General Information U-Nest Holdings, Inc. (uNest) is a digital investing platform and a mobile app designed to make
saving for kids’ college education accessible, intuitive and simple. uNest offers the uNest Wrap
Fee Program (the “Program”) to prospective clients. uNest was incorporated in Delaware in
January 2018 and maintains its principal office at 5161 Lankershim Blvd, Suite 250, North
Hollywood, CA 91601. If you have any questions regarding the material contained herein, please
contact uNest at
[email protected].
Services uNest operates in the FinTech Industry and provides college savings management services to
clients in the United States through their uNest web-based platform and mobile application.
Through our platforms, we will be offering investment services specifically designed for the
financial needs of a college education through a tax-advantaged vehicle called the 529 Plan.
Investment accounts will be directed towards the highly diversified portfolios of Exchange-Traded
Funds (ETFs), a type of fund that owns underlying assets and divides ownership of those assets
into shares to minimize investment risk. In addition, the investments will be implemented through
the target-date funds with allocations changing from more opportunistic (while children are young
and the time horizon is long) to more conservative (when children approach enrollment date and
the time horizon is short) to ensure safety of investments close to the withdrawal date; age-based
funds will start with a higher allocation of stocks, which gradually shift towards cash and bonds
over time.
uNest’s College Savings Calculator will allow clients to estimate the total college cost at the time
of enrollment. This internally developed tool will use a uNest algorithm to highlight the potential
tax benefits of saving through a uNest college savings plan and allow customers to adjust their
monthly contribution amount accordingly.
The 529 Plan investment choices offered are based on various factors outlined in Item 6. uNest
reserves the right to include new or remove existing 529 Plans from the Program at its discretion.
The Program was designed for early adoption of non-retirement savings and does not incorporate
overall financial or tax planning. uNest will not provide investment advice or respond to requests
for advice on investment choices outside of the uNest platform. It is possible that there are 529
Plans not offered on the uNest platform that are more suitable for you.
Portfolio Management All of uNest’s clients are advised on a non-discretionary basis; the client, rather than uNest, will
ultimately select the investment. When a client deposits money, uNest constructs purchases to
align the client’s account to their investment strategy selection. Upon a client’s request to withdraw
money, a combination of sales is initiated while continuing to pursue the corresponding
investment strategy chosen by the client. uNest clients agree to rebalance holdings and reinvest
dividends automatically.
In addition, uNest will have discretion on the available investment portfolio options offered through
the uNest web-based platform and mobile application. Should uNest investment portfolios change
due to uNest’s decision to change investment management institutions for the benefit of clients,
uNest will inform clients accordingly and will have the discretion to transition a client’s investments
to similar offerings from the new investment management institution.
Fees
All uNest accounts will then be charged a monthly wrap fee (i.e., service fees) ranging between
$3 to $5 per month for personal use of the uNest web or mobile application. Monthly wrap fee
amounts will be determined upon opening up a new uNest account. Fees are non-negotiable. The
annual wrap fee includes advisory services, execution, and account reporting. The fee schedule
is as follows:
Type Fee Wrap Fee $3 - $5 per account per month
uNest is structured to favor frequent investing. The fee structure may not be suitable for individuals
with small accounts or individuals looking to make few or infrequent small-dollar investments.
The wrap fee is charged monthly. uNest reserves the right, with 30 days’ notice to its clients, to
adjust the monthly wrap fee should the fee amount prove uneconomical in anyway that could
negatively impact uNest’s business. uNest absorbs transaction costs as part of the servicing.
Clients might find the advisory and other services that comprise the uNest experience may exceed
the costs of similar services when purchased separately.
The investment vehicles offered by uNest have fees that are separate and distinct from the fees
paid to uNest for its wrap fee program. These fees include, but are not limited to, service fees,
ETF/mutual fund fees and other operating expenses on a fund. The prospectus, a legal document
required by and filed with the SEC that provides details about the investment offers for each
investment vehicle, will detail the fees and charges assessed by the managers of those products.
uNest reserves the right to reduce or waive any fees associated with the advisory services at its
sole discretion. In addition, uNest also reserves the right to implement additional fees for products
and services that are not yet available or mentioned in this brochure.
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uNest services are available to individuals who are legal U.S. residents and maintain a checking
account with a U.S. bank. There is no minimum account size, and the minimum initial and
subsequent deposits is $25. Inactive accounts or accounts with 0 balances for 30 days or greater
may be terminated at the discretion of uNest.
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To determine the investment vehicles offered on uNest’s platform, an operational due diligence
(“ODD”) is conducted by uNest when selecting the appropriate 529 Plan to offer to uNest clients.
The ODD includes, but is not limited to the review of the following:
• 529 Plan account-opening processes, types of accounts available, flexibility
in administering accounts, and the overall compatibility with technology
• 529 Plan custodial arrangements, history and stability
• Advisory firms that manage the assets within the 529 Plan
• Disclosure documents (including fees, expenses, principal risks and other
terms)
• State and advisory firms’ level of communication and cooperation
• Review of other information as uNest deems relevant
uNest notes that technological compatibility is a significant factor in uNest's ODD process and
529 plan selection.
uNest does not review performance information of the underlying portfolio managers to determine
or verify its accuracy or its compliance with presentation standards.
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that went into effect January 1, 2018, distributions from
529 plans can now be used to pay up to $10,000 of tuition per beneficiary each year at an
elementary or secondary (“K-12”) public, private or religious school of the beneficiary's choosing.
However, uNest is focused on college distributions, and may not be appropriate if a beneficiary is
expected (or may expect) to begin taking distributions for K-12 expenses. The 529 Plan
investment choices are designed to take into account a beneficiary's age and the number of years
before the beneficiary is expected to attend higher education and is NOT designed for saving for
K-12 expenses.
Risk of Loss Utilization of the uNest College Savings Calculator, which presents purely informational projected
values, are not guarantees of future results. Your actual results will vary from those presented
and may impact your ability to reach your financial planning goals. Market risk (including, but not
limited to macroeconomic environment, interest rates, regulatory changes, domestic or foreign
politics, social events, liquidity, bankruptcy/insolvency, etc.) will vary and could negatively impact
the performance of securities in your portfolio. Any investment in securities involves the possibility
of financial loss that clients should be prepared to bear. uNest may also experience technology
issues (equipment failure, loss of internet, viruses, or other events that may impair access to
uNest software) which could impact the uNest experience.
Risk of Beneficiary The student the account is intended for might not attend college, or the student might not need to
expend all of the money invested. uNest clients are encouraged to review the IRS rules that apply
or to consult with a tax advisor before designating a new recipient. uNest does not provide advice
about designating other recipients of 529 Plans. uNest clients should also be aware that even if
investments in a 529 Plan grow, the costs of education might be so great that your beneficiary
might not be able to pay for the college of his or her choice through their 529 Plan.
Risk of Tax Impact Performance may directly or indirectly be affected by government legislation or regulation. By
investing through uNest, tax benefits (such as state tax deductions or credits) might be
unavailable to you through the uNest platform. You should investigate all available options before
investing with uNest.
Gift tax rules may apply when investing in a 529 Plan. Please consider this rule, particularly when
investing larger amounts or after having given sizable gifts. In addition, tax laws may change and
529 Plan tax benefits could change or be eliminated as a result. uNest does not give tax or
financial planning advice. uNest clients should consult the IRS rules, a tax advisor or personal
financial planner if questions arise regarding taxes.
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When opening a uNest account, a client will be asked to provide pertinent information (ex. name,
age, monthly investment amounts, etc.) for uNest’s algorithm in the College Savings Calculator
to properly assess and advise on which age-based funds a client should consider investing in.
uNest does not share client information with any external portfolio managers.
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uNest primarily uses electronic rather than telephonic means to provide customer support.
Existing and prospecting clients are encouraged to contact uNest via email or through their web-
based platform or mobile application. Information regarding a client’s portfolio holdings and
performance will be available to clients through uNest’s platforms. Clients should note that uNest
advice is only through its online interactive software application. Clients may contact uNest by
phone or email during its normal business hours should they have any questions about their uNest
experience.
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Disciplinary Information uNest has not been involved in any legal or disciplinary events.
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
uNest and its advisers do not have any other financial industry activities and affiliations.
Code of Ethics
uNest requires officers, employees, and affiliates to meet our fiduciary obligation to clients and
detect any violations of securities laws. Consistent with that of duty and government regulations,
uNest has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to its personnel, describing its high standard of
business conduct with respect to its clients. The Code of Ethics includes internal reporting,
recordkeeping, and other obligations regarding personal securities transactions. The Code of
Ethics requires that any violations of these obligations and any outside complaints be escalated,
addressed promptly and appropriately, and recorded in the company’s books and records.
uNest will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any client upon request.
Participation in Client Transactions and Potential Conflicts of Interest
uNest’s personnel and their families may invest in the 529 Plans offered on uNest’s platform. Any
investment advice offered by uNest offers little or no opportunity for a conflict of interest to arise,
as the plans all relate to well-established mutual funds or similar investment vehicles unaffiliated
with uNest. It is the express policy of uNest that in the event of a conflict of interest is perceived
to exist, uNest will seek to immediately eliminate or mitigate that conflict of interest by prohibiting
or monitoring the trading that is identified as potentially representing a conflict of interest.
uNest implements responsible diligence and appropriate procedures to prevent violations of its
Code of Ethics.
Custody A “qualified custodian” maintains custody of client assets that are managed by uNest and is
selected based on several factors, including, but not limited to their ability to:
· Execute, clear and settle trades
· Facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts
· Provide a variety of investment vehicle choices (equities, bonds, funds, etc.)
· Provide exceptional servicing and services with competitive pricing
· Maintain company stability, financial strength, and a good reputation
· Support the expansion of uNest’s Platform
Clients authorize uNest to choose the custodian bank at their discretion and instruct the custodian
bank(s) to deduct any of its fees directly from client accounts. Client account statements provided
by the custodian(s) will reflect the withdrawal of any fees and any other transactions that the client
may have done during the account statement’s respective time period. All clients should carefully
review their account statements regularly to ensure the accuracy of all the information. Any
discrepancies or errors should be escalated immediately to uNest or the custodian directly.
Review of Accounts uNest will review accounts on a limited, monthly basis for accounting purposes. uNest will also
review on a quarterly basis some or all accounts’ age-based investment choices to ensure they
appropriately reflect and align to the age of the student/beneficiary.
Client Referrals and Other Compensation uNest may offer compensation to existing clients and solicitors for referring new clients. Referral
activities must adhere to terms and conditions established by uNest and set forth in an agreement
with uNest in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 275.206(4)- 3 under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. A referral program would only operate within uNest’s
interactive web-based platform or mobile application.
Clients would not be charged any costs for being referred to uNest by an existing client, solicitor
or marketer. uNest or an affiliate may also pay 3rd party services for driving new users to uNest.
uNest or an affiliate may also receive compensation from retailers in connection with certain
promotions, in which uNest or an affiliate refers uNest clients to the retailers for the purchases of
non-investment consumer products or services (e.g., office supplies or clothing). uNest or an
affiliate may transfer a portion of the compensation received in connection with such promotions
into the referrer’s account to fund the purchase of additional investments for the client.
Financial Information uNest does not have any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair it from meeting its
contractual commitments to its clients and has never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Termination of Advisory Relationship Clients should be aware that their agreement with uNest may be cancelled at any time, by either
party. Any unpaid fees will be due and payable upon termination of account(s).
BROCHURE SUPPLEMENT (FORM ADV PART 2B)
5161 Lankershim Blvd, Suite 250
North Hollywood, CA 91601
1-800-978-1858
www.unestapp.com
[email protected] This Brochure Supplement provides information about certain uNest employees listed below that supplements the Wrap
Fee Brochure you received above. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
[email protected]. Additional information about uNest is available on the SEC’s website a
t www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. ITEM 2: EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder/ CEO: Ksenia Yudina
Experience:
Most recently a Vice President, Sr. Client Relationship Specialist at
Capital Group/ American Funds, which enabled her to gain deep
industry knowledge and insight on how to improve the current system.
Prior, she had an internship at JP Morgan Private Bank. Before and
during business school, she was managing a real estate firm
specializing in residential short sales.
Credentials:
MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management
CFA Charterholder
Disciplinary Information:
Ksenia Yudina has no disciplinary events to report.
Other Business Activity:
None.
Additional Compensation
There are no other compensation arrangements.
Supervision:
None
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Open Brochure from SEC website