J.P. Morgan has introduced a new advisory capability designed to deepen strategic engagement with a select group of sophisticated clients and extend access to firmwide expertise well beyond traditional capital markets execution. For wealth advisors and registered investment advisors (RIAs), the move reflects a broader industry shift toward high-touch, insight-driven advisory models that prioritize long-term strategic outcomes over transactional activity.
The launch comes at a time when the global investment advisory services market is expected to accelerate through 2026. Rapid technology adoption, persistent geopolitical instability, structural changes in global supply chains, and heightened macroeconomic uncertainty are reshaping how capital is allocated and how enterprises manage risk. Against this backdrop, demand is rising for specialized, forward-looking advice that helps decision-makers anticipate market-moving developments rather than simply react to them.
J.P. Morgan’s newly established Special Advisory Services unit is intended to address that demand. The group will advise clients across a range of complex and interconnected themes, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital assets, geopolitics, healthcare innovation, global supply chains, and sustainability. These areas increasingly influence enterprise valuation, competitive positioning, regulatory exposure, and long-term growth prospects, making them highly relevant not only to corporate executives but also to wealth advisors guiding clients with concentrated equity positions, business ownership interests, or exposure to secular growth trends.
From an RIA perspective, the creation of a dedicated advisory unit focused on these themes underscores the growing importance of contextual intelligence in portfolio construction and wealth planning. As clients navigate environments shaped by technological disruption and geopolitical realignment, advisors are expected to translate high-level trends into practical investment and risk-management strategies. Institutional initiatives such as this one signal where large banks see sustained client demand and where advisory conversations are likely to intensify in coming years.
The Special Advisory Services unit will be led by Liz Myers, global chair of investment banking at J.P. Morgan. Myers brings more than three decades of experience at the firm and previously led its global equity capital markets business. Her background suggests the unit will be deeply integrated with the bank’s broader advisory, capital markets, and strategic capabilities, while maintaining a focus on long-term client relationships rather than episodic transactions.
According to the firm, the unit will concentrate on long-standing, top-tier clients. These include companies seeking J.P. Morgan as a lead advisor on initial public offerings, established corporate clients pursuing transformational mergers or strategic initiatives, and mid-sized firms aiming to make J.P. Morgan their primary banking partner. For RIAs, this emphasis highlights how advisory relationships are increasingly being defined by continuity, trust, and strategic relevance rather than by single-event mandates.
The expansion also reflects a recognition that today’s most pressing client questions often sit at the intersection of finance, technology, and public policy. Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, for example, are no longer niche concerns; they influence enterprise productivity, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and reputational risk. Digital assets and blockchain technologies continue to challenge traditional financial infrastructure while raising questions about custody, valuation, and regulatory oversight. Geopolitical dynamics—from trade policy to regional conflicts—can rapidly alter supply chains, energy markets, and currency stability, with direct implications for portfolios and operating businesses alike.
Healthcare and sustainability further illustrate the convergence of societal trends and financial outcomes. Advances in biotechnology, demographic shifts, and healthcare policy reforms can materially affect entire sectors, while sustainability considerations increasingly shape capital access, cost of capital, and long-term enterprise resilience. For wealth advisors serving entrepreneurs, executives, and multi-generational families, understanding how these forces interact is critical to effective planning and asset allocation.
J.P. Morgan’s move can be seen as part of a broader evolution in advisory services, where insight and synthesis are as valuable as execution. Large institutions are investing heavily in thematic research, cross-disciplinary teams, and senior-level advisory talent to help clients navigate uncertainty with greater confidence. For RIAs, this trend reinforces the importance of maintaining strong institutional relationships and staying informed about the strategic priorities of major financial firms.
Ultimately, the formation of the Special Advisory Services unit highlights how advisory models are adapting to a world defined by complexity and rapid change. As clients seek guidance that spans markets, industries, and geopolitical landscapes, the ability to deliver integrated, forward-looking advice becomes a key differentiator. For wealth advisors and RIAs, the message is clear: the future of advisory lies in depth, perspective, and the capacity to connect global trends to individual client outcomes.
