Overview
Assets Under Management: $921 million
Headquarters: RICHMOND, VA
High-Net-Worth Clients: 167
Average Client Assets: $4 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A)
Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
---|---|---|
$0 | $500,000 | 1.50% |
$500,001 | $1,000,000 | 1.25% |
$1,000,001 | $2,500,000 | 1.00% |
$2,500,001 | $4,000,000 | 0.85% |
$4,000,001 | $5,500,000 | 0.75% |
$5,500,001 | $7,000,000 | 0.70% |
$7,000,001 | $8,500,000 | 0.65% |
$8,500,001 | $10,000,000 | 0.60% |
$10,000,001 | and above | 0.55% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
---|---|---|
$1 million | $13,750 | 1.38% |
$5 million | $49,000 | 0.98% |
$10 million | $82,000 | 0.82% |
$50 million | $302,000 | 0.60% |
$100 million | $577,000 | 0.58% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 167
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 65.93
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $4 million
Total Client Accounts: 1,901
Discretionary Accounts: 1,901
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 106744
Last Filing Date: 2024-12-03 00:00:00
Website: HTTPS://WWW.VERUSFP.COM
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: ADV PART 2A (2025-03-26)
View Document Text
Item 1
Cover Page
Verus Financial Partners
SEC File Number: 801 – 41983
Brochure
Dated March 26, 2025
Contact: Julie Waitman, Chief Compliance Officer
9030 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 160
Richmond, VA 23235
www.verusfp.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Verus Financial
Partners (the “Registrant”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
us at (804) 562‐3465 or julie@verusfp.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or
verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Verus Financial Partners is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
References herein to Verus Financial Partners as a “registered investment adviser” or any reference to
being “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Item 2
Material Changes
There have been no material changes to this Brochure since the last annual amendment filing dated March
25, 2024.
ANY QUESTIONS: Verus’ Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman, remains available to address any
questions regarding any portion of this disclosure statement.
Table of Contents
Item 3
Item 1
Cover Page ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Item 2 Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3
Advisory Business ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4
Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................................................. 7
Item 5
Performance‐Based Fees and Side‐by‐Side Management ......................................................................... 8
Item 6
Item 7
Types of Clients .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ................................................................... 9
Item 9
Disciplinary Information .......................................................................................................................... 10
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................................. 10
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ............................ 10
Item 12 Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................. 11
Item 13 Review of Accounts.................................................................................................................................. 13
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................................................... 13
Item 15 Custody .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Item 16
Investment Discretion .............................................................................................................................. 14
Item 17 Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................................ 15
Financial Information ............................................................................................................................... 15
Item 18
2
Item 4
Advisory Business
A. Verus Financial Partners (the “Registrant”) is a corporation formed on July 1, 1992 in the
State of Virginia. The Registrant registered as an Investment Adviser Firm in July 1992. The
Registrant is principally owned by David A. Kozlowski, Julie A. Waitman, Edward L. Hoppe,
III; and William J. Lagos, Jr.
B. As discussed below, the Registrant offers to its clients (primarily individuals and families)
investment advisory services, and, to the extent specifically requested by a client, financial
planning and related consulting services, and tax planning/preparation services (tax
preparation per the terms of a separate agreement).
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
If a client determines to engage the Registrant to provide discretionary investment advisory
services on a fee‐only basis, which fee is generally (with exceptions at the discretion of the
Registrant) based upon a percentage of the assets placed under the Registrant’s
management per the fee schedule set forth at Item 5 below. Before engaging the Registrant
to provide investment advisory services, clients are required to enter into a discretionary
Investment Advisory Agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement
(including termination), which describes the fees and services to be provided.
for conflict of
Please Note: Retirement Rollovers‐Potential for Conflict of Interest: A client or prospective
client leaving an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan
(and may engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former
employer’s plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is
available and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account
(“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the client’s age,
result in adverse tax consequences). If Registrant recommends that a client roll over their
retirement plan assets
into an account to be managed by Registrant, such a
recommendation creates a conflict of interest if Registrant will earn new (or increase its
current) compensation because of the rollover. If Registrant provides a recommendation as
to whether a client should engage in a rollover or not (whether it is from an employer’s plan
or an existing IRA), Registrant is acting as a fiduciary 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. No client is under any obligation to roll over
retirement plan assets to an account managed by Registrant, whether it is from an
employer’s plan or an existing IRA. Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman,
remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may have
regarding the potential
interest presented by such rollover
recommendation.
MISCELLANEOUS
Neither the Registrant, nor any of its representatives, serves as an attorney or licensed
insurance agent, and no portion of the Registrant’s services should be construed as same.
Accordingly, the Registrant does not prepare legal documents (including estate planning
documents) or sell insurance products. To the extent requested by a client, the Registrant
3
may recommend the services of other professionals for certain non‐investment
implementation purposes (i.e., attorneys, accountants, insurance, etc.). The client is under
no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended professional. The client
retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or
reject any recommendation from the Registrant. Please Note: If the client engages any such
recommended professional, and a dispute arises thereafter relative to such engagement,
the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from and against the engaged professional. At
all times, the engaged licensed professional[s] (i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent,
etc.), and not Registrant, shall be responsible for the quality and competency of the services
provided. Please Also Note: It remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify the
Registrant if there is ever any change in his/her/its financial situation or investment
objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising Registrant’s previous
recommendations and/or services.
Custodian Charges‐ Additional Fees: As discussed below at Items 5 and 12, when requested
to recommend a broker‐dealer/custodian for client accounts, Registrant generally
recommends that Charles Schwab & Co. (“Schwab”) serve as the broker‐dealer/custodian
for client investment management assets. Schwab purchased TD Ameritrade in 2020 and all
client accounts were converted to Schwab accounts in September 2023. Broker‐dealers such
Schwab charge brokerage commissions, transaction, and/or other type fees for effecting
certain types of securities transactions (i.e., including transaction fees for certain mutual
funds, and mark‐ups and mark‐downs charged for fixed income transactions, etc.). The types
of securities for which transaction fees, commissions, and/or other type fees (as well as the
amount of those fees) shall differ depending upon the broker‐dealer/custodian (while
certain custodians, including Schwab, do not currently charge fees on individual equity
transactions, including ETFs, others do). These fees/charges are in addition to Registrant’s
investment advisory fee at Item 5 below. Registrant does not receive any portion of these
fees/charges.
Use of Mutual and Exchange‐Traded Funds: Most mutual funds and exchange‐traded funds
are available directly to the public. Thus, a prospective client can obtain many of the funds
that may be utilized by Registrant independent of engaging Registrant as an investment
advisor. However, if a prospective client determines to do so, he/she will not receive
Registrant’s initial and ongoing investment advisory services. The mutual funds and
exchange traded funds utilized by the Registrant are generally available directly to the
public. Thus, a client can generally obtain the funds recommended and/or utilized by
Registrant independent of engaging Registrant as an investment advisor. However, if a
prospective client does so, then they will not receive Registrant's initial and ongoing
investment advisory services.
Please Note‐ Use of DFA Mutual Funds: Registrant utilizes mutual funds issued
by Dimensional Fund Advisors (“DFA”). DFA funds are generally only available
through registered investment advisers approved by DFA. Thus, if the client was
to terminate Registrant’s services, and transition to another adviser who has not
been approved by DFA to utilize DFA funds, restrictions regarding additional
purchases of, or reallocation among other DFA funds, will generally apply. Please
Also Note: In addition to Registrant’s investment advisory fee described below,
and transaction and/or custodial fees discussed below, clients will also incur,
relative to all mutual fund and exchange‐traded fund purchases, charges imposed
4
at the fund level (e.g., management fees and other fund expenses). ANY
QUESTIONS: Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman, remains
available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may have
regarding the above.
Portfolio Activity: Registrant has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the
client’s best interest. Registrant will review client portfolios on an ongoing basis to
determine if any changes are necessary based upon various factors, including, but not
limited to, investment performance, market conditions, fund manager tenure, style drift,
account additions/withdrawals, and/or a change in the client’s investment objective. Based
upon these factors, there may be extended periods of time when Registrant determines that
changes to a client’s portfolio are unnecessary. Clients remain subject to the fees described
in Item 5 below during periods of portfolio inactivity. Of course, as indicated below, there
can be no assurance that investment decisions made by the Registrant will be profitable or
equal any specific performance level(s).
Please Note: Cash Positions: Registrant continues to treat cash as an asset class. As such,
unless determined to the contrary by Registrant, all cash positions (money markets, etc.)
shall continue to be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating
Registrant’s advisory fee. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or
anticipated market conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated
market conditions/events will occur), Registrant may maintain cash positions for defensive
purposes. In addition, while assets are maintained in cash, such amounts could miss market
advances. Depending upon current yields, at any point in time, Registrant’s advisory fee
could exceed the interest paid by the client’s money market fund. ANY QUESTIONS:
Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman, remains available to address any
questions that a client or prospective may have regarding the above fee billing practice.
Cash Sweep Accounts: Certain account custodians can require that cash proceeds from
account transactions or new deposits, be swept to and/or initially maintained in a specific
custodian designated sweep account. The yield on the sweep account will generally be lower
than those available for other money market accounts. When this occurs, to help mitigate the
corresponding yield dispersion, Registrant shall (usually within 30 days thereafter) generally
(with exceptions) purchase a higher yielding money market fund (or other type security)
available on the custodian’s platform, unless Registrant reasonably anticipates that it will
utilize the cash proceeds during the subsequent 30‐day period to purchase additional
investments for the client’s account. Exceptions and/or modifications can and will occur with
respect to all or a portion of the cash balances for various reasons, including, but not limited
to the amount of dispersion between the sweep account and a money market fund, the size
of the cash balance, an indication from the client of an imminent need for such cash, or the
client has a demonstrated history of writing checks from the account. Please Note: The above
does not apply to the cash component maintained within a Registrant actively managed
investment strategy (the cash balances for which shall generally remain in the custodian
designated cash sweep account), an indication from the client of a need for access to such
cash, assets allocated to an unaffiliated investment manager, and cash balances maintained
for fee billing purposes. Please Also Note: The client shall remain exclusively responsible for
yield dispersion/cash balance decisions and corresponding transactions for cash balances
maintained in any Registrant unmanaged accounts.
5
Client Obligations: In performing its services, Registrant shall not be required to verify any
information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is expressly
authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains his/her/its
responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any change in his/her/its
financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising
Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Please Note: Investment Risk: Different types of investments involve varying degrees of
risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or
investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended
or undertaken by Registrant) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
Cybersecurity Risk: The information technology systems and networks that Registrant and
its third‐party service providers use to provide services to Registrant’s clients employ various
controls that are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from intentional or
unintentional actions that could cause significant interruptions in Registrant’s operations
and/or result in the unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or non‐public
personal information. In accordance with Regulation S‐P, the Registrant is committed to
protecting the privacy and security of its clients' non‐public personal information by
implementing appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Registrant has
established processes to mitigate the risks of cybersecurity incidents, including the
requirement to restrict access to such sensitive data and to monitor its systems for potential
breaches. Clients and Registrant are nonetheless subject to the risk of cybersecurity
incidents that could ultimately cause them to incur financial losses and/or other adverse
consequences. Although the Registrant has established processes to reduce the risk of
cybersecurity incidents, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be successful,
especially considering that the Registrant does not control the cybersecurity measures and
policies employed by third‐party service providers, issuers of securities, broker‐dealers,
qualified custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges, and other
financial market operators and providers. In compliance with Regulation S‐P, the Registrant
will notify clients in the event of a data breach involving their non‐public personal
information as required by applicable state and federal laws.
Disclosure Brochure: A copy of the Registrant’s written Brochure as set forth on Part 2A of
Form ADV shall be provided to each client prior to, or contemporaneously with, the
execution of the Investment Advisory Agreement or Financial Planning and Consulting
Agreement.
C. The Registrant shall provide investment advisory services specific to the needs of each client.
Prior to providing investment advisory services, an investment adviser representative will
ascertain each client’s investment objective(s). Thereafter, the Registrant shall allocate
and/or recommend that the client allocate investment assets consistent with the designated
investment objective(s). The client may, at any time, impose reasonable restrictions, in
writing, on the Registrant’s services.
D. The Registrant does not participate in a wrap fee program.
E. As of December 31, 2024, the Registrant had $1,004,534,117 in assets under management
on a discretionary basis.
6
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A. The client can determine to engage the Registrant to provide discretionary investment
advisory services on a fee‐only basis. Generally (with exceptions at the discretion of the
Registrant) the Registrant’s annual fee is based upon a percentage of the assets placed
under the Registrant’s management per the following fee schedule:
Assets Under Management
Fee Rate
$0 to $500,000
1.50%
$500,001 to $1,000,000
1.25%
$1,000,001 to $2,500,000:
1.00%;
$2,500,001 to $4,000,000:
0.85%;
$4,000,001 to $5,500,000:
0.75%;
$5,500,001 to $7,000,000:
0.70%;
$7,000,001 to $8,500,000:
0.65%;
$8,500,001 to $10,000,000:
0.60%;
Above $ $10,000,001:
0.55%
Management fees are reflected above as the annual total percentage charged to clients
based on assets under management at the end of the client’s billing period. One quarter of
the annual fee percentage is then applied to the client’s next quarter activity. If a client
elects to terminate Registrant’s services prior to the end of a billing period, the unearned
portion of the fee is reimbursed to the client and calculated from the written date of
termination notification.
The Registrant generally requires a portfolio minimum asset level of $1,000,000 for
investment advisory services. The Registrant, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive its
minimum portfolio requirement.
Fee Dispersion: Registrant, in its discretion, may charge a lesser or greater investment
advisory fee, charge a flat fee, waive its fee entirely, or charge fee on a different interval,
based upon certain criteria (i.e., anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future
additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed, related accounts, account
composition, complexity of the engagement, anticipated services to be rendered,
grandfathered fee schedules, employees and family members, courtesy accounts,
competition, negotiations with client, etc.). The advisory fee payable shall be confirmed, in
writing. Please Note: As result of the above, similarly situated clients could pay different
fees. In addition, similar advisory services may be available from other investment advisers
for similar or lower fees. Please Also Note: If a client that engaged the Registrant’s service
subsequent to July 1, 2021 who maintains less than $1 million in assets under the
Registrant’s management, the client will pay a higher percentage advisory fee than the
1.00% reflected in the above fee schedule. ANY QUESTIONS: Registrant’s Chief Compliance
7
Officer, Julie Waitman, remains available to address any questions that a client or
prospective client may have regarding advisory fees.
B. Clients may elect to have the Registrant’s advisory fees deducted from their custodial
account. Both Registrant's Investment Advisory Agreement and the custodial/clearing
agreement may authorize the custodian to debit the account for the Registrant's investment
advisory fee and to directly remit that management fee to the Registrant in compliance with
regulatory procedures. In the limited event that the Registrant bills the client directly,
payment is due upon receipt of the Registrant’s invoice. The Registrant shall deduct fees
and/or bill clients quarterly, in advance, based upon the market value of the assets on the
last business day of the previous billing quarter.
C. Custodian Charges‐ Additional Fees: As discussed below at Item 12, unless the client directs
otherwise or an individual client’s circumstances require, the Registrant shall generally
recommend that Charles Schwab & Co. (“Schwab”) serve as the broker‐dealer/custodian for
client investment management assets. Broker‐dealers such as Schwab charge brokerage
commissions, transaction, and/or other type fees for effecting certain types of securities
transactions (i.e., including transaction fees for certain mutual funds, and mark‐ups and
mark‐downs charged for fixed income transactions, etc.). The types of securities for which
transaction fees, commissions, and/or other type fees (as well as the amount of those fees)
shall differ depending upon the broker‐dealer/custodian (while certain custodians, including
Schwab, do not currently charge fees on individual equity transactions, including ETFs,
others do). These fees/charges are in addition to Registrant’s investment advisory fee
referenced above. Registrant does not receive any portion of these fees/charges.
D. Registrant's annual investment advisory fee shall be prorated and paid quarterly, in advance
(for the next three months), based upon the market value of the assets on the last business
day of the previous billing quarter. The Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Registrant and the client will continue in effect until terminated by either party by written
notice in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Upon
termination, a pro‐rated portion of the advance advisory fee shall be reimbursed to the
client based upon the number of days remaining in the billing quarter after termination.
E. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives accept compensation from the sale of
securities or other investment products.
Item 6
Performance‐Based Fees and Side‐by‐Side Management
Neither the Registrant nor any supervised person of the Registrant accepts performance‐
based fees.
Item 7
Types of Clients
The Registrant’s clients are primarily comprised of individuals and families. The Registrant
generally requires a portfolio minimum asset level of $1,000,000 for investment advisory
services. The Registrant, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive its minimum portfolio
requirement. As also disclosed at Item 5 above, the Registrant, in its discretion, may charge
8
a lesser or greater investment advisory fee, charge a flat fee, waive its fee entirely, or charge
fee on a different interval, based upon certain criteria (i.e., anticipated future earning
capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed,
related accounts, account composition, complexity of the engagement, anticipated services
to be rendered, grandfathered fee schedules, employees and family members, courtesy
accounts, competition, negotiations with client, etc.). The advisory fee payable shall be
confirmed, in writing. Please Note: As result of the above, similarly situated clients could
pay different fees. In addition, similar advisory services may be available from other
investment advisers for similar or lower fees. Please Also Note: If a client that engaged the
Registrant’s service subsequent to July 1, 2021 maintains less than $1 million in assets under
the Registrant’s management, the client will pay a higher percentage advisory fee than the
1.50% reflected in the above fee schedule.
ANY QUESTIONS: Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman, remains available to
address any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding advisory fees.
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
A. The Registrant may utilize the following methods of security analysis:
• Fundamental ‐ (analysis performed on historical and present data, with the goal of
making financial forecasts)
The Registrant may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
•
Long Term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
• Short Term Purchases (securities sold within a year)
B. Please Note: Investment Risk: Different types of investments involve varying degrees of
risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or
investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended
or undertaken by the Registrant) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
The Registrant’s methods of analysis and investment strategies do not present any
significant or unusual risks.
However, every method of analysis has its own inherent risks. To perform an accurate
market analysis, the Registrant must have access to current/new market information. The
Registrant has no control over the dissemination rate of market information; therefore,
unbeknownst to the Registrant, certain analyses may be compiled with outdated market
information, severely limiting the value of the Registrant’s analysis. Furthermore, an
accurate market analysis can only produce a forecast of the direction of market values.
There can be no assurances that a forecasted change in market value will materialize into
actionable and/or profitable investment opportunities.
The Registrant’s primary investment strategies ‐ Long Term Purchases, Short Term
Purchases‐ are fundamental investment strategies. However, every investment strategy has
its own inherent risks and limitations. For example, longer term investment strategies
require a longer investment time period to allow for the strategy to potentially develop.
Shorter term investment strategies require a shorter investment time period to potentially
develop but, as a result of more frequent trading, may incur higher transactional costs when
compared to a longer‐term investment strategy.
9
C. Currently, the Registrant primarily allocates client investment assets among various mutual
funds and exchange‐traded funds (“ETFs”) on a discretionary basis in accordance with the
client’s designated investment objective(s).
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
The Registrant has not been the subject of any disciplinary actions.
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a broker‐dealer or a registered representative of a broker‐dealer.
B. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, a commodity
trading advisor, or a representative of the foregoing.
C. The Registrant has no other relationship or arrangement with a related person that is
material to its advisory business.
D. The Registrant does not receive, directly or indirectly, compensation from investment
advisors or other professionals that it recommends or selects for its clients.
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
A. The Registrant maintains an investment policy relative to personal securities transactions.
This investment policy is part of Registrant’s overall Code of Ethics, which serves to establish
a standard of business conduct for all of Registrant’s Representatives that is based upon
fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust, a copy of which is available
upon request.
In accordance with Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Registrant also
maintains and enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non‐public information by the Registrant or any person associated with the
Registrant.
B. Neither the Registrant nor any related person of Registrant recommends, buys, or sells for
client accounts, securities in which the Registrant or any related person of Registrant has a
material financial interest.
C. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities that are
also recommended to clients. This practice may create a situation where the Registrant
and/or representatives of the firm are in a position to materially benefit from the sale or
purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation creates a potential conflict of interest.
Practices such as “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security
recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the
10
rise in the market price which follows the recommendation) could take place if the
Registrant did not have adequate policies in place to detect such activities. In addition, this
requirement can help detect insider trading, “front‐running” (i.e., personal trades executed
prior to those of the Registrant’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.
The Registrant has a personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal
securities transactions and securities holdings of each of the Registrant’s “Access Persons”.
The Registrant’s securities transaction policy requires that Access Person of the Registrant
must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written report of their
current securities holdings within ten (10) days after becoming an Access Person.
Additionally, each Access Person must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her
designee with a written report of the Access Person’s current securities holdings at least
once each twelve (12) month period thereafter on a date the Registrant selects.
D. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities, at or
around the same time as those securities are recommended to clients. This practice creates
a situation where the Registrant and/or representatives of the firm are in a position to
materially benefit from the sale or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation
creates a potential conflict of interest. As indicated above in Item 11 C, the Registrant has a
personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal securities transaction
and securities holdings of each of Registrant’s Access Persons.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
A. In the event that the client requests that the Registrant recommend a broker‐
dealer/custodian for execution and/or custodial services (exclusive of those clients that may
direct the Registrant to use a specific broker‐dealer/custodian), Registrant generally
recommends that investment management accounts are maintained at Schwab. Prior to
engaging Registrant to provide investment management services, the client will be required
to enter into a formal Investment Advisory Agreement with Registrant setting forth the
terms and conditions under which Registrant shall manage the client's assets, and a separate
custodial/clearing agreement with each designated broker‐dealer/custodian.
Factors that the Registrant considers in recommending Schwab (or any other broker‐
dealer/custodian to clients) include historical relationship with the Registrant, financial
strength, reputation, execution capabilities, pricing, research, and service. Although the
commissions and/or transaction fees paid by Registrant's clients shall comply with the
Registrant's duty to obtain best execution, a client may pay a commission that is higher than
another qualified broker‐dealer might charge to affect the same transaction where the
Registrant determines, in good faith, that the commission/transaction fee is reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage and research services received. In seeking best
execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the
transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
range of a broker‐dealer services, including the value of research provided, execution
capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Registrant will seek
competitive rates, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for
client account transactions. The brokerage commissions or transaction fees charged by the
designated broker‐dealer/custodian are exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant's
investment management fee.
11
1. Non‐Soft Dollar Research and Additional Benefits
Although not a material consideration when determining whether to recommend that
a client utilize the services of a particular broker‐dealer/custodian, Registrant can
receive from Charles Schwab & Co. (or another broker‐dealer/custodian, mutual fund
sponsor, or vendor) without cost (and/or at a discount) support services and/or
products, certain of which assist the Registrant to better monitor and service client
accounts maintained at such institutions. Included within the support services that may
be obtained by the Registrant may be investment‐related research, pricing information
and market data, software and other technology that provide access to client account
data, compliance and/or practice management‐related publications, discounted or
gratis consulting services, discounted and/or gratis attendance at conferences,
meetings, and other educational and/or social events, marketing support, computer
hardware and/or software and/or other products used by Registrant in furtherance of
its investment advisory business operations.
As indicated above, certain of the support services and/or products that can be received
may assist the Registrant in managing and administering client accounts. Others do not
directly provide such assistance, but rather assist the Registrant to manage and further
develop its business enterprise.
Registrant’s clients do not pay more for investment transactions effected and/or assets
maintained at Schwab as the result of this arrangement. There is no corresponding
commitment made by the Registrant to Schwab or any other any entity to invest any
specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual funds, securities or
other investment products as result of the above arrangement.
The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman remains available to address
any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding the above
arrangements, and the corresponding conflict of interest presented by such
arrangements.
2. The Registrant does not receive referrals from broker‐dealers.
3. The Registrant does not generally accept directed brokerage arrangements (when a
client requires that account transactions be affected through a specific broker‐dealer).
In such client directed arrangements, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements
for their account with that broker‐dealer, and Registrant will not seek better execution
services or prices from other broker‐dealers or be able to "batch" the client's
transactions for execution through other broker‐dealers with orders for other accounts
managed by Registrant. As a result, client may pay higher commissions or other
transaction costs or greater spreads, or receive less favorable net prices, on transactions
for the account than would otherwise be the case.
Please Note: In the event that the client directs Registrant to effect securities
transactions for the client's accounts through a specific broker‐dealer, the client
correspondingly acknowledges that such direction may cause the accounts to incur
higher commissions or transaction costs than the accounts would otherwise incur had
the client determined to effect account transactions through alternative clearing
12
arrangements that may be available through Registrant. Higher transaction costs
adversely impact account performance.
4. Trade Errors When the Registrant causes a trade error. Prompt action is taking to resolve
the error with the objective of returning the client’s account to the position that it would
have been in had there been no error. The Registrant may maintain an error account
with certain qualified custodians for the purposes of accounting for the dollar impact of
errors that may occur and the netting of losses and gains when permitted. Losses are
absorbed by the Registrant consistent with the qualified custodians’ policies. The
Registrant, or the qualified custodian, can maintain any gains realized in order to offset
future losses. Those gains may also be donated to charity. The client is always made
whole in the event of an error.
The transactions for each client account generally will be affected independently, unless the
Registrant decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several clients at
approximately the same time. The Registrant may (but is not obligated to) combine or
“bunch” such orders to obtain best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission
rates or to allocate equitably among the Registrant’s clients’ differences in prices and
commissions or other transaction costs that might have been obtained had such orders been
placed independently. Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to price and
will be allocated among clients in proportion to the purchase and sale orders placed for each
client account on any given day. The Registrant shall not receive any additional
compensation or remuneration as the result of such aggregation.
Item 13
Review of Accounts
A. For those clients to whom Registrant provides investment supervisory services, account
reviews are conducted on an ongoing basis by the Registrant's Principals and/or
representatives. All investment supervisory clients are advised that it remains their
responsibility to advise the Registrant of any changes in their investment objectives and/or
financial situation. All clients (in person or via telephone) are encouraged to review financial
planning issues (to the extent applicable), investment objectives and account performance
with the Registrant on an annual basis.
B. The Registrant may conduct account reviews on an “other than periodic basis” upon the
occurrence of a triggering event, such as a change in client investment objectives and/or
financial situation, market corrections and client request.
C. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction confirmation notices and
regular written summary account statements directly from the broker‐dealer/custodian
and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The Registrant may also provide a written
periodic report summarizing account activity and performance, upon written request.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. As referenced in Item 12.A.1 above, the Registrant can receive an indirect economic benefit
from Schwab, or another vendor or service provider. The Registrant, without cost (and/or at
13
a discount), may receive support services and/or products from Schwab.
Registrant’s clients do not pay more for investment transactions effected and/or assets
maintained at Schwab as the result of this arrangement. There is no corresponding
commitment made by the Registrant to any custodian or any other any entity to invest any
specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual funds, securities, or
other investment products as result of the above arrangement.
The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman, remains available to address
any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding the above
arrangements and the corresponding conflicts of
interest presented by such
arrangements.
The Registrant does not maintain solicitor arrangements. Registrant does not compensate
individuals or entities for client introductions.
Item 15
Custody
Registrant shall have the ability to deduct its advisory fee from the client’s custodial account.
Clients are provided with written transaction confirmation notices, and a written summary
account statement directly from the custodian (i.e., Schwab, or another custodian) at least
quarterly. Please Note: To the extent that Registrant provides clients with periodic account
statements or reports, the client is urged to compare any statement or report provided by
Registrant with the account statements received from the account custodian. Please Also
Note: The account custodian does not verify the accuracy of Registrant’s advisory fee
calculation.
Certain clients have established asset transfer authorizations that permit the qualified
custodian to rely upon instructions from Registrant to transfer client funds or securities to
third parties. These arrangements are disclosed at Item 9 of Part 1 of Form ADV. However,
in accordance with the guidance provided in the SEC’s February 21, 2017 Investment Adviser
Association No‐Action Letter, the affected accounts are not subject to an annual surprise
CPA examination. In addition, from time‐to‐time, a member of the Registrant may serve in
a trustee capacity for a client requiring disclosure at Item 9 of Part 1 of Form ADV. Such
trustee service results in Registrant having custody under Rule 206(4)‐2 of the Advisers Act,
and will generally subject the Registrant to undergo an annual surprise CPA examination,
and make a corresponding Form ADV‐E filing with the SEC, for as long as the Registrant’s
member provides trustee services. ANY QUESTIONS: Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer,
Julie Waitman, remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective
client may have regarding custody‐related issues.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
The client can determine to engage the Registrant to provide investment advisory services
on a discretionary basis. Prior to the Registrant assuming discretionary authority over a
client’s account, client shall be required to execute an Investment Advisory Agreement,
naming the Registrant as client’s attorney and agent in fact, granting the Registrant full
authority to buy, sell, or otherwise effect investment transactions involving the assets in the
14
client’s name found in the discretionary account.
Clients who engage the Registrant on a discretionary basis may, at any time, impose
restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s discretionary authority (i.e.,
limit the
types/amounts of particular securities purchased for their account, exclude the ability to
purchase securities with an inverse relationship to the market, limit or proscribe the
Registrant’s use of margin, etc.).
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
A. Unless the client directs otherwise in writing, the Registrant is responsible for voting client
proxies. However, the client shall maintain exclusive responsibility for all legal proceedings or
other type events pertaining to the account assets, including, but not limited to, class action
lawsuits. The authority to vote proxies shall commence when the client completes the
appropriate areas of the Schwab account application(s). The Registrant has retained the
services of Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”), an independent proxy‐voting service provider,
to provide research, recommendations, and other proxy voting services for client proxies.
Absent a determination by Registrant to the contrary, client proxies will be voted in the
clients’ best interests in accordance with Glass Lewis’ guidelines and recommendations. Glass
Lewis is responsible for submitting all proxies in a timely manner and for maintaining
appropriate records of proxy votes. Clients may elect not to engage Registrant (in conjunction
with Glass Lewis) to vote proxies on their behalf. Information pertaining to how a specific
proxy was voted is available upon written request. Requests should be made by contacting
the Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman.
B. As set forth in 17.A., the Registrant votes client proxies using the professional services
of Glass Lewis & Company.
Item 18
Financial Information
A. The Registrant does not solicit fees of more than $1,200, per client, six months or more in
advance.
B. The Registrant is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its
ability to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over
certain client accounts.
C. The Registrant has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
ANY QUESTIONS: The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Julie Waitman, remains
available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding
the above disclosures and arrangements.
15