A Banker With a Soul.
How often have you met a banker with a soul? Most of them are driven by the numbers that define the bottom line and most people to them are manifestations of a financial transaction, at best.
I met Jerry Kyle 12 years ago, as I clutched my business plan with aspirations of creating something special. Most bankers I had approached went straight to the back of the plan to peruse the financials. Jerry was the only one who put the plan aside and asked me to articulate my vision. What a novel idea! 72 hours later I had a financial commitment and the rest, as they say, is history.
Jerry and I settled in at our local bar and sipped on fine wine as we started our conversation. He was reflective, introspective and surprisingly emotional as his eyes got misty from time to time during our conversation. He talked at length about his values and his mistakes, the things he would do differently and his family that is so focal to his life.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, his father was a dairy farmer and he moved to Florida with his family in 1955. He grew up in a modest, yet secure, cohesive family unit and excelled in sports while in high school. His family had its own share of challenges and I believe that some of those challenges shaped who is today. Jerry spent a 3 year stint in the US Navy and worked with electronics. The Navy also gave him the opportunity to travel the world and he developed a deep appreciation for his own position in life. His love for his country became front and center as he saw the struggles of people where he traveled. America has a way of doing that to you — we tend to lose sight of how good we have it until we travel.
School was always important to Jerry. He took a lower salary so that he would be educated in banking. He honed his soft skills and worked hard with integrity and sincerity. It was not all a bed of roses along the way. He made critical mistakes in his business decision making. In retrospect, he wishes he had invested more in education and invested more in his people. Unfortunately, as he eloquently stated, short-term mistakes have long-term consequences. I think these early lessons shaped his future orientation, and allowed him to build one of the most successful community banks.
He got pensive for a moment and said, “Failure doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.” He spoke about the importance of integrity. If you don’t have that, you have nothing, he said. I wonder if our age shades our thinking with a strong philosophical hue.
As he spoke, I watched him from across the table — seeing him in a different light for the very first time. Distinguished, immaculately dressed and insightful. He spoke with surprising humility and honesty, revealing facets of his life I am certain he has not discussed before. It is a privilege to call him my friend, and I am glad he is on my side!
Insights: 10 Questions
- What drives you?
Financial Security. - If you had to go to the moon and take a single piece of music with you what would you take and why?
The Phantom of the Opera Track because I can listen to it forever. - If you were a cocktail, how would you describe yourself? What kind would you be and why?
A Margarita…smooth! - Who in the world would you most like to sit down and have a drink with (living or dead) and why?
George Washington. He went from “Nothing” to President. - If you had a single piece of advice to give to young people, what would it be?
Shoot for the stars and hope you hit the moon. - Who’s career do you envy and why?
A writer. Their the work lasts forever. - When you were 16 years old what did you most often get in trouble for?
Hot Rodding. - If there were one word to describe your family life growing up as a child, what would it be?
“Inconsistent” - What is the most important thing you remember about your first love?
She was honest (He did say that with a naughty twinkle in his eye; I think he was taking the party line on this one). - What would you like your legacy to be?
If you have no integrity, you have no value to society.
About Hemant Rustogi