Members of a marching band kicked off the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at Chase’s innovative branch in downtown Skyland, southeastern DC.

A bank branch with a mission, it aims to help people and small businesses in wards 7 and 8 achieve a better financial future.

“This is what makes me proud of the company,” said Jamie Dimon, President and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co. of what is now the 11th of 16 community-inspired models planned in the United States. .

“We have this massive $ 30 billion nationwide program, $ 8 billion in mortgages, $ 12 billion in affordable housing, small business, financial education, financing, minority depositories. ; but it all depends on what is happening at the local level, ”said Dimon.

The branch is the physical embodiment of what the company hopes to do, and Dimon said this is where “we’re going to do mortgages here, give financial advice here, and be part of the community.”

Speaking from what looks like an open conference room next to the banking district, Dimon pointed out that the branch is hiring members of the community.

“We are hiring locals. We have local art. We want it to be very welcoming when you use this room to [for example] doing financial education for mothers and ex-criminals and small businesses, ”Dimon said.

The location’s branch manager has lived in Ward 8 since 2000 and is extremely excited about what this means for the community.

“What that means to me is being able to see the community change, to see this community grow, to be able to see lives change and families become owners, small business owners, to the point where they can grow. , grow and hire other people and grow this economy properly, so you can experience the luxury of owning a home and create a legacy for your family, ”said Jua Williams of JPMorgan.

Skyland Community Manager Brian Atkins is also a proud resident of Ward 8.

“I currently teach in financial health topics, such as savings, construction credit, small business entrepreneurship, and money management. Business owners and startups can access resources and capital, so they can be more successful, ”said Atkins.

The branch will also host pop-ups for small businesses and vocational training. It has free Wi-Fi, and nonprofits and residents can access the community space for various uses.

Atkins invited residents in the crowd to visit the branch.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser noted that she was the fifth and final mayor to inaugurate the long-planned Skyland Town Center.

“The Chase Skyland Community Center is going to help us give more local residents and entrepreneurs a chance,” Bowser said, adding that the community had worked for years to make the center a reality and spoke of its benefits for residents for years to come. .

“Supporting Washingtonians as they create and grow businesses and buy homes in DC is a way to maintain prosperity in the community and ensure that Skyland’s development lives up to the vision of the Ward 7 community. – a site with new housing, a grocery store, good amenities and jobs and opportunities for DC residents, ”Bowser said.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 26% of DC’s land area is below 200% of the federal poverty line.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, about a quarter of DC’s population is either unbanked or underbanked.

OMCP / Kristi King

OMCP / Kristi King

OMCP / Kristi King

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been edited to reflect the correct number of community-inspired role models planned in the US