Registration Status – Registered with the SEC on October 1, 199
81
Registered with the State of CA on January 31, 1994
Principal Owners – Jeffrey V. St.Claire
James B. Blume
Peter B. Reidenbach
ADVISORY SERVICES
Blume Capital Management, Inc. (“Blume Capital” or the “Firm”), a California corporation, provides
investment management and other financial consulting services to individuals and their trusts and
estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable foundations and private investment funds.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Investment management services are provided on a discretionary basis and for individually managed
accounts, include, among other services, financial goal setting, risk assessment, strategic asset
allocation and the selection and management of securities and investments.
Blume Capital accepts clients for which its services are suitable and appropriate. This determination
is made through client consultations during which the client and Blume Capital evaluate the client’s
investment objectives, financial circumstances, investment experience, time horizon and risk
tolerance level. In performing its services, Blume Capital is not required to independently verify any
information received from the client or from the client’s other professional advisors and is expressly
authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains the client’s responsibility
to promptly notify the Firm of any change in their financial situation or investment objectives that
would necessitate a review, evaluation or revision by Blume Capital of previous recommendations
and/or services. Blume Capital evaluates each new client’s existing investments and where necessary
develops a plan to transition such existing investments into or out of the client’s portfolio as required
by Blume Capital’s investment strategy.
In certain circumstances, typically for clients with $20 million or more in investible assets, Blume
Capital may provide investment consulting regarding the use, selection and monitoring of third-party
sub-advisors, as well as the determination of appropriate asset allocation.
1“Registration” means only that the Firm meets the minimum requirements for registration as an investment advisor
and does not imply that the SEC guarantees the quality of our services or recommends them.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
Blume Capital can be engaged to provide financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance planning, etc.)
on a stand-alone separate fee basis. Before engaging Blume Capital to provide planning or consulting
services, clients are generally required to enter into a
Financial Planning and Consulting Agreement
with Blume Capital setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination),
describing the scope of the services to be provided, and the portion of the fee that is due from the
client before Blume Capital commences services.
MISCELLANEOUS
Client Obligations. In performing its services, Blume Capital shall not be required to verify any
information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is expressly
authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains their responsibility to
promptly notify Blume Capital if there is ever any change in their financial situation or investment
objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating, or revising Blume Capital's previous
recommendations and/or services.
Custodian Charges-Additional Fees. As discussed below at Item 12 below, when requested to
recommend a broker-dealer/custodian for client accounts, Blume Capital generally recommends that
Schwab serve as the broker-dealer/custodian for client investment management assets. Broker-
dealers such as
Schwab charge brokerage commissions, transaction, and/or other type fees for
effecting certain types of securities transactions (i.e., including transaction fees for certain mutual
funds, and mark-ups and mark-downs charged for fixed income transactions, etc.). The types of
securities for which transaction fees, commissions, and/or other type fees (as well as the amount of
those fees) shall differ depending upon the broker-dealer/custodian (while certain custodians,
including
Schwab, do not currently charge fees on individual equity transactions, others do). When
beneficial to the client, individual fixed-income and/or equity transactions may be effected through
broker-dealers with whom Blume Capital and/or the client have entered into arrangements for prime
brokerage clearing services, including effecting certain client transactions through other SEC
registered and FINRA member broker-dealers (in which event, the client generally will incur both the
transaction fee charged by the executing broker-dealer and a “trade-away” fee charged by
Schwab).
These fees/charges are in addition to Blume Capital’s investment advisory fee at Item 5 below. Blume
Capital does not receive any portion of these fees/charges. ANY QUESTIONS: Blume Capital’s Chief
Compliance Officer, Jeffrey V. St.Claire, remains available to address any questions that a client or
prospective client may have regarding the above.
Retirement Plan Rollovers. A client or prospective client leaving an employer typically has four
options regarding an existing retirement plan (and may engage in a combination of these options): (i)
leave the money in the former employer’s plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new
employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual
Retirement Account (“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the
client’s age, result in adverse tax consequences). If Blume Capital recommends that a client roll over
their retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Blume Capital, such a recommendation
creates a conflict of interest if Blume Capital will earn a new (or increase its current) investment
management fee as a result of the rollover. Whether Blume Capital provides a recommendation as to
whether a client should engage in a rollover or not (whether it is from an employer’s plan or an
existing IRA), Blume Capital is acting as a fiduciary 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. No client is under any obligation to roll over retirement plan assets
to an account managed by Blume Capital. Blume Capital’s Chief Compliance Officer, Jeffrey V.
St.Claire, remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may have
regarding the potential for conflict of interest presented by such rollover recommendation.
Please Note: Cash Positions. Blume Capital continues to treat cash as an asset class. As such, unless
determined to the contrary by Blume Capital, all cash positions (money markets, etc.) shall continue
to be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating Blume Capital’s
advisory fee. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or anticipated market
conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated market conditions/events will
occur), Blume Capital may maintain cash positions for defensive purposes. In addition, while assets
are maintained in cash, such amounts could miss market advances. Depending upon current yields,
at any point in time, Blume Capital’s advisory fee could exceed the interest paid by the client’s money
market fund. ANY QUESTIONS: Blume Capital’s Chief Compliance Officer, Jeffrey V. St.Claire,
remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective may have regarding the
above fee billing practice
Cash Sweep Accounts. Certain account custodians can require that cash proceeds from account
transactions or new deposits, be swept to and/or initially maintained in a specific custodian
designated sweep account. The yield on the sweep account will generally be lower than those
available for other money market accounts. When this occurs, to help mitigate the corresponding
yield dispersion, Blume Capital shall (usually within 30 days thereafter) generally (with exceptions)
purchase a higher yielding money market fund (or other type security) available on the custodian’s
platform, unless Blume Capital reasonably anticipates that it will utilize the cash proceeds during the
subsequent 30-day period to purchase additional investments for the client’s account. Exceptions
and/or modifications can and will occur with respect to all or a portion of the cash balances for various
reasons, including, but not limited to the amount of dispersion between the sweep account and a
money market fund, the size of the cash balance, an indication from the client of an imminent need
for such cash, or the client has a demonstrated history of writing checks from the account. Please
Note: The above does not apply to the cash component maintained within a Blume Capital actively
managed investment strategy (the cash balances for which shall generally remain in the custodian
designated cash sweep account), an indication from the client of a need for access to such cash, assets
allocated to an unaffiliated investment manager, and cash balances maintained for fee billing
purposes. Please Also Note: The client shall remain exclusively responsible for yield dispersion/cash
balance decisions and corresponding transactions for cash balances maintained in any Blume Capital
unmanaged accounts. ANY QUESTIONS: The Firm’s Chief Compliance Officer, Jeffrey V. St.Claire,
remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding
the above.
Portfolio Activity. As part of its investment advisory services, Blume Capital will review client
portfolios on a periodic basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon various factors,
including but not limited to investment performance, market conditions, fund manager tenure, style
drift, account additions/withdrawals, the client’s financial circumstances, and changes in the client’s
investment objectives. Based upon these and other factors, there may be extended periods of time
when Blume Capital determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are unnecessary. Clients remain
responsible for paying advisory fees during periods of portfolio inactivity.
Use of Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds. Blume Capital utilizes mutual funds and exchange
traded funds for its client portfolios. In addition to Blume Capital’s investment advisory fee described
below, and transaction and/or custodial fees discussed above, clients will also incur, relative to all
mutual fund and exchange traded fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g.,
management fees and other fund expenses). The mutual funds and exchange traded funds utilized
by Blume Capital are generally available directly to the public. Thus, a client can generally obtain the
funds recommended and/or utilized by Blume Capital independent of engaging Blume Capital as an
investment advisor. However, if a prospective client does so, then they will not receive Blume
Capital's initial and ongoing investment advisory services.
Please Note-Use of DFA Mutual Funds: Blume Capital utilizes the mutual funds issued by
Dimensional Fund Advisors (“DFA”). DFA funds are generally only available through registered
investment advisers approved by DFA. Thus, if the client was to terminate Blume Capital’s
services, and transition to another adviser who has not been approved by DFA to utilize DFA
funds, restrictions regarding additional purchases of, or reallocation among other DFA funds,
will generally apply.
Borrowing Against Assets/Risks. A client who has a need to borrow money could determine to do so
by using:
• Margin-The account custodian or broker-dealer lends money to the client. The custodian
charges the client interest for the right to borrow money, and uses the assets in the client’s
brokerage account as collateral; and,
• Pledged Assets Loan- In consideration for a lender (i.e., a bank, etc.) to make a loan to the
client, the client pledges its investment assets held at the account custodian as collateral;
These above-described collateralized loans are generally utilized because they typically provide more
favorable interest rates than standard commercial loans. These types of collateralized loans can assist
with a pending home purchase, permit the retirement of more expensive debt, or enable borrowing
in lieu of liquidating existing account positions and incurring capital gains taxes. However, such loans
are not without potential material risk to the client’s investment assets. The lender (i.e. custodian,
bank, etc.) will have recourse against the client’s investment assets in the event of loan default or if
the assets fall below a certain level. For this reason, Blume Capital does not recommend such
borrowing unless it is for specific short-term purposes (i.e. a bridge loan to purchase a new
residence). Blume Capital does not recommend such borrowing for investment purposes (i.e. to
invest borrowed funds in the market). Regardless, if the client was to determine to utilize margin or
a pledged assets loan, the following economic benefits would inure to Blume Capital:
• by taking the loan rather than liquidating assets in the client’s account, Blume Capital
continues to earn a fee on such Account assets; and,
• if the client invests any portion of the loan proceeds in an account to be managed by Blume
Capital, Blume Capital will receive an advisory fee on the invested amount; and,
• if Blume Capital’s advisory fee is based upon the higher margined account value, Blume
Capital will earn a correspondingly higher advisory fee. This could provide Blume Capital with
a disincentive to encourage the client to discontinue the use of margin.
Please Note: The Client must accept the above risks and potential corresponding consequences
associated with the use of margin or a pledged assets loans.
Limitations of Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation Services. If specifically
requested by a client, Blume Capital may provide financial planning and consulting services regarding
investment and non-investment related matters, such as estate planning, tax planning, insurance, etc.
Neither Blume Capital nor its investment adviser representative assists clients with the
implementation of any financial plan unless they have agreed to do so in writing.
To the extent requested by a client, Blume Capital may recommend the services of other professionals
for certain non-investment implementation purposes (i.e. attorneys, accountants, insurance agents,
etc.). Clients are under no obligation to engage the services of any recommended professional. The
client retains absolute discretion over all implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any
recommendation made by Blume Capital or its representatives. The engaged unaffiliated licensed
professional (e.g., attorney, accountant, or insurance agent), and not Blume Capital, will be
responsible for the services provided. If the client engages any recommended professional, and a
dispute arises, the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from the engaged professional. In
addition, Blume Capital does not monitor a client’s financial plan, and it is the client’s responsibility to
revisit the financial plan with Blume Capital, if desired.
Structured Notes. Blume Capital may purchase Structured Notes for client accounts. A Structured
Note is a financial instrument that combines two elements, a debt security and exposure to an
underlying asset or assets. It is essentially a note, carrying counter party risk of the issuer. However,
the return on the note is linked to the return of an underlying asset or assets (such as the S&P 500
Index or commodities). It is this latter feature that makes structured products unique, as the payout
can be used to provide some degree of principal protection, leveraged returns (but usually with some
cap on the maximum return), and be tailored to a specific market or economic view. Structured Notes
will generally be subject to liquidity constraints, such that the sale thereof before maturity will be
limited, and any sale before the maturity date could result in a substantial loss. There can be no
assurance that the Structured Notes investment will be profitable, equal any historical performance
level(s), or prove successful. Please Note: If the issuer of the Structured Note defaults, the entire value
of the investment could be lost. See additional Risk Disclosure at Item 8 below. In the event that a
client has any questions regarding the purchase of Structured Notes for their account, or would like
to place restrictions on the purchase of Structured Notes for their accounts, Blume Capital’s Chief
Compliance Officer, Jeffrey V. St.Claire, remains available to address them. See Risks Associated
with Structured Notes at Item 8 below.
Client Obligations. In performing our services, Blume Capital shall not be required to verify any
information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is expressly authorized
to rely thereon. Moreover, it remains each client’s responsibility to promptly notify Blume Capital if
there is ever any change in his/her/its financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of
reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services.
Please Note: Investment Risk. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it
should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy
(including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Blume
Capital) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
Cybersecurity Risk. The information technology systems and networks that Blume Capital and its third-
party service providers use to provide services to Blume Capital’s clients employ various controls,
which are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from intentional or unintentional
actions that could cause significant interruptions in Blume Capital’s operations and result in the
unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or non-public personal information. Clients and
Blume Capital are nonetheless subject to the risk of cybersecurity incidents that could ultimately cause
them to incur losses, including for example: financial losses, cost and reputational damage to respond
to regulatory obligations, other costs associated with corrective measures, and loss from damage or
interruption to systems. Although Blume Capital has established processes to reduce the risk of
cybersecurity incidents, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be successful, especially
considering that Blume Capital does not directly control the cybersecurity measures and policies
employed by third-party service providers. Clients could incur similar adverse consequences resulting
from cybersecurity incidents that more directly affect issuers of securities in which those clients invest,
broker-dealers, qualified custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and
other financial market operators, or other financial institutions.
Disclosure Brochure.
A copy of Blume Capital’s written Privacy Notice, Disclosure Brochure as set forth on Part 2 of Form
ADV and Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary) shall be provided to each client prior to, or
contemporaneously with, the execution of the Investment Advisory Agreement or Financial Planning
Agreement.
WRAP FEE PROGRAM
Blume Capital does not sponsor or manage client investment assets through a wrap fee program (in
which the sponsor arranges for the investor participant to receive investment advisory services, the
execution of securities brokerage transactions, custody and reporting services for a single specified
fee).
REGULATORY ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
As of December 31, 2023, Blume Capital managed $639,914,572 of client assets on a discretionary
basis.