Statue

I found this chap on the roof of an old bank (now full of modern one armed bandits of course!) near Leeds market.  I love his bag, but I'm not sure what's going on with the big ears.  Was it the listening bank do you think?

Edit: Additional bit of history. This building was built as the London City & Midland Bank in 1892. Yes, they were known as The Listening Bank, but I'm not sure when that phrase came about. The building was designed by  William Bakewell. The same chap was responsible for the Pearl Assurance building on the Headrow and its equally odd-looking statue: https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2443150767649981656