After selling a majority stake in his Miami bank, Leonard Abess Jr. took $60 million of the proceeds — $60 million out of his own pocket — and gave it to his tellers, bookkeepers, clerks, everyone on the payroll.

All 399 workers on the staff received bonuses, and he even tracked down 72 former employees so they could share in the windfall. For longtime employees, the bonus — based on years of service — amounted to tens of thousands of dollars, and in some cases, more than $100,000. Longtime workers' jaws dropped when they opened the envelopes…

(Read the story of the inspired banker in the Guardian)

Photo, right: (c) 2008 Daniel Portnoy, All Rights Reserved)