Key Facts
Key Information
About
Chase Manhattan Bank was a prominent American commercial bank formed on March 31, 1955, through the merger of the Chase National Bank (then the third-largest U.S. bank) and the Bank of the Manhattan Company (fifteenth-largest), which traced its origins to 1799 when it was chartered by Aaron Burr and others. The merger created a powerful institution focused on commercial and international banking, corporate finance, and global operations, becoming a key player in mid-20th-century finance and a predecessor to JPMorgan Chase. Under leaders like David Rockefeller (CEO from 1969 to 1981), the bank expanded internationally and innovated with milestones such as the first drive-in bank branch in Manhattan in 1969 and the construction of its iconic 60-story headquarters at 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza in 1961. In 1969, it reorganized as the Chase Manhattan Corporation, a holding company structure to comply with regulations. It grew through acquisitions, notably merging with Chemical Bank in 1996 to form the largest U.S. bank at the time, retaining the Chase name. The bank was known for its influence in global finance, corporate lending, and investment banking, and was deeply involved in international finance, but also faced criticisms for practices like redlining in the 1960s, loans to apartheid-era South Africa, and involvement in debt crises. It merged with J.P. Morgan & Co. in December 2000 to create JPMorgan Chase & Co., ending its independent existence, though its legacy persists in the modern firm's consumer and commercial banking operations. Headquartered in New York City and incorporated in Delaware, it operated primarily in the U.S. with significant international presence in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
JPMorgan Chase & Co., the successor entity, is an American multinational banking institution and one of the largest global banks. It is the largest bank in the United States and the world's largest bank by market capitalization as of 2025. As the largest of the Big Four banks in America, the firm is considered systemically important by the Financial Stability Board. Its size and scale have often led to enhanced regulatory oversight as well as the development of an internal 'Fortress Balance Sheet'. The firm provides financial services to a broad client base, including high-net-worth individuals, and has had its global headquarters on 270 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan since 2025.