GOP-led states reportedly accusing JPMorgan Chase of religious bias


A coalition of Republican-led states has accused the nation's largest bank, JPMorgan Chase, of discriminating against customers due to their religious beliefs, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
In a letter obtained by the Journal addressed to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, 19 GOP state attorneys general alleged the bank "persistently discriminated against certain customers due to their religious or political affiliation." A prior letter sent this past March by 14 GOP state attorneys general accused the bank of the same thing.
The letter alleged that JPMorgan "has not extended its openness and inclusivity to everyone." The attorneys general claim that JPMorgan terminated client accounts due to their religious and political beliefs. This includes allegedly closing the account of the nonprofit National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF) without warning.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The letter also asked the bank to respond to a survey about conservative issues, which it claims is "designed to measure corporate respect for religious and ideological diversity." It is alleged that when previously asked to fill out this survey, the bank said it "must decline completing this survey as we do not believe the organization is appropriately aligned with [JPMorgan's] diversity initiatives and direction."
The letter argues that the bank is being discriminatory because they had previously filled out a different survey that was "pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees."
Employees at JPMorgan have also been receiving emails in the past few days outlining similar points to the letter, sources told the Journal.
JPMorgan has denied all allegations within the letter, telling the Journal in a statement they "have never and would never exit a client relationship due to their political or religious affiliation." In regards to the conservative issues survey, the bank also said their initial response was an error, and that they are "actively considering participating in the survey in its 2023 round."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Christian extremism: Taking 'holy war' literally
Feature A self-proclaimed minister shot two lawmakers and kept a 'kill list' targeting Democratic officials and abortion providers
-
Iran: Is regime change possible?
Feature The U.S.-Israeli attack exposed cracks in Iran's regime
-
What to know about private equity in your 401(k)
the explainer BlackRock is making private investments available in employer-sponsored retirement plans
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage
-
Canadian man dies in ICE custody
Speed Read A Canadian citizen with permanent US residency died at a federal detention center in Miami