The Story Of How Community Banking Turned Into A Local And National Phenomenon
New York is a city defined by its skyline, but its heart beats strongest in its neighborhoods. Over the past five years, as the new 270 Park Avenue headquarters of JPMorganChase steadily rose above Midtown—a bold, visible statement of the bank’s commitment to the city—another project was underway, growing in small business storefronts, on college campuses, and in community center branches across the boroughs. Over time, the New York City Community and Business Development team was built brick by brick, conversation by conversation, until it became the force for economic hope and financial success it is today.
The journey began with the belief that banking can be a catalyst for positive change when it is rooted in community. Nichol King, Chase’s first ever Community Manager and now Head of Community and Business Development in New York City, was tasked with assembling a team that could translate vast resources into real, lasting impact for New Yorkers. While 270 Park’s steel and glass climbed skyward for all to see, King’s team was laying the foundation for something just as enduring: trust.
“Our work at JPMorganChase is about empowering neighbors’ financial health journeys and strengthening communities,” says King. “We believe that when New Yorkers have the resources and support they need, the entire city benefits. That’s what drives our team every day.”
Since 2021, JPMorganChase has deployed several multi-billion dollar investments in community development and economic opportunity to support communities nationwide, with a significant portion directed to neighborhoods across New York City. JPMorganChase recognizes that community development banking is not just good citizenship—it’s smart business. By supporting financial health, expanding access to capital, and offering education and guidance, the Firm helps drive economic growth and stability so opportunity and prosperity reach communities across the city.
This work is a core pillar of the Firm’s broader commitment to New York City—and Nichol King’s New York City community team plays a pivotal role in delivering on that promise. For the 14 Community Managers King leads, the mission is clear: drive opportunity in local neighborhoods and equip New Yorkers with financial health education and support. Through partnerships with local organizations, workshops, and tailored solutions, the team meets people where they are and helps them move past barriers to build stronger businesses, households, and communities across the city.
The signature Chase Money Skills curriculum anchors the team’s financial education work, offering free workshops and digital resources to help students, families, individuals and entrepreneurs build credit, manage debt, and plan for the future.
The impact is tangible. In New York City alone, JPMorganChase has hosted nearly 8,000 financial health events and welcomed over 130,000 attendees—sharing practical strategies and resources to help participants strengthen their money skills. The program’s success is measured not just in numbers, but in the stories of business owners who have secured new loans, individuals who have set—and met—a budget or savings goal, and students who feel more prepared for their financial futures.
What truly sets King’s team apart is the people behind the mission. The Community and Business Development team is made up of community champions from all walks of life—some are parents, some are former small business owners, and many live in and represent neighborhoods across New York City and beyond. They’re not just working in these communities; they’re rooted in them—neighbors who know the local schools, corridors, and main streets because they’re part of the fabric of the places they serve. They bring their lived experiences and deep understanding of the city’s unique challenges and opportunities. Unlike traditional bankers, these team members cannot sell products, and every workshop they host is completely complementary—regardless of if you bank with Chase or not. Their focus is on empowering, educating, and connecting others, not transactions. Their passion for service and personal ties to the communities they call home create a sense of trust and authenticity that resonates with New Yorkers from every background. United by a commitment to helping others succeed, they embody the spirit of inclusion and partnership that defines JPMorganChase’s approach to community banking.
As the new 270 Park Avenue headquarters welcomes colleagues and clients from around the world, Nichol King’s team continues its work where it matters most: in the neighborhoods they live in—one relationship, one business, one workshop at a time. Their story is a reminder that the most enduring commitments are often the ones built with care and intention.
“Every day, we see the difference that access, education, and partnership can make,” says King. “Our goal is to keep building—stronger businesses, stronger neighborhoods, and a stronger future for New York. Together, we can expand what’s possible.”
JPMorganChase’s unwavering commitment to community and business development is more than a business strategy – it’s a long-term commitment to New York and to the people and businesses working toward a better tomorrow.