Straight answers to the questions we hear most.

Prime Summa invests in tangible, income-producing assets. Our nine core areas are commercial real estate, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, timber, industrial assets, private credit, equipment leasing, and other income-producing assets with contracted cash flow.

The common thread is that each investment is backed by something identifiable that performs a function and produces cash flow from that function. You can review each area on our Asset Classes page.

Prime Summa was founded in 1955 by Dewitt Knapp. The firm is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee.

Tangible assets are physical assets with a functional purpose — buildings, infrastructure systems, farmland, forestland, equipment, and similar property — as distinguished from purely financial assets.

Because they exist physically, they can generally be inspected, appraised, insured, and financed independently. That grounds analysis in observable facts, though it does not eliminate valuation uncertainty or the possibility of loss. See Why Tangible Assets.

Every opportunity moves through the same sequence: sourcing, an initial screen against our core criteria, detailed underwriting with an explicit stress case, legal and physical diligence, written review and challenge, and then structuring.

An opportunity does not advance until the work of the prior stage exists in writing. Most opportunities are declined at the screening stage, which is the intended outcome of having standards. See Our Process.

Primarily from the operation of the underlying asset: rent from tenants, payments under lease or offtake agreements, interest on secured loans, tolls or usage fees, and proceeds from agricultural or forestry output.

Value may also change over time through improvements, changes in demand, or movement in replacement cost. We prefer returns that come from operations rather than from leverage or a favorable exit assumption, because operational cash flow is more repeatable.

No return is assured. Assets can underperform, lose counterparties, require unplanned capital, or decline in value.

Through underwriting standards, structure, and monitoring. Every investment is stress-tested under adverse assumptions before approval. Leverage is kept conservative, reserves are funded, and covenants and security interests are negotiated to reflect the risks identified in diligence.

After acquisition, assets are tracked against the original underwriting on a defined cadence, with variances escalated rather than absorbed quietly.

Risk management reduces exposure; it does not eliminate it. Please read our Risk Disclosure for a fuller description of the risks involved.

No. Prime Summa does not guarantee any investment result, return, income stream, or return of principal.

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount invested. Asset backing provides structural features such as collateral and priority of claim, but it does not guarantee repayment or protect against loss of value.

Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any statements about future conditions are inherently uncertain.

Long. Tangible assets are underwritten on the assumption that they will be held through a full cycle, and investment structures are designed so that we are rarely required to transact on a fixed timetable.

Specific terms vary by investment and are set out in the applicable offering documents.

Participation in specific investment opportunities is generally limited to investors who meet eligibility requirements under applicable law — which may include qualification as an accredited investor, qualified purchaser, professional client, or an equivalent category in the relevant jurisdiction.

Eligibility is confirmed through documented verification before any subscription is accepted, and requirements vary by offering and jurisdiction. See our Regulatory Information page.

Fee structures vary by investment and typically may include a management fee, performance-based compensation, and the reimbursement of certain fund or asset-level expenses such as administration, audit, legal, custody, insurance, and third-party diligence costs.

Underlying assets also bear their own operating and capital costs. Fees reduce returns, and their effect compounds over long holding periods.

The complete fee terms applicable to any specific investment, including how each fee is calculated and when it is charged, are set out in the relevant offering documents. We encourage investors to review those terms carefully and to ask questions.

Reporting typically includes periodic statements with position-level detail, portfolio commentary on operations and asset developments, valuation summaries describing methodology and material assumptions, applicable tax materials, and annual reporting.

The specific package, frequency, and content vary by investment structure and are governed by the applicable offering and subscription documents. See Investor Relations.

For investor inquiries, email [email protected]. For general questions about the firm or our approach, email [email protected].

This website does not collect information through forms. All contact is by email or telephone. See our Contact page.

No. The information on this website is general in nature and is not investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. It does not take account of any individual's objectives, financial situation, or needs.

We recommend consulting your own qualified professional advisors before making any financial decision.