A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Clayton Financial Group, LLC (“CFG”), was formed on April 2015 and is based in the State of Missouri.
CFG and has been providing investment advisory services since 2015. CFG’s principal owners are
Kenneth John Bower and Matthew Joseph Bower. Kenneth Bower, Matthew Bower, Julie Bahr,
Christopher Michalak, Patrick Britt, , and Kelly Richert are all Managing Directors of Clayton Financial
Group.
B. Types of Advisory Services
ASSET MANAGEMENT
CFG offers asset management services to advisory Clients. CFG will offer Clients ongoing asset
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 elects to use CFG on a discretionary basis, the Client will sign a limited trading
authorization or equivalent allowing CFG to determine the securities to be bought or sold and
the amount of the securities to be bought or sold. CFG 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 CFG on a non-discretionary basis, CFG will determine the
securities to be bought or sold and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold. However,
CFG will obtain prior Client approval on each and every transaction before executing any
transaction.
ERISA PLAN SERVICES
CFG offers service to qualified and non-qualified retirement plans including 401(k) plans, 403(b)
plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, cash balance plans, and deferred compensation plans.
3(38) Investment Manager. CFG acts as an ERISA 3(38) Investment Manager in which it has
discretionary management and control of a given retirement plan’s assets. CFG would then
become solely responsible and liable for the selection, monitoring and replacement of the
plan’s investment options.
1. Fiduciary Services include:
• Advisor has discretionary authority and will make the final decision regarding the initial
selection, retention, removal and addition of investment options in accordance with the
Plan’s investment policies and objectives.
• Assist the Plan Sponsor with the selection of a broad range of investment options
consistent with ERISA Section 404(c) and the regulations thereunder.
• Assist the Plan Sponsor in the development of an investment policy statement. The IPS
establishes the investment policies and objectives for the Plan.
• Provide discretionary investment advice to the Plan Sponsor with respect to the
selection of a qualified default investment alternative for participants who are
automatically enrolled in the Plan or who have otherwise failed to make investment
elections. The Plan Sponsor retains the sole responsibility to provide all notices to the
Plan participants required under ERISA Section 404(c) (5).
• Assist in monitoring investment options by preparing periodic investment reports that
document investment performance, consistency of fund management and conformance
to the guidelines set forth in the IPS and make recommendations to maintain, remove or
replace investment options.
• Meet with Plan Sponsor on a periodic basis to discuss the reports and the investment
recommendations.
2. Non-fiduciary Services include:
• Assist in the education of Plan participants about general investment information and
the investment alternatives available to them under the Plan. The Advisor’s assistance in
education of the Plan participants shall be consistent with and within the scope of the
Department of Labor’s definition of investment education (Department of Labor
Interpretive Bulletin 96-1). As such, the Advisor is not providing fiduciary advice as
defined by ERISA to the Plan participants. Advisor will
not provide investment advice
concerning the prudence of any investment option or combination of investment options
for a particular participant or beneficiary under the Plan.
• Assist in the group enrollment meetings designed to increase retirement plan
participation among the employees and investment and financial understanding by the
employees.
CFG may provide these services or, alternatively, may arrange for the Plan’s other providers
to offer these services, as agreed upon between Advisor and Plan Sponsor.
3. CFG has no responsibility to provide services related to the following types of assets
(“Excluded Assets”):
a. Employer securities;
b. Real estate (except for real estate funds or publicly traded REITs);
c. Stock brokerage accounts or mutual fund windows;
d. Participant loans;
e. Non-publicly traded partnership interests;
f. Other non-publicly traded securities or property (other than collective trusts and
similar vehicles); or
g. Other hard-to-value or illiquid securities or property.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING
Financial planning services include an evaluation of a Client's current and future financial state will
be provided by using currently known variables to predict future cash flows, asset values and
withdrawal plans. CFG will use current net worth, tax liabilities, asset allocation, and future
retirement and estate plans in developing financial plans. Topics generally reviewed in a financial
plan may include but are not limited to:
• Financial goals: Based on an individual's or a family's clearly defined financial goals,
including funding a college education for the children, buying a larger home, starting a
business, retiring on time or leaving a legacy.
• Cash flow analysis: An income and spending plan determines how much can be set aside
for debt repayment, savings and investing each month.
• Long-term investment plan: Include a customized asset allocation strategy based on
specific investment objectives and risk. This investment plan sets guidelines for selecting,
buying and selling investments.
• Tax reduction strategy: Identify ways to minimize taxes on personal income to the
extent permissible by the tax code. The strategy should include identification of tax
favored investment vehicles that can reduce taxation of investment income.
• Estate and Legacy Planning: Identify ways to meet the client’s long-term legacy goals
through related to estate planning and gifting. Regular review of beneficiaries, powers of
attorney, and trustees shall be completed as well as reviewing methods that may reduce
potential federal estate tax.
• Executive Benefits Planning: Assist Client in managing his/her executive benefits
including but not limited to deferred compensation arrangements, stock options, stock
purchase plans, restricted stock units (RSUs). Strategies shall include tax planning
strategies to mitigate the taxation of income as well as investment planning for the
purchase or sales of company stock.
If a conflict of interest exists between the interests of CFG and the interests of the Client, the Client is
under no obligation to act upon CFG’s recommendation. If the Client elects to act on any of the
recommendations, the Client is under no obligation to affect the transaction through CFG.
C. 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 objectives. Clients may impose restrictions on investing in
certain securities or types of securities. These restrictions may, however, prohibit engagement with
CFG.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
CFG does not participate in a Wrap Program.
E. Amounts Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, CFG provides management services for:
Discretionary Assets: Non-Discretionary Assets:
$527,031,772 $994,618,088