JPMorgan Chase has been actively expanding its investment banking teams, particularly in the energy and natural resources sectors. In August 2025, the bank hired Max Barrett and Brad Epstein as managing directors based in Houston. Barrett joined to support and build relationships with companies providing services and equipment in the energy space, focusing on a new vertical within the mid-cap investment banking unit for natural resources. Epstein joined the natural resources investment banking coverage team, specializing in midstream and downstream sectors. These hires were confirmed in a memo from Global Co-Heads of Natural Resources Group Investment Banking Jonathan Cox, Jen Dooly, and James Janoskey, and John Richert, head of mid-cap investment banking.
Further reinforcing its energy capabilities, JPMorgan also hired Roy Golender from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in June 2026 to lead corporate commodities sales across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Golender, previously Goldman's head of EMEA energy sales, is based in Paris and joined JPMorgan in September. This move is part of JPMorgan's multiyear expansion of its energy commodities business, which includes senior hires in hubs like Houston.
In August 2026, JPMorgan announced another significant hire, Ward Jones, as managing director and head of investment banking for mid-sized basic materials companies. Jones, who will be based in New York, reports to Joe DeBarbrie and Dave Khalsa, co-heads of mid-cap diversified industries investment banking. His focus areas include building products, building product distribution, and paper and packaging. Jones joined JPMorgan from Deutsche Bank.
These strategic hirings indicate JPMorgan's commitment to strengthening its presence and services within the energy and basic materials industries, covering various segments from mid-cap clients and equipment services to commodity sales and specific basic materials sectors like paper and packaging. The bank aims to enhance its competitive edge against rivals such as Citigroup, which recently hired Chris Power from JPMorgan to co-head its chemicals banking team.
