Western Independent Banker - May/June 2008 - (Page 8) A Message From the Chairman People Are Just as Happy As They Make Up Their Minds to Be AT A RECENT meeting for fellow community bankers in Utah, we listened as various presenters discussed the state of the economy, the oversupply of home building lots and homes for sale, the continuing challenges between credit unions and banks in Utah, and disaster recovery. We ended the day with our state banking regulator’s perspective on upcoming bank exams and worries about financial institutions’ exposure to the real estate market. At the conclusion of the day I was glad that they did not have any sharp implements close by that would allow me to end my misery. In the least, let’s just say that at the end of the day, I’d trade my job in for anything featured on the television series, “Dirty Jobs.” While I jest, I certainly don’t want to minimize the economic risks and market situations, but what I do hope to do is reflect upon the fact that the glass is also half full. I recently read a book about Abraham Lincoln, a man we came to know as Honest Abe, a man who never wavered from the simple principles of honesty, hard work and a common respect for all mankind. He had faith that, in the end, right would prevail, and he carried the country emotionally when many of his friends and political foes were seemingly defeated. In one of his memorable quotes, Lincoln said, “Let’s have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” And, in his fi rst inaugural address, he encouraged Americans to act “by the better angels of our nature.” How do we have faith that right makes might? How do we rise to the level of the better angels of our nature? I grew up in a home where our family name stood for honor, integrity and hard work. I never saw my father get madder than when we would tell him one of those little white lies, something so common with children. When I became a banker, I understood why he got so upset. I had fallen to the same level as borrowers do when they lie about why they cannot make payments. Faye, my grandfather, would tell me as a young man that I really had nothing to take with me to the next life but my name and how I treated others. He would tell me that if you were dishonest you would have to constantly look over your shoulder to see who was coming after you. I knew that was not the way I wanted to live. I needed to face up to the facts of life – good, bad or indifferent – and to always live the truth. That to me is what our industry is known for. It has been a living tragedy to see the way that we as bankers are portrayed in the movies. People imagine that we drive around in our big expensive cars looking for someone to take advantage of. Nothing could be further from the truth. How many of you are proud to drive around your communities and look at the places that you have helped? How many homes have you built for those that needed and wanted them? How many businesses have you fi nanced so they could provide more employment for your community? Many times, you were the only way that a business could stay in business; you knew the people and believed in them. Yes, bankers are the heart of our communities. I am proud to be a banker and a businessman in a country that allows me to be independent. I am proud to be a part of the leadership of Western Independent Bankers, a great association that my family has been part of for 70 years. It truly represents who I am and the feelings that I have about being a banker. I am grateful that we have an enthusiastic and professional staff that shares the dedication to the principles of independent banking. In closing, I share one last quote from Abraham Lincoln. He said, “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” May we decide to find happiness in our roles as bankers, in our communities and in the upcoming year. Matt C. Packard, WIB Chairman Chairman & CEO Central Bank, Utah 8 www.wib.org Western Independent Banker http://www.wib.org
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