I am not embarrassed to be a banker. I am not embarrassed to be in business.

Companies that build scale for the benefit of their customers and shareholders more often succeed over time.

I always tell people, "There's a book on everyone." I get some of that book before I do anything. If I want to deeply understand someone's reputation, I'll talk to their friends, their former bosses, their peers, and I'll learn a lot about them. I want them to be trusted. I want them to be respected. I want them to give a s - -. Then there are the intangibles: physical and emotional stamina, the ability to confront issues. I can ask all I want about those things, but I also have to see a lot of it.

All businesses tend to pass costs onto customers.

More people are working, lending is up and savings are up. These are all positive signs for a strengthening economy.

If you look at the banking business over many years, it's always been a huge user of technology. This has been going on my whole life, that people have been adding technology, digitizing services.

I am struck that so many of our leaders in the U.S. forget how strong our country can be.