By 7 a.m., Bank of America’s CEO has already read 5 newspapers, his email inbox, and hit the gym—he says if you’re late to meetings, you’re ‘selfish’

Time is money—especially when you’re Brian Moynihan and running one of the largest banks in the world. For the Bank of America CEO, prioritizing punctuality isn’t just a matter of professionalism; it’s a sign of respect. The banking chief starts his day before the crack of dawn, reading through five different newspapers, catching up on overnight emails, and fitting in a workout—all before 7 a.m. And by the time he arrives at his office in Charlotte each morning, he expects the same respect for time from the bank’s more than 212,000 employees. “We have a pretty big history in this company—if you’re late, you’re actually selfish, and that’s ingrained in people,” Moynihan said in a recent interview with NBC News. “So we try to always be on time, not because we say you have to be on time, like it’s some rule, but you’re being selfish to other people involved.” Moynihan acknowledged that keeping such a regimented schedule is easier with the help of a “great assistant.” But his emphasis on workplace discipline extends far beyond his own calendar. Under his leadership, Bank of America has taken a firm stance on in-office attendance. In 2024, the bank reportedly issued warning notices—what it called “letters of education”—to employees who failed to comply with its requirement to work from the office at least three days a week. But as the second-largest bank by revenue in the U.S. behind JPMorgan Chase, competition remains fierce to maintain and grow its over 70 million client base. Last year, Moynihan took home a base salary of $1.5 million—with equity incentive awards totaling $39.5 million, up 17% from the year prior. The company’s stock, though, has been relatively stagnant so far this year, up less than 1% YTD. Bank of America’s CEO may oversee 212,000 employees, but his grandchildren keep him humble As the leader of one of the largest financial institutions in the world, Moynihan