15596. Chatham Phenix National Bank & Trust Company (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
10778
Charter Number
10778
Start Date
October 1, 1931*
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
bb5a6ae2

Response Measures

None

Other: Merger/absorption by Manufacturers Trust Company in early February 1932; prosecution of individual accused of making false statement to induce withdrawals.

Description

Newspapers report a depositor run precipitated by an alleged false statement (Oct 1931) and the bank was absorbed by Manufacturers Trust effective early February 1932. The sources do not explicitly state a formal suspension of payments, but the run led to merger/closure; I classify as run -> closure (run_suspension_closure) because the bank ceased independent operations shortly after the run. Date for the run is inferred from the trial reference (statement made about a year before Oct 20, 1932).

Events (4)

1. September 10, 1915 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. October 1, 1931* Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
An alleged false statement by a stock salesman that the bank's capital and surplus had been wiped out, which prosecutors say precipitated a run by depositors.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
false statement that capital and surplus had been wiped out
Measures
Subsequent merger/absorption by Manufacturers Trust (effective early Feb 1932) following the bank's difficulties.
Newspaper Excerpt
prosecution of James H. O'Connell ... accused of making a false statement a year ago in regard to the condition of the Chatham Phenix National Bank and Trust company ... he 'should get out of the bank as its capital and surplus had been wiped out.' ... characterized the prosecution ... as move to stop a run on the bank.
Source
newspapers
3. February 1, 1932* Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Merger with Chatham Phenix National Bank Trust Co. ... was agreed upon came effective early in February, 1932, the Chatham Phenix name appearing process. In the statement of condition published after this merger, total assets, Feb. 1932, were shown and deposits $374,892,595.
Source
newspapers
4. February 9, 1932 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from Brooklyn Eagle, March 13, 1932

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Article Text

Gibson Work To Receive Honors; Bank Grows Rapidly Receives Medal of '100 Year' Club-Is TwoJob Man-Manufacturers Trust Deposits Up Harvey D. Gibson, president of the Manufacturers Trust Company, will next Tuesday evening, the gold medal of the Hundred Year Club, given the New Yorker "who has most civic and industrial the While the medal recognizes chiefly his chairman the Emergency Committee, probably implies services banker behalf of an army small depositors and head bank that has more rapidly the past than probably any other financial institution the country Whenever relief administered these parts, Mr Gibson always turned to, partly by reason of his experience, but more particularly because he combines very happily energy and drive that things done, and the genuine philanthropic spirit that the human needs existing War Head of Red Cross Back in 1917, years in the activities of the Red Cross, elected the New York County Chapter, Red Cross. Later became eral manager American Red Cross, and member of the War Council the Red Cross. was that in the current with its mands upon relief agencies, son should have head the committee, for no human emergency has arisen since the World The story of his efforts and the long hours he has given this been frequently told. In the rapid succession his activities head Manufacturers Trust Company and the progreceived attention brief recital thereof follows: Buys Manufacturers Trust Co. As head of financial he group, purchased 1931, the percent interest in the Manufacturers Trust Company previously by the Sachs Trading Corporation at figure reported be $12,000,000 block of bought gave workcontrol the trust company into every borough of the city cept statement dated Jan. 1931, showed total and of On 1929, total assets 000, and $387,012,000. On presidency the and with active control. There followed period of consolidation resources and forces. The 1931 of the pression, with drag on values securities, about begun. Numerous small banks found selves difficulties and closed. The Trust took them over for releasing for of This was bit of direct relief that has had little attention. later, the Midwood Trust Company the Brooklyn National into the the Manufacturers Trust Company. Absorbs Chatham Phenix Then step was taken Merger with Chatham Phenix National Bank Trust Co., also possessing large number branches, was agreed upon came effective early in February, 1932, the Chatham Phenix name appearing process. In the statement of condition published after this merger, tal assets, Feb. 1932, were shown and deposits $374,892,595. Thus, in were the depression, the liquidation scaling down and the general


Article from The Republican, October 20, 1932

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Article Text

DEFENSE DENIES BANK SLANDER AS TRIAL OPENS Counsel for Stock Salesman Calls Prosecution Move to Stop Run By Depositors New York, Oct. 20-Counsel made opening statements yesterday in the general sessions trial of James H. O'Connell, stock salesman, accused of making a false statement a year ago in regard to the condition of the Chatham Phenix National Bank and Trust company. Assistant Dist-Atty Kaye said he would prove O'Connell told Louis Schnell, produce merchant, that he "should get out of the bank as its capital and surplus had been wiped out." The bank, Kane said, actually had its capital intact and a large surplus. Eugene S. Bibb, counsel for O'Connell, asserted O'Connell merely said the Manufacturers Trust company, with which the Chatham Phenix later merged, had a better outlook. He characterized the prosecution of O'Connell as move to stop a run on the bank.