Not even throat cancer could keep Jamie Dimon away from talking about money ... and Washington's stupidity.
The JPMorgan (JPM) Chairman and CEO had all of his usual bravado Tuesday on his company's second quarter earnings call despite his recent cancer diagnosis.
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As head of the nation's largest bank by assets, Dimon is credited with successfully steering the firm through the financial crisis and more recently, through a period of hefty legal issues. His health is therefore of great concern to Wall Street.
Dimon addressed his illness head-on Tuesday before going on to discuss the firm's financial results. It was the first time investors and analysts heard from him since his health news went public.
"I feel great, I have some of the best doctors in the world," Dimon said. "I am fortunate that this is curable."
Like he said when he first disclosed his condition, Dimon confirmed that the cancer has not spread, and he reiterated that his prognosis is "excellent."
He said he will start radiation therapy soon, and that JPMorgan should have an update on his status in about seven to eight weeks once his treatment is over.
Dimon affirmed that he plans to be "actively involved in working during treatment," but that he will take some time to rest once its over.
"I do plan to work, I do plan to read, I plan to be accessible," he told analysts.
Dimon also did his best to mollify investors' worries about who would run the bank should something happen to him. He claimed that the company has a deep bench of talented managers who are fully capable of running the firm.
He said the company already has extensive succession plans in place. "My illness has nothing to do with succession planning, I could get hit by a truck," he said on a call with journalists prior to the analyst call.
On that same media call, Dimon maintained his usual bluster. Taking a question from a reporter on the recent rise of so-called "inversion deals" in mergers and acquisitions that are mainly used to skirt taxes, he railed against Washington's corporate tax policy.
He also took the opportunity to criticize immigration policy, which he said results in a "brain drain" by sending talented students back to their home country. Washington needs to "get smart" about these issues, he said.
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Still, there was also a softer side of Dimon that emerged Tuesday among his trademark bravado. When asked what went through his mind when he first learned about his cancer, Dimon gave a candid, and heartfelt response.
"I wanted to get on the road to recovery," he said. "The most I could think about was my family at that time, as much as I love JPMorgan."
