Chase orders Southlake bank to remove Christmas tree (because it could offend people)

Star Telegram ^ | 12/03/2010 | Terry Evans

[SeekAndFind]

SOUTHLAKE -- Chase Bank told a businessman to remove the Christmas tree he donated to a local branch because it could offend people.

Antonio Morales, owner of Bellagio Day Spa in Southlake, had assembled and decorated a 9-foot-tall tree in the lobby of the Chase Bank branch at 1700 E. Southlake Boulevard as a favor to the branch manager, who is one of his clients.

The tree remained in the lobby from the Monday before Thanksgiving until Tuesday. Morales said his friend called him Wednesday to tell him the tree had to go. She later showed him an e-mail from JPMorgan Chase saying that the tree had to be removed because some people were offended by it.

The bank referred questions to corporate offices.

Greg Hassell, a JPMorgan Chase spokesman, said that the company's policy isn't anti-Christmas. "People wish their customers merry Christmas when it's appropriate," he said.

However, to ensure that everyone who visits Chase branches feels welcome and comfortable, the bank's policy is to use only decorations supplied by the company.

"We appreciate the thoughtful gesture from Mr. Morales," Hassell said. "Unfortunately, we're unable to keep it [the tree] on display for the remainder of the holiday season." JPMorgan Chase ensures that decorations are "something everyone is comfortable with, regardless of how they celebrate the season," Hassell said.

But others see the tree as a symbol of the season.

A spokeswoman at Trinity Bank in Fort Worth said it has had a tree in its lobby since the Friday after Thanksgiving.

"I've been in this business more than 30 years, and every place I've worked we've put up a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving," said Linda Robertson, assistant vice president.

Bryan Fischer, director of issue analysis for the American Family Association, called Chase's decision absurd.

[bareford101]

chase is only good for nothing.... I boycotted them a while ago.... America-haters need not apply for my business.

[The Comedian]

I find keeping money in any Chase branch offensive, and I wish you Chase customers would quit offending me and empty your accounts.

Thank you.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Berlin_Freeper]

This has nothing to do with someone might be offended.

The simplest explanation is often the correct one.

This is a matter of a Christian hater in a position of power who got the chance to express that hatred while hiding behind a bunch of BS.

I would bet a homosexual drug addict.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: I would bet a homosexual drug addict.

---

Wow, I’d like to know how such a person gets to have so much decision making power at a giant company like JP organ Chase.

I thought they screen employees for drugs before they hire them...

[Citizen X_Area 51]

the Chase bank building in downtown Dallas; they have a huge Christmas display every year.

---

Christmas or a 'Holiday' display?

[DoorGunner]

Conversely, maybe someone who bows toward Mecca.

[PAR35]

Looks like the BankOne location was the survivor, although on the history list, it shows Chemical as the original bank, and they still use the Chemical Insurance Cert # 628.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association has been FDIC insured since January 1, 1934.
It was established on January 1, 1824.
Its main office (headquarters) is located at:
1111 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43240
County of Delaware

Of course, don’t expect to find any of the top execs there. The Holding Company is in NYC.

1039502 JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. New York NY HC

[WestTexasWend]

Hope Chase takes this to its logical conclusion and makes sure that branch is open on Christmas Day. (Yeah, I know it’s a Saturday, but they need to make the point that it’s just another day to them, right?)

[ratsreek]

Then it was probably atheists complaining, not muzzies.

[Berlin_Freeper]

- I thought they screen employees for drugs before they hire them...

And after they hire them?

[GailA]

I just got my new chase visa card in the mail yesterday and haven’t had time to activate it...time to tell them goodbye is seems.

[GailA]

Bah humbug, I bet these same OFFENDED people are NOT avoiding every MALL in the USA? No I bet the are out there taking advantage of all the same sales we CHRISTIANS are.

[GailA]

That is illogical as there are MORE Christians in the US than any other religion. It is only the muzzies that get offended by other peoples religion.

[windsorknot]

Chase doesn’t seem to be concerned that Christians might be offended by their decision.

[mewzilla]

Note to Chase: Guess what I’m gonna think of now whenever I see an ad for your bank on the TV...

[GailA]

Call the 800 number on the back of your card, unload on the person who answers. Which I plan to do Monday, even if it means putting on my new glasses which hurt my eyes to see to dial the dang number. Fumbling, found the worthless things Dang if it's not printed in both English and spanish on my new unactivated card. 1-800-524-3880 24 hr customer service. Be sure to request in writing an apology for OFFENDED your CHRISTIAN beliefs.

[fml]

Which is why it is completely logical. It is the muslims who kill when they are offended.

"Pre-emptive cringing"

[GailA]

AFA GOES AFTER CHASE http://consumerist.com/2010/12/american-family-association-goes-after-chase-over-lack-of-christmas-trees.html

Can you post as a thread? I’m having vision problems or I’d do it (seeing out of 1 lens limits what you can do). Link it back to this thread.

[My Favorite Headache]

bump

[christforchristmas]

because it is all about money - good christians (Christ followers who celebrate christmas) remove your money and place it elsewhere - that speaks volumes that make more of an impression than anything else - take back your country from the ACLU and non-believers - Muslins will understand the term non-believers even if they didn’t coin it.