Ben Love: My Life In Texas Commerce (kenneth E. Montague Series In Oil And Business History)

In a city known for powerful business leaders, Ben Love towers as one of the most influential. Serving as CEO of Texas Commerce Bancshares in the 1980s, during the collapse of the Texas banking industry, Love had an inside view of the debacle. His story, told here in detail for the first time, provides an insightful perspective on the Texas banking industry's evolution after World War II, its decline, and its subsequent recovery. It also offers a glimpse into of the kind of character that creates men of power. Love grew up with his family during the Great Depression. Their farm outside Paris, Texas, taught him hard lessons about opportunity and financial security lessons that would serve him well in the future. After Americas entry into war in 1941, Love flew 8th Air Force B-17 combat missions over Europe, then settled in Houston with his business degree in the late 1940s. His entrance into the world of banking began as a member of the board of directors for River Oaks Bank & Trust. Houston was rapidly growing into a metropolis, and he accepted an offer to leave River Oaks to join Texas Commerce Bank in 1967. As president of Texas Commerce Bank (TCB) in 1969 and CEO in 197289, Love cultivated change from single banks to holding companies, garnering a national reputation for his banking organization. In 1984, Texas Commerce was the twenty-first-largest bank in the country. Under his competent management, TCB was the only Big Five Texas bank to survive the economic downturn. One reason for its continued success lies with Loves successful merger in 1987 with the Chemical Bank of New York, now J. P. Morgan Chase. When he retired at the close of the decade, he turned his formidable energies to full-time civic and humanitarian work. Ben F. Love's memoir is one of only a few available in financial literature and history. Not only does it reveal an inside look at the evolution of banking in Texas, but it will serve as an instructional guide to future business leaders and managers. The final chapter summarizes the experiences and lessons sprinkled throughout eighty years of a powerful and productive life. Houston is a city known for powerful business leaders, and Ben Love towers as one of the most influential. Love served as CEO of Texas Commerce Bancshares from 1972 through 1982, during the growth and collapse of the Texas banking industry, and he had an inside view of these two historic events. His story, told here in detail for the first time, provides an insightful perspective on the Texas banking industry's evolution after World War II, its decline, and its subsequent recovery. It also offers a glimpse into the kind of character that creates men of power.Love grew up with his family during the Great Depression. Their farm outside Paris, Texas, taught him hard lessons about opportunity and financial security-lessons that would serve him well in the future. After the United States's entry into war in 1941, Love flew Eighth Air Force B-17 combat missions over Europe, then settled in Houston, business degree in hand, in the late 1940s.He entered the world of banking as a member of the board of directors for River Oaks Bank & Trust. Houston was rapidly growing into a metropolis, and he accepted an offer to leave River Oaks to join Texas Commerce Bank (TCB) in 1967. As president of Texas Commerce Bank in 1969 and CEO in 1972-89, Love cultivated change from single banks to holding companies, garnering a national reputation for his banking organization. In 1984, Texas Commerce ranked twenty-first among the largest banks in the country.Under his competent management, TCB was the only "Big Five" Texas bank to survive the economic downturn. One reason for its continued success lies with Love's successful merger in 1987 with Chemical Bank of New York, now J. P. Morgan Chase. When he retired at the close of the decade, he turned his formidable energy to full-time civic and humanitarian work.Ben F. Love's memoir is one of only a few available in financial literature and history. Not only does it offer an inside look at the evolution of banking in Texas, but it also will serve as an instructional guide to future business leaders and managers. The final chapter summarizes the experiences and lessons learned in eighty years of a successful and productive life.

in A City Known For Its Powerful Business Leaders, Ben Love Towered As One Of The Most Influential. Under His Competent Management As Ceo Of Texas Commerce Bancshares In The 1980s, Tcb Was The Only Big Five Texas Bank To Survive That Decade's Collapse Of The Texas Banking Industry. Love's Story Provides An Insightful Perspective On The Evolution Of Texas Banks After World War Ii, Their Decline, And Their Subsequent Recovery. It Also Offers A Glimpse Into The Kind Of Character That Creates Men Of Power.

. . . A Compelling Story Of A Boy Growing Up In The East Texas Cotton Belt During The Ravages Of The Great Depression, A Young Man Facing Possible Death Flying Twenty-five Missions In B-17 Bombers Over Nazi-occupied Europe, And An Adult Building The Most Successful Banking Organization In Texas History. . . . A 'must-read' For Aspiring Business And Community Leaders.—joseph M. Grant, Chairman And Ceo, Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.

Under Ben Love's competent management as CEO of Texas Commerce Bancshares in the 1980s, TCB was the only ""Big Five"" Texas bank to survive that decade's collapse of the Texas banking industry. This work provides an insightful perspective on the evolution of Texas banks after World War II, their decline, and their subsequent recovery.