New York, Feb 18, 2026, 19:29 EST — After-hours
- JPMorgan Chase finished Wednesday’s session 0.54% higher, settling at $308.78 a share.
- The bank plans to launch over 160 new U.S. branches in 2026, while nearly 600 existing sites are slated for renovation.
- The Fed minutes revealed division over the next rate step, leaving bank margin trades on the table.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. finished Wednesday at $308.78, gaining 0.54%. The bank is looking at a new round of expansion into physical branches in 2026. (StockAnalysis)
This shift is notable: major U.S. banks remain locked in a battle for retail deposits, that crucial, stable cash stream underpinning loan profitability and sparing them from overpaying for funds. Physical branches may seem dated, yet they keep drawing in customers—and deposits that tend to stay put.
Rates matter, too. Short-term interest rates hit banks directly, shaping net interest income—the margin between what banks make on loans and what they shell out for deposits.
U.S. stocks finished solidly in the green on Wednesday, tech punching higher and setting the tone across the board. Financial names hung onto gains as well while traders watched for fresh moves in rate expectations. (Reuters)
JPMorgan is gearing up to open over 160 new branches in 2026, spreading them across more than 30 states, with plans to refresh close to 600 existing sites. “Chase branches are more than just a place to transact,” said Tom Horne, who leads consumer branch banking, in a statement. (Reuters)
This deposit grab goes beyond simply opening more branches. Bank of America announced Wednesday it plans to launch “BofA Rewards” on May 27, a new loyalty program set to take the place of its Preferred Rewards, aiming to strengthen relationships with retail customers as banks step up competition. (Reuters)
JPMorgan is bringing on Catherine O’Donnell to head up North America leveraged finance later this year, a senior appointment on the deals front. Leveraged finance—essentially lining up debt for buyouts and riskier transactions—often swings with the mood of the markets. (Reuters)
On the macro side, the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes revealed policymakers kept rates steady at 3.50%-3.75%, but opinion diverged over the next move. “Several” officials indicated they’d support more hikes if inflation doesn’t ease. “Policymakers are going in opposite directions with inflation still above the Fed’s target,” said David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation. (Reuters)
Still, JPMorgan fans face some hurdles. Branch expansion and hiring push expenses higher early on, and investors usually hit big banks hard if costs start to outpace revenue. Plus, if tighter policy drags out or the economy slows more than forecasts suggest, credit quality can slip—meaning loan-loss provisions head up.
Attention now shifts to the Fed’s calendar. March 17–18 marks the next policy gathering, when new projections head to the table—a key moment that could shake up rate expectations, and by extension, impact bank names like JPM. (Federalreserve)
