FIRST FEDERAL MASONIC BANK
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
"A penny saved is a penny earned."
- Bro. Benjamin Franklin
No matter where you travel in the Masonic world today you see indications of the rising
cost of living, be it rising Per Capita taxes, insurance rates, Lodge maintenance costs,
annual dues, etc. I find it discouraging that our political leaders do not believe we have a
problem with inflation which I am personally convinced is linked to the decline of the
fraternity. Nevertheless, there are three ways of addressing this problem in Freemasonry:
- Reorganize our Craft and Grand Lodges to make them more efficient and cost-effective.
This would inevitably lead to reduced operating costs.
- Create a Legislative Body to develop modern legislation for our ancient fraternity.
This could be used to enact programs to lessen our financial burdens.
- Devise a Masonic bank.
Back when I wrote the "Masonic Manifesto"
a couple of years ago, I described the need
for creating a Masonic Bank; that it would be a smart way for us to pool and manage our
financial resources. Such a bank is not without precedence. The ancient Knights Templars
were well known as Europe's bankers centuries ago. More recently, the Basques in Northern
Spain and France have created such institutions to fund their efforts. Having your own bank
allows you to finance projects, assist others, and to exert influence where needed. It is also
not a bad way for making money.
Imagine: a legitimate financial institution that could be used for lending, supporting
construction projects (both public and Masonic), managing investments and retirement
portfolios, checking; heck, you could even throw in a credit card where you earn points towards
paying your annual dues or favorite Masonic charity.
The only concern I would have in creating a Masonic Bank is that it would be run in a manner
similar to our Grand Lodges, which are not exactly known as models of modern efficiency.
Nor should it be operated on a jurisdictional basis, but on a national or international basis,
thereby broadening our scope and financial resource base.
I jokingly named such a bank the "First Federal Masonic Bank" which is not as far-fetched
as you might think. Regardless of the name selected, we have to start thinking in terms
of the global impact of Freemasonry, not just on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. Our
strength is in our global unity, not in our division. Institutions such as a Masonic Bank or
perhaps a Masonic Insurance company would materially assist in arresting the bleeding of
our financial resources, it would support both our Lodges and the public, as well as promote
and protect our interests for years to come.
Maybe we should call it the "Second World Masonic Bank" in honor of the Knights Templar.
Think global. Think unity.
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction
or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein,
please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic
web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
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Copyright © 2007 by Tim Bryce.
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