JPMorgan executive open to talks with France's far-right National Rally

By Mathieu Rosemain

PARIS, May 13 (Reuters) - ‌JPMorgan is open to ​engaging ​with France's far-right National Rally (RN) ahead of next year's presidential election, a senior regional executive at the U.S. bank said, as large companies reassess how they ‌deal with a party gaining in the polls.

Matthieu Wiltz, co-CEO of JPMorgan's Europe, ⁠Middle East and Africa region, told reporters at a conference on Tuesday that he was willing to speak ‌with all political parties, when asked ‌specifically about RN.

"We try to have dialogue with all of (the political parties). I’m happy to talk to anyone," he said. "I really want to explain why it’s important to have ​strong banks and strong European corporates, and why that would benefit France in the long term — and the European Union as well."

For years, blue-chip companies largely avoided engaging with the ⁠RN, but with polls suggesting it could win the 2027 election, many are now trying to better understand and influence its ​economic agenda.

National Rally president Jordan Bardella met the country’s leading employer federation last month.

Earlier in April, Marine Le Pen, the long-time leader of the ​RN and a three-time presidential candidate, attended a dinner ‌in Paris with several of France’s most prominent executives, including the chiefs of oil major TotalEnergies and luxury group LVMH, sources have said.

Despite this ⁠outreach, the RN has yet to fully win over much of France’s corporate establishment, where executives remain cautious about its shifting economic positions.

Polls show the party as a strong contender for power, though uncertainty ⁠remains over whether Le Pen — who was convicted of embezzlement in 2025 and barred from running for office ​for five years — will be eligible to stand, pending an appeal ruling expected in July.

Wiltz's remarks also come as the biggest U.S. bank balances its operations between Paris and London in the post-Brexit landscape.

"Brexit happened. We live ‌in a world now where we have to be balanced between the UK and what we have here in France and the EU," ‌he said.

"As it stands today, honestly, there is nothing that would push us to move outside of ⁠France. France is still very appealing.”

JPMorgan ‌employs more than 1,000 people in ​Paris and has expanded its presence in recent years, including plans for a new office to support its growing operations there.

(Reporting by Mathieu RosemainEditing by ‌Keith Weir)

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