JPMorgan Chase closes accounts of Dr. Joseph Mercola, his health company, and personal accounts of executives
On July 13, 2023, JPMorgan Chase notified Dr. Joseph Mercola — an osteopathic physician and natural-health retailer named in a 2021 report on COVID-19 vaccine 'misinformation' cited by the U.S. Surgeon General — that it was closing all of his business banking accounts, his company's investment accounts, and the personal accounts of his CEO and CFO and members of their families. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis opened an inquiry; Chase responded by citing 'regulatory scrutiny' by federal authorities without further specifics.
Dates: Notification July 13, 2023; story broken by Florida's Voice July 25, 2023; Florida CFO inquiry August 1, 2023. Parties: Dr. Joseph Mercola; Natural Health Partners LLC; affected executives and family members; JPMorgan Chase; Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis. What happened: Chase notified Mercola in writing that it was closing his business accounts, investment accounts, and the personal accounts of several executives and their family members — approximately seven to eight individuals beyond the business entity. The oldest affected account had been open for 18 years. Chase's written notice referenced 'unexpected activity' on an unspecified account. Bank's stated reasons: 'Unexpected activity' in the closure letter. In response to Florida CFO Patronis, Chase reportedly cited 'regulatory scrutiny' by federal authorities without naming the regulator or the issue. Mercola's allegations: That the closures were politically motivated retaliation for his public criticism of COVID-19 vaccines, the FDA, and pharmaceutical companies, including his being named on the so-called 'disinformation dozen' list cited by the Surgeon General in 2021, and that federal pressure on banks was being used to silence health dissidents. Outcome: Florida CFO Patronis sent a formal inquiry to Chase. Mercola moved banking to alternative institutions. No litigation has been publicly filed. The case was cited in the Senate Banking Committee's 2025 debanking hearing.