12818. Vineland National Bank (Vineland, NJ)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
2918
Charter Number
2918
Start Date
December 13, 1930
Location
Vineland, New Jersey (39.486, -75.026)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
5762503ae62a2d0c

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Fed/other loan, Public signal of financial health, Books examined

Description

Multiple December 1930 newspaper accounts describe a depositor run on the Vineland National Bank (Dec 13โ€“15, 1930) driven by malicious rumors, tied partly to fallout from the failure/charges around the Vineland Trust Co. The bank paid all demands, Federal Reserve armored trucks brought cash, the bank waived notice requirements, and business continued โ€” no suspension or receivership is reported. Dates and OCR errors corrected where obvious.

Events (2)

1. April 9, 1883 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. December 13, 1930 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Malicious rumors spread (linked to failure/charges involving Vineland Trust Co. and returned checks on Bank of the United States) prompted depositors to withdraw funds.
Measures
Waived customary notice requirements, paid depositors in full; Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia sent armored trucks with cash; bank officers offered rewards for arrests of rumor-mongers; auditors/examiners certified bank's soundness.
Newspaper Excerpt
Depositors in the Vineland National Bank today made on the bank and in three hours withdrew thousands of dollars... the run had no and caused by wild rumors
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)

Article from Evening Courier, December 13, 1930

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Withdrawals Entirely Without Cause, President Saysโ€” Federal Reserve Aids By Staff Correspondent Vineland. Dec. Depositors in the Vineland National Bank today made on the bank and in three hours withdrew thousands of dollars. According the the bank the "run" had no and caused by wild rumors by not get loans Shortly after the run started at m. heavily armored motor truck under police guard arrived at the bank from the Federal Reserve Bank Philadelphia with thousands of dollars the Gus president of the and Landis township. the run is entirely without cause Smith said the bank had plenty money pay off but the was pelled its noon today Smith said would open again Monday "There absolutely no cause for alarm,' We are paying out depositor wants We gone farther the day Any having an the department will not have give the notice but walk right up and get his Federal Reserve Bank of Phila delphia money of the situation and they will send down load money 15 minutes want them too regret that we cannot keep the open this Many the who have deposits our no and they not intend do 80 they will open the with plenty money hand Rumors Landis avenue the the last the officials placed other Vineland vicinity tightened up eral disgruntled fused idle that the difficulty this morning was They were mostly from the the city and ing When the armored trucks arrived from Philadelphia and bags of money under into the number the dewaiting to their the Federal Reserve Bank in Fhiladelphia that the Vine. land National Bank in excellent condition


Article from The News of Cumberland County, December 15, 1930

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SATISFYING DEPOSITORS VINELAND BANK MEETS EVERY DEMAND ON IT Reported Leading Spanish Revolution Run On Vineland National Bank Started Saturday, and Continued Throughout the Day and Into Today. Adequate Cash Reserve Secured to Meet All Occured Before Noon Today. Vineland, December report that the Vineland National Bank insecure made malicious intent, institution, through its president, Gus E. Smith, with the co-operation Tradesmen's Bank, of Vineland, has post$5,000 the Vineland police the arrest of The National Bank prepared depositors they ask for That the gist statement made public Gus Smith, president of the bank, early this morning. "We are expecting the run continue this morning, said, are ready for them." Confident of their ability the situation, bank officials let known that the bank waiving customary days' notice deposits. Individuals wish withdraw to their money may do at once, they Run Started Saturday The bank started Saturday morning. There number depositors waiting bank when the doors the institution opened for business Saturday morning, the line the rumor, started by some malicious perabout town. the for the officers of the money grew, hurried meeting arrangements made the transfer than $100,000 the Federal Reserve Bank Philadelphia Vineland. This supplemented morning and the bank ready all comers. Farmers Start Run Of the hundreds small fruit and truck raisers this section dealing commission many received checks drawn on the Bank of the United States. Some these checks were cashed came back marked sufficient funds. Immediately the local bank fused honor further checks the Bank United States. Disappointment rapidly rumor many bank withdraw their All Saturday the bank crowded about 150 and 300 to more in outside. The paid one. those having saving counts, bank waived "tenday clause' which would have permitted require notice withdrawal. All Paid Off Although the bank closes noon Saturday, mained hour until the last person the line had armored Federal Reserve rived under machine with money said to have about $500,000. Cecil Company, Philadelphia, examiners, audited bank's week reported was fect stronger and that books "not one excessive loan.' The examiners made this report disinterested persons. Federal Reserve Bank officials Philadelphia made similar statement Bank Well Managed Manifesting Bank's ability every demand made upon bankers from sections county say that harried competently aged any bank New Jersey and their statements lished quarterly show position banking does justify attitude taken the who are the The failure of Vineland Trust Co. doubt made the depositors fearful bank naturally called upon take over part business the community heretofore handled the continued Vineland National the Banks come the Vineland business support farmers poultrymen but not departed from methods and practices the days. This morning the situation trifle changed from Saturday there feeling confidence that meet through substantial before. The line anxious and and looked as if the run was


Article from Gloucester County Times, December 15, 1930

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MADE BY VINELAND BANK Vineland, Dec. by the VineNational Bank for the arrest the person persons started the rumors that started bank beginning Saturday and today. Officials described the as stupid and


Article from The Evening Journal, December 15, 1930

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RUN ON VINELAND BANK IS CHECKED Det. 15 run on the Vineland National Bank, said by officials to have been started on rumors by persons to the institution, was checked before noon today after about 600 depositors had been paid off and new accounts began to exceed the number of old accounts closed The run began Saturday line of about 250 persons was the bank doors today the opening and were paid off promptly. Federal Reserve Bank truck from Philadelphia, four guards, brought about $150,000 to the institution in two trips Saturday and one trip today statement issued by Gus Smith, president, and Edgar Ale, cashier, said that the bank was never in better financial condition, and statement by said that the bank could pay off every depositor dollar for dollar and still have $450,000 balance to do business.


Article from The Courier-News, December 15, 1930

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For Officers of Vineland Vineland National Bank today $10,000 for the fered reward and conviction of the arrest for the persons their Saturday. How rumor that bank difficulties started, no knows. began continued until the closing hour. Today there were 250 depositors withdrew their money. Other in the refused accept and directed depositors return to the Bank. Officials the Reserve Bank said that the bank up most of those withdrew money from the National Bank. Bridgeton Pierson Reed, of the defunct Vineland Trust Charles Barraclough, treasurer. will be tenced Friday after pleading guilty some the bank's funds making false reports the State examiner. They guilty today. When Banking Frank H. Smith closed the bank June 11, there $500,000 shortSpeculations on the Stock Market responsible. Frank Smith, the defunct not similar today his trial set for tomorrow.


Article from The Daily Journal, December 15, 1930

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Keeping With Up the Times When the herd stampedes, let them run until they they all out of wind, and then round them up. Right now, many people thrown reason to the have winds and are in stampede and distrust. of are their own worst They and do not even beenemies to realize For almost century the National Bank has Vineland been looked upon as model in which you place savings with could place your complete assurance would be officers and keeping. have always been directors men of conservative methods and who have made their mark the business world. They in have applied these principles business to the bank. of good what was the result? and The Vineland National Bank today considered one of the safest banks of its size throughout this country. There has been absolutely nothing to warrant the spectaon. In that now going through undermanner. hand whispers or just plain fear. panicky depositors, who care nothing for certified bank statements or the assurance of honest but who are men, promptly stampeded by anybody more tongue than brains, have rushed to the bank withdraw their Have they been with resistance of kind? Have any they been persuaded by the bank's officials or others to home? Only when they have sought advice have they been given and always with the final answer that "your money is here if you want is to the everlastisg honor of these directors of the Vineland tional they have ealmly met the situation. not much to the honor of this community that people are SO thoughtless to the very existence imperil Vineland. Look over the names of the officers and directors of the Vineland National Bank. Consider them carefully. Smith, of the Smith Printing House: Eugene M. Kimball, of the Kimball Prince Lumber Company; John Ackley, of John A. Son; John Ackley Carew, of the Garden State Ira Sharp, of Sharp Son: George H. Blizzard, of Jersey Package Bayard, retired manufaeturer: Howard Branson, retired manufacturer; Edgar cashier, and Creamer, assistant cashier. There is body of able men, successful and of trust. They have kept Vineland National Bank the high position that was also of their predeeessors. With but one exception, Mr. Bayard, each of these resides in Vineland. Practically every one is life resident. They stand as most representative body fully qualified for the positions of trust which theirs. There are underhand storabout crookedness in this Not word against the integrity of the administration. FEAR There only blinding which out reason and which stroys in short time the work has taken many years. time for every man to consider these things.


Article from The Daily Journal, December 15, 1930

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Absolute Safety Of Bank Assured Depositors Of Vineland National Bank In statement issued today officers and directors of the Vineland National Bank, depositors are assured the absolute safety the bank, which has the reputation of being one of the strongest banks its size in the entire attention to the fact that if every dollar The deposit paid, there would still remain to half million dolwhich continue business. The statement follows: the Depositors of the Vincland National the Vineland National Bank, The onicers directors their to the depositors and to the public large, responsibility to this statement: Bank absolutely and solvent. In The National its of existence, has never been more strong sound years The Vinetand today. National Bank considered one the strongest banks this comparable its size. After paying every positor dollar for dollar, this bank would have over directors of this bank believe that the "run" The officers and fear and through the spreading Saturday was caused We find that by far the greatest majority of withfalse rumors. drawals made by depositors who lost their money by the closing and became depositors this bank. another bank, There for this "run," than unwarranted fear. The books of the Vineland National Bank audited twice yearly Cecil Company, Jefferson Building, in addition to the conducted by the United States examiners. auditors, after completing their audit week ago, complimented officers and directors this bank the manner in which being managed, for the sound line of investments it has made in the interest of its depositors and the fact that not single overloan carried the these facts mind, the public should stop consider the effects to themselves before allowing themselves to become groundless fears. Vineland National Bank can pay, and will pay, every dollar its depositors. Forty-seven years confidence cannot and will not destroyed over night. Therefore, we invite those of our depositors who withdrew funds during the past week to disregard fear rumor, and, acting according to common sense, return their funds this institution, that we may continue to serve them and this community. Signed: Smith, President Kimball, Vice President Edgar Ale, Cashier Creamer, Ass't. Cashier. John Ackley Edgar Ale Howard Branson Bayard George H. Blizzard Carew Eugene Kimball


Article from Courier-Post, December 15, 1930

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RUMOR STARTS RUN ON VINELAND BANK; ALL DEMANDS MET Depositors Form Line as Trial Nears for Officers of Another Institution N. Y. FAILURE BLAMED Vineland, Dec. Collapse of the of the United States in New York was today held for a run on the Vineland Na tional Bank alomst on the eve of the of three officers the defunct Vineland Trust Company charges of making illegal loans. J. Pierson Reed, president: Charles J. Barriclough, treasurer. and Frank morrow Judge Francis Stanger, Jr. Bridgeton and their trial to begin Tuesday Action being brought against them the State Department Banking and Insurance As Prosecufor Benjamin Stevens direcfor defunct bank Duane E Minard named special assistant attorney general to prosecute the The Cumberland county grand has returned five Reed. He charged making total of worth of loans himself charged in ten counts with and Smith three him self The was closed by the state alleged of in affecting 16,500 depositors Fearing bank failure in the town depositors staged on here New York bank had closed its doors Farmers Start Run Of the hundreds of this dealing had drawn the Bank of the United Some these checks but came back marked Immediately the bank on the Bank that persons to of in gold was Guy F. of bank Landis for information leading the arrest sponsible for the rumor that started Saturday morning the bank crowded 150 and 300 400 more line The bank paid every those having accounts waived have require All Paid Off Although remained open an the last person in the had been paid an armored the Federal Bank arrived under machine gun guard to been about Philadelphia bank audited the week ported the perfect been and that excessive examiners this Federal similar


Article from Evening Courier, December 15, 1930

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LEADERS Rush to Make Deposits Exceeds 000 Reward Offered Correspondent Dec. fidence the soundness sources, citizens munity the run the Bank, by rush deposits on the bank virtually had been when the which appeared with the dwindled issued by Gus that more deposits had made today the bank than year Edgar issued that dollar dollar the depositors still with which business. His was by the the bank who agreed and sound. the had never since its es tablishment Rewards today offered for the arrest and conviction the person persons responsible spreading that the bank was without sufficient funds Rewards Offered At the same circulars section bearing the James Florentino, chief and Samuel GasThe $5000 reward offered for the arrest any persons maliciously spreading reports against Vineland tional $5000 reward the Vineland National Bank and approved Cumberland County Bankers' Association Smith confirmed the report he had made personal of for arrest (Continued Page Two)


Article from The Courier-News, December 16, 1930

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For Vineland Officers of the Vineland National Bank have offered reward of $10,000 for the arrest and conviction of the perfor the their bank Saturday. How rumor that the bank in difficulties started, no one knows. began continued until the closing Today there were 250 their money. Other banks the town refused accept however, directed the depositors to return to the Vineland Bank. Officials the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia that the bank is in sound condition. Farmers made up of money from the National Bank. Bridgeton Pierson Reed, the Trust and will be tenced Friday after some the bank's funds false the State They guilty today. Banking Commissioner Frank H. Smith closed the bank last 11, State mated there $500,000 Speculations Stock Market held responsible. Frank Smith, secretary of the defunct pleaded guilty today his trial set for


Article from The Millville Daily, December 16, 1930

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BREAK BACK No Depositors of Vineland National Bank Are Askfor Their Money. USUAL BUSINESS AGAIN dents, who had entire confidence Vineland National Bank, are gratulating Edgar Ale, cashier of the bank, and other officials and directwho have watched the progress alarming run the bank that be on Friday small way until day afternoon. The run then diminished until there were only few manding their money actually more money deposited yesterday than taken number depositors withdrew their money and placed safety deposit boxes in the bank until the scare was when will turned to the time of Most of the people who were ones who lost withdrew Trust Company and had taker the their funds to the National Bank, practically all of the old depositors were staunch in their support. that the Vineland National The fact Bank has half million assets which to do busness after every Reserve Bank of Philadelphia by caused strong wave standing bank is now offering confidence. The those who their mone) interraption of that there will no The Vineland merchants interest. profited more less the run. withdrawn has an uncanny money be. and no demanding to way its into the doubt cash found way merchants that would the mained unspent the run on the bank that which shows had not wind but blows some"there is no ill body