Active Stocks
Tue Mar 19 2024 13:51:07
  1. Tata Consultancy Services share price
  2. 4,005.40 -3.36%
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 150.15 0.37%
  1. Bharti Airtel share price
  2. 1,232.30 0.59%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 260.85 -1.57%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 410.05 -1.76%
Business News/ News / India/  JPMorgan, Citi, BofA tell staff not to poach clients from stressed banks; memo, sources
BackBack

JPMorgan, Citi, BofA tell staff not to poach clients from stressed banks; memo, sources

Top executives at Bank of America Corp were also briefed that their employees should not be going after the customers of distressed firms or doing anything to exacerbate the situation, a source familiar with the matter said

People walk past the JP Morgan Chase Building on Park Avenue in New York. (AFP)Premium
People walk past the JP Morgan Chase Building on Park Avenue in New York. (AFP)

NEW YORK : As a series of U.S. lenders were besieged by customers yanking out their money this month, banking behemoths JPMorgan Chase & Co, Citigroup Inc and Bank of America Corp., warned employees: Do not make it worse.

JPMorgan, the nation's largest bank, told all employees they "should never give the appearance of exploiting a situation of stress or uncertainty," in a March 13 memo, extracts of which were seen by Reuters. "We do not make disparaging comments regarding competitors."

On the same day, the leaders of its consumer and business banking unit told branch employees: "We should refrain from soliciting client business from an institution in stress," according to extracts seen by Reuters. Citigroup has also given similar guidance to its business heads, a source familiar with the matter said. The guidance includes not speculating about other banks or market rumors.

The lender sent a memo reminding bankers that, in discussions with prospective customers, they should not discuss the standing and condition of other firms, the source said.

Top executives at Bank of America Corp were also briefed that their employees should not be going after the customers of distressed firms or doing anything to exacerbate the situation, a source familiar with the matter said.

The bank runs that toppled Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, the second and third largest lenders to fail in U.S. history, prompted customers to move about half a trillion dollars of deposits from the "most vulnerable" U.S. banks to bigger institutions this month, JPMorgan analysts led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou wrote in a note Wednesday.

As SVB teetered, billions of dollars in deposits poured into the nation's banking giants, which are required by regulators to hold more capital to withstand shocks. While lenders regularly compete for customers, the loss of confidence that shook the banking system in the last two weeks sparked concerns about contagion that could lead to a broader panic.

The turmoil prompted unprecedented moves by regulators to guarantee the deposits of SVB and Signature. President Joe Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Citigroup Inc. Chief Executive Jane Fraser have all made statements in recent days to reassure the public that the U.S. banking system is safe.

"We all have a vested interest in keeping America's financial system strong and thriving," a JPMorgan spokesperson said. "It's the envy of the world with thousands of institutions of all sizes serving every corner of the country."

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 24 Mar 2023, 08:39 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App