“The First People’s Bank is now the only bank in town, aside from Montgomery Community, with which it has inexplicably entered into a partnership. We have here a monopoly. And somehow, under all of our noses, two new branches have popped up. Not to mention the fact that they purchased the newspaper, B.B.’s Diner and have their eye on who knows what other businesses.”

“It is a legal enterprise,” the mayor said. He somehow seemed surprised by his own defense of the bank.

“Maybe it is, and maybe it isn’t. But you gentlemen—and ladies—have allowed it to do business here, and I’m hoping by now you have come to regret that decision. Although, even if you have, there may be no legal way to undo what you have done. Even if that’s the case, however, we can fight fire with fire and offer up some competition. Let the people decide.”

He was on a roll. “You see, we don’t know what private banks are doing. Not really. Yes, there are federal regulations, but how are they enforced? Wells Fargo created millions of unauthorized accounts and was only caught because of a whistleblower. God knows what’s going on at First People’s.”

There were shouts of support and agreement.

“I’ve spent my entire career in the banking business, and I know how loopholes can be exploited, how misdeeds can be covered up. And that’s the point of this: transparency. If we had our own bank, a real community bank, we the people would know what was going on. We would be the ones in charge. We would control it.”

The crowd grew silent, and from the rear of the chambers came the sound of a single person clapping slowly. Coy turned to see who it was.

Pickering.

“Excellent speech,” he said, walking forward, still clapping. “Complete bullshit, but excellent nevertheless.”

The banker’s eyes were boring into his own, and Coy was forced to look away. But he did not stop talking. “If we had our own bank, we could not be intimidated or threatened by those who had control of our finances. This man here would have no power over anyone if people simply banked with another institution. Like the one we are proposing.”

“You arrogant little nobody.” Beneath his calm voice, Pickering was genuinely angry. “You think you can compete with us? You’re not even playing the same game. The big boys wouldn’t even allow you on the field. We control this town.”