Community bank to Paulson: Take your bailout and shove it!
A reader e-mails: “I am a very loyal fan of your blog and I appreciate all that you do! Attached is a letter from my bank’s chairman Mariner Kemper to Henry Paulson explaining why we refused to be bailed out. I am so proud to be an employed at an institution that stands up to socialism (and didn’t
follow the lemmings off the sub-prime mortgage cliff).” Kemper is CEO of UMB Financial, which refused to take additional capital under the U.S. Treasury Department Capital Purchase Program.
Right on!
November 3, 2008
Mr. Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
Secretary of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220Dear Secretary Paulson:
As I reflect on the financial crisis that has gripped our nation, I feel compelled to write to you.
Government action was clearly needed to help shore up the nation’s financial institutions. I applaud you for taking quick action. However, I am gravely concerned with the actions that have been taken and their long-term implications for both our industry and the impact these measures will have on the moral fiber of our future leaders.
First, the rescue was more of a bailout. Its results will have made the large institutions larger and harder to manage and regulate. Secondly, as the system is repaired, these institutions which took such actions to bring the system down will be rewarded with new capital and clean balance sheets at the taxpayers’ expense. Meanwhile, financial institutions such as UMB will be penalized for operating with sound principles. Our first order of business is to protect our depositors’ liquidity. As a result of your actions, those who abused the system get stronger and those who protected their shareholders’ interest and those of the Deposit Insurance Fund will pay the price.
Lastly, I think it is inappropriate to use taxpayers’ funds to inject into healthy private enterprises. What message are we sending our future leaders? Is there no reward for doing the right thing? It seems there is only penalty. The reward seems to be for the reckless.
I believe that under a new administration, the CPP will become a political issue. I am afraid the new capital being used to shore up balance sheets and make acquisitions will not be looked upon favorably, as its original intent was to free up liquidity for extending credit.
Please while you go about the hard work of repairing our nation’s financial system, do not overlook the opportunity to restore dignity and respect for sound and responsible business principles.
If you don’t stand up for the good guys, who will?
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours very sincerely,
Mariner Kemper
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
UMB Financial
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Trackbacks
- Why I’m going to start banking at UMB
- BizzyBlog » Things I’d Like To Post About Today ….. (11708, Morning)
- Everyone lines up for a bailout | Conservative247
- Community bank to Paulson: Take your bailout and shove it! | WinkyDog
- Gop3.com: The Triumvirate » Blog Archive » One Bank CEO Has The Courage to Stand Up to the Bailout Bonanza
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Categories: Subprime crisis
Bench Memos
» Sunstein to OIRA
Riehl World View
» An Unnecessary President
Weekly Standard
» Beat to the Punch
NewsBusters.org
» R.I.P., Rev. Richard John Neuhaus
Hot Air
» Video: Hamas’s greatest hits
Hot Air
» Remember when deficits were evil?
Right Wing Nut House
» IRAN OPENS SECOND FRONT AGAINST ISRAEL


NewsBusters.org
» Obama's Proposed Energy Czar Scrubbed From Socialist Website

Solomonia
» Karl Rove on Short Memories





Amazing. Someone in the banking industry still knows how to do the right thing.
Woo-hoo! A glimmer of hope is still alive for our country’s future.
How do I deposit money in that bank long-distance? Kudos.
Midas Mulligan lives!
One thing to remember is that if you have a well run bank, there may be one personal reason for not wanting to be “bailed out”. Because once you get government money, the government will have a bigger say in how you run your bank.
Wow! How gratifying to read such a letter. Thank you UMB!
This story is being repeated all across the country with small community banks.
Over the past 20 years I have done business with two banks, Hilltop Bank headquartered in Casper,Wy and Security State Bank based in Basin, Wy. Both community banks with sound business (and most notably lending) practices. When I need a loan, they both require proof of income and a good credit history.
And they both offer free checking with no minimum balance.
I have no need for Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citi Bank etc. etc. I have a local banker that cares about me and our community.
Oh, and both of my Senators (Dr John Barrasso and Mike Enzi) voted NO on the crap sandwich.
Way to go guys.
Looking for a branch of UMB in my town right now.
No branches in Texas but as soon as one opens up I will be going there.
http://www.superpoop.com/102008/bailout.jpg
A list of the UMB -type banks and credit unions through out the ststes- would be helpful…
Then we can support them w/our $$$ savings and loans…while they look out for our investments…
Thank you-Mariner Kemper…for standing strong and stating your stand through the written word….
C-CS
I think my bank is one of these. It pays 5% interest on checking with no min balance. The only requirements are e-statements and you must use your debit card at least 10 times per month, which I have no problem with as I never carry much cash. We got enough interest in one account last year to pay 2 of my car payments.
OH yes, I forgot. It pays interest up to $25,000 but my hubby and I each have an account.
What bank is that nlebou?
Here’s UMB’s website. Their locations are scattered throughout the midwest. Darn it.
GEE!
There’s still someone with a sound mind out there.
Nope. Just checked. My bank is not one of these but it is a good one. It is a community bank but it is a local bank only. UCB
I closed my Wachovia account a few weeks back and the comments to open an account with UMB sounds like a great idea. All conservatives just need to move their money and accounts into institutions that follow conservative principles.
Sounds like a great idea for a website.
Institutions can show their open books and/or prove their soundness and those with capital can choose to invest. One-stop shop
If they have their own ATM card, and will take a new account from California……
……I’m changing banks!
Yeh, saw Newt out there touting exactly what he was saying just a couple of days before he caved on the Bailout fiasco.
Sorry Newt. I like what you say, but for you to flip on a position and then to flip back within just a matter of weeks - I just cant trust you at the moment. (maybe you never really did - but who knows)
Trust takes a long time to build and you can lose it all forever in just a matter of minutes.
why am i posting about newt on this thread???? hmmm
sorry i think i made a wrong turn somewhere…
oh…supposed to be on the Palin wins one…my bad
Yeah, UMB Financial! I hope that there are a LOT more organizations like you (both solvent and not taking government money and control).
They have an online banking page. I haven’t read the documents yet to see if you can be out of their area and still have an account.
Makes me proud to call Kansas City home. Well done, Mr. Kemper.
Actually, I remember being near tears listening to Glenn Beck recount the scene from his “Deep Throat” contact who was in on the big meeting when the heads of the banks were told they were getting this bailout $$. There were a few heads of heavy-hitter banks who flat-out refused it — including Wells Fargo — saying they didn’t need it or want it.
According to Deep Throat, they were told there was no option and that they wouldn’t be leaving the room until they literally signed the paperwork.
To add to the misery, Beck’s WH Deep Throat predicted that “Americans will finally come to understand the enormity of this financial mess by December. By next December, they won’t recognize their country.”
This is United Missouri Bank, UMB, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. The Kemper family has always run their business on the up and up and are a credit to the industry.
Well, clearly this chairman just does not get it. His bank will have to be ‘assimilated’ by one of the governmant run banks in order to ‘protect the taxpayers’ interests.
I would not be surprised to see a ‘hostile’ takeover bid by one if the new ‘government’ banks in the near future. Sometime next summer, when his remarks cool down a bit and the impending IRS audit is ‘announced’, will probably be the right time.
Cheers to UMB and those like them!
But you can do things like open a CD with them. After I have a closer look, that’s what I plan to do.
All Hail UMB and Integrity!!!
sandyb, at 1:00 pm today, said:
I too remember, sandy. I hate to think what’s in store for UMB and her ilk.
Sadly I just heard that my bank, M&I, is one of the well run, successful banks attempting to receive government money.
It seems like the “free” money was too hard to pass up.
I contacted UMB, they only offer services to those in their region.
Well this news makes me glad I am a UMB customer, now can we get Kemper to be Treasury Secretary?
Six - count ‘em - six branches in Colorado Springs and one in Littleton.
So happy to be out of California!
Ugh… yeah.. it occurred to me that to deposit anything, you’d probably have to show ID in person. The ole pesky money laundering thing I suppose.