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Smith Financial Investment Advisors, Inc.
1830 S. Plate Street Kokomo, Indiana 46902
(765) 459-4111
March 26, 2025
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Smith
Financial Investment Advisors, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this
Brochure, please contact us at (765) 459-4111 or ricksmith@smithfinancial.com. The
information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Smith Financial Investment Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an
Investment Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written
communications of an Adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire
or retain an Adviser.
Additional information about Smith Financial Investment Advisors, Inc. also is available on the
SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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Item 2 – Material Changes
Since the last annual filing of this Form ADV Part 2A, dated February 27, 2024, there have been no
material changes.
Item 3 -Table of Contents
Item 2 – Material Changes ............................................................................................................................ ii
Item 3 -Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. ii
Item 4 – Advisory Business .......................................................................................................................... 1
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................................. 2
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ............................................................. 3
Item 7 – Types of Clients .............................................................................................................................. 3
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ....................................................... 3
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................................ 4
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................... 5
Item 11 – Code of Ethics .............................................................................................................................. 5
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices ...................................................................................................................... 6
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ...................................................................................................................... 7
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................... 7
Item 15 – Custody ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................... 8
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................................ 8
Item 18 – Financial Information ................................................................................................................... 8
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
Smith Financial Investment Advisors, Inc. (“SFIA”) is a SEC registered investment adviser, founded in January
2009 and Registered with the SEC in May 2010. SFIA is wholly owned by firm’s President, Richard A. Smith.
Including his time prior to founding SFIA, Richard Smith has over forty years of experience in the financial
services industry. As of December 31, 2024, SFIA manages approximately $378,041,361 of assets for individual,
retirement plan, and charitable foundation clients; we manage $265,280,158 of these monies on a discretionary
basis.
For information on SFIA’s key investment personnel, please see our Brochure Supplements.
SERVICES OFFERRED
Advisory Services
SFIA offers financial consulting services to clients including investment supervisory services, comprehensive
financial planning, retirement planning, education planning, estate planning, business consulting, insurance
review, asset allocation, and investment consulting. We believe that any investment, insurance or other financial
decision is best made in the context of a client’s complete financial picture and in the context of all of a client’s
financial goals, rather than independently. As part of these services, our advisors will typically collect and
analyze a comprehensive package of your financial data, including investments, insurance policies, tax returns,
wills and other estate planning documents and financial statements (business and personal), depending on the
scope of the engagement. SFIA enters into written agreements outlining the services that clients desire and that
we agree to complete.
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING
SFIA offers various retirement plan services, including investment supervisory services, administration, employee
enrollment and education, plan design review, vendor and service provider analysis, fiduciary investment review
and recommendation, development of investment policy statement, and investment committee/fiduciary education
and consultation. Our process is designed to maximize the participant experience through selection of quality,
diversified investment options by implementing a process for plan fiduciaries that complies with relevant laws,
regulations and fiduciary best practices, thus protecting plan fiduciaries from liability. As part of these services,
our advisors will typically collect plan documents and amendments, government filings, participant statements,
plan valuations, asset statements and vendor/provider agreements.
INVESTMENT ADVICE THROUGH CONSULTATIONS & ADVICE NOT INVOLVING SECURITIES
SFIA also provides investment advice and other advice not involving securities to clients through the course of
financial planning services. The fee is a negotiated, flat fee, charged in advance and determined by the complexity
of the client’s planning needs.
The financial planning process assists the client in determining their goals with regards to retirement, education,
life insurance, disability coverage, long-term health care, etc. It provides the framework for future planning
decisions based on the client’s goals. In addition, budgeting and cash flow management techniques are developed
when working with clients.
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Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
All fees are subject to negotiation.
The specific manner in SFIA charges fees is established in a client’s written agreement with SFIA. SFIA will
generally bill its fees on a quarterly basis in advance. Clients may also elect to be billed directly for fees or to
authorize SFIA to directly debit fees from client accounts. SFIA will prorate management fees for each capital
contribution and withdrawal made during the applicable calendar quarter (with the exception of de minimis
contributions and withdrawals). Accounts initiated or terminated during a calendar quarter will be charged a
prorated fee. Upon termination of any account, SFIA will promptly refund any prepaid, unearned fees, and any
earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable. Our fees for each offered service are explained in more detail
below.
ADVISORY SERVICES AND FEES
SFIA’s fees for investment supervisory services are generally a percentage of assets, charged quarterly, in
advance, based on market value of managed accounts at the end of the previous quarter. Such asset-based fees
may not exceed 2.50% of managed assets. If an account is opened or additional assets are deposited in or
transferred to a client account after the beginning of a quarter, fees are assessed on a prorated basis on the market
value of the assets at the time of funding reflecting the number of days remaining in the calendar quarter.
Our general fee schedule for these investment advisory services is as follows:
First $1,000,000 of assets managed
next $1,000,000
next $1,000,000
assets exceeding $3,000,000
1.0%
0.50%
0.40%
0.25%
For example, a client that invests $1,500,000 with SFIA would pay an (annualized) asset management fee of
$12,500, or 0.83% ($10,000 on the first $1,000,000, and $2,500 on the next $500,000).
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING
SFIA’s ongoing fees for investment supervisory services, administration, employee enrollment and education,
plan design review, vendor and service provider analysis, fiduciary investment review and recommendation,
development of investment policy statement, and investment committee/fiduciary education and consultation to
retirement plans are generally a percentage of plan assets, charged quarterly, in advance, not to exceed 2.50% of
plan assets. In circumstances where appropriate, SFIA may charge a flat negotiated fee, disclosed upfront and
due in advance.
Fees are customized by client, based on factors such as number of tasks, complexity of work and number of
participants; SFIA does not have a standardized fee schedule.
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INVESTMENT ADVICE THROUGH CONSULTATIONS & ADVICE NOT INVOLVING SECURITIES
Fees for other financial, estate and insurance planning services are generally flat, negotiated fees, payable in
advance. We have no standardized fee schedule; fees are negotiated based on factors such as complexity of work,
number of tasks and time required.
SFIA’s fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related costs and expenses which
shall be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain charges imposed by custodians, brokers, third party
investment and other third parties such as fees charged by managers, custodial fees, deferred sales charges, odd-
lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage
accounts and securities transactions. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds also charge internal management
fees, which are disclosed in a fund’s prospectus. Such charges, fees and commissions are exclusive of and in
addition to SFIA’s fee, and SFIA shall not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs.
Item 12 further describes the factors that SFIA considers in selecting or recommending broker-dealers for client
transactions and determining the reasonableness of their compensation (e.g., commissions).
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
SFIA does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains on or capital
appreciation of the assets of a client).
Item 7 – Types of Clients
SFIA provides portfolio management and financial, insurance and estate planning services to individuals, high net
worth individuals, corporate, non-profit and governmental pension and profit-sharing plans and charitable
institutions, foundations, endowments.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Investment Strategies, Methods of Analysis
SFIA primarily recommends mutual funds and exchange traded funds in constructing portfolios for clients. When
we feel it appropriate, we may also include individual fixed income investments (bonds and certificates of
deposit); In select situations, and at a client's request, SFIA will provide research on individual equity securities
and assist in determining individual equities' allocation with a client's profile.
SFIA generally constructs portfolios that are long-term in nature, using Modern Portfolio Theory to produce an
asset allocation model appropriate for a client’s risk tolerance and goals. SFIA selects asset classes strategically,
generally with the intent of holding a position in the asset class for many years. Asset classes may include U.S.
and Foreign Equities, U.S. and Foreign Fixed Income, Commodities and Real Estate. SFIA selects funds and
managers with the same intent: to employ their skills managing in an asset class for the long-term. SFIA may
allocate a portion of monies to managers with the flexibility to invest tactically or strategically across several asset
classes. Because of our long-term orientation, SFIA expects to trade infrequently.
SFIA primarily uses seven risk-based model portfolios as the base for recommended portfolios that we construct
for clients. SFIA’s advisors then customize these portfolios to reflect a client’s specific needs, such as tax
awareness or cash flow, as well as a client’s other investment holdings. To fund client cash flow needs over a
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one- to two- year period of time, SFIA’s advisors will allocate monies to more conservative portfolio, consisting
primarily of money market securities, certificates of deposits, U.S. government or government agency bonds or
mutual funds investing in these or similar securities.
Primarily for retirement plan clients, SFIA Advisors will also analyze and advise on selection of a line-up of
mutual funds, exchange traded funds, collective investment funds and investment managers based on a client-
specified list of asset classes. Unless a client directs specific criteria for fund or manager selection, SFIA uses the
same approach to analyzing funds and managers for SFIA’s model portfolios and fund lineups. Specifically,
SFIA will review quantitative and qualitative aspects of a fund or manager and the firm associated with the fund
or manager. SFIA generally prefers funds with experienced managers, long-term orientation (frequently exhibited
by low turnover) and that select securities based on bottom-up analysis of company fundamentals (frequently
associated with value-oriented managers), but also employs other strategies.
Risks
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. You may lose money investing
with SFIA. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. Accounts with SFIA
are not bank deposits. With the exception of securities issued by a governmental agency or Federally Insured
bank, investments are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
governmental agency, entity or person.
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The primary risks associated with our strategy include:
• Market risk. The risk that the market price of securities owned may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or
unpredictably. Such fluctuation may be due to factors affecting securities markets in general, factors affecting
a specific industry or factors affecting a specific issuer.
Interest Rate risk. Fixed Income securities face the risk of price declines when interest rates change;
specifically, traditional fixed income securities will decline in value when interest rates rise, and investors
may realize a loss of principal if the securities are not held to maturity.
• Credit risk. Fixed Income securities may lose value if the issuer or guarantor of the security is unable or
unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments or otherwise honor its obligations. Market price
declines may occur if market participants perceive that an issuer or guarantor may be unwilling or unable to
meet its obligations.
• Mutual fund managers may underperform their benchmark or peers, causing portfolios to underperform
relative to similar strategies. Risk associated with specific mutual funds are more thoroughly discussed in
each funds’ prospectus.
• Asset Allocation risk. The risk that the asset classes that SFIA selects, or the asset classes or industries that
fund managers invest in, underperform alternative asset classes or do not reach the value that SFIA or the
fund managers expect.
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 SFIA or the integrity of SFIA’s management. SFIA has no
information applicable to this Item.
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Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
The principal business of SFIA is as a registered investment adviser. However, Richard Smith is the President of
Smith Financial, LLC, which offers insurance services. SFIA’s other advisors and staff also support the
operations of Smith Financial, LLC. Acting in this capacity, Richard and Aaron may receive fees or commissions
as a result of products sold to clients. Richard Smith will spend approximately 50% of his time providing advisory
services, and 50% of his time in the Smith Financial, LLC operations.
Aaron Smith is sole proprietor of Aaron Smith d/b/a Aaron Smith Law Services, an Indiana law firm. When a
client or potential client has a need for legal work, SFIA may recommend Aaron Smith Law Services. Clients will
receive a disclosure stating the affiliation between SFIA and Aaron Smith Law Services, and clients are not
obligated to utilize the law firm. Aaron Smith spends approximately 20% of his time in Smith Financial, LLC
and Aaron Smith Law Services.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics
SFIA has adopted a Code of Ethics for all supervised persons of the firm describing its high standard of business
conduct, and fiduciary duty to its clients. The Code of Ethics includes provisions relating to the confidentiality of
client information, a prohibition on insider trading, a prohibition of rumor mongering, restrictions on the
acceptance of significant gifts and the reporting of certain gifts and business entertainment items, and personal
securities trading procedures, among other things. All supervised persons at SFIA must acknowledge the terms of
the Code of Ethics annually, or as amended.
SFIA anticipates that, in appropriate circumstances, consistent with clients’ investment objectives, it will cause
accounts over which SFIA has management authority to effect, and will recommend to investment advisory
clients or prospective clients, the purchase or sale of securities in which SFIA its affiliates and/or clients, directly
or indirectly, have a position of interest. SFIA’s employees and persons associated with SFIA are required to
follow SFIA’s Code of Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable laws, officers, directors and
employees of SFIA and its affiliates may trade for their own accounts in securities which are recommended to
and/or purchased for SFIA’s clients. The Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities
transactions, activities and interests of the employees of SFIA will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the
best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing employees
to invest for their own accounts. Under the Code certain classes of securities have been designated as exempt
transactions, based upon a determination that these would materially not interfere with the best interest of SFIA’s
clients. In addition, the Code requires pre-clearance of many transactions, and restricts trading in close proximity
to client trading activity. Nonetheless, because the Code of Ethics in some circumstances would permit employees
to invest in the same securities as clients, there is a possibility that employees might benefit from market activity
by a client in a security held by an employee. Employee trading is continually monitored under the Code of
Ethics, and to reasonably prevent conflicts of interest between SFIA and its clients.
Certain affiliated accounts may trade in the same securities with client accounts on an aggregated basis when
consistent with SFIA's obligation of best execution. In such circumstances, the affiliated and client accounts will
share commission costs equally and receive securities at a total average price. SFIA will retain records of the trade
order (specifying each participating account) and its allocation, which will be completed prior to the entry of the
aggregated order. Completed orders will be allocated as specified in the initial trade order. Partially filled orders
will be allocated on a pro rata basis. Any exceptions will be explained on the Order.
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Smith Financial Investment Advisor’s clients or prospective clients may request a copy of the firm's Code of
Ethics by contacting Aaron Smith.
It is SFIA’s policy that the firm will not affect any principal or agency cross securities transactions for client
accounts. SFIA will also not cross trades between client accounts. Principal transactions are generally defined as
transactions where an adviser, acting as principal for its own account or the account of an affiliated broker-dealer,
buys from or sells any security to any advisory client. A principal transaction may also be deemed to have
occurred if a security is crossed between an affiliated hedge fund and another client account. An agency cross
transaction is defined as a transaction where a person acts as an investment adviser in relation to a transaction in
which the investment adviser, or any person controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser,
acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another person on the other side of the transaction. Agency
cross transactions may arise where an adviser is dually registered as a broker-dealer or has an affiliated broker-
dealer.
Investment Advice Relating to Retirement Accounts
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual retirement
account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or
the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make
money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your
best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours 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.
In addition, and as required by this rule, we provide information regarding the services that we provide to you,
and any material conflicts of interest, in this brochure and in your client agreement.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
SFIA does not participate in soft dollar or directed brokerage commission arrangements. However, through its
relationship Charles Schwab, SFIA does receive certain services and products, such as fundamental research
reports, technical and portfolio analyses, pricing services, economic forecasting and general market information,
historical data base information and computer software that assist SFIA’s investment management process.
The primary aim of SFIA, through Charles Schwab, is to provide timely “best execution” of security trades. In
general, orders for the purchase or sale of securities placed first will be executed first, and within a reasonable
amount of time of order receipt. When advantageous to accounts, orders may be combined to facilitate execution
of a larger block trade. To the extent that an entire block trade cannot be consummated, allocation of securities
purchased among accounts will be made in a manner deemed equitable by SFIA or the applicable Investment
Manager. When required by a client, SFIA will direct trades to specific brokers. Clients who direct brokerage may
forgo benefits from savings on execution costs that may have otherwise obtained through, for example, volume
discounts on block trades.
From time-to-time, at least annually, SFIA Advisors reviews broker-dealers to serve as the primary custodian and
broker-dealer for SFIA’s clients. We focus our analysis on commission rates for mutual fund and exchange
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traded fund (ETF) trades, as these are the primary investment vehicles that we advise our clients invest in, and
trading technology, so that we can timely, efficiently and accurately manage client accounts.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
SFIA reviews advisory client accounts at least quarterly, as agreed to with the client and any significant change in
market conditions may prompt a review of all accounts. Reviews of investment accounts typically look at
portfolio consistency with regards to client's risk tolerance, tax situation, investment time horizon, performance
objectives, and asset allocation instructions. Reviews also cover account holdings, transactions, charges, and
performance as provided on Sponsor statements and other account reports. Assets that SFIA advises clients invest
in are reviewed continuously. The President and CCO meet quarterly, unless market conditions warrant more
frequent evaluation, to discuss changes in model portfolios. Advisory clients who also receive financial planning
advice are also reviewed at least annually for adherence to goals. Reviews cover progress toward financial
independence, anticipated distributions toward family legacy goals, anticipated distributions for social capital or
charitable goals, as well as other goals communicated by the client. In addition, accounts will be reviewed upon
notice of changes in a client's circumstances.
All accounts will be reviewed by the President, Richard A. Smith and Chief Compliance Officer, Aaron T. Smith
annually. Aaron Smith is responsible for all quarterly reviews.
Clients with advisory accounts are provided with quarterly performance statements. These reports include Time
Weighted Returns for the most recent quarter, twelve months and longer time periods, compared to a composite
benchmark. In addition, reports show a summary cash flows in and from the portfolio, asset allocation, a holdings
report and a comparison of the portfolio asset allocation to SFIA’s model allocation for clients of similar risk
tolerance. Through our relationship with Advent Black Diamond, SFIA may, in certain circumstances, also
provide consolidated reporting for clients on accounts not managed by SFIA. Clients will also receive monthly or
quarterly statements from the custodian or vendor, depending on the activity in the account.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
SFIA does not compensate any person or entity for referring clients to the firm and is not party to any
arrangement with any person or firm regarding the referral of clients.
Item 15 – Custody
SFIA has custody of client assets to the extent that we may withdraw its fees from client accounts, and certain
clients have standing letters of authorization on their accounts (see below). SFIA also has custody over certain
accounts because clients have provided us with login information to retirement plan or bank accounts for the
purpose of placing trades and downloading statements. In very limited circumstances, we perform bill pay
services at the request of the client, so that we can pay certain pre-approved bills for these clients. SFIA
undergoes an annual surprise examination by an independent public accountant to verify client funds and
securities in relation to these accounts in which SFIA has custody.
Clients should receive at least quarterly statements from the broker dealer, bank or other qualified custodian that
holds and maintains client’s investment assets. SFIA urges you to carefully review such statements and compare
such official custodial records to the account statements that we may provide to you. Our statements may vary
from custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, or valuation methodologies of certain
securities.
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Standing Letters of Authorization: SFIA does maintain a standing letter of authorization (SLOA) where the
funds or securities are being sent to a third party, and the following conditions are met:
a. The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the client’s
signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third party’s account
number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
b. The client authorizes SFIA, 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.
c. The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as a
signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization and provides a transfer of
funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
d. The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified custodian.
e. SFIA has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the third party, the address,
or any other information about the third party contained in the client’s instruction.
f. SFIA maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party of SFIA or located at
the same address as SFIA.
g. The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
SFIA usually receives discretionary authority from the client at the outset of an advisory relationship to select the
identity and amount of securities to be bought or sold. In all cases, however, such discretion is to be exercised in a
manner consistent with the stated investment objectives for the particular client account. To evidence granting
discretionary authority, clients execute the custodian’s limited power of attorney, which indicates the amount of
discretion granted to SFIA. The investment advisory agreement between SFIA and the client also describes the
discretionary authority the client grants to SFIA Advisors.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, SFIA observes the investment policies, limitations and
restrictions of the clients for which it advises.
Investment guidelines and restrictions must be provided to SFIA in writing.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
As a matter of firm policy and practice, SFIA does not have any authority to and does not vote proxies on behalf
of advisory clients. Clients retain the responsibility for receiving and voting proxies for any and all securities
maintained in client portfolios. SFIA may provide advice to clients regarding the clients’ voting of proxies.
Item 18 – Financial Information
Registered investment advisers are required in this Item to provide you with certain financial information or
disclosures about SFIA’s financial condition. SFIA 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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