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Updated September 17, 2026. Quick answer: Merrill Lynch is less expensive at $500,000: $8,750 a year, versus $10,000 a year for J.P. Morgan, computed from each firm’s own SEC-filed fee disclosure. See the full side-by-side table below for $250,000, $1 million and $2 million.
What each firm charges, side by side
| Account balance | J.P. Morgan (annual fee) | Merrill Lynch (annual fee) |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $5,000 | $4,375 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $8,750 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 | $17,500 |
| $2,000,000 | $40,000 | $35,000 |
J.P. Morgan discloses a maximum, individually negotiated rate of 2.0% (J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Wrap Fee Program Brochure, Form ADV Part 2A Appendix 1, June 30, 2026); Merrill Lynch discloses a maximum, individually negotiated rate of 1.75% (Merrill Lynch Investment Advisory Program Brochure (Form ADV Part 2A Wrap Fee Program Brochure), June 26, 2026 (IAPB-062026)).
What the fee includes, in each firm’s own words
J.P. Morgan Advisors (J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Wrap Fee Program Brochure, Form ADV Part 2A Appendix 1, June 30, 2026): “The maximum annual rate for JPMS’ component of the Fee is 2.00% for all Programs except for: CBP, which has a maximum annual rate for JPMS’ component of the Fee of 0.70%.”
J.P. Morgan Advisors discloses a flat 2.00% maximum JPMS-component rate for its main programs (Portfolio Advisor, Portfolio Manager, STRATIS, UMA, ICS), not a public breakpoint table. In STRATIS strategies, an additional Portfolio Manager fee (up to 0.75%) and Model Portfolio Provider fee (up to 0.38%) can stack on top of the 2.00%, and the smaller Customized Bond Portfolios program caps at 0.70% instead.
Merrill Lynch (Merrill Lynch Investment Advisory Program Brochure (Form ADV Part 2A Wrap Fee Program Brochure), June 26, 2026 (IAPB-062026)): “We have set the maximum Merrill Lynch Fee Rate for the Program at 1.75%. The Merrill Lynch Fee Rate is negotiable, meaning you and your Advisor may agree to a Merrill Lynch Fee Rate for an Account that is lower than 1.75%.”
Merrill Lynch does not publish a dollar-tiered breakpoint table for its flagship Investment Advisory Program (IAP); it publishes only a maximum, individually negotiated rate of 1.75%. The figures above apply that ceiling as a flat rate; your actual negotiated rate may be lower. If you select a discretionary Style Manager or PAS Manager strategy inside the Program, an additional manager fee (roughly 0.00% to 0.65% or more, depending on strategy) can apply on top of the 1.75% Merrill Lynch Fee.
How this compares
Our benchmark of published adviser fee schedules puts the weighted median annual cost near $2,000 to $2,500 on $250,000 (the benchmark). At $500,000, J.P. Morgan runs $10,000 a year and Merrill Lynch runs $8,750 a year: a difference of $1,250 a year at that balance.
Want the full breakdown for either firm on its own? Read the J.P. Morgan fee page or the Merrill Lynch fee page for the complete tier table and source citations.
Thinking about leaving one of these firms instead of pricing what you would pay to stay? See what it costs to leave J.P. Morgan or what it costs to leave Merrill Lynch, or read the general mechanics of switching financial advisors.
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- J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Wrap Fee Program Brochure, Form ADV Part 2A Appendix 1 (June 30, 2026): https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpm/securities/documents/adv/jpma-wrap-fee-program-brochure.pdf
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (CRD #79): https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/79
- Merrill Lynch Investment Advisory Program Brochure (Form ADV Part 2A Wrap Fee Program Brochure) (June 26, 2026 (IAPB-062026)): https://www.ml.com/solutions/understanding-our-services-and-fees-when-you-work-with-an-advisor.html
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD #7691): https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/7691
Methodology. This page was built September 17, 2026, re-pairing figures already archived and independently verified for J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch from each firm’s own SEC-filed disclosure; sources linked above. Nothing here is personalized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. See our Editorial Policy, Corrections, Affiliate Disclosure, and Disclaimer.