SERVICES
Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC is a SEC-registered investment adviser with our principal place of business
located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC began conducting business in 2020.
We sponsor the Wrap Fee Program Brochure (the "Program"). A wrap fee program is an advisory program
under which a specified fee or fees not based directly on transactions in the client's account is charged for
advisory services, which may include portfolio management or advice concerning the selection of other
investment advisers, and the execution of client transactions.
Our offering consists of portfolio management services. Please refer to the description of each investment
advisory service listed below for information on how we tailor our advisory services to your individual
needs.
This Wrap Fee Program Brochure is limited to describing the services, fees, and other necessary
information clients should consider prior to becoming a client within the Program. For a complete
description of the other services and fees offered by our firm, clients should refer to our Form ADV Part 2:
Firm Brochure.
You may obtain a copy of our Firm Brochure by contacting Robert Pragnell at 423-267-0046 or
[email protected].
WRAP FEE PROGRAM
Through the Program, clients are provided with portfolio management services using model asset
allocation portfolios. Each model portfolio is designed to meet a particular investment goal.
Through personal discussions with the client in which the client's goals and objectives are established, we
determine if the model portfolio is suitable to the client's circumstances. Once we determine the suitability
of the portfolio, the portfolio is managed based on the portfolio's goal and on each client's individual
needs. Clients, nevertheless, have the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of
investments to be held in their account. Clients retain individual ownership of all securities.
Account supervision is guided by the client's stated objectives (i.e., maximum capital appreciation, growth,
income, or growth and income), as well as tax considerations.
The individuals associated with Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC who provide our investment advisory services
serve as the client's financial consultant. The financial consultant assists the client in understanding the
nature of the Program and determining its suitability, identifying the client's investment objectives,
establishing the client's risk tolerance; all based on information provided by the client concerning their
financial situation, personal and financial goals, risk tolerance, investment time horizon and other similar
factors.
After assisting in its development, the financial consultant provides a copy of the client's investment profile
to the selected portfolio manager for review and approval. The financial consultant will continue to
monitor the client's Program account to ensure that the investment style and portfolio manager(s)
selected by the client continues to match the client's investment profile. The financial consultant must
meet with the client at least annually (either in person or via telephone) to evaluate the client's ongoing
participation and specifically determine whether there has been any change in the client's financial
circumstances. Any such changes will be communicated by the financial consultant to the client's selected
portfolio manager(s).
A complete description of the independent manager's services, fee schedules and account minimums (if
any) will be disclosed in the independent manager's applicable Form ADV disclosure brochure(s) which
will be provided to clients at the time an agreement for services is executed and account is established.
Fees
We provide an initial financial plan for a fee of .20% of the value of the total assets covered by the plan
with a minimum fee of $1,000. We charge an annual fee of .05% of the total assets covered by the plan
for updates to the financial plan. Our fees are negotiable and will depend on the scope and complexity of
the plan, your situation, and your financial objectives. An estimate of the total time/cost will be
determined at the start of the advisory relationship. In limited circumstances, the cost/time could
potentially exceed the initial estimate. In such cases, we will notify you and request that you approve the
additional fee. We require that you pay one half of the fee in advance and the remaining portion upon
the completion of the services rendered. We will not require prepayment of a fee more than six months
in advance and in excess of $1200.
The annualized fees for this program are charged as a percentage of the value of the client's portfolio,
according to the following schedule:
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT ANNUAL FEE*
First $1,000,000 2.25%
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000 1.80%
$2,000,000 - $5,000,000 1.55%
$5,000,000 - $25,000,000 1.00%
$25,000,000 - $50,000,000 0.90%
$50,0000,000 and above 0.80%
*We can impose a minimum annual fee of $2,000 per household. The fee schedule is blended, meaning
that you will be charged the corresponding fee based upon the value of your account at each tier.
Certain clients may be charged higher or lower fees than the fee schedule above.
How are Fees Charged? Program fees are charged quarterly in advance based on the value of your
account on the last business day of the previous quarter.
If the client agreement is executed at any time other than the first day of a calendar quarter, our fees will
apply on a pro rata basis, which means that the advisory fee is payable in proportion to the number of
days in the quarter for which you are a client. Our advisory fee is negotiable, depending on individual
client circumstances.
What services are covered by the Program fees? The Program fees pay for our firm's advisory services to
clients, brokerage and custodial fees as well as administrative expenses of the Program.
Upon entering into a wrap fee account arrangement with Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC, clients are free to
designate any broker-dealer for executing securities transactions, including their continuation of a
previous broker-dealer relationship. Clients can also elect to designate LPL Financial as their executing
broker-dealer. Payments to the broker-dealer for its execution services will be accomplished via the wrap
fee charges to the account. Clients should be aware that while we strive to maintain our fiduciary duty to
clients at all times, there may be an incentive for us to trade less actively in client accounts because we
assume the costs of executing transactions for all accounts within this program.
LPL Financial Advisory Programs
We provide advisory services through programs sponsored by LPL Financial Corporation ("LPL"), a
registered investment advisor and broker-dealer. For more information regarding the LPL programs,
including more information on the advisory services and fees that apply, the types of investments
available in the programs and the conflicts of interest presented by the programs please see Form ADV
Part 2 or the applicable LPL Wrap Fee Brochure and the applicable client agreement.
For more information regarding the LPL programs, including more information on the advisory services
and fees that apply, the types of investments available in the programs and the conflicts of interest
presented by the programs please see Form ADV Part 2 or the applicable LPL Wrap Fee Brochure and
the applicable client agreement.
Manager Access Select Program
Manager Access Select offers clients the ability to participate in the Separately Managed Account
Platform (the “SMA Platform”) or the Model Portfolio Platform (the “MP Platform”). In the SMA
Platform, APEX will assist client in identifying a third party portfolio manager (SMA Portfolio Manager)
from a list of SMA Portfolio Managers made available by LPL, and the SMA Portfolio Manager manages
client’s assets on a discretionary basis. APEX will provide initial and ongoing assistance regarding the
SMA Portfolio Manager selection process. In the MP Platform, clients authorize LPL to direct the
investment and reinvestment of the assets in their accounts, in accordance with the selected model
portfolio provided by LPL’s Research Department or a third-party investment advisor.
A minimum account value of $50,000 is required for Manager Access Select, however, in certain
instances, the minimum account size may be lower or higher.
Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP)
OMP offers clients the ability to participate in a professionally managed asset allocation program using
Optimum Funds shares. Under OMP, client will authorize LPL on a discretionary basis to purchase and
sell Optimum Funds pursuant to investment objectives chosen by the client. APEX will assist the client in
determining the suitability of OMP for the client and assist the client in setting an appropriate
investment objective. APEX will have discretion to select a mutual fund asset allocation portfolio
designed by LPL consistent with the client’s investment objective. LPL will have discretion to purchase
and sell Optimum Funds pursuant to the portfolio selected for the client. LPL will also have authority to
rebalance the account.
A minimum account value of $10,000 is required for OMP. In certain instances, LPL will permit a lower
minimum account size.
Personal Wealth Portfolios Program (PWP)
PWP offers clients an asset management account using asset allocation model portfolios designed by
LPL. APEX will have discretion for selecting the asset allocation model portfolio based on client’s
investment objective. APEX will also have discretion for selecting third party money managers (PWP
Advisors), mutual funds and ETFs within each asset class of the model portfolio. LPL will act as the
overlay portfolio manager on all PWP accounts and will be authorized to purchase and sell on a
discretionary basis mutual funds, ETFs and equity and fixed income securities.
A minimum account value of $250,000 is required for PWP. In certain instances, LPL will permit a lower
minimum account size.
Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP)
MWP offers clients a professionally managed mutual fund asset allocation program. APEX will obtain the
necessary financial data from the client, assist the client in determining the suitability of the MWP
program and assist the client in setting an appropriate investment objective. APEX will initiate the steps
necessary to open an MWP account and have discretion to select a model portfolio designed by LPL’s
Research Department consistent with the client’s stated investment objective. LPL’s Research
Department, a third-party portfolio strategist and/or Advisor, through its IAR, may act as a portfolio
strategist responsible for selecting the mutual funds or ETFs within a model portfolio and for making
changes to the mutual funds or ETFs selected.
The client will authorize LPL to act on a discretionary basis to purchase and sell mutual funds and ETFs
and to liquidate previously purchased securities. The client will also authorize LPL to effect rebalancing
for MWP accounts.
MWP requires
a minimum asset value for a program account to be managed. The minimums vary
depending on the portfolio(s) selected and the account’s allocation amongst portfolios. The lowest
minimum for a portfolio is $25,000. In certain instances, a lower minimum for a portfolio is permitted.
Small Market Solution (SMS) Program
Under SMS, LPL Research (a team of investment professionals within LPL) creates and maintains a series
of different investment menus (“Investment Menus”) consisting of a mix of different asset classes and
investment vehicles (“investment options”) for clients that sponsor and maintain participant-directed
defined contribution plans (“Plan Sponsors”). The Plan Sponsor is responsible for selecting the
Investment Menu that it believes is appropriate based on the demographics and other characteristics of
the Plan and its participants. LPL Research is responsible for the selection and monitoring of the
investment options made available through Investment Menus. The investment options that are offered
through SMS are limited to the specific investments available through the record keeper that the Plan
Sponsor selects. The Plan Sponsor may only select an Investment Menu in its entirety and does not have
the option to remove or substitute an investment option.
In addition to the services described above, Plan Sponsor may also select from a number of consulting
services available under SMS that are provided by APEX. These consulting services may include, but are
not limited to: general education, and support regarding the Plan and the investment options selected by
Plan Sponsor; assistance regarding the selection of, and ongoing relationship management for, record
keepers and other third-party vendors; Plan participant enrollment support; and participant-level
education regarding investment in the Plan. These consulting services do not include any individualized
investment advice to the Plan Sponsor or Plan participants with respect to Plan assets.
Guided Wealth Portfolios (GWP)
GWP offers clients the ability to participate in a centrally managed, algorithm-based investment
program, which is made available to users and clients through a web-based, interactive account
management portal (“Investor Portal”). Investment recommendations to buy and sell exchange-traded
funds and open-end mutual funds are generated through proprietary, automated, computer algorithms
(collectively, the “Algorithm”) of FutureAdvisor, Inc. (“FutureAdvisor”), based upon model portfolios
constructed by LPL and selected for the account as described below (such model portfolio selected for
the account, the “Model Portfolio”). Communications concerning GWP are intended to occur primarily
through electronic means (including but not limited to, through email communications or through the
Investor Portal), although APEX will be available to discuss investment strategies, objectives or the
account in general in person or via telephone.
A preview of the Program (the “Educational Tool”) is provided for a period of up to forty-five (45) days to
help users determine whether they would like to become advisory clients and receive ongoing financial
advice from LPL, FutureAdvisor and APEX by enrolling in the advisory service (the “Managed Service”).
The Educational Tool and Managed Service are described in more detail in the GWP Program Brochure.
Users of the Educational Tool are not considered to be advisory clients of LPL, FutureAdvisor or APEX,
do not enter into an advisory agreement with LPL, FutureAdvisor or APEX, do not receive ongoing
investment advice or supervisions of their assets, and do not receive any trading services.
A minimum account value of $5,000 is required to enroll in the Managed Service.
Because some types of investments involve certain additional degrees of risk, they will only be
implemented/recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment objectives, tolerance
for risk, liquidity and suitability.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc: In addition to the assets in the accounts if $75,000 or more in assets are
deposited into an account after the inception of a quarter, the fee payable with respect to such total
deposited assets will be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the quarter. If more than
$75,000 in assets are withdrawn from an account after the inception of a quarter, the unearned fee with
respect to such assets will be credited towards your next quarter’s fee. Clients may withdraw assets from
the account after providing us with notice. All withdrawals are subject to customary securities
settlement procedures.
LPL Financial Corporation Accounts: If assets are deposited into an account after the inception of a
quarter, the fee payable with respect to such assets will be prorated based on the number of days
remaining in the quarter. If any assets are withdrawn from an account after the inception of a quarter,
the unearned fee with respect to such assets will be credited towards your next quarter’s fee. Clients
may withdraw assets from the account after providing us with notice. All withdrawals are subject to
customary securities settlement procedures.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
We primarily offer advice on equity securities, warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit, municipal securities, investment company securities, U.S. Government securities,
options contracts on securities, interests in partnerships investing in real estate and oil and gas, managed
futures, hedge funds and other alternative investments.
Additionally, we may advise you on any type of investment that we deem appropriate based on your
stated goals and objectives. We may also provide advice on any type of investment held in your portfolio
at the inception of our advisory relationship.
You may request that we refrain from investing in particular securities or certain types of securities. You
must provide these restrictions to our firm in writing.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Termination of the Advisory Relationship: You may terminate the agreement with written notice within
5 days of the signing of the agreement, without penalty. Thereafter, you may terminate the financial
planning agreement upon 30 day's written notice to our firm. You will incur a pro rata charge for services
rendered prior to the termination of the agreement. If you have pre- paid fees that we have not yet
earned, you will receive a prorated refund of those fees.
ERISA Accounts: Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory clients that are
employee benefit plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs) pursuant to the Employee Retirement
Income and Securities Act ("ERISA"), and regulations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code"), respectively. As such, our firm is subject to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the
Internal Revenue Code that include among other things, restrictions concerning certain forms of
compensation. To avoid engaging in prohibited transactions, Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC may only charge
fees for investment advice about products for which our firm and/or our related persons do not receive
any commissions or 12b-1 fees, or conversely, investment advice about products for which our firm
and/or our related persons receive commissions or 12b-1 fees, however, only when such fees are used to
offset Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC's advisory fees.
Other Fees and Expenses. As part of our investment advisory services to you, we may invest, or
recommend that you invest, in mutual funds and exchange traded funds. We will invest your account,
when suitable, in no load mutual funds. The fees that you pay to our firm for investment advisory
services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds or exchange
traded funds (described in each fund's prospectus) to their shareholders. These fees will generally
include a management fee and other fund expenses. You will also incur transaction charges and/or
brokerage fees when purchasing or selling securities. These charges and fees are typically imposed by the
broker-dealer or custodian through whom your account transactions are executed. We do not share in
any portion of the brokerage fees/transaction charges imposed by the broker-dealer or custodian. To
fully understand the total cost you will incur, you should review all the fees charged by mutual funds,
exchange traded funds, our firm, and others.
Mutual Fund Fees: All fees paid to Apex Strategic Wealth, LLC for investment advisory services are
separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or ETFs to their
shareholders. These fees and expenses are described in each fund's prospectus. These fees will generally
include a management fee, other fund expenses, and a possible distribution fee. If the fund also imposes
sales charges, a client may pay an initial or deferred sales charge. A client could invest in a mutual fund
directly, without our services. In that case, the client would not receive the services provided by our firm,
which are designed, among other things, to assist the client in determining which mutual fund or funds
are most appropriate to each client's financial condition and objectives. Accordingly, the client should
review both the fees charged by the funds and our fees to fully understand the total amount of fees to
be paid by the client and to thereby evaluate the advisory services being provided.
Exchange-Traded Funds. Shares of ETFs held in client accounts are bought and sold on an exchange and
not, like mutual funds, directly from the fund itself. The price of ETF shares fluctuates in accordance with
changes in the net asset value (NAV) per share, as well as in response to market supply and demand.
Accordingly, ETF shares may trade at a price which differs from NAV per share of the ETF.
Fees are Negotiated. The Program fees set forth in this Wrap Fee Program Brochure are the maximum
annual rates for each Program. Fees are negotiated and may differ from client to client based on a
number of factors, including the type and size of the account, and the selected investment manager(s),
among other possible criteria. The actual rates agreed upon between the client and our firm with respect
to a Program account are set forth in the related client agreement.
Additional Information about Program fees. Under the Program, the participant receives investment
advisory services, the execution of securities brokerage transactions, custody and reporting services for a
single specified Program Fee. Clients are cautioned that depending on the level of fees charged by the
executing broker-dealer, and the amount of portfolio activity in the clients' account, the value of the
services provided under this Program may exceed the total cost of such services had they been provided
separately. In addition, the Program Fee may be higher or lower than that charged by other sponsors of
comparable wrap fee programs.
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or may not) be
available from other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
Limited Prepayment of Fees: Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of fees in excess
of $1200 more than six months in advance of services rendered.