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Item 1: Wrap Fee Program Brochure
March 2025
McGowanGroup Asset Management, Inc.
300 Crescent Court
Suite #1776
Dallas, TX 75201
Firm Contact:
Ismael L. Sanchez, Chief Compliance Officer
Firm’s Website Addresses:
www.themcgowangroup.com
www.networthradio.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
McGowanGroup Asset Management, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of
this brochure, please contact by
telephone at 214-720-4400 or email at
is@themcgowangroup.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 McGowanGroup Asset Management, Inc. also is available
on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Please note that the use of the term “Registered Investment Adviser” and description of
McGowanGroup Asset Management, Inc. and/or our associates as “registered” does not
imply a certain level of skill or training. You are encouraged to review this Brochure
and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise you
for more
information on the qualifications of our firm and its employees.
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Item 2: Material Changes to Our Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
McGowanGroup Asset Management, Inc. (MGAM) is required to advise you of any material
changes to our Firm Brochure (“Brochure”) from our last annual update, identify those changes
on the cover page of our Brochure or on the page immediately following the cover page, or in a
separate communication accompanying our Brochure.
Below are the material changes that have occurred since our last annual amendment of March
2024.
• Since our last annual amendment filing on 03/30/2024, we have updated our total Assets
Under Management (AUM) as of close 12/31/2024. This updated information is available
under Item 4(E).
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Section:
Page(s):
Item 1: Cover Page for Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure ..................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes to Our Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure ................................................................. 2
Item 3: Table of Contents............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management.................................................................................. 6
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements .............................................................................................................6
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ...................................................................... 7
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations ......................................................................................... 11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading ................ 11
Item 12: Brokerage Practices/Prime Brokerage Services ...................................................................................... 12
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans .............................................................................................................. 15
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ............................................................................................................ 15
Item 15: Custody .................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 16: Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................................................ 16
Item 17: Voting Client Securities...................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................................................. 17
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Item 4: Advisory Business
We specialize in Fee Based Advisory Services.
investment adviser since 2010 and
A. We are dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of
investment advisory services. Our firm is a corporation formed in the State of Texas. Our firm
has been in business as an
is owned by
M c G o w a n G r o u p W e a l t h M a n a g e m e n t , L L C w h i c h i s w h o l l y o w n e d b y
Spencer McGowan.
B. Description of the types of advisory service we offer:
(i) Fee Based Asset Management Services:
We offer wrap fee programs as further described in Part 2A, Appendix 1 (the “Wrap
Fee Program Brochure”) of our Brochure. Our wrap fee and non-wrap fee accounts are
managed on an individualized basis according to the client’s investment objectives,
financial goals, risk tolerance, etc., based upon MGAM’s multiple asset class, cash flow
based, model investment portfolios.
In order to assist clients with allocation strategy, we typically gather information from
the client about their financial situation, investment objectives, and, if the exception is
made, reasonable restrictions they can impose on the management of the account. The
client will be expected to notify us of any changes in his/her financial situation,
investment objectives, or account restrictions that could affect their account.
C. Tailoring of Advisory Services
(i) Individual Tailoring of Advice to Clients:
We offer general investment advice to clients utilizing our Fee Based Advisory Services.
(ii) Ability of Clients to Impose Restrictions on Investing in Certain Securities or Types of
Securities:
We generally d o not allow clients to impose restrictions on investing in certain securities
or types of securities due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing their
investment plans and administering their accounts. Exceptions to this rule can be made on a
very limited case by case basis dependent on the complexity and specifics of the case.
D. Participation in Fee Based Advisory programs.
We offer fee program as further described in Part 2A, Appendix 1 (the “Wrap Fee Program
Brochure”) of our Brochure. Our wrap fee accounts are managed on an individualized basis
according to the client’s investment objectives, financial goals, risk tolerance, etc.
E. Our total AUM as of close 12/31/2024 is: Discretionary Assets: $915,806,267 and Non-
Discretionary Assets: $80,936,489.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
We are required to describe our brokerage, custody, fees and fund expenses so you will know
how much you are charged and by whom for our advisory services provided to you.
A. Advisory Services Compensation
(i) Fee Based Advisory Services:
On an annualized basis, our firm’s fee for continuous portfolio management services will
range from .59% - 1.50% with the final fee negotiated according to the Clients’ needs and
objectives. Our firm’s fees are billed quarterly in advance based on the value of the account
on the last business day of the previous quarter. Accounts established during the billing
cycle will be charged pro-rata based on the initial account balance.
MGAM Wrap Fee Schedule
Single Tier Fee Schedule
Assets Under Management
Annual Advisory Fee
$0 - $10,000,000+ _____________________%
Additionally, clients also can further lower their management rate by consolidating assets.
Discounted management rates are usually granted at the thresholds below:
Greater than 1MM - .99%
Greater than 3MM - .88%
Greater than 10MM - .83%
The consolidation breakpoints above result in lower flat rates for all assets held with MGAM at
Pershing BNY once the asset base surpasses the breakpoint levels. These rates and thresholds
could change at any time upon the discretion of MGAM.
B. How Clients Are Charged for Service
(i) Fee Based Advisory Fees Are Due Quarterly in Advance.
We charge our advisory fees quarterly in advance and have them deducted direct via the
custodian. In the event that you wish to terminate our services, we will refund the unearned
portion of our advisory fee to you. T o do t h i s , you need to contact us in writing and state
that you wish to terminate our services. Upon receipt of your letter of termination, we
will start the process to close your account. The date of your written termination will
be used to process a pro-rata refund of unearned advisory fees.
C. Other Fees and Expenses in Addition to MGAM’s Advisory Fee
All clients can access statements and confirmations free of charge electronically, but if they
elect to receive them physically they are assessed a charge per statement and per confirm
by Pershing Advisor Solutions, LLC/ Pershing, LLC (“PAS” or “PAS/ Pershing”), our custodian.
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Typically, these charges are minor in nature and cover PAS’s necessary costs to produce
physical statements and confirms. Additionally PAS, as custodian, may charge additional fees
associated additional services to include, but not limited to special order processing, wire
transaction fees, UBTI accounting, hardcopy statement delivery, checking and debit card
accounts services and lending services. A schedule of PAS charges is available upon request.
Wrap fee clients will not incur transaction charges for trades executed in their accounts.
Additional costs can be incurred while MGAM pursues best net execution prices for orders placed
on behalf of clients. MGAM does not receive or accept additional compensation from order
processing. Clients pay additional management fees when MGAM believes that it is in the client’s
best interest to utilize an open-end mutual fund or Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). Client
allocations that utilize mutual funds will incur additional costs above our wrap fee. MGAM does
not receive or accept additional compensation from fund expenses.
D. Advisory Fees When Terminating Services
If you wish to terminate our services, we will refund the unearned portion of our advisory fee to
you. You need to contact us in writing and state that you wish to terminate our services. Upon
receipt of your letter of termination, we will s t a r t t h e p r o c e s s t o c l o s e o u t y o u r
a c c o u n t . The date of your written termination will be used to process a pro-rata refund of
unearned advisory fees.
E. Commissionable Securities Sales
MGAM does not engage in commissionable securities sales.
Item 6: Performance Based Fees & Side by Side Comparisons
We do not charge performance fees to our clients.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
We have the following types of clients:
Individuals
•
• High Net Worth Individuals
• Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations
• Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
• Corporations, Limited Liability companies and/or other business types.
Our requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us:
• We require a minimum consolidation of $1,000,000 within the first calendar year for
our asset management service. Generally, this minimum account balance requirement is
not negotiable and would be required throughout the course of the client’s relationship
with our firm.
DOL Conflict of Interest Rules and how it pertains to your IRA Accounts, IRA Rollovers, 401(k)
accounts or other accounts covered under ERISA.
(i) MGAM acknowledges our fiduciary status stated under Section 20(a)(b) of our Master Services
Agreement (MSA).
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(ii) MGAM has/and will continue to abide by Standards of Impartial Conduct
a. Acting in the Client’s best interest at all times (e.g., Prudence standards and Loyalty
standards)
b. Receive reasonable compensation, under Item 5(A), that is fair and level.
c. Not making materially misleading
statements
to
clients
regarding
recommendations, compensation, or Conflict of Interests.
(iii) Any MGAM Conflicts of Interests will be disclosed in our ADV and ADV appendix.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis:
•
•
•
•
Charting
Fundamental
Technical
Cyclical
Investment Strategies We Use:
Long Term Purchases (Securities Held At Least a Year)
Short Term Purchases (Securities Sold Within a Year)
Trading (Securities Sold Within 30 Days)
Short Sales
•
•
•
•
• Margin Transactions
• Option Writing, Including Covered Options, Uncovered Options or Spreading Strategies.
Model Investment Portfolios We Use:
Below are descriptions of model investment portfolios offered by MGAM. These descriptions
are meant to inform clients of the current types of portfolios we offer, but the information
is subject to change, without notice, upon the decision of the MGAM investment committee.
1. CashFlow Units®
The MGAM CashFlow Units discipline seeks to deliver high current income and capital
appreciation above inflation. MGAM CashFlow Units seek to achieve its objective by selecting
investments based upon current and estimated future cash flow from dividends and interest.
The discipline may accomplish this across a variety of high cash flow yielding assets
including, but not limited to:
• Mutual funds, managers or exchanged traded funds (including below investment
grade bank loan and commercial paper)
• Exchange listed companies (including ADRs, GDRs)
• Money market funds
This discipline may experience exposure to the following risks: Market, Issuer/Credit,
Reinvestment, Duration, Interest Rate, Call, and Liquidity.
The benchmark is a blend of 50% of the S&P HY Dividend Aristocrats Index (SPHYDATR) and 50%
Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Total Return Index Value Unhedged (LG30TRUU) adjusted
for environment and customization.
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2. Allocation Units
The MGAM Allocation Units discipline employs multiple asset class tactical allocation
strategies based upon estimated forward returns including net portfolio income and potential
capital appreciation. The discipline utilizes both fixed income and exchanged
traded
investments. MGAM Allocation Units seek to achieve the objective by selecting high income
producing investments at attractive discounts to net asset or par value. The discipline may
accomplish this across a variety of assets classes and categories including, but not limited to:
• Safety & Income: fixed maturity investments which may include tax exempt or
taxable instruments; Money market funds
• High Cash Flow: fixed income mutual funds, managers or exchange traded funds
(including below investment grade bank loan and commercial paper); debt of
international or US corporations (including senior unsecured obligations)
• Growth with Income: individual equities, real estate investment trusts (REITs),
master limited partnerships (MLPs), closed-end equity funds (CEFs)
This discipline may experience exposure to the following risks: Market, Issuer/Credit,
Reinvestment, Duration, Interest Rate, Call, and Liquidity.
The benchmark is a blend of 33% S&P HY Dividend Aristocrats Index (SPHYDATR), 33%
Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Total Return Index Value Unhedged (LG30TRUU), 10% of
the S&P Municipal Bond Index (SAPIMAIN), 10% of the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index
(LBUSTRUU), and 14% of the S&P Municipal Bond High Yield Index (SAPIHY).
3. Long-Term Income Units
The MGAM Long-Term Income Units discipline seeks to deliver a high level of taxable or tax
free coupon income through fixed maturity investments with a secondary objective of capital
appreciation. MGAM Long-Term Income Units seek to achieve the objective by selecting
primarily investment grade and high yield fixed maturity investments of various durations at
attractive discounts to maturity/par value with current yields. The discipline may achieve
this across a variety of fixed income assets including, but not limited to:
• Tax-exempt or taxable municipal bonds (both revenue and general obligations)
• Fixed income mutual funds, managers or exchanged traded funds (including below
investment grade bank loan and commercial paper)
• US Treasuries
• Tax-exempt or taxable Zero Coupon Bonds
• Money market funds
• Debt of international or US corporations (including senior unsecured obligations)
This discipline may experience exposure to the following risks: Market, Issuer/Credit,
Reinvestment, Duration, Interest Rate, Call, and Liquidity.
The benchmark is a blend of 25% of the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index (LBUSTRUU), 25%
Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Total Return Index Value Unhedged (LG30TRUU), 25% of
the S&P HY Dividend Aristocrats Index (SPHYDATR), and 25% of the S&P Municipal Bond Index
(SAPIMAIN).
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4. Growth Units
The MGAM Growth Units discipline seeks to provide long term capital appreciation for more
aggressive investors. The Growth Units process is designed to identify companies at
reasonable prices capable of delivering superior appreciation. The discipline includes, but is
not limited to, flexible use of equity, debt instruments, warrants and options. Growth at a
reasonable price is a discipline that estimates future revenue and profit streams versus current
price multiples as part of the selection process. Tactical use of cash along with advisory
recommendations on overall growth allocation size is included as part of the client review
process.
This discipline may experience exposure to the following risks: Market, Liquidity, Price,
Leverage and Tax.
The benchmark for this portfolio is the S&P 500 Pure Growth Index (SPXPG).
5. Energy Units
The MGAM Energy Units discipline seeks to provide a high total return from a combination of capital
appreciation and current income. The discipline invests in Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs)/
MLP funds, MLP related investments, royalty trusts, and individual C Corp exchange listed energy
securities.
This discipline may experience exposure to the following risks: Inflation, Call, Interest Rate,
Market, Exchange, Issuer/Credit and Liquidity.
The benchmark for this portfolio is the Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF (VDE)
6. Total Return Units
The MGAM Total Return Units, the broadest McGowanGroup model discipline, seeks to provide
both high cash flow and appreciation with a secondary objective of capital preservation with the
advantages of tactical allocation across 4 asset categories (including, but not limited to: Safety
and Income, High Cash Flow, Growth with Income, & Growth and Innovation). The discipline
uses multiple asset classes and tactical (or strategic) allocation strategies based upon estimated
forward returns including net portfolio income and potential capital appreciation. The discipline
utilizes both fixed income and exchanged-traded investments.
This discipline may experience exposure to the following risks: Inflation, Call, Interest Rate,
Market, Exchange, Issuer/Credit and Liquidity.
The benchmark for this portfolio is a blend of 25% Barclays Aggregate Bond Index (LBUSTRUU),
25% S&P HY Dividend Aristocrats Index (SPHYDATR), 25% Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield
Total Return Index Value Unhedged (LG30TRUU), and 25% S&P Pure Growth index (SPXPG).
Please Note:
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While
the stock market may increase and your account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible
that the stock market may decrease and your account(s) c o u l d suffer a loss. It is important
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that you understand the risks associated with investing in the stock market, are
appropriately diversified in your investments, and inquire about any questions you may have
regarding your investment plan or your account.
B. Risks Involved with Investment Strategies and Model Portfolios Used by MGAM Include, but
are Not Limited to, the Following:
• Market Risk - Also known as “systemic risk”; is the possibility to experience losses due
to factors that affect the performance of the financial markets. This risk cannot be
avoided, but its effects can be lessened through diversification. The risk that Recession
will cause a decline in the financial markets is an example of market risk. Other
examples include natural disasters, changes in interest rates and political unrest.
• Bond Risk - In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall, and vice versa. This
effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities. You may have a gain or
loss if you sell a bond prior to its maturity date.
• Municipal Bond Risk - A portion of municipal bond’s income may be subject to state or
local taxes. A portion of a municipal bond’s income may be subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax.
• Credit Risk - The risk for bond investors that the issuer will default on its obligation
(default risk) or that the bond value will decline and/or that the bond price
performance will compare unfavorably to other bonds against which the investment is
compared due either to perceived increase in the risk that an issuer will default (credit
spread risk) or that a company’s credit rating will be lowered (downgrade risk).
• Duration Risk (Interest Rate Risk) - The duration of a bond is a measure of its price
sensitivity to interest rates movements, based on the average time to maturity of its
interest and principal cash flows. Duration enables investors to compare bonds more
easily with different maturities and coupon rates by creating a simple rule: with every
percentage change in interest rates, the bond’s value will decline by its modified
duration, stated as a percentage. Modified duration is the approximate percentage
change in a bond’s price for each 1% change in yield assuming yield changes do not
change the expected cash flows. For example, an investment with a modified duration
of 5 years will rise 5% in value for every 1% decline in interest rates and fall 5% in
value for every 1% increase in interest rates. Bond duration measurements help
quantify and measure exposure to interest rate risks. Bond portfolio managers increase
average duration when they expect rates to decline, to get the most benefit, and
decrease average duration when they expect rates to rise, to minimize the negative
impact. The most commonly used measure of interest rate risk is duration.
•
Inflation Risk - This is the risk that inflation will undermine the performance of your
investment. Bonds are more susceptible to this type of risk due to their fixed income
and possible long-term exposure to rises in inflation.
• Asset Class - This is a category or type of investment which has similar characteristics
and behaves similarly when subject to particular market forces. Broad financial asset
classes are stocks (or equity), bonds (fixed income) and cash. Real estate, precious
metals and commodities can also be viewed as asset classes.
• Total Return - Investment performance measured over a stated time period which
includes coupon interest, interest on interest, and any realized and unrealized gains or
losses.
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• Reinvestment/Call Risk - If interest rates fall, callable security issuers may call or
prepay their securities before maturity, causing our investment strategy to shift
towards reinvesting proceeds in securities with lower interest rates and reducing
potential income.
•
Issuer/Credit Risk - Refers to an issuer's ability to meet its obligation to make interest
and principal payments, or a decline in the market's assessment of the issuer's ability
to pay. This may trigger the lowering or removal of the issuer’s credit rating. Generally,
lower rated securities provide higher current income but are considered to carry
greater credit risk than higher rated securities.
• Exchange Risk - Exchange risk is the risk that a change in exchange rates will impact
the price of international securities.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no l eg al o r dis c i pli nary events that are material to a client’s or prospective client’s
evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
McGowanGroup Wealth Management is the sole owner of McGowanGroup Asset Management, Inc.
Spencer McGowan is the sole owner of McGowanGroup Wealth Management.
Item 11: Code of Ethics
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading
A. We recognize that the personal investment transactions of members and employees of our
firm demand the application of a high Code of Ethics and require that all such transactions be
carried out in a way that does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, we
believe that if investment goals are similar for clients and for members and employees of our
firm, it is logical and even desirable that there be common ownership of some securities.
Therefore, to prevent conflicts of interest, we have in place a set of procedures with respect to
transactions effected by our members, officers and employees for their personal accounts. In
order to monitor compliance with our personal trading policy, we have a quarterly securities
transaction reporting system for all our associates.
Furthermore, our firm has established a Code of Ethics which applies to all our associated
persons. An investment adviser is considered a fiduciary. As a fiduciary, it is an investment
adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts and to act solely
in the best interest of each of our clients at all times. We have a fiduciary duty to all clients.
Our fiduciary duty is considered the core underlying principle for our Code of Ethics which also
includes Insider Trading and Personal Securities Transactions Policies and Procedures. We
require all our supervised persons to conduct business with the highest level of ethical standards
and to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times. Upon employment or
affiliation and at least annually thereafter, all supervised persons will sign an acknowledgement
that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with our Code of Ethics. Our firm and
supervised persons must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all
circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to
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all clients. This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics.
However, if a client or a potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a
copy will be provided upon request.
B. If our firm or a related person invests in the same securities (or related securities, e.g.,
warrants, options or futures) that our firm or a related person recommends to clients, we
are required to describe our practice and discuss the conflicts of interest. In order to minimize
this conflict of
interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead of their own
interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics.
C. If our firm or a related person recommends securities to clients, or buys or sells securities
for client accounts, at or about the same time that they or a related person buys or sells the
same securities for our firm’s (or the related person's own) account, we are required to
describe our practice and discuss the conflicts of interest it presents. In order to minimize this
conflict of interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead of their own interests
and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics. Further, our related persons will refrain from buying or
selling the same securities within t h e s a m e d a y of buying or selling for our clients, unless
all accounts trade together in a block trade.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices/Prime Brokerage Services
A. Selection of Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
1. Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits.
Our firm has a clearing and custodial arrangement with PAS. Under the arrangement with PAS,
MGAM may receive non-soft dollar services which include, among others, brokerage,
custodial, administrative support, record keeping and related services that are intended to
support our firm in conducting business and serving the best interests of our clients, but that
may also benefit our firm. We reserve the right to utilize other custodians if determined to be
in the best interests of our clients.
a. Prime Brokerage Services
Due to MGAMs affiliation with PAS, we can provide Prime Brokerage services to accounts
that meet the minimum account balance requirement of $100,000.00 and over. Typically,
these services include, but are not limited to, better margin rates, transaction rates, trade
away capabilities and other traditional brokerage solutions.
As part of the arrangement described above, PAS may also make certain research and
brokerage services available at no additional cost to our firm. These services include
certain research and brokerage services, including research s e rvi c es obtained by PAS
directly from independent research companies, as selected by our firm (within specific
parameters). Research products and services provided by PAS to our firm could include
research reports on recommendations or other information about, particular companies or
industries; economic surveys, data and analyses; financial publications; portfolio evaluation
services; financial database software and services; computerized news and pricing services;
quotation equipment for use in running software used in investment decision-making; and
other products or services that provide lawful and appropriate assistance by PAS to our firm
in the performance of our investment decision-making responsibilities. The aforementioned
research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage accounts for which we
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have investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to
purchase the same or similar services at our own expense.
b. As a result of receiving the services discussed above we may have an incentive to continue
to use or expand the use of PAS’ services. Our firm examined this potential conflict of
interest when we chose to enter the relationship with PAS and we have determined that
the relationship is in the best interest of our firm’s clients and satisfies our client
obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
PAS may charge transaction fees for effecting certain securities transactions (i.e.,
transaction fees are charged for certain no-load mutual funds or fixed income trades).
PAS enables us to obtain many no-load mutual funds without transaction charges and
other no-load funds at nominal transaction charges. PAS transaction fees are generally
discounted from customary retail transaction fee rates however, the transaction fees
charged by PAS may be higher or lower than those charged by other custodians and
broker-dealers.
c. Our non-wrap fee program clients may pay a commission to PAS that is higher than
other qualified broker dealers might charge to complete the same transaction where we
determine in good faith that the commission 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’s
services, including the value of research provided, execution capability, commission
rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although we will seek competitive rates, to the
benefit of all clients, we may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission
rates for specific client account transactions.
d. We do not receive soft dollar benefits. Although the non-soft dollar investment research
products and services that may be obtained by our firm will generally be used to service
all of our clients.
e. We are required to specifically describe to our clients the types of products or services
that we are acquiring and to permit clients to evaluate possible conflicts of interest. Our
description must be more detailed for products or services that do not qualify for the
safe harbor in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as those services
that do not aid in investment decision-making or trade execution. Merely disclosing that
we obtain various research reports and products is not specific enough. At this time we
do not receive products or services that do not qualify for safe harbor.
In addition, PAS also makes available to our firm products and services that help manage
and administer 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
aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts), provide research, pricing information
and other market date, facilitate payment of our fees from 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 our
accounts, including accounts not maintained at PAS.
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While, as a fiduciary, our firm endeavors to act in our clients’ best interests, Adviser’s
recommendation that clients maintain their assets in accounts at PAS may be based in
part on the benefit to our firm of the availability of some of the foregoing products
and services and other arrangements and not solely on the nature, cost, or quality of
custody and brokerage services provided by PAS, which may create a potential conflict of
interest.
f. While we do not have soft dollar arrangements, all such arrangements would have to be
approved in writing by our Chief Compliance Officer.
As a Fiduciary, we have an obligation to obtain “Best Execution” of clients’ transactions under
the circumstances of the particular transaction. Consequently, notwithstanding the safe
harbor provided under Section 28(e), no allocation for soft dollar payment shall be made
unless best execution of the transaction is reasonably expected to be obtained.
2. Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
3. Directed Brokerage
research provided, execution
a. Our firm currently custodies accounts at PAS and generally each client will be required to
establish their account(s) at PAS. 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’s services, including
the value of
capability, commission rates, and
responsiveness. Accordingly, although we will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all
clients, we may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific
client account transactions. Lastly, MGAM does reserve the right to utilize other custodians
if determined to be in the best interest of our clients.
Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
A retirement or ERISA plan client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its
account through a specific broker or dealer to obtain goods or services on behalf of the plan.
Such direction is permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable
expenses of the plan incurred in the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise
would be obligated and empowered to pay. ERISA prohibits directed brokerage
arrangements when the goods or services purchased are not for the exclusive benefit of the
plan. Consequently, we will request that plan sponsors who direct plan brokerage provide
us with a letter documenting that this arrangement wi ll b e for the exclusive benefit of the
plan.
b. We do not allow client-directed brokerage outside of our managed accounts.
investment objectives. Although such
c. We perform investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on
which portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to
purchase or sell the same security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which
involve accounts with similar
concurrent
authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or disadvantageous to any one or
more particular accounts, they are affected only when we believe that to do so will be in
the best interest of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur, the
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objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the
accounts involved. In any given situation, we attempt to allocate trade executions in the
most equitable manner p o s s i b l e , taking into consideration client objectives, current asset
allocation and availability of funds using price averaging, proration, and consistently non-
arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
A. MGAM clients receive at least quarterly account reviews. The nature of these reviews is to
learn whether clients’ accounts are in line with their investment objectives, appropriately
positioned based on market conditions, and investment policies, if applicable. Only our
Financial Advisors or Portfolio Manager will conduct reviews.
B. We may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors
which may trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life
events, requests by the client, etc.
C. We do provide account reviews to clients. Verbal reports to clients take place on at least an annual
basis when we meet with clients who subscribe to our Advisory services.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
A. We may recommend that a client in need of brokerage and custodial services utilize PAS
among others. It may be the case that the recommended broker charges a higher fee than
another broker charges for a particular type of service, such as commission rates. Clients may
utilize the broker/dealer of their choice and have no obligation to purchase or sell securities
through such broker as our firm recommends.
In selecting a broker/dealer, we will endeavor to select those broker/dealers that will provide
the best services at the lowest commission rates possible. The reasonableness of commissions is
based on several factors, including the broker/dealer’s ability to provide professional services,
competitive commission rates, volume discounts, execution price negotiations, and other
services. When consistent with our firm’s fiduciary duty of best execution, the firm will direct
trades to any of the suggested broker/dealers listed above.
Some clients may instruct us to use one or more broker/dealers for the transactions in their
accounts. Clients who may want to direct our firm to use a particular broker/dealer should
understand that this might prevent us from effectively negotiating brokerage compensation on
their behalf. This arrangement may also prevent us from obtaining the most favorable net
price and execution. Thus, when directing brokerage business, clients should consider whether
the commission expenses, execution, clearance, and settlement capabilities that they will obtain
through their broker/dealer are adequately
favorable in comparison to those that our firm
would otherwise obtain for our clients.
We may receive research and execution related services from PAS to assist our firm in managing
its accounts. These services and products would include financial publications, pricing
information and other products or services. Such research and execution related services are
offered to all investment advisers who utilize these firms. However, the commissions charged
by these parties may be higher than those charged by a broker who does not provide the
aforementioned research and execution related services.
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B.
We do not pay referral fees for client referrals.
Item 15: Custody
Custody is defined as having any access to client funds or securities. Because MGAM generally has
the authority to instruct the account custodian to deduct the investment management fee directly
from the client’s account, MGAM, may be viewed for regulatory purposes, as having “custody” of client
assets. This limited access is monitored by the client through receipt of account statements directly
from the custodian. These statements all show the deduction of the management fee from the
account. Additionally MGAM, in conjunction with PAS, has taken steps to ensure, per SEC guidance,
that we do not claim or retain inadvertent custody of client funds or securities by the following:
• MGAM retains records showing that third party disbursements are not related parties of
MGAM or located at the same address as MGAM.
• PAS has adopted policies that prevent the inadvertent transfer of custody to MGAM by
limiting MGAM’s access to determine, change or authorize disbursement of funds or
securities from a client’s account without specific client authorization. The necessity of
client authorization extends to changes regarding, amounts, contra parties and timing of
any funds or securities transmissions and any instruments used to facilitate their
movement.
When clients receive their statements from the account custodian, clients should carefully review
those statements and take the time to compare them with those they receive from MGAM. If the
client finds significant discrepancies, the custodian and MGAM should be notified.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
We accept discretionary authority to manage client accounts. Our clients must sign a
discretionary investment advisory agreement with our firm for the management of these types of
accounts. This type of agreement only applies to our Wrap Asset Management clients and occurs
when a prospective client decides to open an account with MGAM. We do not take or exercise
discretion with respect to our other clients.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
A. Generally, MGAM does not vote on proxies unless there is an aggregate value over
$1,000,000.00 on the Record Date of each proxy request. This allows MGAM to effectively
manage the multitude of proxy requests we typically receive while providing a streamlined
process that permits diligent research of the proxy item while at the same time allowing us to
administer our fiduciary responsibility. When we have discretion to vote the proxies that meet
our criteria, we will vote those proxies in your best interests and in accordance with
M G A M ’ s policies and procedures. Clients may request information on how particular
proxies were voted by contacting our Chief Compliance Officer by phone at 214-720-4400 or
email at is@themcgowangroup.com.
B. If clients elect to vote their proxies, MGAM is available to assist the client in contacting PAS to
ensure delivery of their individual proxy material. Additionally, MGAM is available for
consultation regarding proxy material.
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Item 18: Financial Information
We do not require, nor do we solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance. Therefore, we have not included a balance sheet for our most recent
fiscal year. We have never been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time.
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