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Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
Gryphon Advisors, LLC
1578 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
www.gryphonadvisors.net
Phone: (847) 424-0465
info@gryphonadvisors.net
March 2025
Th i s br o c hu r e pr ov i de s i nf or m at io n ab out t h e q u al if ic at io n s a n d bu si n e ss pr a ct i c es of G ry ph o n A d v is o r s,
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St at e s S e cu rit i es a nd E x c h a ng e C o mm i ss i o n o r by a n y st at e se cu r it i e s a ut h o rit y .
GR YP HO N A DV I SO R S i s a r e g ist e r ed i n v e st me nt a dv is e r. R e g i st r at i on of a n I nv est m e nt Ad v i s er d o es not
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i nf o r m at i o n a b out w h ic h y ou d et e rm i n e t o hi r e o r r et ai n a n A dv is e r.
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www .a dv is e ri nf o. s ec . go v . Yo u c a n s e ar c h t h is sit e by a u n iq u e i d e nt if y i n g n um be r , k n ow n as a C R D nu m be r.
O ur f i rm 's C R D n u mb e r is 1 32 38 9.
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Item 1 Material Changes
On July 28, 2010, the United State Securities and Exchange Commission published “Amendments to Form ADV” which amends the
disclosure document that we provide to clients as required by SEC Rules. This Brochure has been updated as of March 31, 2025 according
to SEC requirements and rules. There are no material changes.
Pursuant to SEC Rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material changes to this and subsequent Brochures within 120
days of the close of our business’ fiscal year. We will further provide other ongoing disclosure information about material changes as
necessary based on changes or new information, at any time, without charge.
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Item 2 Table of Contents
Item 1 Material Changes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 2 Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 3 Advisory Business .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Individual Portfolio Management .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Wealth Advisory .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Consulting Services ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Amount of Managed Assets ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Item 4 Fees and Compensation ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Individual Portfolio Management Fees .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Wealth Advisory Fees ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Consulting Services Fees ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
General Information ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Item 5 Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ...................................................................................................................... 7
Item 6 Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Item 7 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss................................................................................................................. 7
Methods of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Investment Strategies ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Risk of Loss ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 8 Disciplinary Information ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 9 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................................................................................................... 7
Item 10 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...................................................................... 8
Item 11 Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Item 12 Review of Accounts .............................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Individual Portfolio Management ................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Item 13 Client Referrals and Other Compensation .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Item 14 Custody ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Item 15 Investment Discretion .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 16 Voting Client Securities ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 17 Financial Information .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 18 Other Information ............................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Cybersecurity ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Identity Theft ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Disaster Recovery .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
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Item 3 Advisory Business
create and manage a portfolio based on that policy. During our
data-gathering process, we determine the client’s individual
objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. As
appropriate, we also review and discuss a client's prior
investment history, as well as family composition and
background. We manage these advisory accounts on a
discretionary or non-discretionary basis. Account supervision is
guided by the client's objectives, as well as tax considerations.
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in
certain securities, types of securities, or industry sectors. Our
investment recommendations are not limited to any specific
product or service offered by a broker-dealer or insurance
company and will generally include advice regarding the
following securities:
Securities traded over-the-counter
• Exchange-listed securities
•
• Commercial paper
• Certificates of deposit
• Municipal securities
• Variable life insurance
• Variable annuities
• Open and closed end mutual fund shares
• United States governmental securities
• Options contracts on securities and commodities
•
Futures contracts on tangibles and intangibles
•
Interests in partnerships and private placements
Gryphon Advisors, LLC ("Gryphon") services consist primarily
of coordinated wealth advisory services based upon an analysis
of a client's specific situation (including risk tolerance,
investment horizon, rate of return objectives) and development
of a group of strategies and tactics designed to achieve the
client's goals and objectives. In general, the wealth advisory
process will address tax planning, estate planning, risk
management, education funding, cash flow and debt
management, investment planning and management and any
other area that may be important to the specific client situation.
Implementation of the strategies and tactics is entirely at the
client’s discretion. Gryphon's services to a particular client may
or may not include investment advisory services. In those cases
where Gryphon does provide investment advisory services
(providing continuous advice for the client based upon the
client's individual need), Gryphon will develop an investment
policy/allocation model that will guide the entire investment
planning and management process. Investment implementation
guidelines are jointly developed and agreed to on a quarterly or
semi-annual basis. In general, implementation guidelines
consider changing market and economic conditions that may
require amendment to the original plan. Gryphon will
implement or supervise the implementation of the investment
plan on the client’s behalf. In general, investment performance
is reviewed with the client on a quarterly basis.
Because some types of investments involve certain additional
degrees of risk, they will only be implemented/recommended
when consistent with the client's investment objectives,
tolerance for risk, liquidity and suitability.
Gryphon also provides a variety of consulting or other services
that would not be considered wealth advisory or investment
advisory services. Examples of these services include business
plan development, organizational development, tax compliance
and succession planning.
Gryphon Advisors, LLC is a SEC-registered investment adviser
with its principal place of business located in Illinois. Gryphon
Advisors, LLC began conducting business in 2006. Gryphon
Advisors offers the following advisory services to clients:
In di vi du a l P o rt f o lio M a nag e me nt
Our firm provides continuous advice to a client regarding the
investment of client funds based on the individual needs of the
client. Through personal discussions in which goals and
objectives based on a client's particular circumstances are
established, we develop a client's personal investment policy and
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W e alt h Ad vi so ry
directly debit fees from client accounts. Accounts initiated or
terminated during a calendar quarter will be charged a prorated
fee. Clients also agree to reimburse Gryphon for all expenses
directly related to the client’s engagement. Upon termination of
any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly
refunded, and any earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable.
We provide wealth advisory services. Wealth advisory services
include comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and
future financial state by using currently known variables to
predict future cash flows, asset values and withdrawal plans.
Through the wealth advisory process, all questions, information
and analysis are considered as they impact and are impacted by
the entire financial and life situation of the client. In general,
wealth advisory services may address any or all of the following
areas:
• Cash flow and debt management
•
Income and transfer tax planning
•
Investment planning and management
• Risk management and insurance planning
• Retirement planning
• Education funding
• Estate planning
Gryphon Advisors’ fees do not include brokerage commissions,
transaction fees, and other related costs and expenses which may
be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain charges
imposed by custodians, brokers, third party investment
managers and other third parties such as fees charged by
managers, custodial fees, 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. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds
also charge internal management fees, which are disclosed in a
fund’s prospectus. Such charges, fees and commissions are
exclusive of and in addition to Gryphon Advisors’ fee, and
Gryphon Advisors shall not receive any portion of these
commissions, fees, and costs.
In di vi du a l P o rt f o lio M a nag e me nt F e es
We gather information through in-depth personal interviews.
Information gathered includes the client's current financial
status, tax status, future goals, return objectives and attitudes
towards risk. Implementation of financial plan
recommendations is entirely at the client's discretion.
Fees for Investment Supervisory Services may be charged as a
percentage of assets under management, a fixed fee or on an
hourly basis according to the following schedules:
Co n su lt ing S er vi c es
Assets Under Management Fee Schedule
First $5,000,000 - 0.25% per quarter
•
• Next $5,000,000 - 0.1875% per quarter
• Next $90,000,000 - 0.125% per quarter
• Over $100,000,000 - 0.09375% per quarter
Clients can also receive investment advice on a more focused
basis. This may include advice on only an isolated area(s) of
concern such as estate planning, business planning, retirement
planning, or any other specific topic. We also provide specific
consultation and administrative services regarding investment
and financial concerns of the client.
A mo unt o f M an ag ed A s s et s
Hourly fees are determined according to the following fee
schedule:
Partner $375 - 675
As of 12/31/2024, we were actively managing $458,354,394 of
clients' assets on a discretionary basis plus $74,928,306 of
clients' assets on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 4 Fees and Compensati on
Hourly fee schedule
•
• Manager $200 - 375
Planner $125 - 200
•
Paraplanner $85 - 125
•
• Administrative $45 - 85
The specific manner in which fees are charged is established in a
client’s written agreement with Gryphon Advisors. All fee
agreements are negotiable. Clients may elect to be billed on a
monthly or quarterly basis in arrears. Clients may also elect to
be billed directly for fees or to authorize Gryphon Advisors to
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Ge ne r al Inf o r mat io n
We may group certain related client accounts for the purposes
of achieving the minimum account size requirements and
determining the annualized fee. Discounts, not generally
available to our advisory clients, may be offered to family
members and friends of associated persons of our firm.
Termination of the Advisory Relationship: A client agreement
may be canceled at any time, by either party, for any reason
upon receipt of written notice. As disclosed above, certain fees
are paid in advance of services provided. Upon termination of
any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly
refunded. In calculating a client’s reimbursement of fees, we will
pro rate the reimbursement according to the number of days
remaining in the billing period.
Limited Negotiability of Advisory Fees: Although Gryphon
Advisors has established the aforementioned fee schedule, we
may negotiate alternative fees, such as fixed fees or hourly billing
on a client-by-client basis. Client facts, circumstances and needs
will be considered in determining the fee schedule. These
include the complexity of the client, assets to be placed under
management, anticipated future assets, related accounts,
portfolio style, account composition, reports, among other
factors. The specific annual fee schedule will be identified in the
contract between Gryphon and each client.
W e alt h Ad vi so ry F ee s
Mutual Fund Fees: All fees paid to Gryphon Advisors for
investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the
fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or ETFs to their
shareholders. These fees and expenses are described in each
fund's prospectus. These fees will generally include a
management fee, other fund expenses, and a possible
distribution fee. If the fund also imposes sales charges, a client
may pay an initial or deferred sales charge. A client could invest
in a mutual fund directly, without our services. In that case, the
client would not receive the services provided by our firm which
are designed, among other things, to assist the client in
determining which mutual fund or funds are most appropriate
to each client's financial condition and objectives. Accordingly,
the client should review both the fees charged by the funds and
our fees to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid
by the client and to thereby evaluate the advisory services being
provided.
Gryphon Advisors' Wealth Advisory fee will be determined
based on the nature of the services being provided and the
complexity of each client’s circumstances. All fees are agreed
upon prior to entering into a contract with any client. Our
Wealth Advisory fees may be calculated and charged on an
hourly basis, ranging from $45 to $675 per hour, a fixed fee basis
or as a percentage of net worth. We may request a retainer upon
completion of our initial fact-finding session with the client;
however, advance payment will never exceed $500 for work that
will not be completed within six months. The balance is due
upon completion of the plan. The client will be billed in arrears
on a monthly or quarterly basis as earned.
Co n su lt ing S er vi c es F ee s
Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to our advisory fees,
clients are also responsible for the fees and expenses charged by
custodians and imposed by broker dealers, including, but not
limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker dealer
with which an independent investment manager effects
transactions for the client's account(s). Please refer to the
"Brokerage Practices" section (Item 12) of this Form ADV for
additional information.
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar
advisory services may (or may not) be available from other
registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or
lower fees.
Gryphon Advisors' Consulting Services fee will be determined
based on the nature of the services being provided and the
complexity of each client’s circumstances. All fees are agreed
upon prior to entering into a contract with any client. Our
Consulting Services fees are calculated and charged on an hourly
basis, ranging from $45 to $675 per hour. An estimate for the
total hours is determined at the start of the advisory
relationship. The client will be billed in arrears on a monthly or
quarterly basis as earned.
Limited Prepayment of Fees: Under no circumstances do we
require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $500 more than six
months in advance of services rendered.
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In ve st me nt St rat eg i e s
Item 5 Per formance- Based Fees and Side- By-
Side Management
Gryphon Advisors does not charge any performance-based fees
(fees based on a share of capital gains on or capital appreciation
of the assets of a client).
We may in all cases use the following strategy(ies) in managing
client accounts, provided that such strategy(ies) are appropriate
to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's
investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons, among
other considerations:
Item 6 Types of Clients
Gryphon Advisors provides advisory services to the following
types of clients:
•
1.) Long-term purchases
2.) Short-term purchases
3.) Trading
4.) Short sales
5.) Margin transactions
6.) Option writing
Ri s k o f Lo ss
Individuals (other than high net worth individuals.
The category "individuals" includes trusts, estates,
401(k) plans and IRAs of individuals and their family
members
ERISA plans
Securities investments are not guaranteed and you may lose
money on your investments. We ask that you work with us to
help us understand your tolerance and capacity for risk.
• High net worth individuals
• Charitable organizations
•
• Corporations or other businesses not listed above
Item 8 Disciplinary Information
Item 7 Methods of Analysis, Inves tment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
Met ho ds o f An a ly si s
We are required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that
are material to a client's or prospective client's evaluation of our
advisory business or the integrity of our management.
We may use the following methods of analysis in formulating
our investment advice and/or managing client assets:
Our firm and our management personnel have no reportable
disciplinary events to disclose.
Item 9 Other Financial Industr y Activities
and Affiliations
1.) Charting
2.) Fundamental Analysis
3.) Technical Analysis
4.) Cyclical Analysis
5.) Quantitative Analysis
6.) Qualitative Analysis
7.) Asset Allocation
8.) Mutual Fund and/or ETF Analysis
9.) Third-Party Money Manager Analysis
D. Douglas Close, an officer and director of Gryphon,
occasionally serves as a consultant to privately held companies
and receives compensation for these services. Gryphon may
recommend an investment in the privately held company based
upon the client's risk tolerance and other suitability concerns.
Client's are under no obligation to invest in any privately held
companies.
D. Douglas Close is the owner and managing member of Close
& Associates, LLC ("C&A"). C&A is an accounting firm that
provides tax preparation services for some Gryphon clients
under separate engagement agreements.
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Our firm and our related persons are not engaged in other
financial industry activities and have no other industry
affiliations. Management personnel of our firm are also partners
in the accounting firm of Close & Associates, LLC, where they
are individually licensed and practicing Certified Public
Accountants providing accounting services for separate and
typical compensation.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to our advisory clients
and prospective clients. You may request a copy by sending an
email to info@gryphonadvisors.net, or by calling us at (847)
424-0465. Gryphon Advisors and individuals associated with
our firm are prohibited from engaging in principal transactions.
Gryphon Advisors and individuals associated with our firm are
prohibited from engaging in agency cross transactions.
Our Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal
securities transactions, activities and interests of our employees
will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the best interest of
advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at
the same time, allowing employees to invest for their own
accounts.
Whether Gryphon Advisors recommends Close & Associates,
LLC to advisory clients in need of tax preparation services is
determined on a case-by-case basis. Tax preparation services
provided by Close & Associates are separate and distinct from
our advisory services, and are provided for separate and typical
compensation. There are no referral fee arrangements between
our firms for these recommendations. No Gryphon Advisors
client is obligated to use Close & Associates for tax preparation
services and conversely, no tax client is obligated to use the
advisory services provided by Gryphon Advisors.
Our firm and/or individuals associated with our firm may buy
or sell for their personal accounts securities identical to or
different from those recommended to our clients. In addition,
any related person(s) may have an interest or position in a
certain security(ies) which may also be recommended to a
client.
Item 10 Code of E thics, Par ticipation or
Interes t in Client Tr ansactions and Pers onal
Trading
It is the expressed policy of our firm that no person employed by
us may purchase or sell any security prior to a transaction(s)
being implemented for an advisory account, thereby preventing
such employee(s) from benefiting from transactions placed on
behalf of advisory accounts.
We may aggregate our employee trades with client transactions
where possible and when compliant with our duty to seek best
execution for our clients. In these instances, participating clients
will receive an average share price and transaction costs will be
shared equally and on a pro-rata basis. In the instances where
there is a partial fill of a particular batched order, we will allocate
all purchases pro-rata, with each account paying the average
price. Our employee accounts will be excluded from the pro-
rata allocation.
Our firm has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth high
ethical standards of business conduct that we require of our
employees, including compliance with applicable federal
securities laws. Gryphon Advisors and our personnel owe a duty
of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards our clients, and have
an obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of the
Code of Ethics but to the general principles that guide the Code.
Our Code of Ethics includes policies and procedures for the
review of quarterly securities transactions reports as well as
initial and annual securities holdings reports that must be
submitted by the firm’s access persons. Among other things, our
Code of Ethics also requires the prior approval of any
acquisition of securities in a limited offering (e.g., private
placement) or an initial public offering. Our code also provides
for oversight, enforcement and recordkeeping provisions.
Gryphon Advisors' Code of Ethics further includes the firm's
policy prohibiting the use of material non-public information.
While we do not believe that we have any particular access to
non-public information, all employees are reminded that such
information may not be used in a personal or professional
capacity.
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Item 11 Broker age Practices
As these situations represent actual or potential conflicts of
interest to our clients, we have established the following policies
and procedures for implementing our firm’s Code of Ethics, to
ensure our firm complies with its regulatory obligations and
provides our clients and potential clients with full and fair
disclosure of such conflicts of interest:
For clients in need of brokerage or custodial services, and
depending on the client circumstances, Gryphon may
recommend an evaluation of several brokers to determine an
appropriate fit based upon the quality of execution, costs and
other factors which may be relevant to the situation. Clients may
use the broker or custodian of their choice.
• No principal or employee of our firm may put his or
her own interest above the interest of an advisory
client.
• No principal or employee of our firm may buy or sell
•
Gryphon endeavors at all times to put the interests of clients first
as part of its fiduciary duty. Gryphon will attempt to negotiate
the lowest fee structure possible including volume discounts and
block trading where possible and advantageous to the client.
Clients should be aware that best execution and a lower
commission may not always be achieved and that the receipt of
additional compensation itself creates a conflict of interest, and
may affect the judgment of Gryphon when making
recommendations.
securities for their personal portfolio(s) where their
decision is a result of information received as a result
of his or her employment unless the information is also
available to the investing public.
It is the expressed policy of our firm that no person
employed by us may purchase or sell any security prior
to a transaction(s) being implemented for an advisory
account. This prevents such employees from benefiting
from transactions placed on behalf of advisory
accounts.
• Our firm requires prior approval for any IPO or
private placement investments by related persons of
the firm.
• We maintain a list of all reportable securities holdings
for our firm and anyone associated with this advisory
practice that has access to advisory recommendations
("access person"). These holdings are reviewed on a
regular basis by our firm's Chief Compliance Officer or
his/her designee.
• We have established procedures for the maintenance of
all required books and records.
• All of our principals and employees must act in
accordance with all applicable Federal and State
regulations governing registered investment advisory
practices.
• We require delivery and acknowledgement of the Code
Gryphon participates in the Charles Schwab Institutional
Service (CSI) member NASD/SIPC . While there is no direct
linkage between the investment advice given and participation
in this institutional program, economic benefits are received
which would not be received if Gryphon did not participate in
this institutional program. These benefits include receipt of
duplicate statements and confirmations; access to various
trading desks serving institutional participants exclusively;
access to block trading; access to an electronic network for client
order entry and account information; access to institutional
level mutual funds and separate accounts which generally
require a significantly higher initial investment, and receipt of
various investment industry publications. The benefits received
through this institutional program may or may not depend
upon the amount of transactions or the amount of assets
custodied by the program provider. Clients in need of brokerage
or custodial services will typically have CSI recommended to
them.
of Ethics by each supervised person of our firm.
• We have established policies requiring the reporting of
Code of Ethics violations to our senior management.
Any individual who violates any of the above restrictions may be
subject to termination.
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Item 12 Review of Accounts
Item 14 Cus tody
In di vi du a l P o rt f o lio M a nag e me nt
We previously disclosed in the "Fees and Compensation"
section (Item 5) of this Brochure that our firm directly debits
advisory fees from client accounts.
Reviews: While the underlying securities within Individual
Portfolio Management Services accounts are continually
monitored, these accounts are reviewed at least quarterly.
As part of this billing process, the client's custodian is advised of
the amount of the fee to be deducted from that client's account.
On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is required to send to
the client a statement showing all transactions within the
account during the reporting period.
Accounts are reviewed in the context of each allocation model.
More frequent reviews may be triggered by material changes in
variables such as the client's individual circumstances, or the
market, political or economic environment. These accounts are
reviewed by the firm’s president D. Douglas Close.
Reports: In addition to the monthly statements and
confirmations of transactions that clients receive from their
custodian, Gryphon provides quarterly reports summarizing
account performance, balances and activity.
Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee
to be deducted, it is important for clients to carefully review
their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the
calculation, among other things. Clients should contact us
directly if they believe that there may be an error in their
statement.
Item 13 Client Referr als and Other
Compensation
In addition to the periodic statements that clients receive
directly from their custodians, we also send reports directly to
our clients on a quarterly basis. We urge our clients to carefully
compare the information provided on these reports to ensure
that all account transactions, holdings and values are correct
and current.
In limited situations, Gryphon Advisors may provide
compensation for client referrals in accordance with Section
206(4)-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
and similar state regulations. All referral fees are paid solely by
us and do not result in any additional charges to the firm’s
clients. Any prospects referred to us are advised of the
underlying solicitation relationship and are provided with the
appropriate Form ADV disclosure documents prior to or at the
time the investment advisory agreement is executed. All third-
party solicitors who are not affiliated with us also provide
prospective clients with a separate disclosure statement
containing the terms and conditions (including compensation)
of the solicitation arrangement.
It is Gryphon Advisors' policy not to accept or allow our related
persons to accept any form of compensation, including cash,
sales awards or other prizes, from a non-client in conjunction
with the advisory services we provide to our clients.
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Item 15 Investment Discretion
Item 17 Financi al Information
Gryphon Advisors has no additional financial circumstances to
report. Under no circumstances do we require or solicit
payment of fees in excess of $500 per client more than six
months in advance of services rendered. Therefore, we are not
required to include a financial statement.
In providing investment advisory services, Gryphon jointly
develops investment implementation guidelines with the client
and obtains client consent to execute or direct the execution of
transactions that will fulfill the guidelines. Depending on the
specific client relationship Gryphon may exercise discretion in
determining specific securities, funds, amounts and dates of
purchases or sales.
Gryphon Advisors has not been the subject of a bankruptcy
petition at any time during the past ten years.
Item 18 Other Information
Cyb er s ec u rit y
Clients may hire us to provide discretionary asset management
services, in which case we place trades in a client's account
without contacting the client prior to each trade to obtain the
client's permission. Our discretionary authority includes the
ability to do the following without contacting the client:
• Determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
• Determine the amount of the security to buy or sell
Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a
discretionary agreement with our firm, and may limit this
authority by giving us written instructions. Clients may also
change/amend such limitations by once again providing us with
written instructions.
Item 16 Voting Client Securities
Gryphon Advisors, cybersecurity policy, in conjunction with
our Firm's Identity Theft and Privacy policies, recognizes the
critical importance of safeguarding clients' personal information
as well as the confidential and proprietary information of the
firm and its employees. Maintaining the security, integrity and
accessibility of the data maintained or conveyed through the
Firm's operating systems is a fundamental requisite of our
business operations and an important component of our
fiduciary duty to our clients. While recognizing that the very
nature of cybercrime is constantly evolving, Gryphon conducts
periodic vulnerability assessments based on our Firm's use of
technology, third-party vendor relationships, reported changes
in cybercrime methodologies, and in response to any attempted
cyber incident, among other circumstances.
Protecting all the assets of our clients, and safeguarding the
proprietary and confidential information of the firm and its
employees is a fundamental responsibility of every Gryphon
employee, and repeated or serious violations of these policies
may result in disciplinary action, including, for example,
restricted permissions or prohibitions limiting remote access;
restrictions on the use of mobile devices; and/or termination.
As a matter of firm policy, we do not vote proxies on behalf of
clients. Therefore, although our firm may provide investment
advisory services relative to client investment assets, clients
maintain exclusive responsibility for: (1) directing the manner
in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially
owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections
relative to any mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy
proceedings or other type events pertaining to the client’s
investment assets. Clients are responsible for instructing each
custodian of the assets, to forward to the client copies of all
proxies and shareholder communications relating to the client’s
investment assets.
11
Id ent it y T hef t
Gryphon Advisors recognizes the inherent risk all individuals
face with respect to identity theft. Consistent with regulatory
requirements, Gryphon has created an Identity Theft policy
designed to help employees determine potential red flags
indicating a client’s identity may have been stolen. The Identity
Theft policy outlines the actions employees and Gryphon will
take in the event that they believe a client’s identity may have
been stolen. Gryphon requests any client who suspects his/her
identity may have been compromised to immediately notify
Gryphon thereby permitting Gryphon to possibly implement
additional controls around the client’s account.
Di sa st er R eco v er y
As part of its fiduciary duty to its clients and as a matter of best
business practices, Gryphon Advisors has adopted policies and
procedures for disaster recovery and for continuing Gryphon
business in the event of an emergency or a disaster. These
policies are designed to allow Gryphon to resume providing
service to its clients in as short a period of time as possible.
These policies are, to the extent practicable, designed to address
those specific types of disasters that Gryphon might reasonably
face given its business and location.
12
Part 2B of Form ADV: Brochure Supplement
D. Douglas Close
Gryphon Advisors, LLC
1578 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
www.gryphonadvisors.net
Phone: (847) 424-0465
info@gryphonadvisors.net
This brochure supplement provides information about D. Douglas Close that supplements the Gryphon Advisors
brochure. You should have received a copy of that brochure. Please contact D. Douglas Close if you did not receive
Gryphon Advisors' brochure or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.
Additional information about D. Douglas Close is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
rev 03/2023
Item 2 Educational, Background and Business Experience
Full Legal Name: David Douglas Close
Born: 1957
Education:
• Loyola University of Chicago; B.B.A., Public Accounting; 1981.
Business Experience:
• Gryphon Advisors, LLC; President, Managing Member; from 08/2006 to Present.
• Close and Associates, LLC; Managing Member; from 01/1985 to Present.
• Takaki Close and Associates, LTD.; President; from 04/1993 to 08/2006.
Designations:
• Certified Financial Planner; CFP Board; 1993. The program is administered by the Certified
Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Those with the CFP® designation have demonstrated
competency in all areas of finance related to financial planning. Candidates complete studies on
over 100 topics, including stocks, bonds, taxes, insurance, retirement planning and estate
planning. In addition to passing the CFP certification exam, candidates must also complete
qualifying work experience and agree to adhere to the CFP Board's code of ethics and professional
responsibility and financial planning standards. For more information on the CFP® designation,
please visit http://www.cfp.net/certificants/ADVexplanation.asp
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Illinois Board of Examiners; 1982. CPAs are licensed and
regulated by their state boards of accountancy. While state laws and regulations vary, the
education, experience and testing requirements for licensure as a CPA generally include minimum
college education (typically 150 credit hours with at least a baccalaureate degree and a
concentration in accounting), minimum experience levels (most states require at least one year of
experience providing services that involve the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management
advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills, all of which must be achieved under the
supervision of or verification by a CPA), and successful passage of the Uniform CPA
Examination. In order to maintain a CPA license, states generally require the completion of 40
hours of continuing professional education (CPE) each year (or 80 hours over a two year period or
120 hours over a three year period). For more information about the CPA designation please visit
https://www.aicpa.org/becomeacpa/licensure.html
Item 3 Disciplinary Information
Disciplinary History:
• D. Douglas Close has no reportable disciplinary history.
rev 03/2025
Item 4 Other Business Activities
Investment-Related Activities:
• D. Douglas Close is not engaged in any other investment-related activities.
• D. Douglas Close does not receive commissions, bonuses or other compensation on the sale
of securities or other investment products.
Non Investment-Related Activities:
• D. Douglas Close is the owner and managing member of Close & Associates, LLC (“C&A”).
C&A is an accounting firm that provides tax preparation services for some Gryphon clients.
Item 5 Addi tional Compensati on
• D. Douglas Close does not receive any economic benefit from a non-advisory client for the
provision of advisory services.
rev 03/2025
Item 1 Cover Page
Part 2B of Form ADV: Brochure Supplement
Anthony John Sapienza
Gryphon Advisors, LLC
1578 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
www.gryphonadvisors.net
Phone: (847) 424-0465
info@gryphonadvisors.net
This brochure supplement provides information about Anthony John Sapienza that supplements the Gryphon
Advisors brochure. You should have received a copy of that brochure. Please contact D. Douglas Close if you did not
receive Gryphon Advisors' brochure or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.
Additional information about Anthony John Sapienza is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
rev 03/2025
Item 2 Educational, Background and Business Experience
Full Legal Name: Anthony John Sapienza
Born: 1979
Education:
• University of Wisconsin; B.B.A., Finance; 2002.
Business Experience:
• Gryphon Advisors, LLC; Principal; from 01/2021 to Present.
• Gryphon Advisors, LLC; Manager; from 08/2006 to 12/2020.
• Takaki Close and Associates, LTD.; Manager; from 02/2004 to 08/2006.
• Harris Bank and Trust; Associate Underwriter; from 04/2003 to 10/2003.
Designations:
• Certified Financial Planner; Financial Planning Association; 2007. The program is
administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Those with the CFP®
designation have demonstrated competency in all areas of finance related to financial planning.
Candidates complete studies on over 100 topics, including stocks, bonds, taxes, insurance,
retirement planning and estate planning. In addition to passing the CFP certification exam,
candidates must also complete qualifying work experience and agree to adhere to the CFP Board's
code of ethics and professional responsibility and financial planning standards.
Item 3 Disciplinary Information
Disciplinary History:
• Anthony John Sapienza has no reportable disciplinary history.
Item 4 Other Business Activities
Investment-Related Activities:
• Anthony John Sapienza is not engaged in any other investment-related activities.
• Anthony John Sapienza does not receive commissions, bonuses or other compensation on
the sale of securities or other investment products.
Non Investment-Related Activities:
• Anthony John Sapienza is not engaged in any other business or occupation that provides
substantial compensation or involves a substantial amount of his or her time.
Item 5 Addi tional Compensati on
• Anthony John Sapienza does not receive any economic benefit from a non-advisory client for
the provision of advisory services.
rev 03/2025
Item 6 Supervision
Supervisor: D. Douglas Close, President and CCO
Phone Number: 847-424-0465
rev 03/2025
Part 2B of Form ADV: Brochure Supplement
John Patrick Swee
Gryphon Advisors, LLC
1578 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
www.gryphonadvisors.net
Phone: (847) 424-0465
info@gryphonadvisors.net
This brochure supplement provides information about John Patrick Swee that supplements the Gryphon Advisors
brochure. You should have received a copy of that brochure. Please contact D. Douglas Close if you did not receive
Gryphon Advisors' brochure or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.
Additional information John Patrick Swee is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
rev 03/2025
Item 2 Educational, Background and Business Experience
Full Legal Name: John Patrick Swee
Born: 1985
Education:
• Northwestern University; B.A., Economics & English Literature; 2008.
• University of Chicago Booth School of Business; MBA; 2021.
Business Experience:
• Gryphon Advisors, LLC, Principal, from 01/2021 to Present
• Gryphon Advisors, LLC; Manager; from 10/2008 to 12/2020.
Designations:
• Certified Financial Planner; Financial Planning Association; 2012. The program is
administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Those with the CFP®
designation have demonstrated competency in all areas of finance related to financial planning.
Candidates complete studies on over 100 topics, including stocks, bonds, taxes, insurance,
retirement planning and estate planning. In addition to passing the CFP certification exam,
candidates must also complete qualifying work experience and agree to adhere to the CFP Board's
code of ethics and professional responsibility and financial planning standards.
Item 3 Disciplinary Information
Disciplinary History:
John Patrick Swee has no reportable disciplinary history.
•
Item 4 Other Business Activities
Investment-Related Activities:
•
•
John Patrick Swee is not engaged in any other investment-related activities.
John Patrick Swee does not receive commissions, bonuses or other compensation on the sale
of securities or other investment products.
Non Investment-Related Activities:
•
John Patrick Swee is not engaged in any other business or occupation that provides
substantial compensation or involves a substantial amount of his or her time.
Item 5 Addi tional Compensati on
•
John Patrick Swee does not receive any economic benefit from a non-advisory client for the
provision of advisory services.
rev 03/2025
Item 6 Supervision
Supervisor: D. Douglas Close, President and CCO
Phone Number: 847-424-0465
rev 03/2025