JPMorgan Chase is preparing to roll out a pilot program which will see iPads given to investment bankers, according to a new report. Citing an internal email, Bloomberg reports that the company will distribute iPads free of charge to all associates in its global investment banking division; the bankers will be able to use the devices for corporate email, contact and calendar functionality, view attachments, mark-up and annotate confidential documents, and make client presentations, as well as download apps for personal use. “We believe there are real benefits in our working environment that can be realized using this device - as well as the personal productivity and enjoyment that come as part of the package,” two managing directors at JPMorgan said in the email. “There are a variety of ways to leverage the iPad. Some work off-the-shelf whilst others rely on JPMorgan software/security tools. Depending on its success we will evaluate if we should repeat this one time initiative and/or expand it to others.” According to the report, employees will get to keep the iPads for as long as they remain with the global investment banking division, or until the pilot program ends on May 1, 2011.