Bank One to become Chase after merger

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Bank One brand name will disappear after its merger with J.P. Morgan Chase & amp; Co., the two banks announced Tuesday.
Top executives of the merged bank had previously left open the possibility that Bank One's name would be retained for retail outlets following the completion of the $58 billion deal, even though the organization will keep the J.P. Morgan Chase name and New York headquarters.
But they said Tuesday that preparations for switching to the new brand already have begun, starting with Bank One credit cards. Bank branches will be changed to Chase in early 2005.
Bank One was founded in Columbus, Ohio. It moved its headquarters to Chicago following a 1998 merger with First Chicago NBD. J.P. Morgan Chase chairman and CEO William Harrison and Bank One CEO James Dimon both said research showed the Chase name to be stronger.