The Chase Card
An American Tradition

JPMorgan Chase & Co. remains to be one of the oldest existing financial institutions alive today offering various types of banking services including the Chase card. Through various mergers and buying outs, JPMorgan Chase & Co. remains to be the third largest financial institution in the United States today. The history of JPMorgan Chase & Co. is remarkable as you read from some of its family tree history below.

In 1799, the Bank of the Manhattan Company was formed after Aaron Burr initially formed the Manhattan Company to fight the spread of yellow fever. Being just twenty-two years short of one hundred years, the Chase National Bank became into existence in 1877. Through the 1920's and 1930's the Chase National Bank bought many smaller banks including the ever popular Equitable Trust Company. In 1955, the Chase National Bank and Bank of the Manhattan Company merged to form the Chase Manhattan Bank, which then became the largest bank in the United States even out doing the National City Bank of New York, also known now as Citibank. The Chase Manhattan Bank remained prominent in many areas including the Chase card, security services and retail financial services until the early 1990s when the real estate depression occurred. It was later in this decade that the Chase Manhattan Bank was sold to the Chemical Bank of New York.

The New York Chemical Manufacturing Company started producing chemicals in 1823. However, in 1824, it added the Chemical Bank of New York and began taking on banking services. Twenty-seven years later, the Chemical Bank of New York left the chemical company and began mergers of its own including the Corn Exchange Bank, Texas Commerce Bank and Manufacture’s Hanover Trust Company. These mergers assisted the Chemical Bank of New York in spending much time at the top in its industry. In 1996, the Chemical Bank of New York bought the Chase Manhattan Bank and renamed it The Chase Manhattan Corporation.

Drexel, Morgan & Co. transferred into JPMorgan & Co. in 1895 and immediately became one of the top in its business by assisting in the production of the steel industry and providing gold to the government to reach its surplus. Drexel & Co. began in 1837 under Francis Drexel and was later taken over by his son Alexander Drexel. In 1871, J.P. Morgan became a partner in Drexel, Morgan & Co. Once J.P. Morgan became the senior partner after Alexander’s death, he renamed the business JPMorgan & Co.

Through the 20th Century, JPMorgan & Co. grew too many heights just as its predecessor banks had done. In the early part of the century, JPMorgan & Co. assisted banks and suppliers overseas with war funding. In the 1930's, JPMorgan & Co. became primarily a commercial bank but also added on investment banking in the 1990's. In 1959, the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company was developed and later became a bank holding company. At the turn of the century, The Chase Manhattan Corporation bought JPMorgan & Co. and changed its name to JPMorgan Chase & Co. And, in 2004, Bank One of Chicago became part of the JPMorgan Chase & Co. history. JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves not only millions of private citizens with things like the Chase card, but also numerous, prominent industrial and governmental establishments.

Is Chase your favorite credit card issuer? If so, they have an assorted line of credit cards to choose from. I've broken down their best credit cards below. You'll find them divided into personal Chase cards and business Chase cards. Select the credit card name to get a full review of the specific card or get a list of the basic details on all Chase Cards side by side by clicking the link below.

Here's one final tip when choosing, not only a Chase card, but any credit card. Make sure to read the fine print, also known as the credit card agreement or credit card terms. These are disclosed during the application process on all online applications and print applications. The terms give you the information about rates, fees, finance charges, disputes, and more. It may take some time out of your day to read them, but it's in your best interest. That way you will know everything about the credit card up front.