'Twas the night before Basel, when all through the bank Not a creature was stirring, not even Dodd Frank;
The money was stacked in the vault upon high, In hopes the exam team would soon go bye-bye;
As customers of business were scared by the cliff, Visions of Congressional wreckage left a really bad whiff;
Chairman Bernanke with his printing press, and I with my pen, Had just finished working and survived the world's end,
When out in the world came a thunderous sound, So much so in fact, I was knocked to the ground.
Back up to my feet I ran to the vault, Spun the tumblers and pounded a malt.
As the heavy door swung open and I gazed inside, There lay a note that left me wide-eyed;
Who could have left such a note on this eve, But European banks apparently working to deceive,
As money in the vault blew past me so quick, I knew in a moment it must be a trick.
More rapid than Olympic athletes in the very first one, European G-men took the money and made a bank run:
"Now, Greece! now, Spain! now, Portugal and Finland! On, Germany! on, Belgium! on, Italy and Ireland!"
I asked them to fix their problems and stand up tall! But they just wouldn't listen and dashed away all!
As lending opportunities ramp up in thirteen, Community bankers everywhere just hope for more green;
The economy continues to ebb and to flow, And despite trillions in easing it seems to have some ways to go.
And then, in an odd twist, I heard at the door, That magical community banker who had visited before;
As I unlocked the lock and swung open the door, Astride 'cross the threshold came the banker of lore.
He was dressed all in suit, not in casual wear, As he moved into the room and plopped into a chair;
A bundle of cash he held in his hand, And he smiled and laughed as he made gestures so grand.
His coins, how they shined! His dimples, how funny! His laugh was infectious as he handed out money!
His eyes glinted like gold as they flashed in the sun, And he counted out coins two by two by one;
A heavy book he held tight with his glove, And the cover, it was regulatory and a labor of love;
He had lines on his face as a result of the crisis, But his worries were lessened, by Greek goddess Isis.
He was happy and joyful from all that had been done, And I laughed along with him, despite my poor pun;
A tip of his hat and a wink of his eye, Let me know he was done dropping by;
He emptied his briefcase and left joy at the bank, As he filled up the vault; and we saw it was no prank.
And pushing his green visor back on his head, And giving a nod, out the door he fled;
He jumped into his car followed by cheers and a whistle, And away he drove like a fast guided missile.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight- "Good luck to all community bankers and keep up the fight!"