A. Description of Advisory Firm
JPMS is a wholly owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMC), a
publicly held financial services holding company. JPMC and its affiliates
(together, J.P. Morgan) are engaged in a large number of financial
businesses worldwide, including banking, asset management, securities
brokerage and investment advisory services. JPMS is registered as a
broker-dealer and investment adviser with the SEC and is a member of the
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Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). JPMS’ investment
advisory services include sponsoring a variety of wrap fee programs and
providing certain consulting services to defined contribution plan sponsors.
JPMS investment advisory services include sponsoring a variety of advisory
programs. JPMS offers investment advisory services through several
separate sales channels.
This Brochure provides information about JPMS and the Program which is
made available through a JPMS “Private Client Advisor” or a “Wealth
Advisor” (collectively referred to herein as, Financial Advisors and each, a
Financial Advisor), each a representative of JPMS. Information about other
investment advisory services that JPMS provides is contained in separate
brochures, which can be obtained from your Financial Advisor or at the
SEC’s website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. JPMS also maintains a separate
website, available at chase.com/managed-account-disclosures for Chase
Private clients and jpmorgan.com/adv for Wealth Advisor clients, that
contains the Brochure for the Program, wrap fee programs brochures, and
other important disclosures including advisory brochures for J.P. Morgan
Private Investments Inc. (JPMPI). For purposes of this Brochure, “Client”
or “Plan” refers to the defined contribution plan sponsor and plan,
respectively, as named in the Client Agreement (as defined below).
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that Clients should be
prepared to bear. The investment performance and success of any
particular investment cannot be predicted or guaranteed, and the value
of a Client’s investments will fluctuate due to market conditions and
other factors. Investments are subject to various risks, including, but not
limited to market, liquidity, currency, economic and political risks, and
will not necessarily be profitable. Past performance of investments is
not indicative of future performance.
B. Description of Advisory Services
Within the Program, JPMS offers two types of investment advisory
offerings: (1) non-discretionary advisory services, whereby JPMS provides
investment advice to Plans as a “fiduciary” as defined in Section
3(21)(A)(ii) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended (ERISA), such services being referred to below as “DC Plan
Advisor Services”; and (2) discretionary investment management services,
whereby JPMS will act as a “fiduciary” as defined in Section 3(21)(A)(i) of
ERISA and an “investment manager” as that term is defined in Section
3(38) of ERISA (Investment Manager), such services being referred to
below as “DC Plan Manager Services.”
DC Plan Manager Services and DC Plan Advisor Services are available
through Wealth Advisors. DC Plan Manager Services are also offered
through Private Client Advisors.
JPMS also offers additional services to Clients (collectively, Plan-Related
Services). These include (1) searches for recordkeeping platform providers
(each, a Recordkeeper); (2) coordination of and/or delivery of education
services; (3) a review of Recordkeeper features, services and non-
investment related fees; (4) plan fee benchmarking reporting; and (5) for
Custom 3(38) DC Plan Manager only, monitoring on investment criteria.
JPMS does not act as an investment adviser or a fiduciary in providing Plan-
Related Services. DC Plan Advisor Services, DC Plan Manager Services and
Plan-Related Services are collectively referred to herein as “DC Services”
and are described in more detail below.
The specific DC Services being provided are agreed to by the Client and
JPMS in the J.P. Morgan Securities Defined Contribution Plan Consulting
Services Program Client Agreement (the Client Agreement). JPMS provides
DC Services only for the Plan specifically referenced in the Client
Agreement and not for any other clients, assets or accounts, unless
otherwise separately agreed to by JPMS in writing. JPMS’ relationship with
Clients becomes effective as detailed in the applicable Client Agreement.
Any preliminary discussions that take place before the Client Agreement is
effective are not intended, and should not be relied upon, as investment or
other fiduciary advice.
1. DC Plan Advisor Services
When providing DC Plan Advisor Services, JPMS will acknowledge in the
applicable Client Agreement its status as a “fiduciary” under Section
3(21)(A)(ii) of ERISA for any “investment advice” (as that term is defined
by ERISA) JPMS provides under the Client Agreement with respect to Plans
that are subject to ERISA. The Client retains and exercises final decision-
making authority and responsibility for all matters concerning the Plan
as well as implementation of any investment advice resulting from the
DC Plan Advisor Services provided pursuant to the Client Agreement.
Neither JPMS nor its Wealth Advisors will (1) manage or exercise any
investment discretion or control over the Plan’s assets; (2) be responsible
or liable, to the extent permitted by law, for the performance of any
investment option recommended by JPMS or a Wealth Advisor and selected
by a Plan fiduciary; or (3) be responsible or liable for any decisions made
with respect to Plan assets where such decisions differ from a specific
recommendation made by JPMS to the Client or where the recommendation
is based on information about the Plan or its participants that is either
incorrect or has not been updated by the Client.
DC Plan Advisor Services include:
• Plan Investment Menu Design. Wealth Advisors make
recommendations related to the initial or existing Plan investment
menu design, including structure, asset classes, investment style and
investment expenses, based on information provided by the Plan
sponsor about the Plan’s investment objectives, guidelines, and
restrictions or similar information. Wealth Advisors also assist the
Client in the ongoing review of the Plan investment menu design to
determine whether it continues to meet the needs of the Plan and its
participants.
• Investment Searches. Wealth Advisors recommend certain investment
options for inclusion in the Plan’s investment menu based on
information provided by the Client about the Plan’s investment
objectives, guidelines, and restrictions or similar information. Wealth
Advisors only recommend investment options that JPMS and its
affiliates (specifically, the Manager Solutions due diligence group
(Manager Solutions) in the J.P. Morgan Wealth Management division)
or a third-party vendor retained by JPMS have reviewed and are
available on the Plan Recordkeeper’s platform. Wealth Advisors do not
recommend or otherwise provide advice on investment options issued,
sponsored, or advised by J.P. Morgan or any of its affiliates (Affiliated
Products) (as discussed in more detail in Item 4.D herein). If Affiliated
Products exist in the Plan’s investment menu when receiving DC Plan
Advisor Services, the Client agrees that (1) neither JPMS nor its
affiliates acts in a fiduciary capacity under ERISA or any other state or
federal law with respect to the Client’s decision to maintain Affiliated
Products and does not recommend or otherwise provide advice about
the Affiliated Products and (2) the terms of the Client Agreement does
not cover Affiliated Products. When receiving DC Plan Advisor services,
the determination as to the appropriate investment share class or
investment tier for inclusion in the Plan is solely the Client’s
responsibility. The Client is not obligated to implement the non-
discretionary investment advice provided by the Wealth Advisor.
• Periodic Review of Plan Investment Options Performance. Clients
receive a review of the performance of Plan investment options. Refer
to “Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss” in Item
8 for information on the due diligence process utilized.
2. DC Plan Manager Services
JPMS acknowledges in the applicable Client Agreement its status as a
“fiduciary” under Section 3(21)(A)(i) of ERISA, and the Client appoints and
JPMS accepts appointment as an Investment Manager under Section 3(38)
of ERISA for the DC Plan Manager Services JPMS provides under the Client
Agreement with respect to Plans that are subject to ERISA. JPMS is not (1)
responsible or liable, to the extent permitted by law, for the performance
of any investment option selected by JPMS; nor (2) responsible or liable for
33817_CYI 05-08-2024 Page 3 of 15
any decisions made with respect to Plan assets based on information about
the Plan or its participants that is either incorrect or has not been updated
by the Client. Beginning July 1, 2024, eligible Wealth Advisors will be able
to provide qualifying Clients flexibility within DC Plan Manager Services
(“Custom 3(38) DC Plan Manager Services,” also referred to as “Custom
3(38)”). This flexibility includes Recordkeeper availability, Plan investment
menu design, and optional investment monitoring criteria.
Plan Investment Menu Design. JPMS has discretion for the Plan investment
menu design, including structure, asset classes, investment style and
investment expenses. JPMS has retained an affiliate, J.P. Morgan Private
Investments Inc. (JPMPI), to act as sub-adviser (the Sub-Adviser) to
perform certain Sub-Adviser services. JPMPI will act as a non-discretionary
sub-adviser when providing the DC Plan Manager Services to JPMS. JPMPI
will recommend to JPMS the mutual funds and exchange traded funds
(Funds) to be used to construct plan investment menus as well as perform
ongoing reviews and monitoring of the Funds and investment menus using
due diligence produced by JPMPI. JPMS establishes investment objectives
and policy, oversees the selections using an investment policy statement,
and remains responsible for overseeing the Sub-Adviser’s performance.
The investment policy statement specifies investment guidelines
established by JPMS. For more information on investment selection and
related risks, Clients should review the Sub-Adviser’s advisory brochure,
which can be obtained upon request from their Financial Advisor or on the
SEC’s website at advisorinfo.sec.gov. Additionally, Clients may review the
Sub-Adviser’s advisory brochure by accessing the chase.com/managed-
account-disclosures for Chase Private clients and jpmorgan.com/adv for
Wealth Advisor clients. JPMS reimburses JPMPI for its costs for providing
investment services, including certain investment advisory and research
services, as applicable. JPMPI does not separately receive a fee from JPMS
or its clients. Neither JPMPI nor any of its supervised persons accepts
compensation for the sale of securities or other investment products,
including asset-based sales charges for services from the sale of Funds.
Under Custom 3(38), JPMS will continue to have discretion over the Plan
investment menu design, and the available investment options will be those
that have been reviewed by JPMPI (specifically Manager Solutions) or a
third-party vendor retained by JPMS. JPMPI provides ongoing reviews and
monitoring of the Funds but does not recommend the specific Funds or
allocations to be used to construct plan investment menus. Rather, Custom
3(38) investment options and menus are recommended by Client’s Wealth
Advisor consistent with JPMS’ investment menu structure guidelines
regarding number of investment options and asset class requirements.
Investment Selection, Review and Replacement. JPMS has discretion over
the search for, and the selection, review and replacement of, investment
options on the Plan’s investment menu. JPMS generally uses the lowest cost
share class available on the Recordkeeper’s platform for the investment
options selected (generally, shares with zero revenue or institutional share
classes or equivalents). Financial Advisors’ compensation is not affected by
the share class selected. By appointing JPMS as Investment Manager,
Clients authorize JPMS to take any actions necessary to implement changes
to the Plan’s investment menu. JPMS will direct the Plan’s Recordkeeper to
implement the investment changes. Clients are required to execute any
forms required by the Recordkeeper to authorize JPMS, as Investment
Manager, to direct the Recordkeeper with respect to the changes to the
investment menu so that the Plan’s Recordkeeper are required to
implement such changes. JPMS will only select investment options that
JPMS and its affiliates (including Manager Solutions) or a third-party
vendor retained by JPMS have reviewed and that are available on the Plan
Recordkeeper’s platform. JPMS will not select or use, or otherwise provide
any advice on, Affiliated Products (as discussed in more detail in Item 4.D
herein), even where Affiliated Products are available on the Plan
Recordkeeper’s platform. If the Plan’s investment menu includes Affiliated
Products, JPMS will direct
the sale, redemption or replacement of the
Affiliated Products within a reasonable time. JPMS does not assume any
fiduciary duty or other obligations for Affiliated Products during the time
they are part of the investment menu or while being sold, redeemed or
replaced. When providing DC Plan Manager Services, JPMS chooses a menu
of investment options that are broadly appropriate for inclusion within
participant-directed retirement plans. The structure of the menu and the
individual investment options selected by JPMS applies to all Clients
receiving DC Plan Manager Services based upon the specific Recordkeeper
platform and is not customized for any Plan, except for Custom 3(38).
Based on certain Recordkeeper constraints, the universe of Recordkeepers
available to Clients receiving DC Plan Manager Services are limited. For
Custom 3(38), flexibility is available within defined parameters set by
JPMS.
Periodic Review of Plan Investment Options Performance. Clients receive
a review of the performance of Plan investment options. Refer to “Methods
of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss” in Item 8 for
information on the due diligence process utilized.
3. Plan-Related Services
Clients enrolled in the Program can choose to receive certain non-fiduciary
Plan-Related Services described in more detail below.
• Searches for Recordkeepers. This service involves evaluating the
Plan’s current Recordkeeper, applying criteria to select Recordkeepers,
coordinating the solicitation of quotes from Recordkeepers, issuing
requests for proposals (RFPs) on behalf of Clients, and evaluating RFPs
received from prospective Recordkeepers. Searches may be customized
based on the needs of the Plan as identified by the Plan sponsor. Clients
receiving DC Plan Manager Services are limited to certain
Recordkeepers, as discussed in Item 4.D herein. Selection of the
recordkeeper and underlying funding platform is the responsibility of
the Client.
• Coordination and/or Delivery of Education Services. Financial
Advisors provide Plan sponsors and Plan participants with educational
services. Financial Advisors can review the Plan’s current education
program and suggest strategies for improving education. Financial
Advisors can provide Plan sponsors with general education around
Investment Policy Statements (IPS) and Qualified Default Investment
Alternatives (QDIA), work with the Plan’s Recordkeeper to implement
education program changes, and deliver materials to Plan sponsors and
participants. Financial Advisors can also provide investment education,
including seminars, educational newsletters, and other materials
reviewed and approved by JPMS. Upon a Client’s request, Financial
Advisors may provide employee education seminars to cover subjects
that include investing, saving for retirement, and retirement and
distribution planning, as well as other subjects that JPMS makes
available. JPMS intends for all of its communication to Plan sponsors
and participants, including education and employee education
seminars, to be investment education under applicable U.S.
Department of Labor regulations or other guidance. Neither JPMS nor
its Financial Advisors provide Plan participants with individual
investment advice.
• Review of Recordkeeper Features, Services and Fees. JPMS assists
Clients with conducting and/or coordinating a review of the
Recordkeeper features, services, and various fees and expenses. JPMS
assists with and/or facilitates the delivery of information necessary for
the Client to review and analyze Recordkeeping features, services and
fees. In performing these reviews and providing reports, JPMS relies on
information provided by the Client and the Plan’s Recordkeeper,
custodian and/or other third parties from whom JPMS receives Plan and
investment-level data (each, a Data Provider). JPMS cannot guarantee
the accuracy of information provided by the Client or Data Provider.
• Plan Fee Benchmarking Reporting. JPMS makes available to Clients
the delivery of plan fee benchmarking information for the Client to
review and analyze their plan’s fees. Fee Benchmarking reports
provided by JPMS will rely on information provided by the Client and
the Plan’s Recordkeeper, custodian and/or other third parties from
whom JPMS receives benchmarking services. JPMS cannot guarantee
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the accuracy of information provided by these sources and does not
verify such information.
• Investment Monitoring Criteria (Custom 3(38) only). JPMS makes
available to Clients monitoring on investment criteria. Monitoring is
done through a third-party vendor retained by JPMS. Investment
monitoring criteria is limited to those metrics that are made available
by the third-party vendor. Client shall be responsible for selection and
review of investment monitoring criteria for the Plan. No assurance has
been or can be given that the investment objectives reflected in your
investment criteria will be achieved. JPMS will rely on information
provided by the Client and the Plan’s Recordkeeper, custodian and/or
other third parties and cannot guarantee the accuracy of information
provided by these sources and does not verify such information.
4. Limitations on DC Services
DC Services are subject to certain limitations, including:
• Universe of Investment Options. JPMS will only recommend or select
investment options that JPMS and its affiliates (specifically Manager
Solutions) or the third-party vendor retained by JPMS to provide
investment analysis and due diligence for certain investment options
not reviewed by Manager Solutions and that are available on the Plan
Recordkeeper’s platform. JPMS does not review every investment
option available, or every asset class or investment category, nor every
investment option that can be made available on the Recordkeeper’s
platform.
• Investment Policy Statements. For Clients receiving DC Plan Advisor
or Custom 3(38) Services, upon Client request, JPMS will provide
Clients with a sample of an investment policy statement. Clients are
encouraged to speak with other professional advisors (e.g., attorneys
and/or tax professionals) prior to adopting and/or approving any
investment policy statement(s). JPMS does not assume any obligation
to comply with, accept or update a Client’s investment policy
statement(s). For Clients receiving DC Plan Manager Services, upon
Client request, JPMS will provide Clients with a “Program–Level
Investment Policy Statement” that describes the investment process
JPMS adheres to when providing DC Plan Manager Services.
• Retirement Income Options. JPMS does not select or review
“retirement income” products, including, but not limited to, managed
payout funds, systematic withdrawal programs and insurance-based
annuity options.
• Recordkeeper Restrictions. For DC Plan Manager Services, Clients are
limited to selecting a Recordkeeper with whom JPMS makes DC Plan
Manager Services available. For DC Plan Advisor Services and Custom
3(38), unless the Client requests otherwise, JPMS only presents
Recordkeeping providers who have been evaluated by JPMS. If
requested by Clients, JPMS in its discretion can present Recordkeeping
providers not evaluated by JPMS. Ultimate decision as to Recordkeeper
selection rests with the Plan sponsor.
• Broker of Record. Neither JPMS nor any Financial Advisor may be listed
as broker of record for any of the investment options the Client or JPMS
selects for the Plan’s investment menu for purposes of receiving Rule
12b-1 fees or other compensation directly from the Plan’s investment
options.
• Affiliated Products. JPMS will not recommend, select, use or otherwise
provide advice on Affiliated Products. Recommending, selecting, using
or otherwise providing advice on Affiliated Products raises a conflict of
interest because J.P. Morgan and its affiliates, including JPMS, receives
more total revenue when a Client’s account is invested in Affiliated
Products than when it is invested in unaffiliated third-party products.
JPMS will include information on Affiliated Products in periodic
investment reports, which the Client agrees is not investment advice or
a fiduciary act of JPMS. As described below, JPMS will exclude the value
of the Plan’s investments in Affiliated Products when calculating the
Fee (as defined in Item 5).
• Excluded Assets. “Excluded Assets” include, but are not limited to,
Affiliated Products; employer securities; in-Plan retirement income
options; self-directed brokerage accounts; participant loan balances;
custom funds; investment options that JPMS, its affiliates (including
Manager Solutions) or a third-party vendor retained by JPMS have not
reviewed; and any other assets JPMS designates as Excluded Assets.
JPMS will not advise on whether Clients should offer or continue to offer
employer securities, within the meaning of Section 407 of ERISA, as an
investment option under the Plan. JPMS may designate assets as
Excluded Assets without notice to the Client. JPMS will neither provide
advice with respect to Excluded Assets nor include Excluded Assets in
the calculation of the Fee (as defined in Item 5).
• Legal, Tax and Accounting Advice. JPMS and its affiliates do not
provide legal, tax or accounting advice and will not be responsible for
ensuring that a Plan’s IPS or any other Plan documents comply with
ERISA, state or local law or any other regulations or requirements
applicable to the Plan. The Client is responsible for, and should consult
with, its legal and tax professionals about, those matters.
• Plan Actuarial, Administrative and Recordkeeping Services. JPMS and
its affiliates do not provide actuarial, administrative or recordkeeping
services to Plans in the Program (including, but not limited to,
prospectus delivery and participant notices).
• Participant Communications. JPMS and its affiliates do not provide
notices to participants. Participants can access the prospectus for a
particular Fund via either the Fund family website or the recordkeeper’s
website.
• Information Provided by Clients. JPMS will rely on information
provided by Clients without further verification. Clients are responsible
for notifying JPMS promptly, in writing, of any changes to the
information that the Client previously provided to JPMS and for
providing JPMS with additional information as JPMS may request from
time to time. Clients must notify JPMS promptly of any material changes
in the Plan’s financial condition, risk tolerance, needs or objectives.
JPMS has no liability for a Client’s failure to provide JPMS with accurate
or complete information or to inform JPMS promptly of any change in
information previously provided.
• Third-Party Information. JPMS relies on third-party information,
including publicly available information and information received from
Data Providers, in providing the DC Services. While JPMS believes the
information is accurate, JPMS does not independently verify or
guarantee the accuracy of the information.
5. Termination
The Client agreement may be terminated at will by either party.
Termination will be effective upon the later of: receipt of written notice of
termination or removal of JPMS as advisor record by the Recordkeeper.
Termination of the Client agreement will not affect the liabilities or
obligations of the parties under the Client agreement that arise prior to
termination. Upon termination, JPMS has no further obligation to provide
investment advice or other DC Services to the Client or any Plan fiduciary
about the Plan’s assets.
6. Financial Advisors
Financial Advisors who provide DC Services are registered representatives
and investment adviser representatives. Financial Advisors who provide DC
Services receive training on the Program, Program guidelines and policies,
and other information essential to advising Program clients. Wealth
Advisors may also complete third-party specialized training, such as the
Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®). Upon completion of the training,
Wealth Advisors are required to pass an assessment that demonstrates
proficiency. The timeframe to meet these requirements may be extended
33817_CYI 05-08-2024 Page 5 of 15
under certain circumstances, including for newly hired Wealth Advisors.
JPMS is not bound by the standards of conduct of any professional
organizations of which its Financial Advisors are members or entities that
have authorized Financial Advisors to use designations or certifications.
C. Availability of Customized Services
Refer to Item 4.B. above for details on how JPMS advisory services can be
tailored to the individual needs of Clients.
D. Wrap Fee Program
JPMS is the sponsor of several wrap fee programs; however, the Program
is not a wrap fee program. In a wrap fee program, clients pay JPMS a single
fee based on the assets they have invested with them. The fee covers
investment advisory services and other account-related services, such as
trade execution, clearing and settlement services, reporting and custody
services as well as financial planning, when applicable.
E. Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, JPMS managed $191,632,943,848 on a
discretionary basis and $58,097,990,914 on a non-discretionary basis.