Overview
Assets Under Management: $145 million
High-Net-Worth Clients: 15
Average Client Assets: $9 million
Services Offered
Services: Portfolio Management for Individuals, Investment Advisor Selection
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A- GRAMERCY STRATEGIC CAPITAL LLC)
Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
---|---|---|
$0 | $25,000,000 | 0.80% |
$25,000,001 | $50,000,000 | 0.60% |
$50,000,001 | and above | 0.40% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
---|---|---|
$1 million | $8,000 | 0.80% |
$5 million | $40,000 | 0.80% |
$10 million | $80,000 | 0.80% |
$50 million | $350,000 | 0.70% |
$100 million | $550,000 | 0.55% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 15
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 95.49
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $9 million
Total Client Accounts: 52
Discretionary Accounts: 45
Non-Discretionary Accounts: 7
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 315875
Last Filing Date: 2024-03-18 00:00:00
Website: https://www.gramercysc.com/
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: ADV PART 2A- GRAMERCY STRATEGIC CAPITAL LLC (2025-03-25)
View Document Text
Gramercy Strategic Capital LLC
Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Gramercy Strategic Capital
LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (917) 272-7036 or by email
at: info@gramercysc.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Gramercy Strategic Capital LLC is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Gramercy Strategic Capital LLC’s CRD number is: 315875.
340 East 23rd, 6E
New York, NY 10010
(917) 272-7036
info@gramercysc.com
https://www.gramercysc.com/
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: 03/25/2025
i
Item 2: Material Changes
The last annual updating amendment of Gramercy Strategic Capital LLC was on 03/18/2024. Material
changes relate to Gramercy Strategic Capital LLC’s policies, practices or conflicts of interests.
ii
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................2
Item 5: Fees and Compensation .............................................................................................................................4
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ....................................................................5
Item 7: Types of Clients ..........................................................................................................................................5
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss ...............................................................6
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .........................................................................................................................11
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .........................................................................11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...............12
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................13
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................14
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..........................................................................................15
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................................16
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................16
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ..............................................................................................16
Item 18: Financial Information .............................................................................................................................17
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Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Gramercy Strategic Capital LLC (hereinafter “GSC”) is a Limited Liability Company
organized in the State of New York. The firm was formed in June 2021, and the principal
owners are Keith Cho and Yoon Hwang.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
GSC offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each client. GSC creates an Investment
Policy Statement for each client, which outlines the client’s current situation (income, tax
levels, and risk tolerance levels). Portfolio management services include, but are not
limited to, the following:
•
•
•
Investment strategy •
•
Asset allocation
•
Risk tolerance
Personal investment policy
Asset selection
Regular portfolio monitoring
GSC evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance
levels and time horizon. GSC will request discretionary authority from clients in order to
select securities and execute transactions without permission from the client prior to each
transaction. Risk tolerance levels are documented in the Investment Policy Statement,
which is given to each client.
GSC seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the fiduciary
duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of GSC’s economic, investment or
other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, GSC attempts to avoid, among
other things, investment or trading practices that systematically advantage or
disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, GSC’s policy is to seek fair and
equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its clients to avoid
favoring one client over another over time. It is GSC’s policy to allocate investment
opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent among its
clients on a fair and equitable basis over time.
GSC may direct clients to third-party investment advisers to manage all or a portion of
the client's assets. Before selecting other advisers for clients, GSC will always ensure those
other advisers are properly licensed or registered as an investment adviser. GSC conducts
due diligence on any third-party investment adviser, which may involve one or more of
the following: phone calls, meetings and review of the third-party adviser's performance
and investment strategy. GSC then makes investments with a third-party investment
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adviser by referring the client to the third-party adviser. These investments may be
allocated either through the third-party adviser's fund or through a separately managed
account managed by such third party adviser on behalf of GSC's client. GSC may also
allocate among one or more private equity funds or private equity fund advisers. GSC
will review the ongoing performance of the third-party adviser as a portion of the client's
portfolio.
Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments
in
the gold and precious metal sectors),
treasury
GSC generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, fixed income securities, real
estate funds (including REITs), equities, hedge funds, private equity funds, ETFs
inflation
(including ETFs
protected/inflation linked bonds, commodities, non-U.S. securities, venture capital funds
and private placements. GSC may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio
when applicable.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
GSC offers the same suite of services to all of its clients. However, specific client
investment strategies and their implementation are dependent upon the client Investment
Policy Statement which outlines each client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk
tolerance levels). Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain securities or types
of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs. However, if the restrictions prevent
GSC from properly servicing the client account, or if the restrictions would require GSC
to deviate from its standard suite of services, GSC reserves the right to end the
relationship.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated fee that
includes management fees, transaction costs, fund expenses, and other administrative
fees. GSC does not participate in any wrap fee programs.
E. Assets Under Management
GSC has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$ 65,517,755.00
$ 131,772,476.00
December 2024
3
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees
$1 - $25,000,000
0.80%
$25,000,001 - $50,000,000
0.60%
$50,000,001 - AND UP
0.40%
GSC uses the value of the account as of the last business day of the billing period, after
taking into account deposits and withdrawals, for purposes of determining the market
value of the assets upon which the advisory fee is based.
These fees are generally negotiable and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the
client’s advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a
full refund of GSC's fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory
Contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract generally
with 30 days' written notice.
Selection of Other Advisers Fees
GSC will receive its standard fee on top of the fee paid to the third-party adviser. This
relationship will be memorialized in each contract between GSC and each third-party
adviser. The fees will not exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency.
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Portfolio Management Fees
Asset-based portfolio management fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts
with client's written authorization on a monthly basis. Fees are paid in arrears.
Payment of Selection of Other Advisers Fees
The timing, frequency, and method of paying fees for selection of third-party managers
will depend on the specific third-party adviser selected.
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C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third party fees (i.e. custodian fees,
brokerage fees, mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and
distinct from the fees and expenses charged by GSC. Please see Item 12 of this brochure
regarding broker-dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
GSC collects its fees in arrears. It does not collect fees in advance.
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Neither GSC nor its supervised persons accept any compensation for the sale of
investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of
mutual funds.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
GSC does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital gains on or
capital appreciation of the assets of a client.
Item 7: Types of Clients
GSC generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
❖
❖
❖
Individuals
High-Net-Worth Individuals
Charitable Organizations
There is no account minimum for any of GSC’s services.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of
Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
GSC’s methods of analysis include Charting analysis, Cyclical analysis, Fundamental
analysis, Modern portfolio theory, Quantitative analysis and Technical analysis.
Charting analysis involves the use of patterns in performance charts. GSC uses this
technique to search for patterns used to help predict favorable conditions for buying
and/or selling a security.
Cyclical analysis involves the analysis of business cycles to find favorable conditions for
buying and/or selling a security.
Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial
health of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio
expected return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a
given level of expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from qualitative
considerations such as the character of management or the state of employee morale, such
as the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of sales, and so on.
Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market data; primarily price and volume.
Investment Strategies
GSC uses long term trading, short term trading and options trading (including covered
options, uncovered options, or spreading strategies).
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
B. Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
Charting analysis strategy involves using and comparing various charts to predict long
and short term performance or market trends. The risk involved in using this method is
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that only past performance data is considered without using other methods to crosscheck
data. Using charting analysis without other methods of analysis would be making the
assumption that past performance will be indicative of future performance. This may not
be the case.
Cyclical analysis assumes that the markets react in cyclical patterns which, once
identified, can be leveraged to provide performance. The risks with this strategy are two-
fold: 1) the markets do not always repeat cyclical patterns; and 2) if too many investors
begin to implement this strategy, then it changes the very cycles these investors are trying
to exploit.
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and
expected future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in
stocks that are undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is
that the market will fail to reach expectations of perceived value.
Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given two
portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one.
Thus, an investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected
returns. Conversely, an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more
risk. The exact trade-off will be the same for all investors, but different investors will
evaluate the trade-off differently based on individual risk aversion characteristics. The
implication is that a rational investor will not invest in a portfolio if a second portfolio
exists with a more favorable risk-expected return profile – i.e., if for that level of risk an
alternative portfolio exists which has better expected returns.
Quantitative analysis Investment strategies using quantitative models may perform
differently than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models,
the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical
issues in the construction and implementation of the models.
Technical analysis attempts to predict a future stock price or direction based on market
trends. The assumption is that the market follows discernible patterns and if these
patterns can be identified then a prediction can be made. The risk is that markets do not
always follow patterns and relying solely on this method may not take into account new
patterns that emerge over time.
Investment Strategies
GSC's use of options trading generally holds greater risk, and clients should be aware that
there is a material risk of loss using any of those strategies.
Long term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to its
nature, the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk that
will typically surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the investments.
These risks include but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk, interest rate
risk, economic risk, market risk, and political/regulatory risk.
7
Options transactions involve a contract to purchase a security at a given price, not
necessarily at market value, depending on the market. This strategy includes the risk that
an option may expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value, as well as the
possibility of leveraged loss of trading capital due to the leveraged nature of stock options.
Selection of Other Advisers: Although GSC will seek to select only money managers who
will invest clients' assets with the highest level of integrity, GSC's selection process cannot
ensure that money managers will perform as desired and GSC will have no control over
the day-to-day operations of any of its selected money managers. GSC would not
necessarily be aware of certain activities at the underlying money manager level,
including without limitation a money manager's engaging in unreported risks,
investment “style drift” or even regulatory breaches or fraud.
Short term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability, and inflation, in addition to
the long term trading risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect investment
performance, particularly through increased brokerage and other transaction costs and
taxes.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared
to bear.
C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
GSC's use of options trading generally holds greater risk of capital loss. Clients should be
aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment strategy. The investment
types listed below (leaving aside Treasury Inflation Protected/Inflation Linked Bonds)
are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you may
lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower investment
returns. The funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock “equity”
nature.
Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a
future payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The
value of equity securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each
company, industry conditions and the general economic environments.
Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount
of the payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government
debt securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured
products, such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds
may be the best known type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market
is volatile and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond
prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term
securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and
8
credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. The risk of default on treasury
inflation protected/inflation linked bonds is dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting
(extremely unlikely); however, they carry a potential risk of losing share price value, albeit
rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed income securities also include the
general risk of non-U.S. investing described below.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges,
similar to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss (sometimes up to a 100%
loss in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the lack of
transparency in products and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the
possibility of inadequate regulatory compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include
trading risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks associated with a change in authorized
participants and non-participation of authorized participants, risks that trading price
differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price fluctuation and disassociation from
the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular trading adds cost to your
portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that one of the typical benefits of ETFs.
Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even
paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the
relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same
level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading
conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily
volume of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded
in ETFs based on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks
of their underlying securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in
smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as
applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange
rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs
that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector, are
generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with
that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex
investment strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold,
Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal) specifically
may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among them (1) large sales by the
official sector which own a significant portion of aggregate world holdings in gold and
other precious metals, (2) a significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold
or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators and
investors. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks
because of fees, expenses, and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount
to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes). The
degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another and losses may be
magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them.
Each ETF has a unique risk profile, detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar
material, which should be considered carefully when making investment decisions.
Real estate funds (including REITs) face several kinds of risk that are inherent in the real
estate sector, which historically has experienced significant fluctuations and cycles in
performance. Revenues and cash flows may be adversely affected by: changes in local real
9
estate market conditions due to changes in national or local economic conditions or
changes in local property market characteristics; competition from other properties
offering the same or similar services; changes in interest rates and in the state of the debt
and equity credit markets; the ongoing need for capital improvements; changes in real
estate tax rates and other operating expenses; adverse changes in governmental rules and
fiscal policies; adverse changes in zoning laws; the impact of present or future
environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws.
Hedge funds often engage in leveraging and other speculative investment practices that
may increase the risk of loss; can be highly illiquid; are not required to provide periodic
pricing or valuation information to investors; May involve complex tax structures and
delays in distributing important tax information; are not subject to the same regulatory
requirements as mutual funds; and often charge high fees. In addition, hedge funds may
invest in risky securities and engage in risky strategies.
Private equity funds carry certain risks. Capital calls will be made on short notice, and
the failure to meet capital calls can result in significant adverse consequences, including
but not limited to a total loss of investment.
Private placements carry a substantial risk as they are subject to less regulation than are
publicly offered securities, the market to resell these assets under applicable securities
laws may be illiquid, due to restrictions, and the liquidation may be taken at a substantial
discount to the underlying value or result in the entire loss of the value of such assets.
Venture capital funds invest in start-up companies at an early stage of development in
the interest of generating a return through an eventual realization event; the risk is high
as a result of the uncertainty involved at that stage of development.
Commodities are tangible assets used to manufacture and produce goods or services.
Commodity prices are affected by different risk factors, such as disease, storage capacity,
supply, demand, delivery constraints and weather. Because of those risk factors, even a
well-diversified investment in commodities can be uncertain.
Options are contracts to purchase a security at a given price, risking that an option may
expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value. An uncovered option is a type
of options contract that is not backed by an offsetting position that would help mitigate
risk. The risk for a “naked” or uncovered put is not unlimited, whereas the potential loss
for an uncovered call option is limitless. Spread option positions entail buying and selling
multiple options on the same underlying security, but with different strike prices or
expiration dates, which helps limit the risk of other option trading strategies. Option
transactions also involve risks including but not limited to economic risk, market risk,
sector risk, idiosyncratic risk, political/regulatory risk, inflation (purchasing power) risk
and interest rate risk.
Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and
economic change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in
accounting and the lesser degree of accurate public information available.
10
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a
risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
B. Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither GSC nor its representatives are registered as, or have pending applications to
become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity
Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither GSC nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications to
become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or
Commodity Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business
and Possible Conflicts of Interests
Neither GSC nor its representatives have any material relationships to this advisory
business that would present a possible conflict of interest.
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D. Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser
is Compensated for Those Selections
GSC may direct clients to third-party investment advisers to manage all or a portion of
the client's assets. Clients will pay GSC its standard fee in addition to the standard fee for
the advisers to which it directs those clients. This relationship will be memorialized in
each contract between GSC and each third-party advisor. The fees will not exceed any
limit imposed by any regulatory agency. GSC will always act in the best interests of the
client, including when determining which third-party investment adviser to recommend
to clients. GSC will ensure that all recommended advisers are licensed or notice filed in
the states in which GSC is recommending them to clients.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
GSC has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited Purchases
and Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted Transactions,
Prohibited Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Confidentiality,
Service on a Board of Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with Laws and
Regulations, Procedures and Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting
Violations, Compliance Officer Duties, Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual
Review, and Sanctions. GSC's Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any client
or prospective client.
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
GSC does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related person
to GSC or GSC has a material financial interest.
C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of GSC may buy or sell securities for themselves that
they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
GSC to buy or sell the same securities before or after recommending the same securities
to clients resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to
clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest. GSC will always document any
transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest and will never engage in
trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are being bought
or sold.
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D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’
Securities
From time to time, representatives of GSC may buy or sell securities for themselves at or
around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of
GSC to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients resulting
in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients. Such
transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, GSC will never engage in trading
that operates to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of GSC buy or sell securities at
or around the same time as clients.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers
Custodians/broker-dealers will be recommended based on GSC’s duty to seek “best
execution,” which is the obligation to seek execution of securities transactions for a client
on the most favorable terms for the client under the circumstances. Clients will not
necessarily pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and GSC may also
consider the market expertise and research access provided by the broker-
dealer/custodian, including but not limited to access to written research, oral
communication with analysts, admittance to research conferences and other resources
provided by the brokers that may aid in GSC's research efforts. GSC will never charge a
premium or commission on transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-
dealer/custodian.
GSC recommends Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
While GSC has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used to pay
for third party services, GSC may receive research, products, or other services from
custodians and broker-dealers in connection with client securities transactions (“soft
dollar benefits”). GSC may enter into soft-dollar arrangements consistent with (and
not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. There can be no assurance that any particular client will
benefit from soft dollar research, whether or not the client’s transactions paid for it,
and GSC does not seek to allocate benefits to client accounts proportionate to any soft
dollar credits generated by the accounts. GSC benefits by not having to produce or
pay for the research, products or services, and GSC will have an incentive to
recommend a broker-dealer based on receiving research or services. Clients should be
aware that GSC’s acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result in higher commissions
charged to the client.
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2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
GSC receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for using
that broker-dealer or third party.
3. Clients Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian to Use
GSC may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a specified broker-
dealer. If a client directs brokerage, then the client will be required to acknowledge in
writing that the client’s direction with respect to the use of brokers supersedes any
authority granted to GSC to select brokers; this direction may result in higher
commissions, which may result in a disparity between free and directed accounts; and
trades for the client and other directed accounts may be executed after trades for free
accounts, which may result in less favorable prices, particularly for illiquid securities
or during volatile market conditions. Not all investment advisers allow their clients to
direct brokerage.
B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
GSC does not aggregate or bunch the securities to be purchased or sold for multiple
clients. This may result in less favorable prices, particularly for illiquid securities or during
volatile market conditions.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes
Those Reviews
All client accounts for GSC's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis are reviewed
at least Monthly by Keith Cho, Managing Member & Chief Compliance Officer, with
regard to clients’ respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All accounts at
GSC are assigned to this reviewer.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client
Accounts
Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes
in client's financial situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical
move, or inheritance).
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C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of GSC's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and
calculation of fees. This written report will come from the custodian. GSC will also
provide at least quarterly a separate written statement to the client.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice
Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
GSC does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party for
advice rendered to GSC's clients.
With respect to Schwab, GSC receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and custody
services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These services
generally are available to independent investment advisers on an unsolicited basis, at no
charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the adviser’s clients’ assets are
maintained in accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include brokerage
services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research,
including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and
other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or
would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment. For GSC client accounts
maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody
services but is compensated by account holders through commissions or other
transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through
Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts.
Schwab also makes available to GSC other products and services that benefit GSC but
may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or GSC
specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab Advisor Services.
Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment of personnel of
GSC by Schwab Advisor Services personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting
events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of which may
accompany educational opportunities. Other of these products and services assist GSC in
managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include software and other
technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client account data
(such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and
allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide
research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of GSC’s fees from
its clients’ accounts (if applicable), and assist with back-office training and support
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services generally may be
used to service all or some substantial number of GSC’s accounts. Schwab Advisor
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Services also makes available to GSC other services intended to help GSC manage and
further develop its business enterprise. These services may include professional
compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice
management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance,
employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In
addition, Schwab may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of
services rendered to GSC by independent third parties. Schwab Advisor Services may
discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or
a part of the fees of a third-party providing these services to GSC. GSC is independently
owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab.
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
GSC does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory personnel
for client referrals.
Item 15: Custody
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, GSC will be
deemed to have limited custody of client's assets and must have written authorization from the
client to do so. Clients will receive all account statements and billing invoices that are required in
each jurisdiction, and they should carefully review those statements for accuracy.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
GSC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to clients. The
advisory contract established with each client sets forth the discretionary authority for trading.
Where investment discretion has been granted, GSC generally manages the client’s account and
makes investment decisions without consultation with the client as to when the securities are to
be bought or sold for the account, the total amount of the securities to be bought/sold, what
securities to buy or sell, or the price per share.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
GSC will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive proxies
directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy questions
to the issuer of the security.
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Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
GSC neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet with
this brochure.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to
Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither GSC nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to reasonably
impair GSC’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
GSC has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
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