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‘Cockroach’ warning by America’s top banker sparks fears about the financial system
Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist October 20, 2025 — 11.02am Advertisement
When JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon talked about cockroaches last week, he hit a raw nerve within the increasingly complex global financial system.
The reference came after the Wall Street banking giant disclosed a $US170 million ($261 million) charge flowing from the bankruptcy of US sub-prime auto lender Tricolor .
“My antenna goes up when things like that happen,” Dimon said. “And I probably shouldn’t say this, but when you see one cockroach, there are probably more.”
America’s most influential banker sent markets on edge with his “cockroach” warn