North Carolina-based BB&T Corporation (the nation's 9th largest financial holding company), says that it will not lend to commercial developers that plan to build condominiums, shopping malls and other private projects on land taken from private citizens by government entities using eminent domain. From the press release:

“The idea that a citizen’s property can be taken by the government solely for private use is extremely misguided, in fact it’s just plain wrong,” said BB&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Allison.

“While we’re certainly optimistic about the pending legislation [the bipartisan Private Property Rights Protection Act], this is something we could not wait any longer to address,” said BB&T Chief Credit Officer Ken Chalk. “We’re a company where our values dictate our decision-making and operating standards. From that standpoint, this was a straightforward decision; it’s simply the right thing to do.”

Eccentricity or significant omen? We report; you decide.