11618. Central Bank and Trust (Asheville, NC)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
November 20, 1930
Location
Asheville, North Carolina (35.601, -82.554)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
40f24d32

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: Legal liquidation of collateral started; indictments and trials followed.

Description

Multiple articles report a heavy run/withdrawals culminating in the Central Bank and Trust closing Nov. 20, 1930; the bank did not reopen and was subject to liquidation/investigations and indictments. Cause attributed to failures/rumors tied to other financial failures (Caldwell & Co. and wider regional bank failures) and the collapse of local real-estate values; classified as 'local_banks' (distress of other banks/institutions) rather than a pure internal insolvency rumor or isolated misinformation.

Events (4)

1. November 20, 1930 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Withdrawals and a heavy run precipitated by failures and rumors tied to Caldwell & Co. and a regional string of bank failures and collapsing real-estate values.
Measures
Directors issued statements expressing hope of paying depositors in full; attempted mergers/solicitations of aid; later city/county sought liquidation of collateral to secure public funds.
Newspaper Excerpt
Directors of Central Bank and Trust Express Hope of Paying Depositors in Full ... the board of directors said the bank closed in run.
Source
newspapers
2. November 20, 1930 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Closure followed the run and regional banking failures/rumors (including impact of the Caldwell & Co. failure) and collapse in local real-estate values.
Newspaper Excerpt
Central Bank and Trust failed to open November 20 ... closed their doors.
Source
newspapers
3. December 14, 1930 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
PLAN LIQUIDATION OF COLLATERAL IN BANK ... Central and Trust failed open November 20. To secure the deposit public the Central Bank ... legal department will begin liquidation of collateral held to secure the city's $4,653,000 in the Central Bank and Trust failed open November 20.
Source
newspapers
4. November 14, 1931 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
HEAD 11 CASTAWAYS DENIES CHARGE REACH ... indictments ready to be presented at Asheville next week against members of the North Carolina corporation commission ... in the closing of Central Bank and Trust in November 1930.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (8)

Article from The Durham Sun, November 20, 1930

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SUSPENDS REAPPORTIONMENT WAR REVIVING IN HOUSE MAY BRING Six Western North Carolina Banks Close OLD RACIAL ASSAILANTS OF CHARLOTTE YOUTH CAPTURED ISSUE BACK METHODISTS WHERE RED FLAGS FLY NEGRO BOYS TESTS NEW "HELL DIVER" ASHEVILLE AREBACKING DRY ARMIES OF Scheduled Redistribution of BISCAY FRANCE CONFESS IN Seats Is Precipitating Open OVIEDO BILBAO Warfare in House MYERS CASE FOES HOPE TO DELAY BARCELONA OCEAN CHANGE FOR TWO YEARS Inflated Values of Recent Western Carolina Real Estate Boom Blamed for Collapse FIVE SMALL INSTITUTIONS FOLLOW ASHEVILLE CRASH Directors of Central Bank and Trust Express Hope of Paying Depositors in Full Central Bank and Trust financial this to for business today by noon five other western Carolina banks had closed their doors. the tral and Trust the of the bank of Its resources were given time as were the Biltat the First and the American Officials to Take state exof the Central and failure and to an to take charge of given out by the board directors said the bank closed in run. The statement read this the board of directors of the Bank and Trust to open the bank for business and to turn the over to the (Cortinued on Page Column North Carolina Conference Pledges Fullest Co-operation to All Dry Agencies NEXT TWO YEARS WILL DECIDE, SAYS MOUZON Temperance Committee Report Deplores Lynching and Urges Better Mill Conditions Nov. North Carolina of the Methidist on as agencies The of and last the of the the state's record working condiyear for mill to at present in and that the would the and be any we to Dr. Louis former Lee the to their the against repeal the eighteenth He asserted and the could not exist in HENDERSON leaders North Carolina entered their day activity With round of matters disposed yesterday, the turned their attention to the of ditional reports and the out of routine Featuring last session was (Continued on Pafe 11. Column 7) Trail of Crime Automobile Leads to Jailing of Young Men of 16 and 17 ARRESTS WILL PROBABLY QUIET QUEEN CITY FEARS Semi-Hysteria Has Prevailed in Charlotte Since Recent Series of Minor Crimes which this against police solved the The target and the they Another from the the and shooting days The to stirred to outfitted and on Pafe 7) Industrial North Meets Move to Exclude Aliens With One to Count Out Southern Negroes


Article from The Asheville Times, November 21, 1930

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COUNTY MAY BE FORCED TO CUT SCHOOL OUTLAY Has Fund Of $483,000 In Solvent Banks To Ease Situation. County officials Friday faced A nancial situation that the ture can Newton of was to the predicament the the Bank and Trust comleft the seven days main for the present board of commissioners. that period. he will to On Dec. the turn the county over new shape the present board can leave Schools May Be loomed as possibility to meet the was o'clock after the county school board had in session for more than After the morning told Times the board had been able to no do not know what will have to said will call general sible decide. posmay to curtail the The went back session for at o'clock How Distributed This how county funds tributed Anderson. Friday, according to Mr In the Central Bank and Trust which closed. $3,007,000 includes general county, schools and district In was the National county: schools, and special the $134,000. In solvent banks in Asheville and county has funds totaling Mr. Anderson said that further enthe fact was be derived from that only 1930 taxes so far been will coming he enabling the county to (Continued on Page 5. Section


Article from The Asheville Times, November 21, 1930

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11 BANKS ARE NOW CLOSED IN SECTION (Continued from Page Charlotte Thousands dolwere distributed banks throughout this section aid them against threatened run Pay The of the American tional open this did marked of the Trust and bank yesterday morning. There were several acore of peoin front of the but compare the crowd that day. The withstood heavy the officials had would able to open this morn- few minutes before o'clock tothe following was on the door and later on the windows facing Church street: "The the National bank have closed, and the hands of the for the and the protection of "The hopeful that the bank will be reorganized and reopened its depositors paid Failure Chief Cause ville chief the of the and the Caldwell and investment banking of Tenn Caldwell company extensively 23 states, cluding North Caldwell and went into in federal ago. known that Trust here was and pany failure of Caldwell and widespread and Kentucky and states. In the more 72 banks Illinois North are the failures cities The failures in Tennessee and Kentucky is growing daily. Has $2,500,000 In Cash The Trust has in cash and has received the office of the Federal Reserve officials the Charlotte office the Federal Reserve and other sources that can the money needs. car from Charlotte afternoon with for this 1,000,000 was by insured The has been bank, ready for any emergency might Friday revealed that will not be Although there were withdrawals, chiefly among the savings accounts, the deposits for when the banking day ended the withThe thing was true asked for an and Trust company said little he could add the facts very already printed the Helping Smaller Banks When what steps the Wachovia had taken aid smaller towns which had on resources, Mr. pressure Shaffner fullest reuests any all our neighbors, who called though they have not been many. although have the at moment, believe we have assistance extent five thousand all and am delighted be able to that hightype return and these banks the strongest for the condition their securities and for they have been am not necessary to say Wachovia all the our neighbors and that the extent enand to all development of western North Carolina we have done for quarter century since we have been estabMr. vice has several He and Eller vice trust and Irving and tant trust this afternoon for their in WinsRobert M. Hanes, administrative vice president the Wachovia will arrive Saturday aid Gilbert Roy Ebbs, Fred Seely, T. Morrison and others The the Nathe Bryson the and the Clay County and the Citizens company at Waynesville, to open for business Friday made total eleven banks in the and western North Carolina district that closed in the two-day financial disturbance. were failures, was three closshortly Central without but merged would result from American's Financial Report. total at At that time, the Institution had in deposits; and bills 000. capital stock $50,000 and undivided profits consisted of in loans: $150,000 bonds secure circulation; $35,000 bonds secure government deposits 500 stock in federal reserve bank: securities: $159,356.45 banking house equpment; U. treasury and in cash and due from other banks An analysis the statement the government had deposit, which than secured by government also cluded deposits; $580,367.50 deposite and $153,121.41 due banks, including certified and cashiers checks Established In 1898. The owns the six-story building, which occupies on southeast corner Patton avenue and building $125,000, while the furnivarious appraised bank established 1898 1907. national bank charter is No. In November, 1928, the majority stock was purchased Wallace associates. Jenkins president last when Arthur Rankin the the Central Bank Trust addition Mr. the other officers are: Harmon chairman the board of Charles G. Lee, vice president: cashier and trust officer: M. Pope D. H. Perry, The board directors consist Charles Lee, John Manley, Robert Goode, William Smathers and James Closed Banks Listed The following banks Asheville western North CareCentral Bank and Trust Asheville, fourth deposit liability, sources, undivided profits, President Wallace Davis. First Bank and Trust and East Flat Mack American Bank and Henresources, 000; undivided profits, Noah station, sources, $25,000; President, ty: Deposit surplus, President Davis Clay County Deundivided $2,439; presChambers. Citizens National Bank. HenderDeposit liability, capital and plete financial statement given in Citizens bank, Bryson City: statement not available. Citizens Bank and Trues company, statement not First Bank and Trust company, at Tryon: Holmes. Deposits of the State of North Central $26,857 Naand 179 First Bank and were protected depository or state announced. Old Mounthis reported in President of the Bank with his bank had closed only temporarily Simultaneous with the bank the Morris Plan Asheville announced had the Asheville Industrial Bank and the Industrial to have $500,000 in Severe floods did great damage to in this year. Drought has done great damage crops in Porto Rico this season.


Article from The Asheville Times, December 2, 1930

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COMMISSIONERS READY TO NAME ADVISORY BODY Gay Green and J. G. Adams Mentioned for Place On Committee. and county will meet the city hall o'clock Tuesday appoint committee of citizens advise with them on the financial problems confronting two Among the on the choices are of Gay known business and and president Commerce of the National Bank The met at o'clock the afternoon the committee. but in the absence of County A. and Solon were unable reach After discussing the ter for Work Is To Advise The to have yet been clear Oficials said the committee would serve purely in an advisory capacity. The financial situation de veloped as the result of the closing of the Central Bank and Trust comwhere city had on deposit. City county officials announced they in the expert business to assist them in carrying on the until liquidation of collateral the can take and the affairs readjustd. Will Be Separate This advisory committee will be entirely the commission for the curities held by the ments. This commission would undertake permanent task the of liquidating the The advisory would serve to help lay the to be followed by city and considered probble by city and county officials that the to committee Raleigh appointed with officials conference Gov. Gardner for and the other state department heads nesday


Article from News and Record, December 14, 1930

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PLAN LIQUIDATION OF COLLATERAL IN BANK Asheville Mayor Orders Legal Department to Begin On Work Immediately. SECURED CITY'S FUNDS Asheville, Dec. (AP) -Mayor Harry issued inthe legal departliquidation collateral held Asheville its $4,653,000 the Central and Trust failed open November 20. To secure the deposit public the Central Bank, Asheville in safety deposit vaults value The collateral inrious other complete made by the city's legal department. Under the plan liquidate the the legal will list to find are upon will be started. matured collateral is step in the city's program financial retrenchment. while this raise to are engaged with study of how finance $4,500,000 that will fall due six The renewed city would have Monday. short term renewal matures June


Article from The Asheville Times, February 21, 1931

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PROBE OF BANK CASES STARTED FIRST OF MONTH (Continued from Page Mr. SenBernard was instructed to introduce the general sembly the county com This week McGraw announced Coursey accountant of Southern Pines, and two had been engaged to help the grand jury with the investigation believed investigation may three Mr Coursey in the investigation bank in the the work. understood will the technical part of preparing whatever evidence the state wish use in the trial the The members of the grand jury Rhodes Capt Fitzpatrick. CoopClaude E. Case, Paul Cordell, Burleson, Kiser and West. Lakey is grand jury III Last Monday when the February was to opened. Judge McElroy appeared announce was sugering from influenza would unable preside Thursday He ordered the and an officer morning and and told the jury was remain in On Thursday Solicitor Nettles McElroy still but that would appear o'clock Thursday morning to receive the grand jury's reCentral Bank and Trust comfailed open doors Thursthe American National closed the following day after withstanding heavy run Rapidly The Central was founded in by Wallace and assoclates Capitalized $25 bank attained high position in banking circles of Carolinas the time of the the largest Carolina Only three chovia company Carolina and Trust including their branches and American Trust of company resources. Mr. was first cashier of the Central and president On the last day on which the open. there was on which amount belonged city Asheville, county North Carolina Park commission. rious and school districts in mortgage and affiliated with the Central Withdrawals The general banking viduals. and other agencies Asheville and western North Carolina not affiliated manner the bank-had only on deposit. had withdrawn than during the last two years the bank The total public deposits at the Central Bank City Buncombe county including county and speNorth Park commission Chilfund. State $67,003.20 clerk and Buncombe county the city deposit at the American National Bank With crop reported 32 per cent than California citrus received


Article from The Asheville Times, September 25, 1931

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DESCRIBES HIS FIGHT TO SAVE CENTRAL BANK Sought Funds To Protect Institution Through Mergers, Purchases. 'BAD BREAKS' COME FAST Declares Decision To Close Bank Came 15 Minutes Before Opening Hour. Wallace B. Davis central figure in cases growing out of the financial In western North Carolina last fall, denied today there was any to deceive in Central actions president of the and Trust and its affiliate Central Securities Company of Asheville The short stubby banker described fashion fruitless twoyear fight to prevent conditions wrecking his financial in his own behalf in U. 8. district court the former Asheville financier said he sought through mergers, purchases And affiliations to prevent the failure of the Central and resulting collapse of other He his efforts to effect mergers with WashingTennessee and Kentucky only have washed away by "one bad break them after kept in working all the time to get hope that business Davis condi- said. 'We faced bilities. but could work out. We never made statement or did anything to Enemies Started Rumors declared the doom of Central early when Caldwell and company. Nashville banking lapsed. clared With its failure. Davis col- dehis rumors led to on the bank Desperate measures were the the closing days to raise resorted but continued to pile finally defeating vember when the bank them failed on to Davis It was not until 15 before the opening the bank decision directors decided not that the board That spelled his personal financial offered offered mortgage my raise enable open. other defendant banks to aid us." the Williams completed his direct examination of Mr. Davis at o'clock this afternoon. for Mr Harris, Zeb Curtis. attorney cross-examined briefly, requiring only about the 2:30 o'clock cross ed States district began examination on behalf of government Takes Stand president the Central curities Company of are alleged have sold of the bonds by means of false company's financial prospective statements and circulars mailed to Davis was also president of the Trust concern, the Central Bank and company which last after closed operat- its Asheville western North Carolina's largest institution. Smaller banks in and other lina closed sections of western North in sympathy result indictments were returned and in state and 26 and federal against Davis terday Davis the witness stand yes. and resumed day defend against charges of the defraud It was story of boy who went work for week to support the this family who climbed help presidency of banking institu(Continued on Page


Article from The Macon News, November 14, 1931

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HEAD 11 CASTAWAYS DENIES CHARGE REACH Commissioner Says No Report of Bank's Insolvency Ever Reached Him RALEIGH, N. C., Nov. 14. (UP)With bills of indictment ready to be presented at Asheville next week against members of the North Carolina corporation commission and former Chief State Bank Examiner Mitchell, Judge George Pell, corporation sioner record he had not failed his duty had condition of the Central Bank and Trust at Asheville. The county grand jury Asheville recently the November grand jury indict the Corporation during 1929 and 1930 and Mitchell failure do their duty Central Bank fore falled in November 1930. Judge Pell's "In view the fact that newspapers have my lence accused of failure to do duty the the closIng of Central and Trust an admisowe the thousands of good intrusted with the of to state most emphatically that at no time to the closing said bank did notice any finding our bank examiner that said did the chief any He stated that he could not do the face of the fact that Examiner Darden's report him was that the bank nearly million dollars to the good. It great run close big bank and great peofigures solvent As Examiner opinion was insolvent. heard of long after the bank closed read the where he had testified in the bank trials at Asheville am sure that Lee and Mr. Winborne, the heard an opinion Mr. Darden until he testified about William Lee chairman of the The other member Stanley Survivors of Baden Disaster Recount Experiences in Open Boat COLON Panama, Nov. 14 Eleven the of the ship which foundered off Colombian coast Monday, Saturday counted three days nights open facing starvation. Twenty minutes after the freighter went they seen lifeboat overturn carrying five comrades deaths, the heard the comforting of an airplane, they said. Cheered by the prospect of quick rescue forgot they had but little food and no water, as the sank 80 quickly had clear ship. and cheese single banana comprised their rations. But when hours wore into and they had parceled the their when chills spread among the occupants of the themselves fighting losing fight they Captain Hewitt Walters Mobile pital severe suffered when timber struck him just he leaving the sinking freighter finally sighted by the United their knees and thanked God for saving Captain Walters After difficult return trip through the pounding seas the cue docked last night The motors failed the Monday height, Captain Walters shifting caused the within 20 minutes, giving time to properly provision lifeboats