There were a few token chuckles.

He started describing how a municipal bank was structured, delineating a way in which the town could finance one and set it up, but realized he was getting into the weeds when he heard restless stirring from the crowd behind him, and saw two of the councilmembers talking to each other on the dais. Adjusting, he cut the technical part of his presentation short, and returned to making the case that the town not only could take such action but that it should.

“The upside?” he asked rhetorically. “This could put a stop to predatory lending practices, avoid risky financial investments, give us a chance to refinance public debt at lower rates, and generate profits that could be reinvested in the community. On a micro level, it could also do away with usurious banking fees and unfair surcharges. The downside? Well, there is an element of economic risk should citizens not support the bank—” He gestured around the packed room. “—but as you can see, and as our petition proves, the idea does have quite a bit of community backing. And, having worked in the banking business for the past two decades, I can safely say that further customer growth is virtually assured if these initial supporters are satisfied. Success breeds success.”

“Let me interrupt you,” the mayor said, leaning forward.

Coy nodded. “Certainly, sir. What is your concern?”

“My concern is that a town can’t own a commercial enterprise. We can’t run our own bank.”

“Tell that to the Bank of North Dakota,” Coy said. “It’s been a publicly owned bank for a hundred years, and has weathered countless recessions and market downturns.” He glanced down at his cheat sheet. “Or the Territorial Bank of American Samoa, which is also publicly owned and was started because commercial banks weren’t doing business in the territory.”

The mayor looked skeptical.

“There’s a track record of success. All we have to do is follow that blueprint.” He looked at Trixie, who smiled her encouragement. “Which brings me to the reason we’re all here today, the reason we’re proposing this bank in the first place: First People’s.”

“Yes!” someone exclaimed.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush. We all know the terrible effects that bank has had on our town in a remarkably short period of time. You’ve all seen the foreclosures, heard about worthy people who were denied loans which were then given to unreliable individuals and criminal operations. Not to mention the downright weird things that have been happening around town. Murders. Deaths. Bombings.”

There were murmurs of assent.