The other day one our managers sent a memo to our employees explaining that January 14th was Bank2′s 10th anniversary. The memo said, “we have grown beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.”
In response, another employee wrote me and asked a simple but profound question. She wrote, “I have one question. Is it beyond what you prayed for?”
The question took me back. Honestly, I was so busy, I had not taken the time to think about her question. It made me stop and think. The answer to her question was a resounding YES! I went to my files and looked things over and discovered God had given us way more than we had hoped for. It really is incredible what we have accomplished, the lives we have touch, changed and made better. Let me share some things with you to illustrate what God has done.
NO ONE ever thought a little bank in OKC. OK. could have a nationwide impact-We have accounts and loans in 49 of the 50 states. Maybe 4 or 5 states not 49 states. NO ONE every thought we would have a worldwide impact-We have touched the lives of people in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Japan, Colombia, Indonesia, Uganda, Indian and China. We would never have thought outside of the U.S. and certainly not 8 countries around the world. NO ONE ever thought we would loan over a BILLION dollars in 10 years. Maybe $500 million not a Billion. NO ONE ever thought we would be the Number-1 bank in the country in 2009 and the Number-3 bank in 2010 as determined by the prestigious American Banking Journal. Only one other time in my 35 year banking career have I work at a bank rated in the top 25. NO ONE ever thought we would have the Number-7 mortgage operation in the nation in 2011. We never knew mortgage operations were even rated. NO ONE ever thought we would make 89% of our loans to Native Americans last year. We thought maybe 25% of our loans would be to Native Americans. NO ONE ever thought we would have ZERO past due loans as 12-31-10. For the same period of time most banks past due % was closer to 5%. NO ONE would have thought we would accomplish these things, much less accomplish them in the middle of worst recession in the history of our nation.
So, how did it happen?
We prayed. God answered our prayers and gave us way more than we asked for or imagined. God, is so good to us and we overlook his blessing so often. Truly this is His character, to give us more than we ask for or imagine.
As the Psalmist said, “that they may know that this is Your hand-that You, Lord, have done it.” and “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory,”
When I stopped and reflected over the past 10 years three things came to mind. 1. How ungrateful I have been. I have not thanked God enough for what He has done. 2. What an amazing story, I need to share the story giving God the glory. 3. I have to pray more. This story motivates me to me to make this my Year of Prayer-YOP. I pray it does the same for you.
Ross
Tags: 10th Anniversary, Answered Prayers, To God's Glory, Year of Prayer