Sunday, July 18, 2010

JP Morgan UK future at risk

Canary Wharf

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By Harry Wilson and Graham Ruddick

JP Morgan has raised serious concerns about its commitment to its new £1.5bn European headquarters at Canary Wharf because of anger within the bank at the lack of support for the financial sector in the UK.

Jamie Dimon, chief executive of the American bank, is understood to have doubts about investing so heavily in London when there is uncertainty about future costs that could be imposed on banks. Some sources said the bank was
"on the verge" of quitting the development.

Any move by JP Morgan to scrap the twin skyscraper project in the Docklands would be a major blow for the UK and George Osborne's claims that Britain is "open for business".

High-level talks are understood to have taken place between JP Morgan, officials from the Mayor of London's office and Canary Wharf Group (CWG) over the future of the headquarters, although no decision has been reached.

Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, has met representatives of JP Morgan and has been told of their concerns about the future of London as a financial centre.

The bank has made it clear that it now sees expansion being in Asia rather than in London.

JP Morgan UK future at risk

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