Mellon Bank Now Run By Gang of Blithering Simians.

Gerry Katcher, a dear friend of SFL and a guy who has provided loans to most of us in town at some point or another (and we paid it all back -- mostly), just got unceremoniously dumped by a group of heartless chimps:

At 82, Gerald Katcher liked to say he planned to keep running Miami's Mellon United National Bank ``until I die -- and for a few months afterward.''

But on Tuesday, a top executive from its New York-based owner, Bank of New York Mellon, flew in on a corporate jet for a hastily called meeting and fired Katcher as chairman of the bank he helped found 30 years ago. Under Katcher's leadership, the commercial bank had grown to $2.3 billion in assets from less than $10 million.

''He told me to leave the bank immediately and turn in my key,'' Katcher said. ``He said access to my computer was terminated and my personal belongings would be packed up and sent to me.''

Then, a BNY Mellon human-resources staffer, who flew down with David F. Lamere, vice chairman and CEO of BNY Mellon Wealth Management, escorted Katcher from the building, asking him to hand over his parking card.

Way to stay classy, Mellon Bank. At least these farewell comments by a Mellon spokeswoman were truly touching:

''We wish Mr. Katcher well in all his future endeavors.''

Hey, she almost sounds like Mike Casey!