JPMorgan Chase & Co. will likely enter the Greater Baltimore area in mid-2019 or earlier with a branch, the Baltimore Business Journal reported Oct. 8, citing Rob Robertson, the banking giant's regional head of home lending.

The plan to open its first branch in the area is part of JPMorgan's plan to open up to 70 new branches and hire up to 700 employees in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.