Banking & Finance
Essays by speakers in banking and finance professions.
Andrews, T. Coleman (Thomas Coleman), 1899-1983
Accountant T. Coleman Andrews describes his belief that life is given by God and comes with a “sacred trust” to act with integrity and responsibility, and that we must remember the divinity of life to avert catastrophe.
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Boushall, Thomas C.
Businessman and banker Thomas Boushall describes how, despite diagnoses to the contrary, he survived both mastoiditis and tuberculosis, and developed the belief that his life was a gift to be used to serve God and others.
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Brown, Dale
Banker Dale Brown describes his belief that he must repay the debt he owes to his community through service to others in the community, as well as his belief that we must strive for tolerance, limiting anger and listening to others.
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Call, Asa V.
Insurance executive Asa Call describes his beliefs in moral and spiritual laws that, like the physical laws of nature, must be discovered and followed in order to succeed in life.
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Day, J. Warren
Accountant and radio broadcasting company director J. Warren Day recounts how looking at ripples in a lake made him realize that all of his actions and life choices have consequences, and describes his belief that a life of service, especially in helping children learn about God, is the most unselfish and Christian life he can imagine.
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Earle, Edwin, 1904-1989
Insurance agent Edwin Earle recounts a lesson from a painting instructor at art school and the impact they had on him later in life when coping with his blindness and other adversity.
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Harris, E. A. Gene
Mortgage broker, real estate agent, and newspaper editor Gene Harris describes his belief that following “natural laws” in one’s daily life will help build a “storm-proof philosophic anchorage.”
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Hart, Lawrence
Insurance agent Lawrence Hart describes his beliefs: that the world was intelligently designed, that we have been given brains to combat sin and suffering and the desire to help make the world better, that we are responsible for who we are as much as heredity or environment, that truth will prevail over falsehood, that Christ’s principals are the finest ever taught, that worship services and meditation are essential to understanding life’s meaning, and that life continues after death.
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Johnson, Holgar J.
Insurance executive Holgar Johnson explains the importance of adapting to change for progress, and lists some of his beliefs such as faith in the honesty of people, respect for people, the importance of compassion, taking action for one’s self, and the belief in a higher power.
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Jones, Morton T., b. 1892
Insurance executive Morton Jones describes how he learned to rely on God’s help for the moment at hand, and his belief that God’s daily guidance removes fear about the future.
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Kennedy, Jay Richard
Investment adviser and author Jay Kennedy speaks of growing up as a young, homeless orphan and the important lesson of survival that he learned and by which he still lives, although now this lesson is tempered by the knowledge that to fully develop, one must do so within the context of relationships with others.
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Lea, Joshua M.
Insurance executive Joshua Lea describes his beliefs (based on the book of Ecclesiastes) that an afterlife would be a surprise but not an unpleasant one; that humanity is not inherently sinful, but only its inventions; that liberty is essential to allow individuals to live by their own decisions; and that it is his responsibility to exercise his intellect, curiosity, and reason.
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Lehman, Herbert H. (Herbert Henry), 1878-1963
Former Governor of New York, U.S. Senator, and partner at the Lehman Brothers investment banking firm, Herbert Lehman describes his two basic beliefs: first, one should give back to society according to what he or she has received, and secondly, one should extend respect to the opinions and beliefs of others.
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Mann, Edward M.
Banker Edward Mann describes the simple truths that he believes are the root of his happiness; faith in God, service to others, and friendships.
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McGaha, Charles P.
Banker and petroleum geologist Charles McGaha describes his belief that he is responsible to help make the world a better place, and explains how his belief that circumstances can impact a person’s outcome in life gives him more tolerance of others.
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McVey, James Lewis
Insurance agent James McVey reflects on values as he matures and makes note of the ones that remain firm, such as the Golden Rule, and tells how happiness is the fruit of a simple life.
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Petersen, Howard C. (Howard Charles), 1910-
Howard Petersen, President of Fidelity Philadelphia Trust Company, describes how children confidently believe that good will triumph over evil, and outlines his belief that we must work to make this youthful optimism a reality by learning to live in harmony with others.
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Ralph, K. James
Jim Ralph, Comptroller of New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, describes his belief in the simple virtues he learned as a boy, and which have sustained him through the loss of a leg in WWI, supported his happy marriage, and become reaffirmed through his work with the Lakemont Academy preparatory school for boys.
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Roosevelt, Theodore, 1914-2001
Theodore Roosevelt III describes what he believes was an unusual family life growing up (his father ensured he spent time with the children) and describes his own belief in and appreciation for the support of his wife and the value of a strong home life.
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Scott, Edgar
Broker and author Edgar Scott describes his beliefs that the universe was created by God, that God is loving and in control of events, that the existence of evil does not negate the existence of God but rather teaches us important life lessons, that what happens after death is still an “unsolved puzzle,” and that individuals must surrender to the things in life which are too big for them to dominate.
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Sinclair, John S. (John Stephens), 1897-1972
Banker, lawyer, insurance executive, and businessman John Sinclair describes his belief that faith in an immortal soul, prayer, knowledge of the truth, and humility will help him overcome discouragement, cynicism, and the fear of death.
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Thayer, Frederick
Banker Frederick Thayer considers the many different philosophies and belief systems in the world and arrives at the conclusion that people would be better off focusing on their present life and conduct rather than on their afterlife.
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Totton, Frank M., 1890-1954
Banker Frank Totton describes the meaning he finds in life as a result of his religious faith and belief that God works through man, a belief which encourages and enables him to support and aid others.
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Williams, Alfred Hector, 1893-1974
Alfred Williams, President of the Reserve Bank in Philadelphia and former Dean and Trustee of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, explains his belief that we all perceive the world differently and so we need to try to approach one another with empathy, respect, and compassion, and that this attitude is particularly important in the American business world where people spend such a great deal of time and attention.
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Wooten, Ben
Ben Wooten, Director of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, describe his belief that a divine designer rewards the hard work of individuals devoted to a worthy cause, and describes how, despite being the son of poor Texan farmers, he succeeded in his career choice as a banker.
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