Bank doubles down on growth in Atlanta metro region through new bank branches, hiring, office space

Chase leaders and community partners cut the ribbon on a new Community Center branch in the Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta, the first of its kind in the city and one of only 16 Community Center branches nationwide.

The Summerhill Community Center, located at 9 Georgia Ave SE – at the corner of Hank Aaron Drive – aims to expand access to banking, tools and advice that helps customers get on a path to financial health and resilience. The branch features a strong team of local financial health experts focused on community
engagement, mentorship and advice. The location looks and feels different from a “typical” bank – it combines a modern design, spacious layout, and the latest banking technology, reflecting how customers engage with Chase today.

Offerings include:
* Specialty financial health workshops on topics such as budgeting, credit and homeownership, for both individuals and groups
* Free one-on-one mentorship support to help local entrepreneurs grow, start or expand their small business
* A community “living room” area to serve as event space for partner nonprofits
* Complementary Wi-Fi for community groups and individuals on-site

All Community Center branch programming is complementary and open to Chase customers and non-customers alike. This community-inspired bank model is part of the firm’s $30 billion Racial Equity Commitment to help close the racial wealth gap.

“Atlanta’s growth and prosperity in recent years has exceeded all expectations, but more people need to be part of the opportunity this city represents,” said Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase. “Our Summerhill Community Center branch is our stake in the ground to fuel opportunity for more residents, especially underserved populations. At the same time, we are also growing our presence here through jobs and branches, which will have a direct impact on strengthening the local economy.”

To build the new Summerhill Community Center, Chase contracted with FS 360, a Black-owned building firm in Atlanta. FS 360 also built the Chase Lounge at the Russell Center and has since built more than seven spaces for Chase in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. The cost of construction for a new branch ranges from about $1 – 1.5 million per branch, and all labor and resources are locally sourced when possible.

“The opening of this center provides a physical space for the community to tend to their financial health, grow their small businesses and more,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “Thank you to Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan Chase for their partnership in assisting our Administration’s vision of building stronger neighborhoods.”

To better engage with community members, Chase has hired talented professionals from the Atlanta metro area in new roles to the bank including:

* Community Managers, Mathilda Lambert, a lifelong Atlanta native, will engage the Summerhill community and its surroundings to increase awareness of financial health resources, and host interactive programs on topics such as goal setting, budget building and understanding credit. Lambert is one of four Community Managers in the Atlanta metro region.
* Branch Manager, Kevin Brown, a 26 year resident of Atlanta and a 9 year veteran of Chase, will oversee all aspects of the Summerhill branch including traditional banking services and local community engagement.
* Senior Business Consultants, Rashida Winfrey and Shea Taylor, will provide access to complementary 1:1 business coaching, technical assistance and advice to hundreds of Atlanta entrepreneurs and minority small business owners on everything from boosting creditworthiness to managing cash flow to effective marketing.

“The Summerhill Community Center may look like just a building to some, but for others—those who have not had access to financial health and support resources – it represents possibility and opportunity,” said Brigitte Killings, Chase’s Community and Business Development Director for the South.

“We look forward to delivering on the promise this Community Center branch represents for the people of Summerhill and the city of Atlanta.”

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