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JP Morgan Chase has informed personnel moving into its new headquarters in NYC that they must submit their biometric data to access the multi-billion skyscraper.

Shift from Voluntary to Mandatory

The investment bank had initially envisioned for the collection of physical identifiers at its recently opened tower to be discretionary.

Yet, workers of the leading financial institution who have begun work at the main office since this summer have received emails stating that biometric access was now "mandatory".

Understanding the Biometric System

Biometric access demands employees to scan their fingerprints to enter entry points in the main floor rather than using their ID badges.

Headquarters Details

The main office building, which apparently required an investment of $3 billion to build, will eventually serve as a base for ten thousand employees once it is fully occupied later this year.

Protection Reasoning

JP Morgan opted not to respond but it is understood that the employment of biological markers for entry is designed to make the building more secure.

Special Cases

There are exemptions for specific personnel who will still be able to use a badge for access, although the criteria for who will use more standard badge entry remains undefined.

Supporting Mobile Applications

Complementing the deployment of palm and eye scanners, the company has also released the "Work at JPMC" mobile app, which acts as a virtual ID and portal for employee services.

The application allows employees to handle external entry, explore building layouts of the facility and schedule dining from the premises' 19 food service providers.

Industry-Wide Trends

The implementation of enhanced security measures comes as business organizations, notably those with major presence in NYC, look to increase security following the attack of the CEO of one of the US's largest health insurers in summer.

The CEO, the boss of the insurance giant, was the victim of the attack not far from JP Morgan's offices.

Potential Wider Implementation

It is unclear if the banking institution intends to implement physical identifier entry for personnel at its branches in other major financial centres, such as the British financial district.

Employee Tracking Developments

The move comes within controversy over the implementation of digital tools to observe staff by their companies, including monitoring physical presence metrics.

Previously, all staff members on flexible arrangements were told they must return to the office full-time.

Leadership Viewpoint

The bank's chief executive, the prominent banker, has characterized the bank's state-of-the-art skyscraper as a "tangible expression" of the institution.

The executive, one of the global financial leaders, this week warned that the chance of the US stock market facing a downturn was significantly higher than many market participants believed.