About Our Firm
NobleBridge Wealth Management, LLC ("NBWM") is an investment advisory firm that was established
September 10, 2007, and business commenced March of 2008. Mr. Corey Franco owns 100% of NBWM.
NBWM is a private entity and independent investment adviser, which was previously doing business
under the name of Cross Creek Financial. Mr. Franco is the Managing Member and President. NBWM as
a new business name occurred in July of 2013 and is presently registered as an investment adviser
headquartered in the State of New Jersey and registered with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commissions ("SEC"). Our primary place of business is 28 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042.
Advisory Services Offered by NBWM
NBWM offers investment advisory services to individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts, and other
business (each referred to as a "Client"). The Advisor serves as a fiduciary to Clients, as defined under
the applicable laws and regulations. As a fiduciary, the Advisor upholds a duty of loyalty, fairness and
good faith towards each Client and seeks to mitigate potential conflicts of interest. NBWM's fiduciary
commitment is further described in the Advisor's Code of Ethics. For more information regarding the
Code of Ethics, please see Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading.
Prior to engaging NBWM to provide investment advisory services, each Client is required to enter into
one or more agreements with the Advisor that define the terms, conditions, authority and
responsibilities of the Advisor and the Client. These services may include:
Strategist and Consulting Services Program. We offer these advisory services through Financial
Consultants ("Consultant"); thus, the services will be referred to as Consultant services. From the client,
the Consultant will obtain information about the client's investment objectives, financial circumstances,
risk tolerance and any reasonable investment restrictions that the client wishes to place on the
management of the client's account. The client is responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of
information, records, and data provided to the Consultant. Based on the information provided, the
Consultant assists the client in selecting one or more third-party advisory programs, strategies, and/or
managers.
These services may include assistance with the selection of portfolio managers, the selection of
investment strategies, sub-advisers, and the allocation of assets among managers or strategies. NBWM
will not have trading discretion over any client assets in these programs; however, other managers may
have discretion over client assets invested in the program. The client will receive a disclosure brochure
describing each program selected. The client may also receive the disclosure brochure of each portfolio
manager selected. Clients should read these programs brochures carefully before deciding whether to
invest through a program or select a portfolio manager.
The client will make all decisions regarding the specific third-party managed account service that the
client selects. NBWM may have additional trading authority or discretion in choosing either the
investment services or the specific investments on behalf of clients in third-party advisory programs. For
additional information regarding these types of programs, refer to the applicable manager or program
brochure. Minimum account sizes for the third-party managed account programs may vary and will be
listed in the Disclosure Document (Form ADV Part II and related Brochures).
Morningstar Managed PortfoliosSM. NBWM has a relationship with Morningstar Investment Services LLC
(“Morningstar”) to make the Morningstar Managed Portfolios Program (the “Program”) available to
NBWM clients. The Program offers a series of model investment portfolios the underlying holdings of
which include but are not limited to open-end mutual funds, exchange traded funds, fixed-income
securities and/or equity securities (“Model Portfolios”). Each series of Model Portfolios has a minimum
amount necessary to open and maintain an account in the Program ranging from $5,000 to $250,000
depending on the Model Portfolio selected by the clients. Neither NBWM nor Morningstar act as
custodians for the assets placed in an account that subscribes to the Program. NBWM and Morningstar
will each charge annual fees on a quarterly basis to clients for their participation in the Program. The
aggregate amount of these fees will not exceed the 1.70% maximum described further in Item 5 herein.
NBWM does not receive any compensation from Morningstar. Additional information about the
account minimums and fees charged by Morningstar will be provided to clients before they select a
Model Portfolio and enroll in the Program.
55I, LLC – d/b/a – 55ip. NBWM has a relationship with 55I, LLC (“55ip”) to make use of independent
managers (the “Program”) available to NBWM clients. NBWM will recommend to Clients that all or a
portion of their investment portfolio be implemented by utilizing one or more unaffiliated money
managers or investment platforms (collectively “Independent Managers”). Independent Managers may
be sourced directly or accessed through an investment management platform. The Program offers a
series of model investment portfolios the underlying holdings of which include but are not limited to
open-end mutual funds, exchange traded funds, fixed-income securities and/or equity securities
(“Model Providers”). Each series of Model Portfolios has a minimum amount necessary to open and
maintain an account in the Program ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 depending on the Model Portfolio
selected by the clients. Neither NBWM nor 55ip act as custodians for the assets placed in an account
that subscribes to the Program. NBWM will charge annual fees on a quarterly basis to clients for their
participation in the Program. 55ip will receive its fees from the respective independent model manager
or fund company who provides the model or model providers. The aggregate amount of the NBWM fees
will not exceed the 1.50% maximum described further in Item 5 herein. NBWM does not receive any
compensation from 55ip or third-party managers. Additional information about the account minimums
and fees charged by 55ip will be provided to clients before they select a Model Portfolio and enroll in
the Program.
Retirement Plan Consulting Services. Under NBWM's Retirement Plan Consulting Services ("RPCS"), the
Consultant assists clients that are trustees or other fiduciaries to retirement plans ("Plan" or "Plans") by
providing fee-based consulting and/or advisory services. NBWM will perform one or more of the
following services, as selected by the client in the client agreement:
Assistance with the preparation, distribution and evaluation of Request for Proposals, finalist
interviews, and conversion support in connection with vendor analysis and service provider support.
NBWM may also function as a liaison between the Plans and service providers or other advisers.
• Preparation or review of an investment policy statement ("IPS") for the Plan based upon
consultation with the client to ascertain the Plan's investment objectives and constraints.
• Ongoing monitoring of investment manager(s) or investments in relation to the criteria specified in
the Plan's IPS or other written guidelines provided by the client to NBWM.
• Ongoing recommendations, for consideration and selection by client, about specific investments to
be held by the Plan or, in the case of a participant-directed defined contribution plan, to be made
available as investment options under the Plan.
• Preparation of reports describing the performance of Plan investment manager(s) or investments, as
well as comparing the performance to benchmarks.
• Assistance in enrolling Plan participants in the Plan, including conducting an agreed upon number of
enrollment meetings. As part of such meetings, NBWM may provide participants with information
about the Plan, which may include information describing the benefits of Plan participation, the
benefits of increasing Plan contributions, the impact of pre-retirement withdrawals on retirement
income, the terms of the Plan and the operation of the Plan.
• Assistance with investment education seminars and meetings for Plan participants. Such meetings
may be on a group or individual basis and may include information about the investment options
under the Plan (e.g., investment objectives, risk/return characteristics, and historical performance),
investment concepts (e.g., diversification, asset classes, and risk and return), and how to determine
investment time horizons and assess risk tolerance. Such meetings do not include specific
investment advice about investment options under the Plan as being appropriate for a particular
participant.
• As part of the ongoing investment recommendation service set out above, assistance in identifying
investment options in connection with the "broad range" requirement of Section 404(c) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). As part of the ongoing investment
recommendation service set out above, NBWM will assist in identifying an investment fund product
or model portfolio in connection with the definition of a "Qualified Default Investment Alternative"
("QDIA") under ERISA.
Additionally, if participants in the Plans invest the assets in their accounts through individual brokerage
accounts, a mutual fund window, or other similar arrangement, or obtain participant loans, NBWM does
not provide any individualized advice or recommendations to the participants regarding these decisions.
Furthermore, RPCS will not provide individualized investment advice to Plan participants regarding their
Plan assets.
NBWM provides advisory services under RPCS as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940. In addition, if client elects to engage NBWM to perform ongoing investment monitoring and
ongoing investment recommendation services in the client agreement, such services will constitute
"investment advice" under Section 3(21)(A)(ii) of ERISA. Therefore, NBWM will be deemed a "fiduciary"
as such term is defined under Section 3(21)(A)(ii) of ERISA in connection with those services. Clients
should understand that to the extent NBWM is engaged to perform services other than ongoing
investment monitoring and recommendations, those services are not "investment advice" under ERISA
and therefore, NBWM will not be a "fiduciary" under ERISA with respect to those other services.
Financial Planning and Related Consulting Services
NBWM, through certain Consultants, may provide financial planning, related business consulting or
start-up consulting services to clients that have entered into the NBWM Consulting Services Agreement
("Agreement"). Financial planning services may include, but not be limited to, the following: estate
planning, retirement planning, financial planning, education planning, asset allocation, insurance needs
analysis, as well as other planning issues and investment recommendations. NBWM may also provide
the client with a quarterly performance review of the assets identified in the client's financial consulting
services agreement. NBWM offers its written evaluation consultation services under a flexible model,
depending upon the complexity and duration of the services, as negotiated through an Agreement,
between the Consultant and client. From time to time, Consultants from NBWM will conduct workshops
or be asked to participate in speaking engagements which may cover general financial topics and
concepts. Personal consultations with clients are intended to address the client's individual questions,
financial needs, and personal circumstances. The consulting services may encompass a wide variety of
issues and topics, including investment recommendations. Services may also include an evaluation and
series of recommendations for companies throughout their development, from start-up to well-
established businesses. The client has sole responsibility for determining whether to implement any
recommendations made during any personal consultation. The client may, but is not required to,
implement any of the recommendations through NBWM as investment adviser. If the client chooses to
use NBWM to implement any recommendations, those activities are separate and distinct from the
consulting services provided by NBWM under a consulting services agreement.
Ongoing Services
1. Goal planning. For an implementation and monthly subscription fee, NBWM works directly with
clients to identify and create short and long-term financial goals. As part of this service clients receive:
• Assistance in designing personal financial planning goals, objectives and recommendations
• Consultation meetings to develop and implement financial strategies that address up to two
personal wealth management goals (examples include retirement
planning, education planning,
asset allocation modeling, financial budgeting)
• Written or digital report(s) detailing the financial planning goals, objectives and recommendations
related to the allocation of current financial resources among various types of assets
• Access to a digital client portal that links external accounts from thousands of financial institutions
• Analytics for net worth, asset summary and cash flow
• Actionable progress reporting
2. Advanced financial planning. For an implementation and monthly subscription fee, NBWM provides
advanced in-depth risk-based consulting services, including but not limited to:
• Financial management, wealth protection, and analysis
• Risk management coverage analysis and recommendations
• Tax planning
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning analysis
• Preparation and monitoring of an investment policy statement
• Identification of investment alternatives and investment selection
• Access to a digital client portal that links external accounts from thousands of financial institutions
3. Tax Planning Advisory and/or Integrated Tax Services. On an hourly basis or on a flat fee basis,
NBWM works directly with clients to gather, analyze, and create specific personalized tax planning
guidance and advice. Personalized tax strategies and tax planning advice are tailored to individuals,
business, and estate planning objectives.
NBWM provides advanced in-depth tax planning consulting services, including but not limited to:
Personal
• Income Tax Planning Strategies
• Investment Tax Planning
• Estate Tax Planning
• Retirement Tax Planning
• Charitable Giving Strategies
• Education Tax Planning
Business
• Assistance in Income and Expense Management Strategies
• Qualified Retirement Plans; educate and design solutions
• State and Local Tax (SALT) Planning
• Succession Planning and Exit Strategies
• Comprehensive Tax Planning
Additionally, NBWM will introduce and work with certified tax professionals or professional tax experts
to provide an integrated holistic advisory and tax planning services as part of these core services.
Client’s may also engage and hire these additional third-party experts for specific tax planning services
or additional tax law, audit, bookkeeping, tax preparation and tax filing services. These additional
integrated services are outside the scope of NBWM expertise and have additional costs.
Project-Based Services
Under the NobleBridge project-based engagement, NBWM provides distinct financial planning and
consulting advice that may be billed at an hourly rate or for a flat fee. Examples of on demand services
may include both business and personal projects:
Personal
• Financial budgeting
• Planning for the purchase of a first or second home
• Planning for college savings and paying off student debt
• Financial management, wealth protection, and analysis
• Philanthropic Planning
• Retirement planning
• Career coaching
Business
• Assistance in designing business and/or personal financial planning goals, objectives, and
recommendations
• Consultation meetings to develop and implement financial strategies and/or business tasks,
including new business start-up and strategic business planning
• Business development coaching
Asset Under Advisement Services
NBWM provides certain nondiscretionary investment advisory services for a fee based on the value of
assets under advisement. Asset Under Advisement Services are limited to the following:
• Preparation and monitoring of Client's Investment Policy Statement
• A written report of the goals, objectives, and recommendations regarding the allocation of current
financial resources among different types of assets and constraints
• Quarterly monitoring of investment managers or investments in relation to Client's Investment
Policy Statement
• Comparisons of performance of Clients investments to applicable benchmarks and other metrics
• Identification of investment alternatives and investment selection
• Identify investment funds or model portfolios for Client's selection based upon proprietary selection
criteria
• Identify investment funds or model portfolios for Client's selection in accordance with criteria in
Client's Investment Policy Statement
Managed Account Services
NBWM manages accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis by purchasing, selling, or
otherwise trading securities or other investments. Such securities may include: exchange-listed equity
securities, securities traded over-the-counter, foreign equities, corporate debt securities (other than
commercial paper), certificates of deposit, and municipal securities, options on securities, government
securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds. Clients direct that transactions be executed
through a non-affiliated broker-dealer. Presently, we do not sponsor but do participate in a wrap fee
program or account structure. In such wrap fee programs, we only receive our investment management
fee as part of the total fee.
NBWM currently has an approved adviser trading relationship with Interactive Brokers, LLC (Interactive),
which is a limited-service broker-dealer. In addition to investment services utilizing CitiGroup Private
Bank & Adviser Services, Charles Schwab ("CS&Co"), LPL Financial Group ("LPL"), and The Vanguard
Group, Inc. ("Vanguard"), NBWM will often recommend Interactive or CS&Co as broker for client
accounts because of their execution services, transaction cost, and depth of services and technology.
NBWM also has an agreement with RBC Capital Markets, LLC (RBC) under which RBC clears securities
transactions with brokers or dealers designated by NBWM as prime broker and with which RBC has an
agreement. All third-party brokers and custodians will review and approve authorization only upon
client request for trading authorization of NBWM and its Consultant as adviser. NBWM has no obligation
to accept an account for investment services. Clients are under no obligation to establish an account
with the above-named custodians. If a client so directs, the client may pay more in transaction charges
and/or commissions depending on which broker-dealer the client chooses.
NBWM has entered into an agreement with American Funds Distributors, Inc. (also referred to herein as
American Funds Service Company or “AFS”), a FINRA member firm, to permit NBWM clients to establish
an account with AFS and hold Class F-2 mutual fund shares and Class 529 F-2 plan shares directly at AFS.
The agreement permits NBWM to manage its clients’ investments in American Funds in held accounts at
AFS, and AFS will charge fees to those accounts for the services provided by NBWM. The fees will be
charged quarterly in arrears.
NBWM uses a Pontera Solutions, Inc. to facilitate management of held away assets (such as defined
contribution plan participant accounts including 401(k) accounts, HSA’s, and other retirement accounts)
with discretion. Pontera Solutions, Inc will allow NBWM to trade and or rebalance the accounts. Pontera
also provides some analytical tools and can issue reports which document NBWM’s use of Pontera on
the accounts. The platform allows NBWM to avoid being considered to have custody of Client funds
since we do not have direct access to Client log-in credentials to affect trades. We are not affiliated with
the platform in any way and receive no compensation from them for using their platform. A link will be
provided to the Client allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once Client account(s) is
connected to the platform, Adviser will review the current account allocations. When deemed
necessary, Adviser will rebalance the account considering client investment goals and risk tolerance, and
any change in allocations will consider current economic and market trends. The goal is to improve
account performance over time, minimize loss during difficult markets, and manage internal fees that
harm account performance. Client account(s) will be reviewed at least quarterly, and allocation changes
will be made as deemed necessary.
Seminars and Workshops – Educational Services
NBWM offers seminars and workshops to interested parties including individuals and business entities.
These seminars and workshops are conducted by advisory representatives of NBWM. The seminars
and workshops are intended to provide financial literacy for families, children, business enterprises,
small business enterprises, and employees. We include basic investment planning, estate and
financial planning, retirement income education and preparation, information about benefit packages,
health insurance and other financial services education topics. These seminars and workshops may
also include information about the use of technology and analytics to support employees and provide
mentorship to help individuals improve their use of employer-provided financial services and workplace
benefits.
Some members of the team may participate in industry-related events as moderators, presenters, and
content experts. These events may include the use of ETFs as an investment platform, digital currency,
and other current investment topics. Advice on these topics is offered as part of these seminars and
workshops.
The advice and topics discussed are general in purpose; they are not designed to take into account a
participant's specific and unique set of financial and personal circumstances. These meetings do not
provide a formalized client onboarding, or transition into a client relationship, and open forums of
engagement for the benefit of providing education to address the lack of understanding of analytics that
often result in the workplace as an example.
Participant Education. Advisor will be available upon request to provide education services to the Plan
participants about general investment principles and the investment alternatives available under the
Plan. Client understands that Adviser's assistance in participant investment education will be consistent
with and within the scope of DOL Interpretive Bulletin 96-1. Education presentations will not consider
the individual circumstances of each participant and individual recommendations will not be provided
unless otherwise agreed upon. Plan participants are responsible for implementing transactions in their
own accounts.
Participant Enrollment. Advisor shall assist in the group enrollment meetings designed to increase
retirement plan participation among employees and investment and financial understanding by the
employees.
Individual Client Needs and Restrictions
NBWM's servicing Consultant can refer and/or recommend their clients to these programs and/or
services based upon their clients' investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon, as well as
any particular policies, guidelines, and reasonable restrictions. NBWM provides advisory services to the
individual needs of clients. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities
or types of securities.
IRA Rollover Recommendations
Effective December 20, 2021 (or such later date as the US Department of Labor ("DOL") Field
Assistance Bulletin 2018-02 ceases to be in effect), for purposes of complying with the DOL's
Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02 ("PTE 2020-02") where applicable, we are providing the
following acknowledgment to you.
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, we are 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. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a
special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under
this special rule's provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent
advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, we provide continuous management services for $160,196,755 in client assets
with $119,679,396 in client assets on a discretionary basis, and $40,517,359 in client assets on a
nondiscretionary basis.