JP Morgan and Charles Schwab have signed an agreement that gives Schwab clients access to JP Morgan's fixed income securities, including new issue and secondary municipal bonds, corporate debt securities and non-convertible preferred securities.

Under the agreement, Schwab will be a preferred retail dealer for JP Morgan which will further expand the investment bank's distribution channels.

New issue and secondary fixed income securities from JP Morgan will be available to Schwab's 7.8 million client brokerage accounts along with access to the investment bank's research covering the fixed income markets and the economy.

“Investors today are focused on managing their risk with an eye on the tax implications of their investment strategies. As a result, more and more Schwab clients are investing in fixed income, with a particular emphasis on municipal bonds, making this an ideal time to expand our clients’ access to an inventory of municipal and corporate bonds through an industry leader like JP Morgan,” said Walt Bettinger, Schwab’s president and chief executive.

“Joining with Schwab will enable us to offer our fixed income issuer clients access to one of the largest brokerage platforms in the country,” added Jes Staley, chief executive of JP Morgan’s Investment Bank.