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JP Morgan Chase has informed employees moving into its state-of-the-art main office in New York that they are required to provide their biometric data to gain entry the multibillion-dollar structure.

Move from Discretionary to Compulsory

The financial firm had previously intended for the collection of biometric data at its new tower to be optional.

However, workers of the US's largest bank who have begun work at the main office since last month have obtained emails stating that biometric entry was now "mandatory".

How Biometric Access Works

The new entry system requires personnel to scan their fingerprints to enter access portals in the entrance area in place of scanning their access passes.

Headquarters Details

The main office building, which allegedly cost $3bn to build, will ultimately serve as a workplace for ten thousand workers once it is entirely staffed before year-end.

Protection Reasoning

The financial company did not provide a statement but it is assumed that the use of biological markers for access is designed to make the premises safer.

Special Cases

There are exemptions for some employees who will still be able to use a badge for admission, although the criteria for who will use more conventional entry methods remains unclear.

Additional Technological Features

Complementing the deployment of palm and eye scanners, the organization has also launched the "Corporate Access" mobile app, which serves as a electronic pass and hub for worker amenities.

The app enables employees to manage external entry, use building layouts of the premises and schedule meals from the facility's multiple restaurant options.

Industry-Wide Trends

The introduction of enhanced security measures comes as US corporations, especially those with significant operations in New York, look to increase security following the shooting of the chief executive of one of the biggest American insurance companies in July.

The executive, the head of the healthcare company, was the victim of the attack not far from the financial district.

Future Expansion Possibilities

It is not known if JP Morgan intends to introduce biometric access for employees at its locations in other important economic centers, such as the UK capital.

Employee Tracking Developments

The decision comes amid discussion over the employment of systems to monitor employees by their companies, including monitoring physical presence metrics.

In recent months, all the bank's employees on flexible arrangements were instructed they are required to come back to the office full-time.

Executive Perspective

The organization's head, Jamie Dimon, has described JP Morgan's state-of-the-art tower as a "beautiful physical manifestation" of the company.

The banker, one of the global financial leaders, this week cautioned that the likelihood of the financial markets experiencing a decline was far greater than many investors believed.