Overview
Description of Advisory Firm
Abner, Herrman & Brock LLC (“AHB,” the “firm,” or “we”), was founded in 1981 and is an investment advisor
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The firm provides investment
management and advisory services on a discretionary and a non-discretionary basis. Investment services are
provided within guidelines formulated with each client, based upon defined investment objectives. Our
foremost priority is putting our clients’ interests first and working with them to achieve their long-term
investment objectives. Abner, Herrman & Brock LLC is principally owned by the Abner Trust.
Advisory Services
AHB provides investment management and advisory services in separately managed accounts for individuals,
high net worth individuals, trusts, estates, retirement accounts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable
organizations, corporations, and other business entities (referred to as “client(s)”). AHB also provides
investment management services for wrap fee programs sponsored by other firms. In this capacity, AHB is a
subadvisor or has a separate agreement with the sponsor firm to provide such services.
The firm has an Investment Policy Committee which is comprised of Portfolio Managers and Analysts that
work together to make investment decisions for each of the firm’s investment strategies. Portfolio Managers
oversee the client accounts to implement the Committee’s investment decisions if appropriate for each client
based on the client’s financial goals, investment objectives, and risk tolerance.
The initial client consultation allows the firm to tailor a portfolio to a client’s individual financial goals,
investment objectives, and risk tolerance. During these conversations with prospective clients, investment
objectives are identified and an asset allocation plan and investment strategy are devised. Clients may impose
reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities as well as restrictions on
maturities for the fixed income portfolio. We review any requests for such restrictions on a case-by-case basis
and agree to implement them when feasible. Any specific restrictions are noted, and the firm’s advisory fees
are discussed. The client may change these initial objectives at any time. If clients elect to retain AHB as an
investment manager, clients are provided an Initial Client Profile outlining the agreed upon objectives, asset
allocation
plan, investment strategy and annual fee. Each client executes a contractual Investment Advisory
Agreement which also designates a custodian to hold their securities and a broker that will execute
transactions. Agreements may not be assigned without the client’s consent.
Advisor to Wrap Fee Programs
AHB also provides investment and portfolio management services for wrap fee programs. There is no
difference in the investment management that AHB provides to wrap fee programs from the investment and
portfolio management services provided to other accounts. In such programs, a client pays a program sponsor
a single “wrap fee” for advisory services, certain brokerage services, monitoring of the investment advisor’s
performance and custodial services, or some combination of these or other services. As compensation for our
investment and portfolio management services, AHB receives a portion of the “wrap fee” that is charged by
the program sponsors. In most cases, AHB acts under a sub-advisory agreement in which the sponsor is
responsible for determining the suitability and objectives of their clients.
Advisor to Model Portfolio Vendor
AHB has relationships with other financial intermediaries in which AHB designs, monitors, and updates one or
more model portfolios to meet the objectives set forth by the clients of such financial intermediaries. These
portfolios are managed with the same investment philosophies and strategies as other accounts are managed
by AHB. AHB does not have discretion in the management of such portfolios. AHB’s recommendations that
are provided to the program sponsor are used in their sole discretion, as to the extent to which they
implement the model portfolios and/or each recommendation. AHB receives a fee for these investment
services that is based on the average value for the aggregate assets in the Model Portfolio Accounts managed
using the Model Portfolio at the beginning of the quarter. The model portfolios are not considered AHB assets
under management (“AUM”) and therefore not included in our AUM calculations. Model Portfolios may be
subject to lesser or greater advisory fees depending on the simplicity or complexity of the objective.
Client Assets
As of December 31, 2023, AHB manages approximately $1.95 billion in assets for approximately 1,859 clients,
of which approximately $1.9 billion is managed on a discretionary basis and $47 million on a non-discretionary
basis.