JPMorgan Chase was founded in 1799 as the Manhattan Company and later became JPMorgan Chase.
The Manhattan Company was established in New York City in 1799. Although its original charter concerned supplying clean water, the company’s structure also allowed it to conduct banking business. Its banking operations eventually developed into Chase Manhattan Bank.
The modern corporation combines several historic institutions. J. P. Morgan & Co. grew from investment-banking and commercial-banking businesses, while Chase Manhattan expanded through major mergers. JPMorgan Chase was created in 2000 when J.P. Morgan and Chase Manhattan merged; the firm later acquired Bank One in 2004 and Bear Stearns’ investment-banking operations in 2008.
The 1799 date refers to the lineage of one predecessor, not the creation of the present corporate name. JPMorgan Chase is also different from JPMorgan, the firm’s investment-banking brand, and Chase, its consumer and commercial-banking brand.