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Item 1 – Cover Page
Firm Brochure
(Part 2A of Form ADV)
Fountainhead Capital Management, LLC dba
Fountainhead Advisors
10 Independence Blvd, Suite 120
Warren, NJ 070597
(732) 346-1900
www.fountainhead-advisors.com
March 31, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Fountainhead
Capital Management, LLC (“Fountainhead” or the “Firm”). If you have any questions about the
contents of this brochure, or to request a copy, please contact Jenny Napoli at: (732) 346-1900,
or by email at: jenny@fountainhead-advisors.com..
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. Additional information
about the Firm is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Registration as an
investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
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Item 2 - Material Changes
We use this section to notify clients of material changes made to this disclosure Brochure between
annual updates. We deliver a summary of these changes, or a copy of our updated Brochure, every
year within 120 days of our December 31 year-end.
Since filing our last annual updating amendment in March of 2024, we have made the following
material changes to this Brochure:
We have updated Item 5: Fees and Compensation, and Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations, to remove references to funds sub-advised by an affiliate (“Affiliated Funds”). While existing
clients, based on their individual circumstances, may continue to hold an allocation of Affiliated Funds,
we are no longer using the Affiliated Funds with new clients. Any clients who continue to hold the
Affiliated Funds may direct us to liquidate the positions.
We have updated Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss, to include
additional discussion of the use and risks of private placements.
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Item 3 – Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ............................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 - Material Changes .................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 – Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4 – Advisory Business ..................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................................... 7
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ...................................... 10
Item 7 - Types of Clients ....................................................................................................................... 10
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss .................................... 10
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information ....................................................................................................... 16
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ..................................................... 16
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................... 19
Item 13 - Review of Accounts ............................................................................................................ 22
Item 14- Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..................................................................... 23
Item 15 - Custody .................................................................................................................................. 23
Item 16 - Investment Discretion ......................................................................................................... 23
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities ...................................................................................................... 24
Item 18 - Financial Information .......................................................................................................... 24
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
Fountainhead Capital Management, LLC (“Fountainhead,” “we,” “our,” “us”), doing business as
“Fountainhead Advisors,” is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business
located in Warren, NJ.
Fountainhead provides financial planning, investment management, and pension consulting services
to its clients. The firm has been registered as an investment adviser since March 2011 and is principally
owned by Marc B. Rock, Scott H. Silver, and Joseph Halpern. These three owners also manage and
control our advisory affiliate, Fountainhead AM, LLC, and our
insurance-licensed affiliate,
Fountainhead Protection Strategies, LLC, through their collective equity positions. See Item 10 for
additional information.
Prior to engaging Fountainhead to provide any investment advisory services, clients enter into one or
more written agreements with us (“Agreement”) that detail specific aspects of the relationship,
including the services to be provided and the associated fees.
Financial Planning Services
Fountainhead may provide clients with a broad range of comprehensive financial planning services.
Our financial planning is tailored to the individual needs of the client, and may include retirement
planning, education planning, budgeting, cash flow and business planning, review of insurance, or
recommendations for portfolio customization. We occasionally provide financial planning services on
a stand-alone basis.
In performing planning services, we typically obtain information from the client or from the client’s
other professionals (e.g., attorney, accountant, etc.) concerning financial data, goals, and
resources. While we ask questions about the information and make a point of understanding the
client’s situation, we do not independently verify the accuracy of the data provided to us.
We often recommend that planning clients engage us for additional related services, such as
implementation of financial plans, purchase of insurance (if applicable), and ongoing management
of client assets (see Investment Management, below). A conflict of interest exists when we recommend
our own services, or the use of insurance agents associated with Fountainhead or our insurance-
licensed affiliate. Clients are under no obligation to act on any of the financial planning
recommendations we make or to engage us for additional services.
Investment Management Services
Clients may engage Fountainhead to manage all or a portion of their assets on a discretionary or non-
discretionary basis. Most of our client relationships are discretionary and we believe this structure
permits us to implement our investment models and strategies more efficiently.
• Discretionary. Fountainhead manages separate accounts with full discretion to invest a client’s
assets subject to the client’s objectives and needs, and also subject to any guidelines or special
instructions identified in the Agreement. Our discretionary authority permits us to delegate
discretion on all or a portion of a client’s assets to third party investment managers (“Sub-
Advisors”) as further described below. Most client management is performed by our affiliated
investment advisor, Fountainhead AM, LLC (“FAM”).
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• Non-Discretionary. Fountainhead may also provide advisory services to separately managed
accounts of clients on a non-discretionary basis, including to the IRA and 401K accounts of
individuals. With respect to our non-discretionary asset management services, we generally
maintain ongoing responsibility to make recommendations, based upon the needs of the client,
as to the specific securities the account may purchase or sell. The final decision on investment
selection rests with the client in this arrangement and the client always maintains asset control.
Non-discretionary investment management services can negatively impact client accounts if
Fountainhead is unable to contact clients during sudden negative market conditions.
We may also render non-discretionary investment management services to clients relative to
variable life/annuity products that they may own, their individual employer-sponsored
retirement plans, and/or 529 plans or other products. In doing so, we recommend the allocation
of client assets among the investment options available with the product. Client assets are
maintained at the specific insurance company or custodian designated by the product.
Depending on client status as a discretionary or non-discretionary account, we will either
recommend (non-discretionary) or allocate (discretionary) client assets among Sub-Advisors (as
described below), mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). As appropriate for the client,
we may also incorporate other types of securities in our management strategy and may provide
advice about any type of legacy investment held in clients’ portfolios.
We ask clients to promptly notify us if there are changes in their financial situation or investment
objectives, or if they wish to impose any reasonable restrictions upon our management services.
Use of Sub-Advisors
As mentioned above, and based on the stated investment objectives of the client, Fountainhead
may authorize [for discretionary accounts] or recommend [for non-discretionary accounts] that clients
authorize the active discretionary management of a portion of their assets by and/or among affiliated
(FAM) and unaffiliated investment managers (collectively, “Sub-Advisors”) through our investment
platform. The terms and conditions under which the client engages Sub-Advisors are described in
our Agreement with the client. In some cases, a given manager may enter into a direct relationship
with the client, but this is unusual.
Primary management of all Fountainhead client assets is handled through our relationship with FAM, our
affiliated investment advisor. Fountainhead monitors and reviews the account performance and the
client’s investment objectives, and maintains ongoing authority to hire and terminate Sub-Advisors or
to allocate more or less of a client’s total assets to Sub-Advisors, including FAM. We receive an annual
advisory fee based on a percentage of value of total assets managed. We pay a portion of our
advisory fee to FAM. Other Sub-Advisor(s) assess separate fees for their services, in addition to what
Fountainhead charges. All fees are described in the Agreement.
We manage client assets through the use of model portfolios and investment strategies (“Strategies”)
focused on specific objectives. We rebalance client portfolios regularly in light of market dynamics, to
maintain a certain market exposure or take advantage of perceived opportunities.
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We do not routinely select unaffiliated Sub-Advisors. Where appropriate for a given client, our affiliate,
FAM, will conduct due diligence and select Sub-Advisors on our behalf. When selecting or overseeing
other Sub-Advisors, FAM reviews information such as the Sub-Advisors’ Brochures and other material
they supply. FAM evaluates the Sub-Advisors’ investment strategies, past performance and risk results
to the extent available. Factors that we consider in recommending Sub-Advisors include the client’s
stated investment objectives, the Sub-Advisor’s management style, performance, reputation,
financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research. Clients will be charged additional fees for any Sub-
Advisors used. The specific range of fees is described in the Agreement.
In addition to Fountainhead’s and FAM’s Brochure, we also provide Brochures for any unaffiliated
Sub-Advisors we use. Some Sub-Advisors may impose more restrictive account requirements or have
different billing practices than Fountainhead. In such instances, Fountainhead may alter its
corresponding account requirements and/or billing practices to accommodate those of the
Independent Managers.
Pension Consulting
Fountainhead offers pension consulting services to employers. We will assist employers in developing
defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plan solutions, which may include an evaluation
of the qualified retirement plan’s fiduciary compliance program, recordkeeping and third-party
administrative services, development of an investment policy statement, employee communication
and education program, and retiree consulting services. Fountainhead may also provide investment
management services to retirement plans, which includes the implementation and management of
the plan assets.
the
Internal Revenue Code with
respect
to our ongoing
Important Information for Retirement Investors
When we recommend that you rollover retirement assets or transfer existing retirement assets (such as
a 401(k) or an IRA) to our management, we have a conflict of interest. This is because we will generally
earn additional revenue when we manage more assets. In making the recommendation, however,
we do so only after determining that the recommendation is in your best interest. Further, in making
any recommendation to transfer or rollover retirement assets, we do so as a “fiduciary,” as that term is
defined in ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, or both. We also acknowledge we are a fiduciary under
ERISA or
investment advisory
recommendations and discretionary asset management services, as described in the advisory
agreement we execute with you. To the extent we provide non-fiduciary services to you, those will be
described in the advisory agreement.
Tailored Advice and Client Restrictions
We implement our advice or formulate planning recommendations based on individual client needs
and it is important that clients notify us promptly of any change in their financial situation or investment
objectives. We consult with clients initially and on an ongoing basis to determine risk tolerance,
time horizon and other factors that may impact the clients’ investment needs. Clients may impose
reasonable restrictions or mandates on the management of their account (e.g., require that a portion
of their assets be invested in socially responsible funds) if, in Fountainhead’s sole discretion, the
conditions will not materially impact the performance of a portfolio strategy or prove overly
burdensome for Fountainhead to administer.
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Sponsor / Manager of Wrap Program
Fountainhead is not a sponsor or manager of a wrap fee program.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, Fountainhead had approximately $927 million in discretionary assets under
management and approximately $92.9 million in non-discretionary assets under management.
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Fountainhead offers its services on a fee basis, which may include fixed fees as well as fees based upon
assets under management. Many of the individuals associated with us maintain other financial industry
affiliations that generate additional revenue to them. This can create a conflict of interest; more
information about the conflicts, and how we mitigate them, appears below.
Financial Planning and Pension Consulting Fees
Fountainhead charges a fixed fee for financial planning or pension consulting services. These fees are
negotiable, but generally range between $2,500 to $15,000, depending on the level and scope of the
services and the professional providing the financial planning or pension consulting services. In some
cases, fees may be higher or lower than the range shown, but our most common initial planning fee is
approximately $2,500. The applicable fees are detailed in the Agreement.
As part of the planning engagement, we may recommend that clients engage Fountainhead for
ongoing asset management, or that the client purchase insurance products through Fountainhead
representatives who are also insurance licensed. Following these recommendations will result in our
insurance-licensed affiliate and our representatives earning more compensation. Clients are never
obligated to implement our advice through Fountainhead or its representatives.
Prior to engaging us to provide financial planning or pension consulting services, the client is required
to enter into a written agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement. We
generally require one-half of the fee, payable upon our acceptance of the Agreement. The balance
is typically due upon delivery of the financial plan or completion of the agreed services.
Fees for Investment Management Services
Fountainhead provides investment management services for an annual fee based on a percentage
of the market value of the assets under management (“Advisory Fee”). Our Advisory Fee is exclusive
of, and in addition to, brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related costs and
expenses incurred by the client, such as miscellaneous fees or charges by the custodian for services
such as wiring fees, fees for portfolio transactions executed away from the custodian or not pursuant
to an asset-based brokerage fee, dealer mark-ups, electronic fund and wire transfers, spreads paid to
market-makers and exchange fees. Fountainhead does not receive any portion of these commissions,
fees, and costs. See Item 12, Brokerage Practices, for additional information.
Our Advisory Fee is prorated for partial quarters and charged quarterly, in advance, based upon the
market value of the assets under our management on the last day of the previous quarter, as reported
by the qualified custodian holding the assets. Fountainhead does not value assets for fee billing
purposes. The annual Advisory Fee varies depending on the market value of the assets under
management and the type of investment management services to be rendered.
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Primary Advisor Fee Schedule
Assets Under Management
First $250,000
Next $250,000
Next $500,000
Next $1.5 million
Additional assets over $2.5 million
Annual Advisory Fee
Up to 1.45%
Up to 1.35%
Up to 1.25%
Up to 1.15%
Up to 1.05%
FAM provides direct management services for most of our clients and receives a negotiated portion
of the above fee. The fees we pay to FAM are deducted from our Advisory Fee, not charged in addition
to it.
Fountainhead may choose to negotiate any of our own fees, including Advisory Fees for Investment
Management Services, and Reporting & Administrative Fees. The actual fees agreed to with a given
client is specified in the Agreement.
Fees for unaffiliated Sub-Advisors may or may not be negotiable, but typically are not. In most cases,
the Sub-Advisors used have agreed to a specified rate for Fountainhead clients and further negotiation
is not an option. While we retain the right to negotiate or not negotiate lesser fees, in our sole discretion,
the factors we usually consider include type of account, anticipated future earning capacity,
anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed, related accounts,
account composition, pre-existing client, account retention, pro bono activities, etc.
The amount of fees we charge for selecting and overseeing private placements may be lower than
our standard fees as a result of the illiquidity of these investments. Similarly, the pricing method used
may be different due to the lack of secondary market pricing. We will identify any deviation from our
standard fee practice at the time of investment, if applicable.
Reporting & Administrative Fees
Certain legacy clients are charged a Reporting & Administrative fee of up to $150 per account. In all
instances where we charge such a fee, the overall household fee, inclusive of the Reporting &
Administrative fee, is equal to or below the above stated maximum Primary Advisor Fee schedule.
Sub-Advisory Fees
As previously described, we engage third party Sub-Advisors to provide discretionary asset
management services to our clients. Where we allocate assets to FAM, we identify the total fees
charged and FAM is paid from that total. For all other Sub-Advisors, an additional and separate asset-
based fee applies, as well as the fees we charge. Because different Sub-Advisors charge different fees,
and because we may allocate to those Sub-Advisors in different proportions over time, unaffiliated
Sub-Advisory Fees will vary quarter-to-quarter. We provide more detail about Sub-Advisory Fees in the
Agreement, but the standard range is .10% - 1.0%. We will typically deduct Sub-Advisory Fees directly
from client accounts and pay them to the Sub-Advisor as a pass-through.
Allocating client assets solely to unaffiliated Sub-Advisors (for whom an additional fee is assessed),
rather than to FAM (who receives part of our fees), would result in Fountainhead’s retaining 100% of its
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own advisory fees. This gives us a financial incentive to use only unaffiliated Sub-Advisors, which would
increase overall fees to clients. Our business model, however, is based on an assumption that we can
achieve efficiencies of scale and better client service by using FAM to provide asset management to
both Fountainhead and other investment advisors (see FAM’s Brochure for more information).
Accordingly, we believe that our long-term financial interests are aligned with client interests in
obtaining high-quality services at a reasonable price.
Other Fees
Fountainhead’s Advisory Fees are exclusive of and in addition to brokerage commissions, transaction
fees, and other related costs and expenses incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain charges
imposed by the custodians, executing brokers, and other third parties, custodial fees, charges
imposed directly by a mutual fund or ETF in the account, which are disclosed in the fund’s
prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses) and expressed as part of the
fund’s expense ratio, deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and
electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions.
Clients are responsible for the payment of these costs and expenses. Fountainhead will not receive any
portion of these commissions, fees, or costs.
See Item 10 for additional information on Fountainhead’s insurance activities and the commissions and
other compensation paid to our insurance-licensed affiliate and to Fountainhead’s representatives in
connection with insurance recommendations.
Registered Representatives of a Broker-Dealer
Fountainhead’s advisory representatives may also be registered with an unaffiliated broker-dealer
(referred to as “dually-licensed representatives”). Please see the advisor’s ADV 2B Brochure
Supplement for details. We do not permit dually-licensed representatives to earn brokerage
commissions on transactions they recommend to advisory clients. In some cases, however, previously-
purchased client assets that pay a trailing commission are transferred to Fountainhead and those
assets are retained. If the dually-licensed representative is listed as the “broker of record” for those
assets, the unaffiliated broker-dealer will receive the trailing commissions and pay out a portion of those
to the dually-licensed representative. Fountainhead does not assess advisory fees on assets paying a
trailing commission.
Fee Debit
The Fountainhead Agreement and a separate agreement with the account custodian, or other third-
party platform providers, may authorize Fountainhead, FAM, or Sub-Advisors to debit a client’s
account for the amount of Fountainhead’s Advisory Fee and any Sub-Advisory Fees and to directly
remit the fees to Fountainhead or to the Sub-Advisors. Any custodians we recommend have agreed
to send statements to clients, at least quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed from the account,
including the amount of Advisory Fees or Sub-Advisory Fees paid directly to Fountainhead or any Sub-
Advisors.
Fees for Management During Partial Quarters of Service
For the initial period of investment management services, the fees are calculated on a pro rata basis
from the date we began managing the assets. Intra-quarter cash flows of at least $5,000 will result in
pro-rata refunds (for outflows) or charges (for inflows) based on the value of the Account on the date
of the inflow or outflow and the number of days remaining in the quarter from the date of the inflow or
outflow.
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The Agreement between Fountainhead and the client will continue in effect until terminated by either
party under the terms of the Agreement. Fountainhead’s fees, as well as any pre-paid Sub-Advisory
Fees, are prorated through the date of termination and any remaining balance is charged or
refunded to the client, as appropriate.
its portfolios as
Clients may make additions to and withdrawals from their accounts at any time, subject to
Fountainhead’s right to terminate an account. Additions may be in cash or securities provided that
we reserve the right to liquidate any transferred securities or decline to accept particular securities
into a client’s account. Clients may withdraw account assets, subject to usual and customary
long-term
securities settlement procedures. However, Fountainhead designs
investments, and the withdrawal of assets may impair clients’ ability to achieve their investment
objectives. As needed, we will consult with clients about options for and ramifications of transferring
securities. Clients should be aware that when transferred securities are liquidated, they are subject to
transaction fees, fees assessed at the mutual fund level (i.e., contingent deferred sales charge) and/or
tax ramifications.
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Fountainhead does not provide any services for performance-based fees. Performance-based fees
are those based on a share of capital gains on or capital appreciation of the Assets of a client.
Item 7 - Types of Clients
We provide services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, individual IRA and 401K
accounts, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and business entities.
Minimums Imposed by Sub-Advisors
We do not impose a minimum portfolio size or minimum annual fee. Some of the Sub-Advisors we
use may, however, impose more restrictive account requirements than Fountainhead. In such
instances, Fountainhead will follow the Sub-Advisor’s minimum and will not select that Sub-Advisor for
any client not meeting the minimum.
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategy
Fountainhead primarily uses a strategic approach with a tactical overlay as its primary method of
analysis, but may also incorporate aspects of fundamental and technical analysis. As a general
philosophy, we value protecting client portfolios against the downside over capturing an upside swing.
There is no guarantee that any investment philosophy or strategy will either achieve a specific level of
performance or prevent loss; all investing involves risk that clients must be prepared to bear.
Fundamental analysis involves the fundamental financial condition and competitive position of a
company. Fountainhead will analyze the financial condition, capabilities of management,
earnings, new products and services, as well as the company’s markets and position amongst
its competitors in order to determine the recommendations made to clients. The primary risk in using
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fundamental analysis is that while the overall health and position of a company may be good,
market conditions may negatively impact the security.
Technical analysis involves evaluation of past market data rather than specific company data in
determining the recommendations made to clients. Technical analysis may involve the use of charts
to identify market patterns and trends, which could, for example, be based on investor sentiment rather
than the fundamentals of the company. The primary risk in using technical analysis is that spotting
historical trends may not help to predict such trends in the future. Even if the trend eventually recurs,
there is no guarantee that we will be able to accurately predict such a recurrence.
For accounts invested directly by Fountainhead/FAM, we primarily use mutual funds and ETFs, but may
also incorporate individual equity or fixed income securities. When selecting funds or ETFs, we consider
a variety of factors, including the fund manager’s tenure, investment strategy, and/or overall career
performance. For individual securities, other factors will apply; see the information on equities and fixed
income securities below.
Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
An investment in a mutual fund or ETF involves risk, including the loss of principal. Mutual fund and ETF
shareholders are necessarily subject to the risks stemming from the individual issuers of the fund’s
underlying portfolio securities. Such shareholders are also liable for taxes on any fund-level capital
gains, as mutual funds and ETFs are required by law to distribute capital gains if they sell securities for
a profit that cannot be offset by a corresponding loss.
Shares of mutual funds are generally distributed and redeemed on an ongoing basis by the fund itself
or a broker acting on its behalf. The trading price at which a share is transacted is equal to a
fund’s stated daily per share net asset value (“NAV”), plus any shareholders’ fees (e.g., sales
loads, purchase fees, redemption fees). The per-share NAV of a mutual fund is calculated at the
end of each business day.
Shares of ETFs are listed on securities exchanges and transacted at negotiated prices in the secondary
market. Generally, ETF shares trade at or near their most recent NAV, which is generally calculated
at least once daily for actively managed ETFs and more frequently for index-based ETFs. However,
certain inefficiencies may cause the shares to trade at a premium or discount to their pro rata
NAV. There is also no guarantee that an active secondary market for such shares will develop or
continue to exist. Generally, an ETF only redeems shares when aggregated as creation units (usually
50,000 shares or more). Therefore, if a liquid secondary market ceases to exist for shares of a particular
ETF, a shareholder may have no way to dispose of such shares.
Use of Sub-Advisors
Fountainhead or FAM may in some cases recommend the use of unaffiliated Sub-Advisors for certain
clients. While we, or FAM on our behalf, will conduct due diligence on new Sub-Advisors, our
recommendations rely, to a great extent, on the Sub-Advisors’ ability to successfully implement their
investment strategies. In addition, we do not have the ability to supervise Sub-Advisors on a day-to-day
basis. There may be other third-party money managers that may be suitable for a client and that may
be more or less costly than the Sub-Advisors we select.
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General Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. Clients should be prepared to bear such loss. All investment
programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. No guarantees can be made that a client’s
financial goals or objectives will be achieved. Further, no guarantees of performance can be offered.
Our investment approach keeps the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the following investment risks:
•
Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to fluctuate. For
example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less attractive, causing their
market values to decline.
• Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or fund may drop in reaction to tangible and
intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external factors independent of
a security’s particular underlying circumstances. For example, political, economic and social
conditions may trigger market events.
•
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as much as a dollar
next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation.
• Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the dollar against
the currency of the investment’s originating country. This is also referred to as exchange rate risk.
• Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have to be
reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e. interest rate). This primarily relates to fixed
income securities.
• Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular company within
an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies depend on finding oil and then refining it, a
lengthy process, before they can generate a profit. Conceptually, they carry a higher risk of
profitability than an electric company, which generates its income from a steady stream of
customers who buy electricity no matter what the economic environment is like.
• Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash. Generally, assets
are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized product. For example, Treasury
Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties are not. Certain instruments may have no
readily available market or third-party pricing. Structured notes and interval funds usually have
a limited secondary market and are often relatively illiquid. Reduced liquidity may have an
adverse impact on market price and the ability to sell particular securities when necessary to
meet cash needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as the deterioration of
creditworthiness of an issuer. Reduced liquidity in the secondary market for certain securities
may also make it more difficult to obtain market quotations based on actual trades for the
purpose of pricing the security. Clients should invest in structured notes, private securities, and
other illiquid (or relatively illiquid) assets only to the extent they have adequate other liquid assets
available to fund current and ongoing cash requirements.
• Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations increases the risk of
profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its obligations in good times and
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bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan obligations may result in
bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
• Systemic Risk: Risks inherent to the entire market or market segment. Systemic risk is also known
as “undiversifiable risk,” and affects the overall market, not just a particular stock or industry. This
type of risk is both unpredictable and impossible to completely avoid.
•
Third Party Risk: It is not uncommon for companies to maintain myriad third-party relationships in
an effort to reduce costs, increase efficiency and focus more intently on core competencies.
However, while businesses seek to gain a competitive and operational advantage through
these relationships, they are also exposing themselves to an increasing level of risk. At the same
time, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to maintain the necessary
controls for mitigating the risks associated with these relationships. Failure to manage these risks
can expose a business to regulatory action, financial loss, litigation, and reputational damage,
and may even impair the institution’s ability to establish new or service existing customer
relationships.
For those clients choosing to invest in alternative investments, such securities come with
additional substantial risks as they are speculative in nature. They may not be registered or
regulated under any laws, should be considered illiquid investments, are not freely transferable,
may be highly leveraged, may be volatile, and may involve higher fees and expenses than
other types of investments. Alternative investments may not be immediately redeemable.
Alternative investments such as hedge funds only permit redemptions at specified time periods
and in specified advanced notice. As a result, the client may be required to hold alternative
investments in its account after termination of this or the Agreement.
Risks Associated with Securities and Other Investments
• Absolute Investment Strategies seek to achieve a positive return regardless of the condition of
the overall market. These strategies may have returns that perform substantially less well than
the overall market depending upon the skill of the portfolio manager.
• Commodities have risk in that they are affected by global supply and demand; domestic and
foreign interest rates; political, economic, financial events, or natural disasters; regulatory and
exchange position limits; and concentration within a commodity.
• Derivatives. Investments in derivatives, or similar instrument, including but not limited to, options,
futures, options on futures, forwards, participatory notes, swaps, structured securities, tender-
option bonds and derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions, which can be used to
hedge a portfolio’s investments or to seek to enhance returns, entail specific risks relating to
liquidity, leverage and credit that can reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Losses in a
portfolio from investments in derivative instruments can result from the potential illiquidity of the
markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to fulfill its contractual
obligations, the portfolio receiving cash collateral under the transactions and some or all of that
collateral being invested in the market, or the risks arising from margin posting requirements and
related leverage factors associated with such transactions. In addition, many jurisdictions
continue to review practices and regulations relating to the use of derivatives, or similar
instruments. Such reviews could make such instruments more costly, limiting the availability of,
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or otherwise adversely affecting the value or performance of such instrument. We generally
achieve alternative investment exposure (which can represent a significant part of a client’s
portfolio where we think it is appropriate) through investments in structured notes and
investments in alternative strategy mutual funds.
• Exchange Traded Funds may not accurately track their underlying index and may not have
liquidity under severe market conditions. Further, the securities held by the ETF entail the risks of
those underlying holdings, such as stocks or fixed income securities.
• Exchange Traded Notes are unsecured debt instruments subject to risk of default by the issuing
bank (counterparty risk) as well as market risk. Exchange traded notes may fail to track the index
they are designed to track as well as being negatively impacted by a decline in the credit rating
of the issuer. They may lack liquidity under severe market conditions.
• Fixed Income securities may be affected by interest rate risk as increases or decreases in interest
rates occur and also by credit risk in that issuers may not make payment on the securities.
Because the prices of fixed income securities tend to fall when prevailing interest rates rise, fixed
income securities – especially those with longer-term maturities – may drop significantly in value
in the event interest rates rise steeply or unexpectedly.
• High Yield Fixed Income (Bond) Securities invest in securities that are considered speculative
and are susceptible to default or decline in value due to adverse economic and business
developments. These securities often combine some of the risks of the equity markets (business
risk, for example), as well as the risks of fixed income securities.
•
Interval Funds are closed-end mutual funds that don’t offer daily liquidity and have no history of
public trading. Instead, the sponsor intends to offer to repurchase fund interests quarterly, at the
then-current net asset value, but is not obligated to do so. Further, even if the sponsor makes a
quarterly repurchase offer, there’s no guarantee that the client will be able to sell as many
shares as the investor would like to sell. Accordingly, these should be considered long-term
investments. These funds also may invest in underlying securities that have varying degrees of
risk, including use of non-investment grade securities, and non-performing loans. Further, the
operating and management expenses of the funds may be higher than other income-focused
funds. Those expenses are deducted directly from the fund’s value and must be paid before an
investor receives any return.
• Mutual Funds are subject to risks related to the manager’s ability to achieve the strategy’s
objective and market conditions affecting the assets held by the fund. Depending on their
holdings, they also entail the other risks discussed in this section, such as those related to stocks
or fixed income securities.
• Options involve leverage and special risk considerations. Use of options entails the potential for
significant losses and significantly increased portfolio volatility.
• Private Placements. Where we believe it to be suitable for the client, the firm may occasionally
recommend privately-placed securities. Private placements are exempt from registration under
applicable securities laws, may have limited or no transparency as to the underlying
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investments, and are generally available only to “accredited” and “qualified” investors, who
are assumed to be sophisticated purchasers who have little or no need for liquidity from such
investments, and are able to withstand the loss of some or all of their investment. Limitations on
withdrawal rights and non-tradability of interests create higher liquidity risk, and such securities
should be viewed as long-term investments. Clients using these products and strategies must be
able to tolerate this illiquidity by reserving sufficient resources to meet all obligations. Expenses
related to private placements may be a higher percentage of net assets than traditional
investment strategies. The duration of private fund investments with longer-term securities are
more sensitive to interest rates and include the possibility of more volatility than other
investments. This is not an exclusive list of potential or actual risks in any particular private
placement and additional important information is found in the specific security’s offering
materials. Clients must receive and read the offering materials before investing, and execute
any required subscription documents. The investment sponsor determines whether to accept a
specific investment. Fountainhead is not able to exercise its discretionary authority with respect
to private placements.
• Sectors may be subject to risk when a substantial portion of assets are devoted to a particular
market sector or industry thereby having the potential of greater volatility than with broadly
diversified strategies. A market sector or industry may underperform the market as a whole for a
variety of reasons.
• Stocks have risk in that their returns and the principal invested in them is not guaranteed, and
they are subject to changing market conditions. They may decline in price significantly over
short or extended periods in relation to overall market movement or due to factors affecting a
segment of the market or factors affecting an individual company, such as a poor earnings
report. Small stocks are more volatile than large stocks and are subject to significant price
fluctuations and may be thinly traded.
• Structured Notes are unsecured debt obligations of the issuer (usually a large investment bank)
that also employ an embedded derivative feature. This means they combine some of the
features and risks of debt, as well as some of the features and risks of derivatives. The issuer is
obligated to make payments on the notes as promised, which may include repayment of
principal at specified amounts, as well as identified returns beyond principal, depending on the
terms of the specific structured note. Investors are subject to credit risk in the event of default
by the issuer, and could lose their principal or the stated return. Structured note returns are
usually related to the performance of some linked asset or index. Depending on what the linked
asset or index is, the market risk of the structured note may include changes in equity or
commodity prices, changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, or market volatility. It’s
important to understand the terms of the note, especially how upside potential may be capped
and the extent to which downside risk is reduced, as well as the costs associated with those
features. After issuance, structured notes do not trade regularly and are difficult to value given
their complexity. Accordingly, an investor’s ability to trade or sell structured notes in the
secondary market is often very limited. Because they’re illiquid, clients should be prepared to
hold a structured note to its maturity date, or risk selling the note at what could be a substantial
discount to its value if held to maturity. Structured products typically do not pass through or
reinvest any dividend or distribution that may be paid to direct holders of the underlying asset.
Therefore, if the dividend or distribution on the underlying asset increases, it becomes less
attractive to own the structured product as compared to directly owning the underlying asset.
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This will negatively affect the value of the structured product. Structured notes may have
complicated payoff structures that can make it difficult for clients to accurately assess their
value, risk and potential for growth through the term of the structured note. Determining the
performance of each note can be complex and this calculation can vary significantly from
note to note depending on the structure. If a structured note has a call (early redemption)
provision and the issuer calls (redeems) it early, investors may not be able to reinvest their money
at the same rate of return. Similarly, the issuer’s decision to call the securities early could result in
lower returns than originally anticipated. An issuer would usually choose to call the note because
doing so is financially beneficial to the issuer, rather than to the investor. The tax treatment of
structured notes is complicated and, in some cases, uncertain. For example, it’s possible an
investor would be required to pay ordinary income taxes prior to the note’s maturity. The
preliminary prospectus for the structured note will contain a tax summary describing what the
issuer reasonably believes are the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing
in the product, which is based on advice of their tax counsel. However, it is possible for the IRS
to assert a different treatment than is described in the offering documents and for you to be
negatively affected.
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information
Investment advisors are required to disclose the facts of any legal or disciplinary events material to a
client’s evaluation of their advisory business or the integrity of management. We have nothing
to disclose in response to this Item.
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Investment advisors are required to disclose any relationship or arrangement with certain related
persons that is material to its advisory business or to its clients.
Receipt of Insurance Commissions; Material Relationship with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Fountainhead and some of its advisory representatives have an agreement with National Life Group
(“National Life”), an insurance company that is not affiliated with us. A number of Fountainhead’s
advisory representatives (including our executive team) are, in their individual capacities, licensed
insurance agents with various insurance companies. Fountainhead itself is also a licensed insurance
agency. In this capacity, Fountainhead and its representatives may recommend the purchase of
insurance products that will pay our insurance-licensed affiliate, Fountainhead Protection Strategies,
LLC, and the representative/advisory representative a commission. Because of the nature of our and
our advisory representatives’ career agent contracts with National Life, we receive additional
remuneration or benefits. For individuals, they are subject to production thresholds for insurance
products issued via National Life’s distribution channel and receive economic benefits from National
Life to the extent they meet the production requirements. Career agent benefits include life
insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, and a 401k plan. Fountainhead itself may also receive
benefits in the future, such as rent subsidies, if it meets production thresholds or other National Life
targets. Receipt of these benefits creates a conflict of interest because the advisory representative has
a financial incentive to recommend insurance products via National Life’s distribution channel, and
Fountainhead similarly has a financial incentive to encourage those recommendations. This conflict
arises most commonly as part of the financial planning process. Insurance is a critical part of financial
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planning, and we believe it is important to evaluate client insurance needs and coverage. Clients are
never obligated, however, to follow the recommendation of their advisory representative or to
purchase recommended insurance through that advisor. The individual advisor’s Brochure Supplement
will disclose whether that advisor is insurance-licensed, and whether they are a National Life career
agent. It will also discuss any conflicts specific to that advisor. Fountainhead shares in some portion of
the insurance commissions earned by our advisory representatives. We mitigate this conflict through
(1) disclosure; (2) routinely shopping insurance carriers and selecting the best rate and policy features
and terms, whether that is through National Life or another carrier; and (3) training our advisors about
their fiduciary duty to clients. As noted above, clients always have the option to purchase insurance
products recommended by Fountainhead’s representatives through other insurance agents who are
not affiliated with us.
information related to specific advisory representatives appears
in the ADV 2B
Additional
Supplemental Brochure.
Other Financial Industry Affiliations
Fountainhead AM, LLC (“FAM”) is an investment advisor under common control with Fountainhead.
FAM was formed to provide sub-advisory and back-office services to other investment advisors, not
directly to end clients. Fountainhead and FAM share management, office space, and back-office
staff, and FAM supports Fountainhead’s advisory services. Fountainhead routinely allocates client
assets to FAM and shares Advisory Fees with FAM as described in Item 5.
The controlling members of Fountainhead are also members of FAM and there is a conflict of interest
when Fountainhead allocates clients to FAM’s management. Fountainhead believes that its affiliation
with FAM results in operational efficiencies and competitive asset management services that ultimately
benefit Fountainhead and its clients. Nonetheless, the services available to Fountainhead through FAM
may be available for lower cost through other advisors. To mitigate the conflict, we disclose the
affiliation and allocate client assets to FAM only when we believe such allocation is in our clients’ best
interest. We also attempt to keep overall compensation level by sharing fees with FAM rather than
assessing a separate advisory fee for those assets allocated to FAM.
Joseph Halpern is the Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer of FAM. He is also
Fountainhead’s Chief Investment Officer and is the principal driver of Fountainhead’s investment
strategy and approach.
Joseph Halpern is a principal and member of Exceed Holdings LLC, the parent company of a registered
investment adviser, Exceed Advisory LLC. Joe is the investment officer of Exceed Advisory, LLC. Exceed
Advisory serves as sub-adviser to certain mutual funds, and also offers separate account management
using a covered call strategy. Exceed Advisory sub-advises an Exceed Investments LLC-co-branded
fund advised by Catalyst Capital Advisors (“Catalyst”).
Marc Rock, Managing Partner of Fountainhead and an owner and manager of FAM, owns a minority
interest (less than 5%) in Exceed Holdings LLC.
Broker-Dealer Relationship
One member of our management team, Keri Kutakoff, is also a registered representative of an
unaffiliated broker-dealer (Chelsea Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC). Keri became
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licensed with the broker-dealer primarily to service legacy assets purchased prior to the client’s
becoming a client of Fountainhead. These legacy assets are generally limited to annuities and mutual
funds held outside of the primary custodian, and some of them pay trailing commissions which Keri
receives personally. They are not assessed any management fees by Fountainhead. Keri is not the
advisory representative for these legacy assets. See Registered Representatives of a Broker-Dealer in
Item 5, above, for additional information about our policies and the ways we mitigate the conflicts
dual registration creates. In no case are clients required to retain assets that pay trail commissions.
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
As a fiduciary, we are obligated to act solely in the interests of our clients. To this end, we have adopted
a Code of Ethics that describes our fiduciary and regulatory obligations, and describes the standard
of conduct Fountainhead will uphold. Our employees must read and understand the Code and agree
to abide by its requirements. A copy of our Code of Ethics is available upon request to both clients and
prospective clients by phoning or emailing our office.
Both Fountainhead and persons associated with Fountainhead (“Associated Persons”) are
permitted to buy or sell securities that we also recommend to clients. When Fountainhead is
engaging in or considering a transaction in any security on behalf of a client, no Associated Person
may effect for themselves or for their immediate family (i.e., spouse, minor children, and adults living
in the same household as the Associated Person) a transaction in that security unless:
the transaction has been completed;
the transaction for the Associated Person is completed as part of an aggregated transaction
(as defined below in Item 12) with clients; or
a decision has been made not to engage in the transaction for the client.
These requirements are not applicable to: (i) direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
(ii) money market instruments, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial
paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including
repurchase agreements; (iii) shares issued by mutual funds or money market funds; and (iv) shares
issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more mutual funds.
This Code has been established recognizing that some securities trade in sufficiently broad markets to
permit transactions by Access Persons to be completed without any appreciable impact on the
markets of such securities. Therefore, under certain limited circumstances, exceptions may be made
to the policies stated above.
By policy, we do not effect principal or agency cross transactions, in which we either trade with
customers versus our own account or that of an affiliate, or trade securities between client accounts
using an affiliated broker-dealer.
A copy of the Code can be obtained by contacting us at 732-346-1900 or by email to
jenny@fountainhead-advisors.com.
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Item 12 - Brokerage Practices
Recommending Broker Dealers
We recommend Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) for custody and related brokerage services.
Schwab is an independent SEC-registered broker-dealer and is unaffiliated with Fountainhead. We
participate in Schwab’s Institutional Program, through which Schwab offers services to independent
registered investment advisors. These services include custody of securities, trade execution, and
clearance and settlement of transactions. While we recommend the custodial and brokerage services
of Schwab, clients are ultimately responsible for deciding where to open a custodial account. Clients
are not under any obligation to select the custodian we recommend, though we reserve the right to
decline Accounts where the client has selected a custodian other than Schwab if we believe that the
choice would hinder our ability to fulfill our fiduciary duty to the client and/or our ability to service the
Account efficiently.
Clients sign separate agreements with the selected custodian that detail the relationship, including
obligations of both parties, and compensation and services. Lower rates may be available through
other custodians or other advisors.
Factors Considered in Selecting or Recommending Broker-Dealers/Custodians for Client Transactions
We have evaluated Schwab and believe they generally provide clients with best execution on an
overall basis. The factors we consider in recommending Schwab include our experience with the firm,
its reputation, the quality of execution services, and the low commission rates available, among other
factors. We are not affiliated with or otherwise related to Schwab.
We evaluate whether asset-based pricing or transaction-based commissions are more appropriate for
a given client in making our recommendation of custodian. Generally, ETFs and individual equities are
not charged transaction fees, but accounts using mutual funds are. Accordingly, we assess which
structure will result in the lowest overall charges for the account and recommend that structure based
on the client’s holdings. While the elimination of many transaction-based charges has complicated
the assessment, in general, accounts that trade more actively in securities subject to a transaction
charge will benefit from asset-based pricing and accounts that trade infrequently or invest in securities
that are not subject to transaction charges will benefit from transaction-based commissions. The asset
level in the account also enters into the assessment, with larger accounts often receiving discounts
from the custodians.
Schwab provides its current brokerage charges (commissions) and fees to clients when they establish
an account. Custodians may assess other fees and charges, in addition to the commissions or asset-
based fees, for services such as wire fees, retirement plan maintenance fees, transfer and termination
fees, etc. if applicable. Neither Fountainhead nor FAM receives any portion of these charges.
When clients open Accounts with a custodian that is also a broker-dealer, and no prime brokerage
arrangement exists, we often place orders with the custodial broker-dealer for execution, rather than
make trade-by-trade routing decisions.
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When clients select a custodial broker-dealer other than Schwab, we will not have the authority to
negotiate commissions on behalf of the client or to obtain volume discounts, and may not be able to
obtain best execution for the client. We have evaluated broker-dealer/custodians and believe that
Schwab generally provides clients with best execution on an overall basis. Among others, the factors
we consider in evaluating any broker we recommend include our experience with the firm, its
reputation, the quality of execution services provided to our clients over time, and the commissions or
asset-based fees charged to our clients, among other factors.
We do not generally seek price improvement through broker-dealers other than the custodian on an
individual transaction basis. Placing orders with a broker-dealer other than the custodial broker-dealer
may cause the client to incur fees for trading away. We try to aggregate client trades, where we
believe doing so will reduce overall costs to clients. See Aggregation of Orders, below, for more
information.
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
We have no “soft dollar” arrangements in which the broker or custodian agrees to make specific
payments or reimbursements on our behalf for research products or trading and execution software,
in exchange for our generating certain levels of commissions . As disclosed below, we do get benefits
from Schwab, but those benefits are related to our being an approved advisor on the Schwab
institutional platform, and are not related to commissions or fees generated. The benefits are generally
available to all advisors, including Fountainhead, who use Schwab’s institutional services.
Other Benefits Received from Custodian
We receive products and services from Schwab that benefit us but may not directly benefit clients.
These products and services assist us in managing and administering client accounts, and can
include investment research, both proprietary and that of third parties. We use this research to service
all or a substantial number of client accounts, including some accounts that use other custodians. In
addition to investment research, the custodian we recommend also makes available software and
other technology that:
• Helps us construct, manage, and re-balance client accounts in accordance with our
model portfolios;
• Provides access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and
account statements);
• Provides pricing and other market data;
• Facilitates payment of our advisory fees from clients’ accounts; and
• Assists with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting.
Schwab also offers other services to us that are intended to help us manage and further develop our
business, and that generally benefit only Fountainhead. These services include:
• Educational conferences and events;
• Consulting on technology, compliance, legal, and business needs;
• Publications and conferences on practice management and business succession;
• Occasional business entertainment; and
• Payments, reimbursements, or discounts on business consulting or other professional
services, to our advisors or executives
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The availability of these services from Schwab is not contingent on any commitment on our part with
respect to assets held with Schwab, or any level of brokerage commissions, asset-based fees, or other
fees generated for Schwab. The receipt of these services, however, benefits Fountainhead and
FAM because we do not have to produce or purchase them. A custodial relationship also provides
operational efficiencies and economies of scale; generally, once a large percentage of an advisor’s
clients are on a particular platform, it’s difficult to move and doing so requires changing internal
processes and may result in losing some economies of scale.
A conflict of interest arises if we recommend Schwab to clients based on our interest in receiving these
benefits rather than based on clients’ interests in receiving the best value in custody services and/or
the most favorable transaction execution. When recommending custodial broker-dealers to clients,
however, we do so based on the scope, quality and pricing of the broker-dealer’s services
independent of any benefits we may receive.
Mutual Funds and ETFs
Schwab makes available a number of No-Transaction-Fee funds (“NTF Funds”). NTF Funds are not
subject to commissions or other transaction fees assessed by Schwab but, like all funds, have other fees
and expenses that apply to continued investments and which are described in the prospectus.
Schwab earns additional revenue from NTF Funds through its service agreements with these NTF Fund
issuers for record-keeping, shareholder services, and other administrative and distribution services. If we
select NTF Funds for clients, those purchases will not generate soft-dollar commission credits. When
selecting funds for client accounts, we select funds we believe will best serve client needs and which,
in our judgment, achieve overall best execution, without regard to whether the fund creates soft-dollar
commission credits. The inherent conflicts of interest present in soft-dollar arrangements described
above also apply to fund selection.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
We do not recommend brokerage or custodial services in exchange for referrals.
Directed Brokerage
We do not generally permit clients to direct brokerage outside of our recommended custodian. This
means that while the client is ultimately responsible for selecting and/or approving the account
custodian, we do not execute orders based on trade-by-trade instructions from the client. We typically
execute orders through the facilities of the selected custodian, but may execute through other broker-
dealers if we believe that will result in the best overall execution.
Because we recommend a specific custodian and then tend to execute investment transactions on a
discretionary basis, typically through that custodian, we are effectively requiring that clients “direct”
their brokerage to Schwab, absent other specific instructions as discussed below, or absent our
decision to route that order to another broker. Because we are not usually choosing brokers on a trade-
by-trade basis, we may not be able to achieve the most favorable executions for clients and this may
ultimately cost clients more money. Not all investment advisers require directed brokerage.
Aggregation of Orders
We routinely aggregate (or “block”) client transactions, where we determine that aggregation is likely
to result in better execution prices or lower overall execution costs to clients. We are not obligated to
include any client account in a block trade. No client participating in a block trade will be favored
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over any other client that also participates in the same block trade, including Associated Persons of
Fountainhead or FAM.
In a block trade, each participating client receives a price that represents the average of the prices
at which we executed all of the transactions in that block. Block trades can lower transaction costs
and/or help clients achieve better execution. Accounts participating in a block trade share
transactions costs on an equal and pro rata basis, subject to minimum ticket charges that may be
assessed to each account in accordance with the Custodian Broker’s policies. If the order is not
completely filled, the securities purchased or sold are distributed among participating clients on a pro
rata basis or in some other equitable manner.
Cross Transactions
We occasionally complete cross transactions on behalf of clients. This occurs when selling a security
from the account of one client and buying it in the account of another without entering an open-
market transaction. We will process cross transactions when we decide the Accounts involved would
likely receive better overall execution through a cross. This applies most frequently with thinly-traded or
limited-market securities and is generally initiated because one client needs to liquidate an investment
we are not currently recommending for sale and another client wishes to purchase that security.
Item 13 - Review of Accounts
Account Reviews
For those clients to whom Fountainhead provides investment management services, Fountainhead
monitors those portfolios as part of an ongoing process while regular account reviews are conducted
on at least a quarterly basis. For those clients to whom Fountainhead provides financial planning
and/or consulting services, reviews are conducted on an “as needed” basis. Such reviews are
conducted by one of Fountainhead’s investment adviser representatives. All investment advisory
clients are encouraged to discuss their needs, goals, and objectives with Fountainhead and to keep
Fountainhead informed of any changes thereto. Fountainhead contacts ongoing investment advisory
clients at least annually to review its previous services and/or recommendations and to discuss the
impact resulting from any changes in the client’s financial situation and/or investment objectives.
Review Triggers
Other conditions that may trigger a review are changes in the tax laws, new investment
information, and changes in a client’s own situation.
General Reports and Account Statements
Unless otherwise agreed, clients are provided with transaction confirmation notices and regular
summary account statements directly from the broker-dealer or custodian holding the Accounts. As
agreed, Investment Management clients may also receive client-specific reports from us that include
account and/or market-related information such as an inventory of account holdings, cash flow, and
account performance on a quarterly basis. We urge clients to carefully compare the account
statements they receive from their custodian with those they receive from Fountainhead and ask that
they notify us of any discrepancies.
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Financial Planning/Consulting Reports
Financial planning and/or pension consulting services will receive reports from us summarizing our
analysis and conclusions, as requested by the client or as otherwise indicated in the Agreement.
Item 14- Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Client Referrals & Promoter Arrangements
We maintain some promoter relationships, in which a third-party endorses our services, introduces
clients to us, and we pay that third-party a portion of our Advisory Fee. We pay promoters in
accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Unless otherwise disclosed, any fees
paid to promoters are solely from Fountainhead’s investment management fee and do not result in
any additional charge to the client. We require paid promoters to disclose to you that they are not a
client of Fountainhead’s, that they are compensated for the referral, and to let you know of any
material conflicts of interest they have in making the referral, including their receipt of ongoing referral
fees.
Other Economic Benefits
As disclosed under Item 12, above, we participate in Schwab’s institutional program, and we
recommend Schwab to our clients for custody and brokerage services. There is no direct link between
our participation in the Institutional program and the investment advice we give to clients, though we
do receive economic benefits that are typically not available if our clients used Schwab’s retail investor
services.
Item 15 - Custody
The Agreement as well as our agreement with the custodian and with FAM, authorizes Fountainhead,
or as applicable the custodian or FAM on Fountainhead’s behalf, to debit the client’s Account for all
fees described in the Agreement. We also facilitate payments clients authorize to third parties
pursuant to standing letters of authorization that comply with the seven conditions identified by the
SEC in no-action guidance issued on this topic. Aside from these limited forms of custody, neither
Fountainhead nor FAM has authority to hold, directly or indirectly, client funds or securities, or has any
authority to obtain possession of them.
The custodian we recommend sends a statement to clients, at least quarterly, indicating all amounts
disbursed from the account, including the amount of Advisory Fees, Reporting & Administration Fees,
and Sub-Advisor Fees paid directly to Fountainhead or to any Sub-Advisors. The custodian has also
agreed to verify the terms and content of third-party standing letters of authorization and to permit
clients to change these authorizations as they choose to.
As discussed in Item 13, Fountainhead also sends periodic supplemental reports to clients. We urge
clients to carefully review the statements sent directly by the custodian and compare them to
those received from Fountainhead.
Item 16 - Investment Discretion
Most of our Investment Management Services are provided on a discretionary basis. Clients must
execute our discretionary Agreement, which contains a limited power of attorney permitting us to
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trade on the client’s behalf. Clients will also usually need to execute authorizations required by the
custodian before we may begin trading on a discretionary basis. Clients may request a limitation on
our discretionary authority (such as certain securities not to be bought or sold).
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities
Fountainhead does not vote proxies on behalf of advisory clients. You retain responsibility for receiving
and voting proxies for any and all securities maintained in your accounts. If you request, we will provide
information or our professional insight into various matters related to your proxies, but we will not vote
them. Third-party managers we recommend may retain authority to vote proxies in accounts they
manage for you, subject to their stated policies.
Item 18 - Financial Information
We have no financial condition reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet our contractual
commitments.
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