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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
ITEM 1 – COVER PAGE
FORT WASHINGTON
INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
303 BROADWAY, SUITE 1200
CINCINNATI, OH 45202
513.361.7600
fortwashington.com
ohiocapitalfund.com
March 28, 2025
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Fort
Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this
Brochure, please contact us at 513.361.7600 or at our website www.fortwashington.com, under
the “contact” section. The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or by any state securities
authority.
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an
investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.
Additional information about Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. is also available on the
SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES
This Brochure, dated March 28, 2025, was prepared in accordance with SEC requirements,
and contains the following material changes from Fort Washington’s 2024 annual amendment
(filed on March 28, 2024).
• Updated the Fees and Compensation section to reflect the current Institutional Advisory
Service fee structure, including Focused Equity, Structured Opportunities, Emerging
Market Debt and Ultra Short Duration.
You may obtain a copy of our Brochure by contacting Michele Hawkins, Chief Compliance
Officer, by phone at 513.361.7652, or by email at michele.hawkins@fortwashington.com. You
also may obtain our Brochure on our website www.FortWashington.com, free of charge.
Additional information about Fort Washington is also available via the SEC’s web site
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
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 ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Firm Overview ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Institutional Advisory Services ............................................................................................................................. 6
Private Client Group Advisory Services .............................................................................................................. 7
Financial Planning .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Private Equity Advisory Services ....................................................................................................................... 10
Sub-Advisory Services ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Advisory Agreements .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Wrap Fee Programs and Separately Managed Accounts .............................................................................. 11
Assets Under Management ................................................................................................................................ 11
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation .......................................................................................................................... 11
Institutional Advisory Service Fee Schedules .................................................................................................. 12
Focused Equity ................................................................................................................................................ 12
Large Cap Focused Equity ............................................................................................................................ 12
Small Company Equity ................................................................................................................................... 12
Dividend Equity ................................................................................................................................................ 13
High Yield Fixed Income ................................................................................................................................ 13
Core Plus Fixed Income ................................................................................................................................. 13
Intermediate Fixed Income ............................................................................................................................ 14
Core Fixed Income .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Securitized Opportunities ............................................................................................................................... 14
Securitized Total Return ................................................................................................................................. 15
Emerging Market Debt (EMD) ....................................................................................................................... 15
Active Corporate Fixed Income ..................................................................................................................... 15
Short Duration Fixed Income ......................................................................................................................... 15
Ultra-Short Duration ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Municipal Fixed Income .................................................................................................................................. 16
Cash Management .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Strategic Income .............................................................................................................................................. 16
Bank Loans ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
Multi-Strategy Separate Accounts (Comprised of Various Asset Classes) ............................................ 17
Private Client Group ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Private Equity Funds ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Financial Planning ................................................................................................................................................ 18
General Information ............................................................................................................................................. 18
Termination of the Advisory Relationship .................................................................................................... 18
Mutual Fund Fees ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Model Portfolio Fees ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Wrap Fee Programs and Separately Managed Account Fees ................................................................. 19
Additional Fees and Expenses ...................................................................................................................... 19
Grandfathering of Minimum Account Requirements .................................................................................. 20
ERISA Accounts .............................................................................................................................................. 20
Affiliated Mutual Funds/ETFs ........................................................................................................................ 20
Advisory Fees in General ............................................................................................................................... 20
Limited Prepayment of Fees .......................................................................................................................... 20
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ................................................................ 20
Item 7 – Types of Clients ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss .......................................................... 21
Methods of Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Investment Strategies .......................................................................................................................................... 23
Risk of Loss ........................................................................................................................................................... 25
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................................ 26
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations.............................................................................. 26
Broker-Dealers...................................................................................................................................................... 26
Investment Companies ........................................................................................................................................ 26
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles .................................................................................................................... 26
Other Investment Advisers ................................................................................................................................. 28
Insurance Companies .......................................................................................................................................... 29
Syndicator of Limited Partnerships .................................................................................................................... 29
Conflicts of Interest .............................................................................................................................................. 29
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading ............... 31
Code of Ethics and Personal Trading ............................................................................................................... 31
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions ................................................................................................ 33
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................ 34
Custodians and Brokers We Use ....................................................................................................................... 34
Brokerage Discretion and Best Execution ........................................................................................................ 35
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
Your Custody and Brokerage Costs .................................................................................................................. 35
Products and Services Available to Us from Custodians ............................................................................... 36
Soft Dollars ............................................................................................................................................................ 36
Client-Directed Brokerage and Commission Recapture Arrangements ...................................................... 38
Trade Aggregation and Trade Rotation ............................................................................................................ 39
Trade Rotation ................................................................................................................................................. 40
Allocation of Investment Opportunities and Orders ........................................................................................ 41
Other Information ................................................................................................................................................. 41
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................ 41
Institutional ............................................................................................................................................................ 41
Portfolio Management ..................................................................................................................................... 41
Sub-Advisory Portfolio Management ............................................................................................................ 42
Mutual Fund Portfolio Management ............................................................................................................. 42
Model Portfolio Management ......................................................................................................................... 42
Private Equity ........................................................................................................................................................ 42
Private Client Group ............................................................................................................................................ 42
Selection and Monitoring of Third-Party Vendors for Private Client Group ............................................ 43
Financial Planning ................................................................................................................................................ 43
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation........................................................................................... 43
Non-Governmental Client Referrals .................................................................................................................. 43
Governmental Client Referrals ........................................................................................................................... 43
Item 15 – Custody ..................................................................................................................................................... 44
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................. 44
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities .......................................................................................................................... 45
Item 18 – Financial Information .............................................................................................................................. 45
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS
FIRM OVERVIEW
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. (“Fort Washington,” “us,” “our,” or “we”) is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Investment Holdings, LLC and the primary investment
arm of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. and its insurance affiliates. Fort Washington is
comprised of three business units arranged by investment and/or client type: Institutional, Private
Client Group, and Private Equity. We are registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 203 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). We are registered as both a cross-
border investment advisory company (a “CB IAC”) and a discretionary investment management
company (a “CB DIMC”) with the Financial Services Commission under the Financial Investment
Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea. We were incorporated in 1990 under the laws of the
State of Ohio. Our principal place of business is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Listed below are our principal shareholders (i.e. those individuals and/or entities controlling
25% or more of Fort Washington):
• Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company
• Western & Southern Financial Group
• The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company
• Western & Southern Investment Holdings, LLC
INSTITUTIONAL ADVISORY SERVICES
Fort Washington offers a variety of strategies to the institutional market. The firm develops
new business by cultivating relationships with consulting firms and prospective clients directly.
Fort Washington is typically retained to provide one or more specific strategies within a stable
of investments for institutional clients. Prospective clients are able contact the firm directly for
these services or a consultant may invite Fort Washington to participate in a search. In some
cases, we respond to a formal Request for Proposal or Request for Information to participate in a
search. Fort Washington also supplies information about the firm and its primary strategies to
third party databases which serve as a repository for investment manager information. Our
primary investment strategies offered to clients are:
• Public Equity: Dividend Equity, Focused Equity; Large Cap Focused Equity; Small
Company Equity
• Fixed Income: Active Corporate Fixed Income, Bank Loans, Core Fixed Income, Core
Plus Fixed Income, Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield Fixed Income; Intermediate
Fixed Income; Municipal Fixed Income, Securitized Opportunities; Securitized Total
Return; Short Duration Fixed Income; Strategic Income, Ultra Short Duration;
• Multi-Strategy for Institutions (Comprised of various asset classes)
• Private Equity: Diversified Funds of Funds; Secondary Funds
• Private Client Group: Tailored portfolio management to meet the unique investment
objectives of small institutions.
Other investment strategies offered to clients are:
• Cash Management
• Private Equity: Regional Programs
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
Many of the public equity, fixed income, and alternative asset strategies are available as a
separate account and/or through commingled and affiliated mutual funds and exchange traded
funds (“ETF’s”). Typically, Fort Washington affiliates act as general partner or managing member
of these funds, depending on whether they are organized as limited partnerships or limited liability
companies, and as sub-advisor for affiliated mutual funds and ETFs. Certain Fort Washington
employees have a direct or indirect investment interest in Fort Washington commingled and
affiliated Funds.
Fort Washington provides collateral management services to the Fort Washington CLO 2019-
1 (CLO) and Fort Washington CLO 2021-2 (“CLO”). Fort Washington will perform certain
investment management, advisory, and administrative functions with respect to the Assets within
the CLO in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable collateral management
agreement and other related documents.
Fort Washington serves as investment manager to Collective Investment Trusts (“CITs”),
sponsored by trust companies. We serve as the investment manager, pursuant to an investment
management agreement, and receive a fee for managing the investment portfolios. The CITs
have not been registered under federal or state securities laws, and are subject to an exemption
provided by Rule 3 (c) (11) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The CITs are only available
for investment by qualified retirement plans and are not for sale to the general public.
joedon.cole@fortwashington.com
A complete list of composites and corresponding fee schedules are available from Fort
Washington upon request. Please contact Joe Don Cole Vice President, Institutional Relationship
to obtain additional
Management, at 513.361.7672 or
information regarding Fort Washington’s institutional composites.
PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP ADVISORY SERVICES
Our Private Client Group provides wealth management, financial planning and investment
advisory services, targeting high net worth individuals, family offices, and smaller institutional
clients.
Our Private Client Group's services include allocation of assets among different investment
categories, investment strategy development, portfolio risk management, financial planning, as
well as security and/or manager selection. Once engaged, our Private Client Group reviews the
client's financial position and whether or not the client’s current asset allocation plan and
investment portfolio is sufficient to accomplish the client’s needs. We will evaluate whether the
client's current allocation and investment portfolio are likely to meet the client's investment
objectives, risk tolerances, and other client-specified criteria.
Our Private Client Group bases its investment advice on many factors, including the client's
investment objectives, risk tolerances, asset class preferences, time horizons, liquidity needs,
anticipated returns, and overall financial position. In forming our advice, we consider the current
economic and market views of our investment professionals and analysts, the views of
independent investment firms, and other statistical measures. We generally seek to construct
highly diversified portfolios with low correlation among asset classes, with the goal of generating
maximum investment return or income, consistent with the client's investment objectives and risk
tolerance.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
We often are asked to formulate an investment strategy, develop an investment policy
statement, and periodically review the implementation of the strategy. These services include,
but are not limited to:
• Detailed comparisons of the client's portfolio against selected benchmarks
• Analysis of the estimated annual income and current yield of the client's portfolio
• Analysis of the client's realized and unrealized gains and losses
• Evaluation of client’s tax position and liabilities
• Analysis of financial and estate plans
While executing the client's investment plan, our Private Client Group will have access to our
full array of proprietary investment strategies, as well as access to outside, independent money
managers. In our discretion, among other things, we decide whether or not to employ proprietary
or outside investment products, active or passive strategies, and mutual funds or separate
accounts, including strategies and products offered by our affiliates. We make these decisions
solely on the basis of what is appropriate and in the client's best interest based on the facts as
we know them and on the information provided by the client.
Our Private Client Group relies upon many factors in recommending independent money
managers or mutual funds, including the following: absolute and relative performance, risk, cost
efficiency, consistency of objectives and management, fund size, and tax efficiency. To assist our
Private Client Group in serving our clients, we receive information from independent firms or
independent money managers, including access to a large database of historic investment
returns. The independent firm also provides us with information regarding managers’
performance track records, risk assessment, style fit and deviation, ownership, and firm statistics.
We also use information obtained from rating and tracking organizations, business publications,
fund prospectuses, and other sources to assist our management of clients’ portfolios.
When appropriate based on a client’s request or as it relates to a client’s unique situation, a
Portfolio Manager may recommend to a Private Client Group client the use of structured products
and/or derivatives, offered by Approved Vendors, within portfolios where their use is consistent
with the client’s investment return objective and risk profile of the client’s investment portfolio.
These offerings are distinct and separate from Fort Washington’s strategies, and, as such, could
incur fees separate than the Fort Washington advisory fee. Because of the nature of these
products, there are factors that will influence the price if sold before maturity, including receiving
less than the face amount. Furthermore, there may be little to no secondary market for these
investments. Even if a secondary market develops, it may not provide significant liquidity. Each
client will be provided with a description of the product and the necessary legal documents and
disclosures provided by the Approved Vendor.
When appropriate based on a client’s request or as it relates to a client’s unique situation,
select employees of Fort Washington who are also licensed insurance agents of an affiliated
company, will recommend suitable insurance products including those of affiliates, to Private
Client Group clients. This service is not part of the services performed by Fort Washington.
When appropriate based on a client’s request or as it relates to a client’s unique situation, a
dually employed employee may recommend to a Private Client Group client that an affiliated
insurance company will design a retirement plan to be funded in whole or in part with life insurance
products. In one type of retirement plan that may be recommended, the affiliated insurance
company’s product must be used to fund the plan. For other types of recommended retirement
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FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
plans, affiliated or unaffiliated insurance products can be used to fund the plan. Certain retirement
plans can also be funded with an advisory account that will be managed by Fort Washington. The
affiliated insurance company does not receive any compensation for designing a retirement plan.
The affiliated insurance company offers recordkeeping services to the plans that it designs, but
does not require that these services be used in exchange for the plan design. If the affiliate does
provide recordkeeping services, it receives compensation for those services.
In the case of certain recommended retirement plans that are funded with a Fort Washington-
managed advisory account, mutual funds that are advised by an affiliate of Fort Washington and
in some cases are sub-advised by Fort Washington can be used in such account, where Fort
Washington considers the purchase of shares of such funds to be appropriate and the client
consents. The plan will not pay a sales commission in connection with such purchases and will
not pay a fee to Fort Washington with respect to the plan assets invested in shares of the affiliated
mutual funds for the entire period of the investment.
Fort Washington is not an insurance company. While Fort Washington and its employees do
not receive commissions or other compensation for the sales of any insurance products, this
service to its clients presents a conflict of interest which is discussed in more detail in the Conflicts
of Interest section under Item 10.
Outside of insurance, when requested by the client, recommendations for professionals in
other industries will be made. Fort Washington does not receive any compensation of any kind
for making these recommendations. Implementation of financial plan recommendations is entirely
at the client's discretion.
Private Client Group clients can meet with their Fort Washington portfolio manager as often
as they agree. We generally provide client reports on a quarterly basis. The client reports present
aggregate information pertaining to individual client portfolio(s). Fort Washington has a complete
list of composites that is available upon request. Please contact Tracey Stofa, Managing Director,
Private Client Group, at 513.361.7694 or tracey.stofa@fortwashington.com to obtain additional
information.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Our Private Client Group also provides a variety of financial planning and consulting services,
often as part of the wealth management services provided to Private Client Group clients.
Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and future financial state
and needs by modeling and analyzing future cash flows, asset values, and withdrawal plans. The
financial planning process seeks to consider the entire financial and life situation of the client in
order to devise a plan with the best prospects of enabling the client to achieve his or her personal
financial goals and priorities.
In general, the financial plan can address any or all of the following areas (including but not
limited to): Compiling Net Worth statements, Cash Flow & Tax Planning, Investment Planning,
Retirement Planning, Education Planning, Estate Planning and Charitable Planning.
We gather required information through a combination of in-depth personal interviews and
documents provided. Information gathered includes the client's current financial status, tax status,
insurance needs, future goals, investment return objectives, and risk appetite. We also provide
general non-securities advice on topics that include budgetary planning, insurance planning,
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
estate planning, and business planning. Should the client choose to implement the
recommendations contained in the plan, we suggest the client work closely with their attorney,
accountant, investment advisor, and/or insurance agent.
Our financial plans do not recommend any specific product or service offered by a broker-
dealer or insurance company be used to implement the plan. All product recommendations are
generic in nature. Insurance recommendations (which may or may not include retirement plan
recommendations) are not part of the services performed by Fort Washington.
When the financial planning services are not connected to the wealth management provided
our Private Client Group clients, Fort Washington typically collects its fee upon completion of the
Financial Planning Agreement.
PRIVATE EQUITY ADVISORY SERVICES
Through Fort Washington Capital Partners Group ("FWCPG"), our Private Equity Division, we
provide our clients with opportunities for direct purchases of private equity investments and
manage private equity funds. Through affiliates formed from time to time, we serve as the general
partner of partnerships organized to make primary fund, secondary fund, co-investments, and
direct company investments.
FWCPG has investment discretion over partnerships for which our affiliates serve as the
general partner. FWCPG exercises its discretion in accordance with the strategy and constraints
stated in each partnership’s limited partnership agreement and private placement memorandum.
We have an investment committee that must consent to each partnership investment decision.
An advisory committee comprised of key limited partners is also created for each private equity
partnership to advise on matters concerning conflicts of interest and asset valuation.
Occasionally, we enter into side letter arrangements with one or more limited partners of a
private equity partnership to address additional terms specific only to that limited partner.
SUB-ADVISORY SERVICES
Fort Washington provides discretionary portfolio management services as a sub-adviser to
other advisers, third-party accounts, certain open-end mutual funds registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (collectively, the "Mutual Funds"), Exchange Traded Funds
(“ETFs”), and model portfolios. Our affiliate, Touchstone Advisors, Inc., is the adviser to some of
these Mutual Funds and ETFs, but the advisers to other Mutual Funds are not our affiliates. As
sub-adviser, we are responsible for developing, constructing, and monitoring the portfolios in
compliance with mandates established by the client’s investment policy statement or the mutual
fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
In establishing client accounts and on an ongoing basis, we discuss with our clients how to
tailor those services to their particular investment objectives, financial needs, and risk tolerance.
Clients generally have the ability to impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain types
of securities, or industry sectors. The restrictions generally are set forth in the advisory
agreement, the client’s investment policy statement, or written instructions. The advisory
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
agreement or investment policy statement also typically describes the process for changing
investment policies or restrictions applicable to the client account.
WRAP FEE PROGRAMS AND SEPARATELY MANAGED ACCOUNTS (“SMA”)
Fort Washington provides advisory services to wrap fee programs as well as advisory services
to individual clients in connection with third-party SMA programs. Fort Washington provides the
same advisory services under both wrap and third-party SMA programs as we provide to our other
separate account clients, except that Fort Washington generally does not communicate directly
with an advisory client without the participation of the wrap or SMA-sponsoring firm. Rather,
clients choose our services with the assistance of the program sponsor. The client's selection
generally is based on the compatibility of our investment services and strategies with the client's
investment objectives and risk tolerance. Wrap and third-party SMA program clients generally
incur higher costs than they would otherwise pay under Fort Washington’s standard fee schedule,
including for reasons related to Fort Washington’s inability to negotiate separate arrangements
for trade execution and other unbundled investment management services.
Fort Washington currently serves as an investment advisor for a separately managed account
program sponsored by Lincoln Investment Planning. The portion of the fee payable to Fort
Washington under the Lincoln Investment Planning CAAMS Select Program accrues at an annual
rate, determined by a percentage of assets under management.
Fort Washington also participates in a wrap fee program sponsored by UBS Financial
Services Inc. (“UBS”). The portion of the fee payable to Fort Washington under the UBS Managed
Accounts Consulting (“MAC”) Account Services Agreement accrues at an annual rate, determined
by a percentage of assets under management.
Fort Washington currently serves as a sub-advisor for a fee-based asset allocation wrap
program sponsored by an affiliated advisor (WS&S Brokerage Services/W&S Wealth Solutions).
The fee payable to Fort Washington under the W&S Wealth Solutions wrap program accrues at
an annual rate.
Fort Washington serves as the investment adviser for non-discretionary wrap model portfolios
(the “UGMA Wrap Fee Program”) through its affiliate and solicitor, Fabric Technologies, Inc. dba
Fabric by Gerber Life (“Fabric”). Fabric operates a website (https://meetfabric.com) and mobile
application that provides access to, among other products and services, child investment
accounts (each, an “Account”) under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (“UGMA”) (also known as
the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) as adopted in each state. For additional information see the
UGMA Wrap Fee Program Brochure.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
As of December 31, 2024, Fort Washington was actively managing $84,524,294,442 of
clients' assets on a discretionary basis, plus $424,553,721 of clients' assets on a non-
discretionary basis.
ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION
Our general policy is to charge fees in accordance with the fee schedule in effect at the time
of the charge. However, all fees and account minimums are subject to negotiation. Some Fort
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FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
Washington affiliates are subject to alternative fee arrangements. Please refer to “Code of Ethics,
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading” (Item 11) for additional
information. Fees may be debited from clients' custodial accounts, or clients may be billed
directly. Clients elect the method by which they are billed.
The specific manner in which we charge fees is set forth in a client’s written advisory
agreement, but fees are generally assessed in accordance with the following schedules. Fees
are structured with tiered rates that have the effect of applying different rates to different portions
of the account’s assets, so that both the effective annual blended and actual fee rates decrease
as assets in the account increase. Fort Washington is not a custodian, although we may be
deemed to have custody of certain Private Client Group and pooled investment vehicle assets.
Fees are deducted quarterly and are generally paid in arrears.
INSTITUTIONAL ADVISORY SERVICE FEE SCHEDULES
Client accounts are generally appraised quarterly for fee purposes. Expressed on an annual
basis and assuming that securities will be held in custody with a third party bank, trust company,
or broker-dealer, the fee schedule is as follows:
FOCUSED EQUITY
The minimum size for Focused Equity separate accounts is $3,000,000. The fee schedule is
as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $50,000,000
0.70%
Additional amounts over $50,000,000
0.65%
LARGE CAP FOCUSED EQUITY
The minimum size for Large Cap Focused Equity separate accounts is $3,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.55%
Next $25,000,000
0.45%
Additional amounts over $50,000,000
0.40%
SMALL COMPANY EQUITY
The minimum size for Small Company Equity separate accounts is $3,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.75%
Next $25,000,000
0.70%
Additional amounts over $50,000,000
0.65%
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Clients, subject to certain investment requirements, may also invest in a collective investment
trust (Small Company CIT) managed in this style. The minimum account sizes and fee schedules
are as follows:
Share Class
Minimum Amount
Annual Fee (Flat)
Class F
$15,000,000
0.50%
Class A
$3,000,000
0.65%
Class I
>$0
0.75%
DIVIDEND EQUITY
The minimum size for Dividend Equity separate accounts is $3,000,000. The fee schedule is
as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.50%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.30%
Clients may also invest in Dividend Equity - SRI. The minimum account size is $3,000,000,
and the fee schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.50%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.30%
HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for High Yield Fixed Income separate accounts is $20,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $100,000,000
0.50%
Additional amounts over $100,000,000
0.45%
Clients, subject to certain investment thresholds, may also invest in a High Yield Fixed Income
commingled fund. The minimum account size for the commingled funds is generally $500,000
and the fee schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount (Commingled Funds)
Annual Fee
Flat
0.55%
CORE PLUS FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for Core Plus Fixed Income separate accounts is $50,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $50,000,000
0.35%
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
Next $50,000,000
0.25%
Additional amounts over $100,000,000
0.20%
Clients, subject to certain investment requirements, may also invest in a commingled fund
(Core Plus Fixed Income LLC - formerly known as Full Discretion Fixed Income LLC; Core Plus
Fixed Income (ERISA) LLC) managed in this style. The minimum account size is generally
$1,000,000 and the fee schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount (Active Fund)
Annual Fee
Flat
0.40%
Clients, subject to certain investment requirements, may also invest in a collective investment
trust (Core Plus CIT) managed in this style. The minimum account sizes and fee schedules are
as follows:
Share Class
Minimum Amount
Annual Fee (Flat)
Class 1
$100,000,000
0.26%
Class 2
$50,000,000
0.30%
Class 3
>$0
0.32%
INTERMEDIATE FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for Intermediate Fixed Income separate accounts is $5,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.35%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.30%
CORE FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for Core Fixed Income separate accounts is $5,000,000. The fee schedule
is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.30%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.25%
SECURITIZED OPPORTUNITIES
The minimum size for Securitized Opportunities separate accounts is $25,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
Flat
0.35%
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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SECURITIZED TOTAL RETURN
The minimum size for Securitized Total Return separate accounts is $15,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.30%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.25%
EMERGING MARKETS DEBT (“EMD”)
The minimum size for Emerging Markets Debt separate accounts is $25,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $100,000,000
0.35%
Additional amounts over $100,000,000
0.30%
Clients, subject to certain investment requirements, may also invest in an Emerging Markets
Debt commingled fund. The minimum account size is $1,000,000 and the fee schedule is as
follows:
Principal Amount (Commingled Fund)
Annual Fee
Flat
0.40%
ACTIVE CORPORATE FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for Active Corporate Fixed Income separate accounts is $3,000,000. The
fee schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.30%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.25%
SHORT DURATION FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for Short Duration Fixed Income separate accounts is $3,000,000. The fee
schedule for Short Duration accounts is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.25%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.20%
ULTRA-SHORT DURATION
The minimum size for Ultra-Short Duration separate accounts is $15,000,000. The fee
schedule is as follows:
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
Flat
0.15%
MUNICIPAL FIXED INCOME
The minimum size for Municipal Fixed Income separate accounts is $3,000,000. The fee is
as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.35%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.30%
CASH MANAGEMENT
The minimum size for Cash Management separate accounts is $5,000,000. The fee schedule
for Cash Management accounts is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
First $25,000,000
0.15%
Additional amounts over $25,000,000
0.10%
STRATEGIC INCOME
The minimum size for Strategic Income separate accounts is $100,000,000. The fee schedule
is as follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
Flat
0.40%
Clients, subject to certain investment requirements, may also invest in a commingled fund
(Strategic Income LLC – formerly known as Flexible Income LLC) managed in this style. The
minimum account size is $1,000,000 and the fee schedule is as follows:
Principal Amount (Commingled Fund)
Annual Fee
Flat
0.45%
BANK LOANS
The minimum size for Bank Loans separate accounts is $50,000,000. The fee schedule is as
follows:
Principal Amount
Annual Fee
On the First $100,000,000
0.50%
On the Next $150,000,000
0.45%
Additional Amounts over $250,000,000
0.40%
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
MULTI-STRATEGY SEPARATE ACCOUNTS (COMPRISED OF INVESTMENT VEHICLES
REPRESENTING MULTIPLE ASSET CLASSES)
The minimum size for Multi-Strategy Separate Accounts is $1,000,000. Fees for Multi-
strategy accounts invested in Fort Washington strategies correspond to those strategies’ fees as
provided in Form ADV and as outlined above (e.g. Focused Equity, Core Plus Fixed Income, etc.).
Fees for Multi-Strategy accounts invested in strategies managed by third-party subadvisors
include a 15bps advisory fee, payable to Fort Washington for asset allocation, monitoring and
oversight of sub-advisor(s)) in addition to the fee(s) to be paid to the sub-adviser(s).
Fees for Multi-Strategy accounts invested in Fort Washington and non-Fort Washington
strategies include: (i) a 15bps advisory fee only on third-party sub advised strategies, (ii) fees
corresponding to the Fort Washington strategy invested, as provided in Form ADV and outlined
above, and (iii) the fee(s) to be paid to the sub-adviser(s).
Fees will be paid to the sub-adviser as outlined in the investment advisory agreement and
client Sub-Adviser Acknowledgement Form.
PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP
The minimum size for High-Net-Worth Individual and Family accounts is $500,000. Client
accounts are generally appraised for fee purposes quarterly. Expressed on an annual basis and
assuming that securities will be held in custody with a third party bank, trust company, or broker-
dealer, the fee schedule for discretionary accounts is as follows:
Principal Amount (Discretionary Account)
Annual Fee
First $1,000,000
1.00%
Next $4,000,000
0.75%
Additional amounts over $5,000,000
0.50%
In applying the breakpoints, will typically aggregate related client accounts. The fees describe
above are negotiable. Non-discretionary Private Client Group accounts are generally charged
$500 annually and are billed quarterly in advance, but these fees may vary depending on client
circumstance.
PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDS
From time to time, Fort Washington forms and offers partnership interests in closed-end
private equity funds, typically diversified private equity funds of funds (“Funds of Funds”) and
secondary funds (“Secondary Funds”).
For Funds of Funds, management fees are typically based on committed capital and generally
range from 0.75% - 1.00% during approximately the first 10 years of the fund, after which they
are reduced by 10% per year thereafter. There is also a fee structure implemented for prior
funds.
For Secondary Funds, management fees are typically charged a rate between 0.85% -
1.25% annually, during the investment period, based on committed capital. After the investment
period, management fees are generally reduced by 10% annually. Carried Interest of 15% is
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
charged on profits after a return of contributed capital and an 8% preferred return. There is also
a fee structure implemented for prior funds.
For certain qualified investors that make a large commitment or are affiliated with or under a
common consultant relationship with other investors, the level of the asset-based management
fee may be reduced. If Carried Interest applies, investors generally pay a percentage of profits
after a return of contributed capital and a preferred return. Certain Funds of Funds do not charge
Carried Interest. See “Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management” (Item 6) below
for further information about performance-based fees.
Fort Washington also manages and advises on legacy funds and customized private equity
partnerships no longer open to new investors. These partnerships charge different fees and/or
Carried Interest from those we would charge on newly formed partnerships. Closed funds may
be subject to alternative fee schedules. Additional information regarding fees can be found in
each fund’s private placement memorandum and Limited Partnership Agreement.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Financial planning clients are typically charged on a per-plan (i.e., flat) or hourly basis
according to applicable contract provisions. Fort Washington Investment Advisors considers its
Financial Planning division to serve as an extension and integral part of the Fort Washington
Private Client Group in the wealth management services it provides to its clients. As such, Fort
Washington will generally waive any related financial planning fees and expenses for those clients
of its Private Client Group. Fort Washington will also occasionally provide financial planning
advisory services to its associates and to Western & Southern Financial Group associates at a
discounted rate.
When the financial planning services are not connected to the wealth management provided our
Private Client Group clients, Fort Washington typically collects its fee upon completion of the
Financial Planning Agreement.
GENERAL INFORMATION
TERMINATION OF THE ADVISORY RELATIONSHIP
A client agreement may be canceled at any time, by either party, for any reason upon receipt
of 30 days written notice, or as indicated in the Advisory Agreement. As disclosed above, fees
are generally paid in arrears of services provided. However, upon termination of an account where
fees are paid in advance, any prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly refunded. In calculating a
client’s reimbursement of fees, we will pro rate the reimbursement according to the number of
days remaining in the billing period.
MUTUAL FUND FEES
All fees paid to Fort Washington for investment advisory services are separate and distinct
from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) in
which we may invest client assets. These fees and expenses are described in each fund's
prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee, other fund expenses, and a
possible distribution fee. If the fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an initial or
deferred sales charge.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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Our fees pay for our services in advising you as to the investment of your assets including,
among other things, our assistance in deciding which mutual fund or funds may be most
appropriate to your financial condition and objectives. The mutual fund fees and expenses, on
the other hand, pay for the costs of managing and investing the fund’s portfolio of investments. A
client could invest in a mutual fund directly, without our services, but the client would not receive
the benefit of our services. Clients should review both the fees charged by the funds and our fees
to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client and to thereby evaluate the
advisory services being provided. Clients should also understand that mutual funds offer a variety
of share classes, some including fees that are more expensive than others and some with no
fees. The fund prospectus will describe these fees.
Fort Washington does not receive 12b-1 fees for investments in mutual funds. Additionally a
client’s custodian or clearing broker has the ability to impose limitations on the share classes
offered on their platform and institute minimum investment requirements.
MODEL PORTFOLIO FEES
Fort Washington serves as a Model Provider on Third Party SMA Model Programs. The fees
for the managed portfolios are charged to the client by the Third Party SMA Model provider and
are derived from the fee schedule for the relevant investment option and are based on the asset
level invested in each option. Fees are paid directly to the Third Party SMA Model Program
provider and Fort Washington is paid a sub-advisory fee for Funds managed on behalf of
Touchstone Funds as outlined below under Affiliated Mutual Funds.
The mutual funds within the model may also charge internal management fees, which are
disclosed in each fund’s prospectus, and deferred sales charges on previously purchased mutual
fund shares.
WRAP FEE PROGRAMS AND SEPARATELY MANAGED ACCOUNT FEES
Fort Washington sponsors a UGMA wrap fee program through its affiliate Fabric
Technologies, Inc. as described in Section 4. Clients pay a monthly fee in advance for our non-
discretionary UGMA wrap accounts at a rate of $3.00 per month for one account or $5.00 per
month for more than one account. All custodial fees, brokerage commissions, stock transfer fees,
and other similar charges incurred in connection with transactions for the wrap account will be
paid out of the monthly fee and not the assets of the wrap account.
Fort Washington also participates in other wrap fee programs and in other separately
managed accounts sponsored by affiliated and third parties. As part of these programs, the client
pays a fee to the wrap program sponsor. The wrap program sponsor pays Fort Washington a fee
for our investment advisory services. The fee and service arrangements for accounts under any
wrap program are negotiated between the client and the wrap program sponsor. Fort Washington
is not generally informed of the fee arrangements, nor do we share in any fees, other than the
fees negotiated between Fort Washington and the wrap program sponsor.
ADDITIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES
In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also responsible for the fees and expenses charged
by custodians and imposed by broker/dealers, including transaction charges, custodial fees, fund
related expenses, operating expenses and commission costs. Assets invested in share of mutual
funds are subject to embedded advisory and other fees and expenses as set forth in the
Prospectus and SAI.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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Please refer to the "Brokerage Practices" section (Item 12) of this Form ADV for additional
information.
GRANDFATHERING OF MINIMUM ACCOUNT REQUIREMENTS
Existing advisory clients are subject to Fort Washington's minimum account requirements and
advisory fees in effect at the time the client entered into the advisory relationship with us.
Therefore, our firm's minimum account requirements and fees will differ among clients.
ERISA ACCOUNTS
Fort Washington is deemed to be a fiduciary to certain advisory clients that are employee
benefit plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) pursuant to the Employee Retirement
Income and Securities Act (“ERISA”). As such, our firm is subject to specific duties and
obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that include among other things,
restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation. To avoid engaging in prohibited
transactions, Fort Washington only charges fees for investment advice about certain products for
which our firm and/or our related persons do not receive any commissions or 12b-1 fees, unless
such fees are waived.
AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUNDS/ETFS
When suitable, Fort Washington recommends to its clients shares of Touchstone ETFs and
The Touchstone Family of Funds ("Touchstone Funds"), an affiliate, including those funds and
ETFs for which Fort Washington serves as Sub-Advisor. Fort Washington will receive sub-
advisory fees from Touchstone Funds for providing services to those funds and ETFs, as
discussed above under "Mutual Fund Fees," the fees paid to us for managing the separate client
account and the fees paid to our affiliates for managing the funds, pay for different services. Fort
Washington also invests client assets or recommend that clients invest in shares of affiliated funds
and ETFs to which Fort Washington serves as sub-advisor. Fort Washington waives investment
advisory fees on that portion of the client's assets invested in such affiliated mutual funds and
affiliated ETFs. Investments in affiliated mutual funds and ETFs creates a conflict of interest since
our affiliate receives a direct benefit from those investments.
ADVISORY FEES IN GENERAL
Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or may not) be available from other
registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
LIMITED PREPAYMENT OF FEES
Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $1,200 more
than six months in advance of services rendered.
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE
MANAGEMENT
In some cases with our Private Fund Investments, Fort Washington enters into performance
fee arrangements with qualified clients at their election. We generally negotiate these fees with
each client, and the fees are set forth in the applicable limited partnership agreement. Fort
Washington will structure any performance or incentive fee arrangement subject to Section
205(a)(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 in accordance with the exemptions made
available under its provisions, including the exemption set forth in Rule 205-3. In measuring
clients’ assets for the calculation of performance-based fees, Fort Washington shall include
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
realized and unrealized capital gains and losses. Please refer to “Fees and Compensation” (Item
5) above for additional performance-based fee information.
For some institutional accounts, along with a base fee rate, Fort Washington will charge clients
a negotiated performance fee. Any performance fees charged by the Fort Washington will comply
with the requirements of Section 205(a) (1) of the Investment Adviser Act of 1940 (the “Advisers
Act”) and the applicable rules thereunder.
The receipt of performance-based fees creates conflicts of interest. Performance-based fee
arrangements create an incentive for Fort Washington to recommend investments which may be
riskier or more speculative than those which would be recommended under a different fee
arrangement. In order to reduce potential conflicts of interest, Fort Washington does not show
preferential treatment to accounts under a performance-based fee arrangement. We have
procedures designed and implemented to treat all clients fairly over time, and to prevent this
potential conflict from influencing our selection of investments for accounts with performance
based fee arrangement or the allocation of investment opportunities among clients. See Item 12
below, "Allocation of Investment Opportunities and Orders".
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. provides advisory services to various types of
clients, including the following:
Insurance companies
Investment companies (including mutual funds)
• Banking / Thrift institutions
• Charitable institutions
• Corporations or other businesses not listed above
• Corporate pension and profit sharing plans (other than plan participants)
• Defined Contribution Investment Only (“DCIO”)
• Family Offices
• Foundations and endowments
• High-net-worth individuals and their families
•
•
• Exchange Traded Fund (“ETFs”)
• Other pooled investment vehicles
• Private investment funds
• State or municipal government entities
• Taft-Hartley plans
As previously disclosed in Item 5, our firm has established certain initial minimum account
requirements, based on the nature of the service(s) being provided. For a more detailed
description of those requirements, please review the disclosures provided for each applicable
service.
ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND
RISK OF LOSS
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
The methods of analysis Fort Washington uses in formulating investment advice and/or
managing client assets includes but is not limited to:
Fundamental Analysis. For public securities, we attempt to assess the value of a security by
evaluating economic and financial factors specific to the particular security and, in addition,
conditions in the relevant sector and the overall economy. For private investments, we attempt
to measure the fair market value using the same factors that we consider in assessing public
securities, while also incorporating a value judgment based upon the illiquid nature of private
securities in general. Fundamental analysis attempts to incorporate all of the relevant security-
specific attributes and the many macro-driven factors that may affect the security in order to arrive
at a solid assessment of the current value of a security.
Since securities prices may change in conjunction with overall market movements, securities
identified by fundamental analysis as having good prospects may decline in value. Even if this
occurs, however, our fundamental analysis may enable us to select securities that will perform
better on a relative basis, regardless of the overall market’s direction.
Technical Analysis. For certain public securities, we may analyze past market movements and
apply that analysis to the present in an attempt to recognize recurring patterns and to predict
future price movement.
Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition or fundamental value
of a security. Accordingly, there is a risk that securities of poorly managed or financially unsound
companies may look attractive on a technical basis but perform poorly long-term or relative to the
market. There is, however, no guarantee that past performance or trends which serve as the
basis for technical analysis will continue in the future.
Quantitative Analysis. For certain public securities, we use mathematical models to obtain an
objective measure of the quality of a company’s business model and compare the results of that
assessment to the market’s perception of that company using valuation and price-related factors.
A risk in using quantitative analysis is that the models may be more backward looking in nature
and may be based on assumptions that prove to be incorrect or that the quantitative model may
not capture all relevant or current information necessary to determine a company’s value.
Asset Allocation. Where requested by the client, in addition to focusing on security selection,
we attempt to identify and invest the account in an appropriate mix of different asset classes
(stock, bonds, cash, etc.) or investment strategies based on client’s objectives. The purpose of
asset allocation is to seek to improve overall portfolio performance and/or reduce volatility by
diversifying the client's investments consistent with the client's investment objectives and risk
tolerance.
A risk of asset allocation is that the client’s ability to participate in sharp increases in a
particular security, industry, or market sector is limited because portfolio diversification
necessarily limits the portion of the client's account invested in a single security, industry, or
market sector. Another risk is that the ratio of securities allocated to specific asset classes or
investment strategies typically change over time due to market movements and, if not corrected,
will no longer be appropriate for the client’s goals. To seek to mitigate this risk, we monitor the
allocation among asset types as valuations fluctuate in the market and periodically readjust the
allocations to the intended levels. This monitoring and adjustment is typically called portfolio
rebalancing.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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Third-Party Investment Manager Analysis. Where we advise clients with regard to investment
with third party investment managers, we examine their experience, expertise, investment
philosophies, and past performance to attempt to determine if that manager has demonstrated an
ability to invest successfully over a period of time and in different economic conditions. We
monitor the managers, which typically includes evaluating the underlying holdings, strategies,
concentrations, terms, and performing reference checks as part of our initial and/or periodic risk
assessment. Additionally, we will typically survey the manager’s compliance, business enterprise
risks/alignment, and terms.
A risk of investing with a third-party manager who has been successful in the past is that the
third party manager may not be able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as we do
not control the underlying investments in a third-party manager’s portfolio, there is also a risk that
a manager will deviate from the stated investment mandate or strategy of the portfolio, making it
a less suitable investment for our clients. While we do not control a third-party manager’s daily
business, compliance, or operations, we seek to mitigate the business, regulatory, and
reputational risks arising from this. We periodically receive and review reports from third-party
managers and service providers.
Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (“ESG”) Analysis. Senior Management
has Responsible Investment (RI) oversight responsibilities as part of a firm wide RI Committee.
The Portfolio Manager and Investment Analysts are required to use ESG data as a portfolio
monitoring tool as determined by the RI Committee. In conjunction with the Compliance
Department, it is also the responsibility of the Portfolio Manager to ensure socially responsible
mandates are followed.
Our firm has several formalized processes and groups empowered to manage risk. First,
there is a formal Risk Management Committee chaired by the Enterprise Chief Risk Officer and
firm Chief Financial Officer. The members of this committee represent all senior leaders of Fort
Washington. That committee's charter identifies specific business, operational, reputational,
regulatory, and performance risks to track and mitigate. ESG governance is specifically and
regularly addressed by the Committee. The Committee meets at least quarterly to review activity
and mitigation of previously identified risks and serves as the forum to identify new risks. At least
annually, the Committee re-establishes the risk paradigm under which it will operate for the
following year.
There
is separate risk management
infrastructure dedicated solely
to
investment
management risk, which is included in the Performance Measurement and Risk function. This
group works directly with the Enterprise CRO and firm CFO to provide regular top-down risk
assessment on each of the firm's portfolios and strategies on IPS restrictions, violations to internal
guidelines, correlation metrics, relative performance analysis and the implementation of other
proprietary models. Regular internal reporting is provided to investment teams and all variances
require explanation on a monthly basis.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Fort Washington uses the following practices in managing client accounts, provided that such
practices are appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment
objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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Long-term purchases. We purchase securities for certain strategies and composites with the
idea of holding them in the client's account for longer than a year. Typically, we employ this
strategy when:
• We believe the securities to be currently undervalued
• We may desire to have exposure to a particular asset class over time as a core holding
within a portfolio
• The security’s liquidity or transaction cost does not lend itself to active trading such as in
the case of private equity or debt
• We believe the underlying fundamentals and/or market share for a security are superior
to its competitors.
Short-term purchases. For certain strategies and composites, we purchase securities with the
idea of selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). We do this in an attempt
to take advantage of conditions that we believe will soon result in a favorable price swing. Short-
term purchases may involve higher brokerage and other transaction costs than other investment
strategies.
Short sales. Short sales occur when an investor sells borrowed securities in anticipation of a
price decline and is required to return an equal number of shares at some point in the future. We
primarily engage in short sales of securities in the Fort Washington Active Fixed Income, LLC and
affiliated accounts. Fort Washington works with the relevant parties to ensure securities are
delivered promptly.
Options. An option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or
sell an asset (such as a share of stock) at a specific price on or before a certain date. An option,
just like a stock or bond, is a security. When suitable, we use options as part of an investment
strategy. The two types of options are calls and puts:
• A call gives us the right to buy an asset at a certain price within a specific period of time.
We will buy a call if we believe that the price of the security will increase substantially
before the option expires.
• A put gives the holder the right to sell an asset at a certain price within a specific period of
time. We will buy a put if we believe that the price of the security will fall substantially
before the option expires.
We may use options to “hedge” a security; in other words, we will use an option purchase or
sale in an attempt to offset or limit the impact of an underlying security’s price movement in a
client’s portfolio in exchange for paying or receiving the option price.
We use “covered calls,” in which we sell an option on a security our clients own. In this
strategy, our client receives a fee or premium for selling the option, and the person purchasing
the option has the right to buy the security from our client at an agreed-upon price for a specified
period of time.
We use a “spreading strategy,” in which we purchase two or more option contracts for the
same underlying security. This effectively puts our client on both sides of the market, but with the
ability to vary price, time, and other factors.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
International Fixed Income and Equities. For certain strategies and composites, we
purchase securities of companies domiciled outside of the U.S. We do this in an attempt to take
advantage of international markets.
Derivatives. For certain accounts, we use derivatives with a goal of producing absolute return
or to hedge risk and generally do so in affiliated accounts. Derivatives may be combined with
cash or other derivatives to attempt to profit from mispricing (i.e., arbitrage). Each derivative trade
will have a limit on risk, as expressed in dollar terms. There are certain risks associated with
investments in derivative products, similar to owning any other security type. Because
investments of this type typically involve certain additional degrees of risk, they will only be
recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment objectives, tolerance for risk,
liquidity, and suitability.
Private Equity Investments. These investments are generally made with the objective for long-
term appreciation with limited liquidity. Investors in private equity partnerships may have a portion
of their investment held for up to fifteen years or more. When we invest in private equity
partnerships or securities not managed by the firm, we have limited control over the management
of such investments.
Additional information regarding private equity investment composites and strategies can be
found in “Fees and Compensation” (Item 5).
RISK OF LOSS
Investment returns are not guaranteed, and our clients may lose money on their investments.
We ask that our clients work with the portfolio manager to help understand the clients' tolerance
for risk. Our securities analysis and investment strategy methods rely, where possible and as
appropriate, on internal fundamental research, external research, credit ratings prepared by
independent rating agencies and on financial statements audited by independent public auditors.
We assume that rating agencies and auditors are in fact independent and that they perform their
services in accordance with applicable legal and professional standards. In addition, we rely on
company management, investment banks, and attorneys to make accurate and unbiased
representations about these securities in public filings and other publicly-available information.
We believe this data has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is accurate to
the best of our knowledge. However, we recognize that some data may be incorrect and there is
always a risk that our analysis will be compromised by inaccurate or misleading information, or
that unanticipated circumstances will lead to unanticipated adverse results. Risks of loss may
also arise from unanticipated circumstances.
From time to time, we have clients who have invested in different classes of securities of the
same issuer. If the issuer defaults or enters bankruptcy, we typically will be involved in
negotiations on behalf of different classes of securities, which could include conflicting interests.
In that situation, we will seek to act in the best interests of our clients, regardless of the client's
holdings. As discussed above, Fort Washington’s advisory services are tailored specifically to its
individual client’s risk tolerances and return objectives. As such, the risks of loss associated with
our advisory services are largely dependent upon the methods of analysis, composites, and/or
investment strategies employed upon a particular client’s behalf. Nonetheless, in all cases, a risk
of loss will accompany any potential for profit. Clients are encouraged to discuss the specific risks
of loss which accompany various methods of analysis and/or investment strategies or composites
with their portfolio manager.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
FORM ADV, PART 2A (MARCH 28, 2025)
For certain strategies, we have clients who are invested in foreign securities. These
investments may be affected unfavorably by changes in currency rates or exchange control
regulations, or political or social instability in the particular foreign country or region. Investments
in emerging markets may develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Furthermore, emerging
securities markets have lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
We are required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client's or
prospective client's evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our management. Our
firm and our management personnel have no reportable legal or disciplinary events to disclose.
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND
AFFILIATIONS
Fort Washington has relationships or arrangements that are material to its advisory business
and its clients with related persons (i.e., affiliates) as described below.
BROKER-DEALERS
Fort Washington is affiliated with the following broker-dealers:
• Touchstone Securities, Inc.
• W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.
Fort Washington does not execute securities transactions with W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.
Please refer to the “Conflicts of Interest” section below for important conflict of interest
disclosures.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Fort Washington previously disclosed in “Advisory Business” (Item 4) and “Fees and
Compensation” (Item 5) of this Brochure that our firm is a sub-adviser to Touchstone Advisors,
Inc. (“Touchstone”) on several mutual funds, as well as Variable Series Trusts which Touchstone
advises. Please refer to these items for a detailed explanation of these relationships and
important conflict of interest disclosures.
Please refer to the “Conflicts of Interest” section below for important conflict of interest
disclosures.
OTHER POOLED INVESTMENT VEHICLES
As disclosed in Section 7.A. on Schedule D of Form ADV, Part I, Fort Washington owns or
controls a number of limited liability companies (collectively, the “Managing Entities”) which each
serve as the managing member or general partner of a pooled investment vehicle formed for
investment purposes (collectively, the “Pooled Vehicles” or “Funds”). In addition, Fort Washington
generally serves as the investment adviser to each of the Managing Entities. Fort Washington
personnel spend as much time as deemed necessary on activities relating to the Managing
Entities and the Pooled Vehicles. Each of the Pooled Vehicles and their respective Managing
Entity are listed below:
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Pooled Vehicles
Managing Entities
Fort Washington Core Plus Fixed Income LLC
Fort Washington Fixed Income, LLC
Fort Washington Core Plus Fixed Income (ERISA) LLC
Fort Washington Fixed Income, LLC
Fort Washington Emerging Market Debt LLC
Fort Washington Fixed Income, LLC
Fort Washington High Yield Investors LLC
Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC
Fort Washington High Yield Investors II, LLC
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Fort Washington Strategic Income LLC
Fort Washington Fixed Income, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors III, L.P.
Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors IV, L.P.
Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors V, L.P.
FWPEI V GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors V-B, L.P.
FWPEI V GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors V-VC, L.P.
FWPEI V GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors VI, L.P.
FWPEI VI GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors VII, L.P.
FWPEI VII GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors VIII, L.P.
FWPEI VIII GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors VIII-B, L.P.
FWPEI VIII GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors IX, L.P.
FWPEI IX GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors IX-B, L.P.
FWPEI IX GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors IX-K, L.P.
FWPEI IX GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors X, L.P.
FWPEI X GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Small Market Investors X-S, L.P.
FWPEI X GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors X-B, L.P.
FWPEI X GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors XI, L.P.
FWPEI XI GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors XI-B, L.P.
FWPEI XI GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Investors XI-K, L.P.
FWPEI XI GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Small Market Investors II, L.P.
FWPEI Small Market II GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Small Market Investors II-B, L.P.
FWPEI Small Market II GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Small Market Investors II-K, L.P.
FWPEI Small Market II GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund II, L.P.
FWPEO II GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund III, L.P.
FWPEO III GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund III-B, L.P.
FWPEO III GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund IV, L.P.
FWPEO IV GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund IV-B, L.P.
FWPEO IV GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund IV-K, L.P.
FWPEO IV GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund IV-Feeder, LLC
FWPEO IV GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund V, L.P.
FWPEO V GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund V-B, L.P.
FWPEO V GP, LLC
Fort Washington Private Equity Opportunities Fund V-K, L.P.
FWPEO V GP, LLC
NEO Capital Fund, L.P.
BVP NEO, LLC
The Ohio Capital Fund LLC
Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC
Mauna Kea Taft-Hartley Partners (ERISA), L.P.
FWPEI Mauna Kea GP, LLC
Securities Lending Fund, LLC
Fort Washington Securities Lending Fixed Income LLC
Securities Lending Fund-B, LLC
Fort Washington Securities Lending Fixed Income LLC
As appropriate, our advisory clients are solicited to invest in one or more of the Pooled
Vehicles. However, because investment in these types of entities involve certain additional
degrees of risk, they will only be recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment
objectives, tolerance for risk, liquidity, and suitability. Solicited clients interested in investing in a
particular Pooled Vehicle will be provided with a private placement memorandum or equivalent
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document for their review which will contain detailed information and risk factors specific to the
Pooled Vehicle.
Each Managing Entity collects management fees from investors of the Pooled Vehicles and,
in some cases, a performance fee on profits from such Pooled Vehicles in the form of Carried
Interest. As a result, if a client were to invest in a Pooled Vehicle, Fort Washington may be entitled
to receive additional compensation from such client as a result of these fees and payments.
Therefore, clients should be aware that this potential for additional compensation to Fort
Washington creates a potential conflict of interest that may impair the objectivity of our firm when
making advisory recommendations.
In addition, from time to time, Fort Washington or one of our related persons makes a
proprietary investment in a Pooled Vehicle. We or our related persons will receive proportional
returns associated with the investment, in addition to our receipt of management fees and Carried
Interest.
Pooled investment vehicles typically include additional regulatory expenses, including, without
limitation: expenses related to preparing and making regulatory and compliance filings associated
with the vehicle and its investment activities; software and related systems; consultants utilized in
connection with the preparation and making of such filings; organizational expenses; expenses
incurred in connection with the offering and sale of the Interests (including expenses incurred in
accordance with domestic or foreign law), and other similar expenses related to the vehicle.
Fort Washington has created an allocation policy, that describes the procedures and decision-
making processes to allow for the equitable allocation of investment opportunities, relative to
portfolios within the partnerships and other portfolios that may be invested concurrently, in
accordance at all times with the best interests of each account or investment vehicle.
Please refer to the “Conflicts of Interest” section below for important conflict of interest
disclosures.
OTHER INVESTMENT ADVISERS
As disclosed in Section 7.A. on Schedule D of Form ADV, Part I, Fort Washington is affiliated
with the following registered investment advisers:
• Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
• Eagle Realty Capital Partners, LLC
• W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.
• W&S Advisory Services, LLC
Please refer to the “Conflicts of Interest” section below for important conflict of interest
disclosures.
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INSURANCE COMPANIES
Fort Washington is affiliated with the following insurance companies and serves as an
investment adviser to each of them:
Integrity Life Insurance Company
• The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company
• Western-Southern Life Assurance Company
•
• National Integrity Life Insurance Company
• Columbus Life Insurance Company
• The Lafayette Life Insurance Company
• Gerber Life Insurance Company
• Gerber Life Agency, LLC
Please refer to the “Conflicts of Interest” section below for important conflict of interest
disclosures.
SYNDICATOR OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
Fort Washington has established and will likely continue to establish a number of limited
partnership investment vehicles for investment purposes. Please refer to the “Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles” and “Conflicts of Interest” sections for a detailed explanation of these
relationships and important conflict of interest disclosures.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As described above, Fort Washington is part of the Western & Southern Financial Group
(“WSFG”), which includes insurance companies, broker-dealers, other investment advisers, and
other financial services companies. Members of the WSFG provide a wide range of insurance,
investment, and other financial service products. Some officers or directors of Fort Washington
also serve as officers or directors of affiliated companies. Some employees of Fort Washington
also serve as employees of affiliated companies. As a result, the businesses and interests of Fort
Washington and its affiliates give rise to potential conflicts of interest of which potential clients
should be aware and that could disadvantage advisory accounts.
Fort Washington provides investment advisory services to advisory affiliates and their clients.
Similarly, some of our investment professionals and other employees who are officers of advisory
affiliates provide other services to those affiliates and their clients.
A select number of Fort Washington employees are licensed with an affiliated insurance
agency serving as an Insurance Management Administrator (“IMA”). The IMA sells life insurance
products of various types, including those of affiliates, for certain individuals who are also typically
Private Client Group clients. The sale of affiliated insurance products presents a conflict of interest
of which potential and existing clients should be aware. When an IMA recommends a retirement
plan that can be funded with insurance products and/or an advisory account managed by Fort
Washington, the IMA’s compensation related to the two products creates a conflict, in that the
IMA may have a financial incentive to recommend one product over another. For life insurance
products, the differing terms of the IMA will be paid an immediate, up-front commission, whereas
the IMA will be paid an on-going investment advisory fee for Fort Washington advisory accounts
and a level on-going commission for annuities. Please note, however, that the insurance services
provided by individuals dually employed at Fort Washington are strictly those of the insurance
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company, not of Fort Washington. Fort Washington does not receive commissions or other
compensation for the sales of any insurance products. In addition, certain personnel are involved
in cross-marketing opportunities with our affiliates.
From time to time, Fort Washington executes various trading strategies for certain clients that
may conflict with the trading activities of other clients, as well as the trading activity of our advisory
affiliates or related persons. We and our related persons engage in proprietary trading or
investing, in instruments of all types, including those that our clients may purchase, sell, or hold.
We monitor our trading activities and seek to ensure objectively that all clients are treated fairly
and equitably over time, and that our trading for proprietary accounts and related-person accounts
are not favored over our other clients. Our advisory affiliates and other related persons have their
own trading operations, which operate separately from our trading operations. Allocation of
certain private equity and private placements among pooled vehicles, affiliated clients, and third-
party clients give rise to potential conflicts where availability of desired opportunities is limited.
For additional information, please refer to the “Brokerage Practices” section (Item 12) of this Form
ADV.
Fort Washington serves as Co-Manager with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
(“Cincinnati Chamber”) of the Cincy Tech Fund (“Cincy Fund”). The Cincy Fund was formed with
a $6 million monetary grant from the State of Ohio as part of its Third Frontier Entrepreneurial
Signature Program.
Fort Washington has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Sierra Investment Partners
(“Sierra”) to provide High Yield, Core Plus Fixed Income and Small Company investment
management services to Sierra’s Taft-Hartley clients. As part of this agreement, any other
potential Taft-Hartley advisory agreements that Fort Washington enters into must be approved,
in advance, by Sierra.
Fort Washington serves as an approved advisor on a charitable investment advisor program.
This program offers client donors with a certain account balance the option to nominate an eligible
investment advisor to actively manage a portion of the balance, allowing the advisor to build
comprehensive portfolios that integrate charitable giving into the client’s overall financial goals.
Clients who utilize this service should be aware of specific contractual obligations including that
they will give up certain ownership rights of the account to the custodian.
Touchstone Securities, Inc. (“TSI”), a broker-dealer affiliated with the Advisor, will act as the
Advisor’s sole placement agent (“Placement Agent”) to assist in the placement of interests in the
Advisor’s Private Equity and Private Debt Funds (collectively, “Fort Washington Private Funds”).
The Placement Agent and its representatives may receive up-front commissions and ongoing
fees as a result of such activities. The Manager or the General Partner of the Fort Washington
Private Funds will be solely responsible for all fees and expenses of the Placement Agent. Certain
employees of Fort Washington are registered representatives of TSI, and will receive
compensation related to the placement of interests in Fort Washington Private Funds.
Compensation paid on Private Debt Fund Interests are paid quarterly as a percentage of the
revenue generated from the Private Debt Fund’s Management Fee collected by the Managing
Member on the Private Debt Fund interests sold in the prior quarter over the course of a three
year period. Compensation paid on Private Equity Fund interests are generally comprised of two
separate payments. The first payment will be earned on the date of initial commitment, and a
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second payment will be earned upon the final closing of the applicable fund. The registered
representative of Touchstone who serves as the Fort Washington Business Development
Manager will also receive an override commission on sales generated by the registered
representatives of the Touchstone Private Funds Distribution Channel whom they supervise.
Affiliates of Fort Washington and their respective employees who invest in the Fort
Washington Private Funds may pay a lower fee and invest under the stated minimum in the PPMs.
Fort Washington seeks to put the interests of its clients first consistent with its fiduciary duty
as a registered investment adviser. Our firm takes the following steps to address conflicts of
interest:
• Disclose to clients the existence of all material conflicts of interest, including the potential
for our firm, employees, affiliates, and sub-advisors to earn performance-based or other
additional compensation from advisory clients in addition to our firm's advisory fees.
• Disclose to clients that they are not obligated to purchase recommended investment
products from our employees or affiliated companies.
• Disclose to clients that associates from affiliates serve on various committees at Fort
Washington to provide advice and counsel, but generally serve in a non-voting capacity.
• Require that our employees seek prior approval of any outside business activity so that
we may ensure that any conflicts of interests in such activities are properly addressed.
• Mandate that members of the Legal Department, as well as officers of Fort Washington
(as required), approve entry into all side letters or other supplemental agreements with
limited partners and/or clients which may provide for unique rights and obligations. These
arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis and only in limited circumstances.
• Disclose to clients the existence of brokerage practices with certain custodians our clients
utilize. For more information on these practices, please see Item 12 below.
• Disclose to clients the existence of soft dollar arrangements with brokers who provide
research and services we utilize. Fort Washington has adopted procedures to comply with
legal requirements, including but not limited to, evaluating the costs are reasonable in light
of the benefits and services provided to our clients. For more information regarding our
Soft Dollar policy, please see Item 12 below.
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN
CLIENT TRANSACTIONS, AND PERSONAL TRADING
CODE OF ETHICS AND PERSONAL TRADING
Our firm has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth high ethical standards of business
conduct. Fort Washington and our personnel owe a duty of loyalty, fairness, and good faith
towards our clients and have a fiduciary obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of
the Code of Ethics, but to the general principles that guide the Code of Ethics.
Our Code of Ethics defines personnel as either a Supervised Person or an Access Person:
• Supervised Persons are directors, officers, general partners, and advisory personnel of
Fort Washington.
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• Access Persons have access to non-public information regarding any client's purchase or
sale of securities and/or portfolio holdings, are involved in the making or have access to
securities recommendations to clients, or are an employee of Fort Washington.
Supervised Persons must take the following steps when making personal securities
transactions:
• Report initial holdings [including in our affiliated or sub-advised mutual fund(s)]
• Certify all holdings on a quarterly and annual basis
• Pre-clear certain transactions
Access Persons must take the following steps when making personal securities transactions:
• Report initial holdings [including in our affiliated or sub-advised mutual fund(s)]
• Certify all holdings on a quarterly and annual basis
• Pre-clear certain transactions
• Three-Day Blackout Period on certain transactions
• 30-Day Holding Period on certain transactions
Other procedures regarding other potential Conflicts of Interest include:
• Confidentiality
Our firm prohibits the use of material non-public information. Where we have access to
non-public information, all employees are reminded that such information may not be used
in a personal or professional capacity and is subject to our Insider Trading Policy.
• Gifts
Typically gifts of a nominal value may be offered or received. Gifts in excess of $100,
whether individual or in aggregate must be pre-cleared and pre-approved by the President
& CEO and the Compliance department. Fort Washington’s Political Contributions Policy,
which aims to ensure compliance with SEC Rule 206(4), however, places significant
restrictions on the ability of Fort Washington, its employees, officers, directors, and other
affiliated entities to make political contributions. Please refer to the “Governmental Client
Referrals” section in Item 14 below for additional information.
• Outside Business Activities
Any outside business activity involving a non-affiliated company must be pre-approved.
Our Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities,
and interests of our employees will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the best interest of
advisory clients, and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing employees
to invest for their own accounts.
Our firm and/or individuals associated with our firm have the ability to buy or sell for their
personal accounts securities identical to or different from those recommended to our clients. In
addition, a certain security or securities may also be recommended to a client even when a related
person has an interest or position in the same security or securities.
As these situations represent actual or potential conflicts of interest to our clients, we have
established the following policies and procedures for implementing our firm’s Code of Ethics. This
ensures our firm complies with its regulatory obligations and provides our clients and potential
clients with full and fair disclosure of such conflicts of interest:
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• No director, officer, or employee of our firm will put his or her own interest above the
interest of an advisory client
• No director, officer, or employee of our firm will buy or sell securities for their personal
portfolio(s) where their decision derives from information received as a result of his or her
employment unless the information is also available to the investing public
• Our firm requires prior approval for any initial public offering or private placement
investments by related persons of the firm
• We maintain a list of all reportable securities holdings for our firm and anyone associated
with this advisory practice that has access to advisory recommendations; these holdings
are reviewed on a regular basis by our firm's Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee
• We have established procedures for the maintenance of all required books and records
• All of our directors, officers, and employees must act in accordance with all applicable
Federal and State regulations governing registered investment advisory practices
• We require delivery and acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics by each Supervised
Person of our firm
• We have established policies requiring that Code of Ethics violations be reported to Fort
Washington’s Senior Management and Board of Directors
• Any individual who violates any of the above restrictions may be subject to penalties up to
and including termination.
A complete copy of our Code of Ethics is available to our advisory and prospective clients. A
copy may be requested by contacting Michele Hawkins, Chief Compliance Officer, by phone at
513.361.7652, or by email at michele.hawkins@fortwashington.com.
PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
Fort Washington or related persons (including affiliates) may buy securities for the firm or for
themselves from our advisory clients. In addition, Fort Washington or related persons (including
affiliates) may sell securities owned by the firm or the individual(s) to our advisory clients. We will
ensure, however, that such transactions are conducted in compliance with all the provisions under
Section 206(3) of the Advisers Act governing principal transactions to advisory clients. Fort
Washington is prohibited from engaging in agency cross-transactions.
Fort Washington manages assets for its affiliated insurance companies, including these
companies’ general accounts. Typically third-party and affiliated clients invest in the same assets.
In connection with its Private Funds, Fort Washington owns or controls the following
subsidiaries which serve as general partners or managers to their respective Pooled Vehicles:
• Fort Washington Fixed Income, LLC
• Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
• Buckeye Venture Partners, LLC
• BVP NEO, LLC
• Fort Washington Capital Partners, LLC
• FWPEI V GP, LLC
• FWPEI VI GP, LLC
• FWPEI VII GP, LLC
• FWPEI VIII GP, LLC
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• FWPEI IX GP, LLC
• FWPEI X GP, LLC
• FWPEI XI GP, LLC
• FWPEI Small Market II GP, LLC
• FWPEO II GP, LLC
• FWPEO III GP, LLC
• FWPEO IV GP, LLC
• FWPEO V GP, LLC
• FWPEI Mauna Kea GP, LLC
• Fort Washington Securities Lending Fixed Income LLC
Each General Partner has designated Fort Washington primary responsibility for investment
management and administrative matters, such as accounting, tax, and periodic reporting
pertaining to each Pooled Vehicle. Fort Washington and our directors, officers, and employees
will devote to the Funds as much time as necessary and appropriately manage each Pooled
Vehicle. Fort Washington and our subsidiaries are not restricted from forming additional
investment funds, entering into other investment advisory relationships, or engaging in other
business activities, even though such activities could be in competition with the Funds and/or
involve substantial time and resources of our firm and our subsidiaries. Potentially, such activities
could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of our management
personnel and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the Funds.
Investments in the Funds are recommended to advisory clients for whom a partnership
investment is more suitable than a separate advisory account managed by our firm. Clients who
invest in the Funds are not charged any additional advisory fees other than the advisory fee
allocated to the limited partners of the Fund.
The Funds are not required to register as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 in reliance upon one or more exemptions available to funds whose
securities are not publicly offered. Fort Washington manages the Funds on a discretionary basis
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Fund's offering and organizational documents.
As previously disclosed in this brochure, Fort Washington is the investment adviser to affiliated
mutual funds. Please refer to “Advisory Business” (Item 4) and “Fees and Compensation” (Item
5) for a detailed explanation of this relationship and important conflict of interest disclosures. For
a detailed explanation of these relationships, please refer to “Other Financial Industry Activities
and Affiliations” (Item 10).
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES
CUSTODIANS AND BROKERS WE USE
Fort Washington does not maintain custody of your assets 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 (see Item 15 Custody, below). Your assets must be maintained in an account at a
“qualified custodian,” generally a broker-dealer or bank. We are independently owned and
operated and not affiliated with any qualified custodian. Custodians will hold your assets in a
brokerage account and buy and sell securities when instructed. Fort Washington allows multiple
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custodians to be used as custodian/broker, and for each one, you will decide whether to open
your account by entering into an account agreement directly with them. We do not open the
account for you. Our clients use a variety of custodians, and each client decides which custodian
to use independently of Fort Washington. Each client also decides whether to use directed
brokerage or non-directed brokerage. Even if your non-directed brokerage account is maintained
at a particular custodian, we can still use other brokers to execute trades for your account, as
described in the next paragraph.
BROKERAGE DISCRETION AND BEST EXECUTION
Fort Washington requires written authority from its clients giving our Firm discretion to select
broker dealers and to negotiate commission costs. It is Fort Washington’s policy to seek best
trade execution with respect to each transaction, in light of the overall quality of brokerage and
research services provided to it or its clients, and Fort Washington has a Best Execution
Committee that oversees the firm’s compliance with these objectives. For equity transactions,
traders consider many factors when seeking best execution, such as: order size relative to the
average daily volume (% of ADV), availability of contra orders in the marketplace, portfolio
manager instructions for participation levels, urgency of order completion and settlement, and the
use of brokerage firm resources that contribute significant value to the investment process.
Broker selection is, therefore, a critical part of the best execution process, and includes utilizing
traditional brokers and/or the strategic use of electronic execution tools (algorithms). The lowest
possible commission, while important is part of but not the principal factor in choosing a broker
within the best execution process. Fixed Income Portfolio Managers typically execute their own
trades with approved brokers who provide closely monitored inventories of fixed income securities
on a regular basis. Fort Washington has controls in place for monitoring execution in our clients’
portfolio transactions, including periodically reviewing trades for best execution. Due to the nature
of the transactions, Fort Washington does not monitor best execution for private placement or
private equity transactions.
Fort Washington may recommend or select a broker who provides useful research and
securities transaction services even if a lower commission is charged by a broker who offers no
research services and minimal securities transaction assistance. Research services are typically
useful in servicing many of our clients, even though it may not be useful for the account for which
the particular transaction was made.
YOUR CUSTODY AND BROKERAGE COSTS
For our clients’ accounts, some custodians charge a fee for custody services, while other
custodians do not charge a separate fee for custody services, but are instead compensated by
charging you commissions or other fees on trades executed or settled in your account. Certain
custodians’ commission rates applicable to our client accounts were negotiated based on our
commitment to maintain a specified level of our clients’ assets in accounts at that custodian. This
commitment benefits you because the overall commission rates you pay are lower than they
would be if we had not made the commitment. In addition to commissions, certain custodians
charge 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 custodial account. These fees are in addition to
the commissions or other compensation you pay the executing broker-dealer. Because of this,
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in order to minimize your trading costs, we have your custodian execute most trades for your
account.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO US FROM CUSTODIANS
Certain custodians provide us and our clients with access to institutional brokerage – this
includes trading, custody, reporting, and other related services – many of which are not typically
available to retail customers of those custodians. Certain custodians also make 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. Here is a more detailed description of these
support services:
Services that Benefit You. 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 include some to which we might not otherwise have access or that
would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients. The services
described in this paragraph generally benefit you and your account.
Services that May Not Directly Benefit You. Certain custodians also make 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 from the custodian itself and that of third parties. We may use
this research to service all or some substantial number of our clients’ accounts, including
accounts not maintained at that custodian. In addition to investment research, the custodians
also make available software and other technology that:
• 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.
Services that Generally Benefit Only Us. Certain custodians also offer other services intended to
help us manage and further develop our business enterprise. These services include access to:
• Educational conferences and events
• Technology and business consulting;
• Publications and conferences on practice management
A custodian may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-
party vendors to provide the services to us. These custodians may also discount or waive their
fees for some of these services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees.
SOFT DOLLARS
Consistent with obtaining best execution for clients, Fort Washington directs certain brokerage
transactions for clients' portfolios to brokers who provide research and execution services to Fort
Washington and, indirectly, to our clients. These services are based on the safe harbor
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requirements of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are designed to
augment our own internal research and investment strategy capabilities. Fort Washington uses
soft dollars for equity research and does not use it for fixed income. Certain research services
obtained through the use of soft dollars or Commission Sharing Arrangements (“CSAs”) are
developed by brokers to whom brokerage is directed or by third-parties which are compensated
by the broker. Selected brokers are typically paid commissions for executing client transactions
that exceed the commissions other brokers would have charged for the same transactions,
provided that Fort Washington determines in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided for our clients. Generally,
we do not enter into agreements or understandings with brokers regarding the placement of
securities transactions in light of the research they provide. We have an internal procedure for
allocating transactions in a manner consistent with our execution policy to brokers who we believe
add value by providing research or execution services that particularly benefit clients. Our Soft
Dollar Committee regularly considers whether a given service provides lawful and appropriate
assistance to our investment advisory services, and whether the cost of the services are
reasonable in relation to the benefit to our clients.
We make every effort in tracking soft dollar allocations to unbundle commission charges in
order to show the execution and soft dollar components of our trading practices. Fort Washington
does not attempt to allocate the relative costs or benefits of those services among clients, since
the services typically benefit multiple clients and assist us in fulfilling our duty to our clients
collectively.
We have obtained products and services on a soft-dollar basis in the form of:
• Written and oral reports on individual companies and industries, general economic
conditions, relevant legal developments, and changes in accounting practices
• Statistical collations
• Appraisals and analyses relating to markets, companies, and industries
• Various methods and mediums of communication regarding business and economic
factors, market trends affecting portfolio companies, portfolio strategy, as well as trading
insight and intelligence.
• Quotation, trading, and information gathering equipment
Fort Washington uses the information furnished through soft dollar arrangements to carry out
investment management responsibilities for all of our clients. As a result, we will use those
services in managing accounts that paid little or no commission to the broker that provided the
service or those that do not generate commissions resulting in soft dollar services.
When Fort Washington uses client brokerage commissions to obtain research or brokerage
services, we receive an unpaid benefit equal to the cost of such services. Therefore, use of client
brokerage commissions could present a conflict with our duty of best execution, because of an
incentive to direct client brokerage to those brokers who provide research and services we utilize.
We seek to obtain “best execution” on all trades considering many components of the trade
including execution price, research obtained, and commissions charged. In addition, as described
above, we have adopted procedures to ensure that our soft dollar usage complies with legal
requirements and that the cost is reasonable in light of the benefits to our clients as a result of our
receipt of soft dollar research and brokerage services.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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Certain soft dollar eligible items are not used exclusively for either execution or research
services. The cost of such “mixed-use” products or services will be fairly allocated and Fort
Washington makes a good-faith effort to determine the percentage of such products or services
which are considered as research or brokerage services. The portions of the costs attributable
to non-research usage of such products or services are paid by our firm in accordance with the
provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Selected services provided by broker-dealers to Fort Washington could have administrative
marketing or other uses which do not constitute research or brokerage services within the
meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act. Such services are generally known
as “mixed-use” services. Fort Washington evaluates the use within the firm of any “mixed-use”
services, allocating
the cost of such services between research/brokerage and non-
research/brokerage uses based on the number of people, the purpose used, or the time that
different functions utilize the service. In making such an allocation, a conflict of interest may arise
in determining the cost allocation of mixed-use items between research and non-research
portions of the products.
W&SFG, our parent company, has directed us to use commissions from trades executed on
its behalf to pay for certain equipment, investment services, and investment information for the
collective benefit of Fort Washington’s clients.
CLIENT-DIRECTED BROKERAGE AND COMMISSION RECAPTURE
ARRANGEMENTS
We will accept direction from clients regarding the brokers to be used for that client. Certain
clients have existing arrangements permitting them to offset certain administration, accounting,
custody, consulting, or other fees in relation to the amount of brokerage transactions handled by
a specific broker. In addition, certain clients direct us to use a broker that has referred the client
to us to provide management services.
In following the client's direction to use a particular broker to execute either all of part of the
brokerage transactions for their accounts, we may be unable, among other things, to obtain
volume discounts on bunched orders and/or achieve best execution. Accordingly, where the
client authorizes us to effect all portfolio transactions charged at a rate agreed upon between the
client and the broker-dealer, we generally will not negotiate commission rates on individual or
batched transactions, including volume commission discounts, on behalf of the client unless
expressly requested to do so. In those situations, directed-brokerage clients will typically pay
materially higher commissions than our other clients and may not receive best execution.
A client who directs the use of a broker-dealer will typically be subject to certain disadvantages
regarding allocation of new issues and aggregation of orders. Directed-brokerage clients
participating in batched orders will generally incur materially different commission rates when the
batched order is allocated to client accounts. A client considering a directed brokerage
arrangement should consider the costs and possible disadvantages of the arrangement and
satisfy itself that the broker can provide adequate price and execution of most transactions.
Under a client-directed commission recapture program, the client establishes a trading
relationship with a broker-dealer that charges a discounted commission rate or credits a portion
of its commission to the client's account. The client authorizes Fort Washington to execute trades
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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with the designated broker-dealer at a commission rate established by the client and the broker-
dealer. In this situation, Fort Washington does not negotiate the commission rate, and the client
will typically pay a commission rate higher or lower than the rate paid by Fort Washington's other
clients. Clients considering a commission recapture arrangement should consider the potential
costs and disadvantages, and verify themselves that the broker-dealer can provide adequate
price and execution of most transactions.
TRADE AGGREGATION AND TRADE ROTATION
Fort Washington will aggregate trades where possible and when advantageous to clients.
Clients will share transaction costs equally on a pro-rated basis.
Block (aggregate) trading allows us to execute trades in a timelier, equitable manner, at an
average share price. Fort Washington will typically aggregate trades among clients who have
given us discretion to choose the broker to use for their account's trades, and generally will rotate
or vary the order of brokers for equity transactions.
Fort Washington's block trading policy and procedures are as follows:
• Transactions for any client account will not be aggregated for execution if the practice is
prohibited by or inconsistent with the client's advisory agreement, investment policy
statement, or our firm's order allocation policy. Fort Washington will block proprietary
trades with client trades, but only if it can seek to achieve best execution of the transaction.
• The portfolio manager must determine that the purchase or sale of the particular security
involved is appropriate for each participating client and consistent with the clients'
investment objectives and with any investment guidelines or restrictions applicable to the
clients' accounts.
• The portfolio manager must reasonably believe that the order aggregation benefits and
enables Fort Washington to seek best execution for each client participating in the
aggregated order. This requires a good faith judgment at the time the order is placed.
There are many components to seeking “best execution”; execution price and
commissions are not the sole determinants.
•
• Funds and securities for aggregated orders are clearly identified by client account number
on Fort Washington’s records and to the brokers or other intermediaries handling the
transactions.
If the order cannot be executed in full at the same price or time, the securities actually
purchased or sold by the close of each business day are generally allocated pro rata
among the participating client accounts in accordance with the initial order ticket or other
written statement of allocation. Adjustments to this pro rata allocation will be made if
necessary to avoid having odd lots or shares held in any client account, or to avoid higher
charges for small orders.
• Generally, each client that participates in the aggregated order must do so at an average
price, and must share, if applicable, in the commissions on a pro rata basis in proportion
to the client's participation. As required under the client’s agreement with the
custodian/broker, transaction costs will be based on the number of shares traded for each
client.
• Fort Washington's client account records will separately reflect each aggregated
transaction that has occurred, showing the proportion of the security that was bought or
sold for that account.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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Fort Washington has implemented the following trade rotation policy for institutional equity
accounts. With a myriad of trading platforms, client directions, and contractual obligations, Fort
Washington follows the below trade rotation policy with an overarching goal of meeting our
fiduciary responsibilities by having fair and equitable trading practices, while seeking to obtain
best execution.
Fort Washington manages a variety of institutional accounts, including separately managed
accounts, mutual funds, proprietary accounts, and UMA/Model portfolios, and generally group
accounts into three different categories:
I. Non-Directed Accounts: Fort Washington has discretionary trading authority and
Clients have authorized Fort Washington to place orders for execution of securities
transactions through such broker, dealers, or issuers based on Fort Washington’s
good faith judgement.
II. UMAs/Model Accounts: Clients that are part of a wrap fee program or similar model
delivery program where the client pays a fee to the sponsor that includes all execution
costs.
III. Directed Accounts: Clients for which Fort Washington does not have trading
discretion and has been directed to use one or more particular brokers.
If the same investment decision is made for multiple accounts within or across investment
strategies, Fort Washington will seek to aggregate the trade across accounts, while seeking to
obtain best execution. Fort Washington uses a pro-rata allocation method when allocating trades
across multiple accounts. Fort Washington will generally take into account such factors as the
investment objectives and strategies position weightings, cash availability, and risk tolerances.
There are instances where Fort Washington will not purchase or sell securities at the same time
or in the same proportionate amounts for all eligible clients.
TRADE ROTATION
Category II trades are normally transmitted to the UMA Model Sponsor for execution at the
same time Category I trades are executed by Fort Washington’s institutional trading desk.
Accordingly, Category I and II trades may compete against one another in the marketplace and
may result in higher execution prices for either category. Fort Washington will generally rotate
the trading order of Category II groups weekly, so that one group will not be advantaged, or
disadvantaged by consistently trading before or after another group of accounts. Each UMA
Model account will be considered a separate group for purposes of the rotation sequence.
Fort Washington generally places directed (Category III trades) after Category I and Category
II trades. Fort Washington will generally rotate the trading order of Category III accounts weekly,
so that one account will not be advantaged or disadvantaged.
There are certain exceptions to this aggregation/rotation methodology. For example, one or
more of the accounts in Category III may be aggregated with accounts in Category I for certain
transactions, if Fort Washington believes it is reasonably likely that such aggregation will result in
best execution.
This may not be likely for Category III accounts that the Directed Broker has discouraged, or
prohibited “trade away” or “step-outs” because of fees or administrative issues. In certain
situations, based on client objectives and direction, directed accounts will not be aggregated with
Category I transactions.
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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ALLOCATION OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ORDERS
For Equity transactions, Fort Washington has adopted procedures which seek to ensure the
fair allocation of investment opportunities. According to our general policy, trade allocations are
made on a pro rata basis whenever possible. We select the accounts to participate in a particular
investment opportunity and the amounts to be invested based on a number of factors, including
but not limited to: the type of security, the relevant accounts' investment objectives and risk
tolerance, the structure of the relevant client accounts, tax status, permitted investments, cash
availability, and settlement considerations. As a result, we may have different size allocations
when buying or selling a security in different accounts.
For Fixed Income transactions, our trade allocation policies and procedures seek to ensure
fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time by fulfilling the following
objectives: 1) seek to achieve best execution among our various investment strategies and
underlying accounts, 2) to achieve, as nearly as possible, portfolio characteristic parity among
accounts with similar mandates, 3) to minimize performance dispersion among accounts within a
given investment strategy. According to our general policy, trade allocations are made fairly and
equitably across accounts on a pro rata basis whenever possible within investment strategies and
across accounts with similar investment guidelines. Accounts selected to participate in a
particular investment opportunity and the amounts to be allocated are based on a number of
factors and considerations, including but not limited to: the relevant accounts' structure,
investment objectives and risk tolerance, regulatory restrictions, permitted investments/security
types, each accounts relative variance from portfolio characteristic parity, tax status, cash
availability and settlement considerations. As a result of these and other factors, accounts may
have varying proportional allocations, including de minimis amounts, when a security is bought or
sold in different accounts. In monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of this policy, we
consider several factors including: overall portfolio risk level, sector weighting differences, and
performance dispersion for portfolios managed in similar strategies.
For private investment opportunities, allocation is made first to the earliest formed fund or
separate account, with subsequent allocation priority given based on age.
OTHER INFORMATION
Should a trade error occur, Fort Washington’s policy is that clients will not suffer any resulting
loss.
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
INSTITUTIONAL
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
While the underlying securities within Institutional accounts are continually monitored, these
accounts are reviewed at least annually by senior management. Accounts are reviewed in the
context of each client's stated investment objectives and guidelines as outlined in each client’s
investment policy statement. In addition, we generally review the following items: turnover rate,
commissions, adherence to portfolio mandates, brokerage relationships, advisory contract(s) and
corresponding paperwork, fees paid, and performance. More frequent reviews are triggered by
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FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.
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material changes in variables such as the client's individual circumstances or the market, political,
or economic environment.
These accounts are reviewed by the: President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Compliance Officer or their designee, and responsible parties from Portfolio Management and
Operations.
In addition to the statements and confirmations of transactions that clients receive from their
custodian, we provide reports summarizing account performance, balances, and holdings on a
monthly or quarterly basis depending on the client’s preference.
SUB-ADVISORY PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
While the underlying securities within accounts are continually monitored, these accounts are
reviewed annually by senior management. Accounts are reviewed in the context of stated
investment objectives and guidelines. More frequent reviews are triggered by material changes
in variables such as individual circumstances or the market, political, or economic environment.
These accounts are reviewed by the: President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment
Officer, Chief Compliance Officer or their designee, and responsible parties from Portfolio
Management and Operations.
Unless stipulated differently in the sub-advisory agreement, Fort Washington provides the
Advisor or their clients with reports summarizing account performance, balances, and holdings
on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the Advisor’s or their client’s preference.
MUTUAL FUND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Fort Washington continually reviews and monitors the Mutual Fund's holdings in accordance
with the investment objectives as detailed in the fund prospectus and/or Statement of Additional
Information (“SAI”).
As a sub-adviser, Fort Washington provides regular reports to the advisor as reasonably
requested or required.
MODEL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
While the underlying securities within Model Portfolio Management accounts are continually
monitored, typically no formal reviews will be conducted for these clients unless otherwise
contracted. Model Portfolio clients will not typically receive reports due to the nature of the
service.
PRIVATE EQUITY
On-going monitoring of existing investments is handled by the Private Equity Portfolio
Management Team. Fort Washington provides its Private Equity investors with audited financial
statements annually. Quarterly reports, capital calls and distribution notices, capital account
statements, and Schedules K-1 and K-3 are also available to investors online or through an
alternative method of delivery chosen by the investor.
PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP
While the underlying securities within our clients' accounts are continually monitored, these
accounts are reviewed at least annually by portfolio managers Accounts are reviewed in the
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context of each client's stated investment objectives and guidelines as outlined in each client’s
investment policy statement. In addition, we generally review the following items: turnover rate,
commissions, adherence to portfolio mandates, brokerage relationships, advisory contracts and
corresponding paperwork, review of fees paid, and performance. More frequent reviews are
triggered by material changes in variables such as the client's individual circumstances or the
market, political, or economic environment.
In addition to the statements and confirmations of transactions that clients receive from their
custodian, we generally provide reports summarizing account performance, balances, and
holdings on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the client’s preference.
SELECTION AND MONITORING OF THIRD-PARTY VENDORS FOR PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP
Periodically, PCG will leverage the investment-related research and due diligence of an
affiliated company in addition to its own research. PCG and the affiliated company receive no
special benefits as a result of this relationship.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Reviews may occur at different stages depending on the nature and terms of the specific
engagement.
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
NON-GOVERNMENTAL CLIENT REFERRALS
Our firm pays referral fees to affiliated and independent persons or firms ("Promoters") for
introducing certain clients to us. Whenever we pay a referral fee to a third party, we require that
the prospective client be provided with a copy of our Firm Brochure and a separate disclosure
statement that includes the following information:
the Promoter's name and relationship with our firm
the fact that the Promoter is being paid a referral fee
the amount of the Promoter fee
•
•
•
• Whether the client will pay an increased fee in order to compensate the Promoter.
As a matter of firm practice, the clients do not pay an increased fee for promoter arrangements.
Our firm receives an economic benefit from certain custodians in the form of support products
and services made available to us and other independent investment advisors when clients
maintain accounts at those custodians. 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 these products and services is not based on us giving particular investment
advice, such as buying particular securities for our clients.
GOVERNMENTAL CLIENT REFERRALS
In accordance with SEC adopted Rule 206(4)-5 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
Fort Washington prohibits third-party solicitation of advisory business from any government entity
on behalf of Fort Washington, unless the third parties are registered broker/dealers or registered
investment advisers subject to pay-to-play restrictions. This prohibition is part of Fort
Washington’s Political Contributions Policy, which aims to ensure compliance with SEC Rule
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206(4) by placing significant restrictions on the ability of Fort Washington, its employees, officers,
directors, and other affiliated persons to make political contributions.
ITEM 15 – CUSTODY
As described in the "Fees and Compensation" section (Item 5) of this Brochure, our firm both
debits advisory fees from client accounts and bills clients directly. As part of this billing process,
the client's custodian is advised of the amount of the fee to be deducted from the client's account.
On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is required to send a statement to the client showing
all transactions made within the account during the reporting period.
Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee to be deducted, it is important
for clients to carefully review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the calculation
and other information provided. Clients should contact their custodians if they have questions
regarding their custodial statement.
In addition to the periodic statements that clients receive directly from their custodians, we
also send account statements/appraisals directly to our clients on a monthly or quarterly basis
depending on the client’s preference. We urge our clients to carefully compare the information
provided on these reports to ensure that all account transactions, holdings, and values are correct
and current.
In the case of pooled investment vehicles, Fort Washington has retained the services of an
independent public accountant to conduct an annual audit. We send quarterly account
statements to the limited partners and annual audited financial statements within 120 days of the
Fund’s fiscal year end, or in the case of Funds of Funds, within 180 days of the Fund’s fiscal year
end.
Fort Washington has retained the services of an independent public accountant to conduct an
annual surprise audit of the Private Client accounts where we have been deemed to have custody.
If requested by our clients, we will provide them with a copy of Form ADV-E, which is filed with
the SEC by the public accountant with the results of the examination.
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION
Certain clients hire us to provide discretionary asset management services, in which case we
make investment decisions and place trades in a client's account without prior consultation with
the client. Our discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting
the client:
• Determine the security to buy or sell
• Determine the amount of the security to buy or sell
• Exchange or convert securities, including money market instruments
• Determine the timing of securities transactions
• Select a broker to effect securities transactions
• Determine the terms of the transaction, including commission amounts (if any).
Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary agreement with our firm,
and have the ability to limit this authority through written instructions or based on their investment
policy statements. Clients may also change/amend such limitations by once again providing us
with written instructions or by revising their investment policy statements.
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We seek to manage portfolios with similar instructions or guidelines in the same way.
Accordingly, in some instances, accounts with restrictive guidelines are unable to participate in
aggregated orders and can be disadvantaged by the market impact of trading for other accounts.
In non-discretionary accounts, we make periodic recommendations to clients regarding the
securities to be purchased or sold and the size of those transactions.
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Fort Washington has adopted and implemented procedures that we believe are reasonably
designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of clients, in accordance with our
fiduciary duties and policies and procedures established by the firm. Our authority to vote proxies
on behalf of our clients is established by our advisory contract or by written instructions from our
clients. Our firm will retain all proxy voting books and records for the period of time required by
law, including a copy of any document created by us that was material to making proxy voting
decisions, our proxy policies and procedures, and a copy of each written client request for
information on how Fort Washington voted proxies. Our clients always have the right to vote
proxies themselves. Clients can exercise this right by instructing us in writing not to vote proxies
on their account.
Clients may obtain a copy of our complete proxy voting policies and procedures by contacting
Eric Walzer, Vice President, Investment Operations, at eric.walzer@fortwashington.com or at
513.361.7951. Clients may also request, in writing, information on how proxies were voted. If any
client requests a copy of our complete proxy policies and procedures or how we voted proxies for
their account(s), we will promptly provide such information to the client.
With respect to ERISA accounts, we will vote proxies unless the plan documents specifically
reserve the plan sponsor’s right to vote proxies. To direct us to vote a proxy in a particular manner,
clients should contact Eric Walzer at eric.walzer@fortwashington.com or at 513.361.7951.
We vote proxies for some, but not all of our clients. For accounts where we do not vote
proxies, clients maintain exclusive responsibility for voting proxies. Clients are responsible for
instructing their custodian to forward copies of all proxies and shareholder communications to the
client.
Fort Washington will neither advise nor act on behalf of the client in legal proceedings
involving companies whose securities are held in the client’s account(s) including, but not limited
to, the filing of “Proofs of Claim” in class action settlements. If desired, clients may direct us or
their custodian, in writing, to transmit copies of class action notices to the client or a third party.
Upon such direction, we will make every reasonable effort to forward such notices in a timely
manner.
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Fort Washington has no additional financial circumstances to report. Under no circumstances
do we require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $1,200 per client more than six months in
advance of services rendered. Therefore, we are not required to include a financial statement
with this brochure. Fort Washington has not been the subject of any bankruptcy petition.
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