Your go-to partner for municipal bond SMAs
Our experienced team of specialists is here to help you bring the benefits of muni SMAs to your clients.
Make our next-level service your edge
Whether you’re transitioning clients into a municipal bond SMA for the first time or in search of a better SMA solution, our dedicated team is committed to service excellence. We provide the insights, tools and assistance to empower you to focus on what you do best: adding value for your clients.
Get a fresh perspective on how your client’s portfolio can perform in one of our strategies with hypotheticals, proposals and municipal bond reviews.
During the onboarding process, our SMA specialists and investment specialist teams will work with you to ensure a seamless transition onto our municipal bond SMA platform.
Municipal bond review: Show clients what they may be missing
For clients with existing individual muni bond holdings, our specialists can examine a client’s current portfolio to identify any risk factors based on maturity, quality, call, duration and sector. You can then compare a client’s existing portfolio side-by-side with an example of the portfolio Franklin Templeton can build.
State your preference: Over 20 state-specific and state-preference options for municipal bond separately managed accounts
For certain clients, it may make sense to only hold muni bonds issued by their own state. That’s why we proudly offer a range of state-specific portfolios, along with state-biased options for those with less in-state issuances.1
Conversely, investors in our municipal bond SMA platform can request a national portfolio that specifically excludes certain states. Whatever your clients are looking for, the size and scale of our muni platform makes it possible.
For illustrative purposes only.
Model your own municipal bond ladder
Calculate potential muni bond income and download a free client report with our calculator in just three easy steps.
Client conversations: Making the move to municipal bond SMAs
These resources can help you walk through the benefits of muni bond SMAs with your clients.
An introductory brochure designed to educate investors on the ins and outs of SMAs.
Show your clients the benefits of moving to muni SMAs with this sample model portfolio. Our specialists can create a custom version for you.
See the benefits of professional muni bond management, including institutional pricing and buying power.
Invest with a leader in municipal bond SMAs
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income has been managing tax-free income strategies for over 40 years. Together with the Western Asset muni team, we have the scale, resources and experience navigating multiple market cycles to identify and potentially benefit from opportunities created by inefficiencies in the marketplace.
- Seeks to provide tax-free income
- Invests nationally, in intermediate investment-grade municipal bonds
- Applies a research-driven approach and seeks to take advantage of value opportunities within the municipal bond landscape
- Seeks to provide high tax-exempt income and total returns through duration, curve and credit decisions across the investment-grade municipal asset class
- Value beyond top-grade securities: Western Asset credit resources can navigate lower-investment-grade municipals to provide investors additional income opportunities
- Aims to provide tax-exempt income and total return over a market cycle
- Employs multiple themes and sector rotation within portfolios
- Utilizes Western Asset’s time-tested, value-oriented investment approach
- A full range of customizable, laddered strategies across the maturity and duration spectrum
- May help minimize the impact of rising interest rates
- Cash flows generated by a portfolio of high-quality securities with known maturity dates
Franklin Templeton municipal bond SMA lineup
Whether you’re looking for short, intermediate or long maturity, ladders or green bond, Franklin Templeton has a comprehensive muni SMA lineup with the flexibility to accommodate the customization your clients need.
Market perspectives
Even with the uncertainty surrounding the new US administration’s economic policies, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai thinks the US economic outlook for 2025 remains robust, with upside risks to inflation. She thinks the end of the Fed’s easing cycle might be near, and warns that financial markets volatility will likely remain elevated.
This bi-annual outlook survey is designed to give a view across our investment teams. The expectations for 2026 are based on survey results from investment professionals across all asset classes. We also provide our predictions on inflation, recession, asset class performance and more.
Following consecutive years of robust returns across global equity, fixed income and alternatives, can 2025 offer a repeat performance? Franklin Templeton Institute presents its 2025 outlook.
Learn more about these Investment Managers
A global leader in fixed income, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income pursues alpha from every angle by incorporating macroeconomic analysis, fundamental research and quantitative science to help deliver portfolios that meet a diverse set of client needs.
One of the world’s leading global fixed income managers. Founded in 1971, Western Asset is known for team management and proprietary research, supported by robust risk management and a long-term fundamental value approach.
Call your Franklin Templeton Internal Sales Consultant at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 to get started.
- State-specific mandates include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia. State-preference mandates include Alabama, Hawaii, Indiana and Kentucky. Certain state-specific portfolios may not be available in all programs. Additional state-specific portfolios may be available upon request and are subject to review. Strategy availability may vary by firm. For those strategies available at your firm, please contact your home office for details.
What are the risks?
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.
Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Liquidity risk exists when securities or other investments become more difficult to sell, or are unable to be sold, at the price which they have been valued. Active management does not ensure gains or protect against market declines. Portfolios focused on a single state are subject to greater risk of adverse economic and regulatory changes than a geographically diversified portfolio.
These portfolios may be non-diversified and may invest in a relatively small number of issuers, which may negatively impact the strategy’s performance and result in greater fluctuation in the value of the strategy’s shares. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on performance. An investor may be subject to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax, and state and local taxes may apply.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION
Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) are investment services provided by Franklin Templeton Private Portfolio Group, LLC (FTPPG), a federally registered investment adviser. Client portfolios are managed based on investment instructions or advice provided by one or more of the following Franklin Templeton affiliated sub-advisers: Western Asset Management, LLC. Management is implemented by FTPPG, the designated sub-adviser or, in the case of certain programs, the program sponsor or its designee.
This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice.