The Occupy Wall Street gang seems to garner more press coverage than the state of the U.S. economy, the presidential election, and the MLB playoffs combined. In terms of media excitement, only the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor competes.
Who are these people and what do they want? The press can't even figure it out and spin it to something cohesive, even though they really, really, really want to. But it has something to do with economic justice, whatever that means. Whenever talking heads say "___fill in blank____ justice" it makes me nervous. It usually relates to socialism and according to all of my college economics professors, socialism doesn't have a great history of success. Though I admit that I could not understand many of my econ profs.
My first division officer in the Navy told me that if bad things were happening to me, look to me first before I start pointing the finger elsewhere. I think both bankers and Occupy Wall Streeters are falling into a whining trap. If Occupy Wall Street truly represented a movement to improve the economic status of lower and middle income families, here is where I think they should focus their energy, and also what banks can contribute:
1. Learn robotics. Factories provided blue collar workers with middle income wages. We ignored the signs of globalization, and instituted wage scales and inefficient work rules that made manufacturing things overseas much more attractive to companies (and buyers of the goods manufactured). So we let manufacturing leave our shores for cheaper labor and more flexible work rules. But the loss of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. has stabilized. If we are to grow manufacturing with middle income jobs we need to master robotics to make plants more efficient and attractive for companies to work here. According to Maxizip.com, a robotics technician can earn $30,000-$45,000. Do you want to do something to help the U.S. economy and your family, consider robotics. If not robotics, then research good paying blue collar jobs (see here) and focus your efforts there. And for Pete's sake, be flexible. If you install doors on GMC trucks, don't go on strike if asked to do dashboards on Chevy's.
2. Start a business. Economic cycles of yore resulted in many more business startups than the current one. One reason, in my opinion, is politicians' continually extending unemployment benefits. If you keep paying somebody not to work, it saps the sense of urgency for would-be entrepreneurs to seek opportunities to be their own boss. During periods of heavy uncertainty it is typical for opportunities to identify and fill a need to arise. Don't let the drug of the monthly check keep you on the sidelines. Do some research, write a plan, and start a business. You want bankers to suck up to you, see what happens when you get a successful business up and running.
3. Go to business school. If you would like to earn similar money to Wall Streeters, go to business school and earn it yourself. There is a misconception that people that work in finance were born with silver spoons in their mouths. To be fair, there are some on the Street that were born on second base and think they hit a double. But I know from experience that many if not most came from much humbler beginnings, went to B school, and worked hard to get where they are. Most Americans that are in the lower to middle economic categories do not pay full fare at business school. Some may go for little or no cost. So if you want to Occupy Wall Street, why not do it from inside the building instead of out.
This is a banking blog. So how can bankers improve the economy, their communities, and expand opportunities for Occupy Wall Streeters? Here is how I think:
1. Run an Angel Fund from your holding company. "Bankable" businesses typically have a profitable operating history or real estate with significant equity. This makes startups that don't have real estate to lend against unattractive to banks. So how can banks get capital to entrepreneurs with a great idea, solid business plan, and reasonable chance for success? How about run an Angel Fund that focuses on startups within the bank's markets? The bank need not be the only investor, but can run it profitably through management fees, the "ups", and diversification.
2. Do SBA lending. So many bank clients shy from SBA because of strict rules, paperwork, and fear of not receiving the guarantee if the business defaults. But there are ample vendors to do SBA lending for you and can be flexible in how the program is structured. If you don't want the risk, simply receive a marketing fee for bringing the vendor to the customer and providing an opportunity for that early stage business in your community to receive a government backed loan.
3. Run a business plan contest. How many times have you driven down the street and see a new business that you doubt will succeed? Many entrepreneurs jump in with both feet prior to doing research, writing a business plan, and having the capital in place. The discipline of doing so improves the likelihood of success. Why doesn't your FI run a contest in your community for the best startup business plan and award a meaningful prize, such as $25,000, to get the business off of the ground. The Nashua Bank in New Hampshire ran such a campaign and the CEO said it was a great success. The discipline of performing the research and drafting a business plan will help all participants, not just the winner.
There! Three things that would be more constructive than carping about bankers' pay by Occupy Wall Streeters and whining by banks about the state of the economy. Let's get off the whine and into the game!
What do you think would be more productive use of time for FIs?
~ Jeff
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