Have you ever worked with your local bank branch team, either virtually or in-person? From opening a bank account or line of credit, to exploring mortgage financing options and small business loans, your newly-designed Chase Community Impact Branch located at 4401 Crenshaw Boulevard is tuned in to your community’s financial wellness needs, with a local team ready to help you achieve your next milestone.
But we aren’t doing this alone. With the help of nonprofit partners who understand and are invested in driving change, along with newly hired Community Managers who will serve as your coach and advocate, we are bringing allies inside the bank to effectively drive much-needed change. Together, we are launching tools and resources to help you, your family and your community in achieving your desired financial future, no matter what stage of the financial journey you’re in.
We sat down with Chase’s new local VP & Community Manager for South Los Angeles, Jordan King to discuss Chase’s plans to help South Los Angeles’ Black communities grow, the changes our new branch is expected to bring, and how you can work with him to chart your path forward and meet your financial goals.
How is the new Chase Community Impact Branch different from other Chase branches?
KING: Los Angeles’ new Chase Community Center was designed specifically to meet the unique needs of our city’s Black and Latinx communities. We want to evolve from community banking to community building and to do this, we must actively work to reverse systemic inequalities across the financial system, break down economic barriers and support the success of our customers and our community. We plan to start by providing a space that caters to the community’s financial wellbeing through organized community events, financial workshops such as Chase Chats, skills training and small business popups, all tailored to help you achieve your financial goals.
How do you hope to financially empower the Black community in Crenshaw?
KING: Our new Community Center in Crenshaw reaffirms our commitment to helping the community continue to grow and achieve its full economic potential. We’re here to empower members and businesses in the Black community with tools to build generational wealth and a long-lasting legacy. Awareness and accessibility are key, and we see the local branch as an ideal place to begin fostering those vital community connections and touchpoints. As a Community Manager, my job is to connect with the individuals, families and business owners here across Los Angeles, and increase awareness and utilization of available resources. Throughout your financial journey, my team and I will help you and others in your neighborhood take advantage of financial health tools, products and services, while aiming to boost general financial knowledge via unique and free interactive programs, such as:
• Resources to support financial health
• Home buying tips
• Educational and enrichment workshops such as resume writing and cybersecurity tips
• Growth support for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their small businesses
While we’re just getting started, I hope to make a real difference in the lives of the families, individuals, homeowners and business owners in our community.
What financial opportunities will you make available to Black communities here in Los Angeles?
KING: We want to promote financial health, homeownership and Black-owned businesses. One of our first priorities will be to help individuals in our community open a checking account for the first time, as this is the key to financial stability and critical to closing gaps in access to banking. To do this, we’ll walk through our low-cost, no-overdraft checking accounts like Chase Secure Banking, which can offer security to those of you who might be new to banking or who have had trouble getting or keeping a bank account in the past.
The team is also responsible for promoting growth among Black-owned small businesses – which means we’ll help local entrepreneurs secure loans. We’ve also brought onboard home lending advisors who are focused on helping more of the community secure the funds you need for affordable, sustainable homeownership.
You mentioned another goal of the Community Impact Branch is “community building.” How will you do this in Los Angeles?
KING: When we make these investments, we are looking to create permanent structural impact. A big priority for us is working with local nonprofits and organizations who understand the issues our community faces and are invested in driving change.
For example, JPMorgan Chase recently made a $1 million commitment to support the LA office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to launch the Ascend model in LA. The Ascend initiative provides access to capital and entrepreneurial education to diverse small businesses. This is just one example of our partnerships, but it exemplifies our local commitments to equity and expanded economic opportunity for the Black and Latinx communities here in Los Angeles. Our staff will play a big part in this as well – not just from Los Angeles but from – and a reflection of – the local Black communities we call home.
Tell us about yourself
I was born and raised here in Los Angeles. My mom was a single mother and raised me while she worked as a doctor at King-Drew Medical after immigrating from Jamaica. She was the first in our family to pursue the American dream in California, and she landed right here in South LA. She inspired me each and every single day. So making the most of what you’re given and the opportunities you receive in our community is my personal, as well as professional passion because there is clearly growth ahead for us. It is my goal every day to make sure everyone in our community realizes the opportunities in front of us.
Please stop by our Crenshaw Community Center at 4401 Crenshaw Boulevard to learn more about the resources available. My team and I look forward to getting to know you.
Sponsored content from JPMorgan Chase & Co
