Firm Description
Birchwood Financial Partners, Inc. formerly Kramer Lothrop Brewer Financial, Inc. (“Birchwood”, “We”, “Our”) has
been in business since 1990 and became a Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment advisory
firm in 2014. The firm is owned by Dana Brewer, Bridget Handke, Damian Winther, Steve Dixon and Rachel Infante.
Birchwood provides personalized confidential financial planning and investment management primarily to individuals
and couples.
We provide a personalized financial planning process that empowers clients to align their financial resources with
their goals and values. Our commitment is to give the support and encouragement our clients need to pursue their
lifetime goals and live out their dreams.
Our goal is to improve our clients’ lives by providing caring, knowledgeable financial advice and solutions which
help them seek their lifetime goals and aspirations. We believe that values make a difference and your interests
always come first. Our relationship with you is based on integrity, trust and empowerment. Your unique
circumstances are the context of any advice we offer.
Birchwood is a fee only financial planning and investment management firm.
Birchwood does not act as a custodian of client assets, however, Birchwood has custody due to direct fee deduction
and because Birchwood has third party money movement authorization.
An evaluation of each client's initial situation is provided to the client, often in the form of a financial plan, summary
of assets, investment analysis or similar document. Periodic reviews are also communicated to provide reminders
of the specific courses of action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews occur but are not necessarily
communicated to the client unless immediate changes are recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, tax preparers, insurance agents, etc.) are engaged directly by the
client on an as-needed basis and may charge fees of their own. Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the client
in the event they should occur.
Types of Advisory Services
Birchwood provides investment advisory services, also known as asset management services and furnishes financial
planning and consulting.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Birchwood provides custom management of portfolios, on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, according to
the client’s needs. Birchwood will offer clients ongoing portfolio management services through determining
individual investment goals, time horizons, objectives, and risk tolerance. Investment strategies, investment
selection, asset allocation, portfolio monitoring and the overall investment program will be based on the above
factors.
Discretionary – When the client provides Birchwood discretionary authority the client will sign a limited trading
authorization or equivalent. Birchwood will have the authority to execute transactions in the account without seeking
client approval on each transaction.
Non-discretionary - When the client elects to use Birchwood on a non-discretionary
basis, Birchwood will determine
the securities to be bought or sold and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold. However, Birchwood will
obtain prior client approval on each and every transaction before executing any transactions.
ASSETS HELD AWAY
Birchwood offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management services to individuals on their qualified
plans and other investment accounts. Birchwood will work with individuals on determining their individual
investment goals, time horizons, objectives, and risk tolerance. Investment strategies, investment selection, and
asset allocation are based on the above factors. The accounts will be monitored on an annual basis, unless
requested otherwise by client.
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SUB-ADVISOR ARRANGEMENT
Birchwood may from time to time enter into sub-advisor agreements with other Registered Investment Advisors by
which Birchwood will pay a fee to that firm for managing a portion of the client’s assets. The client will sign an
agreement with the sub-advisor authorizing sub-advisor discretion on the account. This arrangement in no way
alters the relationship with the client and Birchwood.
FINANCIAL PLANNING and CONSULTING
Birchwood may provide stand-alone or ongoing financial planning and consulting services if applicable. In a financial
plan or consultation, the areas include, but are not limited to, a review of applicable topics such as Business
Planning, Cash Flow Management, Divorce Planning, Education Funding, Estate Planning, Income Taxation,
Insurance/Risk Management, Investment Planning, Net Worth Evaluation, Retirement Planning, Survivor Needs
Analysis, and Written Financial Plan/Consultation. Additional ongoing financial planning/consultation may include
follow-up meetings, annual financial planning recommendations, phone and email answer sessions, and
accountability check-ins.
If a conflict of interest exists between the interests of the investment advisor and the interests of the client, the
client is under no obligation to act upon the recommendation. If the client elects to act on any of the
recommendations, the client is under no obligation to effect the transaction through Birchwood. Stand-Alone
financial plans will be completed and delivered inside of one hundred and twenty (120) days.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
The goals and objectives for each client are documented in our client files. Investment strategies are created that
reflect the stated goals and objective. Clients may impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of
securities.
Agreements may not be assigned without written client consent.
Wrap Fee Programs
As of March 1, 2016, we will no longer be offering a wrap fee program to new clients.
Client Assets under Management
As of December 31, 2022, Birchwood had approximately $500,098,746 client assets under management on a
discretionary basis and approximately $18,603,766 on a non-discretionary basis.