This Disclosure document is being offered to you by Expand Financial, LLC (“Expand
Financial” or “Firm”) about the investment advisory services we provide. It discloses
information about the services that we provide and the way those services are made
available to you, the client.
Expand Financial, LLC was established as a State registered firm in 2007 and became
registered as an Investment Advisor with the SEC in June 2021. The principal owner of the
firm is July Business Services Holdings, LLC. Gregory Bakke is CEO and Sheri A. Baker is Chief
Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Firm.
We will offer initial complimentary meetings upon our discretion; however, investment
advisory services are initiated only after you and Expand Financial execute an Investment
Management Agreement.
PRIVATE CLIENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES
We manage advisory accounts on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. For
discretionary accounts, once we have determined a profile and investment plan with a
client, we will execute the day-to-day transactions without seeking prior client consent but
within the expected investment guidelines. Account supervision is guided by the client’s
written profile and investment plan. We will accept accounts with certain trading
restrictions if circumstances warrant. We primarily allocate client assets among various
equities, Exchanged Traded Funds (“ETFs”), no-load or load-waived mutual funds in
accordance with their stated investment objectives.
During personal discussions with clients, we determine the client’s objectives, time
horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. As appropriate, we also review a client’s prior
investment history, as well as family composition and background. Based on client needs,
we develop a client’s personal profile and investment plan. We then create and manage
the client’s investments based on that policy and plan. It is the client’s obligation to notify
us immediately if circumstances have changed with respect to their goals. Once we have
determined the types of investments to be included in a client’s portfolio and have
allocated the assets, we provide ongoing investment review and management services.
With our discretionary relationship, we will make changes to the portfolio, as we deem
appropriate, to meet client financial objectives. We trade these portfolios based on the
combination of our market views and client objectives, using our investment process. We
tailor our advisory services to meet the needs of our clients and seek to ensure that your
portfolio is managed in a manner consistent with those needs and objectives. Clients have
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the ability to leave standing instructions with us to refrain from investing in particular
industries or invest in limited amounts of securities.
Clients may engage us to advise on certain investment products that are not maintained
at our Firm’s recommended custodian, and assets held in employer sponsored retirement
plans. Where appropriate, we provide advice about any type of held away account that is
part of a client portfolio.
You are advised and are expected to understand that our past performance is not a
guarantee of future results. Certain market and economic risks exist that adversely affect
an account’s performance. This could result in capital losses in your account.
Through the financial planning process, our team strives to engage our clients in
conversations around the family’s goals, objectives, priorities, vision, and legacy – both for
the near term as well as for future generations. With the unique goals and circumstances
of each family in mind, our team will offer financial planning ideas and strategies to address
the client’s holistic financial picture, including estate, income tax, charitable, cash flow,
wealth transfer, and family legacy objectives. Our team partners with our client’s other
advisors (CPAs, Enrolled Agents, Estate Attorneys, Insurance Brokers, etc.) to ensure a
coordinated effort of all parties toward the client’s stated goals. Such services include
various reports on specific goals and objectives or general investment and/or planning
recommendations, guidance to outside assets, and periodic updates.
Our specific services in preparing your plan may include:
• Review and clarification of your financial goals.
• Assessment of your overall financial position including cash flow, balance sheet,
investment strategy, risk management, and estate planning.
• Creation of a unique plan for each goal you have, including personal and business
real estate, education, retirement or financial independence, charitable giving,
estate planning, business succession, and other personal goals.
• Development of a goal-oriented investment plan, with input from various advisors
to our clients around tax suggestions, asset allocation, expenses, risk, and liquidity
factors for each goal. This includes IRA and qualified plans, taxable, and trust
accounts that require special attention.
• Design of a risk management plan including risk tolerance, risk avoidance,
mitigation, and transfer, including liquidity as well as various insurance and possible
company benefits; and
• Crafting and implementation of, in conjunction with your estate and/or corporate
attorneys as tax advisor, an estate plan to provide for you and/or your heirs in the
event of an incapacity or death.
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A written evaluation of each client's initial situation or Financial Plan is provided to the
client.
USE OF THIRD-PARTY INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Our Firm has entered into agreements with various independent Managers (“Managers”).
Under these agreements, we offer clients various types of programs sponsored by these
Managers. All third-party Managers to whom we will refer or engage for clients will be
licensed as registered investment advisors by their resident state and any applicable
jurisdictions or registered investment advisors with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”). Through our Discretionary Investment Management Agreement, the
Client grants IFP authority to utilize a sub-advisor. Our Firm, in conjunction with the
Manager, will continue to provide advisory services to the Client for the ongoing
monitoring, review, and reporting of the overall account performance.
Selected Managers are evaluated by us for use in a client’s account. Factors we will
consider in recommending a particular sub-advisor include, but are not limited to, the
client’s stated investment objectives, management style, independence, stature of the
custodian utilized by the sub-advisor, performance, philosophy, financial strength,
continuation of management, client service, reporting, commitment to a particular
investment mandate, fees, trading efficiency, and research. Managers selected by us may
offer multiple strategies. Our Firm will monitor Managers to ensure that it adheres to the
philosophy and investment style for which it was selected and to ensure that its
performance, portfolio strategies, and management remain aligned with the client’s
overall investment goals and objectives. We will retain discretionary authority to hire and
fire the Manager. Our ongoing review includes, but is not limited to, assessment of the
Manager’s disclosure brochure, performance information, materials, personnel turnover,
and regulatory events.
When we engage a manager to invest a separately managed account (“SMA”), the SMA
will be traded by either the Manager (externally traded) or by our Firm (internally traded).
In both cases, all research, investment selections and portfolio decisions are the
responsibility of the Manager, not by our Firm. Performance reporting may be provided by
the Manager.
Third-party managed programs generally have account minimum requirements that will
vary from investment advisor to investment advisor. A complete description of the
Manager’s services, fee schedules and account minimums will be disclosed in the
Manager’s Form ADV or similar Disclosure Brochure which will be provided to clients at the
time an agreement for services is executed and account is established.
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Expand has contracted with EQIS Capital Management, Inc., an unaffiliated registered
investment adviser (“EQIS”), to provide a technology platform and sub-advisory services
which include trade execution and Sub-Adviser due diligence. Expand receives no
compensation from EQIS. Expand compensates EQIS for its services.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT RETIREMENT PLAN ADVISORY SERVICES
Our firm offers (1) Discretionary Investment Management Services, (2) Non-Discretionary
Investment Advisory Services and/or (3) Retirement Plan Consulting Services to employer-
sponsored retirement plans and their participants. Depending on the type of the Plan and
the specific arrangement with the Sponsor, we may provide one or more of these services.
Prior to being engaged by the Sponsor, we will provide a copy of this Form ADV Part 2A
along with a copy of our Privacy Policy and the Investment Fiduciary & Retirement Plan
Consulting Agreement ("Agreement") that contains the information required under Sec.
408(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") as applicable.
The Agreement authorizes our Investment Adviser Representatives ("IARs") to deliver one
or more of the following services:
DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
These services are designed to allow the Plan fiduciary to delegate responsibility for
managing, acquiring, and disposing of Plan assets that meet the requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). We will perform these
investment management services through our IARs, and charge fees as described in this
Form ADV and the Agreement. If the Plan is subject to ERISA, we will perform these services
as an “investment manager” as defined under ERISA Section 3(38) and as a “fiduciary” to
the Plan as defined under ERISA Section 3(21). Specifically, the Sponsor may determine that
we perform the following services:
Selection, Monitoring & Replacement of Designated Investment Alternatives (“DIA”)
Advisor will review with Sponsor the investment objectives, risk tolerance and goals
of the Plan and provide to Sponsor an IPS that contains criteria from which Advisor
will select, monitor, and replace the Plan's DIAs. Once approved by Sponsor, Advisor
will review the investment options available to the Plan and will select the Plan's
DIAs in accordance with the criteria set forth in the IPS. On a periodic basis, Advisor
will monitor and evaluate the DIAs and replace any DIA(s) that no longer meet the
IPS criteria.
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Selection, Monitoring & Replacement of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives
(“QDIA(s)”)
Based upon the options available to the Plan, Advisor will select, monitor, and
replace the Plan's QDIA(s) in accordance with the IPS.
Management Of Trust Fund
Advisor will review with Sponsor the investment objectives, risk tolerance and goals
of the Plan and provide to Sponsor an IPS that contains criteria from which Advisor
will select, monitor, and replace the Plan's investments. Once approved by Sponsor,
Advisor
will review the investment options available to the Plan and will select the
Plan's investments in accordance with the criteria set forth in the IPS.
NON-DISCRETIONARY FIDUCIARY SERVICES
These services are designed to allow the Sponsor to retain full discretionary authority or
control over assets of the Plan. We will solely be making recommendations to the Sponsor.
We will perform these non-Discretionary investment advisory services through our IARs,
and charge fees as described in this Form ADV and the Agreement. If the Plan is covered
by ERISA, we will perform these investment advisory services to the Plan as a "fiduciary"
defined under ERISA Section 3(21). The Sponsor may engage us to perform one or more of
the following non-Discretionary investment advisory services:
Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”)
Advisor will review with Sponsor the investment objectives, risk tolerance and goals
of the Plan. If the Plan does not have an IPS, Advisor will provide recommendations
to Sponsor to assist with establishing an IPS. If the Plan has an existing IPS, Advisor
will review it for consistency with the Plan's objectives. If the IPS does not represent
the objectives of the Plan, Advisor will recommend to Sponsor revisions to align the
IPS with the Plan's objectives.
Advice regarding designated investment alternatives (“DIAs”)
Based on the Plan's IPS or other guidelines established by the Plan, Advisor will
review the investment options available to the Plan and will make
recommendations to assist Sponsor with selecting DIAs to be offered to Plan
participants. Once Sponsor selects the DIAs, Advisor will, on a periodic basis and/or
upon reasonable request, provide reports and information to assist Sponsor with
monitoring the DIAs. If a DIA is required to be removed, Advisor will provide
recommendations to assist Sponsor with replacing the DIA.
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Advice Regarding Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (“QDIA”)
Based on the Plan's IPS or other guidelines established by the Plan, Advisor will
review the investment options available to the Plan and will make
recommendations to assist Sponsor with selecting or replacing the Plan's QDIA(s).
Participant Investment Advice
Advisor will meet with Plan participants, upon reasonable request, to collect
information necessary to identify the Plan participant's investment objectives, risk
tolerance, time horizon, etc. Advisor will provide written recommendations to assist
the Plan participant with creating a portfolio using the Plan's DIAs or Models, if
available. The Plan participant retains sole discretion over the investment of his/her
account.
Advice Regarding Investment of Trust Fund
Based on the Plan's IPS, Advisor will review the investment options available to the
Plan and will make recommendations to assist Sponsor with selecting investments
that meet the IPS criteria. Once Sponsor selects the investment(s), Advisor will, on
a periodic basis and/or upon reasonable request, provide reports and information
to assist Sponsor with monitoring the investment(s). If the IPS criteria require any
investment(s) to be replaced, Advisor will provide recommendations to assist
Sponsor with replacing the investment(s).
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
Retirement Plan Consulting Services are designed to allow our IARs to assist the Sponsor in
meeting his/her fiduciary duties to administer the Plan in the best interests of Plan
participants and their beneficiaries. Retirement Plan Consulting Services are performed so
that they would not be considered “investment advice” under ERISA. The Sponsor may
elect for our IARs to assist with any of the following services:
Administrative Support
• Assist Sponsor in reviewing objectives and options available through the Plan
• Review Plan committee structure and administrative policies/procedures
• Recommend Plan participant education and communication policies under ERISA
404(c)
• Assist with development/maintenance of fiduciary audit file and document
retention policies
• Deliver fiduciary training and/or education periodically or upon reasonable request
• Recommend procedures for responding to Plan participant requests
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Service Provider Support
• Assist fiduciaries with a process to select, monitor and replace service providers
• Assist fiduciaries with review of Covered Service Providers ("CSP") and fee
benchmarking
• Provide reports and/or information designed to assist fiduciaries with monitoring
CSPs
• Assist with use of ERISA Spending Accounts or Plan Expense Recapture Accounts to
pay CSPs
• Assist with preparation and review of Requests for Proposals and/or Information
• Coordinate and assist with CSP replacement and conversion
Investment Monitoring Support
• Periodic review of investment policy in the context of Plan objectives
• Assist the Plan committee with monitoring investment performance
• Assist with monitoring Designated Investment Managers and/or third-party advice
providers
• Educate Plan committee members, as needed, regarding replacement of DIA(s)
and/or QDIA(s)
Participant Services
• Facilitate group enrollment meetings and coordinate investment education
• Assist Plan participants with financial wellness education, retirement planning
and/or gap analysis
Potential Additional Retirement Services Provided Outside of the Agreement
In providing Retirement Plan Services, we and our IARs may establish a client relationship
with one or more Plan participants or beneficiaries. Such client relationships develop in
various ways, including, without limitation:
• as a result of a decision by the Plan participant or beneficiary to purchase
services from us not involving the use of Plan assets;
• as part of an individual or family financial plan for which any specific
recommendations concerning the allocation of assets or investment
recommendations relating to assets held outside of the Plan; or
• through a rollover of an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA Rollover").
If we are providing Retirement Plan Services to a plan, IARs may, when requested by a Plan
participant or beneficiary, arrange to provide services to that participant or beneficiary
through a separate agreement. If a Plan participant or beneficiary desires to affect an IRA
FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 10
Rollover from the Plan to an account advised or managed by us, IAR will have a conflict of
interest if his/her fees are reasonably expected to be higher than those we would otherwise
receive in connection with the Retirement Plan Services. IAR will disclose relevant
information about the applicable fees charged by us prior to opening an IRA account. Any
decision to affect the rollover or about what to do with the rollover assets remain that of
the Plan participant or beneficiary alone.
In providing these optional services, we may offer employers and employees information
on other financial and retirement products or services offered by us and our IARs.
Individually Tailored Services
When providing investment fiduciary services, we will tailor our advice or (if applicable)
discretion to meet the investment policies or other written guidelines adopted by the
Sponsor. When providing Participant Investment Advice, such advice will be based upon
the investment objectives, risk tolerance and investment time horizon of each individual
Plan participant.
CONSULTING SERVICES
We also provide clients investment advice on a more-limited basis on one or more isolated
areas of concern such as estate planning, real estate, retirement planning, or any other
specific topic. Additionally, we provide advice on non-securities matters about the
rendering of estate planning, insurance, real estate, and/or annuity advice or any other
business advisory / consulting services for equity or debt investments in privately held
businesses. In these cases, clients will be required to select their own investment
managers, custodian, and/or insurance companies for the implementation of consulting
recommendations. If client needs include brokerage and/or other financial services, we
will recommend the use of one of several investment managers, brokers, banks,
custodians, insurance companies, or other financial professionals ("Firms"). Consulting
clients must independently evaluate these Firms before opening an account or
transacting business and have the right to effect business through any firm they choose.
Clients have the right to choose whether or not to follow the consulting advice provided.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING ROLLOVER RECOMMENDATIONS
We are fiduciaries under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and when we provide
investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual retirement
account, we are also fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws
governing retirement accounts. We have to act in your best interest and not put our
FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 11
interest ahead of yours. At the same time, the way we make money creates some conflicts
with your interests.
A client or prospect 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) rollover 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). Our Firm may recommend an
investor roll over plan assets to an IRA for which our Firm provides investment advisory
services. As a result, our Firm and its representatives may earn an asset-based fee. In
contrast, a recommendation that a client or prospective client leave their plan assets with
their previous employer or roll over the assets to a plan sponsored by a new employer will
generally result in no compensation to our Firm. Our Firm therefore has an economic
incentive to encourage a client to roll plan assets into an IRA that our Firm will manage,
which presents a conflict of interest. To mitigate the conflict of interest, there are various
factors that our Firm will consider before recommending a rollover, including but not
limited to: (i) the investment options available in the plan versus the investment options
available in an IRA, (ii) fees and expenses in the plan versus the fees and expenses in an
IRA, (iii) the services and responsiveness of the plan’s investment professionals versus
those of our Firm, (iv) protection of assets from creditors and legal judgments, (v) required
minimum distributions and age considerations, and (vi) employer stock tax consequences,
if any. Our Firm’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions
that a client or prospective client has regarding the oversight.
ASSETS
As of December 31, 2023, Expand Financial manages $1,399,749,711 in total regulatory
assets under management. $59,076,351 is managed on a non-discretionary basis and
$1,340,673,360 are managed on a discretionary basis.