UNITED ADVISORS SERVICES, LLC


United Advisors Services, LLC (“we” or “us” or “our” or “United Advisors Services” or “UAS”) was founded on May 5, 2008 and has been registered with the SEC since May 7, 2009. United Advisors Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Atlantic Capital, LLC which is primarily owned by Mark H. Penske. United Atlantic Capital also owns Platform Technology Partners, United Advisors, United Advisors Investment Management and Financial Services International Corp which are SEC-registered investment advisory firms. Mark H. Penske is also the majority owner of United Advisors, a SEC-registered investment advisory firm.

United Advisors Services provides investment supervisory and investment advisory services, and also provides financial planning and consultation services for Clients which includes individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organization, corporations and business entities. United Advisors Services requests a minimum size of $100,000 per relationship (which may include the aggregate of multiple accounts for any one relationship) and a minimum advisory fee of $2,000 per year which shall be pro-rated pursuant to the Firm’s billing practices as described in Item 5 of this Brochure. The Firm’s minimum account size and minimum annual fee may be waived at the Firm’s sole discretion.

United Advisors Services will manage portfolios of publicly traded securities, which consist primarily of common stocks, other securities, such as preferred stocks, bonds, debentures, warrants, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities, investment company securities, which include variable life insurance, variable annuities, mutual fund shares, U.S. government securities, and options contracts on securities.

As described in Item 5 of this Brochure, United Advisors Services, depending upon the engagement, offers its services on a fee basis which may include hourly and/or fixed fees as well as fees based upon assets under management. Prior to engaging United Advisors Services to provide any of the foregoing investment advisory services, the Client will be required to enter into one or more written agreements with United Advisors Services setting forth the terms and conditions under which United Advisors Services shall render its services (collectively the “Agreement”).

United Advisors Services may render discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to Clients relative to brokerage/qualified accounts, variable life/annuity products that they may own, and/or their individual employer-sponsored retirement plans. Individual Client accounts are managed pursuant to the Client’s Agreement with United Advisors Services. United Advisors Services offers many services through its network of investment advisory representatives (“Advisory Representatives” or “IARs”). IARs may conduct advisory services under a trade name (i.e. “Doing Business As” or “DBA “) or other corporate structure that is held out to the public for marketing purposes. United Advisors Services does not have any ownership interest in the IAR’s trade name or other corporate structure. IARs of the Firm set the advisory fees charged to Client which cannot exceed the advisory fee(s) listed in Item 5 of this Brochure. While not the primary focus of their business, Advisory Representatives of United Advisors may also Registered Representatives of Financial Services International Corp. Inc. (“Financial Services International Corp.”), an affiliated broker/dealer firm and Member FINRA and SIPC, and may be licensed insurance representatives. Additional Information regarding the nature of the relationship between Advisory Representatives is described in Items 5 and 10. This Brochure provides disclosure of United Advisors Services’ services, fees, and material information. Please read it carefully and if questions should arise, please contact Jaclyn Sandler of United Advisors Services at 212.444.2362. United Advisors Services offers advice on each type of investment described in this Brochure. However, United Advisors Services intends to primarily allocate its Clients’ investment management assets, on a discretionary and/or a non-discretionary basis (“Investment Advisory Services” or “Advisory Services”), among Independent Managers (as defined below), mutual funds, exchange traded funds, individual debt and equity securities and/or options as well as the securities components of variable annuities and variable life insurance contracts in accordance with the investment objectives of the Client.

United Advisors Services may only implement its investment management recommendations after the Client has arranged for and furnished United Advisors Services with all information and authorization regarding accounts with appropriate financial institutions. As discussed in Item 15 of this Brochure, United Advisors Services generally recommends that Clients utilize the Adviser’s preferred custodial firms.

4.1 The Programs

Independent Manager Program

Based upon the stated objectives of the Client, IARs of United Advisors Services may also recommend that certain Clients authorize the active discretionary management of all or a portion of their assets by independent managers (“Independent Managers”) available in Schwab’s Managed Account Select Program®, Raymond James’ Outside Manager Program (“OSM”), Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services’ Managed Account Solutions and Envestnet Asset Management (“Envestnet”), an SEC-registered adviser that offers investment management solutions for IARs to manage Client Accounts and access to Independent Managers through their Separately Managed Account, Mutual Fund and ETF Strategist Program, and investment management solutions through their Advisor as Portfolio Manager investment technology. A Client’s access to Independent Managers on Envestnet is through United Advisors Investment Management (“UAIM”), an SEC-registered investment advisory firm and affiliate of UAS. In such cases, United Advisors Services continues to act as the Client’s primary adviser and monitors the portfolio services of the Independent Manager(s) selected, as described in the next section. The terms and conditions under which the Client shall engage the Independent Manager(s) shall be set forth in separate written agreements between (1) the Client and United Advisors Services and (2) the Client and the designated Independent Manager(s) and/or wrap fee program sponsor. United Advisors Services shall continue to render advisory services to the Client relative to the ongoing monitoring and review of account performance, for which United Advisors Services shall receive an annual advisory fee which is described in Item 5 of this Brochure. Factors that United Advisors Services shall consider in recommending Independent Manager(s) include the Client’s stated investment objective(s), management style, performance, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research. The investment management fees charged by the designated Independent Manager(s), together with the fees charged by the wrap fee program sponsor and corresponding designated broker-dealer/custodian of the Client’s assets, may be exclusive of, and in addition to, United Advisors Services’ investment advisory fee set forth above. As discussed above, the Client may incur additional fees than those charged by United Advisors Services, the designated Independent Manager(s), wrap fee program sponsor (if applicable), and corresponding broker- dealer and custodian.

United Advisors Services also offers advisory and related services by a third party investment advisor via a Sub-Advisory Agreement. LVH, LLC also known as 55 Capital Partners provides investment advice and portfolio management services with the objective of achieving risk-adjusted returns by creating globally diversified portfolios of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Although we review the performance of numerous third-party investment adviser firms, we have a conflict of interest by offering third-party money managers that have agreed to pay a portion of their advisory fee to United Atlantic Capital and have met the conditions of our due diligence review. There may be other third-party money managers that may be suitable for a client that may be less costly. No guarantees can be made that a client’s financial goals or objectives will be achieved. Further, no guarantees of performance can be offered.

In addition to United Advisors Services’ written disclosure statement, the Client shall also receive the written disclosure statement of the designated Independent Manager(s) and wrap fee program sponsor (if applicable). Certain Independent Manager(s) may impose more restrictive account requirements and varying billing practices than United Advisors Services. In such instances, United Advisors Services may alter its corresponding account requirements and/or billing practices to accommodate those of the Independent Manager(s) or wrap fee program sponsor.

Each Independent Manager is responsible for portfolio management, portfolio reporting services, best execution review, quarterly reporting, trade error resolution, custodial reconciliations, and implementation of trades within their respective programs. With respect to Envestnet and the programs available through it, Envestnet performs overlay management and implements trade orders, periodically updating and rebalancing a Clients’ account pursuant to the direction of the Independent Managers or strategists.

For clients enrolled in Investment Managers programs as described above, UAS continues to act as the Client’s primary adviser and monitors the portfolio services of the program(s) of the Independent Manager(s). In the event that a Client is enrolled in an Independent Manager Program(s) described above, the Client will enter into an agreement with such Independent Manager and receive the Form ADV Brochure for such Independent Managers. UAS Sponsored Program In addition to the Independent Manager Programs described above, UAS sponsors a program that utilizes portfolio management technology provided by Orion Advisors Services to assist UAS in creating and maintaining portfolio accounts for its clients and implementing changes to such accounts. Investment Program Selection Additions may be in cash or securities provided that United Advisors Services reserves the right to liquidate any transferred securities, or decline to accept particular securities into a Client’s account. United Advisors Services may consult with its Clients about the options and ramifications of transferring securities. However, Clients are advised that when transferred securities are liquidated, they are subject to transaction fees, fees assessed at the mutual fund level, (i.e., contingent deferred sales charge) and/or tax ramifications.

Clients engaging advisory services must play an active role. United Advisors Services requires the Client to participate in the formation of the investment plan, investment advice and recommendations. Clients may call the office to discuss their portfolio(s) or ask questions, but United Advisors Services recommends that Clients initiate a meeting with United Advisors Services no less than annually. However, Clients are obligated to immediately inform United Advisors Services of any changes in their financial situation or to impose any reasonable restrictions upon United Advisors Services’ Investment Advisory Services.

Neither United Advisors Services nor the Client may assign the Agreement without the consent of the other party. Transactions that do not result in a change of actual control or management of United Advisors Services shall not be considered an assignment. A copy of United Advisors Services’ privacy policy notice and a written disclosure statement that meets the requirements of Rule 204-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), shall be provided to each Client prior to or contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement.

In all cases, Clients have a direct and beneficial interest in their securities (individual ownership), rather than an undivided interest in a pool of securities. Client funds and securities are held at the Client’s selected custodial services provider(s). As discussed in Item 15 of this Brochure, United Advisors Services does not and will not have custody of Clients’ funds or securities. United Advisors Services will only have access to custodial accounts in order to deduct investment advisory fees and only with the appropriate Client authorization.

As of December 31, 2019, United Advisors Services had approximately $ 663,011,000 Client assets under management. As of that date, United Advisors Services managed $ 630,928,000 on a discretionary basis and $ 32,083,000 on a non-discretionary basis. Financial Planning and Consultation Services United Advisors Services is available to provide Financial Planning or Consultation Services (which may include non-investment related matters). Financial Planning Services may be ongoing in nature as outlined in the Client Agreement. Consultation Services are provided on an hourly or project basis and terminate upon delivery. When Financial Planning or Consultation Services only focus on certain areas of Client interests, needs or is otherwise limited, Clients must understand that a Client’s overall financial and investment needs and objectives may not be considered as a result of time and/or service restraints placed on United Advisors Services’ services. Clients requiring assistance on issues relating to matters outside of investment advisory topics should consult their personal tax advisor, legal counsel, or other professionals for expert opinions. When providing plan-related services, the advice and recommendations are limited to plan offerings. The advice provided by United Advisors Services may include recommendations for updates and reviews. United Advisors Services may suggest the Client work closely with the Client’s attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and the Client’s custodian. Implementation of any advice or recommendations pertaining to non-securities matters (such as insurance), in whole or in part, is entirely at the Client’s discretion via the service provider(s) of the Client’s choice.

Financial Planning Services are ongoing in accordance with the terms outlined in the Agreement. After the first year, the annual Financial Planning fee may be modified (lower or higher) based upon the nature and complexity of services, the scope of the engagement, or other circumstances. Consultation Services terminate upon the delivery of services unless ongoing services are engaged pursuant to the Client Agreement. Prior to conclusion, services may be immediately terminated upon written notice from either party and the Client will only be invoiced for time incurred by United Advisors Services up until the effective date of termination or prepaid but unearned fees will be refunded please register to get more info

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