Financial Advantage, Inc. dba FAI Wealth Management ("FAI") is a registered investment advisor
based in Columbia, Maryland. We are organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of
Maryland. We have been providing investment advisory services since 1987. Mark O. Stinson, CPA,
CFP®, MBA, President, Curtis R. Gross, MBA, CFA®, Chairman/Chief Investment Officer, and Andrew
L. Smith, AAMS®, Vice President/Chief Compliance Officer, are owners.
As used in this brochure, the words "we," "our" and "us" refer to FAI Wealth Management, and the
words "you," "your" and "client" refer to you as either a client or prospective client of our firm. Also, you
may see the term associated person throughout this brochure. As used in this brochure, our
associated persons are our firm's officers, employees, and all individuals providing investment advice
on behalf of our firm.
FAI’s services include our planning and investment processes, which we believe go hand in hand. Our
planning team works closely with clients and their other advisors to develop detailed strategies in the
critical areas of cash flow, taxes, risk management, investments, retirement, and estate planning. For
over 30 years we have created diversified portfolios using publicly traded individual stocks, bonds, and
funds. Currently, we offer the following advisory services which can be utilized independently or in
combination:
Wealth Management
Ongoing Financial Planning and Consulting
Investment Management
Retirement Plan Consulting
Hourly and Ad Hoc Consulting
The following paragraphs describe our services and fees. Please refer to the description of each
investment advisory service listed below for information on how we tailor our advisory services to your
individual needs.
Wealth Management Services
Our wealth management service is a retainer arrangement that provides clients with personal financial
planning and investment management services. Our staff is committed to developing, implementing,
and supervising your customized financial plan. Specifically, we may provide guidance in areas such
as cash flow and budget analysis/planning, tax analysis/planning, risk management, retirement
planning, estate planning, and investment/portfolio management. As part of the investment
management component of this service, we will construct a portfolio based on your individual needs
and objectives and actively manage your portfolio on a discretionary basis.
Our staff will be accessible to you for advice and support in matters impacting your personal financial
situation and the achievement of your goals.
On an annualized basis, the firm's fees for wealth management services are based on the following
fee schedule:
Assets Under Management Annualized Fee*
First $2,000,000 1.00%
Next $3,000,000 0.70%
Above $5,000,000 0.50%
*Note: Clients generally have a minimum of $500,000 in investable assets to qualify for this service.
The fee does not include transaction fees, or other fees/expenses charged by brokers, custodians, or
mutual funds.
When agreed between each party, it may be appropriate to establish a fee schedule different from the
base fee structure due to circumstances such as prior relationship, related accounts, level of collateral
responsibilities, etc.
At our discretion, we may allow accounts of members of the same household to be aggregated for
purposes of determining the advisory fee. We may allow such aggregation, for example, where we
service accounts on behalf of related accounts. This consolidation practice is designed to allow a
client the benefit of an increased asset total, which could potentially cause the accounts to be
assessed a reduced advisory fee based on the breakpoints available in our fee schedule as stated
above.
The annual fee is billed quarterly, in advance, and payment is due on the first days of January, April,
July, and October. Fees are calculated using the asset value on the last day of the previous calendar
quarter as reported by the custodian. For assets not held at our select custodians, it is the client’s
responsibility to provide updated statements of market value. Fees will be assessed pro rata in the
event the advisory agreement is executed at any time other than the first day of a billing period.
Fees will either be invoiced and payable by check or the advisory fees will be directly debited by the
qualified custodian holding your funds and securities provided you supply us with written authorization
permitting the fees to be paid directly from the account. Further, the qualified custodian agrees to
deliver an account statement, at least quarterly, directly to you, showing all disbursements from the
account. You are encouraged to review all account statements for accuracy and compare those with
those we provide to you quarterly.
Ongoing Financial Planning and Consulting Services
In certain circumstances, we may offer ongoing financial planning and consulting services through
a retainer fee arrangement. Services may include cash flow analysis, ongoing strategic advice, asset
allocation, retirement planning, capital needs analysis, risk management, income tax planning and/or
estate planning. Services may also include periodic reviews, revisions/updates to the financial plan,
and ongoing consulting as necessary.
The annual fee for these services depends on the scope and complexity of your specific
circumstances and typically starts at $4,000 for initial 18-month engagement. In determining the fee,
we may also take into consideration other factors such as liquid net worth and investment time
horizon. Fees for ongoing/retainer services are payable in advance. Other fee payment arrangements
may be negotiated in limited circumstances, and at our sole discretion. Mutually agreed upon terms for
the continuation of service will be established in the executed agreement with our firm.
Investment Management Services
Our stand-alone investment management services are not available to new clients at this time. For
our legacy clients that engaged us prior to 2015, we provide discretionary investment management
services (without personal financial planning) where the investment advice provided is custom tailored
to meet your needs and investment objectives. Subject to any written guidelines, which you may
provide, we will be granted discretion and authority to manage your accounts. Accordingly, we are
authorized to perform various functions, at your expense, without further approval from you. Such
functions include the determination of securities to be purchased/sold, and the amount of securities to
be purchased/sold. Once the portfolio is constructed, we will provide continuous supervision and
rebalancing of the portfolio as changes in market conditions and your circumstances may require.
On an annualized basis, the firm's fees for investment management services will be 1% of the assets
under management. Investment management is subject to a minimum of $5,000. This minimum
applies to clients who engage us for investment management services only. The fee does not include
transaction fees, or other fees/expenses charged by brokers, custodians, or mutual funds.
At our discretion, we may allow accounts of members of the same household to be aggregated for
purposes of determining the advisory fee. We may allow such aggregation, for example, where we
service accounts on behalf of related accounts. This consolidation practice is designed to allow you
the benefit of an increased asset total, which could potentially cause the accounts to be assessed a
reduced advisory fee based on the breakpoints available in our fee schedule as stated above.
The annual fee for investment management services is billed quarterly, in advance, based on the
asset value on the last day of the previous quarter as reported by the custodian. For assets not held at
our select custodians, it is your responsibility to provide updated statements of market value. Fees will
be assessed pro rata in the event the portfolio management agreement is executed at any time other
than the first day of a calendar quarter.
Management fees will either be invoiced and payable by check or the management fees will be
directly debited by the qualified custodian holding your funds and securities provided you supply
written authorization permitting the fees to be paid directly from the account. We will not have access
to your funds for payment of fees without your written consent. Further, the qualified custodian agrees
to deliver an account statement, at least quarterly, directly to you, showing all disbursements from the
account. You are encouraged to review all account statements for accuracy.
Types of Investments
We may advise you on any type of investment that we deem appropriate based on your stated goals
and objectives. We may also provide advice on any type of investment held in your portfolio at the
inception of our advisory relationship. If you request that we refrain from investing in particular
securities or certain types of securities, those restrictions must be provided to our firm in writing.
Termination of Management Services
Either you or our firm may terminate the management agreement within five days of the date of
acceptance without penalty to you. Subsequent to that period, either party may terminate the
agreement by providing 30 days written notice to the other party, with termination generally taking
effect at the end of the calendar quarter unless otherwise provided in the written notice. In the event
there are any prepaid unearned fees, we will promptly refund a pro rata share to you. All applicable
fees, terms of engagement, and termination clauses will be clearly set forth in the agreement executed
between all parties.
Retirement Plan Consulting Services
We offer pension consulting services to sponsors of participant directed retirement plans based upon
the needs of the plan and the services requested by the plan sponsor. In general, these services may
include an existing plan review and analysis, plan-level advice regarding fund selection and
investment options, investment performance monitoring, ongoing consulting, and education services
to plan participants. Participant education meetings are designed to assist participants with the
investment selection process. The ultimate decision to act on behalf of the plan shall remain with the
plan sponsor or other named fiduciary.
The scope of these services, the fees, and the terms of the agreement for these services will be
negotiated on a case-by-case basis with each plan sponsor and will be clearly set forth in writing
in the
agreement for services.
Hourly and Ad Hoc Consultations
We do not generally offer hourly consulting to the public at large. Where a situation warrants it,
personal financial planning and consulting services are provided hourly on a fee-only basis. Mark
Stinson’s hourly rate is $350, and Skyler Hutcheson is $350. Work performed by other staff members
is $250 per hour. Invoices are billed monthly for work that has been performed to completion.
Important Disclosures
We do not serve as an attorney or insurance agency, and no portion of our services should be
construed as same. Accordingly, we do not prepare estate planning documents, or sell insurance
products.
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation Services. To
the extent specifically requested, FAI will generally provide limited planning and consulting services
regarding non-investment related matters, such as tax and estate planning, insurance, etc. inclusive of
its advisory fee set forth at Item 5 below (limited exceptions may occur based upon assets under
management, advanced planning needs, special projects, etc. for which Firm may charge a mutually
agreeable additional fee and/or stand-alone financial planning engagement). Please Note: FAI does
not serve as an attorney, accountant, or insurance agent, and no portion of our services should be
construed as same. Accordingly, FAI does not prepare legal documents, prepare tax returns, or sell
insurance products. To the extent requested by a client, we may recommend the services of other
professionals for non-investment implementation purpose (i.e. attorneys, accountants, insurance,
etc.). The client is under no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended professional.
The client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or
reject any recommendation from FAI and/or its representatives.
Cash Positions. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or anticipated market
conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated market conditions/events will
occur), we may maintain cash positions for defensive purposes. All cash positions (money markets,
etc.) shall be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating your advisory
fee. Andrew Smith, Chief Compliance Officer, remains available to address any
questions you may have regarding the above fee billing practice.
Investment Risk. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be
assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the
investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by us) will be profitable or
equal any specific performance level(s).
Client Obligations. In performing our services, we shall not be required to verify any information
received from you or your other professionals, and we are expressly authorized to rely thereon.
Moreover, it remains your responsibility to promptly notify us if changes occur in your financial
situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous
recommendations and/or services.
Retirement Rollovers – No Obligation/Conflict of Interest. A client or prospective client 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) roll over
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). If FAI recommends that a client
roll over their retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by FAI, such a recommendation
creates a conflict of interest if FAI will earn new (or increase its current) compensation as a result of
the rollover. When acting in such capacity, FAI serves as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA), or the Internal Revenue Code, or both. No client is under any
obligation to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by FAI. FAI’s Chief
Compliance Officer, Andrew Smith, remains available to address any questions that a client or
prospective client may have regarding the potential for conflict of interest presented by such
rollover recommendation.
Custodian Charges Additional Fees. As discussed below at Item 12 below, when requested to
recommend a broker-dealer/custodian for client accounts, FAI generally recommends that Charles
Schwab (Schwab) serve as the broker-dealer/custodian for client investment management assets.
Broker-dealers such as Schwab charge transaction fees for effecting securities transactions. In
addition to FAI’s investment advisory fee referenced in Item 5 below, the client will also incur
transaction fees to purchase securities for the client’s account (i.e., mutual funds, exchange traded
funds, individual equity and fixed income transactions, etc.). ANY QUESTIONS: FAI’s Chief
Compliance Officer, Andrew Smith, remains available to address any questions that a client or
prospective client may have regarding the above.
Portfolio Activity. FAI has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the client’s best
interest. As part of its investment advisory services, FAI will review client portfolios on an ongoing
basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon various factors, including, but not limited
to, investment performance, fund manager tenure, style drift, account additions/withdrawals, and/or a
change in the client’s investment objective. Based upon these factors, there may be extended periods
of time when FAI determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are neither necessary nor prudent. Of
course, as indicated below, there can be no assurance that investment decisions made by FAI will be
profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
ERISA PLAN and 401(k) INDIVIDUAL ENGAGEMENTS:
• Trustee Directed Plans. FAI may be engaged to provide investment advisory services to
ERISA retirement plans, whereby the Firm shall manage Plan assets consistent with the
investment objective designated by the Plan trustees. In such engagements, FAI will serve as
an investment fiduciary as that term is defined under The Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). FAI will generally provide services on an “assets under
management” fee basis per the terms and conditions of an Investment Advisory Agreement
between the Plan and the Firm.
• Participant Directed Retirement Plans. FAI may also provide investment advisory and
consulting services to participant directed retirement plans per the terms and conditions of a
Retirement Plan Services Agreement between FAI and the plan. For such engagements, FAI
shall assist the Plan sponsor with the selection of an investment platform from which Plan
participants shall make their respective investment choices (which may include investment
strategies devised and managed by FAI), and, to the extent engaged to do so, may also
provide corresponding education to assist the participants with their decision-making process.
• Client Retirement Plan Assets. If requested to do so, FAI shall provide investment advisory
services relative to the client’s 401(k) plan assets. In such event, FAI shall recommend that the
client allocate the retirement account assets among the investment options available on the
401(k) platform. FAI shall be limited to making recommendations regarding the allocation of
the assets among the investment alternatives available through the plan. FAI will not receive
any communications from the plan sponsor or custodian, and it shall remain the client’s
exclusive obligation to notify FAI of any changes in investment alternatives, restrictions, etc.
pertaining to the retirement account.
Use of Mutual Funds: Most mutual funds are available directly to the public. Thus, a prospective
client can obtain many of the mutual funds that may be recommended and/or utilized by FAI
independent of engaging FAI as an investment advisor. However, if a prospective client determines to
do so, he/she will not receive FAI’s initial and ongoing investment advisory services.
Tradeaway/Prime Broker Fees. Relative to its discretionary investment management services, when
beneficial to the client, individual equity and/or fixed income transactions may be effected through
broker-dealers other than the account custodian, in which event, the client generally will incur both the
fee (commission, mark-up/mark-down) charged by the executing broker-dealer and a separate
“tradeaway” and/or prime broker fee charged by the account custodian (Schwab).
Participant Directed Retirement Plans. FAI may also provide investment advisory and consulting
services to participant directed retirement plans per the terms and conditions of a Retirement Plan
Consulting Agreement between FAI and the plan. For such engagements, FAI may assist the Plan
sponsor to select an investment platform from which Plan participants shall make their respective
investment choices, and, to the extent engaged to do so, may also provide corresponding education to
assist the participants with their decision-making process.
eMoney. In conjunction with the services provided by eMoney, we may also provide
periodic comprehensive reporting services which can incorporate all of the client’s investment assets,
including those investment assets that are not part of the assets that we manage (the “Excluded
Assets”). You and/or your other advisors that maintain trading authority, and not us, shall be
exclusively responsible for the investment performance of the Excluded Assets. Our service relative to
the Excluded Assets is limited to reporting only, which does not include investment monitoring
or implementation. You may engage us to manage the Excluded Assets pursuant to the terms
and conditions of a properly executed Investment Advisory Agreement.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2022, we manage $282,526,582 in client assets on a discretionary basis, and we
do not manage any client assets on a non-discretionary basis.