JPMorgan Chase Boss Gives Green Light £3bn London Headquarters Following UK Government Promises
The head of JPMorgan has given final approval on a significant three billion pound headquarters building in the UK capital following assurances from government representatives about supportive economic strategies.
Timing of Developments
The Wall Street banking giant, which along with another major bank revealed major UK investments hours after escaping additional levies in the UK government's financial statement, only gave final approval last Friday.
This decision was preceded by a meeting to New York by the prime minister's envoy, that met with the banking executive to discuss commitments about the government's policies.
Budget Context
The meeting took place shortly prior to the chancellor announced £26bn in tax rises in a financial statement that spared financial institutions from higher levies, following intense lobbying from the banking community.
"The development ... would probably not have been announced if this economic statement had been regarded as anti-prosperity."
Project Details
On Thursday morning, the banking giant disclosed plans to build a substantial building in the docklands area, which will serve as its new UK headquarters and accommodate the majority of its 23,000 UK staff.
The company stressed that the development would depend on "supportive government policies in the UK".
Financial Benefits
The financial institution has indicated that the investment could bring substantial economic value to the British economy over the following six-year period.
The Treasury chief expressed enthusiasm about the project, describing it as a "multibillion-pound vote of confidence in the nation's financial future".
Broader Perspective
A source familiar with the bank's investment strategy said that the project approval was "based on multiple factors" and that "it was impossible to predict whether financial institutions were going to be subject to additional levies before the announcement".
The JP Morgan chief stated that the "British authorities' focus of financial development has been a significant element in influencing our this choice".
Parallel Announcements
Goldman Sachs announced that it would expand its Birmingham office and hire new employees, in a move that would substantially expand its employee numbers in the England's major regional center.
The Treasury had reviewed increasing the bank levy in the UK, as it explored methods to increase income after deciding against additional income levies, but eventually determined against the measure.
Financial institutions in the UK are subject to a 28% corporation tax rate, that is higher than the typical percentage, as well as a separate levy on their British operations.