JPMorgan fined $348M for falling short on trading surveillance

JPMorgan fined $348M for falling short on trading surveillance
The firm's trade-surveillance program has operated with certain deficiencies since at least 2019, according to the OCC.
MAR 14, 2024

JPMorgan Chase & Co. was fined a total of $348 million by US regulators over gaps in its trade-surveillance program, which they said failed to monitor conduct of its employees and clients. 

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency fined the bank $250 million, while the Federal Reserve added a $98 million penalty, according to statements from the regulators Thursday. Both overseers required the bank to take corrective actions to fix the issues, which they said occurred as recently as last year. 

“The consequences of these deficiencies include the bank’s failure to surveil billions of instances of trading activity on at least 30 global trading venues,” the OCC said in its consent order. The bank neither admitted nor denied the OCC’s findings. 

A representative for the bank said it doesn’t expect any disruption to client services as a result of the actions. 

“As we disclosed last month, we self-identified the issue, significant remedial actions have been taken and others are underway,” the spokesperson said. “We have not found any employee misconduct or harm to clients or the market in our review of the previously uncaptured data.”

The firm had disclosed the expected fines from two US regulators in a mid-February regulatory filing. At that time, the bank also said it was in advanced negotiations with a third US regulator, which it didn’t name.  

According to the OCC, JPMorgan’s trade-surveillance program has operated with certain deficiencies since at least 2019. The firm failed to establish adequate governance over trading venues where it’s active, the regulator said, citing gaps in venue coverage and a lack of sufficient data controls. 

“These gaps and deficiencies in JPMC’s trade surveillance program constitute unsafe or unsound banking practices,” the OCC said. 

The regulator also issued a cease and desist order requiring the bank to take a number of remedial steps. The bank isn’t allowed to add new trading venues without receiving approval from the OCC and must get an independent third party to conduct a trade-surveillance program assessment, the regulator said. 

In its own statement, the Fed said the bank’s inadequate monitoring practices occurred between 2014 and 2023. 

Cohen & Steers strategist sheds new light on investing in energy sector


Latest News

Edward Jones facing more race bias claims in new lawsuit
Edward Jones facing more race bias claims in new lawsuit

A private partnership, Edward Jones is a giant in the retail brokerage industry with more than 20,000 financial advisors.

Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team
Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team

Meanwhile, Raymond James and Tritonpoint Partners separately welcomed father-son teams, including a breakaway from UBS in Missouri.

SEC chief Atkins signals caution on prediction market ETFs amid broader rethink of novel fund structures
SEC chief Atkins signals caution on prediction market ETFs amid broader rethink of novel fund structures

Paul Atkins has asked staff to solicit public comment on novel ETFs, pausing the clock on as many as 24 filings linked to the booming event contracts market.

Private capital's $1 trillion bet on the American retirement account
Private capital's $1 trillion bet on the American retirement account

From 401(k)s to retail funds, Deloitte sees private equity and credit crossing into mainstream investing on two fronts at once.

Advisor moves: Wells Fargo Advisors pulls in $9.6b in fresh talent during first half of May
Advisor moves: Wells Fargo Advisors pulls in $9.6b in fresh talent during first half of May

Big-name defections from Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Merrill Lynch headline a busy two weeks of recruiting for the wirehouse.

SPONSORED Are hedge funds the missing ingredient?

Wellington explores how multi strategy hedge funds may enhance diversification

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management