View Document Text
Item 1 Cover Page
Fi3 Financial Advisors,
LLC
8900 Keystone Crossing
Suite 225
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317-426-8800
www.fi3advisors.com
March 25, 2025
FORM ADV PART 2A
BROCHURE
This Form ADV, Part 2A (the “Brochure”) provides information about the qualifications and business
practices of Fi3 Financial Advisors, LLC (hereinafter “Fi3” or the “Firm”). If you have any questions about
the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at 317-426-8800 or info@fi3advisors.com. The
information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Fi3 Financial Advisors, LLC is available on the SEC's website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Fi3 Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration with
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply
a certain level of skill or training.
1
Item 2 Summary of Material Changes
Form ADV Part 2 requires registered investment advisers to amend their brochure when information
becomes materially inaccurate. If there are any material changes to an adviser's disclosure brochure, the
adviser is required to notify you and provide you with a description of the material changes.
This Firm Brochure is our disclosure document prepared according to regulatory requirements and rules.
Consistent with the rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material changes to this and
subsequent Brochures within 120 days of the close of our business’s fiscal year. Furthermore, we will
provide you with other interim disclosures about material changes as necessary.
Per this annual amendment dated March 24, 2025, there are no material changes to report.
2
Item 3 Table of Contents
Item 2 Summary of Material Changes ........................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4 Advisory Business .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Item 5 Fees and Compensation ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Item 6 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ............................................................................... 12
Item 7 Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ........................................................................ 13
Item 9 Disciplinary Information .................................................................................................................................. 17
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ...................................................................................... 17
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................................. 18
Item 12 Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Item 13 Review of Accounts ....................................................................................................................................... 25
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ...................................................................................................... 27
Item 15 Custody........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Item 16 Investment Discretion..................................................................................................................................... 28
Item 17 Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................................................. 28
Item 18 Financial Information ..................................................................................................................................... 29
3
3
Item 4 Advisory Business
Description of Services and Fees
Fi3 Financial Advisors, LLC is an independent, “fee-only” Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and multi-
family office based in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are organized as a Limited Liability Company formed
under the laws of the State of Indiana. Fi3 is owned and managed by our members: Ivan D. Hoffman,
Samuel D. Muse, and Matthew J. Simpson.
Fi3 provides investment counsel utilizing both active and passive investment management. Our clients are
focused on their passions, and often have complex estate and tax needs that they prefer to delegate to
professional advisors. The Firm provides a wealth advisory overlay for most of our clients (see Family
Chief Financial Officer overview) aimed at providing clients with clear, transparent and actionable advice.
We are “fee-only” advisors, which means that we only receive fees for the consulting advice we give.
Where appropriate, we collaborate with a variety of trusted professionals. We believe that innovative
financial planning and investment management should be integrated and centered on the achievement
of goals. We work with our clients’ other advisors, who share our commitment to excellent client service.
In addition to providing investment counsel, Fi3 is dedicated to adding value through effective financial
planning, tax and fee minimization and estate planning advice. We take a client-focused, transparent
approach to handling family wealth. To best serve clients, the Firm is committed to minimizing potential
conflicts of interest and providing transparent pricing. Fi3 only receives compensation directly from its
clients. The following paragraphs describe our services and fees. Please refer to the description of each
investment advisory service listed below for information on how we tailor our advisory services to our
clients’ individual needs. As used in this brochure, the words "we," "our," and "us" refer to Fi3 Financial
Advisors, LLC and the words "you," "your," and "client" refer to you as either a client or prospective client
of our firm.
How We Help Our Clients
We start by asking why. We need to know your goals and challenges. You should understand we are
fiduciaries, bound to our responsibility to act in your best interests.
We serve as the Family CFO. We act as the Chief Financial Officer, supporting the family. We are a multi-
family office, with CPAs and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioners who understand the
language of business. We recognize family dynamics. We collaborate with your other professional
advisors to implement the plan.
We bring ideas to make your situation better. We perform the due diligence to bring your ideas and
globally diversified investment solutions that we can execute and convert to results.
We are “fee-only” advisors. We only receive fees for the consulting advice we give. We don’t sell a
particular product. We don’t have any revenue sharing arrangements. We don’t receive kickbacks. We
don’t have any hidden revenue sources. Period.
Overview – Family Chief Financial Officer
We serve as a family’s Chief Financial Officer, or Family CFO, supporting the family. We identify, analyze,
manage, and execute strategies and solutions to help families meet their financial and personal goals.
4
We are a multi-family office, with CPAs and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioners who
understand the language of business.
At Fi3, we recognize family dynamics. We collaborate with your other professional advisors to
implement your plan. We integrate wealth planning, investment consulting and family leadership for a
comprehensive approach to achieving your goals.
Your experience with Fi3 will be highly personalized. We’ll ask thoughtful questions, listen to your
perspective, and deliver the tools you need to make effective financial decisions for your family.
Wealth Planning Services
Liability Management
Understand debt utilization and opportunities for arbitrage.
Assist family with banking relationships and employing “Family Bank” concept.
Insurance Evaluation
Evaluate whether advanced life insurance planning could enhance overall family wealth strategy
(i.e. Private Placement Life Insurance ‘PPLI’).
Identify any gaps in insurance coverages, or opportunities to shift risk and enhance
liability protection.
Review whether long-term care or longevity income is appropriate.
Tax Planning
Coordinate efforts with the family CPA and team to monitor and enhance tax strategies.
Plan for highly appreciated individual stock investments, monitor the Family Holding Company
cash flows, assist with entity tax planning, evaluate distributions from IRA accounts, charitable
giving and charitable entity planning, etc.
Estate & Wealth Transfer
Identify and model multi-generational wealth transfer opportunities.
Review and document estate planning and wealth transfer objectives.
Develop estate planning summary and flowchart for communication purposes.
Create, track, and develop thorough understanding of consolidated balance sheet.
Family CFO - Investments
Asset Allocation
Collaborate with you to align the needs, risks, and expectations for your investment portfolio.
Analyze holdings and evaluation of asset allocation, as well as asset location.
Assess alignment or dispersion between objectives, tolerance, and current portfolio.
Manager Selection
Communicate with you about public and private investment opportunities, provide entree to
elite managers and top tier Venture Capital and Private Equity partners.
Liquidity Management
Assist with liquidity management and cash yield maximization.
Review current invested assets, custodians, fees, and risk relative to benchmark.
Continuously monitor for tax-efficient investing and other tax saving opportunities.
5
Consolidated Financial Reporting
Create unified view of entire, multi-generational family portfolio.
Design integrated public and private report outlining key performance indicators.
Create a consolidated monitoring report encompassing investment performance and allocation
across all invested assets.
Family CFO - Family Leadership
Family Governance
Facilitate the creation of a governance structure and process for decision-making in the family
based on G1’s vision and values.
Provide a format for family meetings and leadership discussions that is interactive and
meaningful in supporting the family’s culture and multi-generational nature.
Stewardship
Multi-generational coaching to guard against the dilution of wealth resulting from unnecessary
expenses, income and estate transfer taxes, and feelings of entitlement.
Bring clarity to investment opportunities, career choices, philanthropic activities, academic
endeavors, and political influence.
Develop an integrated strategy that addresses what impact you want to have, where you want
to have it and how you want to realize it.
Philanthropy
Document current charitable giving and assist with funding mechanism of outstanding pledges.
Develop future charitable giving plan to include gifting of appreciated equities and
potential qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
Evaluate strategies for achieving charitable goals.
Family Education
Cultivate direct relationships with G1, G2 and G3 for effective coaching and legacy planning.
Inform and educate family members on the estate plan and on the management of
inherited wealth.
Overview – Monitoring Services
For those Assets or Account(s) for which we only monitor and do not provide Advisory Services we will
report the Assets or Accounts(s) in your global asset allocation, provide ongoing performance reporting
with regard to these Assets or Account(s), and otherwise integrate these Assets or Account(s) into the
overall Planning Services.
Overview - Pension Consulting Services
We offer pension consulting services to employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries based upon the
needs of the plan and the services requested by the plan sponsor or named fiduciary. In general, these
services may include non-discretionary investment advice about alternative investment options,
development of an investment policy statement, performance reporting, advice on the selection of
qualified default investment alternatives and education and enrollment services to plan participants. The
6
ultimate decision to act on behalf of the plan shall remain with the plan sponsor or other named
fiduciary. We may also provide additional types of pension consulting services to plans on an
individually negotiated basis. All services, whether discussed above or customized for the plan based
upon requirements from the plan fiduciaries (which may include additional plan-level or participant-level
services) shall be detailed in a written agreement and be consistent with the parameters set forth in the
plan documents.
Overview - Advisory Services to Retirement Plans
As disclosed above, we offer pension consulting services designed to assist plan sponsors in meeting
their management and fiduciary obligations to participants under the Employee Retirement Income
Securities Act ("ERISA"). Pursuant to adopted regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor under ERISA
Section 408(b)(2), we are required to provide the Plan's responsible plan fiduciary (the person who has
the authority to engage us as an investment adviser to the Plan) with a written statement of the services
we provide to the Plan, the compensation we receive for providing those services, and our status (which
is described below).
The services we provide to Plans are described above, and in the service agreement that you have
signed with our firm. Our compensation for these services is described below, and in the service
agreement. Our firm does not reasonably expect to receive any other compensation, direct or indirect,
for the services we provide to the Plan or Participants.
In providing services to the Plan and Participants, our status is that of an investment adviser registered
under applicable state law, and we are not subject to any disqualifications under Section 411 of ERISA. In
performing ERISA fiduciary services, we are acting as a fiduciary of the Plan as defined in ERISA Section
3(21).
Types of Investments
Our firm develops asset allocation models and provides investment management services, generally
through no load mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and money managers across the following asset
classes:
Large Cap Equities
Mid Cap Equities
Small Cap Equities
International Developed Equities
Emerging Market Equities
Absolute Return Focused Strategies (Long/Short Equities, Futures, etc.)
Fixed Income
Covered Call Options
Private Equity
Master Limited Partnerships (MLP’s)
Real Estate
The firm is also investment advisor to a Private Fund Fi3-ACP Fund 2022. This fund is offered to
accredited investors only.
7
Our primary focus is on wealth accumulation and capital preservation while attempting to minimize
volatility and risk. Our firm does not use market timing as an investment strategy, and we limit
rebalancing activities (prompted by economic changes and market forces).
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, we managed $814,679,369 in client assets on a discretionary basis, and
$137,670,831 in client assets on a non-discretionary basis for a total AUM of $952,350,200.
Item 5 Fees and Compensation
Base Cost of Service
The Base Cost is $6,250 per quarter if the family net worth is greater than $30 million and $2,500 per
quarter if the family net worth is less than $30 million.
The Base Cost will periodically increase as outlined below.
As Of
Date
Base Cost if Family Net
Worth is less than $30
million
Base Cost if Family Net
Worth is more than $30
million
3,000 per quarter
7,500 per quarter
Jan. 1,
2027
3,500 per quarter
8,750 per quarter
Jan. 1,
2030
4,000 per quarter
10,000 per quarter
Jan. 1,
2033
5,000 per quarter
12,500 per quarter
Jan. 1,
2037
Family Chief Financial Officer (Includes Investment Management Services and Planning)
The cost of Family CFO services includes the Base Cost of Service listed above and a percentage of the
total value of asset or account(s) value as of the last trading day of the preceding month with Fi3
Financial Advisors at the rates set forth in the fee schedule below. The fees are charged quarterly in
advance based on the value of a client’s assets under our management, at the end of the previous
quarter.
Account Value
First $5,000,000
Next $10,000,000
Next $15,000,000
Above $30,000,000
Annual Fee**
0.65%
0.45%
0.35%
0.25%
8
** The value of nontraditional assets such as real estate, private equity, hedge funds and other
alternative investments may be included for purposes of calculating our advisory fee.
Under certain circumstances the firm may negotiate standalone investment management services and or
concierge services, such as bill pay services.
Monitoring Services
Our annual fee for monitoring services is based on the following tiered fee schedule and is charged
quarterly in advance based on the value of assets at the end of the previous quarter.
Account Value
First $10,000,000
Above $10,000,000
Annual Fee
0.20%
0.05%
Private Fund Fair Value Assessments – Conflict of Interest
With respect to valuation of private investments, the firm, depending on specific client or fund
circumstances, receives the following information and has the following practices with respect to
valuation:
1.
In many instances, clients provide Fi3 the valuation of their private investment fund holdings to
the firm for purposes of net worth reporting and the firm’s calculation of its fees. Bear in mind
that the firm bases its fees for private funds on the value you provide to us. The higher the
value, the higher our fees. Clients should ensure the private fund investment values provided to
Fi3 represent the current fair value of the investment considering any impairments imposed by
the private fund issuer.
2.
In other instances, the private fund issuer provides a valuation statement to Fi3 no less frequently
than annually. The firm reviews any correspondence from the issuer to identify any instances in
which there may be a distribution of capital or an impairment to the private fund’s value. In either
scenario, the firm shall reduce the valuation by the amount of the distribution or impairment so
that the client’s net worth statements accurately reflect the current valuation and that the fees
are correctly calculated on a prospective basis. With respect to an impairment, if the effective
date of the impairment precedes the notification by the issuer, the firm shall credit the fee
difference for the next billing period after receipt of the notification.
3. Absent the instances identified in items 1 or 2 above, the firm shall carry the private fund
investment at cost subject to the impairment procedures described in item 2 above.
The firm will not attempt to establish or quote fair values for Private Client Investments or other
securities and investments constituting Level 1 – Level 3 assets as defined in FASB Accounting Standards
Codification 820 (formerly Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157). The valuation of such
investments will be handled as stated above in items 1 through 3.
Clients investing in the Fi3-ACP Fund 2022 private fund are charged an advisory fee on the assets
invested in the fund. The fair market value of the fund is calculated quarterly.
Clients investing in Fi3 Capital Private Equity Fund Class A are not charged a management or
advisory fee. The firm will receive a 10% carried interest (i.e., a percentage of profits) only after
9
investors have earned an annual IRR of at least 7%. Should the fund return less than 7%
annualized, the firm receives no compensation.
Pension Consulting Services
Our annual fee for pension consulting services is based on the following tiered fee schedule and is
charged quarterly in advance based on the value of plan assets at the end of the previous quarter
(without adjustment for anticipated withdrawals by Plan participants or scheduled transfers or
distributions of assets) and will be billed directly to the client.
Plan Assets
First $1,000,000
Over $1,000,000
Annual Fee**
0.50%
0.25%
**There is a minimum annual fee of $2,500.
If the client agreement is executed at any time other than the first day of a calendar quarter, our fees will
apply on a pro rata basis, which means that the advisory fee is payable in proportion to the number of
days in the quarter for which the client engages our firm. Our advisory fee is negotiable, depending on
individual client circumstances.
At our discretion, we may combine the account values or net worth of family members living in the same
household to determine the applicable advisory fee. For example, we may combine account values or
net worth for a client and the client’s minor children, joint accounts with spouse, and other types of
related accounts.
We will either send the client an invoice for the payment of our advisory fee or we will deduct our fee
directly from the client’s investment account through the qualified custodian holding the client’s funds
and securities. We will deduct our advisory fee only when clients have given our firm written
authorization permitting the fees to be paid directly from the client’s account. Further, the qualified
custodian will deliver an account statement at least quarterly. These account statements will show all
disbursements from the client’s account. We recommend clients review all statements for accuracy.
Termination
Clients may terminate the client agreement based on the terms set forth in their agreement. Clients will
incur a pro rata charge for services rendered prior to the termination of the agreement, which means
clients will incur advisory fees only in proportion to the number of days in the quarter for which they
were a client.
Fee Discretion
Fi3, in its sole discretion, may negotiate to charge a greater or lesser fee based upon certain criteria,
such as the complexity of the client’s portfolio, the level of expertise required to service the client, the
staff time involved in servicing the client, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets
to be managed, among other factors. Related client accounts may be aggregated for purposes of
calculating fees. Fi3 may waive its advisory fee at any time when it deems it appropriate and/or
necessary.
Important Disclosure – Custodian Investment Programs
10
Please be advised that the firm utilizes certain custodians/broker-dealers. Under these arrangements we
can access certain investment programs offered through such custodian(s) that offer certain
compensation and fee structures that create conflicts of interest of which clients need to be aware.
Please note the following:
Limitation on Mutual Fund Universe for Custodian Investment Programs: There are certain programs in
which we participate where a client’s investment options may be limited in certain of these programs to
those mutual funds and/or mutual fund share classes that pay 12b-1 fees and other revenue sharing fee
payments, and the client should be aware that the firm is not selecting from among all mutual funds
available in the marketplace when recommending mutual funds to the client.
Conflict Between Revenue Share Class (12b-1) and Non-Revenue Share Class Mutual Funds: Revenue
share class/12b-1 fees are deducted from the net asset value of the mutual fund and generally, all
things being equal, cause the fund to earn lower rates of return than those mutual funds that do not
pay revenue sharing fees. Fi3 Wealth Management does not recommend mutual funds with 12b-1
charges, does not directly or indirectly accept 12b-1 compensation. It is generally our practice to sell
any incoming A-share positions if transferred into an account we manage. In some circumstances, sale
of incoming A-share positions may be deferred until cost basis is reconciled with the contra broker or
where clients have placed specific restrictions. The client is under no obligation to utilize such programs
or mutual funds. Although many factors will influence the type of fund to be used, the client should
discuss with their investment adviser representative whether a share class from a comparable mutual
fund with a more favorable return to investors is available that does not include the payment of any
12b-1 or revenue sharing fees given the client’s individual needs and priorities and anticipated
transaction costs. In addition, the receipt of such fees can create conflicts of interest in instances where
the custodian receives the entirety of the 12b-1 and/or revenue sharing fees and takes the receipt of
such fees into consideration in terms of benefits it may elect to provide to the firm, even though such
benefits may or may not benefit some or all of the firm clients.
Additional Disclosure Concerning Wrap Programs: To the extent that we either sponsor or recommend
wrap fee programs, which Fi3 Wealth Management does not, please be advised that certain wrap fee
programs may (i) allow our investment adviser representatives to select mutual fund classes that either
have no transaction fee costs associated with them but include embedded 12b-1 fees that lower the
investor’s return (“sometimes referred to as “A-Shares,” depending on the mutual fund issuer), or (ii)
allow the use of mutual fund classes that have transaction fees associated with them but do not carry
embedded 12b-1 fees (sometimes referred to as “I-Shares,” depending on the mutual fund sponsor).
Wrap fee programs offer investment services and related transaction services for one all-inclusive fee
(except as may be described in the applicable wrap fee program brochure). The trading costs are
typically absorbed by the firm and/or the investment representative. If a client’s account holds A-Shares
within a wrap fee program, the firm and/or its investment adviser representative avoids paying the
transaction fees charged by other mutual fund classes, which in effect decreases the firm’s costs and
increases its revenues from the account. Effectively, the cost is transferred to the client from the firm in
the form of a lower rate of return on the specific mutual fund. This creates an incentive for the firm or
investment adviser representative to utilize such funds as opposed to those funds that may be equally
appropriate for a client but do not carry the additional cost of 12b-1 fees. As a policy matter, the firm
does not allow funds that impose 12b-1 or revenue sharing fees on the client’s investment within its
wrap fee programs. Clients should understand and discuss with their investment adviser representative
11
the types of mutual fund share classes available in the wrap fee program and the basis for using one
share class over another in accordance with their individual circumstances and priorities.
ERISA Disclosure for Retirement Planning
When Fi3 provides investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, Fi3 is a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement
accounts. The way Fi3 makes money creates some conflicts with your interests, so Fi3 operates under a
special rule that requires Fi3 to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours.
Additional Fees and Expenses
As part of our investment advisory services, we may invest, or recommend that clients invest, in mutual
funds and exchange traded funds. The fees that are paid to our firm for investment advisory services are
separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds or exchange traded funds
(described in each fund's prospectus) to their shareholders. These fees will generally include a
management fee and other fund expenses. Clients may also incur transaction charges and/or brokerage
fees when purchasing or selling securities. These charges and fees are typically imposed by the broker-
dealer or custodian through whom the account transactions are executed. We do not share in any
portion of the brokerage fees/transaction charges imposed by the broker-dealer or custodian. To fully
understand the total cost which will incur, clients should review all the fees charged by mutual funds,
exchange traded funds, our firm, and others. For information on our brokerage practices, please refer to
the Brokerage Practices section of this brochure.
We may trade client accounts on margin. Each client must sign a separate margin agreement before
margin is extended to that client account. Fees for advice and execution on these securities are based on
the total asset value of the account, which includes the value of the securities purchased on margin. This
creates a potential conflict of interest where we have an incentive to encourage the use of margin to
create a higher market value and therefore receive a higher fee. The use of margin may also result in
interest charges in addition to all other fees and expenses associated with the security involved.
Item 6 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
We do not accept performance-based fees or participate in side-by-side management. Side-by-side
management refers to the practice of managing accounts that are charged performance-based fees
while at the same time managing accounts that are not charged performance-based fees.
Performance-based fees are fees that are based on a share of capital gains or capital appreciation of a
client's account. Our fees are calculated as described in the Advisory Business section above and are
not charged based on a share of capital gains upon, or capital appreciation of, the funds in your
advisory account.
Item 7 Types of Clients
While we occasionally offer investment advisory services to pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable
organizations, corporations and other business entities, our primary service offering is targeted at high
net worth individuals and their families.
12
For our family Chief Financial Officer services, we seek a target minimum net worth of $5 million.
For standalone investment management services, we seek a target minimum investment portfolio
of $2 million.
For both offerings, we generally impose a minimum annual fee outlined in Section 5.
At our discretion, we may waive these minimums. For example, we may waive these minimums if you
appear to have significant potential for increasing your assets under our management. We may also
combine account values for you and your minor children, joint accounts with your spouse, and other
types of related accounts to meet the stated minimum.
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Our Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
We may use one or more of the following methods of analysis or investment strategies when providing
investment advice to you.
Charting Analysis - involves the gathering and processing of price and volume pattern information for
a particular security, sector, broad index, or commodity. This price and volume pattern information is
analyzed. The resulting pattern and correlation data are used to detect departures from expected
performance and diversification and predict future price movements and trends.
Risk: Our charting analysis may not accurately detect anomalies or predict future price
movements. Current prices of securities may reflect all information known about the security and
day-to-day changes in market prices of securities may follow random patterns and may not be
predictable with any reliable degree of accuracy.
Technical Analysis - involves studying past price patterns, trends, and interrelationships in the
financial markets to assess risk-adjusted performance and predict the direction of both the overall
market and specific securities.
Risk: The risk of market timing based on technical analysis is that our analysis may not accurately
detect anomalies or predict future price movements. Current prices of securities may reflect all
information known about the security and day-to-day changes in market prices of securities may
follow random patterns and may not be predictable with any reliable degree of accuracy.
Fundamental Analysis - involves analyzing individual companies and their industry groups, such as a
company's financial statements, details regarding the company's product line, the experience and
expertise of the company's management, and the outlook for the company and its industry. The
resulting data is used to measure the true value of the company's stock compared to the current
market value.
Risk: The risk of fundamental analysis is that information obtained may be incorrect and the
analysis may not provide an accurate estimate of earnings, which may be the basis for a stock's
value. If securities prices adjust rapidly to new information, utilizing fundamental analysis may not
result in favorable performance.
Cyclical Analysis - a type of technical analysis that involves evaluating recurring price patterns and
trends. Economic/business cycles may not be predictable and may have many fluctuations between long
term expansions and contractions.
13
Risk: The lengths of economic cycles may be difficult to predict with accuracy and therefore
the risk of cyclical analysis is the difficulty in predicting economic trends and consequently the
changing value of securities that would be affected by these changing trends.
Long-Term Purchases - securities purchased with the expectation that the value of those securities will
grow over a relatively long period of time, generally greater than one year.
Risk: Using a long-term purchase strategy generally assumes the financial markets will go up in
the long-term, which may not be the case. There is also the risk that the segment of the market
that you are invested in or perhaps just your particular investment will go down over time even
if the overall financial markets advance. Purchasing investments long-term may create an
opportunity cost - "locking-up" assets that may be better utilized in the short-term in other
investments.
Short-Term Purchases - securities purchased with the expectation that they will be sold within a
relatively short period of time, generally less than one year, to take advantage of the securities' short-
term price fluctuations.
Risk: Using a short-term purchase strategy generally assumes that we can predict how financial
markets will perform in the short-term which may be very difficult and will incur a
disproportionately higher amount of transaction costs compared to long-term trading. There
are many factors that can affect financial market performance in the short-term (such as short-
term interest rate changes, cyclical earnings announcements, etc.) but may have a smaller
impact over longer periods of times.
Short Sales - securities transaction in which an investor sells securities that were borrowed in
anticipation of a price decline. The investor is then required to return an equal number of shares at
some point in the future.
Risk: A short seller will profit if the stock goes down in price, but if the price of the shares increase,
the potential losses are unlimited.
Margin Transactions - a securities transaction in which an investor borrows money to purchase a
security, in which case the security serves as collateral on the loan.
Risk: If the value of the shares drops sufficiently, the investor will be required to either deposit
more cash into the account or sell a portion of the stock to maintain the margin requirements of
the account. This is known as a "margin call." An investor's overall risk includes the amount of
money invested plus the amount that was loaned to them.
14
Options Trading/Writing - a securities transaction that involves buying or selling (writing) an option. If
you write an option, and the buyer exercises the option, you are obligated to purchase or deliver a
specified number of shares at a specified price at the expiration of the option regardless of the market
value of the security at expiration of the option. Buying an option gives you the right to purchase or sell
a specified number of shares at a specified price until the date of expiration of the option regardless of
the market value of the security at expiration of the option.
Risk: The trading of options may be highly speculative and may entail more risk than those
present when investing in other types of securities. Prices of options are generally more volatile
than prices of other types of securities. When trading in options, you may run the risk of losing
the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. In more risky options strategies, an
investor could theoretically have an unlimited risk of loss.
Tax Considerations
Our strategies and investments may have unique and significant tax implications. However, unless
we specifically agree otherwise, and in writing, tax efficiency is not our primary consideration in the
management of your assets. Regardless of your account size or any other factors, we strongly
recommend that you consult with a tax professional prior to and throughout the investing of your
assets.
Moreover, because of revised IRS regulations, custodians and broker-dealers will begin reporting the
cost basis of equities acquired in client accounts on or after January 1, 2011. Your custodian will
default to the FIFO (First-In First-Out) accounting method for calculating the cost basis of your
investments. You are responsible for contacting your tax advisor to determine if this accounting
method is the right choice for you. If your tax advisor believes another accounting method is more
advantageous, please provide written notice to our firm immediately and we will alert your account
custodian of your individually selected accounting method. Please note that decisions about cost basis
accounting methods will need to be made before trades settle, as the cost basis method cannot be
changed after settlement.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that you should be prepared to bear. We do not represent or
guarantee that our services or methods of analysis can or will predict future results, successfully identify
market tops or bottoms, or insulate clients from losses due to market corrections or declines.
We cannot offer any guarantees or promises that your financial goals and objectives will be met. Past
performance is in no way an indication of future performance. Our investment approach seeks to
minimize risks; nevertheless, investors also face the following investment risks or losses:
Interest Rate Risk: The risk that an investment's value will change due to a change in the absolute
level of interest rates.
Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to tangible and
intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external factors independent of
a security's underlying circumstances.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that inflation will undermine the performance of your
investment. Results without considering inflation is the nominal return. The real return is
measured as the growth of your purchasing power.
15
Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have to be
reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This primarily relates to
fixed income securities.
Business Risk: These risks are associated with an industry or a particular company within an
industry. Business risk is influenced by numerous factors, including sales, per-unit price,
input costs, competition, overall economic climate, and government regulations.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Financial Risk: The possibility that shareholders will lose money when they invest in a company
that has debt if the company's cash flow proves inadequate to meet its financial obligations.
When a company uses debt financing, its creditors will be repaid before its shareholders if the
company becomes insolvent.
Recommendation of Particular Types of Securities
As disclosed under the Advisory Business section in this brochure, we primarily recommend no
load mutual funds and exchange traded funds.
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are professionally managed collective investment
systems that pool money from many investors and invest in stocks, bonds, short-term money market
instruments, other mutual funds, other securities, or any combination thereof. The fund will have a
manager that trades the fund's investments in accordance with the fund's investment objective. While
mutual funds and ETFs generally provide diversification, risks can be significantly increased if the fund is
concentrated in a particular sector of the market, primarily invests in small cap or speculative companies,
uses leverage (i.e., borrows money) to a significant degree, or concentrates in a particular type of
security (i.e., equities) rather than balancing the fund with different types of securities.
Exchange traded funds differ from mutual funds since they can be bought and sold throughout the day
like stocks and their price can fluctuate throughout the day. The returns on mutual funds and ETFs can
be reduced by the costs to manage the funds. Also, while some mutual funds are "no load" and charge
no fee to buy into, or sell out of, the fund, other types of mutual funds do charge such fees which can
also reduce returns. Mutual funds can also be "closed end" or "open end". So-called "open end" mutual
funds continue to allow in new investors indefinitely whereas "closed end" funds have a fixed number of
shares to sell which can limit their availability to new investors.
Risks associated with mutual funds and/or ETFs, like all securities, include relying on historical
performance, when it certainly does not guarantee future results. A manager who has been successful
may not be able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as we do not control the
underlying investments in a fund or ETF, managers of different funds held by the client may purchase
the same security, increasing the risk to the client if that security were to fall in value. There is also a
risk that a manager may deviate from the stated investment mandate or strategy of the fund or ETF,
which could make the holding(s) less suitable for the client's portfolio.
Private placements and Private Funds carry significant risk in that companies using the private placement
market conduct securities offerings that are exempt from registration under the federal securities laws,
which means that investors do not have access to public information and such investors are not provided
with the same amount of information that they would receive if the securities offering was a public
offering. Moreover, many companies using private placements do so to raise equity capital in the start-
16
up phase of their business or require additional capital to complete another phase in their growth
objective.
In addition, the securities issued in connection with private placements are restricted securities, which
means that they are not traded on a secondary market, such as a stock exchange, and they are thus
illiquid and cannot be readily converted to cash.
A detailed description of the risks associated with the Fi3-ACP Fund 2022, Fi3 Capital Private Equity
2024 and other private investment funds offered to clients as well as other risks associated with an
investment in each fund is included in the offering memorandum for the relevant fund.
Item 9 Disciplinary Information
Fi3 Financial Advisors, LLC has been registered and providing investment advisory services since 2013.
Neither our firm nor any of our management persons has any reportable disciplinary information.
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Neither the firm nor its affiliates or employees are registered broker-dealers and do not have
an application to register pending.
Neither the firm nor its affiliates are registered as a commodity firm, futures commission merchant,
commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor and do not have an application to register
pending.
Our Relationship with DiMeo Schneider & Associates
Fi3 engages the services of DiMeo Schneider & Associates (“DiMeo”) for economic, market and specific
manager due diligence and modeling. DiMeo is an investment consulting firm focused exclusively on
providing objective, sophisticated, detailed research, and investment advice to a select group of
endowments, financial institutions and family offices. DiMeo was founded in 1995, has more than 70
professionals and advises on assets in excess of $100 billion.
DiMeo is a registered investment adviser specializing in assisting financial institutions and
family offices with a variety of investment consulting and money management needs.
Fi3 uses DiMeo’s in-depth capital market research and proprietary economic and risk management
models to develop the customized allocations that serve as the basis for each of our client’s
Investment Policy Statement.
We rely on DiMeo’s rigorous investment manager selection and evaluation process to identify the
best available money managers for each sub-class of investment.
DiMeo develops customized asset allocation models, recommends the best managers for each
sub-asset class, and provides ongoing performance monitoring, review and recommendations
for rebalancing of model portfolios.
Fi3 pays for DiMeo’s services directly; there is no additional charge to our clients for the information
DiMeo provides.
Fi3 offers certain accredited investors the private investment fund for which Fi3 serves as the investment
manager. Certain supervised persons of Fi3 may also invest in the fund, which presents a conflict of
interest. To manage any conflict, Fi3 maintains procedures to ensure supervised persons do not receive
17
favorable treatment compared to clients investing in the fund. Only accredited investors are eligible for
participation in the fund. Fi3 charges the fund investors an annual percentage advisory fee on the
amount of assets invested in the fund. Fi3 would not offer a fund to a client unless the investment was
appropriate and in the clients best interest.
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Description of Our Code of Ethics
We strive to comply with applicable laws and regulations governing our practices. Therefore, our Code of
Ethics includes guidelines for professional standards of conduct for persons associated with our firm. Our
goal is always to protect your interests and to demonstrate our commitment to our fiduciary duties of
honesty, good faith, and fair dealing with you. All persons associated with our firm are expected to
adhere strictly to these guidelines. Our Code of Ethics also requires that certain persons associated with
our firm submit reports of their personal account holdings and transactions to a qualified representative
of our firm who will review these reports on a periodic basis. Persons associated with our firm are also
required to report any violations of our Code of Ethics. Additionally, we maintain and enforce written
policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse or dissemination of material, non-public information
about you or your account holdings by persons associated with our firm.
Clients or prospective clients may obtain a copy of our Code of Ethics by contacting us at the telephone
number on the cover page of this brochure.
Private Fund
Fi3 solicits investment in ACP Fund 2022 to accredited investors. Fi3 is paid an annual percentage
advisory fee on the amount of assets invested in the fund. Fi3 receives no other compensation from the
fund.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
Neither our firm nor any persons associated with our firm has any material financial interest in client
transactions beyond the provision of investment advisory services as disclosed in this brochure.
Personal Trading Practices
Our firm or persons associated with our firm may buy or sell/recommend securities for you at the same
time we or persons associated with our firm buy or sell such securities for our own account.
A conflict of interest exists in such cases because we have the ability to trade ahead of you and
potentially receive more favorable prices than you will receive. To mitigate this conflict of interest, it is
our policy that neither our firm nor persons associated with our firm shall have priority over your
account in the purchase or sale of securities.
Item 12 Brokerage Practices
Factors Used to Select Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
18
Our firm may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with Schwab Institutional, a division
of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; or Fidelity Investments (collectively herein “custodian”), FINRA registered
19
broker-dealers, members SIPC, to maintain custody of clients’ assets and to effect trades for their
accounts. Although we may recommend that clients establish accounts at the custodian, it is the client’s
decision to custody assets with the custodian. Our firm is independently owned and operated and not
affiliated with custodian. For client accounts maintained in its custody, the custodian generally does not
charge separately for custody services but is compensated by account holders through commissions and
other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through the
custodian or that settle into custodian accounts.
We consider the financial strength, reputation, operational efficiency, cost, execution capability, level of
customer service, and related factors in recommending broker-dealers or custodians to advisory
clients.
In certain instances and subject to approval by our firm, we will recommend to clients certain other
broker-dealers and/or custodians based on the needs of the individual client, and taking into
consideration the nature of the services required, the experience of the broker-dealer or custodian, the
cost and quality of the services, and the reputation of the broker-dealer or custodian. The final
determination to engage a broker-dealer or custodian recommended by our firm will be made by and in
the sole discretion of the client. The client recognizes that broker-dealers and/or custodians have
different cost and fee structures and trade execution capabilities. As a result, there may be disparities
with respect to the cost of services and/or the transaction prices for securities transactions executed on
behalf of the client. Clients are responsible for assessing the commissions and other costs charged by
broker-dealers and/or custodians.
How We Select Brokers/Custodians to Recommend
Our firm seeks to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold client 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, the following:
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 client 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.)
Availability of investment research and tools that assist us in making investment decisions
Quality of services
Competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest rates, other fees,
etc.) And willingness to negotiate them
Reputation, financial strength, and stability of the provider
Their prior service to us and our other clients
Availability of other products and services that benefit us, as discussed below
20
Client’s Custody and Brokerage Costs
For client accounts that the firm maintains, the custodian generally does not charge clients separately for
custody services but is compensated by charging commissions or other fees on trades that it executes or
that settle into the custodian’s accounts. The custodian’s commission rates applicable to the firm’s client
accounts were negotiated based on the amount of client assets at the custodian (i.e., Schwab) generally
based on a commitment to a certain level of aggregate client assets. In the case of Fidelity and Schwab,
there are no minimum asset requirements. In addition to commissions, the custodian charges a flat
dollar amount as a “prime broker” or “trade away” fee for each trade that the firm has executed by a
different broker-dealer but where the securities bought or the funds from the securities sold are
deposited (settled) into the client’s custodian account. These fees are in addition to the commissions or
other compensation the client pays the executing broker-dealer. Because of this, to minimize the client’s
trading costs, the firm has the custodian execute most trades for the account.
Soft Dollar Arrangements
Our firm does not utilize soft dollar arrangements. We do not direct brokerage transactions to executing
brokers for research and brokerage services.
Institutional Trading and Custody Services
The custodian provides us with access to its institutional trading and custody services, which are typically
not available to the custodian’s retail investors. These services generally are available to independent
investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a certain minimum amount
of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at a particular custodian. In the case of Fidelity
and Schwab, there are no minimum asset requirements. The custodian’s brokerage services include the
execution of securities transactions, custody, research, and access to mutual funds and other
investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a
significantly higher minimum initial investment.
Other Products and Services
Custodian also makes available to us other products and services that benefit our firm but may not
directly benefit its clients’ accounts. Many of these products and services may be used to service all or
some substantial number of client accounts, including accounts not maintained at custodian. The
custodian may also make available to us software and other technology that
provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements)
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts
provide research, pricing, and other market data
facilitate payment of fees from clients’ accounts
assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting
The custodian may also offer other services intended to help us manage and further develop its business
enterprise. These services may include
compliance, legal and business consulting
publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
21
access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance providers
The custodian may also provide other benefits such as educational events or occasional business
entertainment of personnel. In evaluating whether to recommend that clients custody their assets at the
custodian, we may take into account the availability of some of the foregoing products and services and
other arrangements as part of the total mix of factors it considers, and not solely the nature, cost or
quality of custody and brokerage services provided by the custodian, which may create a potential
conflict of interest.
Independent Third Parties
The custodian may make available, arrange, and/or pay third-party vendors for the types of services
rendered to our firm. The custodian may discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of
these services or all or a part of the fees of a third party providing these services to us.
Additional Compensation Received from Custodians
We may participate in institutional customer programs sponsored by broker-dealers or custodians. We
may recommend these broker-dealers or custodians to clients for custody and brokerage services. There
is no direct link between our participation in such programs and the investment advice we give to
clients, although our firm receives economic benefits through its participation in the programs that are
typically not available to retail investors. These benefits may include the following products and services
(provided without cost or at a discount):
Receipt of duplicate client statements and confirmations
Research-related products and tools
Consulting services
Access to a trading desk serving participants
Access to block trading (which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions for
execution and then allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts)
The ability to have advisory fees deducted directly from client accounts
Access to an electronic communications network for client order entry and account information
Access to mutual funds with no transaction fees and to certain institutional money managers
Discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice management products or
services provided to us by third-party vendors
The custodian may also pay for business consulting and professional services received by our firm’s
related persons and may pay or reimburse expenses (including client transition expenses, travel, lodging,
meals and entertainment expenses for personnel to attend conferences). Some of the products and
services made available by such custodian through its institutional customer programs may benefit our
firm but may not benefit client accounts. These products or services may assist us in managing and
administering client accounts, including accounts not maintained at the custodian as applicable. Other
services made available through the programs are intended to help us manage and further develop its
business enterprise. The benefits received by our firm or its personnel through participation in these
programs do not depend on the amount of brokerage transactions directed to the broker-dealer.
22
Our firm also participates in similar institutional advisor programs offered by other independent broker-
dealers or trust companies, and its continued participation may require us to maintain a predetermined
23
level of assets at such firms. In connection with its participation in such programs, our firm will typically
receive benefits similar to those listed above, including research, payments for business consulting and
professional services received by related persons, and reimbursement of expenses (including travel,
lodging, meals and entertainment expenses for personnel to attend conferences sponsored by the
broker-dealer or trust company).
As part of its fiduciary duties to clients, our firm endeavors always to put the interests of its clients first.
Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by our firm or its related
persons in and of itself creates a potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence our
recommendation of broker-dealers for custody and brokerage services.
The Firm’s Interest in Custodian’s Services
The availability of these services from the custodian benefits the firm because the firm does not have
to produce or purchase them. The firm does not have to pay for the custodian’s services so long as a
certain minimum of client assets is kept in accounts at the custodian. In the case of Fidelity and
Schwab, there are no minimum asset requirements. These services are not contingent upon the firm
committing any specific amount of business to the custodian in trading commissions or assets in
custody. This minimum of client assets may give the firm an incentive to recommend that clients
maintain their accounts with the custodian based on the firm’s interest in receiving the custodian’s
services that benefit the firm’s business rather than based on the client’s interest in receiving the best
value in custody services and the most favorable execution of client transactions. This is a potential
conflict of interest. The firm believes, however, that the selection of the custodian as custodian and
broker is in the best interest of clients. It is primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of the
custodian’s services and not the custodian’s services that benefit only the firm.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
We do not receive client referrals from broker-dealers in exchange for cash or other compensation,
such as brokerage services or research.
Directed Brokerage
In limited circumstances, and at our discretion, some clients may instruct our firm to use one or more
particular brokers for the transactions in their accounts. If you choose to direct our firm to use a broker,
you should understand that this might prevent our firm from obtaining favorable net price and
execution. Thus, when directing brokerage business, you should consider whether the commission
expenses, execution, clearance, and settlement capabilities that you will obtain through your broker are
adequately favorable in comparison to those that we would otherwise obtain for you.
Block Trades
We do not combine multiple orders for shares of the same securities purchased for advisory accounts
we manage (the practice of combining multiple orders for shares of the same securities is commonly
referred to as "block trading"). Accordingly, especially for significantly different sized transactions, you
may pay different prices for the same securities transactions than other clients pay. Furthermore, we may
not be able to buy and sell the same quantities of securities for you and you may pay higher or lower
commissions, fees, and/or transaction costs than other clients.
24
Order Aggregation
In the event the firm engages in a block trade, orders for the same security entered on behalf of more
than one client will generally be aggregated (i.e., blocked or bunched) subject to the aggregation
being in the best interests of all participating clients. Subsequent orders for the same security entered
during the same trading day may be aggregated with any previously unfilled orders. Subsequent
orders may also be aggregated with filled orders if the market price for the security has not materially
changed and the aggregation does not cause any unintended duration exposure. All clients
participating in each aggregated order will receive the average price and, subject to minimum ticket
charges and possible step outs, pay a pro rata portion of commissions.
To minimize performance dispersion, “strategy” trades should be aggregated and average priced.
However, when a trade is to be executed for an individual account and the trade is not in the best
interests of other accounts, then the trade will only be performed for that account. This is true even if we
believe that a larger size block trade would lead to best overall price for the security being transacted.
Allocation of Trades
In the event the firm engages in a block trade, all allocations will be made prior to the close of business
on the trade date. In the event an order is “partially filled,” the allocation will be made in the best
interests of all the clients in the order, taking into account all relevant factors including, but not limited
to, the size of each client’s allocation, clients’ liquidity needs and previous allocations. In most cases,
accounts will get a pro forma allocation based on the initial allocation. This policy also applies if an
order is “over-filled.”
Our firm acts in accordance with its duty to seek best price and execution and will not continue any
arrangements if we determine that such arrangements are no longer in the best interest of its clients.
Item 13 Review of Accounts
Overview
Client accounts are reviewed by a Partner of the firm on an annual basis, or when changes in client
circumstances or market conditions dictate (see list below). Subsequent to this review, financial plans will
be update as requested or when client circumstances dictate. Customized accounts are reviewed on an
ongoing basis and are conducted at the client’s preference either in person or over the phone.
Additional reviews may be conducted based on various circumstances, including, but not limited to:
Contributions and withdrawals
Year-end tax planning
Market moving events
Security specific events, and/or
Changes in your risk/return objectives
Reports to Clients
25
Clients who retain us for wealth management services or customized asset management will receive
performance reports and investment review packets on at least a quarterly basis. Wealth management
clients will additionally receive updated net worth statements on an annual basis. Performance reports
26
are used as a scorecard of individual security, account, and total portfolio performance. Oftentimes,
performance is compared to indexes and/or benchmarks determined to be appropriate for each client.
Investment review packets compare the client's current portfolio allocation to a target portfolio
allocation. Net worth statements reflect client assets, liabilities and related holdings and may contain
estimates of bank account balances provided by the client, as well as the value of hard-to-price real
estate or other illiquid investments.
In addition, clients will receive trade confirmations and monthly or quarterly statements from your
account custodian(s).
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Fi3 may enter into agreements with solicitors who will refer prospective advisory clients to Fi3 in
return for a portion of the ongoing investment advisory fee. Such arrangements will comply with the
cash solicitation requirements of Rule 206(4)-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Generally,
these requirements require the solicitor to have a written agreement with Fi3. The solicitor must
provide the client with a disclosure document describing the fees it receives from Fi3, whether those
fees represent an increase in fees that Fi3 would otherwise charge the client, and whether an affiliation
exists between Fi3 and the solicitor.
Item 15 Custody
Fi3 is considered to have custody of client assets for purposes of the Advisers Act for the following
reasons:
The client authorizes us to instruct their custodian to deduct our advisory fees directly from the
client’s account. The custodian maintains actual custody of clients’ assets.
Our authority to direct client requests, utilizing standing instructions, for wire transfer of funds for
first-party money movement and third-party money movement (checks and/or journals, ACH, Fed-
wires). The firm has elected to meet the SEC’s seven conditions, as outlined below.
1. The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
2. The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s form
or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from time
to time.
3. The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as a
signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization and provides a transfer
of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
4. The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s
qualified custodian.
5. The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the client’s
instruction.
6. The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party
of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
27
7. The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
For certain accounts, where the SEC’s seven conditions cannot be met or the firm has account
access through a client’s third-party account log in, the firm has elected to engage an independent
public accountant to annually conduct a surprise custody exam audit.
Individual advisory clients will receive at least quarterly account statement directly from their securities
custodian, and if applicable, bank custodian, containing a description of all activity, cash balances, and
for securities accounts, portfolio holdings in their accounts. The custodian’s statement is the official
record of the account. Fi3 strongly urges its clients to compare the account statements they receive
from their custodian(s) with the statements they receive from Fi3. Comparing statements will allow
clients to confirm that account transactions, including deductions of advisory fees, are accurate and
proper.
Item 16 Investment Discretion
Before we can buy or sell securities on your behalf, you must first sign our discretionary client
agreement, and the appropriate trading authorization forms.
You may grant our firm discretion over the selection and amount of securities to be purchased or sold
for your account(s) without obtaining your consent or approval prior to each transaction.
You may specify investment objectives, guidelines, and/or impose certain conditions or investment
parameters for your account(s). For example, you may specify that the investment in any particular stock
or industry should not exceed specified percentages of the value of the portfolio and/or impose
restrictions or prohibitions of transactions in the securities of a specific industry or security.
Please refer to the Advisory Business section in this brochure for more information on our
discretionary management services.
If you enter into non-discretionary arrangements with our firm, we will obtain your approval prior to the
execution of any transactions for your account(s). You have an unrestricted right to decline to
implement any advice provided by our firm on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
We will not vote proxies on behalf of your advisory accounts. At your request, we may offer you advice
regarding corporate actions and the exercise of your proxy voting rights. If you own shares of applicable
securities, you are responsible for exercising your right to vote as a shareholder.
In most cases, you will receive proxy materials directly from the account custodian. However, in the
event we were to receive any written or electronic proxy materials, we would forward them directly to
you by mail, unless you have authorized our firm to contact you by electronic mail, in which case we
would forward to you any electronic solicitation to vote proxies.
Except as required by applicable law, we will not be obligated to render advice or take any action on
behalf of clients with respect to assets presently or formerly held in their accounts that become
subject of any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies.
28
Item 18 Financial Information
Our firm does not have any financial condition or impairment that would prevent us from meeting our
contractual commitments to you. We do not take physical custody of client funds or securities and we
do not require the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees six or more months in advance nor have we
filed a bankruptcy petition at any time in the past ten years. Therefore, we are not required to include a
financial statement with this brochure.
29
Additional Information
Your Privacy
We view protecting your private information as a top priority. Pursuant to applicable privacy
requirements, we have instituted policies and procedures to ensure that we keep your personal
information private and secure.
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you to any nonaffiliated third parties,
except as permitted by law. In the course of servicing your account, we may share some information
with our service providers, such as transfer agents, custodians, broker-dealers, accountants, consultants,
and attorneys.
We restrict internal access to nonpublic personal information about you to employees, who need that
information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical and procedural safeguards
that comply with regulatory standards to guard your nonpublic personal information and to ensure our
integrity and confidentiality. We will not sell information about you or your accounts to anyone. We do
not share your information unless it is required to process a transaction, at your request, or required by
law.
You will receive a copy of our privacy notice prior to or at the time you sign an advisory agreement with
our firm. Thereafter, we will deliver a copy of the current privacy policy notice to you on an annual basis.
Please contact our main office at the telephone number on the cover page of this brochure if you have
any questions regarding this policy.
Trade Errors
In the event a trading error occurs in your account, our policy is to restore your account to the
position it should have been in had the trading error not occurred. Depending on the circumstances,
corrective actions may include canceling the trade, adjusting an allocation, and/or reimbursing the
account. If a trade error results in a profit, you will keep the profit.
Class Action Lawsuits
We do not determine if securities held by you are the subject of a class action lawsuit or whether you are
eligible to participate in class action settlements or litigation nor do we initiate or participate in litigation
to recover damages on your behalf for injuries as a result of actions, misconduct, or negligence by
issuers of securities held by you.
30
31