The current company was formed in December 2000 when J.P. Morgan & Co. merged with Chase Manhattan Corporation. However, its roots date back to 1799, making it one of the oldest continuously operating financial institutions in the U.S. Over the years, it has absorbed many well-known names in banking history, including Chemical Bank, Bank One, Manufacturers Hanover, Bear Stearns, and Washington Mutual. This long history has made it both powerful and diverse in operations.