Benchland State Bank - Benchland, MT

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: September 1, 1923*
Location: Benchland, Montana (47.079, -110.018)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: d8d070b4

Response Measures

None

Description

The bank was closed in the fall of 1923 and a receiver (G. H. Kirk) handled payouts through 1926; there is no indication the bank reopened. Cause given as purely local conditions, so classified as local_shock. OCR corrections: none significant.

Events (3)

1. September 1, 1923* Suspension

Cause: Local Shock
Cause Details: Closed in fall 1923 due to local conditions in Benchland (described as 'purely local').
Newspaper Excerpt: His bank was closed in the fall of 1923 due to conditions that were purely local.
Source: newspapers

2. March 5, 1926 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: G. H. Kirk, receiver of the Benchland State bank, recently paid another 20 per cent to depositors of the bank. This payment makes 90 per cent the bank has paid since it closed and Mr. Kirk states that he expects to pay another 10 per cent soon.
Source: newspapers

3. April 19, 1926 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: George Kirk, a former banker of Benchland who as receiver of the Benchland State bank ... has just paid off depositors 100 cents on the dollar ... was in Billings this week renewing old acquaintanceships. ... his bank was closed in the fall of 1923 due to conditions that were purely local.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

1. March 5, 1926 The Producers News Plentywood, MT

Article from The Producers News, March 5, 1926

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Article Text

BANK PAYS 90 PER CENT G. H. Kirk, receiver of the Benchland State bank, recently paid another 20 per cent to depositors of the bank. This payment makes 90 per cent the bank has paid since it closed and Mr. Kirk states that he expects to pay another 10 per cent soon. On county deposits, Treasurer Crof of Judith Basin county received $2,130.66.

2. April 22, 1926 Belt Valley Times Belt, Armington, MT

Article from Belt Valley Times, April 22, 1926

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Article Text

BENCHLAND BANKER WHO PAID 100 CENTS MAY OPEN ANOTHER Billings, April 19.-George Kirk, & former banker of Benchland who as receiver of the Benchland State bank, which he organized, has just paid oft depositors 100 cents on the dollar with out calling upon stockholders for an assessment, was in Billings this week renewing old acquaintanceships. Mr. Kirk's bank was closed in the fall of 1923 due to conditions that were purely local, His standing in the community was evidenced by his appointment as receiver of the bank. Billings friends of the Benchland man say that his townspeople now are urg ing him to start another bank and pledging him their support and cooperation in such an enterprise.