14379. First National Bank & Trust Company (Woodbridge, NJ)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
8299
Charter Number
8299
Start Date
November 30, 1931
Location
Woodbridge, New Jersey (40.558, -74.285)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
3de609fb

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Assistant cashier arrested for embezzlement; receiver appointed later and filed suit in 1934.

Description

Newspaper accounts (Nov 30–Dec 1, 1931) describe a run and heavy withdrawals, followed by the board placing the bank in the hands of federal examiners and suspension. An assistant cashier was arrested on embezzlement charges (Dec 1, 1931). A 1934 suit by Walter Lewis identifies him as receiver dating claims from Dec 28, 1931, indicating the bank did not successfully reopen and entered receivership. Classified as run → suspension → closure.

Events (3)

1. November 30, 1931 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals and depositor alarm likely tied to bank-specific problems that led directors to place the bank in hands of federal examiners; assistant cashier later arrested for embezzlement.
Measures
Board of directors placed the bank in hands of federal examiners; notice posted closing bank and suspending operations while examiners audited books.
Newspaper Excerpt
There was run on the bank this although the closing caused stir in the the the nity. Hore than 100 the rain during the morning read the morning. depositors called and were greeted by the Small groups gathered outside the deposits of their savings
Source
newspapers
2. November 30, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Board closed the bank and placed it in the hands of federal examiners; closure described as voluntary by the board but tied to internal troubles (embezzlement later revealed).
Newspaper Excerpt
the institution placed the bank in the hands of federal examiners. notice was placed on the front door of the bank advising ... that the bank had ... that now the hands of the Federal examiners arrived ... the doors bank were closed.
Source
newspapers
3. December 28, 1931 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Walter Lewis, receiver for the First National Bank and Trust Company, of Woodbridge, asks $1,586.48 with interest from December 28, 1931, in Supreme Court action ... (1934 article).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)

Article from The Central New Jersey Home News, November 30, 1931

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Article Text

EXAMINERS TAKE OVER BANK Woodbridge First National Bank and Trust Co. in Hands of Examiners Nov. The First National Bank and Trust Company quarters 106 street, charbank closed morning the Board Directors the institution placed the bank in the hands of federal examiners. notice was placed on the front door of the bank advising deand others that the bank had and that now the hands of the Federal examiners arrived at the took over charge the institution. Until can made the affairs bank the institution will be suspended. When the bank employes arrived they met by McCans, federal bank examiner them that the had been placed his charge The went desks and the doors bank were closed. Shortly before notice was pasted the doors of the bank bank the direction the the Currency is charge of Nation Bank Closed by orders of the Board of Directors. "A. B. McCANS. No at the either Mr. McCans the It learned conferwith Mr. McCans the week-end and decision was reached to the bank to conThe federal examining the books the for the or ten days, was learned today. Two Banks Merged The First National Bank and Trust Company is instiAbout eighteen months ago, the First National Bank Woodbridge and the Woodbridge National under name First Bank quarters the building of the Woodbridge Bank The officers of the bank Wilpresident; William cashier: Joseph Grace, assistant W. Leon Harned, assistant cashier The Board of Directors is of William Brown, M. Demarest, William HarTurner Frank Dr. Joseph Mark, H Thayer Martin, John F. Ryan and Guy Weaver last fiscal statement the the report showed 29, 1931, resources There was run on the bank this although the closing caused stir in the the the nity. Hore than 100 the rain during the morning read the morning. depositors called and were greeted by the Small groups gathered outside the deposits of their savings in the Members of the Board of Direcpassed out the during the and there reports that help would be forthcoming the opening of the bank at an early date. Closing Voluntary (By The Press) NEW YORK, Nov. The National Bank and Trust Co. Woodbridge, was closed today by of its board of the the National in New York. The suspension, It was said, was volun- The Woodbridge bank had deapproximately was capitalized $150,000. had $15,000 profits of $34,000. Details of the closing were unavailable


Article from The Brooklyn Daily Times, December 1, 1931

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Article Text

BANK CASHIER ARRESTED New Jersey Institution Closed. But Plans to Reopen. Woodbridge, N. J., Dec Jo. seph Grace, assistant cashier of the First National Bank and Trust Company of Woodbridge. was held for action the Federal Grand Jury on a charge of embezzlement today. The bank was closed yesterday afternoon by Federal bank examiners, but officers of the institution said plan of reorganization was under way and that the bank would shortly be reopened. Grace arrested on orders of the Federal bank examiners He was taken to the Hudson County Jail at Jersey City to await the Grand Jury's action. The amount of money involved was not disclosed.


Article from The Brooklyn Daily Times, December 1, 1931

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Article Text

BANK CASHIER ARRESTED New Jersey Institution Closed, But Plans to Reopen. Woodbridge, Dec. Grace, of the First National Bank and Trust Company of was held for action of the Federal Grand Jury on charge of embezzlement today. The bank was closed yesterday afternoon Federal bank but officers of the said plan of reorganization was under and that the bank would shortly be reopened. Grace arrested orders the Federal bank taken to the Hudson County at Jersey City to await the Grand Jury's action. The amount of money was not closed.


Article from The Central New Jersey Home News, January 24, 1934

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Article Text

BANK RECEIVER FILES SUIT Walter Lewis, receiver for the First National Bank and Trust Company. of Woodbridge, asks $1,586.48 with interest from December 28, 1931, in Supreme Court action started today against