Our Culture

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At JPMorgan, we have been helping our clients do business for more than 200 years. To describe our firm and our people, we can find no better phrase than that of one of our founders: “at all times the idea of doing only first-class business, and that in a first-class way“.

J.P. Morgan, Jr., first used this phrase in 1933 when he spoke to the banking and currency sub-committee of the U.S. Senate. He believed a banker’s role was to provide clients with exceptional service coupled with outstanding execution and unquestioned integrity. More than 70 years later, his statement is as relevant now as it was then.

For us, doing first-class business in a first-class way has everything to do with our people. Along with our reputation, our people are our most valuable asset.

We define our culture as one driven by performance, partnership, meritocracy, inclusion and directness. All attributes are equally important and all are linked.

Performance
Perform to the highest standards and at optimum efficiency for our clients and our shareholders. We strive to win all business we seek. Our employees act and think like owners.

Partnership
Succeed and fail together. We seek people who work well in a partnership environment to ensure our clients fully realize the benefits of our broad global platform. Those who are successful do not think in terms of silos, regions or products – they think about the success of our clients and the whole firm.

Meritocracy
Our people should reach their full potential, advance and be rewarded based solely on their capability and character.

Inclusion
Treat all colleagues with respect. We believe different perspectives and experiences bring strength and creativity to our work and lead to development of the best solutions for our clients. Diversity is defined differently throughout the world, and as a global company we think of diversity broadly to be inclusive of all cultures, backgrounds, styles, ethnicities, religions, lifestyles and sexual orientations.

Directness
We expect all employees to deliver candid, constructive, consistent feedback in real time to their colleagues at all levels. Not communicating directly denies colleagues a chance to grow and develop their career.

Being a first-class firm also means doing “good”, in addition to doing well. JPMorgan has a proud tradition of being a good corporate citizen around the world. We dedicate significant financial and human capital to supporting issues and causes important to our business and our people. We are extremely proud of our thousands of employees who demonstrate their individual leadership in driving positive change within their communities through volunteer service and philanthropic giving.

Image detail: Water Dreaming, Australian Aborigine, 1988, Watercolor, 35"x36", JPMorgan Chase Art Collection.