JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) has reportedly spent an enormous $2.14 billion on legal costs over the last two years.

What Happened: The bank’s 8-K filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicate that it expended $1.4 billion in 2023 and $740 million in 2024 on legal disputes.

These expenses encompass a significant settlement with the SEC, where JPMorgan disbursed $151 million in combined civil penalties and voluntary payments to investors.

Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) initiated a lawsuit against JPMorgan, along with Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Zelle, for alleged failures to address widespread fraud and unauthorized transactions on the Zelle platform.

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Since 2000, JPMorgan has paid more than $40 billion in fines and settlements due to anti-competitive practices, securities abuses, and other violations, as per the public Violation Tracker.

Why It Matters: Despite the hefty legal expenses, JPMorgan managed to report a profit of $14 billion in Q4 2024, marking its largest-ever annual profit at $58.5 billion. This indicates the bank’s resilience and ability to weather financial storms.

The lawsuit filed by the CFPB also puts a spotlight on the bank’s ability to manage fraud and unauthorized transactions, especially on digital platforms like Zelle.

As digital transactions continue to rise, the ability to effectively manage and prevent fraud will be critical for maintaining customer trust and loyalty.

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