Many drivers say long electric vehicle charge time is a barrier to them adopting the cars.
Startup Ample says battery swapping could be faster than filling your car up with gas.
See how Ample’s next-gen station could ‘charge’ your EV with a simple, automated swap.
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Battery swapping — taking an electric vehicle battery out of the car once it’s out of charge, and replacing it with a fully charged battery — isn’t a brand new concept, and has had a challenging journey over the past several years. But the idea of getting your electric car a full “charge” in just a matter of minutes has gotten swapping some more recent momentum.
Charging an electric car can take a while, depending on the type of charger a driver uses. In your own garage with a standard plug, or maybe at your office, it might take 8 hours. At faster plugs out in public, you might be waiting at least 20 minutes with a Level 3 charger, or maybe an hour or two with a Level 2.
Regardless, it’s no question that charging currently takes a little bit longer than fueling up a gas-powered car at a gas station.
That’s where battery swapping could come into play, and startup Ample is eager to get automakers on board with the idea. It’d essentially mean a driver buys an electric vehicle but subscribes to the battery, Ample CEO Khaled Hassounah told Insider.
The upfront cost of a new EV (relatively high, on average) could be brought down if a buyer only has to pay for the vehicle itself, and not the pricey battery.
With summer around the corner, many of your Clients are thinking ahead to beach season. Some have probably already booked professional treatments to help them look and feel their best as the weather gets warmer. Cellulite is a common concern as shorts and swimsuits enter the chat. Read on to learn about treatments and skin care products that can help to reduce the look of cellulite as we transition into warmer months.
Cellulite is the name for collections of fat that push against the connective tissue just beneath the surface of your skin. It forms when fibrous bands that connect your skin to the underlying muscle tighten irregularly. This tightening pulls down on the skin, and the normal layer of fat beneath the skin pushes upward. The result is a puckering, lumpy or dimpled look to the texture of the skin, appearing most often on hips, thighs, stomach and buttocks.
What Causes Cellulite?
It’s not entirely clear what causes cellulite but it is very common, especially among women. According to the Cleveland Clinic, between 80 and 90% of women who have gone through puberty have cellulite, while it only appears in about 10% of men. The reason for this disparity is unknown, but some experts believe that hormones are primarily to blame. Estrogen, the female hormone, tends to exacerbate cellulite because it encourages the body to build up and store fat while the male hormone, testosterone, burns fat. However, cellulite is more than just excess fat. It actually involves several components of the skin’s structure.
When estrogen levels fluctuate, blood circulation to the connective tissues is reduced and the tissues are weakened. These hormonal changes also affect lymphatic circulation. This can leave stagnant lymph fluid trapped in weakened connective tissue and may increase the appearance of cellulite.
Genetics, sex, age, the amount of fat on your body and your skin’s thickness determine how much cellulite you have and how visible it is. As you age, your skin loses elasticity which can make the appearance of cellulite more evident. Gaining weight can also make the appearance of cellulite more prominent. Although people with higher body fat percentages tend to have pronounced cellulite, it’s not uncommon for very lean people to experience cellulite as well.
Lifestyle changes that have been shown to help reduce the look of cellulite include eating a healthy diet that incorporates fresh, whole and unprocessed foods, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly.
How Is Cellulite Treated?
While it is not dangerous or painful, many people are self-conscious about the cellulite on their bodies. There is no cure for cellulite and it can’t be removed, however there are lifestyle changes, medical procedures and spa treatments like body wraps that can help reduce or improve the appearance of it.
Body wraps are spa treatments that involve applying a mixture of ingredients to the skin from the chest downward. The Client’s body is then covered with a wrap, usually made of plastic or cloth. The wrap is secured in place while the Client is left to relax for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Body wrap treatments work by trapping heat, allowing the ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin. Body wraps can target many skin care concerns, including cellulite, because these treatments stimulate blood flow, which can help improve circulation and give the skin a smoother, firmer and tightened appearance.
In this article, we will focus on a body wrap designed to target the look of cellulite and provide a protocol that you can use in your spa.
Herbal Cellulite Treatment
For Clients hoping to improve the look of cellulite on the thighs, buttocks, lower abdomen and arms, a body wrap using the Herbal Cellulite Treatment is the gold standard. The skin will appear firmer and more elastic with paprika and skin-safe stinging nettle, which help energize and invigorate the look of the skin. The formulation also contains bioflavonoids and honey which enrich the skin with moisture. The Biocomplex2™ formulation works to bring back a look of vitality and youthfulness.
Step 1
Apply a thin layer of Herbal Cellulite Treatment mixed with equal parts water to cellulite-affected areas (such as legs, thighs, buttocks, stomach and arms.)
Step 2
Tightly wrap each area with plastic wrap, working from the lower body, upwards. Always wrap towards the heart.
Step 3
Leave the body wrap treatment on for 20 minutes or more, keeping the Client warm. (Before wrapping the Client, a short galvanic treatment on the body is recommended.)
NOTE: The Client may feel a hot, tingling sensation that could last up to 20 minutes, with a rosy color remaining for up to two hours. Advise Clients that this is a normal experience.
Do not do any exfoliation before this treatment, especially if this is the first body wrap application for the Client.
After the wrap has had time to work its magic, proceed with either a dry or wet removal.
Click here for the full body wrap treatment protocol.
Another way to target cellulite? Caffeine. According to Healthline, caffeine has been found to dilate blood vessels which can temporarily tighten and tone tissues. The stimulant also boosts circulation and reduces water retention which can help smooth out bumpy cellulite on the body. If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of cellulite with a boost of caffeine, the luxurious Stone Crop Contouring Body Cream is a must. The active ingredients of coffee extract and microalgae extract deliver a slimming and smoothing appearance. Use as an all-over moisturizer or as a targeted treatment.
Have you tried our cellulite treatments on your Clients? Share your experiences with us in the comments below. And find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner here.
You may have heard dogs born in 2020 called pandemic puppies or dogs. These dogs developed behavioral issues related to growing up on lockdown. If this describes your dog, he may need help navigating a world outside COVID lockdown, since he did not get to socialize with other dogs during that important formative time. This resulted in adult dogs who struggle with socialization, overreactivity and separation-related issues.
What is a pandemic dog?
Commonly known as “pandemic puppies,” these young dogs were brought into homes during the height of the pandemic and beyond. Similar to the groupings of a human generation label (i.e., Gen X or Gen Z), the timeline of pandemic puppies is a bit fuzzy but generally considered to be between March and December 2020.
According to Frontiers in Veterinary Science, online searches for both cats and dogs topped out in April and May of 2020, for dogs this began to decrease in July and returned to average (compared with 2019) by the end of 2020. The ASPCA estimates 1 in 5 households adopted either a cat or dog during spring and winter of 2020 and 90% of these dogs remain in those homes.
Pandemic dogs socialization issues
Generation P’s biggest problems stem from lack of proper socialization. Right alongside us, pandemic puppies lived very sheltered lives for a year or longer. Therefore, they didn’t get the necessary exposure and experiences to help navigate new situations confidently.
Socialization remains one of the simplest yet most complex components of dog behavior — it’s also arguably the most important. In short, canine socialization is the process of acclimating dogs to live comfortably with other humans and dogs, places, objects and activities.
Dogs have very definitive points in their development where socialization takes place. The general estimate for this developmental window is between 3 to 16 weeks where dogs’ brains are the most receptive to novelty. Proper socialization involves distinctly positive experiences, or potentially negative experiences turned into positive experiences. In short, no negative experiences and a wealth of stellar ones. But Generation P’s flat-out lack of many of these experiences has led to fear and anxiety when faced with newness.
So how do you expose your fearful dog to new things? Don’t throw your dog into the deep end of the pool! Be her emotional support human and hold her paw while she learns to navigate new things in life, whether it’s meeting new dogs, people or experiencing new things. Always work to create positive associations and set her up for success.
Pandemic dog socialization do’s
Take it slow and do not overwhelm. One new thing at a time.
Brush up on dog body language so you know if your dog’s feeling it or not.
Avoid trying to do too much at once or too much too soon. One experience/dog/human/activity at a time!
Dogs are always communicating, so don’t ignore her efforts to tell you how she’s feeling about any given situation.
Finally, take time to consider whether what you’re asking of your dog is truly necessary. For example, most dogs actually don’t want to be social butterflies once they depart puppydom. Focus on what helps your dog and family feel the most comfortable and at ease and start there. So, if separation-related issues are the top priority, hone in on that first and table the other issues for now. Working together and making improvements is sustainable for the long haul.
How to socialize a pandemic dog with other dogs
Although you can’t “redo” socialization, you can help to minimize your dog’s overreactivity, stress and fear.
Don’t force the issue or allow your dog to rehearse, or practice, undesirable behavior:
barking
lunging
growling
snapping
biting
Distance is your BFF when looking to expose your dog to other dogs in a positive way. Follow these dog dog socialization steps:
Choose neutral territory that’s safely contained.
Minimize most (ideally all) distractions.
Start with dogs on short leashes from as far away as necessary where your dog is interested, but not overreacting.
Carefully gauge body language as you slowly decrease the space between them.
If either dog shows signs of stress, stop and retreat.
Try again if dogs are calm.
If not, try a different day or a different dog.
If all is well, drop the leashes, but keep them on a bit in case you need to act quickly.
Keep interactions short and sweet. End on positive note.
If your dog can’t handle being in an enclosed space with another dog without being overreactive, call in a pro for help with proper desensitization techniques.
Pandemic dogs: separation-related Issues
We all got used to hanging out with each other, and only each other, for many months, and in some cases well over a year. So, when people with pets began returning to work (or worked from home but returned to socializing themselves), our puppies-turned-adolescents were left alone for the first time in well, forever. Even adult dogs and resident dogs pre-COVID were used to us being home with them 24/7. Then we weren’t.
As many of us returned to more normal lives after lockdown, our dogs were simply left alone. As a result, many of these dogs developed separation-related behaviors such as:
Barking or howling
Inappropriate chewing
House soiling
Panting, pacing, drooling
Destructive behaviors
These behaviors may subside about 15 to 20 minutes after you leave, or things could be more serious and be full-blown separation anxiety. Separation anxiety for dogs is often used as a catch-all phrase for problems when dogs are left alone. However, true separation anxiety is a much more serious problem, which can be likened to a panic attack in humans. It likely needs the help of a professional trainer and even your vet, because medications may be part of the treatment plan.
Management strategies for separation-related issues include desensitizing your dog to your absence and teaching and reinforcing calm behaviors when you’re home. This includes while you’re getting ready to leave, which can often trigger dogs to the fact you’re about to leave. Follow these steps to help with dog separation-related issues at home:
Be sure your dog gets enough physical and mental stimulation each day. You have hobbies, devices, friends, work, etc. Your dog only has you. Fill up her life with the good stuff so she’s content.
Break up the day. Come home for lunch or arrange for someone to pay a visit for playtime and petting while you’re gone.
Minimize disturbances. Close the blinds, leave the TV on. Prevent your dog from being stressed by outside things (unless your dog likes gazing out into the backyard or lying in beams of sunlight on the floor).
There’s an app for that. Many apps help you monitor, talk to, treat and even interact with your dog while you’re away.
Dogs do not “get back at us” for leaving them or act out of spite or anger. Separation-related behaviors are usually directly related to the stress, anxiety and even fear your dog feels when you leave.
Pandemic dogs: When to bring in the pros
Getting knowledgeable and educated professionals on board with your dog’s care supplements any dog’s well-being. This is especially true for pandemic dogs.
If you suspect separation anxiety, consult with professionals. These professionals include a veterinarian, trainer, and pet sitter, as well as a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT).
Visits to the veterinarian help your pandemic dog, especially if you can find a Fear Free Certified vet clinic. Fear Free Certified vet clinics and other Fear Free Certified professionals, such as trainers, groomers, dog walkers and now boarding facilities, are trained and required to maintain continuing education in helping alleviate stress, fear and anxiety that generally comes with these experiences. We all use at least one of these services, so this is a simple way to help support your dog’s emotional and behavioral health.
Your dog didn’t develop her issues overnight, and she won’t get over them overnight, either. It boils down to this: You both needed each other during the pandemic and while you love your dog, she probably needs you now more than ever. You may not have your Dream Dog but with support, patience and lots of love you can both be living the dream together.
The Zaha Hadid Foundation has opened an exhibition about Zaha Hadid’s Moonsoon restaurant in Sapporo, Japan. Here, exhibitions officer and curator Johan Deurell selects five highlights from the show.
Zaha’s Moonsoon: An Interior in Japan is a case study of architect Hadid‘s first built project outside of the UK – the Moonsoon Bar and Restaurant in Sapporo, Japan, which was constructed in 1989.
The exhibition offers a journey from the conception of the venue – conveyed through a series of archival models, presentation documents and sketches – through to its built form, presented through images and one-to-one recommissioned furniture from the bar’s interior.
“Our latest exhibition showcases the creative processes behind one of Zaha Hadid’s earliest and less well-known projects,” said Zaha Hadid Foundation director Paul Greenhalgh. “Moonsoon was created at the time of the incredible explosion of the Japanese economy, and the design boom that accompanied it.”
“Japan provided opportunities for emerging architects to work on experimental projects. For the foundation, it is a chance for us to dive deep into the archives and highlight works rarely seen before.”
Monsoon’s design referenced some of the early 20th-century avant-grade movements that emerged out of Russia, such as the works of Russian abstract artist Kazimir Malevich.
Angular, twisting and geometric shapes were translated into functional architectural volumes and layers. Additional design references include the works of sculptor Alexander Calder, French liquor commercials from the 1950s and imagery of orange peel and pasta.
Zaha’s Moonsoon: An Interior in Japan takes place at the Zaha Hadid Foundation headquarters in Clerkenwell, London, which functioned as Hadid’s headquarters from 1985 until her death in 2016.
Presentation case, acrylic and aluminium by Zaha Hadid Architects, 1989-90
“The idea of our exhibition came about with the discovery of a Perspex briefcase in the archive. This briefcase was made by Daniel Chadwick as a container for the Moonsoon design concept.
“It carried elements of model as well as 14 paintings, six perspective drawings and 13 collages shown in this exhibition. The case would be taken to the clients as a form of presentation strategy, where the works on paper would be laid out and the model assembled.”
Presentation model, acrylic by Zaha Hadid Architects, 1989-90
“This model, made by Daniel Chadwick, was created to illustrate a concept, rather than as a replica of the restaurant’s final form. Here an ‘orange peel’ shape swirls through the two floors, and the colourful shards represent the furniture and interior elements. At the time it was made, the interior and furniture designs had yet to be finalised.
“Zaha Hadid Architects embraced the transparency of acrylic to make the relationship between interior and spatial elements in the model easier to view. In the future, digital models would provide the transparent layering effects that Hadid sought to achieve through the early use of acrylic.”
Interior concepts, acrylic paint on black cartridge paper by Zaha Hadid Architects, 1989-90
“This painting belongs to a suite of 14 paintings originally stored in the Perspex briefcase. Moonsoon’s concept was partially inspired by fire (for the first-floor bar) and ice (for the ground-floor restaurant), which is illustrated through the reds and blues in this painting. A swirling ‘orange peel’ shape represents the central furnace penetrating through the two floors, whereas splintered ‘ice shards’ symbolise tables.
“Zaha Hadid Architects used paintings to explore concepts that could not be shown through conventional perspective drawings. Various team members contributed to the paintings. The works were derived from sketches, which had been transferred to tracing paper and then onto cartridge paper, and subsequently coloured in, often by Hadid herself. Their warped shapes and layering anticipated the possibilities later offered by CAD software.”
Zaha’s Moonsoon, by Marwan Kaabour, 2023
“Not everything in the show came from that briefcase. There were boxes upon boxes of archival material too. During the research phase, colleagues at Zaha Hadid Architects told me: ‘go find the little doodle’. That turned out to be a sheet of Arabic letterforms spelling out Zaha and Moonsoon, and the recurring swirly shape, which you see in the model and paintings.
“With some help from Marwan Kaabour, who designed the graphic identity for the exhibition, I learnt that the swirl is a stylised version of the letter H in Zaha. Marwan has done some amazing work for Phaidon and V&A before and runs the Instagram account Takweer on queer narratives in the SWANA region. I asked him to make a video based upon the archival material we had found.
“This snippet is taken from that video. It charts the development of Moonsoon’s ‘orange peel’ structure, from the brief to its final built form. Beginning with sketches of the words مونسون [Moonsoon] and زها [Zaha] based on Arabic letterforms, through references to orange peel, pasta, and the works of Alexander Calder, it concludes with their eventual translation into the technical drawings informing the construction, as well as images of the construction and built.”
Photo by Paul Warchol
Sofa and tray table by Zaha Hadid Architects, 1989-90 (remade in 2014)
“Finally, the exhibition includes a boomerang-shaped sofa from the bar. The furniture for Moonsoon employed intersecting curves and diagonal planes to create an interior landscape. Designed by Michael Wolfson, the differently sized sofas have interchangeable plug-in backrests and tray tables, which came in different colours and finishes.
“Waiters could set the tables on their stands when delivering the drinks to guests. I am not sure how well this waiting method worked in practice, but it is interesting to think about this furniture as part of a design historical tradition of flexible seating landscapes. We know that Zaha was a fan of Verner Panton’s work, for example.”
Zaha’s Moonsoon: An Interior in Japan is on show at the Zaha Hadid Foundation in London from 20 April until 22 July 2023. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
US stocks dropped on Tuesday as the debt ceiling deadline quickly approaches with no deal yet to be had.
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were scheduled to continue their negotiations on Tuesday.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that “time is running out” on a debt ceiling agreement.
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US stocks fell on Tuesday as investors await any progress on a potential debt ceiling deal as the deadline of June 1 quickly approaches.
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were set to meet later today at 3 p.m. to further negotiations on a potential debt ceiling deal, and time is running out as Biden prepares to travel to Asia for a foreign policy trip.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that “time is running out” and that the debt ceiling showdown is already impacting Americans.
“Every single day that Congress does not act, we are experiencing increased economic costs that could slow down the US economy,” Yellen said in prepared remarks to a banking conference on Tuesday. “We are already seeing the impacts of brinksmanship: investors have become more reluctant to hold government debt that matures in early June.”
Also weighing on stocks on Tuesday were earnings results from Home Depot, which were mixed with analyst estimates and lighter-than-expected guidance as home improvement projects become smaller and smaller.
Here’s where US indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. ET opening bell on Tuesday:
If you have a puppy, you’re probably wondering if it’s normal for him to poop several times a day.
The answer is yes. Puppies poop a lot because they eat a lot.
How many times a day should a puppy poop?
Puppies can poop four to five times a day on average, says Dr. Mondrian Contreras, of Carol Stream Animal Hospital in Illinois.
“Amount and frequency of puppy poop is usually due to how much they eat, which is due to their growth rate,” says Dr. Contreras. “Puppies are growing so much and so fast, which means their gastrointestinal tract is also developing, so food is processed much more quickly.”
He says nutritional content also plays a role in the amount of stool production, so some diets with certain fiber types produce more and larger stools.
Puppies have different dietary requirements and generally require more calcium and phosphorus, and as a rule, a higher calorie requirement than an adult dog of a similar size.
How long after a puppy eats do they poop?
Puppies usually poop about five to 30 minutes after eating, says Dr. Contreras, which puts a particular emphasis on timing during potty training.
“This is due to the pup’s developing GI tract and their nervous system (gastro-colic reflex), which kicks the colon into high gear,” he says.
What should puppy poop look like?
Normal puppy poop should be formed and solid enough to pick up off the ground without it smudging, but soft enough that you can easily smooth it with your hands. Looks brown in color and doesn’t have any blood, mucus or black-tar consistency.
“Puppies who have watery stools may have absorption issues while those with small, dry, hard stools may be dehydrated,” he says. “White specks in stool may indicate parasite infection, while blood or black stool may indicate a bleeding issue.”
If your puppy’s stools have recently changed in shape, color, smell or consistency — or if they show any GI symptoms such as straining to poop, scooting or licking their hind-end excessively, talk with your vet.
Note that as dogs get older, they typically poop less. But their diet dictates the size of their stools since some dogs eat meals higher in non-digestible fibers, which creates much larger stool sizes.
Poop says a lot about puppy health, so keep an eye on it and see your vet if you notice anything unusual.
It’s estimated that most Americans spend up to twelve hours washing, folding and putting away their laundry each week. You may be spending more time in front of the washing machine than you originally thought, and if your laundry room isn’t properly organized, it may be taking up a lot of your time.
US stocks were mixed on Monday as traders digested the latest debt ceiling news.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she sees progress being made.
The S&P 500 was trying to notch a win after two straight losing sessions.
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US stocks were mixed on Monday as markets assessed reports suggesting some movement is being made in Washington on bridging the political gap needed to raise the $31 trillion debt ceiling and prevent the country from slamming into a debt default.
The S&P 500 was hoping to notch its first gain after two losing sessions and following two back-to-back weekly declines.
The Biden administration and Republican lawmakers are making progress in their negotiations over spending and raising the debt limit and the talks could lead to a deal, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Saturday, according to The Wall Street Journal. Yellen has warned of major damage to the economy if the US were to miss meeting its debt obligations.
Meanwhile, unnamed sources told The Financial Times that issues in focus between negotiators had narrowed, suggesting a possible agreement was taking shape. Biden is expected to resume talks over the debt limit on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Here’s where US indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. opening bell on Monday:
“Over the short-term, the stock market is stuck until we reach a debt ceiling resolution and until we see more clarity from the regional banking sector, which are the two factors weighing on stocks right now. Markets are anxious for a debt ceiling solution and the markets are also hoping that the Fed pauses its rate hikes at the June meeting.
“We expect volatility as we move closer to the June 1 debt ceiling deadline and while we expect a deal to be reached at the 11th hour, we view any near-term pullbacks as buying opportunities,”
Brad Bernstein, managing director at UBS Wealth Management, said in a Monday note.
“Even with the headwinds facing the markets and the economy, we are closer to the beginning of the next bull market. We expect the Fed to cut interest rates by early next year, which historically has been a reliable indicator for the start of a bull market.”
Bloat happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas or food and stretches to the point of causing severe pain. When this happens, the stomach bloats but also twists, which can cut off blood supply and prevent any gas or food from exiting, Dr. English explains. A twisted stomach is an emergency situation requiring surgical intervention.
“We know some things increase the risk, but there’s no definite answer for why some dogs bloat, and others do not,” says Dr. English. “Some factors that may increase the chances of bloating are: getting older, eating too quickly, exercising immediately after eating or having a family history of bloat.”
Dogs prone to bloat: signs and symptoms
Know what warning signs to look for because bloat requires immediate medical care.
Signs of bloat in dogs include:
your dog’s belly suddenly appears large or hard
your dog is trying to vomit but nothing is coming out
Your dog shows signs of pain, indicating that it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible.
A veterinarian will order an X-ray or ultrasound to figure out how severe the condition is and the next steps. Treatment typically includes medications or fluids to reduce the pressure. For a twisted stomach, surgery is necessary.
Top dog breeds prone to bloat: prevention
If you have a large or deep-chested breed prone to bloat, a surgical procedure called a gastropexy, which tacks the stomach to the body wall to prevent twisting, is often recommended at the same time as a spay, neuter or other surgical procedure.
19 Republican states accused JPMorgan of closing bank accounts on political or religious grounds.
In a letter to CEO Jamie Dimon, they say the bank asked questions about religion and politics.
The attorneys general wanted JPMorgan to participate in a diversity survey linked to free speech.
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Republican attorneys general from 19 states have accused JPMorgan Chase of closing accounts and discriminating against customers due to their political or religious beliefs, a report says.
In a letter sent to JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Republicans representing 19 states said the bank had canceled major organizations’ checking accounts and had asked screening questions focused on religion and politics before reinstating them.
The attorneys general said JPMorgan “abruptly closed” the checking account of the National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF), a non-profit, before a letter informing it about the decision had been delivered.
The complaint said that an employee at the bank eventually told the group that JPMorgan would restore the NCRF’s account if it provided a list of its donors, a list of the political candidates it intended to support, and details of the criteria used to determine its support and endorsements.
“The bank’s brazen attempt to condition critical services on a customer passing some unarticulated religious or political litmus test flies in the face of Chase’s antidiscrimination policies. Worse, it flies in the face of basic American values of fairness and equality,” the signatories of the letter said.
The letter was signed by Daniel Cameron of Kentucky and Steve Marshall of Alabama, and co-signed by their counterparts in States including Florida, Georgia and Texas.
In March, treasurers from 14 Republican states also wrote to Dimon with similar claims, The Journal reported.
JPMorgan was also accused of declining a proposal to participate in a survey for the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index, which measured a company’s respect for “freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as a standard part of doing business,” per its website. JPMorgan received a score of 15% for the index in 2022.
Further, the letter claimed JPMorgan asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to ignore a proposal for the bank to disclose its policy for closing accounts.
A JPMorgan representative told The Journal: “We have never and would never exit a client relationship due to their political or religious affiliation.”
JPMorgan didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.
