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We’re Calling You Out, JPMorgan Chase
Last week I learned that JPMorgan Chase donated $500,000 to the Southern Poverty Law Center and I was disgusted. I’ve been writing for weeks that we need to speak out against foolish and dangerous Leftist activities. Well, my husband and I have accounts at Chase, and I had to speak up. I doubt that the following letter will have an impact, but if we don’t take a stand in our own lives, we have no reason to complain about the state of the United States. Here is what I wrote:
Dear Mr. Dimon,
I was extremely disappointed to learn that Chase, where we have been banking for over ten years, has decided to donate $500,000 to the Southern Poverty Law Center. There are several reasons for my concern, as described in an op-ed piece by Kimberley Strassel in the Wall Street Journal. That essay may be found here:
Your decision indicates to me the following:
- J.P. Morgan Chase is prepared to finance a far-left organization that bases its list of “hate groups” on political hatred of those on the conservative Right. Either you did not do your homework on this group before your donation, or your company has no problem demonstrating your support of Leftist politics.
- The SPLC has created a list of 917 organizations without any supporting data for labelling them hate groups.
- Their list includes the Family Research Council, the Center for Security Policy, and the Center for Immigration Studies, all mainstream organizations.
I don’t expect Chase to support conservative organizations, but I do expect you to at least support non-partisan organizations. There are many non-profit organizations that would benefit from your generosity.
As a result, my husband and I are asking you to rescind your donation to SPLC. If that doesn’t happen within 30 days, we will move our accounts to a different financial institution. If you would like to discuss this matter further, you may reach us at —
For those of you reading this OP, feel free to lift any part of this letter and use it in your own emails to those organizations that need to hear from you.
Have any of you taken similar steps?
Published in Politics
Excellent! Thanks so much for taking the initiative. I would love to know if you get a response.
Is that burning hair I smell?
Had a reply from JPMC’s head of Investor Relations, posted at bottom. Most of his reply is lawyer-approved blah-blah, but it sounds like he actually read the email. That’s something. I’ll take it.
The main feature was “Reply #2:” we had a telephone call today from JPMC’s “Branch Complaint Escalation” group at HQ. They called at the behest of the Private Client manager at our local branch in New Jersey (apparently he “filed a complaint” with this internal group – !). He was copied on my original email as well as Mr. Scott’s reply to me. That said, same blah-blah message as the IR guy’s letter, and he was very junior. I actually felt sorry for him having to call me. Sigh. However, I think the burning hair smell is coming from our local branch…could be that’s the point of traction. At least the folks bringing in the dough have a way to let upper management know when there is a fire. So it’s not hopeless.
All the best,
Jill P/aka Robert Poste’s Child
*********
From Jason R Scott, JPMC Head of Investor Relations
cc: David Klics (local JPMC Private Client Mgr)
Dear Jill,
Thank you for sharing your views on this donation. We work hard to assess the effectiveness and impact of organizations that receive our charitable giving. While we do not always agree with every program or position of these organizations, we try to assess the totality of their work over time. Your views and your note are part of that ongoing assessment, and we will take them into account as we consider new contributions.
Our contribution was focused on helping people heal in wake of the terrible events in Charlottesville. By no means did we intend to further the ongoing divisiveness in our country. We look forward to continuing to engage a variety of organizations going forward and welcome your ideas on that.
Our firm has a long-history of supporting a range of organizations and activities that address inequality. In fact, we invest nearly $250 million annually in philanthropic work around the world to address inequality through the creation of economic opportunity. This includes nonprofits working to address workforce readiness for underprivileged youth, small business expansion in distressed neighborhoods and financial technologies to help people manage their money and build wealth, among many other projects. We remain committed to these efforts and will continue to support the communities we serve, especially in times of crisis.
We hope our clients and partners will look at the combined impact of our philanthropic efforts and the contributions we are making to strengthen communities around the world.
Also, just a final note – this message is directly from me (not a general inbox or team member), and it would be coming from my own account but new security restrictions limit my ability to send to personal email addresses.
Chump change compared to the 1/2-mill to SPLC. jeeesh
Thanks, Jill. You tried and got a response. I guess it would have been unrealistic for us to expect them to say, “Gosh, you’re right! We really screwed up.” Still you and I have the satisfaction of speaking out. Thank you so much for staying in touch!