From a friend: "Above the main entrance of the First Bank, you first see a carving of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, wearing his signature winged helmet. This figure symbolizes the bank's core mission to handle the financial business of the new nation. Directly above this, a more elaborate mural depicts the Genius of America as a youthful figure, also wearing Mercury's helmet to emphasize the commercial link. He is surrounded by powerful symbols: he holds a caduceus, the staff with entwined snakes representing commerce and negotiation, which leans against a globe, signifying the nation's place in global trade. A cornucopia overflowing with coins represents prosperity, while a bee hive represents commerce and the ships in the background allude to maritime trade. Together, these carvings project a unified message: the bank was the central engine for driving American industry, commerce, and financial stability on a global scale."(Brian Armstrong)