JP Morgan Boss Authorizes New UK Building After British Officials Assurances
The head of JPMorgan has given final approval on a massive £3 billion new tower in London in the wake of assurances from British authorities about business-friendly measures.
Sequence of Developments
The financial institution, which along with another major bank revealed substantial investment plans shortly following avoiding higher taxes in the UK government's autumn budget, only gave final approval recently.
This decision followed a trip to the United States by a top business adviser, who conferred with Jamie Dimon to provide assurances about the UK's economic approach.
Budget Context
The engagement happened shortly prior to the chancellor disclosed £26bn in tax rises in a budget that protected banks from higher levies, after significant pressure from the financial sector.
"The development ... would likely not have proceeded if this economic statement had been regarded as hostile to financial services."
Development Information
On recently, the banking giant disclosed plans to build a substantial headquarters in Canary Wharf, which will function as its new UK headquarters and house a significant portion of its British workforce.
The company stressed that the project would rely on "favorable economic conditions in the UK".
Economic Impact
The financial institution has projected that the development could generate £9.9 billion to the British economy over the following six-year period.
The Treasury chief commented positively about the investment, calling it a "massive endorsement in the British economic prospects".
Broader Perspective
A source familiar with the bank's investment strategy said that the investment choice was "influenced by various considerations" and that "no one could know whether banks were going to be taxed before the budget".
Jamie Dimon remarked that the "Treasury's emphasis of business expansion has been a significant element in supporting our this choice".
Parallel Announcements
Goldman Sachs disclosed that it would enlarge its UK regional presence and recruit new employees, in a strategy that would significantly increase its workforce in the England's major regional center.
The Treasury had reviewed expanding the financial sector tax in the UK, as it looked at methods to increase income after deciding against higher personal taxation, but finally concluded against the measure.
Banks in the UK are subject to a 28% corporation tax rate, which is higher than the typical percentage, as well as a distinct tax on their domestic financial positions.