Black Men with Money

At the Diamante Bank, three of the four topic executives were black men, including the CEO. Benson “Benny” Tabernacle ran the bank with a verve that was revered by his colleagues.

“We have to increase our base by at least thirty percent by next quarter. We’re keeping our heads above water but I want to be doing the backstroke by this time next year.”

Keely Kroger, COO, looked at his boss. It was a look of admiration mixed with a slight fear he had always held for Tabernacle. He couldn’t explain the emotion but he felt it came from a genuine place.

“We’re going to open in the West. Wyoming, Nevada. These states are business friendly like Delaware. If we are able to tap into these spaces, we will have the power to take hold of a newer, younger clientele.”

CTO Neary Gonzalez added something. “Keel’s right. Once we go West, we’ll have the opportunity to win.”

Tabernacle looked at the figures like a hawk stalking its prey.

“Gentlemen, your contributions are worthy. Pax, what do you think?” asked Tabernacle.

Pax Pasar raised from his seat. As the financial officer of this bank, I have to say it’s a great idea to expand…just not yet.”

“What are you talking about Pax? We’re poised to have dividends in the tens of billions for the first time since this bank opened its doors.”

“I’m aware of that. Trust me. Diamante would still be a struggling little financial institution in Wilmington. We spread through this state then Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. We could not have done so without the tenacity of everyone in our branches as well as the people in this room. Now, we have to keep the momentum going.”

“Yeah, and how do we do that? Do we just put the bank on a plane and say ‘good luck’?” Gonzalez asked.

Kroger snickered. “In reality,” Pasar replied, “It’s going to take another five billion to start in the other states.”

“See?” Gonzalez pointed out.

“Wait a minute, Neary. I’d like to hear more from Pax,” Tabernacle retorted. “If this is the best thing we can do for the bank, maybe we should listen exactly to what he has to say.”

Pasar breathed. “In the time that we’re going to expand in the East, we could be focused on the states that support entrepreneurs. And I don’t just mean people that found enterprises. I mean any and all businesspeople ready to get into the fight. To get down and do the things required for making a success in America.”

“I can respect that,” Kroger said. “I mean we've been in the black like a million times. We’re powering more businesses with the possibilities we offer with our loans and brokering abilities. If we cut a big check to start anew in the West Side, we will have to consult with environmentalists, lawyers, and others. Are we ready for that?”

Pasar looked at Kroger. “Yes.”

“Do we have to go through all of this? I mean like you said, profits are on the uo and up. We’re raking it in every fourth quarter. To take this thing out of the tri state would be risky. Even New York or D.C. could pose as too risky.”

“Bullshit!” Pasar exclaimed. “We have enough firepower on the ground to keep this war machine rolling. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t look at those markets after Wyoming and Nevada. This is where we must go if we are to thrive, gents. It’s what we ought to do.”

“I want to keep this cool, guys. Let’s go with Pax’s plan and keep the dollars rolling,” Tabernacle explained.