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Item 1 – Cover Page
Duncan Williams Asset
Management, LLC
5350 Poplar Avenue,
Suite 600
Memphis, Tennessee 38119
(901) 435-4250
www.dwassetmgmt.com
Date of Brochure: March 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Duncan Williams
Asset Management, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us
at (901) 435-4250. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Duncan Williams Asset Management, LLC., is also available on the Internet at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can view information on this website by searching for Duncan Williams
Asset Management’s name or by using the firm’s CRD number which is: 174809.
*Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
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Item 2 Material Changes
Since our last annual update was filed in March 2023, the following material changes have been made:
No new material changes
We will ensure that you receive a summary of material changes, if any, to this and subsequent disclosure
brochures within 120 days after our fiscal year ends. Our fiscal year ends on December 31 so you will receive
the summary of material changes, if any, no later than April 30 each year. At that time, we will also offer a
copy of the most current disclosure brochure. We may also provide other ongoing disclosure information
about material changes as necessary.
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Item 3 – Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 Material Changes ................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 – Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ 3
Item 4 – Advisory Business ............................................................................................................................... 5
Ownership ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
General Description of Primary Advisory Services ......................................................................................... 5
Financial Planning Services (Plans and Consultations) .............................................................................. 5
Retirement Plan Services ............................................................................................................................ 5
Conflicts of Interest Notice Regarding IRA Rollovers from a Qualified Employer Sponsored Retirement
Plan ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Asset Management Services ...................................................................................................................... 6
Investment Consulting Services .................................................................................................................. 7
Referrals to Third Party Money Managers .................................................................................................. 7
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™/IMAGINE .............................................................................................. 7
Item 5 Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................................. 8
Limits Advice on Certain Types of Investments .......................................................................................... 8
Tailor Advisory Services to Individual Needs of Clients .............................................................................. 9
Portfolio Management Program versus Wrap-Fee Program ...................................................................... 9
Client Assets Managed by Advisor ............................................................................................................. 9
Item 5– Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................................... 10
Financial Planning Services ...................................................................................................................... 10
Financial Plans .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Consultations............................................................................................................................................. 10
Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Fee Offset .................................................................................................................................................. 11
Termination ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Retirement Plan Services .......................................................................................................................... 11
Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Asset Management Services ........................................................................................................................ 12
Duncan Williams Asset Management Select Account Program ................................................................ 13
Duncan Williams Asset Management Model Portfolio Account Program ...................................................... 13
Institutional Cash Management Program .................................................................................................. 13
Duncan Williams Asset Management Independent Money Manager Program ........................................ 14
Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Investment Consulting Services ................................................................................................................ 15
Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™/IMAGINE ............................................................................................ 15
Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Ancillary Services ...................................................................................................................................... 15
DWAM may provide additional services ancillary to our primary services of providing investment advice,
such as providing consolidated reporting equal to .05% (5 bps) of the value of the Other Assets (the
“Reporting Fee”). The Reporting Fee is billed on a quarterly basis, in advance, at the same time and in
the same manner as the Management Fee. ............................................................................................. 15
Termination ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Additional Compensation .......................................................................................................................... 18
Fee Householding ..................................................................................................................................... 18
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Item 6– Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management............................................................... 18
Item 7 – Types of Clients ................................................................................................................................ 18
Minimum Investment Amounts Required ................................................................................................... 19
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ......................................................... 19
Methods of Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 19
Fundamental Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 19
Technical Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 19
Charting ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Cyclical Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 20
Investment Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 20
Risk of Loss ............................................................................................................................................... 20
Item 9– Disciplinary Information ...................................................................................................................... 21
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .......................................................................... 21
Third-Party Money Managers .................................................................................................................... 22
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading .................................... 22
Code of Ethics ........................................................................................................................................... 22
Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ....................................................................... 22
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices........................................................................................................................ 23
The Custodian and Brokers We Use ........................................................................................................ 23
How We Select Brokers/Custodians ......................................................................................................... 23
Your Custody and Brokerage Costs ......................................................................................................... 23
Products and Services Available to Us from Schwab and Fidelity ........................................................... 24
Services that Benefit You .......................................................................................................................... 25
Services that May Not Directly Benefit You. ............................................................................................. 25
Services that Generally Benefit Only Us ................................................................................................... 26
Our Interest in Schwab’s Services ............................................................................................................ 26
Best Execution .......................................................................................................................................... 27
Handling of Trade Errors ........................................................................................................................... 27
Aggregate Trading .................................................................................................................................... 28
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................................ 28
Account Reviews ....................................................................................................................................... 28
Account Reports ........................................................................................................................................ 28
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation ...................................................................................... 28
Other Compensation ................................................................................................................................. 28
Item 15 – Custody ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ...................................................................................................................... 29
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................................... 30
Item 18 – Financial Information....................................................................................................................... 30
Item 19 - Additional Information ...................................................................................................................... 30
Customer Privacy Notice ........................................................................................................................... 31
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
Ownership
Duncan Williams Asset Management, LLC (“DWAM” or “Advisor” or “we”) became an investment advisor
registered with the SEC in February 2015. We are a Delaware Limited Liability Company headquartered
in Memphis, Tennessee. Duncan F. Williams owns a controlling membership interest in DWAM.
General Description of Primary Advisory Services
We offer personalized investment advisory services including financial planning, retirement plan services,
services, including institutional cash management,
institutional client consulting, asset management
referrals to third party money managers, and real estate coaching. The following are brief descriptions of
our primary services. A detailed description is provided in Item 5, Fees and Compensation, so that
clients and prospective clients (“clients” or “you”) can review the services and description of fees more
thoroughly.
Financial Planning Services (Plans and Consultations)
Financial planning can be described as helping individuals determine and set their long-term financial
goals, through investments, tax planning, asset allocation, risk management, retirement planning and
other areas. The role of a financial planner is to find ways to help clients understand their overall financial
situation and help them set financial objectives.
We offer advisory services in the form of financial plans and consultations. These services do not involve
actively managing your accounts. Instead, comprehensive planning services focus on your overall
financial situation. Modular planning services and consultations focus on specific areas of concern to
you.
Retirement Plan Services
Duncan Williams Asset Management offers retirement plan services to retirement plan sponsors. These
services can include, but are not limited to:
Investment due diligence including review and analysis of choices offered by custodian;
• Retirement plan evaluation/search;
• Development /review of investment policy statement;
•
• Performance measurement and reporting;
• Fiduciary services;
• Consult on a one-on-one basis with Plan Participants;
• Employee education; and
• Fee analysis
We offer Non-Discretionary Investment Advisory Services, Discretionary Investment Management Services,
and Administrative Services (each a form of “Retirement Plan Services”) that are designed to assist plan
sponsors of employee benefit plans (“Sponsor(s)”). When providing any Non-Discretionary Investment
Advisory Service, we will solely be making investment recommendations to the Sponsor and the Sponsor
retains full discretionary authority or control over assets of the Plan. We agree to perform any Non-
Discretionary Investment Advisory Service to the Plan, as a fiduciary, as defined in ERISA Section
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3(21)(A)(ii)k, and will act in good faith and with the degree of diligence, care and skill that a prudent person
rendering similar services would exercise under similar circumstances.
When providing any Discretionary Investment Management Service, we will be exercising discretionary
authority or control over assets of the Plan. We will have full power and authority to select, monitor, remove
and replace the investment options offered under the Plan. We agree to perform Discretionary Investment
Management Services to the Plan as a fiduciary under ERISA Section 3(38) and will act with the degree of
diligence, care and skill that a prudent person rendering similar services would exercise under similar
circumstances. Under this arrangement, this discretionary authority is specifically granted to us by the Plan
Sponsor, as specified in the Retirement Agreement.
When providing any Administrative Service, we may support the Sponsor with Plan Governance and
Committee Education, Vendor Management and Service Provider Selection and Review, Investment
Education or provide Plan Participant Non-Fiduciary Education Services. We agree to perform any
Administrative Service solely in a capacity that would not be considered a fiduciary under ERISA or any other
applicable law.
In the event a client contracts with DWAM for one-on-one consulting services with plan participants, such
services do not involve the Firm implementing recommendations in individual participant accounts. It will be
the responsibility of each participant to implement changes in their individual accounts.
Conflicts of Interest Notice Regarding IRA Rollovers from a Qualified Employer Sponsored
Retirement Plan
A client or prospective client leaving an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement
plan (and may engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former employer’s
plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are
permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value
(which could, depending upon the client’s age, result in adverse tax consequences). If DWAM
recommends that a client roll over their retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by DWAM,
such a recommendation creates a conflict of interest if DWAM will earn an advisory fee on the rolled over
assets. No client is under any obligation to rollover retirement plan assets to an account managed by
DWAM.
Asset Management Services
We offer both discretionary and non-discretionary asset management services providing you with
continuous and ongoing supervision over your accounts. As part of our Asset Management Service, a
portfolio is created, consisting of individual stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, options, mutual funds,
brokered cd’s, alternative investment funds, and fee-based annuities, where appropriate. Depending on the
engagement, these services can also include real estate coaching. The client’s individual investment
strategy is tailored to their specific needs and may include some or all of the previously mentioned securities.
Portfolios will be designed to meet a particular investment goal. Once the appropriate portfolio has been
determined, portfolios are continuously and regularly monitored and if necessary, rebalanced based on the
client’s individual needs, stated goals or objectives.
Institutional cash management may also be offered as part of our asset management services. This strategy
utilizes brokered CD ladders with staggered maturity ranges that may offer more liquidity with competitive
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rates. These services are provided through Schwab’s fixed income trading desk.
Investment Consulting Services
Duncan Williams Asset Management also provides investment consulting services on accounts that may
or may not be managed or maintained by our firm. If we do not have trading authorization or direct access to
the accounts under this service, all trade implementation will be the responsibility of the client.
Referrals to Third Party Money Managers
We offer advisory services by referring clients to outside, or unaffiliated, money managers that are
registered or exempt from registration as investment advisers. Third-party money managers are
responsible for continuously monitoring client accounts and making trades in client accounts when
necessary. Prior to referring clients, our firm will provide initial due diligence on third party money managers
and ongoing reviews of their management of client accounts. In order to assist in the selection of a third-party
money manager, our firm will gather client information pertaining to financial situation, investment objectives,
and reasonable restrictions to be imposed upon the management of the account. Our firm will communicate
information to third party money managers as warranted, and assist the client in understanding and evaluating
the services provided by the third party money manager. Clients will be expected to notify our firm of any
changes in their financial situation, investment objectives, or account restrictions that could affect their
financial standing.
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™/IMAGINE
We offer an automated investment program (the “Program”), branded as IMAGINE, through which clients
are invested in a range of investment strategies we have constructed and manage, each consisting of a
portfolio of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and a cash allocation. The client may instruct us to exclude up
to three ETFs from their portfolio. The client’s portfolio is held in a brokerage account opened by the client
at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“CS&Co”). We use the Institutional Intelligent Portfolios® platform
(“Platform”), offered by Schwab Performance Technologies (“SPT”), a software provider to independent
investment advisors and an affiliate of CS&Co., to operate the Program. We are independent of and not
owned by, affiliated with, or sponsored or supervised by SPT, CS&Co., or their affiliates (together, “Schwab”).
We, and not Schwab, are the client’s investment advisor and primary point of contact with respect to the
Program. We are solely responsible, and Schwab is not responsible, for determining the appropriateness of
the Program for the client, choosing a suitable investment strategy and portfolio for the client’s investment
needs and goals, and managing that portfolio on an ongoing basis. Schwab is not responsible to the client
for the Program, any portfolio, wash sales or other tax consequences of tax-loss harvesting, or DWAM’s
suspension or resumption of trading in the client’s account. SPT’s role is limited to delivering the Program
Disclosure Brochure to clients and administering the Program so that it operates as described in the Program
Disclosure Brochure.
We have contracted with SPT to provide us with the platform, which consists of technology and related
trading and account management services for the Program. The platform enables us to make the Program
available to clients online and includes a system that automates certain key parts of our investment process
(the “System”). The System includes an online questionnaire that helps us determine the client’s investment
objectives and risk tolerance and select an appropriate investment strategy and portfolio. Clients should
note that we will recommend a portfolio via the System in response to the client’s answers to the online
questionnaire. The client may then indicate an interest in a portfolio that is one level less or more
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conservative or aggressive than the recommended portfolio, but we then make the final decision and select
a portfolio based on all the information we have about the client. The System also includes an automated
investment engine through which we manage the client’s portfolio on an ongoing basis through automatic
rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting (if the client is eligible and elects).
We do not receive a portion of a wrap fee for our services to clients through the Program. Clients do not pay
fees to SPT in connection with the Program, but we charge clients a fee for our services as described below
under
Item 5 Fees and Compensation
Our fees are not set or supervised by Schwab. Clients do not pay brokerage commissions or any other fees
to CS&Co as part of the Program. Schwab does receive other revenues in connection with the Program, as
described in the Program Disclosure Brochure.
We do not pay SPT fees for its services in the Program so long as we maintain $100 million in client assets
in accounts at CS&Co that are not enrolled in the Program. If we do not meet this condition, then we pay
SPT an annual licensing fee of 0.10% (10 basis points) on the value of our clients’ assets in the Program.
This fee arrangement gives us an incentive to recommend or require that our clients with accounts not
enrolled in the Program be maintained with CS&Co.
Limits Advice on Certain Types of Investments
We offer investment advice to clients on the following types of investments:
Exchange-listed securities
Securities traded over-the-counter
Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
Commercial paper
Certificates of deposit
Municipal securities
Variable life insurance
Variable annuities
Mutual fund shares
Exchange Traded Funds
Unit Investment Trusts
United States government securities
Option contracts on securities
Interests in partnerships investing in real estate and real estate holdings
Interests in hedge funds
Fixed Indexed Annuities
However, we reserve the right to offer advice on any investment product that may be suitable for each
client’s specific circumstances, needs, goals and objectives. Please also see Item 5, Fees and
Compensation, for additional information about portfolio holdings in managed accounts.
Please refer to Item 8 , Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss for more
information.
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Tailor Advisory Services to Individual Needs of Clients
Our services are always provided based on your specific needs. You have the ability to impose restrictions
on your accounts, including specific investment selections and sectors. However, we will not enter into
an investment advisory relationship with a prospective client whose investment objectives may be
considered incompatible with our investment philosophy or strategies or where the prospective client seeks
to impose unduly restrictive investment guidelines.
You have sole discretion about whether or not to contract for our services. In addition, you have sole
discretion about whether or not to implement any recommendations made by our representatives. If you
do decide to implement recommendations, you are responsible for taking any actions or implementing
any transactions required. You are free to select any broker/dealer and/or insurance agent to implement
our recommendations.
Portfolio Management Program versus Wrap-Fee Program
We offer services through both traditional portfolio management and wrap-fee management programs.
In a traditional portfolio management program, advisory services are provided for a fee but transaction
services (fees associated with the purchase and sale of securities for your account) are billed separately
on a per-transaction basis. Under our wrap-fee management programs, our advisory services (including
portfolio management or advice regarding selecting other advisors) and
transaction services are
provided for one fee.
For suitability purposes, each investment in each account is reviewed according to investment objectives,
risk tolerance and overall net worth. Investments are recommended as part of a holistic wealth
management approach to asset allocation for accounts within a wrap-fee program. The essential difference
between transactional accounts and those under management in a wrap-fee program is the way in
which transaction services are paid.
Client Assets Managed by Advisor
The amount of clients’ assets managed by Advisor totaled $2,163,085,456 as of December 31, 2024, with
$2,028,958,988 managed on a discretionary basis, and $134,126,468 managed on a non-discretionary
basis.
Form ADV’s instructions on calculating assets under management in Part I of the Form ADV only permits
assets managed on a non-discretionary basis to be included if we are responsible for executing the purchase
and sale of the securities we recommend. We are engaged by sponsors of 401(k) accounts to regularly
provide management advice on a non-discretionary basis, and if our recommendations are selected, we are
responsible for modifying the menu of available investment options for the plan participants. However, we
do not execute individual securities transactions on behalf of 401(k) participants. We consider these 401(k)
Plan client assets in calculating our total assets under advisement since we regularly provide investment
advice on a non-discretionary basis with respect to these assets.
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Item 5– Fees and Compensation
In addition to the information in Item 4 , Advisory Business, this section provides additional details
regarding our services along with descriptions of each service’s fees and compensation arrangements.
Financial Planning Services
Financial Plans
We offer written financial plans that can be either modular or comprehensive. Financial plans take into
consideration your objectives, risk tolerances, investment knowledge, net worth, income, age, projected
retirement, unusual or material funding requirements, inheritance possibilities, pensions, Social Security,
children/relative funding issues, estate issues and living expenses expressed in today’s dollars requested
for retirement. Our investment advisor representatives (“representatives”) meet with you to gather
information and documentation needed to perform an analysis and review of your situation as well as
your objectives and goals. One or more meetings may be required in order to gather all needed
information and determine the services best suited to help meet your needs.
We rely on the information provided by you. Therefore, it is very important that the information you
provide is complete and accurate. We are not responsible for verifying the information supplied by you.
Our services do not include legal or tax advice. You are also urged to work closely with your attorney,
accountant or other professionals regarding your financial and personal situation.
After completing a review and analysis of the information and documents received, our representatives
develop their analyses and recommendations and present either a comprehensive or modular
(segmented) written financial plan, as requested. A comprehensive plan focuses on your overall financial
situation and covers several of the areas previously noted, as needed by your specific situation. A
modular (segmented) plan focuses only on one or more specific area(s) of concern, and you should be
aware that other important issues may not be taken into consideration when our representatives develop
their analyses and recommendations relative to actions and investment strategies designed to attain your
goals and objectives.
Consultations
If you do not desire a written financial plan, you can contract with us for consultations concerning any
topic(s) of interest or concern to you. This can include non-securities advice as well. Consultations can
be provided on a one-time basis or on an ongoing basis, as needed by you. You determine the length of
consultations needed.
Fees
Fees for financial planning services can be billed on either a fixed or an hourly basis. All fees are
negotiable based upon the actual services provided and your specific personal and financial situation.
The minimum fixed fee charged is $250, and the maximum generally does not exceed $5,000. We disclose
the fixed fee charge to you before providing any services. Hourly fees are charged at the rate of up
10
to $250 per hour with a minimum of one hour charged, with no maximum fee. We provide you with
an estimate of the hours needed to provide the requested service. If we later determine that the actual
time will exceed the estimate given, we contact you for authorization prior to providing any additional
services. Fees are due upon receipt of our detailed billing statement.
Fee Offset
If you choose to implement our recommendations through our other advisory services described in this
Disclosure Brochure, we may waive and/or reduce the financial planning fees as a result of earning
additional advisory fees. Any adjustment to the financial planning fee is at our discretion and is disclosed
to you prior to implementing any transactions or contracting for additional services.
Termination
Financial planning services terminate upon presentation of the financial plan or completion of the
consultation services. Either party may terminate services at any time by submitting written notice to all
appropriate parties. Termination is effective immediately and there are no fees due and no penalty
imposed. In addition, the entire financial planning fee due, in most circumstances, is waived if you are not
satisfied with the financial plan prepared by us. However, in these cases, we retain intellectual property
rights over the financial plan prepared and the plan must be returned to us.
Retirement Plan Services
We also offer consultation services to retirement plan sponsors. These services can include, but are not
limited to:
Investment due diligence including review and analysis of choices offered by custodian;
• Retirement plan evaluation/search;
• Development/review of investment policy statement;
•
• Performance measurement and reporting;
• Fiduciary services
• Employee education; and
• Fee analysis.
Except for the informational employee education meetings, the available services under Non-Discretionary
Investment Advisory Services are considered fiduciary consulting services. Fiduciary consulting services
are not management services, and we do not serve as administrator or trustee of the plan. We do not act
as the custodian for any account or have access to client funds or securities. For fiduciary consulting
services, all recommendations of investment options are submitted to the plan sponsor for ultimate
approval or rejection. For retirement plan fiduciary consulting services, the retirement plan sponsor or the
plan participant who elects to implement any recommendations made by us is ultimately responsible for
implementing all transactions.
Discretionary Investment Management Services are available where we will be exercising discretionary
authority or control over assets of the Plan. We will have full power and authority to select, monitor,
remove and replace the investment options offered under the Plan.
Fees
In consideration for the above services, Client is charged a quarterly fee. The fee charged to Client is
negotiable based upon the complexity of the plan, the size of the plan assets, the actual services
requested and the potential for additional deposits. Advisor has also taken into consideration special
situations or conflicts of interest where charging a fee to Client is prohibited under ERISA laws.
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Described below, the quarterly fee for Retirement Plan Services under the Agreement is charged
based upon the amount of Plan assets:
Value of Plan Assets
Fee Amount (In Basis Points, or bps; 1bp
= .01%)
For Plan Assets Up to $999,999
100 bps
For Plan Assets from $1,000,000 - $2,499,999
For Plan Assets from $2,500,000 -$4,999,999
For Plan Assets from $5,000,000-$9,999,999
85 bps
75 bps
65 bps
For Plan Assets over $10,000,000
50 bps
Advisor’s Retirement Plan Services fees are billed in advance (at the start of the billing period) on a
quarterly calendar basis and calculated based on the fair market value of the Plan as of the last business
day of the p r e v i o u s billing period. Fees are prorated (based on the number of days service is provided
during the initial billing period) for an account opened at any time other than the beginning of the billing
period.
Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the quarterly fee as calculated above does not exceed the
minimum amount described below, then the quarterly fee will equal the minimum amount described
below.
Minimum Amount
$1,250 per calendar quarter or $5,000 per year
Clients can elect to have the fee deducted from their account or billed directly and due upon receipt of the
billing notice. If clients elect to have the fee automatically deducted from an existing account, they are
required to provide the custodian with written authorization to deduct the fees from the account and pay
the fees to Duncan Williams Asset Management. We will provide the custodian with a fee notification
statement.
Asset Management Services
Some of our clients elect to engage us to provide fee-based asset management services where we are
solely responsible for making all investment recommendations and also for making changes to the
managed account. If you elect to engage us for this service, we develop an individualized investment
program for your account(s). When managing assets, we may also utilize investment managers who
provide discretionary management of individual portfolios. Asset management services are separate from
and in addition to the financial planning services previously discussed.
To provide these services, we need to obtain certain information from you to determine your financial
situation and investment objectives. At least annually, we contact you to determine whether your financial
situation or investment objectives have changed. You have the ability to impose reasonable restrictions
on the management of your accounts, including the ability to instruct us not to purchase certain
securities. Your beneficial interest in a security does not represent an undivided interest in all the securities
held by the custodian, but rather represents a direct and beneficial interest in the securities which
comprise the account. A separate account is maintained for you with the custodian and you retain right
of ownership of the account (e.g., the right to withdraw securities or cash, exercise or delegate proxy voting
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and receive transaction confirmations).
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. provides us with technology to assist with order entry, account viewing and
account tracking of the DWAM programs. With respect to accounts utilizing t h i s technology, Schwab
is responsible for delivering clearing and custody services and providing statements and confirms
through a clearing and custody arrangement with us. We are not affiliated with Schwab. Schwab
maintains custody of all Program assets and neither we nor our representatives act as custodian of your
account or have direct access to your funds and/or securities.
There is a $50,000 minimum account value required to establish a DWAM account, although we may
grant exceptions on a case by case basis at our sole discretion. Our clients are permitted to bundle
household accounts to reach the minimum.
Duncan Williams Asset Management Select Account Program
DWAM’s Select Account Program is a program where portfolio management services are provided by
DWAM to the client on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis for a management fee based on the
value of the account (as described further below). As a discretionary account, DWAM is not required
to contact the client prior to each transaction. As a non-discretionary account the client retains final
decision-making authority with respect to all transactions. In bo th c as es , DWAM and t h e client will
work together to develop an investment strategy. DWAM will monitor the account to ensure it remains
consistent with the investment strategy and
that the strategy remains appropriate. Please see Item 16,
Investment Discretion, for additional information on discretionary and non-discretionary authority.
Additional Services:
• Recommendation of customized asset allocation;
• Recommendations by the financial advisor to invest, reinvest, sell or retain assets, if appropriate;
• Ongoing monitoring of the account by the financial advisor;
• Advice by DWAM on the client’s proposed unsolicited transactions;
• Investing, reinvesting, selling or retaining assets at the DWAM’s sole discretion, based on client investment
questionnaire in Exhibit B of the Investment Advisory Agreement;
• Ongoing monitoring and security selection by DWAM;
• Development of customized asset allocation; and
• Rebalancing of the securities as needed to conform to the investment allocations and/or for
deposits/withdrawals.
Duncan Williams Asset Management Model Portfolio Account Program
DWAM’s Model Portfolio Account Program is a program where portfolio management services are provided
by DWAM to the client on a discretionary basis for a management fee based on the value of the account.
The advisor will help the client choose one of five model portfolios (Conservative, Balanced, Moderate
Growth, Growth and Aggressive) that vary in risk and return objectives. These portfolios are managed in
house by the DWAM Investment Committee. The advisor and client will work together to identify and
implement an appropriate investment strategy. The Investment Management Group (“IMG”) will monitor
each model portfolio to ensure it remains consistent with its intended risk and return goals. The advisor will
work with the client to ensure that the client’s personal investment strategy remains consistent with the
selected portfolio. As a discretionary account, DWAM is not required to contact the client prior to each
transaction. Please see Item 16, Investment Discretion, for additional information on discretionary authority.
Institutional Cash Management Program
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DWAM’s Institutional Cash Management Program is a program where portfolio management services are
provided by utilizing brokered CD ladders with staggered maturity ranges. DWAM offers this service to the
client on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis for a management fee based on the value of the account
(as described further below). Please see Item 16, Investment Discretion, for additional information on
discretionary and non-discretionary authority.
Duncan Williams Asset Management Independent Money Manager Program
DWAM’s Independent Money Manager Program provides the client access to select third-party asset
managers (“managers”). DWAM may recommend certain managers to actively manage a portion of its
clients’ assets. The specific terms and conditions under which a client engages a manager will be set forth
in a separate written agreement with the designated manager. In addition to this brochure, clients will also
receive the written disclosure documents of the respective managers engaged to manage their assets.
DWAM evaluates a variety of information about managers, which may include the managers’ public
disclosure documents, materials supplied by the managers themselves and other third-party analyses it
believes are reputable. To the extent possible, DWAM seeks to assess the managers’ investment
strategies, past performance and risk results in relation to its clients’ individual portfolio allocations and risk
exposure. DWAM also takes into consideration each manager’s management style, returns, reputation,
financial strength, reporting, pricing and research capabilities, among other factors. DWAM continues to
provide services relative to the discretionary selection of the managers. On an ongoing basis, DWAM
monitors the performance of those accounts being managed by managers. DWAM seeks to ensure the
mangers’ strategies and target allocations remain aligned with its clients’ investment objectives and overall
best interests.
Fees
The fees for our Asset Management Services will be as follows:
Value of Assets
Fee Amount (In Basis Points,
or bps; 1bp = .01%)
$0 - $499,999
200 bps
$500,000 to $1,000,000
200 bps
$1,000,000 - $2,499,999
175 bps
$2,500,000 - $4,999,999
150 bps
$5,000,000 - $9,999,999
125 bps
$10,000,000 - $24,999,999
Negotiable
$25,000,000 - above
Negotiable
The Institutional Cash Management Program accounts are charged a fee of 0.15% (15 bps) or 0.20% (20
bps), depending on account size.
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Investment Consulting Services
The same services included in Asset Management Services are available under an Investment Consulting
Services contract. This contract option may be used with high net worth clients, foundations and
endowments, etc.
Fees
The fees for our Investment Consulting Services will be as follows:
Fee Amount (In Basis Points, or
Value of Assets
bps; 1bp = .01%)
$0 - $499,999
200 bps
$500,000 to $1,000,000
200 bps
$1,000,000 - $2,499,999
175 bps
$2,500,000 - $4,999,999
150 bps
$5,000,000 - $9,999,999
125 bps
$10,000,000 - $24,999,999
Negotiable
$25,000,000 - above
Negotiable
Minimum Annual Fee - $25,000
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™/IMAGINE
As described in Item 4 Advisory Business, clients do not pay fees to SPT or brokerage commissions or
other fees to CS&Co as part of the Program. Schwab does receive other revenues in connection with the
Program, as described in the Program Disclosure Brochure. Brokerage arrangements are further described
below in Item 12 Brokerage Practices.
Fees
DWAM provides the Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™ / IMAGINE account under a flat fee arrangement of
0.35% (35 basis points), which is based as a percentage of assets under management. Client billing occurs
in advance on a quarterly basis.
Ancillary Services
DWAM may provide additional services ancillary to our primary services of providing investment advice, such
as providing consolidated reporting equal to .05% (5 bps) of the value of the Other Assets (the “Reporting
Fee”). The Reporting Fee is billed on a quarterly basis, in advance, at the same time and in the same manner
as the Management Fee.
Termination
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Either party may terminate services by providing written notice of termination to the other party. If
services are terminated within five business days of signing the client agreement, services are terminated
without penalty. Any prepaid but unearned fees are promptly refunded to the client at the effective date of
termination. Duncan Williams Asset Management does not reasonably expect to receive any other
compensation, direct or indirect, for its Services. If we receive any other compensation for such services,
we will (i) offset that compensation against our stated fees, and (ii) will disclose the amount of such
compensation, the services rendered for such compensation and the payer of such compensation to you.
Fees
DWAM’s multiple asset management programs a r e billed in a manner agreed to between DWAM and
the client. Fees may be charged in a tiered management fee schedule or on a flat fee basis.
If the tiered asset management fee billing option is selected the annual fee for asset management
services will vary depending upon the value of the assets under management in the client account. The
fees will be based upon the following schedule (the tiers below reflect the maximum charge):
Asset Management Services
Fee Amount (In Basis Points, or
Value of Assets
bps; 1bp = .01%)
$0 - $499,999
200 bps
$500,000 to $1,000,000
200 bps
$1,000,000 - $2,499,999
175 bps
$2,500,000 - $4,999,999
150 bps
$5,000,000 - $9,999,999
125 bps
$10,000,000 - $24,999,999
Negotiable
$25,000,000 - above
Negotiable
Retirement Plan Services
Value of Plan Assets
For Plan Assets Up to $999,999
Fee Amount (In Basis Points, or
bps; 1bp = .01%)
100 bps
For Plan Assets from $1,000,000 - $2,499,999
85 bps
For Plan Assets from $2,500,000 -$4,999,999
75 bps
For Plan Assets from $5,000,000-$9,999,999
65 bps
For Plan Assets over $10,000,000
50 bps
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Advisor’s fees are cumulative. For example, an account with $2,000,000 under management will be
charged up to 200 bps on the first $1,000,000 and up to 175 bps on the next $1,000,000.
Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the quarterly fee as calculated above does not exceed the
minimum amount described above, then the quarterly fee will equal the minimum amount.
DWAM also provides asset management under a flat fee arrangement. A mutually agreed upon flat fee
is charged for asset management services under this arrangement. If the Flat Fee Asset Management fee
billing option is selected the annual fee for asset management services generally range between 0.15%
and 2.00%. The annual management fee for DWAM Program accounts is negotiable based on the type of
client, the complexity of the client's situation, the composition of the client's account, the potential for
additional account deposits, the relationship of the client with the investment adviser representative, and
the total amount of assets under management for the client. Our annual investment advisory fee may be
higher than that charged by other investment advisers offering similar services/programs.
The selected fee billing option and the exact fee to be charged is disclosed in the client agreement that
must be signed by both you and us before any services are provided.
For either billing option, the Management Fee is billed in advance on a quarterly basis. The effective date
of the fee will be the first day of the quarter during which the client agreement was signed. The initial
Management Fee will be prorated to cover the period from the date the Account is opened and approved,
through the end of the then current full calendar quarter. For purposes of calculating the initial and
subsequent Management Fee, the Account’s value includes the sum of the long market value of all
securities (less margin debit balances), money market, and cash. No fee adjustment will be made for
partial withdrawals or for appreciation or depreciation of the Account within a quarterly billing period. In
accordance with the terms of the individual Agreement, a pro-rata refund of fees charged will be made to
Client if the Account is closed within a quarterly billing period, and fees are prorated (based on the number
of days service is provided during the initial billing period) for an account opened at any time other than the
beginning of the billing period.
Advisory fees are generally deducted from your account although you can also request that they be billed
directly to you. If fees are deducted from your account, you must authorize the qualified custodian with
written notification to deduct fees from your account and pay the fees directly to DWAM. If you choose to
have fees billed directly to you, they are due upon receiving our billing notice. The billing notice details
the formula used to calculate the fee, the assets under management and the time period covered. Fees
for the services of our firm are due immediately after your receipt of the billing notice.
In addition to our Management Fee, you will also incur certain charges imposed by third parties. Such
charges will include, but are not limited to, fees charged by Independent Managers, custodial fees,
brokerage commissions, transaction fees, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or
exchange traded fund purchased for the Account which shall be disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g.,
fund management fees and other fund expenses), certain deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials,
transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, exchange and floor fees, and other fees and
taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions.
Third-party managers will have additional fees as well. A complete description of the third-party money
manager’s services, fee schedules and account minimums will be disclosed in the third-party money
manager’s disclosure brochure which will be provided to you prior to or at the time an agreement for
services is executed and the account is established. The actual fee charged to you will vary
depending on the third-party money manager.
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We offer services through both traditional portfolio management and wrap-fee management programs.
In a traditional portfolio management program, advisory services are provided for a fee but transaction
services (fees associated with the purchase and sale of securities for your account) are billed separately
on a per-transaction basis. Under our wrap-fee management programs, our advisory services (including
transaction services are
portfolio management or advice regarding selecting other advisors) and
provided for one fee.
For suitability purposes, each investment in each account is reviewed according to investment objectives,
risk tolerance and overall net worth. Investments are recommended as part of a holistic wealth
management approach to asset allocation for accounts within a wrap-fee program. The essential difference
between transactional accounts and those under management in a wrap-fee program is the way in
which transaction services are paid.
Additional Compensation
Occasionally, DWAM may sell insurance products to clients and receive commissions when doing so. This
is a potential conflict of interest since commissions earned could be in addition to advisory fees earned in our
capacity as an investment adviser. Clients are never obligated or required to purchase insurance products
from or through DWAM and may select any independent insurance agent and insurance company to purchase
insurance products. Regardless of the insurance agent selected, the insurance agent or agency will receive
normal commissions from the sale.
Please see Item 10, Other Financial Activities and Affiliations, and Item 12, Brokerage Practices, for
additional discussion on these conflicts of interest.
Fee Householding
In certain cases, you may be able to household your eligible fee-based Advisory accounts held at our firm
(that is, combine multiple eligible Advisory accounts for purposes of calculating the Advisory Account Fee in
order to qualify for available lower fee tiers in each Program, where permissible). You can fee household
eligible Advisory accounts across multiple Programs. Fee householding can result in lower overall fees to
the Client if the aggregate household value is high enough to qualify for lower fee tiers in the applicable
Programs. You should contact your Financial Advisor for more detailed information about householding fee-
based Advisory accounts, including whether your accounts are eligible to be grouped into a fee household
for this purpose.
Item 6– Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Performance-based fees are defined as fees based on a share of capital gains on or capital appreciation
of the assets held in a client’s account. We do not charge performance-based fees.
Item 7 – Types of Clients
We generally provide investment advice to the following types of clients:
Individuals (including high-net worth individuals)
•
• Trusts and estates
• Endowments, foundations, and other charitable organizations
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Institutional Clients
• Corporations or other business entities
•
• Pension, retirement, and profit-sharing plans
Clients eligible to enroll in the Program / IMAGINE include individuals, IRAs and revocable living trusts. Clients
that are organizations (such as corporations and partnerships) or government entities, and clients that are
subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, are not eligible for the Program.
Minimum Investment Amounts Required
There is a minimum $5,000 required to establish a portfolio managed account, although we may grant an
exception from time to time on a case by case basis in our sole discretion.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
We use fundamental, technical, a n d cyclical analysis as well as charting when considering investment
strategies and recommendations for clients.
Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis is a method of evaluating a company or security by attempting to measure its
intrinsic value. In other words, fundamental analysts try to determine its true value by looking at all
aspects of the business, including both tangible factors (e.g., machinery, buildings, land, etc.) and intangible
factors (e.g., patents, trademarks, “brand” names, etc.). Fundamental analysis also involves examining
related economic factors (e.g., overall economy and industry conditions, etc.), financial factors (e.g.,
company debt, interest rates, management salaries and bonuses, etc.), qualitative factors (e.g.,
management expertise, industry cycles, labor relations, etc.), and quantitative factors (e.g., debt-to-equity
and price-to-equity ratios).
The end goal of performing fundamental analysis is to produce a value that an investor can compare with
the security's current price in hopes of figuring out what sort of position to take with that security
(underpriced = buy, overpriced = sell or short). This method of security analysis is considered to be the
opposite of technical analysis. Fundamental analysis is about using real data to evaluate a security's
value. Although most analysts use fundamental analysis to value stocks, this method of valuation can be
used for just about any type of security.
Technical Analysis
This method of evaluating securities analyzes statistics generated by market activity, such as past prices
and volume. Technical analysts do not attempt to measure a security's intrinsic value, but instead use
charts and other tools to identify patterns that can suggest future activity. Technical analysts believe that
the historical performance of stocks and markets are indications of future performance.
Charting
Charting is a form of technical analysis that charts the patterns of stocks, bonds and commodities
to help determine buy and sell recommendations for clients. It is a way of gathering and processing
price and volume information in a security by applying mathematical equations and plotting the resulting
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data onto graphs in order to predict future price movements. A graphical historical record assists the
analyst in spotting the effect of key events on a security’s price, its performance over a period of time and
whether it is trading near its high, near its low or in between. Chartists believe that recurring patterns
of trading commonly referred to as indicators, can help them forecast future price movements.
Cyclical Analysis
Cyclical analysis looks at recurring periods of expansion and contraction that can impact a company’s
profitability and cash flow. Cyclical stocks tend to rise quickly when the economy turns up and fall quickly
when the economy turns down (i.e., housing, automobiles, telecommunications, paper, etc.). Non-cyclical
industries (i.e., food, insurance, drugs, health care, etc.) are not as directly impacted by economic
changes.
Investment Strategies
The investment strategies used when implementing investment advice include, but are not limited to:
• Long term purchases (securities held at least a year)
• Short term purchases (securities sold within a year)
• Trading (securities sold within 30 days)
• Option writing (Including covered options, uncovered options or spreading strategies.) (Note:
options are contracts giving the purchaser the right to buy or sell a security, such as stocks, at a
fixed price within a specific period of time.)
• Margin
We gather information from financial newspapers and magazines, inspection of corporate activities,
research materials prepared by others, corporate rating services, annual reports, prospectuses and other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and company press releases. For managed
Program accounts, we may also use information, research, analysis, recommendations and asset
allocation methodology of third-party providers.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you should be prepared to bear, including loss of your
original principal. You should be aware that past performance of any security is not necessarily indicative
of future results. Therefore, you should not assume that future performance of any specific investment
or investment strategy will be profitable. We do not provide any representation or guarantee that your
goals will be achieved. Further, depending on the different types of investments, there may be varying
degrees of risk. Examples of these risks include the following:
• Market Risk. The market as a whole resulting in a decrease in the value of client investments.
This is referred to as systemic risk.
• Equity (Stock) Market Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to fluctuations and to volatile
increases/decreases in value as their issuers’ confidence in or perceptions of the market change.
Investors holding common stock (or common stock equivalents) of any issuer are generally
exposed to greater risk than if they hold preferred stock or debt obligations of the issuer.
• Company Risk. There is always a certain level of company or industry specific risk when
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investing in stock positions. This is referred to as unsystematic risk and can be reduced through
appropriate diversification. There is the risk that a company may perform poorly or that its value
may be reduced based on factors specific to it or its industry (e.g., employee strike, unfavorable
media attention).
• Options Risk. Options on securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than investing
in the underlying securities themselves. Purchasing and selling put or call options are highly
specialized activities and involve greater than ordinary investment risk. Puts and calls are
contracts giving investors the right to sell or buy a specified amount of a security at a set price
within a set time.
• Fixed Income Risk. Investing in bonds involves the risk that the issuer will default on the bond
and be unable to make payments. In addition, individuals depending on set amounts of periodically
paid income face the risk that inflation will erode their spending power. Fixed-income investors
receive set, regular payments that face the same inflation risk.
• ETF and Mutual Fund Risk. ETF and mutual fund investments bear additional expenses based
on a pro-rata share of operating expenses, including potential duplication of management fees.
The risk of owning an ETF or mutual fund generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying
securities held by the ETF or mutual fund. Clients also incur brokerage costs when purchasing
ETFs.
• Management Risk. Your investments also vary with the success and failure of our investment
strategies, research, analysis and determination of portfolio securities. If our strategies do not
produce the expected returns, the value of your investments will decrease.
The account or custodian or clearing firm can increase its “house” maintenance margin
requirements at any time and are not required to provide your advance written notice. You are not
entitled to an extension of time on a margin call.
The Schwab Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™ Program Disclosure Brochure includes a discussion of
various risks associated with the Program, including the risks of investing in ETFs, as well as risks related
to the underlying securities in which ETFs invest. In addition, the Program Disclosure Brochure also
discusses market/systemic risks, asset allocation/strategy/diversification risks, investment strategy risks,
trading/liquidity risks, and large investment risks.
Item 9– Disciplinary Information
We have no legal or disciplinary events that we believe are material to your evaluation of our business or
the integrity of our management.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Duncan F. Williams owns a controlling membership interest in DWAM and is a director.
We are not and do not have a related person that is:
• An investment company or other pooled investment vehicle (including a mutual fund, closed-end
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investment company, unit investment trust, and offshore fund) a futures commission merchant,
commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor
• A banking or thrift institution
• Accountant or accounting firm
• A lawyer or law firm
• Real estate broker or agent
• A pension consultant
• A sponsor or syndicator of limited partnerships
Third-Party Money Managers
As described in Item 5, Fees and Compensation, we have formed relationships with independent, third-
party money managers and we may recommend you work directly with third-party money managers.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
Section 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 requires all investment advisers to establish,
maintain and enforce a Code of Ethics. We have established a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our
associated persons. An investment adviser is considered a fiduciary according to the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940. As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of
all material facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of client at all times. We have a fiduciary
duty to all clients. This fiduciary duty is considered the core underlying principle for our Code of Ethics,
which also covers our insider trading and personal securities transactions policies and procedures. We
require all of our supervised persons to conduct business with the highest level of ethical standards and
to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times. Upon employment or affiliation and when
changes occur, all supervised persons sign an acknowledgement that they have read, understand and
agree to comply with our Code of Ethics. We have the responsibility to make sure that the interests of all
clients are placed ahead of our own or our supervised persons’ own investment interests. We provide full
disclosure of all material facts and potential conflicts of interest to clients prior to any services being
conducted. We and our supervised persons must conduct business in an honest, ethical and fair manner
and avoid all circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to
all clients. This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics. However, if a
client or a potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy is provided promptly
upon request.
Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Our associated persons may buy or sell securities or have an interest or position in a security for our
personal account that is also recommended to clients. We are and will continue to be in compliance with
The Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988. As these situations represent a
potential conflict of interest, it is our policy that no associated persons will prefer his or her own interest
to that of the advisory client. No person employed by us may purchase or sell any security prior to a
transaction or transactions being implemented for an advisory account. Associated persons will not buy or
sell securities for their personal account(s) where their decision is derived, in whole or in part, by
22
information obtained as a result of his/her employment unless the information is also available to the
investing public upon reasonable inquiry. We maintain a list of all securities holdings for it and all
associated persons, which is reviewed on a regular basis by a principal of the firm. This log is available
for client review upon request.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
The Custodian and Brokers We Use
DWAM does not maintain custody of your assets that we manage/on which we advise (although we may
be deemed to have custody of your assets if you give us authority to withdraw assets from your account).
Your assets must be maintained in an account at a “qualified custodian,” generally a broker-dealer or bank.
DWAM has an arrangement with National Financial Services LLC, and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
(together with all affiliates, “Fidelity”) through which Fidelity provides DWAM with Fidelity’s “platform”
services. We recommend/request that our clients use Schwab or Fidelity, a FINRA-registered broker-
dealer, member SIPC, as the qualified custodian. We are independently owned and operated and not
affiliated with Schwab or Fidelity. Schwab or Fidelity will hold your assets in a brokerage account and buy
and sell securities when we/you instruct them to. While we recommend/request that you use Schwab or
Fidelity as custodian/broker, you will decide whether to do so and open your account with Schwab or Fidelity
by entering into an account agreement directly with them. We do not open the account for you. In unusual
circumstances, DWAM may decide to utilize other custodians to service client accounts. Even though your
account is maintained at Schwab or Fidelity, we can still use other brokers to execute trades for your
account, as described in the paragraph below titled “How We Select Brokers/Custodians”.
How We Select Brokers/Custodians
We seek to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold your assets and execute transactions on terms
that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their services. We
consider a wide range of factors, including, among others, these:
• Combination of transaction execution services along with asset custody services (generally without
a separate fee for custody);
• Capability to execute, clear and settle trades (buy and sell securities for your accounts);
• Capabilities to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check
requests, bill payment, etc.);
• Breadth of investment products made available (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded
funds (ETFs), etc.) and willingness to negotiate them;
• Reputation, financial strength and stability of the provider;
• Their prior service to us and our clients;
• Availability of other products and services that benefit us, as discussed below (see “Products and
Services Available to Us from Schwab or Fidelity”).
Your Custody and Brokerage Costs
For our clients’ accounts it maintains, Schwab generally does not charge you separately for custody
services but is compensated by charging you commissions or other fees on trades that it executes or that
23
settle into your Schwab account. For some accounts, Schwab may charge you a percentage of the dollar
amount of assets in the account in lieu of commissions. Schwab’s commission rates and asset-based fees
applicable to our client accounts were negotiated based on our commitment to maintain $100,000,000 of
our clients’ assets statement equity in accounts at Schwab. This commitment benefits you because the
overall commission rates and asset-based fees you pay are lower than they would be if we had not made
the commitment. In addition to commissions or asset-based fees Schwab charges you a flat dollar amount
as a “prime broker” or “trade away” fee for each trade that we have executed by a different broker-dealer
but where the securities bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited (settled) into your
Schwab account. These fees are in addition to the commissions or other compensation you pay the
executing broker-dealer. Because of this, in order to minimize your trading costs, we have Schwab execute
most trades for your account. Schwab is also compensated by earning interest on the uninvested cash in
your account in Schwab’s Cash Features Program.
For our clients’ accounts it maintains, Fidelity generally does not charge you separately for custody services
but charges you brokerage commissions and transaction fees for effecting certain securities transactions
(i.e., transactions fees are charged for certain no-load mutual funds, commissions are charged for individual
equity and debt securities transactions). Fidelity is also compensated by earning interest on uninvested
cash in your Fidelity account. Fidelity enables DWAM to obtain many no-load mutual funds without
transaction charges and other no-load funds as nominal transaction charges. Fidelity’s commissions are
generally considered discounted from customary retail commission rates. However, the commissions and
transaction fees charged by Fidelity may be higher or lower than those charged by other custodians and
broker-dealers. Fidelity’s commission rates and transaction fees applicable to our client accounts were
negotiated based on our commitment to maintain $25,000,000 of our clients’ assets statement equity in
accounts at Fidelity.
Products and Services Available to Us from Schwab and Fidelity
In addition to our portfolio management and other services, the Program includes the brokerage services
of CS&Co, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of
FINRA and SIPC. CS&Co. acts solely as a broker-dealer and does not act as an investment advisor to
DWAM. It maintains custody of DWAM’s client assets in the Program and executes trades for that account.
While clients are required to use CS&Co as custodian/broker to enroll in the Program, the client decides
whether to do so and opens its account with CS&Co by entering into an account agreement directly with
CS&Co. We do not open the account for the client. If the client does not wish to place his or her assets
with CS&Co, then we cannot manage the client’s account through the Program. As described in the
Program Disclosure Brochure, SWIA may aggregate purchase and sale orders for ETFs across accounts
enrolled in the Program, including both accounts for our clients and accounts for clients of other independent
investment advisory firms using the Program.
Schwab Advisor Services (formerly called Schwab Institutional) is Schwab’s business serving independent
investment advisory firms like us. Through Schwab Advisor Services, CS&Co. provides us and our clients,
both those enrolled in the Program and our clients not enrolled in the Program, with access to its institutional
brokerage services– trading, custody, reporting and related services – many of which are not typically
available to CS&Co. retail customers. CS&Co. also makes available various support services. Some of
those services help us manage or administer our clients’ accounts while others help us manage and grow
our business. CS&Co. support services are generally available on an unsolicited basis (we don’t have to
request them) and at no charge to us as long as we keep a total of at least $100 million of our clients’ assets
in accounts at CS&Co. If we have less than $100 million in client assets at CS&Co., it may charge us
24
quarterly service fees. The availability to us of CS&Co.’s products and services is not based on us giving
particular investment advice, such as buying particular securities for our clients. Below is a more detailed
description of CS&Co.’s support services.
Fidelity’s platform services include, among others, brokerage, custodial, administrative support, record
keeping and related services that are intended to support intermediaries like DWAM in conducting business
and in servicing the best interests of their clients but that may benefit DWAM.
As part of this arrangement, Fidelity also makes available to DWAM, at no additional charge to DWAM,
certain research and brokerage services, including research services obtained by Fidelity directly from
independent research companies, as selected by DWAM (within specified parameters). These research
and brokerage services presently include services such as access to software and related support as part
of its relationship with Fidelity and is used by DWAM to manage accounts for which DWAM has investment
discretion.
DWAM may also receive additional services which may include services to help us manage and administer
our clients’ accounts, while others help us manage and grow our business. Without this arrangement,
DWAM might be compelled to purchase the same or similar services at its own expense.
While DWAM has no formal soft-dollar program in which soft-dollars are used to pay for third-party services,
DWAM may receive research, products, or other services from custodians and broker-dealers in connection
with client securities transactions (“soft-dollar benefits”). DWAM may enter into soft-dollar arrangements
within the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
There can be no assurance that any particular client will be advantaged from soft-dollar benefits, whether
or not the client’s transactions paid for it. DWAM benefits by not having to produce or pay for the research,
products, or services, and DWAM will have an incentive to recommend a broker-dealer based on receiving
research or services. Clients should be aware that DWAM’s acceptance of soft-dollar benefits may result
in higher commissions charged to the client.
Services that Benefit You
CS&Co.’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment products,
execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products available
through Schwab include some to which we might not otherwise have access or that would require a
significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients. CS&Co.’s services described in this
paragraph generally benefit you or your account.
Services that May Not Directly Benefit You.
CS&Co. also makes available to us other products and services that benefit us but may not directly benefit
you or your account. These products and services assist us in managing and administering our clients’
accounts. They include investment research, both Schwab’s own and that of third parties. We may use
this research to service all or some substantial number of our client’s accounts, including accounts not
maintained at CS&Co. In addition to investment research, Schwab also makes available software and other
technology that:
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• Provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements);
• Facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts;
• Provide pricing and other market data;
• Facilitate payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts; and
• Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
DWAM has established a relationship with Fidelity to assist in managing clients’ accounts. DWAM receives
access to software and related support as part of its relationship with Fidelity. The software and related
support may benefit DWAM but not its clients directly. In fulfilling its duties to clients, DWAM endeavors at
all times to put the interests of its clients first. As a result of receiving such services for no additional cost,
DWAM may have an incentive to continue to use or expand the use of Fidelity’s services. DWAM examined
this potential conflict of interest when it chose to enter into the relationship with Fidelity and has determined
that the relationship is in the best interests of DWAM’s clients and satisfies its client obligations.
Services that Generally Benefit Only Us
CS&Co. also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our business enterprise.
These services include:
• Educational conferences and events;
• Technology, compliance, legal and business consulting;
• Publications and conferences on practice management and business succession; and
• Access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance providers.
CS&Co. may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party vendors to
provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party vendors to provide the
services to us. CS&Co. may also discount or waive its fees for some of these services or pay all or a part
of a third party’s fees. CS&Co. may also provide us with other benefits such as occasional business
entertainment of our personnel.
Our Interest in Schwab’s Services
The availability of these services from CS&Co. benefits us because we do not have to produce or purchase
them. We don’t have to pay for these services, and they are not contingent upon us committing any specific
amount of business to CS&Co. in trading commissions or assets in custody. With respect to the Program,
as described above under Item 4 Advisory Business, we do not pay SPT fees for the Platform so long as
we maintain $100 Million in client assets in accounts at CS&Co. that are not enrolled in the Program. In
light of our arrangements with Schwab, we may have an incentive to recommend that our clients maintain
their accounts with CS&Co. based on our interest in receiving Schwab’s services that benefit our business
rather than based on the client’s interest in receiving the best value in custody serves and the most
favorable execution of transactions. This is a conflict of interest. We believe, however, that our selection
of CS&Co. as custodian and broker is in the best interests of our clients. It is primarily supported by the
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scope, quality, and price of CS&Co.’s services and not Schwab’s services that benefit only us. We have
adopted policies and procedures designed to ensure that our use of Schwab’s services is appropriate for
each of our clients.
Best Execution
If we assist you in implementing any recommendations, we have a duty to ensure that you receive the
best execution possible. Best execution of client transactions is an obligation we take seriously and is a
catalyst in the decision to use Schwab or Fidelity. While quality of execution at the best price is an
important determinant, best execution does not necessarily mean lowest price and it is not the sole
consideration.
Schwab and Fidelity make available to us at reduced or no cost other products and services that benefit
us but does not benefit our clients' accounts. Some of these other products and services assist us in
managing and administering client accounts. These include software and other technology that:
• Provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements)
• Facilitate trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts)
• Provide research, pricing information and other market data
• Facilitate payment of fees to us from client accounts
• Assists with back-office functions, record-keeping and client reporting
Schwab a n d F i d e l i t y also offer other services intended to help us manage and further develop our
business enterprise such as consulting, publications and conferences on practice management,
information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, and marketing.
As a fiduciary, we endeavor to act in your best interests. However, our recommendation that you
maintain your assets at Schwab or Fidelity may be based in part on the benefit to us of the availability
of some of the foregoing products and services and not solely on the nature, cost or quality of custody and
brokerage services provided by Schwab or Fidelity. This creates a conflict of interest. A client may pay a
commission that is higher than another qualified broker-dealer might charge to effect the same transaction
where DWAM may determine in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and research services received. In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the
lowest possible cost, but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into
consideration the full range of a broker-dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution
capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although DWAM will seek competitive rates,
to the benefit of all clients, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific
client account transactions. DWAM and Fidelity are not affiliates, and no broker-dealer affiliated with DWAM
is involved in the relationship between DWAM and Fidelity.
Handling of Trade Errors
We have implemented procedures designed to prevent trade errors; however, trade errors in client
accounts cannot always be avoided. Consistent with our fiduciary duty, it is our policy to correct trade
errors in a manner that is in the best interest of the client. In cases where the client causes the trade
error, the client is responsible for any loss resulting from the correction. Depending on the specific
circumstances of the trade error, the client may not be able to receive any gains generated as a result of
the error correction. In all situations where the client does not cause the trade error, the client is made
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whole and we absorb any loss resulting from the trade error if we caused the error. If the error is caused
by the broker/dealer, the broker/dealer is responsible for covering all trade error costs. If an investment
gain results from the correcting trade, at times the gain will remain in the client’s account unless the same
error involved other client account(s) that should also receive the gains. Many times, whether the gain
will remain in the client’s account depends on the policy of a mutual fund if related to the transaction in
question. It is not permissible for all clients to retain the gain. We may also confer with clients to
determine if they should forego the gain (e.g., due to tax reasons). We never benefit or profit from trade
errors.
Aggregate Trading
We do not currently aggregate the purchase or sale of securities for various client accounts since, at this
time, each of our client accounts must be maintained separately from one another.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Account Reviews
Financial planning services terminate upon presentation of the written plan or completion of the financial
planning consultation services. Therefore, no reviews are conducted for these accounts. If you elect to
have a review and update to an original financial plan, additional fees are charged and you are required
to sign a new client agreement.
The firm’s Investment Committee reviews each account of the firm. In addition, each account is assigned
a lead Financial Advisor who is responsible for reviewing his or her accounts. At a minimum, accounts are
reviewed on a annual basis. The calendar is the main triggering factor, although more frequent reviews may
be also be triggered by your specific request, by changes in your circumstances or unusual market activity.
Accounts at third party investment advisors are reviewed and monitored by the selected third-party
investment advisors. The frequency of reviews conducted by third party investment advisors will vary
from manager to manager. Triggering factors for changes to underlying portfolios within a money manager
portfolio include the relative valuation changes between asset classes, deviation from management style
by manager, or fund closures. At a minimum, DWAM will also review these accounts at least quarterly,
usually when copies of account statements are received.
Account Reports
You receive statements at least quarterly from the custodian where your accounts are maintained. In
addition, you may elect to receive quarterly or on-demand position and performance reports from us.
There is no charge for the reports the custodian prepares for you.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Other Compensation
Please see Item 5, Fees and Compensation, Item 10, Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations and Item 12, Brokerage Practices, for additional discussion about promoter/referral fees from
third party managers, other compensation and non-economic benefits.
We receive an economic benefit from Schwab and Fidelity in the form of the support products and services it
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makes available to us and other independent investment advisors that have their clients maintain accounts at
Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of interest are described
above (see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices). The availability to us of Schwab and Fidelity products and
services is not based on us giving particular investment advice, such as buying particular securities for our
clients.
DWAM may charge fees for ancillary services, such as providing consolidated reporting of client assets.
Item 15 – Custody
Custody, as it applies to investment advisors, has been defined as having access or control over client
funds and/or securities, but does not include the ability to execute transactions in client accounts.
Custody is not limited to physically holding client funds and securities. If an investment advisor has the
ability to access or control client funds or securities, the investment advisor is deemed to have custody for
purposes of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and must ensure proper procedures are implemented.
Please note that regulators have deemed the authorization to trade in client accounts to not be custody.
However, we are deemed to have custody of client funds and securities whenever we are given the
authority to have fees deducted directly from client accounts. Our procedures do not result in our
maintaining custody of client funds and securities.
Under government regulations, we are deemed to have custody of a client’s assets if the client authorizes
us to instruct CS&Co to deduct our advisory fees directly from the client’s account. This is the case for
accounts in the Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™ Program. CS&Co maintains actual custody of clients’
assets. Clients receive account statements directly from CS&Co at least quarterly. They will be sent to the
email or postal address the client provides to CS&Co. Clients should carefully review those statements
promptly when received. We also urge clients to compare CS&Co’s account statements to the periodic
portfolio reports clients may receive from us.
For accounts where we are deemed to have custody, we have established procedures to ensure all client
funds and securities are held at a qualified custodian in a separate account for each client under that
client’s name. Clients or an independent representative of the client will direct, in writing, the creation of
all accounts and therefore are aware of the qualified custodian’s name, address and the manner in which
the funds or securities are maintained. Finally, account statements are delivered directly from the
qualified custodian to each client, or the client’s independent representative, at least quarterly. Clients
should carefully review those statements and are urged to compare the statements against reports
received from us. When clients have questions about their account statements, they should contact us or
the qualified custodian preparing the statement.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Our services may be provided on a discretionary basis. This means we make all decisions to buy, sell
or hold securities, cash or other investments in the managed account in our sole discretion without
consulting with you before implementing any transactions. You must provide us with written authorization
to exercise this discretionary authority.
When discretionary authority is granted, it is limited. We do not have custody or access to withdraw your
funds and/or securities with the exception of having advisory fees deducted from your account and paid
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to us by the account custodian. Any fee deduction is done pursuant to your prior written authorization
provided to the account custodian. You have the ability to place reasonable restrictions on the types of
investments that may be purchased in an account. You may also place reasonable limitations on the
discretionary power granted to us so long as the limitations are specifically set forth or included as an
attachment to the client agreement.
If management services are provided on a non-discretionary basis, we will always contact you to discuss
implementing any transactions in an account. You
the transaction and receive your approval before
must accept or reject our investment recommendations, including:
(1) the security being recommended,
(2) the number of shares, units or dollar amounts,
(3) whether to buy or sell.
Once these factors are agreed upon, we are responsible for making decisions regarding the timing of the
purchase or sale and the price at which it is bought or sold. You should know that if you are not able to be
reached or are slow to respond to our request, it can have an adverse impact on the timing of implementing
trades and we may not achieve the optimal trading price.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
We do not vote proxies on your behalf unless required by law. You should read through the proxy
materials provided and make a determination on the issues presented. You have ultimate responsibility
for voting proxies.
For clients invested in the Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™ Program, and as described in the Program
Disclosure Brochure, clients enrolled in the Program designate SWIA to vote proxies for the ETFs held in their
accounts. We have directed SWIA to process proxy votes and corporate actions through and in accordance
with the policies and recommendations of a third party proxy voting service provider retained by SWIA for this
purpose. Additional information about this arrangement is available in the Program Disclosure Brochure.
Clients who do not wish to designate SWIA to vote proxies may retain the ability to vote proxies themselves
by signing a special CS&Co form available from us.
Item 18 – Financial Information
This item is not applicable to our brochure. We do not require or solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in
fees per client, six months or more in advance. We are not required to include a balance sheet for our most
recent fiscal year. We are not subject to a financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its ability
to meet contractual commitments to clients. Finally, we have not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition
at any time.
Item 19 - Additional Information
The firm does not receive performance-based fees and none of our management personnel have been
involved in any client arbitrations or similar legal disputes. Neither we nor our management personnel
have a relationship or arrangement with any issuer of securities. (But please see Item 5 , Fees and
Compensation, Item 10, Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations and Item 12, Brokerage
Practices.)
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Customer Privacy Notice
In November of 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”). The GLBA requires
certain financial institutions, such as investment advisor firms, to protect the privacy of customer
information. In situations where a financial institution does disclose customer information to non-affiliated
third parties, other than permitted or required by law, customers must be given the opportunity to opt out
or prevent such disclosure. We do not share or disclose customer information to non-affiliated third
parties except as permitted or required by law.
We are committed to safeguarding the confidential information of our clients. We hold all personal
information provided by clients in the strictest confidence and it is our objective to protect the privacy of all
clients. Except as permitted or required by law, we do not share confidential information about clients
with non-affiliated parties. In the event that there is a change in this policy, we provide clients with written
notice and clients are provided an opportunity to direct us whether such disclosure is permissible.
To conduct regular business, we may collect personal information from sources such as:
Information reported by the client on applications or other forms the client provides to the advisor
Information about the client’s transactions implemented by the advisor or others
Information developed as part of financial plans, analyses or investment advisory services
•
•
•
To administer, manage, service, and provide related services for client accounts, it is necessary for us
provide access to customer information within our firm and to non-affiliated companies with whom we
have entered into agreements. To provide the utmost service, we may disclose the information below
regarding customers and former customers, as necessary, to companies to perform certain services on
our behalf.
•
•
Information we receive from the client on applications (name, Social Security number, address,
assets, etc.)
Information about the client’s transactions with us or others (account information, payment history,
parties to transactions, etc.)
Information concerning investment advisory account transactions
Information about a client’s financial products and services transaction with us
•
•
Since we share non-public information solely to service client accounts, we do not disclose any non-
public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by
law. However, we may also provide customer information outside of the firm as required by law, such as
to government entities, consumer reporting agencies or other third parties in response to subpoenas.
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