Magnetic North offers a variety of advisory services, which include financial planning,
consulting, and investment management services. Prior to Magnetic North rendering any of the
foregoing advisory services, clients are required to enter into one or more written agreements
with Magnetic North setting forth the relevant terms and conditions of the advisory relationship
(the "Advisory Agreement").
Magnetic North filed for registration as an investment adviser in September 2020 and is owned
by Jason Priebe and Austin Boniface. As of the date of this filing, Magnetic North has
$403,987,927in assets under management on a discretionary basis.
While this brochure generally describes the business of Magnetic North, certain sections also
discuss the activities of its Supervised Persons, which refer to the Firm's officers, partners,
directors (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions),
employees or other persons who provide investment advice on Magnetic North's behalf and are
subject to the Firm's supervision or control.
Magnetic North provides advisory services through certain programs sponsored by LPL
Financial LLC ("LPL"), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer. Magnetic North has
included a brief description of each LPL advisory program that it intends to use. For more
information regarding the LPL programs, including more information on the advisory services
and fees that apply, the types of investments available in the programs and the potential conflicts
of interest presented by the programs please see the program account packet (which includes the
account agreement and LPL Form ADV program brochure) and the Form ADV, Part 2A of LPL
or the applicable program.
Financial Planning and Consulting Services
Magnetic North offers clients a broad range of financial planning and consulting services, which
include any or all of the following functions:
Business Planning
Cash Flow Forecasting
Trust and Estate Planning
Financial Reporting
Investment Consulting
Insurance Planning
Retirement Planning
Risk Management
Charitable Giving
Distribution Planning
Tax Planning
Education Planning
While each of these services is available on a stand-alone basis, certain of them can also be rendered in
conjunction with investment portfolio management as part of a comprehensive wealth management
engagement (described in more detail below).
In performing these services, Magnetic North is not required to verify any information received from the
client or from the client's other professionals (e.g., attorneys, accountants, etc.,) and is expressly authorized
to rely on such information. Magnetic North recommends certain clients engage the Firm for additional
related services, its Supervised Persons in their individual capacities as insurance agents or registered
representatives of a broker-dealer and/or other professionals to implement its recommendations. Clients are
advised that a conflict of interest exists for the Firm to recommend that clients engage Magnetic North or its
affiliates to provide (or continue to provide) additional services for compensation, including investment
management services. Clients retain absolute discretion over all decisions regarding implementation and
are under no obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made by Magnetic North under a financial
planning or consulting engagement. Clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to promptly
notify the Firm of any change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of
reviewing, evaluating or revising Magnetic North's recommendations and/or services.
Wealth Management Services
Magnetic North provides clients with wealth management services which include a broad range of financial
planning and consulting services as well as discretionary management of investment portfolios.
Magnetic North primarily allocates client assets among various mutual funds, exchange-traded funds
("ETFs") and independent investment managers ("Independent Managers") in accordance with their stated
investment objectives. In addition, Priebe may use other securities as well when appropriate in light of a
client’s investment objectives.
Where appropriate, the Firm also provides advice about any type of legacy position or other investment
held in client portfolios, but clients should not assume that these assets are being continuously monitored
or otherwise advised on by the Firm unless specifically agreed upon. Clients can engage Magnetic North to
manage and/or advise on certain investment products that are not maintained at their primary custodian,
such as variable life insurance and annuity contracts and assets held in employer sponsored retirement plans
and qualified tuition plans (i.e., 529 plans). In these situations, Magnetic North directs or recommends the
allocation of client assets among the various investment options available with the product. These assets
are generally maintained at the underwriting insurance company or the custodian designated by the
product's provider.
Magnetic North tailors its advisory services to meet the needs of its individual clients and seeks to ensure,
on a continuous basis, that client portfolios are managed in a manner consistent with those needs and
objectives. Magnetic North consults with clients on an initial and ongoing basis to assess their specific risk
tolerance, time horizon, liquidity constraints and other related factors relevant to the management of their
portfolios. Clients are advised to promptly notify Magnetic North if there are changes in their financial
situation or if they wish to place any limitations on the management of their portfolios. Clients can impose
reasonable restrictions or mandates on the management of their accounts if Magnetic North determines, in
its sole discretion, the conditions would not materially impact the performance of a management strategy
or prove overly burdensome to the Firm's management efforts.
Retirement Plan Consulting Services
Magnetic North provides various consulting services to qualified employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries.
This suite of institutional services is designed to assist plan sponsors in structuring, managing and
optimizing their corporate retirement plans. Each engagement is individually negotiated and customized,
and includes any or all of the following services:
Plan Design and Strategy
Plan Review and Evaluation
Executive Planning & Benefits
Investment Selection
Plan Fee and Cost Analysis
Plan Committee Consultation
Fiduciary and Compliance
Participant Education
As disclosed in the Advisory Agreement, certain of the foregoing services are provided by Magnetic North
as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). In
accordance with ERISA Section 408(b)(2), each plan sponsor is provided with a written description of
Magnetic North's fiduciary status, the specific services to be rendered and all direct and indirect
compensation the Firm reasonably expects under the engagement.
Use of Independent Managers
As mentioned above, Magnetic North selects certain Independent Managers to actively manage a portion
of its clients' assets. The specific terms and conditions under which a client engages an Independent Manager
are set forth in a separate written agreement with the designated Independent Manager. That agreement can
be between the Firm and the Independent Manager (often called a subadvisor) or the client and the
Independent Manager (sometimes called a separate account manager). In addition to this brochure, clients
will typically also receive the written disclosure documents of the respective Independent Managers
engaged to manage their assets.
Magnetic North evaluates a variety of information about Independent Managers, which includes the
Independent Managers' public disclosure documents, materials supplied by the Independent Managers
themselves and other third-party analyses it believes are reputable. To the extent possible, the Firm seeks
to assess the Independent Managers' investment strategies, past performance and risk results in relation to
its clients' individual portfolio allocations and risk exposure. Magnetic North also takes into consideration
each Independent Manager's management style, returns, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing
and research capabilities, among other factors.
Magnetic North continues to provide services relative to the discretionary selection of the Independent
Managers. On an ongoing basis, the Firm monitors the performance of those accounts being managed by
Independent Managers. Magnetic North seeks to ensure the Independent Managers' strategies and target
allocations remain aligned with its clients' investment objectives and overall best interests. The client may
incur additional fees than those charged by Magnetic North.
In certain circumstances, Magnetic North receives compensation pursuant to its agreements with the
Independent Managers for introducing clients to the Independent Managers and for certain ongoing services
provided to clients. This compensation is disclosed to the client in a separate disclosure document and is
typically equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fee charged by that Independent Manager or a
fixed fee.
Since compensation Magnetic North receives may differ depending on the agreement with each Independent
Manager, Magnetic North has an incentive to recommend an Independent Manager with a more favorable
compensation arrangements. Since the Independent Manager may pay the fee for the investment advisory
services of Magnetic North, the fee paid to Magnetic North is not negotiable, under most circumstances.
Fees paid by clients to the Independent Managers are established and payable in accordance with the
disclosure documents of each Independent Manager, and may or may not be negotiable, as disclosed in the
disclosure documents of the Independent Manager.
Certain Independent Manager(s) may impose more restrictive account requirements and varying billing
practices than Magnetic North. In such instances, Magnetic North may alter its corresponding account
requirements and/or billing practices to accommodate those of the Independent Manager(s) or wrap fee
program sponsor.
Use of LPL Programs
As described above, the Firm expects to use the following LPL programs.
Manager Access Select Program
Manager Access Select offers clients the ability to participate in the Separately Managed Account Platform
(the "SMA Platform") or the Model Portfolio Platform (the "MP Platform"). In the SMA Platform, Magnetic
North will assist client in identifying a third party portfolio manager (the Independent Manager) from a list
of Independent Managers made available by LPL, and the Independent Manager manages client's assets on
a discretionary basis. Magnetic North will provide initial and ongoing assistance regarding the Independent
Manager selection process. In the MP Platform, clients authorize LPL to direct the investment and
reinvestment of the assets in their accounts, in accordance with the selected model portfolio provided by
LPL's Research Department or a third-party investment advisor.
A minimum account value of $50,000 is required for Manager Access Select, however, in certain instances,
the minimum account size may be lower or higher.
Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP)
OMP offers clients the ability to participate in a professionally managed asset allocation program using
Optimum Funds shares. Under OMP, client will authorize LPL on a discretionary basis to purchase and sell
Optimum Funds pursuant to investment objectives chosen by the client. Magnetic North will assist the
client in determining the suitability of OMP for the client and assist the client in setting an appropriate
investment objective. Magnetic North will have discretion to select a mutual fund asset allocation portfolio
designed by LPL consistent with the client's investment objective. LPL will have discretion to purchase and
sell Optimum Funds pursuant to the portfolio selected for the client. LPL will also have authority to
rebalance the account.
A minimum account value of $10,000 is required for OMP. In certain instances, LPL will permit a lower
minimum account size.
Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP)
MWP offers clients a professionally managed mutual fund asset allocation program. Magnetic North will
obtain the necessary financial data from the client, assist the client in determining the suitability of the
MWP program and assist the client in setting an appropriate investment objective. Magnetic North will
initiate the steps necessary to open an MWP account and have discretion to select a model portfolio designed
by LPL's Research Department consistent with the client's stated investment objective. LPL's Research
Department, a third-party portfolio strategist and/or Magnetic North, through its investment adviser
representative, may act as a portfolio strategist responsible for selecting the mutual funds or ETFs within a
model portfolio and for making changes to the mutual funds or ETFs selected.
The client will authorize
LPL to act on a discretionary basis to purchase and sell mutual funds and ETFs
and to liquidate previously purchased securities. The client will also authorize LPL to effect rebalancing
for MWP accounts.
MWP requires a minimum asset value for a program account to be managed. The minimums vary depending
on the portfolio(s) selected and the account's allocation amongst portfolios. The lowest minimum for a
portfolio is $25,000. In certain instances, a lower minimum for a portfolio is permitted.
Guided Wealth Portfolios (GWP)
GWP offers clients the ability to participate in a centrally managed, algorithm-based investment program,
which is made available to users and clients through a web-based, interactive account management portal
("Investor Portal"). Investment recommendations to buy and sell exchange-traded funds and open-end
mutual funds are generated through proprietary, automated, computer algorithms (collectively, the
"Algorithm") of FutureAdvisor, Inc. ("FutureAdvisor"), based upon model portfolios constructed by LPL
and selected for the account as described below (such model portfolio selected for the account, the "Model
Portfolio"). Communications concerning GWP are intended to occur primarily through electronic means
(including but not limited to, through email communications or through the Investor Portal), although
Magnetic North will be available to discuss investment strategies, objectives or the account in general in
person or via telephone.
Small Market Solution (SMS) Platform
Under SMS, LPL Research (a team of investment professionals within LPL) creates and maintains a series
of different investment menus (“Investment Menus”) consisting of a mix of different asset classes and
investment vehicles (“investment options”) for clients that sponsor and maintain participant-directed
defined contribution plans (“Plan Sponsors”). The Plan Sponsor is responsible for selecting the Investment
Menu that it believes is appropriate based on the demographics and other characteristics of the Plan and its
participants. LPL Research is responsible for the selection and monitoring of the investment options made
available through Investment Menus. The investment options that are offered through SMS are limited to
the specific investments available through the record keeper that the Plan Sponsor selects. The Plan Sponsor
may only select an Investment Menu in its entirety and does not have the option to remove or substitute an
investment option.
In addition to the services described above, Plan Sponsor may also select from a number of consulting
services available under SMS that are provided by [Advisor]. These consulting services may include, but
are not limited to: general education, and support regarding the Plan and the investment options selected by
Plan Sponsor; assistance regarding the selection of, and ongoing relationship management for, record
keepers and other third-party vendors; Plan participant enrollment support; and participant-level education
regarding investment in the Plan. These consulting services do not include any individualized investment
advice to the Plan Sponsor or Plan participants with respect to Plan assets.
Educational Tool
A preview of the Program (the "Educational Tool") is provided for a period of up to forty-five (45) days to
help users determine whether they would like to become advisory clients and receive ongoing financial
advice from LPL, FutureAdvisor and Magnetic North by enrolling in the advisory service (the "Managed
Service"). The Educational Tool and Managed Service are described in more detail in the GWP Program
Brochure. Users of the Educational Tool are not considered to be advisory clients of LPL, FutureAdvisor
or Magnetic North, do not enter into an advisory agreement with LPL, FutureAdvisor or Magnetic North,
do not receive ongoing investment advice or supervisions of their assets, and do not receive any trading
services.
A minimum account value of $5,000 is required to enroll in the Managed Service.
Users of the Educational Tool agree to a terms of use and complete an investor profile. An investment
objective and model portfolio is assigned to each user based upon factors in the investor profile, including
risk tolerance and the number of years remaining until the age of retirement. Based on the investment
objective and model portfolio, the Educational Tool generates sample analysis, advice and investment
recommendations ("Sample Recommendations"). The Sample Recommendations may assist users in
determining whether to utilize the Managed Service. The Educational Tool is intended to be used for
educational and informational purposes only and none of LPL, FutureAdvisor or the Firm are providing
any investment advice through the Educational Tool.
Investors participating in the Managed Service complete an account application (the "Account
Application") and enter into an account agreement (the "Account Agreement") with LPL, the Firm and
FutureAdvisor. As part of the account opening process, clients are responsible for providing complete and
accurate information regarding, among other things, their age, risk tolerance, and investment horizon
(collectively, "Client Profile"). LPL, Magnetic North and FutureAdvisor rely on the information in the Client
Profile in order to provide services under this program, including but not limited to, determination of
suitability of the program for clients and an appropriate Investment Objective and Model Portfolio for
clients. Only one Model Portfolio is permitted per account.
Based upon a client's risk tolerance as indicated in the Client Profile, the client is assigned an investment
allocation track, the purpose of which is to slowly rotate the client's equity allocation to fixed income over
time. LPL Research created these tracks using academic research on optimal retirement allocations, the
industry averages as calculated by Morningstar for the target date fund universe, and input from
FutureAdvisor.
Within the applicable allocation track and based upon a client's chosen Retirement Age in the Client Profile,
the client will be assigned a Model Portfolio and one of five of LPL's standard investment objectives: i)
income with capital preservation; ii) income with moderate growth; iii) growth with income; iv) growth; or
v) aggressive growth.
Both the client and Magnetic North are required to review and approve the initial Investment Objective. As
a client approaches the Retirement Age, the Algorithm will automatically adjust the client's asset allocation.
Any change to the Investment Objective directed by a client due to changes in the client's risk tolerance
and/or Retirement Age will require written approval from the client and Magnetic North before
implementation. Clients should contact Magnetic North if they believe the Investment Objective does not
appropriately reflect the Client Profile, such as their risk tolerance.
FutureAdvisor, in its sole discretion, will determine whether to hold or sell Legacy Securities, generally,
but not solely, with the goal of optimizing tax impacts for accounts that are subject to tax. Additional Legacy
Securities will not be purchased for the account. Clients may not impose restrictions on liquidating any
Legacy Securities for any reason. Clients should not transfer in Legacy Securities that they are not willing
to have liquidated at the discretion of FutureAdvisor.
In addition, uninvested cash may be invested in money market funds, the Multi-Bank Insured Cash Account
("ICA") or the Deposit Cash Account ("DCA"), as applicable, as described in the Account Agreement.
Dividends paid by the Program Securities in the account will be contributed to the cash allocation and
ultimately reinvested into the account based on the Model Portfolio once the tolerance within cash allocation
is surpassed.
Pursuant to the Account Agreement, FutureAdvisor is authorized to perform tax harvesting when deemed
acceptable by the Algorithm based on the Legacy Securities' respective tax lot information. If tax lot
information is missing for a Legacy Security, the Legacy Security will be retained in the Account while
FutureAdvisor and Magnetic North use reasonable efforts to obtain the missing information. If the
information cannot be obtained within a reasonable timeframe (generally no longer than 30 days), the
Legacy Security will be sold and replaced with a Program Security in the Model Portfolio. LPL, Magnetic
North and clients cannot alter trades made for tax harvesting purposes. In order to permit trading in a tax-
efficient manner, the account agreement also grants FutureAdvisor the authority to select specific tax lots
when liquidating securities within the account. Although the Algorithm attempts to achieve tax efficiencies,
by doing so a client's portfolio may not directly align with Model Portfolio. As a result, a client may receive
advice that differs from the advice received by accounts using the same Model Portfolio, and the client's
account may perform differently than other accounts using the same Model Portfolio.
During the term of the account agreement, FutureAdvisor will perform a daily review of the account to
determine if rebalancing is appropriate based on tolerance thresholds established by LPL and/or
FutureAdvisor. At each rebalancing review, the account will be rebalanced if at least one of the account
positions is outside such thresholds, subject to a minimum transaction amount established by LPL and/or
FutureAdvisor. In addition, LPL and/or FutureAdvisor may review the account for rebalancing in the event
that the Portfolio Strategist changes a Model Portfolio. FutureAdvisor may delay placing rebalancing
transactions for non-qualified accounts by a number of days, to be determined by FutureAdvisor, in an
attempt to limit short-term tax treatment for any position being sold. In addition, trading in the account at
any given time is also subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to, conditions related to trade
size, compliance tests, the target cash allocation and allocation tolerances. LPL, [Advisor] and clients can
alter the rebalancing frequency.
Under Magnetic North's agreement with LPL, Magnetic North was provided the opportunity to offer GWP,
which utilizes FutureAdvisor's Algorithm as described herein, to prospective clients. Magnetic North is not
otherwise affiliated with FutureAdvisor. FutureAdvisor is compensated directly by LPL for its services,
including the Algorithm and related software, through an annual sub-advisory fee (tiered based on assets
under management by FutureAdvisor, at a rate ranging from 0.10% to 0.17%). As each asset tier is reached,
LPL's share of the compensation shall increase, and clients will not benefit from such asset tiers. No
additional fee is charged for FutureAdvisor's services.
Magnetic North believes that certain clients will benefit from GWP's advisor-enhanced advisory services,
particularly due to the relatively low minimum account balance and the combination of a digital advice
solution with access to an advisor. Unlike direct-to-consumer robo platforms, Magnetic North is responsible
on an ongoing basis as investment advisor and fiduciary for the client relationship, including for
recommending the program for the client; providing ongoing monitoring of the program, the performance
of the account, the services of LPL and FutureAdvisor; determining initial and ongoing suitability of the
program for the client; reviewing clients' suggested portfolio allocations; reviewing and approving any
change in Investment Objective due to changes clients make to their Client Profile; answering questions
regarding the program, assisting with paperwork and administrative and operational details for the account;
and being available to clients to discuss investment strategies, changes in financial circumstances,
objectives or the account in general in person or via telephone. Magnetic North can also recommend other
suitable investment programs if clients have savings goals or investment needs for which GWP is not the
optimal solution.
Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status_____________________________________________
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual retirement
account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way
we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires
us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special rule’s provisions,
we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent
advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.