Hicks & Associates first registered as an investment adviser in 2022, and was originally organized as a North Carolina limited liability company in 2004. Hicks & Associates is principally owned by C. Theodore Hicks II. Advisory Services Hicks & Associates primarily provides investment management services on a discretionary basis primarily to individuals and high net worth individuals. The firm offers separately managed accounts that may invest in individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) using the investment strategies described below. From time to time and when requested by a prospective client, we will alternatively provide non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning consulting services that do not involve the discretionary management of any assets. Our core services are described in the following paragraphs and the related fees are described in the next section of this brochure, entitled “Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.” Hicks & Associates tailors its advisory services to the individual needs of its clients by taking the time to understand clients’ current financial condition, goals, risk tolerance, income, liquidity requirements, investment time horizon, and other information that is relevant to the management of clients’ account(s). This information will then be used to make investment decisions that reflect clients’ individual needs and objectives on an initial and ongoing basis. Separately Managed Accounts As specified in our discretionary investment management agreement, Hicks & Associates manages client accounts on a discretionary basis. In specific situations, Clients may impose reasonable restrictions

on the management of their accounts so long as Hicks & Associates can implement such restrictions and explicitly agrees to such restrictions in writing. While we use our best efforts to recommend investments designed to address client investment objectives and risk tolerance, we cannot assure that our recommendations will achieve those objectives. Past investment performance is not necessarily indicative of future returns. Hicks & Associates does not sponsor or participate in any wrap fee programs. 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 (“ERISA”) and/or the Internal Revenue Code (the “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: i.Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent advice); ii.Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal advice); iii.Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments; iv.Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest; v.Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and vi.Give you basic information about conflicts of interest. Assets Under Management As of December 31, 2023, Hicks & Associates manages approximately $123,957,580 of assets on a discretionary basis.