SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, June 21 — J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s teams from Salt Lake City and Paris collaborated to host Governor Spencer J. Cox and a high-level state delegation in their Paris office this week.
The governor-led trade mission, organized by World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, includes nearly 100 business and government leaders. The mission began in Paris, France, on June 19 and will conclude in London, United Kingdom, on June 23. Its goal is to connect with foreign partners in various industries, generate business opportunities, exchange best practices, and facilitate deeper ties with key industry leaders and the broader ecosystem of Europe.
With the largest presence of any U.S. bank in France, J.P. Morgan is uniquely positioned to help Utah companies expand into the French market. J.P. Morgan France has a major presence in European investment and offers its clients investment banking, access to credit and rates markets, equity brokerage, private banking, investment management, and treasury and securities services.
“We are delighted to partner with WTC Utah for this Utah delegation in Paris to provide a unique experience leveraging our global roots to benefit local Utah businesses and government leaders,” said Danni Wright, Head of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Utah and Idaho. “The connections and new relationships we have helped to foster as a result of this experience will benefit Utah in the years to come.”
J.P. Morgan Private Bank hosted multiple events in Paris with the Utah delegation. The delegation was given a private market briefing on France’s economy, developments post-Brexit, its trading relationship with the United States, and opportunities to connect with France’s thriving startups and investment funds. The Bank also facilitated a networking luncheon, connecting the delegation with top leaders in France’s startup, incubator, innovation, and investment community, as well as with France-based corporations looking to expand in the U.S.
With France’s 2030 investment plan to transform its top industries, such as transportation and healthcare, there are ample opportunities for Utah companies to forge innovative and ambitious partnerships in the region.
Recognized as one of the most diverse economies in the U.S., Utah has successfully established robust industries like technology, life sciences, and consumer goods which were on full display at this event. The state is consistently ranked among the top three states to start a business and boasts the highest rate of unicorns per capita in the U.S., along with a booming tech industry of more than 7,000 companies.
“Taking Utah to the world and showcasing the best of what our state has to offer helps put Utah companies at the forefront of investment and partnership opportunities,” shared David Carlebach, COO and managing director of international programs for WTC Utah. “Our strong relationship with J.P. Morgan — both with the team in Utah, and our new contacts in Paris — better positions the state’s economy for long-term success.”
WTC Utah and J.P. Morgan share a commitment to building a stronger community and collaborate to catalyze success for Utah companies in the global market. Our partnership began in 2015 with the Global Cities Initiative in partnership with Salt Lake County, which helped leaders in U.S. metropolitan areas reorient their economies towards greater engagement in world markets.
“J.P. Morgan is an important institution for Utah and Salt Lake County,” said Jevon Gibb, Economic Development Director for Salt Lake County. “They’ve shown a consistent commitment to supporting individuals and businesses in our region, particularly small and minority-owned businesses. We’re grateful for our ongoing engagement.”
Much of our shared efforts focus on facilitating operations and working with diverse and economically disadvantaged communities. In 2018, J.P. Morgan Chase made a generous contribution to fund the Export Acceleration Grant (EAG), which enabled 36 small companies to receive funding. These companies included 11 new-to-export businesses, 10 women-owned businesses, seven rural businesses, one minority-owned business, and one veteran-owned business.
The EAG led to more than $11 million in new international sales and an additional $19 million in projected sales. J.P. Morgan Chase’s donation also funded the 2018 Utah Global Forum Pitch Competition awards, where small local businesses competed for grant funds to advance their international business goals.
J.P. Morgan is an esteemed member of the WTC Utah Global Advisory Board. Their ongoing support of companies throughout the Beehive State and commitment to leading our community at home and abroad is helping WTC Utah achieve its vision to make Utah the crossroads of the world.
