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.
-
France's war on 'Algerian Nutella'
Under The Radar A wildly popular hazelnut spread is causing a storm across the channel
-
John Kenney's 6 favorite books that will break your heart softly
Feature The novelist recommends works by John le Carré, John Kennedy Toole, and more
-
Book reviews: 'Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America' and 'How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time'
Feature How William F. Buckley Jr brought charm to conservatism and a deep dive into the wellness craze
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein