Spotlight On: Lester Pataki, Managing Director & Region Manager / Chase Commercial Banking – New Jersey/Pennsylvania/Delaware, JPMorgan Chase Bank
June 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Lester Pataki, managing director and region manager for J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking, covering New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, at JPMorganChase, discussed the changes in the market over the past year and meeting demand amid a rise in innovation and entrepreneurship. “JPMorganChase takes an agnostic approach to advising our clients and prospects, meaning we focus on understanding our clients’ needs rather than pushing specific products,” Pataki said.
What changes over the past year have been most impactful for JPMorganChase in New Jersey, and in what ways?
When considering the commercial banking space, particularly the middle market and midcap segments, the most significant change over the last five to 10 years has been the introduction of private capital into these sectors. Private equity firms have increasingly invested in privately owned midsized companies, a shift that differs markedly from the landscape 10 or even five years ago. This trend presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses in New Jersey. On the one hand, companies now have access to additional sources of capital for growth. On the other hand, privately owned businesses must navigate more options regarding their future, whether that involves selling to another company, going public, transitioning to the next generation, or selling to a private equity firm in whole or in part.
To address these evolving needs, JPMorganChase has invested heavily in several key resources and capabilities. J.P. Morgan’s Mid-Cap Financial Sponsors Group builds relationships with private equity firms to identify opportunities for our clients. We have also expanded our dedicated Mid-Cap investment banking team to serve middle-market businesses. Additionally, we have allocated $50 billion in direct lending capital to support our clients and prospects and expanded our team of bankers to provide tailored advice and solutions. These efforts ensure we can assist clients regardless of their chosen path, whether they are making decisions for today or planning for the next five to 10 years. This focus is critical because these businesses form the economic backbone of communities, and New Jersey is home to many such enterprises.
How would you define the economic climate in New Jersey, and how does it compare to other regions?
New Jersey offers a highly attractive economic environment for businesses due to its robust infrastructure, including ports, airports, rivers, and roadways. The state also has ample geographic space for warehouses and production facilities, a highly educated workforce, and proximity to densely populated consumer markets. These factors create a solid economic foundation, making it an ideal location for businesses to establish and grow.
Our commercial banking operations in New Jersey have been particularly active, with many clients expanding their businesses and new clients joining the J.P. Morgan platform. For example, we have onboarded companies requiring basic treasury services and lines of credit, as well as those seeking capital for manufacturing expansions or foreign exchange hedging. Recently, we facilitated a significant financing deal for a company in a growth phase and assisted another in selling to a private equity firm. This level of activity reflects a dynamic economic environment where businesses remain proactive in their strategies, and we are committed to supporting them at every stage.
With the rise in innovation and entrepreneurship, have there been major shifts in demand for specific financial solutions in the middle market?
JPMorganChase takes an agnostic approach to advising our clients and prospects, meaning we focus on understanding our clients’ needs rather than pushing specific products. Whether a business requires a small line of credit, equipment financing, cash flow loans, syndicated loans, institutional debt, or direct lending, we provide tailored solutions. Our lending portfolio has grown as clients engage in scenario planning to prepare for various economic conditions. This proactive approach ensures we can support businesses whether they face challenges or opportunities in fluctuating markets, and our fortress balance sheet allows us to support clients through economic cycles.
Moreover, volatility in the economy does not affect JPMorganChase’s mission. Given our presence in these markets for over 190 years, we provide the solutions that our clients would need, with a long-term view, as we have navigated many financial cycles throughout our history.
When it comes to workforce development, what are some of the key qualities that you look for in young professionals who are looking to start a career at JPMorganChase?
At JPMorganChase, we have local Market Leadership Teams around the country. I currently chair the Market Leadership Team in New Jersey, which consists of leaders from various lines of business within the state. We come together to ensure we are effectively serving the New Jersey community and the market.
Our focus extends beyond client work, and we take great pride in that. We have three core pillars: clients, community, and employees. Regarding the community, we emphasize volunteerism and community engagement. Our employees contribute hundreds of hours to local initiatives. We support key New Jersey institutions, such as Rising Tide Capital, which aids entrepreneurs in Camden and Newark, and Invest Newark, where we are constructing and rehabilitating 25 affordable single-family homes. Other organizations we engage with include the Institute for Social Justice, the New Jersey Food Bank, and NJPAC, to name a few.
Additionally, our Market Leadership Team supports community managers who partner with local leaders across sectors to understand and address community challenges. This cross-line collaboration is vital to our mission.
Regarding employees, we have over 12,000 team members in New Jersey, including our major tech hub in Jersey City. We prioritize their experience, engagement, and career growth. Robust employment in the state drives economic growth, and we want our employees to thrive while contributing to our client and community initiatives. The Market Leadership Team includes representatives from the investment bank, commercial bank, private bank, and consumer and business bank teams, ensuring a unified approach to serving New Jersey.
What are the top priorities that will help JPMorganChase achieve its goals in New Jersey?
One major priority is anticipating market trends and economic shifts that affect our clients. The rise of private capital is a significant trend, and we do not foresee a slowdown in capital investment in private businesses. We are well-positioned to support this through our Mid-Cap Financial Sponsors Group, direct lending, and investment banking platform. We have over 175 investment bankers focused on mid-cap companies across the country and are expanding our team across different lines of business to meet growing demand in New Jersey.
Another priority is assisting clients with digital transformation. Businesses face increasing complexity, particularly in fraud prevention and payment processing. Helping clients digitize, automate, and streamline their banking processes enhances efficiency and security. We invest heavily in technology to ensure safety, security, and operational efficiency for our clients.
Fraud prevention is critical, as fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. Our role is to safeguard our clients’ hard-earned revenue by ensuring secure transactions. Technology plays a vital role in moving, protecting, and dispersing funds safely. The shift from paper-based processes to digital solutions is a key trend we are supporting.
Additionally, industry specialization remains a focus. Deeper expertise in specific sectors allows us to provide tailored advice and solutions. We continue to enhance our bankers’ knowledge and add specialized resources to better serve our clients. These priorities — capital access, digital transformation, fraud prevention, and industry specialization, with tailored ideas and advice — guide our strategy for growth in New Jersey.
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