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JP Morgan Chase has notified personnel working at its state-of-the-art headquarters in Manhattan that they have to submit their physical characteristics to enter the multi-billion skyscraper.

Shift from Voluntary to Mandatory

The investment bank had initially envisioned for the enrollment of physical identifiers at its Manhattan tower to be voluntary.

However, workers of the US's largest bank who have begun work at the new headquarters since this summer have been sent communications stating that physical scan entry was now "mandatory".

The Technology Behind Entry

Biometric access requires employees to submit their eye patterns to gain access security gates in the entrance area rather than scanning their ID badges.

Building Specifications and Capacity

The bank's headquarters, which apparently required an investment of three billion dollars to develop, will in time act as a workplace for thousands of staff members once it is fully occupied in the coming months.

Protection Reasoning

The financial company opted not to respond but it is believed that the implementation of biometric data for entry is designed to make the facility better protected.

Special Cases

There are exemptions for certain staff members who will still be able to use a ID card for access, although the standards for who will utilize more traditional ID access remains undefined.

Supporting Mobile Applications

Complementing the introduction of biometric readers, the company has also introduced the "JPMC Work" mobile app, which acts as a digital badge and portal for employee services.

The application permits employees to manage visitor access, use interior guides of the premises and schedule meals from the building's 19 on-site dining vendors.

Security Context

The implementation of tighter entry controls comes as US corporations, notably those with substantial activities in New York, look to strengthen protection following the shooting of the top executive 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.

Additional Office Considerations

It is uncertain if JP Morgan intends to introduce biometric access for employees at its locations in other important economic centers, such as London.

Employee Tracking Developments

The move comes within controversy over the use of digital tools to observe staff by their companies, including monitoring office attendance levels.

Previously, all JP Morgan workers on flexible arrangements were told they must return to the physical location five days a week.

Management Commentary

The organization's head, Jamie Dimon, has referred to the bank's new skyscraper as a "tangible expression" of the company.

The executive, one of the influential banking figures, lately alerted that the likelihood of the financial markets crashing was far greater than many market participants believed.