Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey probably won't need a home equity loan.
The new parents of the world's only surviving septuplets already have some offers from Iowa companies that want to build them a new house, said Steven L. Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Hartford- Carlisle Savings Bank.
Mr. Wilson, who has been the couple's banker for several years, said the bank is trying to do its part in helping the Iowa family cope with its multiple blessings.
"We opened up a trust account for the children," he said. "People have been very generous so far."
The McCaugheys will be sole guardians of the trust, he said.
Displaying the town's protective nature, which kept Ms. McCaughey's pregnancy secret for months, Mr. Wilson would only say that his now famous customers are "very quiet people."
The birth Wednesday of the McCaughey septuplets - four boys and three girls - made headlines worldwide, and the attention isn't likely to fade soon.
Even $44 million-asset Hartford-Carlisle is dealing with hordes of reporters and photographers from newspapers and the major networks.
Though the townsfolk are waiting for the fanfare to die down, Mr. Wilson says the bank's interest in the septuplets won't diminish. He looks forward to having all seven as customers one day.
"That would be wonderful," he said.
- Joanna Sullivan
A Washington, D.C., bank took some unusual steps to make sure its newest branch is a success.
On Thursday, Adam National Bank blessed its fifth location, in Washington's Chinatown, with a Chinese lion dance.
"We wanted the branch to fit into the community, to respect their traditions," said David M. Glaser, a vice president of Adams and manager of the Chinatown branch.
According to the $124 million-asset bank, Chinese culture dictates that the lion dance be performed before embarking on any business venture, to ensure prosperity and success.
The "lion," actually a puppet manned by several people, performs a dance that is supposed to drive away negative spirits and rid the business of bad luck.
Mr. Glaser said the branch was designed with feng shui, a Chinese philosophy, in mind. A feng shui expert was consulted to make sure the branch's color schemes and architecture fit the community. - Louis Whiteman
