Key Takeaways
- • 55ip, a tax-smart investment technology platform and wholly owned subsidiary of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, expanded its unified managed account (UMA) offering to the RIA channel, with an initial lineup of model portfolios and separately managed accounts (SMAs) from J.P. Morgan Asset Management and BlackRock.
- • The UMA combines managed and custom model portfolio strategies with equity SMAs in a single account, powered by 55ip's ActiveTax Technology, and follows earlier RIA offerings of models, SMAs, and Direct Indexing.
- • Cerulli projects U.S. UMA assets will reach approximately $3.7 trillion by the end of 2026, according to the announcement.
- • Additional asset managers are expected to join the platform later this year.
- • The launch follows 55ip's prior announcement with InvestCloud on bringing private investments into a UMA for RIAs, slated for future release.
Summary
55ip, a tax-smart investment technology platform, announced on October 20, 2026 the expansion of its unified managed account (UMA) capabilities for the registered investment adviser (RIA) channel, according to a Business Wire release. The initial offering includes model portfolios with separately managed accounts (SMAs) from J.P. Morgan Asset Management, 55ip's parent company, and BlackRock, described as a long-standing 55ip model partner. The company said additional asset managers are expected to join later this year.
The enhanced platform combines managed and custom model portfolio strategies with equity SMAs in a single account, powered by 55ip's ActiveTax Technology. The release says the structure follows the progression of 55ip's RIA offerings, which began with models, SMAs, and Direct Indexing. The company stated that it has expanded tax-managed UMA offerings for select enterprise partners in recent years, and that the extended asset manager offering gives RIAs greater choice and scaling opportunities.
Cerulli projects UMA assets in the U.S. will reach approximately $3.7 trillion by the end of 2026, per the announcement. The release cites benefits including tax management, transitions, diversification across strategies, operational efficiency, and personalization. Key features include a single account structure that can use an asset manager-provided or advisor-provided model combining ETFs, mutual funds, and an active SMA; a 55ip Portal providing breakdowns of both the model and SMA portions; and ActiveTax recommendations for tax transitions and ongoing management.
Gautam Sachdev, Chief Executive Officer of 55ip, said the growth of the RIA channel highlights the scale challenge for advisors, and that adding a UMA can alleviate client acquisition and infrastructure burdens without compromising personalization. Stephen Kaplan, Managing Director and Head of Customized Managed Account Solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said advisors seek the scalability of model portfolios along with the direct ownership and tax-loss harvesting potential of SMAs. Jon Diorio, Head of Americas Product at BlackRock, said combining models and SMAs in one account enables more responsive tax management for advisors serving high-net-worth clients.
The announcement follows 55ip's previous announcement with InvestCloud regarding private investments in a UMA for RIAs, which is slated to come to market in the future.
The enhanced platform combines managed and custom model portfolio strategies with equity SMAs in a single account, powered by 55ip's ActiveTax Technology. The release says the structure follows the progression of 55ip's RIA offerings, which began with models, SMAs, and Direct Indexing. The company stated that it has expanded tax-managed UMA offerings for select enterprise partners in recent years, and that the extended asset manager offering gives RIAs greater choice and scaling opportunities.
Cerulli projects UMA assets in the U.S. will reach approximately $3.7 trillion by the end of 2026, per the announcement. The release cites benefits including tax management, transitions, diversification across strategies, operational efficiency, and personalization. Key features include a single account structure that can use an asset manager-provided or advisor-provided model combining ETFs, mutual funds, and an active SMA; a 55ip Portal providing breakdowns of both the model and SMA portions; and ActiveTax recommendations for tax transitions and ongoing management.
Gautam Sachdev, Chief Executive Officer of 55ip, said the growth of the RIA channel highlights the scale challenge for advisors, and that adding a UMA can alleviate client acquisition and infrastructure burdens without compromising personalization. Stephen Kaplan, Managing Director and Head of Customized Managed Account Solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said advisors seek the scalability of model portfolios along with the direct ownership and tax-loss harvesting potential of SMAs. Jon Diorio, Head of Americas Product at BlackRock, said combining models and SMAs in one account enables more responsive tax management for advisors serving high-net-worth clients.
The announcement follows 55ip's previous announcement with InvestCloud regarding private investments in a UMA for RIAs, which is slated to come to market in the future.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.