Banking, Justice, and the Common Good

The art of creating, managing, loaning, and investing money has always been fraught with moral hazards. Unfortunately, the widespread habit of viewing banking in a less-than positive light has contributed to misunderstanding of a human activity that not only contributes to human prosperity, but also creates a sphere of endeaver in which people can genuinely pursue virtue. Through considering commercial banking in light of the demands of justice and the common good, we recognize that the work of banking testifies to the sense of responsibility that each person ought to have for others' well being. Moreover, conscientiousness, honesty, trust, and exactitute are qualities of work implicit to prudent and profitable banking. To participate in these moral goods in a consistent and coherent way is to grow in virtue to transform ourselves from who we are into what we ought to be.