(Yicai Global) Jan. 16 -- Leading world investment and financial services firm J.P. Morgan Chase reaped a record USD32.5 billion net income last year, representing USD9 per share, it announced in a press release today.

It also logged USD7.1 billion in fourth-quarter net profit, or USD1.98 a share, according to the announcement.

The New York-based multinational is the US' largest bank and the world's sixth-biggest.

"2018 was another strong year for J.P. Morgan Chase, with the firm generating record revenue and net income, even without the impact of tax reform," said Jamie Dimon, the bank's chairman and chief executive. 

"Each line of business grew revenue and net income for the year while continuing to make significant investments in products, people and technology, demonstrating the power of the platform. We grew core loans 7 percent, in-line with our expectations, while maintaining credit discipline and a fortress balance sheet with significant capital and liquidity," Dimon noted. 

"[W]e're seeing terrific results so far -- and this is only the start as we continue to open branches in several new markets in the months and years to come," he stated. 

The firm will occupy more than 10,000 square meters within the Shanghai Tower -- the world's second-tallest -- in the eastern Chinese megalopolis' Lujiazui Financial District in what appears to be a massive expansion of its China operations, Yicai Global reported Jan. 10. 

Editor: William Clegg