We're trying to build a solid, sound base on which to grow long term. Our goal is a billion-dollar institution in eight years or less and a $3 billion bank beyond. We have a long-term, long-range vision and goal and we're just executing to get there.

It's easier to hire somebody with personality and teach them to be a banker than it is to hire a banker with personality, because they're pretty rare.

We have caught them and we should be pretty competitive the rest of the year. It's taken four years, but we are really happy with where the program is at.

Ramon ran very well. He broke 17 minutes for the first time.

I thought the girls ran pretty well. We have a new fifth runner and we have to work out some things. But in a couple of weeks they should be right up there with the boys.

All of us had worked for big banks before. We weren't real enthused about that prospect, ... Once the transaction was closed, I think we all looked at each other and saw it in everybody's eyes and said, 'Hmmm, this is not where we want to be.'

There was a tremendous sense of betrayal on the part of the employees because they had bought into the philosophy of being independent and that bank had been so successful, ... To a person, there was a sense of loss.

We have been building up our program to a point where it can compete with any school in any division. We are about there.