The crossword clue asked about a theme for this time of year. After a few seconds and having determined the first letter was “U”,  I filled in the word “Unto” (for – “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”). It worked!

Unto – A rather simple word and not a word we use often. It’s quite different than the word “Undo”  which we probably use (or at least think of) often each day. How do we change as a person when we use or think about the word Unto?

What if your mom went to a business in town? Would you not want that business to “do unto“ your mom as you would treat that person’s mom who came to you? How about fellow employees? Shouldn’t you do unto them as you would have them do unto you? Why all this hullabaloo about an old-fashioned four-letter word that nobody hardly uses? Because it is powerful in so many ways.

At PVB we have tried since 1888 to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. It is a day-in, day-out thing that is part of our DNA. Often this extra effort may go unnoticed… but it always goes appreciated.

After all the press about banking issues and questions about FDIC Insurance, this past month (March 2023) PVB’s deposits grew in checking, money markets, savings, and in CDs

Why?

Yes, some of this was likely due to our competitive rates. Also, some about our long history and strong capital. My gut tells me though, that a significant reason for this success in the face of adversity is our people and their attitudes toward their customers. This “unto others“ thing makes a big difference in a world where so many are out for themselves and have selfish attitudes. Folks can tell if you are real or not.

Life can be pretty complicated if you let it. But if you start with some basics, such as how your treat and respect others, the world becomes a simpler and kinder place.

Stay Safe.
– Leton

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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.