JPMorgan Chase & Co. reports developments across a global financial services franchise operating under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. News commonly covers investment banking, consumer and small-business banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management, and wealth-related services for corporate, institutional, government, nonprofit, commercial real estate and retail customers.
Company updates also include Chase product changes such as Secure Banking, quarterly reporting, commercial banking programs, philanthropic workforce initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Asset-management news includes real estate and timberland investment activity through J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Campbell Global, while broader corporate announcements cover client services, community investment and brand partnerships.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) has announced dividends for its Series I, Q, U, Z & CC preferred stock. The declaration reflects the Firm's solid financial standing, with total assets of $3.4 trillion. JPMorgan Chase continues to be a dominant player in investment banking, consumer financial services, and asset management, serving millions of customers and prominent institutional clients globally. For further details, visit the Investor Relations website.
Chase Freedom announced new rotating categories for cardmembers, allowing 5% cash back on gas stations and home improvement stores from April 1 to June 30. These categories aim to reward customers in areas where they frequently spend. Additionally, Freedom Flex cardmembers can earn cash back on various other purchases and receive a $200 sign-up bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. Chase, part of JPMorgan Chase & Co., serves nearly half of American households with comprehensive financial services.
J.P. Morgan Wealth Management plans to hire over 100 financial advisors in the Phoenix metro area by 2022, reinforcing its commitment to growth in Arizona. These advisors will enhance the bank's U.S. wealth management services, focusing on remote client engagement via video and phone. J.P. Morgan operates over 200 branches in Arizona, employing around 9,500 individuals statewide. With a rich history of 120 years in Arizona, the bank's expansion aims to leverage the local job market and talent pool, promoting a culture of excellence, diversity, and inclusion.
AARP Foundation and Chase have launched free online resources aimed at supporting older adults during the pandemic. The initiative includes a library of videos and virtual workshops designed to enhance digital skills related to mobile banking, online job searching, and grocery ordering. Over 9,000 devices were distributed to senior housing communities to facilitate connectivity. These resources are available in both English and Spanish, emphasizing the importance of technology for social and financial empowerment. The program aims to boost confidence in using digital tools among older adults.
On March 10, 2021, J.P. Morgan Asset Management released its 2021 Guide to Retirement, addressing key issues impacting retirement planning. The guide highlights five central themes: managing lower expected returns (5.75% down from 6%), the necessity of diversified investments, leveraging record savings from 2020, proactive tax planning amid upcoming tax rate changes, and adapting retirement timelines post-pandemic. With USD 2.3 trillion in assets under management, J.P. Morgan emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making to navigate retirement successfully.
On March 8, 2021, J.P. Morgan Asset Management launched Project Spark, committing $25 million to support funds managed by diverse and emerging alternative managers, including minority and women-led venture capital funds. This initiative addresses the underrepresentation of women and minorities in private equity, where only 9% of firms are led by these groups. Project Spark aims to create networks between diverse managers and J.P. Morgan's investment committee, which consists of diverse senior executives. The firm emphasizes its commitment to promoting diversity in alternative investments.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched the 2021 Guide to Alternatives, offering insights into key themes affecting alternative investments. This quarterly guide, in its third year, addresses the challenges faced in 2020 due to COVID-19 and explores sub-asset classes like real estate, private equity, and hedge funds. Key themes include the role of real assets amid rising inflation and the evolving landscape of private credit. The firm emphasizes the importance of alternative investments for enhancing portfolio returns in a volatile market environment.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched the JPMorgan Short Duration Core Plus ETF (JSCP), an actively managed ETF aiming for total return while preserving capital. This fund will invest in both investment grade and non-investment grade short-term fixed income securities while maintaining a duration of three years or less. The ETF is managed by experienced portfolio managers with over 62 years of combined industry experience, supported by a global team of over 265 fixed income specialists. The launch expands J.P. Morgan's ETF offerings to 10 actively managed products.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched two new Hedged Equity funds: JPMorgan Hedged Equity 2 (I-Shares: JHQDX) and JPMorgan Hedged Equity 3 (I-Shares: JHQTX), aimed at providing S&P 500 equity exposure while mitigating market risks. The funds will implement a disciplined options overlay strategy and reset their hedged periods every three months. With $641 billion managed across various equity strategies, J.P. Morgan's experienced team, led by Hamilton Reiner, aims to meet the demand for risk-managed investment solutions.
JPMorgan Chase announces a $350 million, five-year commitment to support Black, Latinx, women-owned, and other underserved small businesses, addressing the racial wealth divide exacerbated by COVID-19. The initiative includes low-cost loans and equity investments, with over 40% allocated to these forms of support. This effort is part of a broader $30 billion commitment to enhance economic opportunities for underserved communities. Past initiatives have successfully assisted over 1 million diverse businesses, raising nearly $10 billion in capital and boosting revenues by 22% on average.