JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank by assets, has appointed a new head for its junior banker program amid growing concerns about the working conditions of young employees. Ryland McClendon will serve in the newly created role as the global investment banking head for analysts and associates, according to an internal memo.

McClendon, who has been working for the bank for almost 14 years, was most recently responsible for talent and career development. In his new position, he will focus on the well-being and success of junior bankers, helping them to work efficiently while meeting the demands of both clients and the company.

This appointment comes at a time when working conditions in the investment banking industry are once again under scrutiny. The issue gained attention particularly after the death of a young banker at Bank of America in May 2023, a former US Special Forces soldier. Although the cause of death was attributed to a blood clot, the case has become a symbol for the call for a healthier work environment for junior bankers.

**JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized after the incident that the bank would take measures to learn from this tragic event. According to internal sources, JPMorgan has limited the working hours for junior bankers to a maximum of 80 hours per week, with exceptions for ongoing transactions.**

The pressure in the investment banking industry, where 100-hour weeks and high stress are common, remains a challenge. Despite several efforts to improve working conditions – such as after the death of an intern at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in 2013 or the report by Goldman Sachs analysts in 2021 – the tension between working hours and client expectations persists.