Talking shop with Larry Angle, Bank of Missouri

Larry Angle, vice president of consumer lending for the Bank of Missouri, has spent the past 50 years working in the profession and has seen it change with new technology and fluctuations in the economy. The Cape Girardeau native said that although he is proud of his many professional accomplishments, spending time with his wife and family bring him the most satisfaction.

Q: Why have you chosen to live in Southeast Missouri?

A: I was born in Cape Girardeau, and, outside of two years in Kentucky, my life has been spent in this area. I lived in Benton, Mo., for 14 years and graduated from Kelly High School.

Q: How long have you worked in banking?

A: I started in banking on July 24, 1961, and this is my 50th year.

Q: Why did you choose to get into banking?

A: When I got out of high school, I got a job working at a shoe factory during the week and worked at a gas station on weekends. I decided very quickly that neither of those two things was what I wanted to do the rest of my life. A banker I knew, Frank Steck, lived in Benton and was working at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Cape Girardeau. I talked to him and he was able to help me obtain a job there.

Q: How has banking changed over the course of your career?

A: When I got into banking, you could call the bank for a loan and money would be put into your account that day. The customer would come into the bank a week later to sign the one-page loan document. When you sign for a loan today, count the documents. There will be a lot more than one. Computers brought a big change to banking. Now you're able to acquire more information and retain it for use later. Computers made balancing the bank's accounts and the processing of accounts much faster. Regulations have become a burden, as they do not always accomplish what they were intended for.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you've faced professionally?

A: Keeping up with the new regulations that are coming out daily.

Q: What effects have the recession had on banking?

A: Customers will not borrow when they are looking at losing their jobs or have less funds to spend. Businesses are not going to expand when customers are not spending. This has slowed the lending process, and as a result credit has tightened somewhat.

Q: What is your greatest professional achievement?

A: All the different positions and titles I have held in banking all these years. Banking has brought me in contact with many nice people that are not only customers but whom I consider friends.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

A: I golf in the summer and bowl in the winter. My grandchildren keep me busy year-round as I try to attend their sporting events in motocross, basketball, baseball and soccer.

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: I would have to say my family. Anytime you can raise your children and they haven't caused you any problems, that gives you the satisfaction that you did something right.

Q: What are you most grateful for?

A: My wife, as she has been behind me all the way in whatever I have tried doing and helped me through my hard times.

Q: What are your goals for the future?

A: Live a productive life and enjoy my time with family and friends.