14143. New Brunswick Savings Institution (New Brunswick, NJ)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
November 14, 1906
Location
New Brunswick, New Jersey (40.486, -74.452)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
b062bbce

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected

Description

Multiple contemporaneous articles (Nov 14–16, 1906) report a run triggered by a baseless rumor that the bank was going into receivership. The bank met demands, stayed open (kept late hours), accepted support/funds from Newark/New York banks and was not suspended or closed.

Events (1)

1. November 14, 1906 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
A baseless rumor (spread by a local man upset after being refused cash) that the institution could not pay its debts and was going into receivership.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
false rumor that bank was going into receivership; groundless
Measures
Bank kept open late (to 6 PM), paid depositors, obtained large cash sums brought from Newark and New York banks and received offers/loans from local banks and trust company to meet demands.
Newspaper Excerpt
A false report circulated here this morning has caused a run on the New Brunswick Savings bank today. ... it became rumored abroad that the institution had gone into the hands of a receiver.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (8)

Article from Perth Amboy Evening News, November 14, 1906

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Article Text

FALSE REPORT CAUSES RUN ON N. B. BANK. Special to the EVENING NEWS: NEW BRUNSWICK. Nov. 14:A false report circulated here this morning has caused a run on the New Brunswick Savings bank today. The cashier, Charles Dunham, is home sick and it became rumored abroad that the institution had gone into the hands of a receiver. A large number of foreigners and the poorer class of people became alarmed for fear they would lose their earnings and began drawing out their deposits. The withdrawals continue all day, although not as heavy as at first. Groups of people gather in front of the building debating whether to go in or not. To withdraw now means they will lose their interest. The bank is backed by the leading men of this city and is absolutely safe. It is thought the rumor was started as a piece of spite work.


Article from New-York Tribune, November 15, 1906

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Article Text

RUN ON JERSEY BANK. Baseless Rumor Makes Trouble for New Brunswick Institution. New Brunswick, Nov. 14 (Special).-The - baseless rumor that the New Brunswick Savings Institution could not pay its debts and was going into the hands of a receiver led to a run on that bank here to-day. At 10 a. m. the depositors began to draw out their savings, and at 2 p. m. the lobby of the bank was filled to overflowing and people were out on the street waiting to get in. The bank kept open till after 4 o'clock, the regular closing hour, so that every one who desired to draw out his or her money could do so. The bank's funds were supplemented by thousands of dollars from Newark and New York banks, and the announcement was made this afternoon that all who so desired could get their deposits to-morrow, the bank having half a million dollars in its vaults. The rumor is thought to have been started by a resident of the lower part of the city who recently visited the bank and tried to draw money on the bankbook of his mother. The bank, according to its usual practice, would not pay out the cash, and it is said this man declared in a public place that the bank could not pay its depositors. The story spread like wildfire throughout the city, and this morning every one was wondering what truth there was in it. Some visited the bank. and when told the rumor was groundless left their savings, but before noon men and women left the local factories and hastened to the bank to draw out their money, thus losing the interest due for the six months ending January 1. The bank is really making money by paying out the deposits.


Article from The Sun, November 15, 1906

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Article Text

RUMORS SCARE DEPOSITORS. RUN ON THE NEW BRUNSWICK SAVINGS INSTITUTION. Bank Keeps Open Till 6P. M. to Pay Panicstricken. Who WIII Lose Six Months Interest-Rush of Capitalists to Sapport the Institution, Which Is Sol d NEW BRUNSWICK. N. J., Nov. 14.-A man who formerly kept a dive in Burnet street went to the New Brunswick Savings Institution several days ago with a passbook belonging to his sister and asked for the balance in her name. According to custom the bank declined to give it. That angered the man and it is alleged he went about circulating false reports about the bank. These caused a run to-day on the institution, which has 8,000 depositors, deposits of $3,000,000 and a surplus of $330,000. Many depositors scoffed at the rumors and went about their work without withdrawing their funds. Others, mostly foreigners, and in many cases women, began to withdraw their money about 10 o'clock this morning, so that at 2 this afternoon the bank was busy paying out money and checking up the passbooks. The bank managers voted to keep open till 6 P. M. The usual hour of closing is 4. Depositors crowded the bank and overflowed on the sidewalk Congressman Benjamin F. Howell, president of the People's National Bank and vice-president of the savings institution. said: "There is absolutely no reason for uneasiness about the savings institution. Only a few days ago John Waldron and I. in the regular course of our duties. went over every security in the bank and found them intact. I can give my assurance that the bank is perfectly sound." The Rev. J. A. Dewald. pastor of the German Lutheran Church, went among the Germans in the crowd of depositors advising them to leave their money in the bank. V. M. W. Suydam. president of the National Bank of New Jersey, said that the run on the savings institution was a senseless thing. It would injure only the depositors who drew out their savings. He said he would be willing to cash all the books that came to him, provided the holders would give him the five months interest which they would lose by drawing their accounts. His bank. he said, was willing to loan the savings institution all the money needed to satisfy the demands of its depositors, Nicholas G. Rutgers. president of the institution. was much mystified by the atti tude of the timid depositors, but immediately planned to pay everybody who came. He went to the National Bank of New Jersey this afternoon and drew money to meet the immediate demands upon the Savings Institution. He walked up Church street with every pocket bulging with money. When he forced his way into the bank he took rolls of bi is from every pocket and threw them upon the table. President Rutgers said: "There is not the slightest reason in the world for any run. The bank is sound and in better condition than ever in its history. Its securities are in excellent shape, and if people withdraw their money I am sorry for them. because they will simply lose the six months interest which is declared January 1. Ahout 2:30 this afternoon. Millard F. Ross, a director of the New Brunswick Trust Company. entered the savings bank with Dr. Frank M. Donohue. Mr. Ross mounted a settee and said: "I wish to say that I believe this bank to be as sound an institution as there is in the country. And, furthermore, I stand ready to deposit $25,000 with it if necessary, and Dr. Donohue tells me he will deposit a similar amount. The New Brunswick Trust Company stands ready and able to loan this bank half a million if necessary Many citizens forced their way to the teller's window and made large deposits to show their faith in the bank. H. G. Parker. cashier of the National


Article from Perth Amboy Evening News, November 15, 1906

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Article Text

RUN ON BANK IN NEW BRUNSWICK IS OVER. About $62,000 Was Withdrawn---Bank Is Stronger than Ever As It Gains $2000 in Interest. Special to the EVENING NEWS: NEW BRUNSWICK. Nov. 15:-The run on the New Brunswick Savings Institution, an account of which appeared in the EVENING NEWS yesterday, has been stopped and a search is being made for the man who started the false rumor. The total amount withdrawn yesterday was $62,000. The doors of the institution were kept open until 6 o'clock last night so that anyone wishing to draw out their money could do so Yesterday afternoon $100,000 was taken to the institution from Newark and today another $100,000 was re ceived so as to meet any demands made. Many of those who took out their money yesterday are depositing it again today, but they lose all their interest. The bank thus gains $2,000 in interest as a result of the run. Fearing that there would be a run on the New Brunswick Trust Conpany as well, a large sum of money was taken to that institution last night ready for any emergency, but nothing occurred and the scare is over. As a result there is more money in the banks of this city today than there has been in some time.


Article from The News-Democrat, November 15, 1906

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Article Text

RUN ON NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., BANK ENDED TODAY New Brunswick, N. J., Nov. 15.-The run OH the New Brunswick Savings Institution which began yesterday was practically over today. The bank met all demands promptly. About 20 depositors withdrew their accounts early today.


Article from Waterbury Evening Democrat, November 15, 1906

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Article Text

Run On Bank Ended. New Brunswick. N. J., Nov 15.-The run on the New Brunswick Savings Institution which began yesterday was practically over to-day. The bank met all demands promptly. About 20 depositors withdrew their accounts early to-day.


Article from New-York Tribune, November 16, 1906

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Article Text

RUN ON BANK STOPS. Confidence in New Brunswick Institution Restored-199 Withdrew. New Brunswick, Nov. 15 (Special).-The run on the New Brunswick Savings Institution. which was started yesterday by a false rumor as to the unsoundness of the bank. is over, and much of the money drawn out yesterday was redeposited to-day. During the run the bank paid 199 depositors, and kept open until after the factories had closed at 6 o'clock, and all had had an opportunity to get their money. Most all of the frightened ones were women and foreigners. That many believed in the stability of the bank was shown by the fact that so few of the eight thousand depositors drew out their money. About $62,000 was paid out. It was expected that the run might be continued this morning, and money was brought here from Newark and New York banks last night, with the result that this city had more actual cash in its banks to-day than it has had for years. Only a few foreigners from South River and Sayreville, however, applied for their money to-day, and the run was over soon after the bank opened. The bank clerks worked all night to get the accounts straightened up for to-day. The New Brunswick Trust Company offered the savings bank a quarter of a million yesterday afternoon and a New York financier. who is a friend of the bank, said he would deposit $50,000 this morning, if it was needed. One woman drew out $2,400 at 3 o'clock and put it back in the bank again at 6 o'clock, as she did not know what to do with the money after she ot it.


Article from Perth Amboy Evening News, November 16, 1906

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Article Text

BANK WILL NOT PROSECUTE. New Brunswick Institution Not Injured by the Panic. NEW BRUNSWICK, Nov. 16:President Nicholas G. Rutgers, of the New Brunswick Savings Institution, said yesterday afternoon that he does not know what caused the run on the bank yesterday morning and Wednesday. The authorities have not made any arrests, and the impression is growing that the incident will be passed over as an error of judgment rather than one of malicious and criminal intent. President Rutgers said that as near as he can get to the origin of the run it followed the experience of a couple of foreigners who got excited in the bank a few days ago because the bank made them comply with some rules which they did not understand. There are 7,500 depositors on the books of the bank and only 250 made withdrawals, taking out about $80,000. Of this number 95 per cent. were foreigners, who could not understand the assurances of the city's business men that the bank was all right. Yesterday afternoon some of them deposited their savings again. Many of the people who made withdrawals yesterday were foreigners from South River, Sayreville and Old Bridge, who did not hear of the run until last night, too late to get to this city. They were on hand when the bank opened at 9 o'clock. The only result of the run, outside of the excitement and the extra work for the bank clerks and the necessity of raising a lot of money on short notice, was the loss of about $1,000 in interest by the depositors. The bank closed at its regular time yesterday afternoon.