Overview
AFG is an investment adviser providing wealth management services including: asset/liability planning,
investment advice, asset allocation strategies and portfolio construction recommendations. Offering
conservative guidance based on a risk-first methodology, AFG understands that traditional allocations can
be limited in capturing investor's personal concerns in collaboration with current market risks. Utilizing an
independent structure and a defined process we seek to obtain an objective and thorough understanding
of the complexities of an investor's life. Ultimately, AFG seeks to provide solutions that are unique to each
client's current and future financial circumstances.
AFG has been in business since June 2010. Frank E. Cannon is the principal owner of AFG. As of January
31, 2024, AFG had $94,780,627 of assets under management, all of which was managed on a discretionary
basis.
Prior to engaging AFG to provide any of the foregoing investment advisory services, the client is required
to enter into one or more written agreements with AFG setting forth the terms and conditions under which
AFG renders its services (collectively the “Agreement”).
This disclosure brochure describes the business of AFG. Certain sections will also describe the activities
of Supervised Persons. Supervised Persons are any of AFG’s officers, partners, directors (or other persons
occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employees, or any other person who provides
investment advice on AFG’s behalf and is subject to AFG’s supervision or control.
Wealth Management Services
Clients generally engage AFG to manage all or a portion of their assets on a discretionary basis.
AFG primarily allocates clients’ investment management assets among mutual funds, exchange-traded
funds (“ETFs”) and individual debt and equity securities in accordance with the investment objectives of the
client. AFG also provides advice about real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), master limited partnerships
(“MLPs”) and any other type of investment held in clients' portfolios at the beginning of the advisory
relationship. AFG also may provide advisory services to clients relative to variable life/annuity products that
they may own, their individual employer-sponsored retirement plans, and/or 529 plans or other products
that may not be held by the client’s primary custodian. In so doing, AFG recommends the allocation of
client assets among the various investment options that are available with the product. Client assets are
maintained at the specific
insurance company or custodian designated by the product.
The Firm uses the Pontera platform made available by Pontera Solutions, Inc. (“Pontera”), a third-party
online platform, to assist with management of clients’ accounts that are “held away” from the client’s primary
custodian. Unless otherwise agreed to in the Advisory Agreement, the Firm charges the same fees for the
management of held away assets. To facilitate use of the Pontera platform, the client securely logs into the
Pontera site and entitles the Firm to manage the assets.
Page 5 ©MarketCounsel 2024
Pontera charges the Firm for each account that it manages on the platform. Clients do not pay any additional
fee to Pontera or the Firm in connection with platform participation. The fees on the held-away accounts
are generally directly debited on a pro rata basis from client accounts. The exception for this is directly-
managed held-away accounts, such as 401(k)s. Those fees will be withdrawn from the client’s taxable
accounts on a pro-rata basis.
AFG tailors its advisory services to the individual needs of clients. AFG consults with clients initially and
on an ongoing basis to determine risk tolerance, time horizon and other factors that may impact the clients’
investment needs. AFG ensures that clients’ investments are suitable for their investment needs, goals,
objectives and risk tolerance. Clients are advised to promptly notify AFG if there are changes in their
financial situation or investment objectives or if they wish to impose any reasonable restrictions upon AFG’s
management services.
Certain of AFG’s Supervised Persons, in their individual capacities, are also licensed insurance agents and
will earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products. Insurance commissions earned
by these individuals are separate and in addition to fees received by the Firm. This creates a conflict of
interest as Supervised Persons who are licensed insurance agents have an incentive to recommend
insurance products to clients for the purpose of generating commissions. Clients are also advised that it
remains their responsibility to promptly notify AFG if there is ever any change in their financial situation or
investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating, or revising AFG’s previous
recommendations and/or services. Clients are not obligated to act upon the AFG recommendations and, if
clients elect to act on any of AFG’s recommendations, they are not obligated to effect such
recommendations through AFG. AFG does not sponsor or offer a wrap fee program.