-
The $3.4 billion-asset company announced last week that it paid $600,000 for a ham — the grand champion ham at the 48th Kentucky Country Ham Auction, an annual charity event.
August 26 -
The banking industry tried last week to make up for its mistreatment of military customers, which received some deserved bad press, with a "Veterans on Wall Street" fundraiser.
July 12
Who knew that bankers are so hog wild?
Though many bankers are perpetually confined to offices, a respectable number head to the open road on motorcycles, said Leo Hinkley, a communications officer at BankAtlantic in Fort Lauderdale.
"People don't realize how many bankers do ride motorcycles," said Hinkley, who has been riding a little over a year. "There are no raised eyebrows. I'll go to an event and see someone on a Harley. Often I find out that they work for a bank."
Friends at the New York Stock Exchange introduced Hinkley to the hobby, and he started riding as an activity share with his son. Motorcycles are popular in Florida and a cross section of professionals take part in the pastime, Hinkley said.
About a dozen BankAtlantic employees, including Hinkley, were scheduled to ride Sunday in the "
The event gives motorcycle enthusiasts a chance to ride a 55-mile route through Broward County with a police escort and uninterrupted by traffic lights, said Hinkley, who added he was getting goose bumps thinking about the event.
"It's just heaven," he said.
In his 12 years with BankAtlantic, the $3.6 billion-asset company always had a strong culture of volunteerism, Hinkley said. The bank encourages its employees to be involved in the community and charity events, including participating in several motorcycle rides during the year, Hinkley said.
It is important for community banks to be active in their towns and cities rather than just talking about it, he advised.
Being involved allows the community to see the bank as a "local friendly banker versus somebody from another state or country that is just offering a checking account," Hinkley said.
Rain put a damper on attendance Sunday, but the bikers rolled as planned, foundation officials said Monday. An estimate of proceeds from the event was not yet available.
