Chase -- California’s new bank -- today unveiled its bright blue octagon logo and revered name on 708 bank branches and 2,003 ATMs in California, reaching consumers and businesses in 324 cities in 44 counties formerly served by WaMu.
“Chase’s 9,000 branch employees and 4,000 other California employees are focused on helping families manage their money and achieve their financial goals.” said Pablo Sanchez, head of Chase’s bank branches in the Western region.
Parent company JPMorgan Chase acquired Washington Mutual’s banking operations on September 25, 2008, quickly providing customers with the security and peace of mind of a $2.2 trillion financial services company. Less than a month later, Chase opened the combined network of 14,000 Chase and WaMu ATMs nationwide to customers for no-fee withdrawals and balance inquiries.
“Customers in California have turned to Chase for credit cards and mortgages, and now they will get to know us as the bank in their neighborhood,” Sanchez said. “We will expand our services to customers by continuing to invest in our employees, our products, our branches and our communities. We work hard to support our neighbors and our neighborhoods.”
Chase is investing $375 million in refurbishing and rebranding 708 bank branches and 1,900 ATMs -- and in opening 20 more Chase branches this year, expanding convenience for customers. Chase plans to refurbish the branches in California using high efficiency HVAC and lighting systems, low irrigation plant landscaping, solar reflectance, recycled materials in walls, floors and ceilings, and Energy Star appliances.
Chase will also invest $7.2 million through grants to California non-profits in 2009.
Over the last three months, Chase opened nine regional counseling centers in California – by far the most in any state -- to help families who are struggling with mortgage payments. These face-to-face centers are part of Chase’s comprehensive plan to help avoid a total of 650,000 foreclosures by the end of next year.
In addition, by the end of 2009, all former WaMu branches across the country will be operating on the Chase computer system, allowing customers to conduct their business at more than 5,000 Chase branches in 23 states.
Chase in California by the Numbers:
- 708 branches
- 2,003 ATMs
- 9,000 branch employees
- 13,000 total employees
- 20 new branches opening in 2009
- $7.2 million in grants to California non-profits in 2009
About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), which operates more than 5,000 branches and 14,000 ATMs nationally under the Chase and WaMu brands. Chase has 168 million credit cards issued and serves consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs and mortgage offices as well as through relationships with auto dealerships and schools and universities. It also serves more than 30,000 commercial banking clients, including corporations, municipalities, financial institutions and not-for-profit entities. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.
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Contacts:
Media contact:
Gary Kishner, (818) 380-2382, gary.kishner@wamu.net
