Light Financial Services Inc. is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business
located in North Dakota. Light Financial Services Inc. began conducting business in 2003.
Paul Arthur Light is the President and Chief Compliance Officer.
Light Financial Services Inc. offers the following advisory services to our clients:
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our firm provides continuous advice to a client regarding the investment of client funds based on the
individual needs of the client. Through personal discussions in which goals and objectives based on a
client's particular circumstances are established, we develop a client's risk profile and manage the
portfolio based on that strategy. During our data-gathering process, we determine the client’s individual
objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. As appropriate, we also review and discuss
a client's prior investment history, as well as family composition and background.
We manage these advisory accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. 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.
Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, types of securities, or
industry sectors.
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a financial
institution and will generally include advice regarding the following investments:
• Certificates of deposit
• Mutual fund shares
• Exchange-listed securities
Depending on the new account we may also trade existing positions as accommodation.
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.
MODEL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our firm provides portfolio management services to clients using model asset allocation portfolios.
Each model portfolio is designed to meet a particular investment goal. We manage these advisory
accounts on a discretionary basis. 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.
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, rather than 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.
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a
financial institution and will generally include advice regarding the following investments:
• Exchange-listed securities
• Mutual fund shares
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.
To ensure that our initial determination of an appropriate portfolio remains suitable and that the
account continues to be managed in a manner consistent with the client's financial circumstances,
we will:
1. at least annually, contact each participating client to determine whether there have been any
changes in the client's financial situation or investment objectives, and whether the client
wishes to impose investment restrictions or modify existing restrictions;
2. be reasonably available to consult with the client; and
3. maintain client suitability information in each client's file.
ORION WRAP FEE PROGRAM
Light Financial Services Inc. provides access to a wrap program offered and managed by third parties
referred to as the Orion Wrap Fee Program. This Wrap Fee Program which Light Financial Services Inc.
has entered an agreement with Orion Portfolio Solutions (“Orion”) is available to our clients.
Wrap fee program services generally begin with Light Financial Services obtaining the necessary financial
data from our clients to assist with setting an appropriate investment objective, determining the
suitability of the program and in opening an account with Orion. Depending on the particular program,
Light Financial Service may also assist our clients with selecting asset allocation models comprised of
mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (“Strategists Models”) managed by a group of third-party
independent money managers (“Strategists”) responsible for providing discretionary
asset management
services. The Strategists are granted client authority through the Orion client agreement to purchase
and sell securities on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis pursuant to investment objective chosen
by our clients. In doing so, the Strategists typically construct various model investment portfolios that
are managed according to specific investment strategies associated with the respective models, and that
are not generally customized for individual clients (subject to our client’s ability to request reasonable
investment restrictions on investing in securities or other special accommodations that may be made).
In addition to portfolio management services, Orion will also generally arrange for custody of client
assets, trade execution, cashiering services, and such other services as outlined in their separate client
agreement and Brochure.
These Wrap Fee Programs are subject to review by Light Financial Services Inc.’s standards for inclusion
as a wrap fee program offered to our clients and are subject to future change.
Since the wrap fee program services provided by Orion are unique, our clients should carefully review
the applicable Brochure, client agreement and other account paperwork for more detailed information
about the services provided by Orion, including without limitation, a description of the Orion’s
background, investment strategies, fees, custody arrangements, conflicts of interest, and other relevant
information regarding the TAMP sponsor’s services and business practices.
Further detail regarding Orion’s Wrap Fee Programs is provided in Orion Portfolio Solutions, Appendix
1 of Form ADV Part 2A, The Wrap Brochure.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
We provide financial planning services. Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client's
current and future financial state by using currently known variables to predict future cash flows, asset
values and withdrawal plans. Through the financial planning process, all questions, information and
analysis are considered as they impact and are impacted by the entire financial and life situation of the
client. Clients purchasing this service receive a written report which provides the client with a detailed
financial plan designed to assist the client achieve his or her financial goals and objectives.
In general, the financial plan can address any or all of the following areas:
• PERSONAL: We review family records, budgeting, personal liability, estate information and
financial goals.
• TAX & CASH FLOW: We analyze the client's income tax and spending and planning for past,
current and future years; then illustrate the impact of various investments on the client's
current income tax and future tax liability.
• INVESTMENTS: We analyze investment alternatives and their effect on the client's portfolio.
• INSURANCE: We review existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability,
long-term care, liability, home and automobile.
• RETIREMENT: We analyze current strategies and investment plans to help the client achieve his
or her retirement goals.
• DEATH & DISABILITY: We review the client's cash needs at death, income needs of surviving
dependents, estate planning and disability income.
• ESTATE: We assist the client in assessing and developing long-term strategies, including as
appropriate, living trusts, wills, review estate tax, powers of attorney, asset protection plans,
nursing homes, Medicaid and elder law.
We gather required information through in-depth personal interviews. Information gathered
includes the client's current financial status, tax status, future goals, returns objectives and attitudes
towards risk. We carefully review documents supplied by the client and generally prepare a written
report. Should the client choose to implement the recommendations contained in the plan, we
suggest the client work closely with his/her attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and/or
stockbroker. Implementation of financial plan recommendations is entirely at the client's discretion.
We also provide general non-securities advice on topics that may include tax and budgetary planning,
estate planning and business planning.
Financial Planning recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a
financial institution are generic in nature and will generally include advice regarding the following
investments:
• Exchange Traded Funds (“ETF”)
• Certificates of deposit
• Mutual fund shares
Typically the financial plan is presented to the client within six months of the contract date, provided
that all information needed to prepare the financial plan has been promptly provided.
AMOUNT OF MANAGED ASSETS
As of December 31, 2022, we were actively managing $102,926,301 of clients' assets on a discretionary
basis, plus $911,011 of clients' assets on a non-discretionary basis.