FinSA Client Information
This document provides you with information about Global Strategic Advisory Group AG, our services, and your rights as a client, in accordance with Art. 8 of the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA).
About Us
Global Strategic Advisory Group AG
- Bahnhofstrasse 22, Paradeplatz, 8001, Switzerland
- Contact us
- www.advisory-group.one
Global Strategic Advisory Group AG (hereinafter “GSAG”) is an independent asset manager licensed and supervised under the Swiss Financial Institutions Act (FinIA). We are subject to prudential supervision by AOOS – Schweizerische Aktiengesellschaft für Aufsicht (Clausiusstrasse 50, 8006 Zurich; info@aoos.ch), a supervisory organisation recognised and overseen by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Services We Offer
GSAG provides the following services:
Portfolio Management (Discretionary Mandates)
We manage individual client portfolios on a fully discretionary basis, making investment decisions in accordance with an agreed investment strategy and risk profile. Assets are held in custody with a bank of the client’s choice.
Investment Advisory
We provide personal investment recommendations tailored to the client’s individual circumstances, portfolio and risk profile. This includes portfolio-based advisory and, where applicable, transaction-based advisory.
Additional Non-Regulated Services
We also offer advisory services not subject to specific licensing requirements under Swiss law, including: financing advisory, asset structuring advisory, family office services and succession and wealth planning.
GSAG does not engage in proprietary trading, does not manage collective investment schemes or pension assets and does not act as trustee.
Client Segmentation
In accordance with FinSA, we classify each client into one of the following categories before providing financial services:
Retail Clients receive the highest level of regulatory protection, including full application of our duties to inform, conduct suitability and appropriateness assessments and provide documentation and account renderings.
Professional Clients are presumed to have the knowledge, experience and financial capacity to understand and bear investment risks. Certain information and documentation duties may be reduced or waived upon the client’s express request.
Institutional Clients are a subset of professional clients (financial intermediaries, central banks, public entities with professional treasury operations). The conduct rules under FinSA Chapter 2 do not apply to transactions with institutional clients.
Opting-Out and Opting-In
Retail clients who are high-net-worth individuals (assets of at least CHF 500,000 combined with relevant financial knowledge/experience or assets of at least CHF 2 million) may request reclassification as professional clients (opting-out). Professional and institutional clients may request a higher level of protection (opting-in). All reclassification requests must be made in writing. You will receive a separate Client Segmentation Form at the outset of our relationship confirming your classification.
Investment Strategies
For portfolio management mandates, we offer the following investment strategies, each reflecting a distinct risk and return profile:
| Strategy | Risk Appetite | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Low | Capital preservation; predominantly fixed income; no leverage |
| Conservative Enhanced | Low to Moderate | Income with limited growth; no leverage |
| Balanced | Moderate | Growth and income; leverage permitted |
| Balanced Growth | Increased | Growth-focused; significant equity exposure; leverage permitted |
| High Growth | High | Maximum growth; equity up to 100%; leverage permitted |
| Endowment | Very High | Maximum capital appreciation; heavy alternatives/derivatives exposure |
| Bespoke | Defined individually | Custom mandates for alternative-focused strategies |
All strategies are subject to concentration disclosure obligations: we will inform you if individual security exposure exceeds 10% or issuer exposure exceeds 20% of your portfolio, unless exempt (e.g. UCITS funds). The investment strategy is recorded in a signed Appendix to your Portfolio Management Agreement.
Risks Associated with Financial Instruments
Investing in financial instruments involves risk. The value of investments may rise or fall and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Key risk categories include market risk, credit and counterparty risk, liquidity risk, currency risk, concentration risk, leverage risk and risks specific to structured products, derivatives and alternative investments.
A comprehensive overview is available in the Swiss Bankers Association brochure “Risks Involved in Trading Financial Instruments (2023)” (https://www.swissbanking.ch/en/downloads) provided to you at the outset of our relationship. Please also refer to our separate Risk Disclosure page.
Costs and Fees
Management Fee
Unless otherwise agreed, GSAG charges a management fee based on the gross value of assets under management, calculated monthly and invoiced quarterly in arrears. The applicable rate and any minimum fee are set out in your Portfolio Management Agreement.
Performance Fee
Where agreed, a performance fee may be charged on net capital appreciation, calculated annually and subject to a high-water mark. Details are specified in your Portfolio Management Agreement.
Third-Party Costs
Custodian fees, brokerage commissions, fund charges and other third-party costs are not included in GSAG’s management fee and are charged directly by the relevant service provider to your account.
Third-Party Compensation (Retrocessions and Inducements)
In the course of providing services, GSAG may receive compensation from third parties in connection with the placement of certain financial instruments. These may include fund trailer fees (0–1.50% p.a.), brokerage fee-sharing (0–50% of transaction fees), currency transaction margins (0–70%), structuring fees on structured products (up to 2% per transaction) and financing facility fees (up to 0.30% of facility amount).
As a rule, GSAG does not retain such compensation and clients waive their entitlement to receive these amounts as part of the portfolio management agreement. Exceptions require Executive Management approval, with full disclosure and client consent obtained in advance. The specific ranges applicable to your mandate are set out in the Appendix “Compensation of Third Parties” to your Portfolio Management Agreement.
Conflicts of Interest
GSAG has implemented organisational measures to identify, manage and where possible avoid conflicts of interest. Key measures include functional separation between operational and control functions, a remuneration policy not tied to transaction volumes, restrictions on employee proprietary trading and acceptance of gifts and disclosure to clients where conflicts cannot be adequately managed. GSAG invests exclusively in third-party financial instruments for client portfolios.
Market Offering Considered
When selecting financial instruments, GSAG considers a broad range of third-party instruments across all relevant asset classes, including equities, fixed income, funds, structured products, alternative investments and derivatives. We do not limit our selection to instruments issued or managed by affiliated entities.
Suitability and Appropriateness
Before entering into a portfolio management or investment advisory relationship, GSAG conducts a suitability assessment, gathering information about your investment objectives and time horizon, financial situation and income, risk tolerance and risk capacity and knowledge of and experience with relevant financial instruments. This information is recorded in your Risk Profile Questionnaire and reviewed at least every five years, or earlier if your circumstances change materially. You are responsible for notifying us promptly of any relevant changes.
Documentation and Reporting
GSAG documents the financial services agreed and provided to you, including your risk profile, investment strategy and any specific instructions. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of your documentation within 10 working days. We render account to you at least annually, covering portfolio composition, performance and costs. Objections to a report must be raised in writing within 30 days of receipt; otherwise the report is deemed approved.
Custody of Assets
GSAG does not hold client assets in custody. Your assets are held with a custodian bank of your choice, with whom you maintain a direct account relationship. GSAG acts solely on the basis of a limited power of attorney granted by you.
Ombudsman / Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute, you have the right to initiate mediation proceedings before a recognised ombudsman’s office at any time. GSAG is affiliated with:
Finanzombudsstelle Schweiz (FINOS)
Talstrasse 20, CH-8001 Zurich – www.finos.ch
Please also refer to our separate Complaint Handling Process.
Data Protection
GSAG collects and processes your personal data in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (nDSG). Please refer to our separate Privacy Policy for further information.