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JP Morgan Chase has notified employees assigned to its new main office in New York that they must share their physical characteristics to gain entry the multi-billion building.

Change from Optional to Required

The investment bank had initially intended for the registration of biometric data at its recently opened tower to be optional.

However, workers of the biggest American bank who have commenced employment at the main office since August have obtained emails stating that biometric entry was now "mandatory".

The Technology Behind Entry

Biometric access necessitates staff to submit their hand geometry to enter security gates in the entrance area rather than scanning their access passes.

Building Specifications and Capacity

The corporate tower, which allegedly cost $3bn to develop, will ultimately act as a workplace for ten thousand staff members once it is entirely staffed before year-end.

Protection Reasoning

JP Morgan opted not to respond but it is believed that the implementation of biological markers for admission is designed to make the premises more secure.

Special Cases

There are exceptions for some employees who will still be able to use a badge for admission, although the requirements for who will use more traditional ID access remains undefined.

Complementary Digital Tools

Alongside the deployment of physical identifier systems, the company has also introduced the "Work at JPMC" mobile app, which serves as a electronic pass and hub for employee services.

The app allows users to manage guest registration, use building layouts of the facility and pre-order dining from the premises' multiple on-site dining vendors.

Industry-Wide Trends

The introduction of stricter access protocols comes as American companies, especially those with substantial activities in New York, look to increase security following the shooting of the CEO of one of the biggest American insurance companies in summer.

Brian Thompson, the leader of the healthcare company, was the victim of the attack not far from JP Morgan's offices.

Potential Wider Implementation

It is uncertain if the banking institution aims to introduce the biometric system for staff at its offices in other key banking hubs, such as London.

Employee Tracking Developments

The decision comes amid debate over the implementation of systems to monitor employees by their employers, including tracking office attendance levels.

In recent months, all staff members on flexible arrangements were instructed they must return to the office full-time.

Leadership Viewpoint

The company's leader, Jamie Dimon, has referred to the company's state-of-the-art skyscraper as a "beautiful physical manifestation" of the institution.

Dimon, one of the influential banking figures, recently warned that the probability of the US stock market facing a downturn was much more substantial than many investors anticipated.