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Item 1: Cover Page
ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
1100 Capitol Avenue, Suite 200
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
888-611-7926 (PWAM)
https://privatewealth.com
March 31, 2025
This Form ADV Part 2A (“Brochure”) provides information about the qualifications and business practices
of Private Wealth Asset Management, LLC (“Private Wealth,” “we,” “us,” ‘our,” “or “Firm”). If you have
any questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at 888-611-7926 or by email
matt.murray@joot.io. The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority. Registration of an
investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training. This Brochure provides information
about the firm to assist you in determining whether to retain the Firm.
Additional information about Private Wealth is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
by searching our CRD number 315819.
Item 2: Material Changes
This Brochure provides you with a summary of Private Wealth's advisory services and fees, professionals,
certain business practices and policies, as well as actual or potential conflicts of interest, among other things.
This item (Item 2) is used to provide our clients with a summary of new and/or updated information. Please
note that there all “material changes” made to this Brochure since our last delivery or posting of the
Brochure on the SEC’s public disclosure website (“IAPD”) www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, are set forth below:
• Throughout the ADV 2A - Chief Compliance Officer has been updated
In addition to the material changes set forth above, additional changes reflected in this version of this
Brochure does include a number of minor editorial changes and the updated information on our assets under
management.
is also available on our web
Clients and prospective clients can always receive the most current Brochure for Private Wealth at any time
by contacting their Investment Advisor Representative or contacting the Chief Compliance Officer,
Matthew Murray at 904-490-0039. Our Brochure
site
https://privatewealth.com, free of charge.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes ............................................................................................................................ 2
Item 4: Advisory Business .......................................................................................................................... 6
Firm Description ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Types of Services .................................................................................................................................... 6
Investment Advisory Services ................................................................................................................. 6
Investment Management Services ....................................................................................................... 6
Wealth Management Services ............................................................................................................. 7
Selection of Other Advisors ................................................................................................................ 7
Retirement Accounts – DOL Disclosure ................................................................................................. 7
401(k) Asset Allocation Strategy Structure ............................................................................................. 8
Investment Committee ............................................................................................................................ 8
Non-Investment Advisory Services ........................................................................................................ 8
“Circle of Services” ............................................................................................................................ 9
Business Transition Planning .............................................................................................................. 9
Oil & Gas Holdings Management ....................................................................................................... 9
Real Estate Asset Management ........................................................................................................... 9
Investment Products ................................................................................................................................ 9
Wrap Fee Program ................................................................................................................................ 10
Assets Under Management ................................................................................................................... 10
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................ 10
Compensation for Investment Advisory Services ................................................................................. 10
Investment Management Services ..................................................................................................... 10
Wealth Management Services ........................................................................................................... 11
Selection of Other Advisors .............................................................................................................. 11
Third-Party/Custodian Fees .................................................................................................................. 11
Advance Fee Payments ......................................................................................................................... 12
Other Compensation ............................................................................................................................. 12
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-by-Side Management ............................................................... 12
Item 7: Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................ 12
Minimum Account Size ........................................................................................................................ 12
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ........................................................ 13
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Methods Of Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 13
Broad Investment Philosophy: .............................................................................................................. 13
Strategic Asset Allocation: .................................................................................................................... 13
Tactical Asset Allocation: ..................................................................................................................... 13
Economic Review ................................................................................................................................. 13
Political and Policy Review: ................................................................................................................. 13
Manager Selection ................................................................................................................................ 13
Costs ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Fundamental Review ............................................................................................................................ 14
Cyclical Review .................................................................................................................................... 14
Technical Review ................................................................................................................................. 14
Charting Review ................................................................................................................................... 14
Investment Strategy Risks ..................................................................................................................... 14
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .............................................................................................................. 17
Item 10: Other Financial Activities and Affiliations ................................................................................. 18
Registration as a Broker Dealer or Broker Dealer Representative ........................................................ 18
Registration As a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator ..................................... 18
Affiliated Insurance Company .............................................................................................................. 18
Relationships Material to This Advisory Business And Possible Conflicts Of Interest ......................... 18
Ownership ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Client Investment .................................................................................................................................. 18
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Personal Trading ........................................................ 18
Fiduciary Status .................................................................................................................................... 18
Description Of Code Of Ethics ............................................................................................................. 19
Employees Acting as Trustees .......................................................................................................... 19
Employee Trading ............................................................................................................................. 19
Item 12: Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................... 19
Selection And Recommendation ........................................................................................................... 19
Research And Other Soft Dollar Benefits ............................................................................................. 20
Client Referrals ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Directed Brokerage ............................................................................................................................... 21
Loan Advance Accounts ....................................................................................................................... 22
Order Aggregation ................................................................................................................................ 22
Trade Error Policy ................................................................................................................................ 23
Item 13: Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 23
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Periodic Reviews .................................................................................................................................. 23
Intermittent Review Factors .................................................................................................................. 23
Reports .................................................................................................................................................. 23
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ................................................................................. 23
Affiliated Insurance Company .............................................................................................................. 23
Employee Trustee Activities ................................................................................................................. 24
Investor Referral Arrangements ............................................................................................................ 24
Referral Arrangements ...................................................................................................................... 24
Cash Deposit Sweep Account Program ................................................................................................. 24
Item 15: Custody....................................................................................................................................... 24
Custody Of Assets ................................................................................................................................ 24
Employees Acting as Trustees .......................................................................................................... 24
Direct Debiting of Fees ..................................................................................................................... 25
Standing Letters of Authority ............................................................................................................ 25
Item 16: Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................. 25
Item 17: Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 26
Proxy Voting ......................................................................................................................................... 26
Class Action Litigation ......................................................................................................................... 26
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................. 26
Item 19: Other Information ....................................................................................................................... 27
Business Continuity Plan ...................................................................................................................... 27
Privacy Policy Notice ........................................................................................................................... 27
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Description
Private Wealth was founded on June 28, 2021, and became a SEC Registered Investment Advisor on August
12, 2021. PWAM Advisor Partners, LLC is the principal owner of Private Wealth. Additionally, Omaha
Capital 19, LLC owns a 20% interest in Private Wealth, and Garage Row OZ, LLC owns almost a 6%
interest in Private Wealth.
Types of Services
As described further in this section, the Firm offers a variety of services, including investment advisory and
non-investment advisory services. These services are provided to individuals (including high net worth
individuals), family offices, trusts, estates, philanthropic and non-profit organizations, and other types of
business entities (referred to as “client,” “you,” or “your” hereafter). How we are compensated for these
services is described in detail in Item 5 of this Disclosure Brochure.
Investment Advisory Services
Investment Advisory Services are provided based on the clientʼs specific needs within the scope of the
services provided as discussed above. A review of the information provided by the client regarding the
clientʼs current financial situation, goals, and risk tolerances will be performed and advice will be provided
that is in line with available information. Clients can place restrictions on investing in certain securities
positions or types by notifying the Firm either in writing or orally.
We provide the following Investment Advisory Services to our clients:
Investment Management Services (discretionary and non-discretionary).
i.
ii. Wealth Management Services, and
iii.
Selection of Other Advisors.
These services are collectively referred to as our “Investment Advisory Services.” A description of the fees
associated with these Investment Advisory Services can be found in Item 5.
Investment Management Services
Private Wealth provides Investment Management Services to our clients primarily on a discretionary basis,
however we also Investment Management Services on anon-discretionary basis. Please refer to Item 16, for
further discussion on what investment discretion means. In providing Investment Management Services,
and as described in more detail in Item 8, Private Wealth uses a number of methods to craft its investment
models, including quantitative, fundamental, technical, and economic analysis. Prior to providing
Investment Management Services, each client is required to enter into an agreement with us regardless of
whether services are provided on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. Further details about the
services provided to each client are detailed in these agreements.
Private Wealth assesses a client’s current holdings and ensures alignment with both short and long-term
goals, risk tolerance and other investment objectives. The Firm performs ongoing reviews of investment
performance and portfolio exposure to market conditions. Accordingly, the Firm is authorized to perform
various functions without further approval from the client, such as the determination of securities to be
purchased or sold without prior permission from the client for each transaction. All trades are made in the
best interest of the client as part of Private Wealth’s fiduciary duty. However, risk is inherent to any
investing strategy and model. Therefore, Private Wealth does not guarantee any results or returns.
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Discretionary Investment Management Services: The client grants Private Wealth to have full power and
authority and sole discretion to, among other things, direct the custodian to invest and reinvest or sell the
client assets and to direct the custodiam to exercise or abstain from exercising any options, privileges or
rights held as part of the client’s account. Further discretion grants us the right to retain and allocate all or
a portion of the client’s assets to sub-advisers and third-party asset managers.
Non-Discretionary Investment Management Services: Private Wealth shall supervise and direct the
investments of and for the client account, subject to the objectives, limitations, and restrictions listed in the
client’s directions, but has no authority to trade the account without the direction of the client.
Any information presented in a financial plan regarding potential tax considerations is not intended as tax
advice and should not be relied upon for the purpose of avoiding any tax penalties. Our Firm and our
financial advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the
appropriate professional.
include
Wealth Management Services
The Firm may provide clients with Wealth Management Services, which is advice related to the client's
financial circumstances and objectives. Such services may
investment analysis and
recommendations based on
the client's objectives, goals, and financial situation; however,
recommendations of specific securities or asset management strategies will not be part of the plan. The
scope of Wealth Management Services to be provided to the client will be customized based on the needs
of the client and will be detailed in the agreement between the client and us.
A description of the fees associated with these Wealth Management Services can be found in Item 5.
Selection of Other Advisors
As part of our investment advisory services, we may recommend that you use the services of a third-party
investment advisors ("Third-Party Advisor(s)") to manage your entire, or a portion of your, investment
portfolio. After gathering information about your financial situation and objectives, we may recommend
that you engage a specific Third-Party Advisors. Factors that we take into consideration when making our
recommendation(s) include, but are not limited to, the following: the Third-Party Advisors' performance,
methods of analysis, fees, your financial needs, investment goals, risk tolerance, and investment objectives.
We will periodically monitor the Third-Party Advisors' performance to ensure its management and
investment style remain aligned with your investment goals and objectives. The Third-Party Advisor(s) will
actively manage your portfolio and will assume discretionary investment authority over your account.
Private Wealth will assume discretionary authority to hire and fire Third-Party Advisor(s) and/or reallocate
your assets to other Third-Party Advisors where we deem such action appropriate.
Additional fees are associated with the use of Third-Party Advisors. A description of the fees associated
with these Third-Party Advisors can be found in Item 5.
Retirement Accounts – DOL Disclosure
We are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(“ERISA”) and/or the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), as applicable, when we provide investment advice
regarding portfolio assets held in an IRA, Roth IRA, Archer Medical Savings Account, a Plan covered by
ERISA, or a plan described in Section 4975(e)(1)(A) of the Code (collectively referred to collectively
sometimes herein as (“Retirement Accounts”).
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To ensure that Private Wealth will adhere to fiduciary norms and basic standards of fair dealing with respect
to Retirement Accounts, we are required to give advice that is in the "best interest" of the retirement client.
The best interest standard has two chief components, prudence and loyalty. Under the prudence standard,
the advice must meet a professional standard of care and under the loyalty standard, our advice must be
based on the interests of our retirement clients, rather than the potential competing financial interest of
Private Wealth.
To address the conflicts of interest with respect to our compensation, we are required to act in your best
interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. To this end, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent
advice).
• Never put our financial interests ahead of you when making recommendations (give loyal advice).
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments.
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest.
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
401(k) Asset Allocation Strategy Structure
We develop Asset Allocation Strategies utilizing the core fund line-up to provide employees with a choice
of well diversified portfolios based upon their risk tolerance; however, Private Wealth does not select the
investments for the participants, We only provide general advice to participants of the plan should they
want help with selecting based on their options.
Investment Committee
The investment committee at Private Wealth serves as a key decision-making body responsible for shaping
and overseeing the firm’s investment strategies and policies. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the firm’s
investment approach is both sound and aligned with clients' goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
The committee typically reviews economic trends, evaluates asset allocation models, and selects or
approves investment products and strategies. By conducting thorough due diligence, monitoring
performance, and adjusting as necessary, the investment committee helps maintain a consistent, informed,
and disciplined approach to managing client portfolios. This process helps ensure that the firm adheres to
its fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of its clients.
Non-Investment Advisory Services
Separately from the Investment Advisory Services described above, we provide the Non-Investment
Advisory Services (collectively referred to as “Non-Investment Advisory Services”) to our clients:
i.
“Circle of Services” (third-party service provider recommendations).
ii.
Business Transition Planning.
iii. Oil & Gas Holdings Management, and
iv.
Real Estate Management.
Clients are under no obligation to engage Private Wealth for Non-Investment Advisory Services. A
description of those services follows, and the fees associated with these Non-Investment Advisory Services
are negotiated directly between the respective client and Private Wealth.
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“Circle of Services”
Private Wealth collaborates with third-party services providers to create solutions suited to a client’s needs.
If Private Wealth recommends the service provider(s), and the client engages the provider(s), then the client
will pay the provider(s) directly for the provider(s)’ services. his is in addition to any fees the client pays to
Private Wealth. While Private Wealth may have pre-existing business relationship with the selected
provider(s), Private Wealth does not receive any referral fees, percentages of payments by clients to the
service provider(s), or any other form of compensation associated with selection of a particular service
provider. This service may be included as part of Private Wealth’s Investment Advisory Services (discussed
above) and typically encompasses accounting services, trust services, private banking, crypto platform
recommendation and tax preparation. A client of Private Wealth’s Investment Advisory Services program
will not pay additional fees to Private Wealth for using the Circle of Services.
Business Transition Planning
Business Transition Planning entails navigating many aspects of beginning, maintaining, and transitioning
a business through corporate goal setting, business valuation review, transition alternatives review,
proactive tax strategy review, business continuity instructions, and analysis of leases, land, and real estate
holdings. The specifics of the Business Transition Planning services provided are negotiable and will be
detailed in the specific agreement each client has with us.
Oil & Gas Holdings Management
Oil & Gas Management services are offered through PW Energy (a d/b/a of Private Wealth). Oil & Gas
Management services entail managing aspects of mineral rights and natural resources holdings through
management of royalties, income, and expense payment; property taxes; annual reporting, contract and
lease negotiation; property inspections, valuation, and reviews; analyzing and advising on joint operating
agreements, accounting authorizations for expenditure, and joint interest billing; and proactive leasing. This
service is offered under a separate written agreement from Private Wealth’s other services. The agreement
will provide further details as to the services to which the client is entitled and fees the client will incur.
Real Estate Asset Management
Real Estate Asset Management services include the management of aspects of real estate and land concerns
tailored for the client’s geographic area through management of farmland cash rent, crop share leasing,
third-party property management, and oversight of custom operations. This service is offered under a
separate written agreement from Private Wealth’s investment advisory services; Private Wealth requires an
agreement signed by the client prior to engagement of any services. The agreement will outline services to
which the client is entitled and fees the client will incur. Real Estate Management clients who become
investment advisory services clients will continue to pay separate fees on their Real Estate Management
relationship.
Investment Products
Private Wealth may offer advice on the following investment products:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Equity securities (exchange-listed, over the counter, foreign issuers)
Corporate debt securities
Municipal securities
Investment Company Securities (mutual fund shares)
Variable annuities
United States government securities
Currencies
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•
•
Derivatives
Private placements
Wrap Fee Program
Private Wealth does not offer a Wrap Fee Program.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, the Firm has approximately the following Assets Under Management (“AUM”):
• Discretionary AUM:
• Non-Discretionary AUM:
$1,849,717,875
$0
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
In addition to the information provided in Item 4 above, this section provides details regarding Firm fee
and compensation arrangements for the services we provide to clients.
Compensation for Investment Advisory Services
Investment Management Services
Private Wealth bases its fees for Investment Management Services on a percentage of total Assets Under
Management (“AUM”) per annum as detailed in the tiered fee schedules below. Actual fees paid may be
negotiated and may differ from those in the fee schedule. A client may pay more or less than other clients
in the same fee tier. Amounts may vary as a result of negotiations, our relationship with the client, and/or
factors that are specific to the client such as the size of the relationship, required service levels, and client
customization of guidelines. Further, Private Wealth provides a fee reduction to its employees and partners.
In certain cases, clients may negotiate a flat fee that results in a lower fee than would be paid under the fee
schedule below. Certain trust accounts may be granted a one-time discounted fee rate based on external
legal expenses paid for trust document revisions necessary to transfer their accounts to Private Wealth. This
fee rate reduction is applied to the first billing period after which such accounts will be charged according
to the agreed upon fee schedule.
Fees for individually managed or
organization accounts that are
not philanthropic are tier priced
as follows:
Individually Managed/Family Office/Non- Philanthropic Organization Accounts
Account Size (AUM)
First $2,000,000.00
Next $3,000,000.00
Next $5,000,000.00
Next $10,000,000.00
For balances over $20,000,000.00
Fee (Annual Percentage)
1.20%
0.75%
0.60%
0.50%
0.40%
Fee (Annual Percentage)
Fees for any non-profit or tax-
exempt organization account are
tier priced as follows:
Philanthropic Accounts
Account Size (AUM)
First $2,000,000.00
Next $3,000,000.00
Next $5,000,000.00
For balances over $10,000,000.00
1.20%
0.75%
0.60%
0.25%
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Fees for households allocated
90% or more in fixed income
positions and/or strategies as
follows:
Fixed Income Accounts
Account Size (AUM)
First $5,000,000.00
Next $5,000,000.00
Next $5,000,000.00
For balances over $15,000,000.00
Fee (Annual Percentage)
0.45%
0.35%
0.30%
0.25%
Fees for Investment Management Services are billed monthly, in arrears, meaning that we assess fees to
you after the monthly billing period has ended. Fees are calculated on the basis of daily average balance,
which is determined by averaging your account’s day-end values for the days of the month your account is
active. Asset additions to or withdrawals from an account during the billing period are accounted for during
fee billing as of the day of addition or withdrawal. Payment in full is expected upon assessment of fees.
Fees may be deducted from a designated client account to facilitate billing. The client must consent in
advance to direct debiting of their investment account. Clients may also choose to pay by check.
Private placements and alternative investments under management are billed differently as they use old
valuations, and billing will fluctuate based on when valuations are updated.
Please refer to your agreement with us for specific details on the amount and way we are compensated by
you for providing Investment Management Services.
Wealth Management Services
Wealth Management fees are based on a negotiated flat fee divided into installment payments, contracted
usually for twelve-month term, but may vary depending on the needs of the client. Payment terms and
further details will be found in the agreement between us and the client for Wealth Management Services.
Selection of Other Advisors
Our advisory fee will be in addition to the fee you pay to the Third-Party Advisors. Our advisory fee is set
within a range provided by Third-Party Advisors for the service of referring clients and assuming the
fiduciary responsibility of the Third-Party Advisors to meet your objectives. The advisory fee you pay to
the Third-Party Advisors is in addition to the management fee paid to Private Wealth for Investment
Management Services. This creates a conflict of interest because greater compensation may be received by
us when clients engage with a Third-Party Advisor recommended by us. In other words, we have an
incentive to recommend Third-Party Advisors, and we may be further incentivized to recommend one
Third-party Advisor over another Third-Party Advisor with whom we have less favorable compensation
arrangements or other advisory programs offered by Third-Party Advisors with which we have no
compensation arrangements. Clients are not obligated to use any of the sub advisor recommendations.
Please refer to your agreement with us for Investment Management Services for specific information on
how we are compensated for recommending Third-Party Advisors and the additional fees you will pay for
using such advisors.
Third-Party/Custodian Fees
As applicable for all Investment Advisory Services, custodians may charge transaction fees on purchases
or sales of securities. These transaction charges are usually small and incidental to the purchase or sale of
a security. During the process to select securities for client accounts, the fee that the custodian charges to
buy or sell the security is one of many factors taken into consideration when determining a security selection
and the value to a client. These charges are in addition to the fees paid by a client to Private Wealth.
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Mutual funds generally charge a management fee for their services as investment managers. The
management fee is called an expense ratio. For example, an expense ratio of 0.50 means that the mutual
fund company charges 0.5% for their services per annum. These fees are in addition to the fees paid by a
client to Private Wealth. This will reduce net investment returns on a client’s portfolios. Performance
figures quoted by mutual fund companies in various publications are after their fees have been deducted.
As with custodian fees, these charges are in addition to the fees paid by a client to Private Wealth.
Advance Fee Payments
Regarding Investment Advisory Services, with the exception of Wealth Management Services and Business
Transition Planning, Private Wealth charges fees in arrears, not in advance.
Other Compensation
Some of Private Wealth's representatives are Registered Representatives of Purshe Kaplan Sterling
Investments, Inc. ("PKS"), member FINRA/SIPC. PKS is not affiliated with Private Wealth. As such, they
are able to accept compensation for the sale of securities or other investment products, including distribution
or service ("trail") fees from the sale of mutual funds. The practice of accepting commissions for the sale
of securities presents a conflict of interest as it creates an incentive to recommend investment products
based on compensation received. This conflict is addressed through disclosure of this incentive.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-by-Side Management
Private Wealth does not charge performance-based fees (i.e., fees calculated based on a share of capital
gains on or capital appreciation of the client’s assets or any portion of the client’s assets). Consequently,
we do not engage in side-by-side management of accounts that are charged a performance-based fee with
accounts that are charged another type of fee (such as assets under management).
Item 7: Types of Clients
The Firm offers a variety of services, including investment advisory and non-investment advisory services.
These services are provided to:
Individuals (including high net worth individuals)
•
• Family offices
• Trusts
• Estates
• Philanthropic and non-profit organizations
• Other types of business entities
• Retirement plans
Minimum Account Size
The Firm does not have a required minimum account size for Investment Advisory Services. However,
Third-Party Advisors, as described in Items 4 and 5, may have minimum requirements based on their
investment model and strategies.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods Of Analysis
The Firm may use any one, or a combination of the following methods, when considering investment
strategies and recommendations. Sub Advisors may use strategies not listed. Please refer to their ADV
Brochure for more information.
Broad Investment Philosophy:
We believe that investment success requires a disciplined and systematic approach. Our investment
philosophy is grounded in the academic tenets of Modern Portfolio Theory tempered by pragmatic
investment experience. We manage capital on behalf of our clients’ best interest.
Strategic Asset Allocation:
We believe that strategic asset allocation is the main driver of performance. How much to allocate to stocks
(large, mid, small, growth, value, domestic, foreign developed, emerging foreign), bonds (investment grade,
high yield, preferred stock, inflation-indexed, short, intermediate, long-term, domestic, foreign, etc.) and
other asset classes (REITS, Commodities, etc.) is the most important decision. While still crucial to success,
manager selection explains a far smaller component of performance. We believe that alpha can best be
quantified and is more persistent (skill is more identifiable) in alternative and niche asset classes /
investment strategies. We do not believe timing the market is effective as a long-term source of excess
returns (net of expenses and opportunity costs), but where we view tactical inefficiencies in capital markets,
we will exploit for the benefit of our clients. When appropriate we utilize a core/satellite approach to
investing. Appropriateness depends on asset classes, available managers, and the risk/return profile of the
client portfolio.
Tactical Asset Allocation:
Data shows markets can be inefficient and prices at the security, sector, or asset class level may be
disconnected from intrinsic values. When the Private Wealth Asset Management Investment Committee
(“PWAM IC”) believes securities, sectors, or asset classes may be under- or over-valued, we may make
tactical changes to take advantage of these temporary dislocations.
Economic Review
An economic analysis determines the economic environment over a certain time horizon. This involves
reviewing global economic data such as gross domestic product, inflation, employment, interest rates,
spending and saving, money supply and much more. A risk of this strategy involves its use of trailing
indicators that confirm what has already occurred.
Political and Policy Review:
Politics and policy impact economies and capital markets. The PWAM IC may review the global
geopolitical landscape to see how changes in key political personnel or policy may impact client
investments.
Manager Selection
We hold core principles that are often key points of analysis and/or discussion in our consideration of an
investment manager. Those are:
• Cost (explicit and implicit)
• Alignment of incentives.
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis are stronger together and limited apart.
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• Competitive advantage is rare.
• Bad operational controls may override a good investment thesis.
Costs
Investments may have implicit or explicit costs associated with transactions or holding the investment. We
perform cost analysis to make decisions in the best interest of our clients.
Fundamental Review
Fundamental analysis is a method of evaluating a company or security by attempting to measure its intrinsic
value. Fundamental analysis attempts to determine the true value of a company or security by looking at all
aspects of the company of security, including both tangible factors (e.g., machinery, buildings, land, etc.)
and intangible factors (e.g., patents, trademarks, “brand” names, etc.). Fundamental analysis also involves
examining related economic factors (e.g., overall economy and industry conditions, etc.), financial factors
(e.g., company debt, interest rates, management salaries and bonuses, etc.), and quantitative factors (e.g.,
debt-to-equity and price-to-equity ratios). The end goal of performing fundamental analysis is to produce a
value that an investor can compare with the security’s current price with the aim of determining what sort
of position to take with that security (e.g., if underpriced, the security should be bought; if overpriced the
security should be sold). Fundamental analysis uses real data to evaluate a security’s value.
Cyclical Review
A cyclical analysis assumes the market may react in reoccurring patterns that can be identified and
leveraged to provide performance. Cyclical analysis of economic cycles is used to determine how these
reoccurring patterns, or cycles, affect the returns of a given investment, asset, or company. Cyclical analysis
is a time- based assessment which incorporates past and present performance to determine future value.
Cyclical analysis exists because the broad economy has been shown to move in cycles, from periods of
peak performance to periods of low performance. The risks of this strategy are two-fold: (1) the markets do
not always repeat cyclical patterns; and (2) if too many investors begin to implement this strategy, it changes
the very cycles of which they are trying to take advantage.
Technical Review
Technical analysis is a method of evaluating securities that analyzes statistics generated by market activity,
such as past prices and volume. Technical analysis does not attempt to measure a security’s intrinsic value,
but instead uses past market data and statistical tools to identify patterns.
Charting Review
Charting is a technical analysis that charts the patterns of securities to see patterns in price movement. It is
a way of gathering and processing price and volume information in a security by applying mathematical
equations and plotting the resulting data onto graphs to find patterns in price movements. A graphical
historical record assists the analyst in spotting the effect of key events on a security’s price, its performance
over a period, and whether it is trading near its high, near its low, or in between. Charting is not used to
make long-term decisions in investing but may help identify potential preferential entry points.
Investment Strategy Risks
Investing inherently involves risk up to and including loss of the principal sum. Further, past performance
of any security is not necessarily indicative of future results. Therefore, future performance of any specific
investment or investment strategy based on past performance should not be assumed as a guarantee. Private
Wealth does not provide any representation or guarantee that the financial goals of clients will be achieved.
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The potential return or gain and potential risk or loss of an investment varies with the type of product
invested in. Below is an overview of the types of products available on the market and the associated risks
of each:
• General Risks. Investing in securities always involves risk of loss that you should be prepared to
bear. We do not represent or guarantee that our services or methods of analysis can or will predict
future results, successfully identify market tops or bottoms, or insulate clients from losses due to
market corrections or declines. We cannot offer any guarantees or promises that your financial
goals and objectives can or will be met. Past performance is in no way an indication of future
performance. We also cannot assure that third parties will satisfy their obligations in a timely
manner or perform as expected or marketed.
• General Market Risk. Investment returns will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of the
portfolio securities. Certain securities held may be worth less than the price originally paid for
them, or less than they were worth at an earlier time.
• Common Stocks. Investments in common stocks, both directly and indirectly through investment
in shares of ETFs, may fluctuate in value in response to many factors, including, but not limited to,
the activities of the individual companies, general market and economic conditions, interest rates,
and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject certain strategies to potential losses.
During temporary or extended bear markets, the value of common stocks will decline, which could
also result in losses for each strategy.
• Portfolio Turnover Risk. High rates of portfolio turnover could lower the performance of an
investment strategy due to increased costs and may result in the realization of capital gains. If an
investment strategy realizes capital gains when it sells its portfolio investments, it will increase
taxable distributions to you. High rates of portfolio turnover in a given year would likely result in
short-term capital gains and under current tax law you would be taxed on short-term capital gains
at ordinary income tax rates, if held in a taxable account.
• Non-Diversified Strategy Risk. Some investment strategies may be non-diversified (e.g.,
investing a greater percentage of portfolio assets in a particular issuer and owning fewer securities
than a diversified strategy). Accordingly, each such strategy is subject to the risk that a large loss
in an individual issuer will cause a greater loss than it would if the strategy held a larger number of
securities or smaller positions sizes.
• Model Risk. Financial and economic data series are subject to regime shifts, meaning past
information may lack value under future market conditions. Models are based upon assumptions
that may prove invalid or incorrect under many market environments. We may use certain model
outputs to help identify market opportunities and/or to make certain asset allocation decisions.
There is no guarantee that any model will work under all market conditions. For this reason, we
include model-related results as part of our investment decision process, but we often weigh
professional judgment more heavily in making trades or asset allocations.
• ETF Risks, including Net Asset Valuations and Tracking Error. An ETFʼs performance may
not exactly match the performance of the index or market benchmark that the ETF is designed to
track because 1) the ETF will incur expenses and transaction costs not incurred by any applicable
index or market benchmark; 2) certain securities comprising the index or market benchmark tracked
by the ETF may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable; and 3) supply and demand in the
market for either the ETF and/or for the securities held by the ETF may cause the ETF shares to
trade at a premium or discount to the actual net asset value of the securities owned by the ETF.
Certain ETF strategies may from time to time include the purchase of fixed income, commodities,
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foreign securities, American Depository Receipts, or other securities for which expenses and
commission rates could be higher than normally charged for exchange-traded equity securities, and
for which market quotations or valuation may be limited or inaccurate. Clients should be aware that
to the extent they invest in ETF securities they will pay two levels of advisory compensation ‒
advisory fees charged by advisor plus any advisory fees charged by the issuer of the ETF. This
scenario may cause a higher advisory cost (and potentially lower investment returns) than if a client
purchased the ETF directly. An ETF typically includes embedded expenses that may reduce the
ETFʼs net asset value, and therefore directly affect the ETFʼs performance and indirectly affect a
Clients portfolio performance or an index benchmark comparison. Expenses of the ETF may
include investment advisor management fees, custodian fees, brokerage commissions, and legal
and accounting fees. ETF expenses may change from time to time at the sole discretion of the ETF
issuer. ETF tracking error and expenses may vary.
•
Inflation, Currency, and Interest Rate Risks. Security prices and portfolio returns will likely
vary in response to changes in inflation and interest rates. Inflation causes the value of future dollars
to be worth less and may reduce the purchasing power of an investor’s future interest payments and
principal. Inflation also generally leads to higher interest rates, which in turn may cause the value
of many types of fixed income investments to decline. In addition, the relative value of the U.S.
dollar- denominated assets primarily managed by advisor may be affected by the risk that currency
devaluations affect client purchasing power.
• Liquidity Risk. Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash to prevent a loss,
realize an anticipated profit, or otherwise transfer funds out of the particular investment. Generally,
investments are more liquid if the investment has an established market of purchasers and sellers,
such as a stock or bond listed on a national securities exchange. Conversely, investments that do
not have an established market of purchasers and sellers may be considered illiquid. Your
investment in illiquid investments may be for an indefinite time, because of the lack of purchasers
willing to convert your investment to cash or other assets.
• Legislative and Tax Risk. Performance may directly or indirectly be affected by government
legislation or regulation, which may include, but is not limited to: changes in investment advisor
or securities trading regulation; change in the U.S. governments guarantee of ultimate payment of
principal and interest on certain government securities; and changes in the tax code that could affect
interest income, income characterization and/or tax reporting obligations, particularly for options,
swaps, master
limited partnerships, Real Estate Investment Trust, Exchange Traded
Products/Funds/ Securities. We do not engage in tax planning, and in certain circumstances a client
may incur taxable income on their investments without a cash distribution to pay the tax due.
Clients and their personal tax advisors are responsible for how the transactions in their account are
reported to the IRS or any other taxing authority.
• Foreign Investing and Emerging Markets Risk. Foreign investing involves risks not typically
associated with U.S. investments, and the risks may be exacerbated further in emerging market
countries. These risks may include, among others, adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values,
as well as adverse political, social and economic developments affecting one or more foreign
countries. In addition, foreign investing may involve less publicly available information and more
volatile or less liquid securities markets, particularly in markets that trade a small number of
securities, have unstable governments, or involve limited industry. Investments in foreign countries
could be affected by factors that are not present in the U.S, such as restrictions on receiving the
investment proceeds from a foreign country, foreign tax laws or tax withholding requirements,
unique trade clearance or settlement procedures, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual
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obligations or other legal rules that jeopardize shareholder protection. Foreign accounting may be
less transparent than U.S. accounting practices and foreign regulation may be inadequate or
irregular.
•
Information Security Risk. We may be susceptible to risks to the confidentiality and security of
its operations and proprietary and customer information. Information risks, including theft or
corruption of electronically stored data, denial of service attacks on our website or websites of our
third-party service providers, and the unauthorized release of confidential information are a few of
the more common risks faced by us and other investment advisors. Data security breaches of our
electronic data infrastructure could have the effect of disrupting our operations and compromising
our customers’ confidential and personally identifiable information. Such breaches could result in
an inability of us to conduct business, potential losses, including identity theft and theft of
investment funds from customers, and other adverse consequences to customers. We have taken
and will continue to take steps to detect and limit the risks associated with these threats.
• Tax Risks. Tax laws and regulations applicable to an account with an adviser may be subject to
change and unanticipated tax liabilities may be incurred by an investor as a result of such changes.
In addition, customers may experience adverse tax consequences from the early assignment of
options purchased for a customer’s account. Customers should consult their tax advisors and
counsel to determine the potential tax-related consequences of investing.
• Advisory Risk. There is no guarantee that our judgment or investment decisions on behalf of any
particular account will necessarily produce the intended results. Our judgment may prove to be
incorrect, and you might not achieve your investment objectives. In addition, it is possible that we
may experience computer equipment failure, loss of internet access, viruses, or other events that
may impair access to account custodian software. advisor and its representatives are not responsible
to any account losses unless they are caused by our breaching our fiduciary duty.
• Dependence on Key Employees. An accounts success depends, in part, upon the ability of our key
professionals to achieve the targeted investment goals. The loss of any of these key personnel could
adversely impact on the ability to achieve such investment goals and objectives of the account.
• Margin Risk. We may use leverage in investing. Such leverage may be obtained through various
means. The use of short-term margin borrowings may result in certain additional risks to Accounts.
For example, should the securities pledged to a broker to secure a margin account decline in value,
a margin call may be issued pursuant to which additional funds would be required to be deposited
with the broker or the broker would affect a mandatory liquidation of the pledged securities to
compensate for the decline in value. We might not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to pay
off the margin debt and the Accounts may therefore also suffer additional significant losses as a
result of such default. Although borrowing money increases returns if returns on the incremental
investments purchased with the borrowed accounts exceed the borrowing costs for such accounts,
the use of leverage decreases returns if returns earned on such incremental investments are less than
the costs of such borrowings.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would-be material to your evaluation of Private Wealth or the integrity of
Private Wealth’s management. Private Wealth has no information which is applicable to this
Item.
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Item 10: Other Financial Activities and Affiliations
Registration as a Broker Dealer or Broker Dealer Representative
Private Wealth is not registered and does not have an application pending to register, as a broker/dealer and
its management persons are not registered as broker/dealer representative. As discussed in Item 5, one of
Private Wealth’s representatives is a registered representative of Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments
(“PKS”), member FINRA/SIPC. PKS is not affiliated with Private Wealth. Transactions made in these
channels pay commissions, which presents a conflict of interest as there is an incentive to recommend
products based on commissions earned. To mitigate this potential conflict, Private Wealth will act in the
client’s best interest; the client is under no obligation to act upon any particular recommendation.
Transactions made in investment advisory accounts managed by Private Wealth’s custodian and not to the
referenced broker/dealer.
Registration As a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator
Private Wealth and its management persons are not registered, and do not have application pending to
register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator/advisor.
Affiliated Insurance Company
Supervised persons of Private Wealth are licensed insurance agents in the registered jurisdictions. Private
Wealth is a registered insurance agency and works with multiple insurance brokers (“Insurance Brokers”).
To the extent insurance products are offered to advisory clients of Private Wealth, the Insurance Brokers
will pay Private Wealth a commission which is paid by the insurance company who issues the policy. This
creates a conflict of interest as there is an incentive for them to recommend insurance products based on
the compensation received, rather than on the client’s needs. Notwithstanding such conflict of interest,
Private Wealth. Addresses its fiduciary duty by utilizing insurance products only where it is in the best
interest of clients, and after consultation with, and approval of the client.
Relationships Material to This Advisory Business And Possible Conflicts Of Interest
Ownership
There is a conflict of interest related to the common ownership of Private Wealth and Fidelis Capital
Partners, LLC (“Fidelis”). Fidelis is an investment adviser registered with the SEC. Private Wealth and
Fidelis share common ownership of Shareholders. The Shareholders may also share common ownership in
other Registered Investment Advisors.
Client Investment
Additionally, there is a conflict of interest related to the certain investors in Private Wealth who are also
clients of Private Wealth (“Client Investors”). The Client Investors have equity interests in Private Wealth,
and as such, their investment creates a conflict of interest with Private Wealth due to their dual role as both
a client and investor in Private Wealth. To mitigate this conflict of interest, the conflicts of interest are
discussed and disclosed to the respective Client Investors. Private Wealth makes no recommendation to the
Client Investors to invest in Private Wealth, and this investment is not reflected as an asset of the Client
Investors’ that is under the management of Private Wealth.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Personal Trading
Fiduciary Status
According to SEC law, an investment advisor is considered a fiduciary. As a fiduciary, it is an investment
advisor’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts. In addition, an investment
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advisor has a duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of each of its clients. Private Wealth
and its representatives have a fiduciary duty to all clients. Private Wealth and its representative’s fiduciary
duty to clients is considered the core underlying principle for Private Wealth’s Code of Ethics and represents
the expected basis for all representatives’ dealings with clients.
Description Of Code Of Ethics
Private Wealth has the responsibility to ensure that the interests of clients are placed ahead of the Firm or
advisers of the Firm financial interest. All employees will conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair
manner and will comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times. Full disclosure of all material
facts and potential conflicts of interest will be provided to clients prior to services being conducted. All
employees have a responsibility to avoid circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect the
employees’ duty of complete loyalty to their clients,
In view of applicable provisions of relevant law, Private Wealth has adopted a Code of Ethics to specify
and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of interest (or the potential or
appearance of such conflicts) and to establish reporting requirements and enforcement procedures relating
to personal trading by Private Wealth personnel. The Code of Ethics is available to any client or prospective
client upon request. Contact our Chief Compliance Officer, Matthew Murray, at matt.murray@joot.io.
All employees must read and acknowledge in writing they understand and agree to comply with Private
Wealth’s Code of Ethics. In addition, Private Wealth outlines all business and regulatory requirements in
its Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual. Employees are also required to read and acknowledge in
writing they understand and agree to comply with the Compliance Policies and Procedures adopted and
enforced by Private Wealth.
Employees Acting as Trustees
Certain employees of the Firm act as trustees of client accounts where they can receive compensation on
the account through the Firm and potentially in their capacity as trustee. This creates a conflict of interest
as these employees are incentivized by virtue of their compensation as trustee. As discussed throughout this
Brochure, Investment Advisory Services are provided to clients based on the specific client’s requirements
(investment objectives, risk tolerances, etc.), and exceptions are not made for client accounts where
employees act as trustee. Further, as discussed in Item 15, Private Wealth is deemed to have custody of
client assets where an employee of Private Wealth acts as trustee for the account. As such, these accounts
are subject to certain audit requirements.
Employee Trading
Private Wealth or its representatives may buy or sell securities or have an interest or position in a security
for their personal account, which they also may recommend to clients. Private Wealth is and shall continue
to comply with state and federal insider trading and securities fraud laws. As these situations may represent
a potential conflict of interest, it is a policy of the Firm that no representative shall place his or her own
investment choices above those of the advisory client. Employees may not trade with clients; as a preventive
measure; generally, representative trades in covered securities in covered accounts are required to be
precleared in advance by the Firm, subject to certain exceptions.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selection And Recommendation
Private Wealth has a duty to select brokers, dealers and other trading venues that provide best execution for
clients. The duty of best execution requires an investment advisor to seek to execute securities transactions
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for clients in such a manner that the clientʼs total cost or proceeds in each transaction is the most favorable
under the circumstances, considering all relevant factors. The lowest possible commission, although very
important, is not the only consideration. The broker dealer Private Wealth currently utilizes is Fidelity
Institutional.
It is the policy of the Firm to seek best execution in all portfolio trading activities for all investment
disciplines and products, regardless of whether commissions are charged. This applies to trading in any
instrument, security, or contract including equities, bonds, and forward or derivative contracts.
The standards and procedures governing best execution are set forth in several written policies. Generally,
to achieve best execution, Private Wealth considers the following factors, without limitation, between
similar brokers or custodial platforms in selecting a broker or intermediary:
Information comparing markets’ availability.
• Responsiveness.
• Recordkeeping.
• Ability and willingness to commit capital.
• Available technology.
• Ability to address current market conditions.
• Data Security.
• Quantity and quality of research received from
the broker/dealer.
• Services and Pricing.
• Execution capability.
• Order size and market depth.
• Competing markets and liquidity availability.
• Trading characteristics of the security.
•
• Confidentiality.
• Reputation and integrity.
Private Wealth evaluates the execution, performance, risk profile and provides ongoing due diligence of
the broker/dealers and Third-Party Managers and Investment Platforms it uses at least quarterly.
Research And Other Soft Dollar Benefits
Soft dollar practices are arrangements whereby an investment advisor directs transactions to a broker/ dealer
in exchange for certain products and services that are allowable under SEC rules. Client commissions may
be used to pay for brokerage and research services and products as long as they are eligible under Section
28€ of the Exchange Act of 1934. Section 28(e) sets forth a “safe harbor,” which provides that an investment
advisor that has discretion over a client account is not in breach of its fiduciary duty when paying more
than the lowest commission rate available if the advisor determines in good faith that the rate paid is
commensurate with the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker/dealer.
The Firm does not have any written soft dollar arrangements, but pursuant to the safe harbor, Private Wealth
receives, without cost from Fidelity, administrative support, computer software, related systems support, as
well as other third-party support as further described below (together “Support”) which allow Private
Wealth to better monitor client accounts maintained at Fidelity and otherwise conduct its business. The
Firm receives the Support without cost because the Firm renders investment management services to Clients
that maintain assets at Fidelity. Support is not provided in connection with securities transactions of clients.
The Support benefits the Firm, but not its Clients directly. Clients should be aware that Private Wealth’s
receipt of economic benefits such as the Support from a broker/dealer creates a conflict of interest since
these benefits will influence the Firm’s choice of broker/dealer over another that does not furnish similar
software, systems support or services. In fulfilling its duties to its clients, the Firm endeavors at all times to
put the interests of its clients first and has determined that the recommendation of Fidelity is in the best
interest of clients and satisfies the Firm’s duty to seek best execution.
Specifically, Private Wealth receives the following benefits and Support from Fidelity:
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i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
receipt of duplicate client confirmations and bundled duplicate statements.
access to a trading desk that exclusively services its institutional traders.
access to block trading which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions and then
allocate the appropriate shares to client accounts; and
access to an electronic communication network for client order entry and account information.
In addition, the Firm receives funds to be used toward qualifying third-party service providers for research,
marketing, compliance, technology and software platforms and services. These services generally are
available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a
certain amount of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at Fidelity. Fidelity’s services
include brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research,
including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and other investments
that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher
minimum initial investment.
For client accounts maintained in its custody, Fidelity 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 Fidelity or that settle into Fidelity accounts.
Fidelity also makes available to the Firm other products and services that benefit the Firm but may not
benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or Firm-specific educational
events organized and/or sponsored by Fidelity. Other potential benefits may include occasional business
entertainment of personnel of Private Wealth by Fidelity personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting
events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany
educational opportunities.
Other products and services assist Private Wealth 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), provide research, pricing information and other
market data, facilitate payment of the Firm’s fees from its clients’ accounts, 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 the Firm’s accounts, including accounts not maintained
at Fidelity. Fidelity also makes available to Private Wealth other services intended to help the Firm manage
and further develop its business enterprise.
These services may include professional compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and
conferences on practice management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance,
employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Fidelity may
make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to the Firm by independent
third parties. Fidelity 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 the Firm.
Client Referrals
Private Wealth does not receive client referrals from third parties for recommending the use of specific
broker/dealer brokerage services.
Directed Brokerage
Securities transactions are executed by brokers selected by Private Wealth in its discretion and without the
consent of clients. Private Wealth selects the broker/dealer of its custodian, Fidelity. Not all advisory firms
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require their clients to direct brokerage to certain broker/dealer firms. By directing brokerage, Private
Wealth may not be able to achieve most favorable execution on client transactions.
Clients of Private Wealth will generally not direct brokerage, a practice known as “Client Directed
Brokerage.” Not all advisory firms require clients to use a certain broker/dealer, and clients may pay more
for trade execution than they would if they did not direct brokerage arrangements because of the Firm’s
inability to negotiate commission rates and evaluate the execution quality of such brokers.
Loan Advance Accounts
Your portfolio assets may be “pledged” or used as collateral, with our consent, in connection with loans
obtained through the Lending Program. Under such Lending Programs, you may receive loan proceeds as
a result of an arrangement whereby your account is pledged to the lender utilized (“Lender”). If you have
elected to participate in a Lending Program, the terms and conditions applicable to that Lending Program
are governed by the applicable loan documents and other service agreements and are not included or
described further in this Brochure. You should carefully review the terms, conditions and any related risk
disclosures for such Lending Program and understand that such risks may be heightened in the event you
hold a concentrated position in your pledged account or if your pledged account makes up all, or
substantially all, of your overall net worth or investable assets. A collateral call could disrupt our investment
strategy for the account. You should consult with your own independent tax advisor in order to fully
understand the tax implications associated with pledging your Account as loan collateral and the potential
liquidation of pledged assets. You are encouraged to speak with your Financial Advisor to the extent you
have questions about how your account may be used in connection with a Lending Program and how such
arrangement should be taken into consideration when discussing the management of your account.
If a client decides to enter into Lending Program with a Lender, the following should be carefully
considered:
• The client is borrowing money that will have to be repaid to the Lender.
• Pledge arrangements are only available for non-qualified accounts.
• Unlike a margin account, non-purpose loans cannot be used to purchase additional securities.
• The client, as the borrower, is using cash and securities that the client owns in the account as
collateral.
• The client will be charged an interest rate that is subject to change.
• The Lender is responsible for reviewing the loan documentation and any other documents the
Lender may require for the client to obtain the loan. The Lender, in its sole discretion, will
determine the credit worthiness of the applicant, including the amount of the loan.
Prior to establishing a loan with a Lender, you should carefully review the loan agreement, loan application
and any other form required by a Lender in order to process the loan.
Order Aggregation
Private Wealth may, at times, aggregate sale and purchase orders of securities (“block trading”) for advisory
accounts managed on a discretionary basis with similar orders, in order to obtain the best pricing averages
and minimize trading costs, when applicable. This practice is likely to result in administrative convenience
or an overall economic benefit to the client. Clients also benefit relatively from better purchase or sales
execution prices, or beneficial timing of transactions, or a combination of these and other factors. Aggregate
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orders will be allocated to client accounts in a systematic non-preferential manner. Private Wealth may
aggregate or “bunch” transactions for a clientʼs account with those of other clients in an effort to obtain the
best execution.
It should be noted that with respect to client portfolios managed on a non-discretionary basis, transactions
will generally be effected independently of transactions in other client accounts, and to the extent Private
Wealth recommends a trade relating to the same or a related security for a client account, such trades will
generally occur after trades have been executed for other accounts managed by Private Wealth on a
discretionary basis. As a result of the independent nature of the execution of transactions for non-
discretionary accounts, transactions in the same securities are generally not combined or “batched,” and
thus, Private Wealth will not generally be able to “average price” non-discretionary securities transactions
in an Account.
Trade Error Policy
Private Wealth maintains a record of any trading errors that occur in connection with investment activities
of its clients. Losses that result from a trading error made by Private Wealth will be absorbed by Private
Wealth and will not be passed on to the client. Gains that result from a trading error are donated to charity
by Fidelity.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
The investment advisor representative evaluates the client’s accounts based on the client’s investment
objectives and meets with the client at least annually to identify any changes needed to their investment
strategy. The investment adviser representative determines the model and strategy effectiveness in
obtaining the client’s goals and makes appropriate changes. Overall portfolio performance analysis for the
Firm and rate of returns are monitored and evaluated by the Investment Committee periodically.
Intermittent Review Factors
Intermittent reviews may be triggered by substantial market fluctuation, economic or political events, or
changes in the client’s financial status (such as retirement, termination of employment, relocation,
inheritance, etc.). Clients are advised to notify Private Wealth promptly if there are any material changes in
their financial situation, investment objectives, or in the event they wish to place restrictions on their
account. These life changes are discussed in client meetings in order to confirm the best investment strategy
is in place to meet the client’s needs.
Reports
Clients may receive confirmations of purchases and sales in their accounts, and will receive, at least
quarterly, statements containing account information such as account value, transactions, and other relevant
information. Confirmations and statements are prepared and delivered by Fidelity.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Affiliated Insurance Company
As discussed in Item 10, some of Private Wealth’s investment adviser representatives are licensed as
insurance agents. Private Wealth and its agents have contracts with various insurance companies. To the
extent insurance products are purchased by advisory clients, Private Wealth will be paid a commission by
the insurance company who issues the policy. This creates a conflict of interest, as there is an incentive for
the agents to recommend insurance products based on the compensation received, rather than on the client’s
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needs. Notwithstanding such conflict of interest, advisory clients are under no obligation to purchase
insurance products through Private wealth, and Private Wealth addresses its fiduciary duty by utilizing
insurance products only where it is in the best interest of clients, and after consultation with the client.
Employee Trustee Activities
Employees of Private Wealth may act as trustee over certain client assets. This creates a conflict as the
trustee-employees would be incentivized to place client assets with Private Wealth. These employees may
receive compensation for acting as trustee on the client account, in addition to compensation through Private
Wealth for having those assets managed by Private Wealth.
Investor Referral Arrangements
Referral Arrangements
Private Wealth pays certain referral partners for soliciting and referring new clients for advisory services
offered by us. Each referral is judged on its own merits, and the referral partners will be compensated a
referral fee in an amount equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees actually received from clients
who have been introduced to it by the Referral Partner. The referral partners are subject to conflicts of
interest arising from this referral arrangement because the payments might induce the referral partners to
recommend advisory services which the referral partners might not otherwise recommend if there was no
payment. We address this conflict of interest by disclosing the referral relationship herein, and the
acknowledgement that a potential investor is not obligated to utilize the investment advisory services
offered by us. Private Wealth’s participation in these referral partners’ referral arrangements does not
diminish our fiduciary obligations to you.
Cash Deposit Sweep Account Program
Private Wealth may refer clients to participate in a cash deposit sweep account program that is offered
through Flourish Cash. Private Wealth is paid 25 basis points of the total interest earned on the balance of
the Client’s account held at Flourish Cash, which is calculated on a daily basis and payable to Private
Wealth on a monthly basis. The client will be provided with a Supplement Disclosure Statement which will
disclose the referral arrangement to Flourish by Private Wealth. Thus, Private Wealth has an indirect
financial interest in referring such clients. Notwithstanding the above, these referral accounts will be subject
to proper, and customary, disclosure including but not limited to compensation received by Private Wealth.
Item 15: Custody
Custody Of Assets
Custody means holding, directly or indirectly, client funds or securities or having any authority to obtain
possession of them. With certain exceptions discussed below, Private Wealth does not have direct custody
of any client funds and/or securities through its traditional asset management programs, which are held by
Fidelity. Currently, Private Wealth utilizes Fidelity Institutional as custodian. Refer to item 12, Brokerage
Practices for Fidelity Institutional.
Employees Acting as Trustees
Clients may ask an employee of Private Wealth to act as trustee over their account. Custody audits are
performed by an independent public accountant registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board engaged by Private Wealth on such accounts.
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Direct Debiting of Fees
Although Private Wealth does not take custody or possession of the funds or securities that a client has
placed under its management; however, Private Wealth is deemed by the SEC to have custody of those
accounts where fees are debited directly from the client’s custodian bank account. We previously disclosed
in the "Fees and Compensation" section (Item 5) of this Brochure that our firm directly debits advisory fees
from client accounts.
However, a surprise examination is not required because Private Wealth has written authorization from
each client to deduct advisory fees from the account held with the qualified custodian, and each time a fee
is directly deducted from a client account, the client's custodian is advised of the amount of the fee to be
deducted from that client's account, and the custodian is required to send to the client a statement showing
all any advisory fees paid.
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.
In addition to the periodic statements that clients receive directly from their custodians, we will provide
account statements directly to our clients upon request. While Private Wealth makes every effort to provide
accurate statements, we urge our clients to carefully compare the information provided on our statements
to statements provided by their custodian in order to ensure that all account transactions, holdings and
values are correct and current.
Standing Letters of Authority
Private Wealth has been deemed to have custody as a result of your providing us with Standing Letters of
Authorization (“SLOA(s)”) to withdraw funds from your portfolio account to pay third parties.
Notwithstanding that, a surprise examination is not required as we are relying on the conditions set forth in
the No-Action letter issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2017. Pursuant to
the conditions set forth in the No-Action Letter, Private Wealth confirms that (1) you provide an instruction
to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the your 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; (2) you authorize us, 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; (3) Fidelity performs
appropriate verification of the instruction, such as a signature review or other method to verify the your
authorization, and Fidelity provides a transfer of funds notice to you promptly after each transfer; (4) you
have the ability to terminate or change the instruction to Fidelity; (5) we have 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 your instruction; (6) we maintain records showing that the third party is not a related
party of Private Wealth or located at the same address as Private Wealth; and (7) Fidelity sends you, in
writing, an initial notice confirming the instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Private Wealth provides continuous and regular investment advisory services on both discretionary and
non-discretionary accounts. The extent to which Private Wealth exercises discretion over the investment
selection in a client account, as well as any limitations on Private Wealth’s discretionary authority (if any)
is as agreed with each client and/or as stated in each client agreement or other investment management
agreement. Any client agreements are executed at the commencement of each account opening, prior to
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Private Wealth’s assumption of discretionary authority, if any. Private Wealth’s authority can be limited by
client-imposed investment objectives and strategies.
Private Wealth may exercise full discretionary authority to supervise and direct the investments of a client
account. This authority will be granted by clients upon completion of the agreement for Investment
Management Services. This authority allows Private Wealth and its affiliates to implement investment
decisions without prior consultation with the client. Such investment decisions are made in the client’s best
interest and in accordance with the clients investment objectives.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Proxy Voting
On an ongoing basis, and as a matter of our policy and practice, Private Wealth will not have any authority
to and will not vote proxies on behalf of advisory clients. Clients will retain the responsibility for receiving
and voting proxies for any and all securities maintained in client portfolios.
Notwithstanding that, while we are currently transitioning clients, we do currently vote proxies for a number
of clients. With respect to those clients, we follow our written proxy voting policies and procedures (“Proxy
Policy”) which states that proxies are to be voted in client’s best interests. We utilize a third- party proxy
voting service, International Shareholder Services (ISS), to provide proxy voting services.
While the Firm has ultimate responsibility for voting proxies, ISS will execute the actual voting. The Firm
has decided to vote as suggested by ISS unless Private Wealth otherwise directs ISS to vote differently. We
do not exercise influence or control over ISS in their conduct of voting proxies.
The CCO, along with the Investment Committee, will review quarterly reports provided by ISS to confirm
their voting philosophy aligns with Private Wealth. If a client requests their proxy vote to be handled
differently than ISS, a request will be made, and the CCO will submit this request to ISS to vote accordingly.
Private Wealth engages Third-Party Managers who vote proxies on behalf of clients in which Private
Wealth does not have influence over voting. Proxies are voted at their discretion based on the Proxy Policies
of those Third-Party Managers. This information can be found in their respective Form ADV Part 2A.
You may contact the Chief Compliance Officer, Matthew Murray, at matt.murray@joot.io, to request a
copy of our Proxy Policy and/or to request how proxies were voted.
Class Action Litigation
Private Wealth may advise clients on shareholder class action litigations involving securities held or
previously held in client accounts. Private Wealth will not be responsible for responding to or forwarding
class action settlement offers relating to securities currently or previously held in client accounts to clients
but will offer advice on how the client should proceed.
Item 18: Financial Information
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures about financial condition
which would impede our ability to provide the advisory services described herein. Private Wealth has no
financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to clients, and
has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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Item 19: Other Information
Business Continuity Plan
Private Wealth has developed a Business Continuity Plan to address how we will respond to events that
may disrupt its business. Since timing and impact of disasters is unpredictable, we will have to be flexible
in responding to the events as they occur. This plan is designed to permit us to resume operations as quickly
as possible, given the scope and severity of the significant business disruption. The Business Continuity
Plan covers data backup and recovery, mission critical systems financial and operational assessments,
alternative communications, alternate business locations, bank and counter-party impact, regulatory
reporting and the assurance of prompt access to funds and securities for our customers.
Varying Disruptions – Significant business disruptions can vary in their scope, such as emergencies
affecting only a single building housing Private Wealth, the business district where we are located, the city
where we are located, or the whole region. Within each of these areas, the severity of the disruption can
also vary from minimal to severe. In a disruption to only us or a building housing us, we will transfer our
operations to an emergency-ready local site, moving a select group of trained employees and expecting to
recover and resume business within four hours. In a disruption affecting our business district, city, or region,
we will move appropriate staff to a site outside of the affected area to be able to communicate with Fidelity
Distributors Company LLC on behalf of our clients. In either situation, we plan to continue in business,
transferring operations to our clearing firm, if necessary.
If you have questions about our Business Continuity Plan, please feel free to contact us.
Privacy Policy Notice
Private Wealth (“we” or “our”) respects your right to privacy and recognizes our responsibility for
protecting the privacy and security of the personal information we receive from you. We have always been
committed to securing the confidentiality and integrity of your personal information. We are proud of our
privacy practices and want our current and prospective customers to understand what information we collect
and how we use it.
Why We Collect Your Information
We gather and keep only information about you that is necessary for us to provide the services requested
by you, administer your business with us, design and improve the services we offer and comply with the
laws and regulations that govern us.
What Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of ‘nonpublic personal information’ about you:
•
•
•
Information about your identity, such as your name, address, and social security number.
Information about your transactions; and
Information about your personal financial profile, such as your risk tolerance levels, goals and
objectives, assets, liabilities, savings, and investments.
What Sources We Obtain Your Information From
We collect nonpublic personal information about our clients, such as you, from the following sources:
• We receive information from you on contracts or other forms, such as risk tolerance questionnaires
and/or investment policy statements.
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•
•
Information about your transactions with our affiliates, or others.
If you visit our web site, information we collect via a web server (often referred to as a “cookie”).
Cookies indicate where a site visitor has been online and what has been viewed.
What Information We Disclose
We only share your non-public personal information with your representative within our firm, affiliates,
and non-affiliated companies or individuals as permitted by law, such as mutual funds, insurance
companies, and other product vendors, or to comply with legal or regulatory requirements. With your
approval, we also may share information with your advisors, which can include your accountant and/or
attorney. Additionally, in the normal course of our business, we may disclose information we collect about
you to companies or individuals that contract with us to perform servicing functions such as:
• Record keeping.
• Computer related services.
• Good faith disclosure to regulators who have regulatory authority over the company.
Companies we hire to provide support services are not allowed to use your personal information for their
own purposes and are contractually obligated to maintain strict confidentiality. We limit their use of your
personal information to the performance of the specific service we have requested. Notwithstanding the
above, we will not release information about our customers or former customers unless we receive your
prior written consent, we believe the recipient to be you or your authorized representative or we are required
by law to release information to the recipient.
We do not sell your personal information to anyone.
Confidentiality and Security
We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information. We also
restrict access to your personal and financial data to our authorized associates who have a need for these
records. We require all nonaffiliated organizations and vendors to keep client data confidential and use
appropriate security measures to protect it. They must also be contractually obligated to keep the
information provided confidential and used as requested. Furthermore, we will continue to adhere to the
privacy policies and practices described in this notice even after your account is closed or becomes inactive.
Changes to Our Privacy Notice
We will continue to conduct our business in a manner that conforms to our pledge to you, your expectations,
and all applicable laws; however, our policy about obtaining and disclosing information may change from
time to time. We will provide you with notice of any material change to this policy before we implement
the change.
Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies
We may track users by IP address, by cookies (e.g., pieces of code or text placed on your computer by us
or third parties when you browse our websites), by web beacons and other data collection methods for broad
demographic data, as well as to help make sure that we are delivering the information you want. Our website
sends cookies to your web browser (if your browser’s preferences allow it) to collect data when you browse
our website(s). Cookie settings can be controlled in your Internet browser to automatically reject some
forms of cookies. If you view our website without changing your cookie settings, you are indicating your
consent to receive all cookies from our website(s). If you do not allow cookies, some features and
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functionality of our website(s) may not operate as expected. In addition to cookies, we place technological
tools (and allow certain third parties to place technological tools) such as tags and beacons (e.g., code
scripts that are primarily used to track visitors’ activities on our website(s) by web analytics software),
Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and other tools, to collect your data for the purposes listed in this Privacy
Policy. “Do Not Track” signals are options available on your browser to tell operators of websites that you
do not wish to have your online activity tracked. Our websites operate no differently if these “Do Not
Track” signals are enabled or disabled.
California Privacy Rights Spam
Under California Civil Code Section 1798.83, California customers are entitled to request information
relating to whether a business has disclosed personal information to any third parties for the third parties’
direct marketing purposes. That notice will identify the categories of information shared and will include a
list of the third parties and affiliates with which it was shared, along with their names and addresses. If you
are a California resident and would like to make such a request, please submit your request in writing at the
address information below.
Opt-Out Provisions
We have taken steps to assure that all third-party vendors have confidentiality clauses to protect your
information. Should we not have such written agreements in place, then you have the option to “opt-out”
of the sharing of this information. If you desire to opt out for those instances that we do not have the
confidentiality clause, you should provide us with written instructions forwarded to the Chief Compliance
Officer at the address set out above. Additionally, the law allows you to "opt out" of only certain kinds of
information sharing with third parties. We do not share personal information about you with any third
parties that trigger this opt-out right. This means you have already opted out of these sharing situations.
To Contact Us
If you have questions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at 888-611-7926.
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