JPMAM Merges Muni Bond Fund Into Largest Active Muni Bond ETF in U.S.

Core Insights - J.P. Morgan Asset Management has merged the JPMorgan National Municipal Income Fund into the JPMorgan Municipal ETF (JMUB), making it the largest active muni bond ETF in the U.S. with $5.8 billion in assets under management (AUM) [1][2][3] Muni Bond ETF Landscape - The merger signifies a growing trend among asset managers to adopt the ETF structure for fixed income products, which has historically lagged behind equity offerings [2] - JMUB charges an 18 basis point fee and focuses on actively investing in investment-grade municipal bonds to provide tax-free income, achieving a return of 5.3% over the last three years [2][4] Market Impact - The newly merged ETF ranks as the fourth largest active fixed income ETF, contributing to a total U.S. ETF AUM exceeding a quarter of a trillion dollars [3] - The merger is seen as a significant advancement for municipal bond investors, offering a more efficient and cost-effective way to access municipal markets [4]