably among its Clients, any differences in prices or other transaction costs that
might have been charged had such orders been placed independently. Under this procedure,
transactions will be averaged as to price and allocated pro rata to the purchase and sale orders
placed for each Client on any given day. To the extent that the Advisor aggregates Client
orders, we shall do so in accordance with applicable rules promulgated under the Advisers Act
and no-action guidance from the staff of the SEC.
The Advisor shall not receive any additional compensation or remuneration as result of Client
order aggregation. In the event that a pro-rated allocation is not appropriate under a particular
circumstance, an allocation to Client accounts will be made based upon other relevant factors,
which may include: (i) when small percentage of the order is executed, shares may be allocated
to the account with the smallest position or to an account that is out of line with respect to
security to sector weightings relative to other portfolios, with small mandates, (ii) allocations
may be given to one account when one account has limitations in its investment guidelines,
which prohibit it from purchasing other securities which are expected to produce similar
investment results and can be purchased by other accounts, (iii) if an account reaches an
investment guideline limit and cannot participate in an allocation, shares may be reallocated to
other accounts (this may be due to unforeseen changes in an account’s assets after an order is
placed), (iv) with respect to sale allocations, allocations may be given to accounts low in cash,
(v) in cases when a pro-rata allocation of a potential execution would result in a de minimis
allocation in one or more accounts, the Advisor may exclude the accounts(s) from the
allocation; the transactions may be executed on a pro rata basis among the remaining
accounts, or (vi) in cases where a small proportion of an order is executed in all accounts,
shares may be allocated to one or more accounts on a random basis.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
Client accounts are monitored on an ongoing basis by each Client’s financial advisor. A formal
review of each Client account is performed at least annually. Arrangements for additional
reviews are made on a case-by-case basis at the Client's request or as circumstances demand.
The Advisor will perform out of cycle reviews of Client accounts when conditions arise that
trigger a review. Examples of such conditions are changes in the tax laws, market events
and/or changes in a Client's financial situation.
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All Clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to notify the Advisor of any changes
to their investment objectives, liquidity needs, time horizons, risk tolerance or financial
situation.
Review Triggers
Other conditions that may trigger a review are changes in the tax laws, new investment and
economic information, or changes in a Client's situation.
Regular Reports
Clients receive statements (from either the Advisor and/or the account custodian), including
monthly activity statements, quarterly performance reporting and year-end tax reporting.
CWA offers Clients secure online access to reports as well as summarized updated values
of their portfolio. If utilized, the online report portal will show activity up to the previous
days’ market values. If a Client discovers any discrepancy in their information or positions
reflected on any report, they are encouraged to contact us immediately.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Referrals
CWA has been fortunate to receive many Client referrals over the years. These referrals
originate from current Clients, estate planning attorneys, employees, personal friends or
relatives of employees and other similar sources. CWA has also created a referral program
with various professionals, including independent certified public accounting firms, insurance
professional and attorneys in exchange for revenue sharing. We also participate in programs
with Fidelity and Schwab.
Institutional Advisor Platforms
Participation in Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions®
The Advisor participates in the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions® Program (the “WAS
Program”), through which the Advisor receives referrals from Fidelity Personal and Workplace
Advisors LLC (“FPWA”), a registered investment advisor and Fidelity Investments company.
The Advisor is independent and not affiliated with FPWA or any Fidelity Investments company.
FPWA does not supervise or control the Advisor, and FPWA has no responsibility or oversight
for the Advisor’s provision of investment management or other advisory services.
Under the WAS Program, FPWA acts as a solicitor for the Advisor, and the Advisor pays
referral fees to FPWA for each referral received based on the Advisor’s AUM attributable to
each Client referred by FPWA or members of each Client’s household. The WAS Program is
designed to help investors find an independent investment advisor, and any referral from
FPWA to the Advisor does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by FPWA of the
Advisor’s particular investment management services or strategies. More specifically, the
Advisor pays the following amounts to FPWA for referrals: the sum of: (i) an annual
percentage of 0.10% of any and all assets in Client accounts where such assets are identified
as “fixed income” assets by FPWA; and (ii) an annual percentage of 0.25% of all other assets
held in Client accounts. In addition, the Advisor has agreed to pay FPWA a minimum annual
fee amount in connection with its participation in the WAS Program. These referral fees are
paid by the Advisor and not the Client.
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To receive referrals from the WAS Program, the Advisor must meet certain minimum
participation criteria, but the Advisor may have been selected for participation in the WAS
Program as a result of its other business relationships with FPWA and its affiliates, including
Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC (“FBS”). As a result of its participation in the WAS Program,
the Advisor may have a potential conflict of interest with respect to its decision to use certain
affiliates of FPWA, including FBS, for execution, custody and clearing for certain Client
accounts, and the Advisor may have a potential incentive to suggest the use of FBS and its
affiliates to its advisory Clients, whether or not those Clients were referred to the Advisor as
part of the WAS Program. Under an agreement with FPWA, the Advisor has agreed that the
Advisor will not charge Clients more than the standard range of advisory fees disclosed in its
Form ADV Part 2A Brochure to cover solicitation fees paid to FPWA, as part of the WAS
Program. Pursuant to these arrangements, the Advisor has agreed not to solicit Clients to
transfer their brokerage accounts from affiliates of FPWA or establish brokerage accounts at
other custodians for referred Clients other than when the Advisor’s fiduciary duties would so
require, and the Advisor has agreed to pay FPWA a one-time fee equal to 0.75% of the assets
in a Client account that is transferred from FPWA’s affiliates to another custodian; therefore,
the Advisor may have an incentive to suggest that referred Clients and their household
members maintain custody of their accounts with affiliates of FPWA. However, participation in
the WAS Program does not limit the Advisor’s duty to select brokers on the basis of best
execution.
Schwab
CWA receives Client referrals from Schwab through CWA’s participation in Schwab Advisor
Network® (“the Service”). The Service is designed to help investors find an independent
investment advisor. Schwab is a broker-dealer independent of and unaffiliated with CWA.
Schwab does not supervise CWA and has no responsibility for CWA’s management of Clients’
portfolios or CWA’s other advice or services. CWA pays Schwab fees to receive referrals
through the Service. As a registered investment advisor participating in the Service, CWA
receives access to software and related support without cost because CWA renders
investment management services to Clients that maintain assets at Schwab. Services
provided by Schwab benefit CWA and many, but not all, services provided by Schwab will
benefit Clients. In fulfilling its duties to its Clients, the Advisor endeavors at all times to put the
interests of its Clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic
benefits from a custodian creates a potential conflict of interest since these benefits may
influence the Advisor's recommendation of this custodian over one that does not furnish
similar software, systems support, or services. CWA’s participation in the Service raises
potential conflicts of interest described below.
CWA pays Schwab a Participation Fee on all referred Client’s accounts that are maintained in
custody at Schwab and a separate one-time Transfer Fee on all accounts that are transferred
to another custodian. The Transfer Fee creates a conflict of interest that encourages CWA to
recommend that Client accounts be held in custody at Schwab. The Participation Fee paid by
CWA is a percentage of the value of the assets in the Client’s account. CWA pays Schwab the
Participation Fee for so long as the referred Client’s account remains in custody at Schwab.
The Participation Fee is paid by CWA and not by the Client. CWA has agreed not to charge
Clients referred through the Service fees or costs greater than the fees or costs CWA charges
Clients with similar portfolios who were not referred through the Service.
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The Participation and Transfer Fees are based on assets in accounts of CWA’s Clients who
were referred by Schwab and those referred Clients’ family members living in the same
household. Thus, CWA will have incentives to recommend that accounts and household
members of Clients referred through the Service maintain custody of their accounts at Schwab.
For accounts of CWA’s Clients maintained in custody at Schwab, Schwab generally does not
charge the Client separately for custody but receives compensation from CWA Clients in the
form of commissions or other transaction-related compensation on securities trades Schwab
executes for a Client’s accounts. Clients also pay Schwab a fee for clearance and settlement of
trades executed through broker dealers other than Schwab. Schwab’s fees for trades executed
at other Custodians are in addition to the other Custodian fees. Thus, CWA may have an
incentive to cause trades to be executed through Schwab rather than another broker. CWA,
nevertheless, acknowledges its duty to seek best execution of trades for Client accounts.
Trades for Clients’ accounts held in custody at Schwab may be executed through a different
Custodian than trades for CWA’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 custodians.
Services that Benefit the Client – Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access to a
broad range of investment products, execution of securities transactions, and custody of
Client’s funds and securities. Through Schwab, the Advisor may be able to access certain
investments and asset classes that the Client would not be able to obtain directly or through
other sources. Further, the Advisor may be able to invest in certain mutual funds and other
investments without having to adhere to investment minimums that might be required if the
Client were to directly access the investments.
Services that May Indirectly Benefit the Client – Schwab provides participating advisors with
access to technology, research, discounts and other services. In addition, the Advisor receives
duplicate statements for Client accounts, the ability to deduct advisory fees, trading tools, and
back office support services as part of its relationship with Schwab. These services are
intended to assist the Advisor in effectively managing accounts for its Clients but may not
directly benefit all Clients.
Services that May Only Benefit the Advisor – Schwab also offers other services to CWA that
may not benefit the Client. The services offered by Schwab include educational conferences
and events, financial start-up support, consulting services, and discounts for various service
providers. Were CWA to utilize any of these services, it may create a financial incentive for the
Advisor to recommend Schwab, which results in a potential conflict of interest. CWA believes,
however, that any recommendation of Schwab as Custodian is in the best interests of its
Clients.
Other Incoming Referrals
The Advisor may pay referral fees to unaffiliated consultants, independent contractors,
registered investment advisors, certified public accounting firms and other independent
persons or firms (“Promoters”) for introducing Clients to the Advisor, for either a fixed amount
or a percentage of advisory fees.
Whenever the Advisor pays a referral fee, the Advisor requires the Promoter to provide, at the
time of referral, the prospective Client with a copy of this document (our Disclosure Brochure)
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and a separate disclosure statement that includes the following:
• the Promoter’s name and relationship with the Advisor;
• the fact that the Promoter is being paid a referral fee by the Advisor;
• the amount of the fee paid or to be paid by the Advisor; and
• Whether the fees paid to the Advisor by the Client will be increased above the Advisor’s
normal fee in order to compensate the Promoter.
CWA makes a bona fide effort to determine whether the Promoter has complied with our
agreement, so that we have a reasonable basis for believing the Promoter provided the
required disclosures. CWA will not charge a higher fee for services for Clients referred to the
Advisor.
Referrals Out
The Advisor does not accept referral fees or any form of remuneration from other
professionals when a prospect or Client is referred to the professional.
Item 15. Custody
All Clients must place their assets with a “qualified custodian”. Clients are required to engage
the custodian to retain their funds and securities and direct CWA to utilize the custodian for the
Client’s security transactions. Clients should review statements provided by the custodian and
compare them to any reports provided by CWA to ensure accuracy, as the Custodian does not
perform this review.
If the Client gives CWA authority to move money from one account to another account, we
have custody of those assets. In order to avoid additional regulatory requirements in these
cases, the custodian and CWA have adopted safeguards to ensure that the money movements
are completed in accordance with the Client’s instructions.
For certain engagements, the Advisor is deemed to have custody pursuant to Rule 206(4)-2
of the Advisers Act. For all such Client accounts: (i) the Advisor will obtain an annual surprise
examination from an independent accounting firm; (ii) Client assets are held at qualified
custodian[s] of a Client’s choosing, who shall provide account statements directly to Clients,
at least quarterly; and (iii) the Advisor will provide to each Client an account statement[s] at
least quarterly, enabling Clients to compare such information to their custody statements. The
Advisor has an independent public accountant perform an audit of each pooled investment
vehicle managed by the Advisor and will distribute the audited financial statements to each
investor in the pooled investment vehicle.
Any related opinions issued by an independent accounting firm are filed with the SEC and are
publicly available on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website
(http://adviserinfo.sec.gov).
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Item 16. Investment Discretion
Discretionary Authority for Trading
Discretionary authority allows us to determine which securities and the quantity of securities to
be bought or sold, and the broker-dealer to be used. Generally, a Client grants the Advisor
discretion over the assets held and managed by those third-party investment managers, funds
or securities recommended by the Advisor. The Client may, however, withhold discretion or
place reasonable limitations on the Advisor’s and/or investment manager’s discretion. For
example, a Client may specify that the percentage of their overall portfolio to be allocated to
any one particular investment manager, or investment strategy, or a specific type of security,
sector or industry may not exceed a certain limit. For assets designated to third-party
managers, CWA may be granted discretionary authority to replace the third-party manager, and
the third-party manager is granted authority to purchase and sell securities they select and
deem appropriate.
Non-Discretionary Authority for Trading
Under limited circumstances, the Advisor may manage accounts on a non-discretionary basis.
In these instances, the Advisor provides recommendations to Clients and, if recommendations
are approved, the Advisor will implement them in accordance with the Client’s instructions.
Directing the brokerage activities solely to the custodian and at the sole instruction of the Client
may result in the loss of best execution of orders at the most favorable prices reasonably
obtainable.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
Proxy Voting
Generally, Clients are expected to vote their own proxies. Clients may also delegate such
authority to the investment managers they hire on the recommendation of the Advisor. In cases,
where Client assets are held in pooled investment vehicles (e.g., mutual funds, private funds),
the investment manager to each such pooled investment vehicles, shall retain proxy voting
authority. Clients will receive their proxy notices and solicitations directly from the Custodian or
transfer agent. On rare occasions, CWA may share its thoughts to all Clients regarding a proxy
vote, if it deems such communication beneficial to assisting its Clients.
In cases where the Advisor is the investment manager for a CWA Fund, the Advisor shall vote
proxies in the best economic interests of the CWA Fund and in accordance with our established
policies and procedures. The Advisor will retain all proxy voting books and records for the
requisite period of time, including a copy of each proxy statement received, a record of each
vote cast, and a copy of any document created by us that was material to making a decision
how to vote proxies.
From time to time, conflicts may arise with regard to how the Advisor should vote or abstain a
particular proxy vote. Generally, in such cases the Chair of the IOC and the CCO will be
notified. If a true conflict is identified, a meeting of the IOC will be called to order to review the
conflict and determine how the proxy will be voted in a Client’s best interests. If requested, the
CCO will advise with senior management and if necessary, outside legal counsel, and provide
guidance to the IOC. The CIO and IOC will weigh all factors affecting these constituents and
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exercise their fiduciary obligation in accordance with the economic best interest of all
concerned to the best of its ability.
We will neither advise nor act in legal proceedings involving companies whose securities are
held in the Client’s account[s], including, but not limited to, the filing of "Proofs of Claim" in class
action settlements. If desired, when the Advisor acts as investment manager, Clients may direct
us to transmit copies of class action notices to them or a third party. Upon such direction, we
will make commercially reasonable efforts to forward such notices in a timely manner. Clients
can obtain a copy of our complete proxy voting policies and procedures by contacting the
Advisor by telephone at (617) 428-7600, or by email at: compliance@cwadvisorsgroup.com or
in writing to CW Advisors, LLC, 155 Seaport Blvd, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02210. If applicable,
Clients may request, in writing, information on how proxies for his/her shares were voted.
Class Actions
The Advisor does not advise or act for Clients in any legal proceedings, including
bankruptcies or class actions, involving securities held or previously held in a Client’s
Account.
Item 18. Financial Information
Financial Condition
The Advisor does not have any financial impairment that will preclude the Advisor from
meeting contractual commitments to Clients. Neither the Advisor, nor any of its Advisory
Persons, has been subject to bankruptcy or financial compromise. A balance sheet is not
required to be provided because the Advisor does not serve as a custodian for Client funds or
securities and does not require prepayment of fees of more than $1,200 per Client, and six
months or more in advance. Therefore, financial information is not required to be disclosed in
this section.
CWA maintains discretionary authority for Client accounts and is required to disclose any
financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet our contractual
commitments to Clients. CWA has no such conditions to report. We have never been subject
to a bankruptcy petition at any time during our history.
Privacy
The trust and confidence of our customers is important to the Advisor. For this reason, we are
careful in the way we collect and handle non-public, personal information about our Clients
(“Client Information”).
Information We Collect
We may collect Client Information from the following sources:
•
Information we receive on contracts or other forms, such as name, address, date of birth,
and social security number
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•
•
Information relating to transactions with us, our affiliates and others, such as the
purchase and sale of securities and account balances
Information we receive from third parties, such as custodians, brokers and financial
services firms, as required or permitted by law
Information We Disclose
We disclose Client Information about our present or former Clients to third parties only to the
extent required or permitted by law. Such sharing of Client Information is applied to:
• Everyday business purposes such as processing transactions, maintaining and or
servicing your account
• Cooperating with regulatory authorities, responding to court orders and legal
investigations
• Taking reasonable and necessary steps to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions, etc.
Opting-Out
The information we disclose is limited, and essential to servicing your account, protecting your
privacy and meeting obligations under state and federal law. We do not disclose Client
Information requiring a notice to you for limiting such disclosure, otherwise known as “opting-
out”. However, should we wish to disclose additional Client Information of yours, we will only do
so with your written permission as discussed below.
Opt-In Process for Sharing Additional Client Information
In response to a Massachusetts law, Clients must “opt-in” to share non-public personal
information with non-affiliated third parties before any personal information is disclosed. Client
opt-in is obtained through the Client’s execution of authorization forms provided by the third
parties, by executing an Information Sharing Authorization Form, or by other written consent by
the Client, as appropriate and consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Our current business practices require us to obtain your affirmative written permission before
we disclose any Client Information outside of what is discussed above in the “Information We
Disclose” section of this notice. In the event we wish to share such additional Client Information,
we will provide you with an Opt-In form describing the additional Client Information we seek to
share, with whom we wish to share it with and for what purpose. Until such form is received by
us from you, indicating your permission, such additional Client Information about you will not be
shared.
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