Dimon wants Darling to reject bonus tax

NEW YORK: JPMorgan Chase & Co Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon told UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling that his 50 percent tax on banker bonuses would unfairly penalize the US bank, a person close to the firm said.

Dimon, 53, mentioned plans to build European headquarters in London's Canary Wharf for 1.5 billion pounds ($2.4 billion) as an example of the New York-based company's commitment to the city, the person said. Dimon reiterated that the bank, the second-biggest US lender by assets and deposits, paid British taxes and didn't take a UK taxpayer bailout, the person said, declining to be identified because the conversation was private.

The telephone call was made after Darling on Dec 9 imposed a 50 percent tax on discretionary bonuses greater than 25,000 pounds at all banks operating in the UK.