SOLVAY -- Right across from President Barack Obama. That's where Paul Mello, the president of Solvay Bank, sat when he met with Mr. Obama on Tuesday.
It was a chance for leaders of local banks to talk one on one with the President. "I gave him an overview of the Central New York economy, and the diversity of the industry we have here and how we've moved from a manufacturing economy to one now that represents 20-30% of our job base," says Mello.
Mello says the President made it clear that he was there to listen to ideas on how to get small banks lending to businesses and revamp the economy. Paul says, "The administration recognizes again, community banks didn't cause the problem, we are part of the solution to getting the economy back on its feet."
While meeting with President Obama, Mello says only one other banker bothered to ask for his autograph. Knowing this chance may not come again, Mello says he decided to ask too. Mello says pictures were taken, he's still waiting for his copy, but says the autograph is good for now.
