The US Securities and Exchange Commission is considering taking civil action against JP Morgan Chase for its dealings with National Century Financial Enterprises, a collapsed US healthcare finance provider.

In an SEC filing on Monday the bank said: "The staff of the SEC has advised that it is considering recommending that the Commission bring civil injunctive actions against the firm and against two individuals (one current employee and one former employee) alleging violations of certain securities laws in connection with the individuals' roles as former members of National Century's board of directors."