Overview

J.P. Morgan, one of the oldest and most established financial services companies, operates in over 100 countries with $2.6 trillion in assets under management. The firm is organized into four core business segments: investment banking, commercial banking, asset management, and financial transaction processing. Its asset management division offers a diverse range of investment options, including personalized, advisor-guided strategies or the flexibility to build a custom portfolio of stocks, fixed-income securities, ETFs, mutual funds, and alternative assets. This versatility makes J.P. Morgan a strong choice for both self-directed investors and those seeking professional financial guidance.

Products and Services

J.P. Morgan is a comprehensive brokerage firm offering a wide range of services to individual clients, including banking, lending, investing, financial planning, and wealth management. While it also serves institutional clients with commercial banking, investment, and credit services, this review will specifically focus on the products and services available to individual investors.

Investment Assets

J.P. Morgan offers a comprehensive range of investment products, including stocks, fixed-income securities, ETFs, mutual funds, options, annuities, and life insurance. Additionally, they provide donor-advised funds, sustainable investing strategies, and lending products. For those looking to save for education, J.P. Morgan also offers 529 plans to help you invest for your child’s future.

1. Stocks

• Enjoy commission-free trading for online transactions
• Gain access to a wide selection of stocks for investment opportunities
• Leverage J.P. Morgan’s extensive market research to inform your trading decisions
• Trade on the go from your mobile phone using the Chase mobile app

2. ETFs

• Commission-free online trades; $25 for every phone trade.
• Browse a wide selection of ETFs
• Choose from 59 share classes for diversified investment options
• Access J.P. Morgan’s comprehensive market research to guide your investment decisions
• Invest easily from your computer or phone with the Chase mobile app

3. Mutual Funds

• Commission-free online trades; $20 per trade for every phone trade
• Access thousands of mutual funds for diverse investment options
• Portfolio Builder Tool
• View available mutual funds on the website
• Choose from 136 share classes to fit your investment strategy
• Money market funds are available for conservative investment options

4. Fixed Income

• Invest in municipal, government, government agency, and corporate bonds, and even certificates of deposit (CDs)
• $10 per trade + $1 per bond for 10 bonds or more.
• Up to $250 for municipal, government agency, secondary-market corporate bonds, and brokered CDs
• No fees for new corporate bond issues or new and secondary market government bond issues
• Leverage J.P. Morgan’s expertise and investment tools to help you select the right bond products for your needs

5. Annuities

• Annuities are available exclusively through a J.P. Morgan Advisor
• Choose between tax-deferred growth or lifetime income benefits
• Both immediate and deferred annuities are offered
• Fees vary based on the specific annuity chosen

6.Options

• $0.65 per contract for options trades
• Commission-free online options trades; $25 per trade for call-in orders
• Only single-leg and covered options are available
• Trade easily from your computer or mobile phone

7. Life Insurance:

• Access various life insurance options from a network of carriers
• Life insurance specialists can help you select the right product
• Manage life insurance and investment products all in one app

8. Donor-Advised Funds

• Tax-deductible donations to qualified charities
• Flexible Donation Options
• Contribute to the fund in cash or securities
• Invest assets donated to grow and enhance your charitable giving impact

9. Sector Investment

• Invest in specific economic sectors to help protect your portfolio during market downturns
• Enhance diversification by targeting various sectors to reduce risk
• Use watchlists and search tools to create a tailored portfolio
• Access in-depth market research and insights from J.P. Morgan analysts
• Tactical investors can adjust their investments by moving in and out of sectors based on market cycles

10. 529 Plans

• No sales fees charged when setting up the plan
• Must be established with the assistance of a J.P. Morgan representative
• No income restrictions for contributors
• Beneficiaries can be any age
• Contribute up to $75,000 annually ($150,000 joint filings for married couples) as a tax-free gift
• Use the J.P. Morgan Wealth Plan digital money coach to track and manage your account
• Maintenance, management, or state administration fees may apply plus expense ratios

11. Securities-Based Lending

• Use your non-retirement securities (stocks, bonds, or mutual funds) as collateral to secure a line of credit from J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

12. Sustainable Investment

• Invest with the goal of achieving both financial returns and positive social or environmental impact.
• Access strategies from J.P. Morgan’s global sustainable investing team
• Choose from proprietary and third-party sustainable investing strategies
• Impact-focused offerings may not be available to all clients
• Standard ETF and mutual fund commission schedule

Managed Account Services

J.P. Morgan’s managed account services provide investors with guidance, offering the option to work with a human financial advisor or use their robo-advisor for a more automated experience.

1. Personal Advisors: This service is designed for investors with less than $100,000 who prefer a virtual advisor relationship. You’ll work with a team of advisors via phone or video calls, who will help you choose the right portfolio for your goals and provide ongoing financial guidance with annual check-ins to keep you on track. The annual advisory fee ranges from 0.4% to 0.6%, depending on your investment amount. J.P. Morgan occasionally offers promotions, such as six months of free advisory services, if you meet a minimum investment requirement.
2. Wealth Advisor: J.P. Morgan’s wealth advisory services are available to investors with substantial wealth, though the exact qualification for “substantial wealth” is not specified. These services are tailored for ultra-high-net-worth clients who seek a single point of contact for comprehensive financial support, including banking, wealth planning, investment management, and personalized lending solutions. Offerings include trust and estate planning, philanthropy, retirement and education planning, as well as liquidity event planning.
3. Private Client Advisor: If you have at least $100,000 to invest, you may be eligible to work directly with an investment consultant instead of a team of advisors. You can meet with your advisor in person, or choose phone or video consultations, and gain access to a wider range of managed and insurance solutions. The annual fee for this service varies from 0.7% to 1.45%, depending on the account type and assets under management.
4. Automated Investing: J.P. Morgan’s robo-advisory service recommends a pre-built portfolio of J.P. Morgan ETFs and cash tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. It automatically rebalances the portfolio as market conditions change, helping you stay on track to achieve your objectives. Portfolio options range from Conservative (75% fixed income, 25% equities) to Aggressive (10% fixed income, 90% equities). The service charges an annual advisory fee of 0.35%, billed quarterly, in addition to any underlying fees associated with the investments in your portfolio.

Fees

J.P. Morgan offers a cost-effective solution for self-directed investors, with no account minimums and commission-free trading on many investments. However, trades placed over the phone or through a representative incur a commission. For retirement investors, the brokerage is less appealing due to IRA account maintenance and termination fees. Those seeking professional guidance will face an advisory fee of 1.45% (or 0.7% for fixed-income portfolios) and must meet account minimums ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the service. Below are the fees associated with self-directed investing accounts:

• Stocks and ETFs Phone or Representative-Assisted Trade: $25 per trade
• Mutual Funds Phone or Representative-Assisted Trade: $20 per transaction
• IRA Annual Fee: $25
• IRA Full Account Closure/Transfer: $95

Platform Features

Mobile App

One of the major advantages of using J.P. Morgan is its integration with the Chase mobile app, allowing existing Chase customers to view both their banking and investment accounts in one place. The app is highly rated, boasting 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Apple.

Wealth Plan

The J.P. Morgan Wealth Plan is a comprehensive digital planning tool available to all J.P. Morgan clients through the Chase mobile app under the “Plan and track” tab. It offers a holistic view of your finances, including savings, spending, and progress toward your financial goals. You can set specific goals and receive step-by-step guidance to help you achieve them.

Types of Accounts

Self-directed investors can select from general non-retirement accounts, as well as traditional or Roth IRAs. Non-retirement accounts can be either individual or joint, allowing for multiple owners. The company occasionally offers promotions, such as cash bonuses for transferring or rolling over a certain amount of money within 45 days of opening an account.

Customer Support

As a traditional brick-and-mortar brokerage, J.P. Morgan offers customers the option to visit a local branch for in-person assistance. For added convenience, there are also various online support options, including online forums, FAQs, and dedicated phone lines. Additionally, you can submit complaints or feedback through secure messages or on X (formerly known as Twitter)—just be sure to avoid sharing any personal information in your tweets.

Bottomline

J.P. Morgan is a leading global brokerage firm that caters to investors of all asset levels. It provides a robust range of investment products and services, making it suitable for both self-directed investors and those seeking professional guidance, whether through digital platforms or in-person consultations. While no account minimums are required to start investing, certain services, such as face-to-face advising or access to specific products, may have minimum asset requirements. Retirement investors should be mindful of potential management fees when considering J.P. Morgan’s offerings.