Page 52 - P&P11-05-2020-with-FAQ-JR
P. 52

52



               Investment Processes

               Policy
               As a registered adviser, and as a fiduciary to our advisory clients, CIS is required, and as a matter of policy, obtains
               background information as to each client's financial circumstances, investment objectives, investment restrictions
               and  risk  tolerance,  among  many  other  things,  and  provides  its  advisory  services  consistent  with  the  client's
               objectives, etc. based on the information provided by each client. CIS does advise clients in the use of complex
               products. As such CIS has specific policies and procedures concerning these products which may include the use of
               Exchange Traded Funds.

               Background
               The U.S. Supreme Court has held that Section 206 (Prohibited Activities) of the Investment Advisers Act imposes a
               fiduciary duty on investment advisers by operation of law (SEC v. Capital Gains Research Bureau, Inc., 1963). Also,
               the  SEC  has  indicated  that  an  adviser  has  a  duty,  among  other  things,  to  ensure  that  its  investment  advice  is
               suitable to the client's objectives, needs and circumstances, (SEC No-Action Letter, In re John G. Kinnard and Co.,
               publicly available 11/30/1973). Every fiduciary has the duty and a responsibility to act in the utmost good faith and
               in the best interests of the client and to always place the client's interests first and foremost. As part of this duty, a
               fiduciary and an adviser with such duties, must eliminate conflicts of interest, whether actual or potential, or make
               full and fair disclosure of all material facts of any conflicts so a client, or prospective client, may make an informed
               decision in each particular circumstance.

               Responsibility
               The  firm's  investment  professionals  responsible  for  the  particular  client  relationship  have  the  primary
               responsibility for determining and knowing each client's circumstances and informing the money manager, so he
               can manage the client's portfolio consistent with the client's objectives. CIS's designated officer has the overall
               responsibility  for  the  implementation  and monitoring  of  our investment  processes  policy,  practices,  disclosures
               and recordkeeping for the firm.

               Procedure
               CIS has adopted procedures to implement the firm's policy and reviews to monitor and ensure the firm's policy is
               observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:
                   •   CIS  obtains  substantial  background  information  about each  client's  financial  circumstances, investment
                       objectives,  and  risk  tolerance,  among  other  things,  through  an  in-depth  interview  and  information
                       gathering process which includes client profile or new account forms.
                   •   Advisory clients may also have and provide written investment policy statements or written investment
                       guidelines that the firm reviews, approves, and monitors as part of the firm's investment services, subject
                       to any written revisions or updates received from a client.
                   •   CIS  provides  the  firm's  Form  ADV  Part  II  to  all  prospective  clients  which  discloses  the  firm's  advisory
                       services, fees, conflicts of interest and portfolio/supervisory reviews and investment reports provided by
                       the firm to clients.
                   •   CIS may provide periodic reports to advisory clients which include important information about a client's
                       financial situation, portfolio holdings, values and transactions, among other things.
                   •   The firm may also provide performance information to advisory clients about the client's performance,
                       which may also include a reference to a relevant market index or benchmark.
                   •   Investment  professionals  may  also  schedule  client  meetings  on  a  periodic  basis,  or  request  basis,  to
                       review  a  client's  portfolio,  performance,  market  conditions,  financial  circumstances,  and  investment
                       objectives,  among  other  things,  to  confirm  the  firm's  investment decisions  and  services  are  consistent
                       with the client's objectives and goals. Documentation of such reviews should be made in the client file
                       when needed.
                   •   Client relationships and/or portfolios may be reviewed on a more formal basis on a quarterly or other
                       periodic basis by designated supervisors or management personnel.
   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57