Northwest Investment Advisors, Inc. (NWIA) utilizes StoneX Financial, Inc. (SFI) to provide their clearance needs. SFI is one of the leading clearing firms in the United States. Our responsibility is to execute and process securities transactions and carry client accounts on a fully disclosed basis for NWIA. Through NWIA's clearing arrangement with us, described in the clearing document, we will strive to provide NWIA and you with the best professional services and products available.

We understand that you may have some questions about this clearing arrangement, and how clearing firms work. The following are a few commonly asked questions about these issues. Please feel free to contact NWIA if you have any additional questions.

• What is "clearing" and why does my broker need clearing services?  Because securities markets are highly regulated, whenever money and securities are exchanged, regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission require that every aspect of the transaction be documented and verified. The process of transferring ownership of a security, recording and confirming the transfer, performing the required calculations, and completing and documenting the trade is known as "clearing".
• How are clearing functions different from brokerage activities?  Your broker dealer (or brokerage firm) is not affiliated with SFI. It is responsible for initiating transactions on your behalf. SFI handles the processing relative to those transactions. SFI does not provide investment advice, supervise the activities of your broker dealer, nor do we execute any order received directly from you. Your brokerage firm is responsible for investigating and resolving any inquiries you may have concerning your account. For a detailed description of the separate responsibilities of SFI and your brokerage firm, please refer to the "Clearing Responsibilities" section of this document.
• What is a fully disclosed relationship between my broker and SFI?   The term "fully disclosed" simply means that your brokerage firm discloses your name and address information to us.
• Will I be interacting with SFI?  On behalf of your brokerage firm and its clients, SFI operates in an execution and clearing capacity that is almost totally behind the scenes. You will seldom, if ever, have the occasion for direct contact with SFI.
  
• Who keeps me informed of activity in my account?  You place all transactions and inquiries through your broker. SFI sends you a confirmation of every securities transaction in your account. We also provide you with a monthly or quarterly statement of your account in a clear, easy-to read format. For further information about your statement, please contact your broker.
• Are the assets in my account protected?  Yes. Securities regulations require that all transactions be paid by settlement date. Make checks payable to StoneX Financial, Inc. SFI is a member of Securities Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC), which provides protection up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash (explanatory brochure available upon request or at http://www.sipc.org/). SFI provides additional coverage $24.5 million , including up to $900,000 in cash balances, with an aggregate policy limit of $100 million. This excess SIPC coverage is provided by Lloyd's of London. SIPC and Lloyd’s of London insurance do not protect against market fluctuation.
• What other ways does the relationship with SFI benefit my broker?  Through SFI, your broker has execution capabilities on the New York Stock Exchange and all other major exchanges. We further support your brokerage firm with an Over-the-Counter Trading Department and a Fixed Income Trading Department specializing in government, corporate and municipal bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs), and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). All of these capabilities allow your brokerage firm to provide the same service found at the largest nationally based brokerage firms.
  

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StoneX Financial, Inc.
2 Perimeter Park South #100-W
Birmingham, AL 35243

Telephone:  800-240-1438

Fax: 205-414-3210

Web Site:  www.stonex.com