Media outlets called the 2020 presidential race for former Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday, following a close election that involved four days of vote-counting.
Incumbent President Donald Trump has yet to concede the race, challenging the results in some states and alleging unproven voter fraud.
Several bank and credit union trade groups, as well as top bank executives, however, not waiting on a Trump concession, have released statements and congratulatory posts on the highly contested 2020 election.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, the most prominent bank leader to comment on the election results, called for trust in the nation's electoral system.
"Now is a time for unity. We must respect the results of the U.S. presidential election and, as we have with every election, honor the decision of the voters and support a peaceful transition of power," he wrote in a memo to employees, according to Fox Business. "We are a stronger country when we treat each other with dignity, share a commitment to a common purpose and are united to address our greater challenges. No matter our political views, let's come together to strengthen our exceptional country."
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said he was encouraged by the "extraordinary turnout we saw in this election from people of all political persuasions" in a congratulatory LinkedIn post Sunday.
"We are ready to engage as they confront the important challenges of tackling the pandemic and rebuilding the economy," he said.
Thasunda Duckett, CEO of JPMorgan Chase's consumer banking division, highlighted Vice President-elect Kamala Harris's historic achievement as the nation's first Black woman to be selected for that office.
"I am reflecting and thinking about progress... My parents grew up in segregation... I grew up full integration," she posted on LinkedIn on Sunday. "My children are growing up seeing a Black President and now A Black Woman Vice President Elect! My emotions are high. Progress is slow... but progress all the same. So many more firsts to be made as we continue to hold true the ideals of a more perfect union."
Duckett made history at JPMorgan Chase this summer as the first Black woman to be named to the bank's operating committee.
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said the nation's second-largest bank is ready to work with the new administration just as it has been working with previous administrations over the course of the bank's more than 200-year history.
"We look forward to working on the big problems that face the world," he said at the opening of the company's Future of Financials 2020 virtual conference Monday, according to Bloomberg.
Speaking at the same conference, Goldman Sachs CFO Stephen Scherr said the election results have implications on the pace and magnitude of tax policy change.
"Given the longevity of the president-elect in the Senate, the possibility even in a divided government nonetheless producing a more engaged level of cooperation, I think, is a positive to be read by the market," he said.
In a statement congratulating the Biden team, the American Bankers Association (ABA) called attention to the banking sector's role amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We look forward to working with the new administration and the new Congress to address the nation's challenges. During the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, America's banks and their more than two million employees have taken unprecedented steps to assist both their consumer and business customers, but we know more must be done to fuel the recovery," the trade group's president and CEO, Rob Nichols, said in a statement. "ABA and our member banks stand ready to work with the Biden administration and lawmakers from both parties to bolster the economy, increase opportunity and create a brighter future for all Americans."
Credit union groups such as the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) also offered congratulations and an eagerness to work with the new administration.
"We look forward to working with Mr. Biden's administration to advance the credit union mission and increase financial well-being of American consumers," CUNA President and CEO Jim Nussle said in a statement Monday.
As the nation continues to grapple with the pandemic and economic uncertainty, NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger encouraged President-elect Biden to work with Congress "to deliver meaningful, bipartisan reform, to put the needs of Americans ahead of partisanship, and to empower credit unions to serve and strengthen our economy."
"NAFCU looks forward to working with the Biden Administration and Congress in a unified manner to ensure credit unions remain a strong financial lifeline and community partner for the millions of Americans needing financial assistance during these uncertain times," he said in a statement Monday.