JP Morgan Chase quickly became known as the scrooge of the banking industry when it ordered a Christmas tree removed from the lobby of the Chase bank in Southlake, TX (JPMorgan Chase says Christmas tree offensive) but it appears that someone in corporate has had a change of heart regarding the removal of this holiday icon.
The Christmas tree was a gift from local businessman Antonio Morales because, as he told CBS 11 news: "I want the bank that I bank at to always have a beautiful tree."
After corporate caught wind of the structure, and claimed people found the Christmas tree to be offensive,
instructions were to take it down - and Mr. Morales complied.
Dallas-Fort Worth radio station KRLD 1080 AM released a recorded statement from Mr. Greg Hassell, spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase, who initially said: "We appreciate the thoughtful gesture from Mr. Morales, but unfortunately we're unable to keep that 9 foot tree on display for the remainder of the season."
Approximately two days later Mr. Hassell delivered a very different message.
"We have a policy of not accepting gifts from customers, but we are applying common sense here and putting the tree back up at our own expense. We are thankful for Mr. Morales' nice gesture."
The reason they must now put the tree up at their own expense is because Mr. Morales has decided not to set up the tree for a second time at that Chase bank because he is now looking for another bank to accept his approximately $3000 tree.
Those who were offended by the tree, or why they were offended, has yet to be revealed. It could have been patrons, employees, or corporate officials.
Although many people have speculated that Chase is anti-Christian for calling for the removal of the Christmas tree, Greg Hassell said that decorations for individual bank locations are chosen months in advance and do sometimes include Christmas trees.
Mr. Morales told Barbara Schwarz of KRLD: "A Christmas tree - they could have called it a Hannukah bush, a holiday tree, or anything. There was not one cross, nothing, or anything that symbolizes Christianity on that tree."
Nevertheless, the backlash has begun. DFW's CBS 11 posted an article on this event (Chase: Another Tree Going Up) and some of the comments posted are as follows:
"I will be closing my account with Chase as soon as I can make other arrangements. I’m tired of busineses discriminating agains Christians and our beliefs." - rt
"This is just one of the reasons I am taking my business somewhere else ... we give the freedom to worship as they please and they don’t want to be “offended” by us" - Jan
"Glad to see the bank reconsidered, even though the damage is done. I have had business with Chase for many years, but have decided to start getting things moved elsewhere, which will involve refinancing my mortgage. I’ve decided complaints are just empty words if you are not willing to take action, even if it costs you something. Chase, you have finally “chased me off”!" - J D R
"JP MORGAN CHASE MADE A STUPID DECISION TO BOW TO THE COMPLAINTS OF A FEW CUSTOMERS , AND THE BANK WILL LOSE BUSINESS ANYWAY. I SENT A MESSAGE ABOUT A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WON $9.000.000 IN THE LOTTERY, AND HAD PLANNED TO CREATE A TRUST ACCOUNT WITH MOST OF THE MONEY DEPOSITED IN THIS BANK. AFTER I SHOWED HIM THE CHRISTMAS TREE INCIDENT, HE CHOSE ANOTHER BANK WHICH ALREADY HAD A CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE LOBBY." - Arnold Carl Tapp
So although Chase is now using "common sense" to correct the error of their ways, it looks like serious damage has already been done.
Comments
Closing all my accounts with Chase anyway. They don't deserve to have my money if they are worried that someone is "offended" by Christmas. I'm offended by their reaction, despite the "change of heart", which I am sure was motivated more by the threat of loss of business than by any other motive.
We received a letter last week stating the new $12 monthly fee Chase is hitting customers with starting in January on checking accounts that don't meet their new minimum standards. While it wouldn't affect us it will hurt the millions of unemployed Americans who can't keep a $1500 minimum daily checking account balance and that alone was enough to make us start looking to move our funds elsewhere and then the Christmas tree story was the fuel to the fire to get us into another bank this morning. Good bye Chase - we and our money is gone!!!
I am offended that they are now charging $12 for an account that has been free since inception! I am also looking for a new bank to move all my accounts.
What do these pine Trees have to do with Christianity anyway? Can somebody please explain.
It's the pagan side of Christmas but in general there seems to be an anti-Christian movement which wants to remove anything and everything with Jesus Christ during the holiday season. So no nativity scenes, nothing with Jesus, and nothing with Christ is acceptable - which includes CHRISTmas and therefore Christmas trees.
It is not the tree which is pagan. It is Christmas and the fact that Christmas offends Chase. Had it been a nativity scene they would have probably burned it in the street.
That horse has already left the building on Friday when I found out about it. Moved all my account from Chase to Wells Fargo where they welcomed me at there branch with a Christmas tree and wished me Merry Christmas when I left. Chase offended me by removing the tree, I took my business elsewhere. Enough said.
I am Jewish and am not offended what so ever that there is neither a Christmas tree or a Menorah in my branch. Have a conversation with the people that are servicing your business and you will realize that Christmas isn't just an inanimate object in a lobby, it is an emotion. Each family of each employee celebrates this amazing time of year differently. Let's not be so Naive. What we really should be focusing on is the Community Reinvestment which the bank has given to others... After all isn't that what Christmas is really about?
I've never heard anyone refer to Christmas as the season of community reinvestment. And I go through the holiday every year. ;-)
Chase me away by hating my religion.
Maybe Chase should RESPECT their Christian customers.... Ya know, the ones who built the country where they make their money.
They should be closed down IMO.
Are those complaining about chase taking down the tree the same "christians" that spend hundreds/thousands of dollars every year to show their love of everyone except jesus? christians are so funny and fickle just like muslims! Happy Holidays!
I think it is ridiculous how this has been completley blown out of proportion! This has nothing to do with Christians or any other religion. Nowhere have I read they are against any religion. Do you know how many companies do not have Christmas trees or any other types of decoration for the holidays? There are hundreds of thousands. For people to get upset over a Christmas tree is ridiculous, especially to the point of closing accounts. Really? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I don't stop doing business with companies because they don't decorate for the holidays. If I did that I wouldn't do business with very many companies. I have never been to a single bank or credit union branch that has actually decorated for Christmas. Why? Because it is a place of business not a decorating contest. Anyone who gets so upset over something so stupid can take their measly money (the little they probably have) and move it elsewhere. Chase probably doesn't want those morons as their customers anyway. Get a life people!
I have a life, and I also have Christmas spirit, and would like it if my Bank would stop caving into people with no spirit at all.
Chuck, you don't need a Christmas tree to have Christmas spirit. Who are you to judge who does and who does not have Christmas spirit? That really has nothing to do with this one-sided story here. Chase did nothing wrong here. If you feel this way I guess you won't be doing business with any bank because they are all pretty much the same in their policies. If I stopped doing business with every company that won't put up a Christmas tree then I would be very limited to who I can do business with. My local Target, Wal-Mart and other businesses do not have Christmas trees up. Are you going to stop doing business with them as well? Everyone needs to move on from this and quit blaming a company for doing nothing wrong!
Hey Richie Rich, I am assuming you are not Catholic. Get off your high-horse and come back to the real world. I have been to a number of banks that display Christmas decorations. If billionaires like you want to keep their money with a Socialist and anti-Christian bank then go right ahead. The poor middle class folks like us will take our money where it is welcome and appreciated.
This was a set is by a man who was struggling do to the economy. The liberal media assisted him...Like Ralm Emaul says never let a crisis go to waste. Boycott Bellagio Day Spa in Southlake. He deserves to make no money after the the beating those poor Christan people in that bank are taking due to misinformation of the media trying to find a story to compete with the Lincoln Tunnel. Hoe lame this attempt was Terry Evans should be fired. The bank employees deserve an apology for the horrible things that were said to them by so called Christan's!!! What Would Jesus Do???? Mr. Moralas you should be ashamed of yourself!
http://lindseymalone.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/self-serving-media-helps-s...
Sorry I sooo mispelled *Rahm Emanuel* but I am just so fed up!
That's okay, I read what you wrote here as well as the link to your blog. Please proofread and correct when you can. I appreciate your perspective and point of view.
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