1860s American Tycoon Chapter 36 36: Bank

New York, Wall Street.

The five-story granite building, which once bore the brass plaque of "Knickerbocker Bank," finally welcod its new owner after a week of silence.

Felix, Catherine, and Tom Hayes stepped into the vast and magnificent bank lobby.

On the marble floor, scraps of paper and debris left behind by depositors during the run on the bank last week were still scattered.

The air was filled with a desolate scent, a mixture of despair and dust.

"Unbelievable," Catherine murmured, looking up at the high, intricately carved do.

"A week ago, this was one of the busiest places on Wall Street. Now it's like an abandoned mausoleum."

"All dynasties are replaced, Catherine," Felix said calmly, without a hint of lant. "The mausoleum of the old king is the cornerstone of the new king."

"So," Hayes rubbed his hands together and asked excitedly, "Boss, what will your kingdom be called?"

Felix walked to the center of the lobby, looking around at the empty bank teller windows.

"Argyle Empire Bank."

Empire Bank.

This na, full of dominance and ambition, montarily stunned both Hayes and Catherine.

"A very bold na, Boss," Hayes grinned. "I like it. I imagine those old guys on Wall Street will drop their cigars when they hear it."

"A na doesn't say everything," Catherine was more composed. "Boss, we now face a more practical problem. Who will manage this Bank?"

"We need a Bank President."

Felix nodded at her and said, "You're right, a bank isn't just four walls and a license. It also needs people and credibility."

"And I," Felix chuckled self-deprecatingly, "currently have no credibility on Wall Street and have never managed a bank, so I'm not suitable."

"Your Bank needs a 'face'," Hayes said. "A clean, respectable, and credible old-school banker. Soone who can convince both depositors and fellow Wall Street bankers."

Catherine raised a question, "Would such a person be willing to work for a controversial new Bank like ours?"

"Of course, because I can offer him sothing his previous master couldn't," a confident glint flashed in Felix's eyes, a sign of his well-thought-out plan.

"Such as dignity, and an opportunity to build an ideal kingdom."

He turned to Catherine.

"Catherine, I need you to invite a guest for ."

"Mr. George Templeton."

"The forr First Vice President of New York Comrcial Bank."

Catherine imdiately recalled Mr. Templeton's information from the Wall Street knowledge she had been cramming these days.

"Mr. Templeton? I've heard of him. An old banker known in the industry for his prudence and integrity. However, records show he announced his retirent last month due to health reasons."

"That's what the newspapers say, Catherine," Felix corrected. "What I heard from Flynn's intelligence was a different version of the story."

"The real story is that the Comrcial Bank's board of directors bypassed him, their first choice, last month. They chose to give the Bank President position to the board chairman's idiot son-in-law, who is good for nothing but playing polo."

"So, Mr. Templeton didn't retire due to health; he resigned because he couldn't tolerate the humiliation."

"A proud loser, full of wisdom and experience, yet blocked from the doors of power," Felix summarized his view.

"Do you think he is currently enjoying his retirent, or is he in his lonely study on Long Island, longing for an opportunity to return to the fray and prove himself?"

...Three days later, in Mr. Templeton's study, filled with books and the scent of the sea.

Felix t the old banker, who appeared even thinner and more tired than he looked in the newspapers.

"Mr. Argyle."

Templeton's tone was indifferent, carrying a detachnt of soone who had seen through the ways of the world.

"I know you; your na has been prominent in New York these past two days. But I must say, I don't like your way of doing business."

Felix didn't take the old banker's words to heart, as his business philosophy differed from these traditionalists.

"Precisely because of that, Mr. Templeton. That's why I ca to you."

"You possess what I lack," he said. "Half a century of banking experience and an impeccable personal reputation."

"And I," Felix looked at him, "also possess what you lack."

"Abundant cash, and an ambition to challenge the old order of Wall Street."

He pushed a prepared business plan across to Templeton.

"Argyle Empire Bank." Templeton frowned at the aggressive na.

"I don't need a speculative casino like Knickerbocker," Felix explained. "What I want to build is a brand-new comrcial Bank."

"Its core business isn't to engage in those epheral stock speculations. Instead, it's to provide the most stable financial support for the booming industries of our nation."

"Like my food company, my railroad company, and countless other erging enterprises like these in the future."

"I provide capital and clients," Felix looked at him. "And I need you to provide experience and credibility. I invite you to serve as the first Bank President of Argyle Empire Bank."

A subtle glint flashed in Templeton's eyes.

"What do I get?" he asked.

"You will have complete operational independence," Felix laid out his terms. "Full responsibility for the Bank's deposits, loan approvals, and daily managent. You can build this Bank according to your most prudent principles; as Chairman of the Board, I will not interfere. Of course, the premise is not to harm the interests of the Bank and myself."

"My only requirent is that the Bank must be absolutely secure."

"This is a very tempting offer, Mr. Argyle," Templeton admitted. "But why should I trust a young man like you, known for 'taking risks'?"

"Because you are a loser, Mr. Templeton."

Felix stared directly into his eyes, his words like a dagger, precisely piercing the old man's heart.

"You, like , are soone cast aside by that rigid and nepotistic old order."

"And now," Felix stood up and extended his hand to him, "I offer you, and myself, an opportunity to build a brand new order."

"A new order that believes only in ability, not in background."

Templeton looked at Felix's eyes, which burned with a fierce fla.

His heart, which should have been quiet, began to beat again at this mont.

After a long pause, he slowly stood up and took the outstretched hand.

"Mr. Argyle," his voice was filled with renewed strength.

"I must say, perhaps working for soone like you."

"Will be much more interesting than being with those idiots."

Six days later, news that had been a topic of enthusiastic discussion among Wall Street financiers for a long ti spread throughout the entire street.

At the entrance of the iconic building that once belonged to the Knickerbocker Bank, an old bronze plaque was rcilessly removed by workers.

In its place was a brand new, massive sign made of pure brass.

Engraved on it, in a typeface full of power and classical beauty, was its new na:

Argyle Empire Bank.

"Empire Bank."

On a street corner, a young financial reporter said to his disdainful senior next to him, "This Argyle, his ambition is practically undisguised."

"Ambition needs to be supported by strength, kid." The old reporter's gaze, however, fell on another figure at the bank's entrance that shocked him even more, "Look, who is that."

Through the bank's newly polished, spotless revolving door, an elderly man with white hair, a tall and straight posture, leaning on a walking stick, slowly erged.

"My God… Is that… George Templeton?" The young reporter couldn't believe his eyes. "Didn't he retire?"

"Yes," the old reporter's voice grew solemn, "but regrettably, it seems he's back now."

"A wealthy Felix Argyle."

"Plus George Templeton's personal reputation."

The old reporter looked at the brand new sign and murmured, "Kid, rember today."

"A new banking giant might have been born on Wall Street today."

Inside the bank, in the top-floor conference room.

The first, informal eting of Argyle Empire Bank was being held.

Felix sat at the head of the table.

To his left was the newly appointed Bank President, George Templeton, and to his right was Tom Hayes, representing his personal investnt interests. Catherine, anwhile, was present as the representative of the bank's largest client, Argyle & Co. Foods.

"Gentlen," Felix was the first to speak, "welco to Empire Bank. Mr. Templeton, since you have officially accepted the position of Bank President, I would like to hear your plans for the bank's future operations."

Templeton, the old banker who had returned to his most familiar battlefield, had eyes full of renewed vitality.

"Boss."

He had very naturally accepted this title that was rapidly gaining popularity on Wall Street.

"My plan is simple, and it's built upon what you said when you invited ."

"We will beco a comrcial bank."

"Empire Bank's core mission is only one: to steadily attract savings and provide the most secure and reliable financial services to those industrial companies that are truly creating value."

"So, the first thing I will do after taking office," he looked at Felix, "is to strictly segnt all of our bank's future business."

"Segnt?"

"Yes," Templeton nodded, "the bank's traditional business, such as savings, comrcial loans, and corporate accounts, will be managed by and the people I've recruited from my old employers, as well as those Mr. Hayes has hired.

I assure you that every loan approved by the bank will have the most valuable collateral and the most reliable repaynt source. Every penny of our depositors will be absolutely safe."

Then his gaze turned to Tom Hayes, who was leisurely drinking coffee nearby.

"And Mr. Hayes can serve as the bank supervisor, and Miss Catherine can serve as a director."

"As for your Patriot Investnt Company, I suggest it remains independent, with Mr. Hayes in charge, but its funding will only co from your personal capital. It will have no relation to the bank's main business that I am responsible for."

"Because I will never allow custors' money to be used for any form of stock market speculation. This is my first and last bottom line."

Hayes smiled after hearing this; it aligned perfectly with his thoughts, as working at a bank would be too boring.

"I completely agree with Mr. Templeton's division," he said. "In fact, the Boss and I also thought the sa way. I am only responsible for hunting with the Boss's money, while Mr. Templeton is responsible for guarding the secure vault we've built."

"It seems our conversation went very smoothly; that's excellent." Felix nodded with satisfaction.

One responsible for a steady shield, one responsible for an adventurous spear.

What he wanted was precisely such an internal structure, full of tension yet perfectly balanced.

"So, what should we do on the first day of opening, Mr. Templeton?" Felix asked, "We can't just sit around, can we?"

"Oh… of course not, Boss." Templeton's face showed the confident smile of an old banker, "I an, I've already prepared the first batch of the highest quality clients."

At exactly ten o'clock that morning.

When Argyle Empire Bank's brand new revolving doors opened to the public.

A long line of luxurious carriages was already waiting at the bank's entrance.

The first to step out of a carriage was Charles Tilford.

"George," he embraced Templeton warmly as soon as he entered, "I knew you, you damned old fellow, wouldn't be content fishing in the countryside. Congratulations on your return to Wall Street."

"Charles, my old friend," Templeton laughed, "Although I don't like what you said, I still thank you for coming to support my new venture."

"Wow, buddy, I have to say, I told you so… I'm not here to support you." Tilford imdiately shook his head. "I'm here to support Mr. Argyle. His canned goods helped my trading firm set a new sales record last month."

He waved to his butler behind him, "Go, deposit half of our company's profits from last month here. I want to open a corporate account for the trading firm."

Tilford's public endorsent, full of political and business wisdom, acted like a signal.

Imdiately following, Chairman Davidson of the Arican Biscuit Guild, the owners of several of New York's largest tobacco and confectionery rchants—all businessn with dealings with Williams Company—entered the bank one after another.

They all expressed their support for Felix, their 'comrcial leader,' in the most direct way.

Moreover, according to the information they had received earlier, Argyle Empire Bank would provide loan support to industries, and they might even co knocking for help in the future.

For a ti, the opening ceremony of Argyle Empire Bank turned into a collective demonstration by New York's erging industrialists.

After all, the old money on Wall Street had bled them dry quite a bit.

That evening, after seeing off the last guest, Felix and Catherine stood side by side in the Chairman's office on the top floor of the bank.

"You've won again, my dear," Catherine leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Not only did you get a bank, but through this bank, you've also firmly united all the businessn with whom you have interests."

"This isn't just my victory, sweetheart." Felix held her, looking out at the dazzling city lights that would eventually belong to him.

"This is a victory for all of us."

"However," he changed the subject, "the bank's beginning is set. For a while, I'll be stepping back from Wall Street."

"Hmm?" Catherine was a bit puzzled. The bank had just been established, and he wasn't going to take charge? Was he that confident in Templeton?

Felix gently squeezed her cheek. "Don't worry, Templeton won't do anything to harm the bank or . After all, people like him value their reputation and credibility more than their lives. Plus, I can't stay on Wall Street and keep provoking those old guys."

"They've definitely figured out what happened before, and now they're very wary, not too welcoming of , so…"

"For now, Templeton will be responsible for the bank's stability, Hayes will be responsible for capital ventures, and you will oversee. And I," Felix kissed her cheek, "my energy needs to return to the fundantals of the business."

He then picked up a research report previously submitted by Dr. Thorne from a nearby table.

"It's ti to see how that future seed has sprouted."