Letters From Leton: Oh Boy – Homemade

Think over the years about how many times you have used that phrase – the cake or cookies someone brings to work, homegrown vegetables or fruit shared with you.

I was reminded of the value of “Homemade” last Saturday when our neighbor Jess brought over some homemade chocolate covered cherries. Normally, these are a treat she gives me around Thanksgiving before they head south for the winter. But in August  – a holiday treat – Oh Boy!!

Jess and Paul’s pastor is retiring this month, and the Pastor shared with Jess how much he would miss her annual gift of the cherries. So, Jess made him some for the road.

I wondered as I munched on the last cherry, why does no one ever say, “Oh Boy – Store Bought!”? (Well except for Aunt Bea’s pickles on the Andy Griffith Show.)

What makes Homemade so much better? Is it the ingredients? The love, care and time put into it? The expertise developed over time? Perhaps it is all of those things.

Last week I read that many Banks which had made PPP loans were selling them so they wouldn’t have to put up with the “headaches” of helping their customers through the repayment process.

That is easier and quicker – sort of like store bought.

But what happens if there are issues? I know what you are thinking – things went so “smoothly” dealing with the SBA in granting PPP loans, what could go wrong with the repayment process? (Hint – that last statement was sarcasm.)

That’s not the way we do things at PVB. Yes, it will be hard work taking care of PPP Loan Customers, but our “Homemade” approach of taking care of our customers will be followed here with PPP Loans just as it is with everything else we do. We do have a reputation to keep, don’t you know, and that reputation is simple – we care about our customers, and that is the “value add” we bring to Banking.

Now, how many days until I get some more chocolate covered cherries from Jess?

Nothing better than Homemade – in baking or in Banking.

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.