Banking giant expands in Charlotte with a milestone branch in SouthPark
JPMorganChase, the nation’s largest bank, is further solidifying its presence in Charlotte with the opening of a 5,300-square-foot branch in SouthPark.
The Chase Bank at 6540 Fairview Road debuted this month with a grand opening celebration Thursday, July 31, marking the company’s 1,000th branch built since the banking giant began expanding nationally in 2018.
The company’s “multi-million dollar” investment in the SouthPark branch includes 11 bankers and wealth advisors. Chase is the consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. based in New York City.
Despite the rise of online banking, JPMorganChase CEO James Dimon emphasized the importance of physical branches, telling The Charlotte Observer during a recent interview that Chase branches combined see 1 million visitors daily.
Physical branches are crucial for services such as opening accounts, handling mortgages, meeting small business needs and processing emergency wire transfers, Dimon said.
Charlotte is one of the largest banking centers in the U.S. Its three dominant banks are Bank of America and Truist, both headquartered in Charlotte, and San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, which has 27,000 workers here.
Several other banks have announced recent Charlotte expansion plans, including Florida-based BankUnited, Ohio-based banks Huntington National Bank and Fifth Third Bank, Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank and Texas-based USAA.
‘The market is extremely attractive’
JPMorganChase considers several factors for deciding where to expand, including competition, market growth, community needs and workforce talent.
“This market is extremely attractive,” Billy Botsakos, JPMorganChase head of consumer branch banking for the Carolinas, told the Observer.
Branches remain a significant draw for new customers, he said, noting, “More than half of our checking accounts are opened up in the branch, even though customers can do it online.”
About Chase’s new Charlotte branch
Chase Bank branches are designed with meeting rooms and private spaces for personal conversations.
“Although we’re seeing fewer transactions at the teller line, we still are seeing them,” Botsakos said. “I would think of these (branches) more as advice centers, where clients are coming in, asking questions, and we’re able to put them in front of an expert.”
In addition to SouthPark branch manager Jennifer Adams, the bank has a relationship banker, a private client banker, a home lending advisor, a financial advisor and a business banker.
The branch also has three ATMs, teller services, a night depository and free Wi-Fi.
Why Chase is adding branches
Tom Horne, head of consumer branch banking for JPMorganChase, dismissed a nearly 25-year-old prediction that “branches are dead.”
“We have a million people that walk in our branch doors every single day,” Horne said. “So that tale 25 years ago that branches, brick and mortar were dead, certainly has not proven accurate.”
“We’re building these branches because our customers want them,” Horne said. “To be trusted in a community, you have to be in the community.”
Chase Bank expansion in NC
JPMorganChase has more than 800 employees in Charlotte and 1,200 in North Carolina.
Last year, Chase added 24,000 square feet and more than 200 employees to its Charlotte office in the Rotunda building.
Chase Bank opened its first branch in North Carolina in 2019 in Chapel Hill. There are now 46 branches in North Carolina, including 24 in the Charlotte area.
By 2027, Chase expects to have more than 75 branches throughout the state.
Dimon said JPMorganChase has been focused on expanding into underserved low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, with over 20% of its 24 Charlotte branches located in such areas.
More about Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the largest bank in the U.S. with $4.6 trillion in assets and serving 85 million customers. Since 2018, Chase has expanded its presence from 23 states to 48.
Chase has nearly 4,800 branches and plans to open more than 175 branches nationwide this year.
Since 2018, the bank has committed more than $7.5 million in philanthropic capital in North Carolina to support jobs and skills training, small business growth, neighborhood revitalization and financial health. Additionally, since 2020, the firm has provided $160 million in financial support for the construction and preservation of affordable housing.
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 5:01 AM with the headline "Banking giant expands in Charlotte with a milestone branch in SouthPark."