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D I S C L O S U R E B R O C H U R E
Nova Wealth Management, Inc.
Office Address:
24311 Walden Center Drive
#200
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Tel: 239-444-1794
Fax: 888-908-6052
amy@novawealthmanagement.com
www.novawealthmanagement.com
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M A R C H 2 7 , 2 0 2 5
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Nova Wealth
Management, Inc.. Being registered as a registered investment adviser does not imply a certain
level of skill or training. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at 239-444-1794. 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.
Nova Wealth Management, Inc.
Additional information about Nova Wealth Management, Inc. (CRD #169450) is available on the
SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
Item 2: Material Changes
Annual Update
The Material Changes section of this brochure will be updated annually or when
material changes occur since the previous release of the Firm Brochure.
Material Changes since the Last Annual Update
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment of
Nova Wealth Management on 03/2024 are described below. Material changes relate to
Nova Wealth Management’s policies, practices or conflicts of interests.
• Custody due to Standing Letters of Authorization (Item 15)
Full Brochure Available
This Firm Brochure being delivered is the complete brochure for the Firm.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Form ADV – Part 2A – Firm Brochure
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 2: Material Changes .................................................................................................................... ii
Annual Update ................................................................................................................................................................... ii
Material Changes since the Last Annual Update .................................................................................................. ii
Full Brochure Available .................................................................................................................................................. ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4: Advisory Business .................................................................................................................. 6
Firm Description ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Types of Advisory Services ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions ............................................................................... 8
Wrap Fee Programs ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Client Assets under Management .............................................................................................................................. 9
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................................... 9
Method of Compensation and Fee Schedule .......................................................................................................... 9
Client Payment of Fees ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Additional Client Fees Charged ................................................................................................................................ 11
Prepayment of Client Fees ......................................................................................................................................... 12
External Compensation for the Sale of Securities to Clients ........................................................................ 12
Rollovers ........................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ...................................... 12
Sharing of Capital Gains .............................................................................................................................................. 12
Item 7: Types of Clients ..................................................................................................................... 13
Description ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Account Minimums ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss .............................. 13
Methods of Analysis ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
Investment Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Security Specific Material Risks ............................................................................................................................... 14
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................... 15
Criminal or Civil Actions ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Administrative Enforcement Proceedings .......................................................................................................... 15
Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings ............................................................................. 15
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................. 15
Futures or Commodity Registration ...................................................................................................................... 15
Material Relationships Maintained by this Advisory Business and Conflicts of Interest ................ 15
Recommendations or Selections of Other Investment Advisors and Conflicts of Interest ............. 16
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ................................................................................................................................................... 16
Code of Ethics Description ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest and Conflict of Interest. 17
Advisory Firm Purchase of Same Securities Recommended to Clients and Conflicts of Interest 17
Client Securities Recommendations or Trades and Concurrent Advisory Firm Securities
Transactions and Conflicts of Interest .................................................................................................................. 17
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ......................................................................................................... 17
Selection of Broker-Dealer or Custodian for Client Transactions ............................................................. 17
Aggregating Securities Transactions for Client Accounts ............................................................................. 19
Item 13: Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................... 19
Schedule for Periodic Review of Client Accounts or Financial Plans and Advisory Persons
Involved ............................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Review of Client Accounts on Non-Periodic Basis ........................................................................................... 19
Content of Client Provided Reports and Frequency ........................................................................................ 19
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ................................................................ 20
Economic benefits Provided to the Advisory Firm from External Sources and Conflicts of
Interest ............................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Advisory Firm Payments for Client Referrals .................................................................................................... 21
Item 15: Custody .................................................................................................................................. 21
Custody and Account Statements ........................................................................................................................... 21
Item 16: Investment Discretion ..................................................................................................... 22
Discretionary Authority for Trading...................................................................................................................... 22
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................... 22
Proxy Votes ...................................................................................................................................................................... 22
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Item 18: Financial Information ...................................................................................................... 23
Balance Sheet .................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Advisory Firm’s Ability to Meet Commitments
to Clients ............................................................................................................................................................................ 23
Bankruptcy Petitions during the Past Ten Years .............................................................................................. 23
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Description
Nova Wealth Management, Inc. (“NWM”) was founded in 2012 and began offering
investment advisory services in 2013. James P. Novakovich, III and Amy C. Novakovich
are co-owners.
financial planning and
NWM provides personalized confidential
investment
management to primarily individuals, high net worth individuals, small businesses and
corporations. Advice is provided through consultation with the client and may include:
determination of financial objectives, identification of financial problems, cash flow
management, tax planning, insurance review, investment management, education
funding, retirement planning, and legacy planning.
NWM is a fee based financial planning and investment management firm. Certain
investment advisor representatives of NWM also sell annuities and insurance products
for a separate yet typical commission.
NWM does not act as a custodian of client assets.
An evaluation of each client's initial situation is provided to the client, often in the form
of a net worth statement, risk analysis or similar document. Periodic reviews are also
communicated to provide reminders of the specific courses of action that need to be
taken. More frequent reviews occur but are not necessarily communicated to the client
unless immediate changes are recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) are engaged
directly by the client on an as-needed basis and may charge fees of their own. Conflicts of
interest will be disclosed to the client in the event they should occur.
Types of Advisory Services
NWM provides investment supervisory services, also known as asset management
services and furnishes financial planning and investment advice through consultations.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
NWM offers discretionary direct asset management services to advisory clients. NWM
will offer clients ongoing portfolio management services through determining individual
investment goals, time horizons, objectives, and risk tolerance. Investment strategies,
investment selection, asset allocation, portfolio monitoring and the overall investment
program will be based on the above factors. The client will authorize NWM discretionary
authority to execute selected investment program transactions as stated within the
Investment Advisory Agreement.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR HELD-AWAY ASSETS – PONTERA
NWM will be offering management services for held-away assets through Pontera. We
provide an additional service for accounts not directly held in our custody, but where we
do have discretion, and may leverage an Order Management System to implement tax-
efficient asset location and opportunistic rebalance strategies on behalf of the client.
These are primarily 401(k) accounts, HSA’s, and other assets we do not custody. We
regularly review the available investment options in these accounts, monitor them, and
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rebalance and implement our strategies in the same way we do other accounts, though
using different tools as necessary.
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
NWM offers consulting services to retirement plan sponsors in some or all of the
following areas as agreed upon between the plan sponsor and NWM in the written
consulting services agreement.
• Service Provider Liaison – act as a liaison between the plan and its service
providers, product sponsors and vendors based solely on the instructions from
the plan on investment and administrative matters. NWM will not exercise
judgment or discretion with regard to these matters
•
Investment Monitoring – perform ongoing monitoring of investments and/or
investment managers based on written guidance provided by the plan
•
investments
Investment Recommendations – recommend specific investments for plan
sponsor to consider within the plan or to make available to plan participants (if
if an existing
applicable), and/or recommend replacement
investment is deemed no longer suitable by the plan sponsor. All decisions
regarding investment options to be made available to plan participants for
purchase are the responsibility of the plan sponsor
• 404(c) Assistance – assist plan in identifying investment options under the
“broad range” requirement of ERISA 404(c)
• Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA) Assistance – assist client in
identifying an investment alternative within the definition of QDIA under ERISA
• Education Services to Plan Sponsor – provide training to members of the plan
sponsor or any investment committee with regard to their services, including
education with respect to their fiduciary responsibilities
• Participant Enrollment – assist and/or provide resources to assist the plan in
enrolling plan participants in the plan, including facilitating agreed upon
enrollment meetings and providing participants with information about the plan
such as terms and operation of the plan, benefits of plan participation, benefits of
increasing plan contributions, and impact of preretirement withdrawals on
retirement income
• Participant Education – facilitate individual or group investment education
meetings for plan participants providing information about investment options
under the plan such as investment objectives and historical performance,
explaining investment concepts such as diversification and risk and return, and
providing guidance as to how to determine investment time horizon and risk
tolerance. This will not include individualized investment advice for a particular
participant
• Changes in Investment Options – assist in making changes to investment options
under the plan upon the plan sponsor’s direction. NWM will have no discretion
over the changes made or be involved in trade execution
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• Vendor Analysis – assist plan with the preparation, distribution and evaluation of
Requests for Proposals, finalist interview and conversion support
• Benchmarking Services – provide plan with comparisons of plan data such as
fees, services, participant enrollment and participant contribution levels to data
from the plan’s prior years and/or similar plans
• Fee Assessment – assist plan in identifying fees and other costs incurred by the
investment management, recordkeeping, participant education,
for
plan
participant communication and/or other services provided
The plan sponsor is responsible for determining whether or not to implement any
recommendations provided by NWM. NWM does not take discretion with respect to
plan assets and NWM does not provide individualized advice to participants in the plan.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING
Financial planning is where you help clients plan for the future. Some examples might
be:
1. To solve for a number they wish to have in retirement. This requires developing a
savings plan to hit that number along with a portfolio with risk and return
estimates
2. To ensure they don’t run out of money by helping with budgeting, cash flow,
investment management and/or risk management
3. Planning for a large expense that may be coming in the future
4. Tax planning such as capital gains management or retirement plan contribution
maximization.
If financial planning services are applicable, the client will compensate NWM on an
hourly fee basis described in detail under “Fees and Compensation” section of this
brochure. Services include but are not limited to a thorough review of all applicable
topics including Wills, Estate Plan/Trusts, Investments, Taxes, and Insurance. If a conflict
of interest exists between the interests of the investment advisor and the interests of the
client, the client is under no obligation to act upon the investment advisor’s
recommendation. If the client elects to act on any of the recommendations, the client is
under no obligation to effect the transaction through NWM. Financial plans will be
completed and delivered inside of sixty (60) days provided NWM has the necessary
information from the client.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
The goals and objectives for each client are documented in our client files. Investment
strategies are created that reflect the stated goals and objective. Clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
Agreements may not be assigned without written client consent.
Wrap Fee Programs
NWM has discontinued their wrap fee program described in Form ADV Part 2, Appendix
1. Any client in the wrap fee as of February 15, 2021 will be grandfathered in.
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Client Assets under Management
As of December 31, 2023, NWM has $ 174,324,479 .00 under management on a
discretionary basis and $ 16,652,297 .00 under management on a non-discretionary
basis.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Method of Compensation and Fee Schedule
NWM bases its fees on a percentage of assets under management and hourly charges.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
NWM offers discretionary direct asset management services to advisory clients. Fees
will vary depending on the investment in the portfolio. Clients shall pay an annual
advisory fee for each account based on total assets under management. The Annual
Blended Advisory Fee Schedule is below:
$0.00 - $250,000.00
1.5%
$250,000.00 - $500,000.00
1.2%
$500,000.00 - $1,000,000.00
1.05%
$1,000,000.00 - $3,000,000.00
0.90%
$3,000,000.00 - $5,000,000.00
0.75%
$5,000,000.00+
0.60%
Example of how fees are calculated below:
Annual Rate (%) Amount
0.00 250,000.00
250,000.00 500,000.00
500,000.00 1,000,000.00
1,000,000.00 1,289,334.11
1.5000
1.2000
1.0500
0.9000
937.50
750.00
1,312.50
651.00
Management Fee 3,651.00
Lower fees for comparable services may be available from other sources The amount of
the fees will be as agreed upon between NWM and the client within the Investment
Advisory Agreement. If Charles Schwab or Fidelity is the custodian, the fee is billed
quarterly in advance based on the value of assets managed as of the last business day of
the previous quarter. Initial fees for partial quarters are pro-rated. If Interactive
Brokers is the custodian, fees are calculated daily based on the account’s market value,
including cash holdings, and charged quarterly in arrears. The annual fee is paid to and
retained by NWM and the advisory representatives.
Advisory fees are either, (1) calculated by and deducted from the clients' account by the
account’s custodian, based upon written instructions from the client, or (2) calculated by
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NWM and deducted from the client’s account by the custodian, based upon written
authorization from the client and written instructions from NWM. For situations where
the custodian is responsible for calculating and deducting the fee, NWM does not have an
arrangement under which it is authorized or permitted to withdraw client funds or
securities maintained with a custodian upon the investment advisor’s instruction to the
custodian. For situations where NWM is responsible for calculating the fee and
providing instructions to the custodian, NWM intends to use the safeguards required in
the Florida Administrative Code, including sending the custodian an invoice of the
amount of the fee to be deducted from the client’s account, and send the client an invoice
containing the formula used to calculate the fee, the amount of assets under
management on which the fee is based, and the time period covered by the fee.
Nova Wealth Management has a minimum annual fee of $1,000.00 billed quarterly at the
rate of $250.00 per quarter. This fee applies to any client whose household billing is less
than $250.00 per quarter.
Lower fees for comparable services may be available from other sources. Clients may
terminate their account within five (5) business days of signing the Investment Advisory
Agreement for a full refund. Clients may terminate advisory services with thirty (30)
days written notice. For accounts closed mid-quarter, the client will be entitled to a pro
rata refund for the days service was not provided in the final quarter. Client shall be
given thirty (30) days prior written notice of any increase in fees, and client will
acknowledge, in writing, any agreement of increase in said fees.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR HELD-AWAY ASSETS FEES -PONTERA
All clients engaging in Investment Management Services must either engage in
Comprehensive Financial Planning or meet a $150,000 minimum of assets under
management. This fee will be assessed and billed in advance on a quarterly basis.
Specifically, the exact amount charged is determined by the account value at the end of
the quarter. If the accounts are activated in Pontera mid-quarter, the client will be billed
in arrears for the number of days in the prior quarter, as well as the next quarter in
advance. The advisory fee is a blended fee and is calculated by assessing the percentage
rates using the predefined levels of assets as shown in the above chart and applying the
fee to the daily average of the account value or the account value as of the last day of the
previous quarter (per the paragraph above), resulting in a combined weighted fee. For
example, an account valued at $2,000,000 would pay an effective fee of 1% with the
annual fee being $20,000 (a quarterly fee of $5,000). Investment management fees are
generally directly debited on a pro rata basis from client accounts. The exception for this
is directly-managed held-away accounts, such as 401(k)’s. As it is impossible to directly
debit the fees from these accounts, those fees will be assigned to the client’s taxable
accounts on a pro-rata basis. If the client does not have a taxable account, those fees will
be billed directly to the client. Accounts initiated or terminated during a calendar
quarter, the client will be reimbursed for the number of days in the quarter the NWM
was not managing the account(s).An account may be terminated with written notice at
least 15 calendar days in advance. Since fees are paid in advance, a reimbursement to
the client will occur within 90 days.
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RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
Fees for services will be billed based a percentage of plan assets in the amount agreed
upon between NWM and the plan sponsor in the written consulting services agreement.
Fees generally have a maximum fee of 1.5% annually, and are negotiable between NWM
and the plan sponsor. The level of fees will be set based upon the scope, nature and
complexity of the services selected by the plan sponsor, the number of participants in
the plan, and the overall size of the plan. Fees may be paid directly by the plan sponsor
or out of plan assets by a service provider or other third party, as authorized by the plan
sponsor. The fee is shared between NWM and its advisors.
FINANCIAL PLANNING and CONSULTING
NWM charges an hourly fee of $250 for financial planning. Prior to the planning process
the client will be provided an estimated plan fee. The services include, but are not
limited to, a thorough review of all applicable topics including Cash Flow Analysis and
Budgeting, Wills, Estate Plan/Trusts, Investments, Taxes, and Insurance. Client will pay
half of the estimated fee at the signing of the agreement with the balance due upon
delivery of the completed plan. Services are completed and delivered inside of sixty (60)
days provided NWM has the necessary information from the client. Client may cancel
within five (5) business days of signing Agreement for a full refund. If the client cancels
after five (5) business days, any unearned fees will be refunded to the client, or any
unpaid earned fees will be due to NWM.
Client Payment of Fees
Investment management fees are billed quarterly in advance, meaning the client pays
the fee before the three-month period has started. As stated above, the fees are
deducted from the client accounts by the account’s custodian. The client must authorize
the custodian in advance to deduct the fee from their investment account.
Fees for financial plans are billed 50% in advance with the balance due upon plan
delivery.
Additional Client Fees Charged
Custodians may charge transaction fees on purchases or sales of certain mutual funds,
equities, and exchange-traded funds. These charges may include Mutual Fund
transactions fees, postage and handling and miscellaneous fees (fee levied to recover
costs associated with fees assessed by self-regulatory organizations). These transaction
charges are usually small and incidental to the purchase or sale of a security. The
selection of the security is more important than the nominal fee that the custodian
charges to buy or sell the security.
NWM, in its sole discretion, may waive its minimum fee and/or charge a lesser
investment advisory fee based upon certain criteria (e.g., historical relationship, type of
assets, anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar
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amounts of assets to be managed, related accounts, account composition, negotiations
with clients, etc.).
For more details on the brokerage practices, see Item 12 of this brochure.
Prepayment of Client Fees
Investment management fees are billed quarterly in advance.
Financial planning fees will be billed half of the estimated fee at the signing of the
agreement with the balance due upon delivery of the completed plan.
If the client cancels after five (5) business days, any unearned fees will be refunded to
the client, or any unpaid earned fees will be due to NWM.
External Compensation for the Sale of Securities to Clients
NWM does not receive any external compensation for the sale of securities to clients, but
certain investment advisor representatives of NWM receive commissions for the sale of
securities as registered representatives of unaffiliated broker-dealers. Such commissions
are not received in connection with securities transacted within asset management
portfolios.
Rollovers
There is a conflict of interest regarding rollovers for a client that is a plan participant in
an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Upon reaching a distribution event, a plan
participant may decide to liquidate and withdraw funds from their employer-sponsored
retirement plan account and rollover the proceeds into an IRA. In the event of an
existing relationship with NWM, it would not be unusual for the plan participant to
request the assistance of NWM. A conflict of interest exists because NWM will be
compensated only if the plan participant rolls over the proceeds into an IRA that is then
managed by NWM. As a result, it can be construed that NWM has a financial incentive to
recommend one option over another. Therefore, a plan participant should include in
his/her decision making process, a thorough review of all options presented when
reaching a distribution event; for example (i) remain invested under the employer-
sponsored retirement plan (if available), (ii) transfer retirement plan assets to a new
employer-sponsored retirement plan (if available), (iii) transfer retirement plan assets
to an IRA with a financial institution, or (iv) withdraw assets directly which would be
subject to federal and applicable state and local taxes and possibly subject to the IRS
penalty of 10% depending upon the age of the plan participant.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Sharing of Capital Gains
Fees are not based on a share of the capital gains or capital appreciation of managed
securities.
NWM does not use a performance-based fee structure because of the conflict of interest.
Performance based compensation may create an incentive for the adviser to recommend
an investment that may carry a higher degree of risk to the client.
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Item 7: Types of Clients
Description
NWM generally provides investment advice to individuals, high net worth individuals,
small businesses and corporations
Client relationships vary in scope and length of service.
Account Minimums
NWM has a $250,000 account minimum, but reserves the right to waive the minimum at
its discretion.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Security analysis methods may include fundamental analysis and/or technical analysis.
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. Past
performance is not a guarantee of future returns.
Fundamental analysis involves evaluating a stock using real data such as company
revenues, earnings, return on equity, and profits margins to determine underlying value
and potential growth. Technical analysis involves evaluating securities based on past
prices and volume.
With respect to retirement plan consulting services, NWM strives to recommend
diversified investment alternatives that retirement plan sponsors may consider for
investment or make available to plan participants.
When creating a financial plan, NWM utilizes fundamental and technical analysis to
provide review of insurance policies for economic value and income replacement.
Technical analysis is used to review mutual funds and individual stocks. The main
sources of information include Morningstar, Rueters, client documents including, but not
limited to tax returns and insurance policies.
In developing a financial plan for a client, NWM’s analysis may include cash flow
analysis, investment planning, risk management, tax planning and estate planning.
Based on the information gathered, a detailed strategy is tailored to the client’s specific
situation.
Investment Strategy
The investment strategy for a specific client is based upon the objectives stated by the
client during consultations. The client may change these objectives at any time. Each
client executes an Investment Policy Statement or Risk Tolerance that documents their
objectives and their desired investment strategy.
Other strategies may include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, and
option writing (including covered options, uncovered options or spreading strategies).
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Security Specific Material Risks
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Fundamental
analysis may involve interest rate risk, market risk, business risk, and financial risk.
Risks involved in technical analysis are inflation risk, reinvestment risk, and market risk.
Our investment approach constantly keeps the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the
following investment risks and should discuss these risks with NWM:
•
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 mutual fund may drop in reaction
to tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by
external factors independent of a security’s 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 buy more
than 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. 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.
• 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 bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability
to meet loan obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market
value.
• Option Risk: The risk with option buying are the risk of losing your entire
investment in a relatively short period of time and losing your entire investment
as the option runs out of the money and as expiration nears. The risk with option
selling are options sold may be exercised at any time before expiration and
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forgoing the right to profit when the underlying stock rises above the strike
price of the call option sold.
• Margin Risk: Margin borrowing involves additional risks. Margin borrowing will
result in increased gain if the value of the securities in the account go up, but will
result in increased losses if the value of the securities in the account goes down.
The custodian, acting as a creditor, will have the authority to liquidate all or part
of the account to repay any portion of a margin loan, even if the timing would be
disadvantageous to the client. For performance illustration purposes, the
margin interest charge will be treated as a withdrawal and will, therefore, not
negatively impact the performance figures reflected on performance reports.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Criminal or Civil Actions
The firm and its management have not been involved in any criminal or civil action.
Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
The firm and its management have not been involved in administrative enforcement
proceedings.
Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings
The firm and its management have not been involved in legal or disciplinary events
related to past or present investment clients.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Futures or Commodity Registration
Neither NWM nor its employees are registered or has an application pending to register
as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, or a commodity trading
advisor.
Material Relationships Maintained by this Advisory Business and Conflicts of
Interest
Certain investment advisor representatives of NWM are also licensed insurance agents.
This activity creates a conflict of interest since there is an incentive to recommend
insurance products based on commissions or other benefits received from the insurance
company, rather than on the client’s needs. Additionally, the offer and sale of insurance
products by supervised persons of NWM are not made in their capacity as a fiduciary,
and products are limited to only those offered by certain insurance providers. NWM
addresses this conflict of interest by requiring its supervised persons to act in the best
interest of the client at all times, including when acting as an insurance agent. NWM
periodically reviews recommendations by its supervised persons to assess whether they
are based on an objective evaluation of each client’s risk profile and investment
objectives rather than on the receipt of any commissions or other benefits. NWM will
disclose in advance how it or its supervised persons are compensated and will disclose
conflicts of interest involving any advice or service provided. At no time will there be
tying between business practices and/or services (a condition where a client or
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prospective client would be required to accept one product or service conditioned upon
the selection of a second, distinctive tied product or service). No client is ever under any
obligation to purchase any insurance product. Insurance products recommended by
NWM’s supervised persons may also be available from other providers on more
favorable terms, and clients can purchase insurance products recommended through
other unaffiliated insurance agencies.
This represents a conflict of interest because it gives an incentive to recommend
products and services based on the commission and/or fee amount received. This
conflict is mitigated by the fact that investment advisor representatives have a fiduciary
responsibility to place the best interest of the client first and the clients are not required
to purchase any products or services. Clients have the option to purchase these products
or services through another broker-dealer of their choosing.
All material conflicts of interest under California Code of Regulations Section 260.238(k)
are disclosed regarding the investment adviser, its representatives or any of its
employees, which could be reasonable expected to impair the rendering of unbiased and
objective advice.
Recommendations or Selections of Other Investment Advisors and Conflicts of
Interest
NWM does utilize the services of Third Party Money Managers to manage client
accounts.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics Description
The employees of NWM have committed to a Code of Ethics (“Code”). The purpose of our
Code is to set forth standards of conduct expected of NWM employees and addresses
conflicts that may arise. The Code defines acceptable behavior for employees of NWM.
The Code reflects NWM and its supervised persons’ responsibility to act in the best
interest of their client.
One area the Code addresses is when employees buy or sell securities for their personal
accounts and how to mitigate any conflict of interest with our clients. We do not allow
any employees to use non-public material information for their personal profit or to use
internal research for their personal benefit in conflict with the benefit to our clients.
NWM’s policy prohibits any person from acting upon or otherwise misusing non-public
or inside information. No advisory representative or other employee, officer or director
of NWM may recommend any transaction in a security or its derivative to advisory
clients or engage in personal securities transactions for a security or its derivatives if the
advisory representative possesses material, non-public information regarding the
security.
NWM’s Code is based on the guiding principle that the interests of the client are our top
priority. NWM’s officers, directors, advisors, and other employees have a fiduciary duty
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to our clients and must diligently perform that duty to maintain the complete trust and
confidence of our clients. When a conflict arises, it is our obligation to put the client’s
interests over the interests of either employees or the company.
The Code applies to “access” persons. “Access” persons are employees who have access
to non-public information regarding any clients' purchase or sale of securities, or non-
public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any reportable fund, who are
involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or who have access to such
recommendations that are non-public.
The firm will provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon
request.
Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest and
Conflict of Interest
NWM and its employees do not recommend to clients securities in which we have a
material financial interest.
Advisory Firm Purchase of Same Securities Recommended to Clients and
Conflicts of Interest
NWM and its employees may buy or sell securities that are also held by clients. In order
to mitigate conflicts of interest such as trading ahead of client transactions, employees
are required to disclose all reportable securities accounts and transactions and are
required to hold all these accounts at Charles Schwab or Fidelity unless granted an
exception, prior to hire or account opening, in writing by the CCO.
The Chief Compliance Officer of NWM is Amy C. Novakovich, CFP®, CRPC®. She reviews
all employee trades each quarter. The personal trading reviews ensure that the personal
trading of employees does not affect the markets and that clients of the firm receive
preferential treatment over employee transactions.
Client Securities Recommendations or Trades and Concurrent Advisory Firm
Securities Transactions and Conflicts of Interest
NWM does not maintain a firm proprietary trading account and does not have a material
financial interest in any securities being recommended and therefore no conflicts of
interest exist. However, employees may buy or sell securities at the same time they buy
or sell securities for clients. In order to mitigate conflicts of interest such as front
running, employees are required to disclose all reportable securities transactions and
accounts as mentioned above.
The Chief Compliance Officer of NWM is Amy C. Novakovich, CFP®. She reviews all
employee trades each quarter. The personal trading reviews ensure that the personal
trading of employees does not affect the markets and that clients of the firm receive
preferential treatment over employee transactions.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selection of Broker-Dealer or Custodian for Client Transactions
NWM recommends the use of the custodian, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor
Services, Interactive Brokers (“IB”) or Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC as the custodian
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and broker/dealer to execute transactions for asset management accounts. NWM will
recommend the broker/dealer based on a number of factors including but not limited to
their relatively low transaction fees and reporting ability. NWM relies on the
broker/dealer to provide its execution services at the best prices available. Lower fees
for comparable services may be available from other sources. Clients pay for any and all
custodial fees and execution charges in addition to the advisory fee charged by NWM.
NWM does not receive any portion of the custodial fees or transaction fees. The final
selection of the custodian and executing broker/dealer will be made by the client.
Investment advisors who provide asset management on a discretionary basis have a
fiduciary obligation of best execution. The determination of what constitutes best
execution and price in the execution of a securities transaction by a broker/dealer
involves a number of considerations and is subjective. Factors affecting brokerage
selection include the overall direct net economic result to the client account, the
efficiency with which the transaction is effected, the ability to effect the transaction
where a large block is involved, the operational facilities of the broker/dealer, the value
of an ongoing relationship with such broker/dealer and the financial strength and
stability of the broker/dealer.
NWM receives support services and/or products from the custodians, many of which
assist NWM to better monitor and service client accounts. These support services
and/or products may be received without cost, at a discount, and/or at another
negotiated rate, and may include the followings:
•
Investment-related research
• Pricing information and market data
• Software and other technology that provide access to client account data
• Compliance and/or practice management-related publications
• Consulting services
• Attendance at conferences, meeting, and other education and/or social events
• Marketing support
• Computer hardware and/or software
• Other products used by NWM in furtherance of the firm’s investment advisory
business operations
These support services are provided to NWM based on the overall relationship between
NWM and the custodian. It is not the result of soft dollar arrangements or any other
express arrangements with the custodian that involves the execution of client
transactions as a condition to the receipt of services. NWM will continue to receive the
services regardless of the volume of client transactions executed with a particular
custodian.
Within retirement plan consulting services, NWM may assist with investment
recommendations to the retirement plan sponsor. This could include research and
recommendations, for consideration and selection by the plan sponsor, of specific
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investments to be held in the plan, or in the case of a participant-directed defined
contribution plan, to be available as an investment option under the plan. The plan
sponsor is responsible for the selection of any vendor, broker/dealer or custodian for
plan assets, and is responsible for placing any transactions deemed appropriate.
Aggregating Securities Transactions for Client Accounts
NWM is authorized in its discretion to aggregate purchases and sales and other
transactions made for the account with purchases and sales and transactions in the
same securities for other clients of NWM. All clients participating in the aggregated
order shall receive an average share price with all other transaction costs shared on a
pro-rated basis. NWM may determine not to aggregate transactions, for example, based
on the size of the trades, the number of client accounts, the timing of the trades, the
liquidity of the securities, and the availability of such services through the executing
broker/dealer and custodian. If transactions are not aggregated when it is possible to
do so, some clients purchasing or selling securities around the same time may receive a
less favorable price that other clients. This means that the practice of not aggregating
may cost clients more money.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Schedule for Periodic Review of Client Accounts or Financial Plans and
Advisory Persons Involved
Account reviews are performed regularly by the Chief Compliance Officer of NWM.
Account reviews are performed more frequently when market conditions dictate.
Financial Plans are considered complete when recommendations are delivered to the
client and a review is done only upon request of client.
Review of Client Accounts on Non-Periodic Basis
Other conditions that may trigger a review of clients’ accounts are changes in the tax
laws, new investment information, and changes in a client's own situation.
Content of Client Provided Reports and Frequency
Clients receive account statements no less than quarterly for managed accounts.
Account statements are issued by the account’s custodian. For accounts held at Charles
Schwab or Fidelity, client receives confirmations of each transaction in the account
(except for systematic purchases and withdrawals) from the custodian and an additional
account statement during any month in which a transaction occurs. For accounts held at
IB, the client will not receive copies of confirmations or monthly statements unless
elected by the client in writing with the custodian, and the imposition of a fee charged
by the custodian. Copies of confirmations and monthly statements are available to
clients online through IB for no additional charge. For accounts held at Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc. Advisor Services or Fidelity, Clients will receive a monthly account statement
detailing positions and activity in their account during the preceding month. The
statement will include a summary of all transactions made on their behalf, all
contributions and withdrawals made to or from their account, all fees and expenses
charged to their account, and the value of your account at the beginning and end of the
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period. The client will also receive a separate confirmation of each transaction, unless
they elect to receive a quarterly report containing confirmation information for trades
occurring during that calendar quarter.
Clients have access to performance reports through NWM’s client portal. For retirement
plan consulting services, in certain circumstances plan sponsors receive periodic
statements or reports from the record keeper. These reports do not take the place of
statements provided by the account’s custodian.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Economic benefits Provided to the Advisory Firm from External Sources and
Conflicts of Interest
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services provides NWM with access to Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services’ institutional trading and custody services, which are
typically not available to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services 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 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor
Services. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services includes 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 NWM client
accounts maintained in its custody, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services 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 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services or that
settle into Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services accounts.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services also makes available to NWM other products
and services that benefit NWM but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits
may include national, regional or NWM specific educational events organized and/or
sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services. Other potential benefits may
include occasional business entertainment of personnel of NWM by Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc. 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 NWM
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 NWM’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 NWM’s accounts. Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc. Advisor Services also makes available to NWM other services intended to help
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information
NWM manage and further develop its business enterprise. These services may include
professional compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on
technology, business succession, regulatory
practice management,
compliance, employee benefits providers, and human capital consultants, insurance and
marketing. In addition, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services may make available,
arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to NWM by
independent third parties. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 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 NWM. NWM is independently owned
and operated and not affiliated with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services.
Advisory Firm Payments for Client Referrals
NWM may retain third parties to act as solicitors/promoters for NWM’s investment
management services. Compensation with respect to the foregoing will be fully disclosed
to each client to the extent required by applicable law. NWM will ensure each
solicitor/promoter is properly exempt or registered in all appropriate jurisdictions.
Item 15: Custody
Custody and Account Statements
All assets are held at qualified custodians, which means the custodians provide account
statements directly to clients at their address of record at least quarterly. Clients are
urged to review the account statements received directly from their custodians.
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian,
NWM will be deemed to have limited custody of client's assets. Because client fees will
be withdrawn directly from client accounts, in states that require it, NWM will:
(A) Possess written authorization from the client to deduct advisory fees from an
account held by a qualified custodian.
(B) Ensure that the custodian is sending account statements to clients at least
quarterly that show all transactions in the account, including the fee deduction.
On February 21, 2017, the SEC issued a no‐action letter (“Letter”) with respect to Rule
206(4)‐2 (“Custody Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”).
The letter provided guidance on the Custody Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who
has the power to disburse client funds to a third party under a standing letter of
authorization (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody. As such, our firm has adopted the
following safeguards in conjunction with our custodian:
• The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that
includes the client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s
address or the third party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer
should be directed.
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• The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified
custodian’s form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a
specified schedule or from time to time.
• The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction,
such as a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and
provides a transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
• The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s
qualified custodian.
• The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the
identity of the third party, the address, or any other information about the third
party contained in the client’s instruction.
• The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a
related party of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the
investment adviser.
• The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice
confirming the instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Clients will receive all account statements that are required by the regulators, and they
should carefully review those statements for accuracy. Clients are urged to compare the
account statements they received from custodian with those they received from NWM.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Discretionary Authority for Trading
NWM accepts discretionary authority to manage securities accounts on behalf of clients.
NWM has the authority to determine, without obtaining specific client consent, the
securities to be bought or sold, and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold.
However, NWM consults with the client prior to each trade to obtain concurrence if a
blanket trading authorization has not been given.
The client approves the custodian to be used and the commission rates paid to the
custodian. NWM does not receive any portion of the transaction fees or commissions
paid by the client to the custodian on certain trades.
NWM does not exercise any discretionary authority when providing retirement plan
consulting services.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Proxy Votes
NWM does not vote proxies on securities. Clients are expected to vote their own proxies.
The client will receive their proxies directly from the custodian of their account or from
a transfer agent.
When assistance on voting proxies is requested, NWM will provide recommendations to
the client. If a conflict of interest exists, it will be disclosed to the client.
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Item 18: Financial Information
Balance Sheet
A balance sheet is not required to be provided because NWM does not serve as a
custodian for client funds or securities and NWM does not require prepayment of fees of
more than $1200 per client and six months or more in advance.
Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Advisory Firm’s Ability to Meet
Commitments to Clients
NWM has no condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet contractual
commitments to our clients.
Bankruptcy Petitions during the Past Ten Years
Neither NWM nor its management has had any bankruptcy petitions in the last ten years.
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