JPMorgan buys Bear Stearns for $2 a share

JPMorgan Chase has bought The Bear Stearns Companies for $2 a share.

JPMorgan Chase is guaranteeing the trading obligations of Bear Stearns and its subsidiaries and is providing management oversight for its operations.

Federal agencies have given all necessary approvals.

In addition to the financing the Federal Reserve ordinarily provides through its Discount Window, the Fed will provide special financing in connection with this transaction. The Fed has agreed to fund up to $30bn of Bear Stearns' less liquid assets.

‘JPMorgan Chase stands behind Bear Stearns,’ said Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase. ‘Bear Stearns' clients and counterparties should feel secure that JPMorgan is guaranteeing Bear Stearns' counterparty risk. We welcome their clients, counterparties and employees to our firm, and we are glad to be their partner.’

Dimon added: ‘This transaction will provide good long-term value for JPMorgan Chase shareholders. This acquisition meets our key criteria: we are taking reasonable risk, we have built in an appropriate margin for error, it strengthens our business, and we have a clear ability to execute.’

‘The past week has been an incredibly difficult time for Bear Stearns. This transaction represents the best outcome for all of our constituencies based upon the current circumstances,’ said Alan Schwartz, President and Chief Executive officer of Bear Stearns. ‘I am incredibly proud of our employees and believe they will continue to add tremendous value to the new enterprise.’

‘This transaction helps us fill out some of the gaps in our franchise with manageable overlap,’ said Steve Black, co-CEO of JPMorgan Investment Bank. ‘We know the Bear Stearns leadership team well and look forward to working with them to bring our two companies together.’

‘Acquiring Bear Stearns enables us to obtain an attractive set of businesses,’ said Bill Winters, co-CEO of JPMorgan Investment Bank. ‘After conducting due diligence, we're comfortable with the quality of Bear Stearns' business, and are pleased to have them as part of our firm.’

‘JPMorgan Chase's management team has a strong track record of effective merger integration,’ said Heidi Miller, chief executive of JPMorgan Treasury & Securities Services business. ‘We will work closely in the coming weeks with Bear Stearns' clients and management to execute the transaction quickly.’