What are you reading?

I'm reading "The Rising Tide" by Jeff Shaara, about World War II and Rommel. He does a great job because it's extremely detailed about that part of the war, the personalities and issues. ... And I've read all of the Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwall, about Napoleonic lords — there's 16 different books in that series. I also, of course, read Clancy and I like Steve Ambrose who's a classic historical fiction author. I also have the Left Behind Series, since I also really enjoy reading Christian books. ... I've also read everything about the life of Charles Reed Bishop, because next year we'll be celebrating the bank's 150th anniversary, and to honor that we're releasing a documentary on his life.

How did you develop an interest in historical fiction?

I just like the balance, because I enjoy history, and I prefer an author who is more of a historian than a fiction writer. If you look at the Sharpe Series, Cornwall is extremely detailed. ... So you really learn a lot about history and the characters in history, and the different perspectives as well as the battles. ...

Does this affinity for detail reflect your oft-noted analytical approach to banking?

I never thought of it that way. One of my best friends is a physician and he tends to like the same books I do, so maybe there's truth to that, in that they're both very detailed professions. I think I enjoy the human side — I find reading pure history boring, but here history is simply the backdrop. ... The banking business is really all about people. You don't get a Ph.D. in banking. It's really an intuitive business about character and integrity. But you also need the details of the dollars and cents. It's a combination.