Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

Municipal Bonds Increasingly Held by Funds Rather Than Retail Investors

Posted on July 12th, 2022 at 8:47 AM
Municipal Bonds Increasingly Held by Funds Rather Than Retail Investors

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston:

The percentage of outstanding municipal bonds owned by U.S. retail investors dipped to 40% in the first three months of the year in comparison to 46% in 2020, according to a Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board report. 

The board analyzed Federal Reserve data before determining that the market is shifting from direct ownership of bonds to investment via funds. The amount held outright by retail investors through individual brokerage accounts is likely closer to 20% since the Federal Reserve includes some Wall Street-managed accounts in its household category. According to Federal Reserve data, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds controlled 24% of municipal bonds in the first quarter of 2022, which is an increase from 20% in 2020. In particular, for example, only 3% of treasury bonds and 1% of corporate bonds are held by retail investors, according to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

The increasing control that asset managers have over the municipal bond market has contributed to the market’s volatility, according to analysts. Investors in exchange-traded funds and mutual funds are permitted to sell easily while buy-and-hold investors are more likely to hold the bonds until maturity. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, bonds, municipal bonds

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

If you are being bothered by the Regulators, call Eccleston Law, you won't regret it.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1774973592 Law
March 31, 2026
Cybersecurity Breach at Edelman Financial Engines Highlights Growing Risks for Advisory Firms

A recent cybersecurity incident involving Edelman Financial Engines has drawn attention to the increasing number of cyberattacks targeting registered investment advisers, according to Financial Advisor News.

1774884494 Law
March 30, 2026
SEC and CFTC Plan Coordinated Examinations and Enforcement Efforts

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) plan to coordinate examinations and enforcement actions involving firms that fall under both agencies' jurisdiction, signaling a renewed effort to streamline regulatory oversight, according to AdvisorHub.

1774622627 Law
March 27, 2026
FINRA Charges Former Pruco Securities Representative With Forging Dozens of Customer Signatures on Annuity Applications

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) filed a disciplinary complaint against former Pruco Securities representative Avinesh Shankar alleging he forged customer signatures on annuity paperwork to obtain commissions, according to ThinkAdvisor.