When you read this article, you will understand why my new book, The Business of Happiness, matters.
There is a lot of negative value out there created by some of these bankers.
Greed kills.
Read this article. Buy my book. All dollars generated from the sale of my book will go to charities here in DC.
As I watch the final minute of tonights game, I tooked a look at the article.
As a banker with almost 20 years experience in the trenches of banking, I have to say I am tired of the negative imagine bankers now have. Our industry is very demoralized. However, the greed was not just the bankers….
I (and many others) within the banking industry have a tremendous work ethic and integrity; and would never mislead or lead clients into products that was not right for them in order to produce a greater return for me. I understand the world needs someone to blame and bankers are it, however, everyone tends to forget it was greed across the board.
With the bust of the tech bumble, the flow of money moved from the stock market to the real estate market. Investors wanted a large return on their investment, and figured investing in properties was a safe and rewarding bet as well investing in companies that provided mortgages (an unregulated industry) would ‘pay off’. Wall Street was throwing money into any and every mortgage company and bank they could find. Individuals selling their homes wanted a larger return. Bankers were making loans to individuals, who couldn’t afford a home either because they were not honest or the potential home owner provided inaccurate information to the banker.
The only true way to stop financial ruin from happening again is finanical education. It is so important, especially starting at a young age. I was at the FDIC for a meeting on finanical education this week and the FDIC educator was mentioning the list of FDIC’s partners in the goverment and I was surprised to see that the Department of Education and Small Business Administration was not on the list. These two organizations are a natuaral power partner to teach our young about finanical education. Today, financial education is not taught in schools, even when states mandate it. Teachers are too busy trying to prepare the students for their standard testing.
The point is, we as a society should not be surprised when financial chaos results when financial education stops.
Today, I coach, train and motivate my staff to take those moment of truths during customer interaction to teach financial literacy. Additionally, I volunteer my time to go into elementary, middle and high schools to teach finanical literacy.
I know this was long, but I ask everyone that reads this, remember not all bankers are evil and do what you can to support financial literacy.
Just Amazon’d the book – can’t wait!
I ordered you book last week, and hope I can find some venue to have you sign it. I very much look forward to it. I remember filling out your impressive survey several months ago, which I assume is related to it.
Congratulations on the Caps 8 game win streak. So fun to watch them doing so well. Boy, have they grown as a team — ascending to new levels like never before.