15753. East River Savings Institution (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
September 23, 1873
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
8b2bc492

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals

Description

During the Panic of 1873 the East River Savings Institution experienced withdrawals on 1873-09-23 but continued to pay all demands and never suspended; deposits later flowed back. Cause attributed to the wider financial crisis (macro news).

Events (3)

1. September 23, 1873 Run
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Withdrawals were part of wider panic/financial crisis of September 1873 rather than bank-specific trouble; general runs on savings banks reported citywide.
Measures
Bank paid all demands without regard to notice; officers reported having funds at command to meet withdrawals.
Newspaper Excerpt
At the East River Savings Bank, on Chambers-st there was no variation in the usual business of the day President Whitney stated that during the morning a number of deposits had been withdrawn. and likewise a large number received
Source
newspapers
2. October 2, 1873 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The custom of meeting all demands from depositors has been continued at the East River Savings Bank. During the week ending Saturday evening $53,000 was received on deposit, and considerable money was returned. ... Confident that all excitement is at an end, ... the officers have resumed the payment of all deposits, and the card requiring notice is withdrawn from sight.
Source
newspapers
3. October 18, 1873 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The secretary of the East River Savings Bank stated that the receipts for the week ending last Wednesday were $10,000 in excess of the amount for the corresponding week last year. The payments were somewhat heavier, and had been all along.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)

Article from New-York Tribune, September 23, 1873

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Article Text

THE SAVINGS BANKS UNHARMED. SEVERAL TEMPORARY RUNS-GENERAL RESTORATION OF CONFIDENCE. Among the savings banks there was little variation in yesterday's business as compared with that of Friday, Saturday, and many previous days. A few of them alone experience anything like a run upon their deposits, and these not to such an extent as to excite anyapprehension as to solvency. All were seemingly prepared for the worst, and were most agreeably disappointed as the day passed on without any invasion of moment upon their cash assets. In anticipation of a general run, members of the police force had been assigned to duty in the different savings banks, and most of them had an easy task. The German savings banks were particularly quiet, a president in one instance informing a reporter that his bank had money on hand for any of his neigh bors who might be pressed. At number of the banks the rule requiring notice of the withdrawal of deposits over a stated sum was strictly enforced, the amount varying, and it is a somewhat singular fact that those meeting all demands were the only ones, with one or two exceptions, upon which there was any considerable run. EAST RIVERSAVINGS BANK. At the East River Savings Bank, on Chambers-st there was no variation in the usual business of the day President Whitney stated that during the morning a number of deposits had been withdrawn. and likewise a large number received, in neither case to such an ex tent as to excite comment. He knew nothing of the action taken by some of the savings banks' officers Sunday evening, and could not agree with them that any particular distinction at this time should be made in the withdrawal of deposits. His bank was paying all demands without regard to notice given. EMIGRANT INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS BANK. At the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank a considerable amount of money was withdrawn during the day. Soon after the opening of the bank a large number of the depositors assembled, and the line formed to the paying teller's windows found constant accessions during the day. Controller David Ledwith stated that they were meeting all demands without regard to amount or notice, and apprehended no difficulty in continuing to so. Indeed, the present run was not 80 extensive as they had anticipated and had made preparations for. They were led to believe that it would be of short duration. The bank statement of Jan. showed an excess over liabilities of $790,129 The majority of those closing their accounts had comparatively small deposits, 80 that the amount paid out was not large. ATLANTIC SAVINGS BANK. At the Atlantic Savings Bank, on Chatham-st. there was no excitement; still. as a precautionary move, the officers have adopted the plan of requiring sixty days' notice in the withdrawal of all sums of over $100. CITIZENS'(SAVINGS BANK. The Citizens' Savings Bank experienced something of a run during the earlier port of the day. but before closing this had almost entirely subsided. They are paying all demands under $1,000. requiring notices for larger amounts. Those in the line early in the day were mostly new depositors, the older and heavier ones having perfect confidence] in the bank. President Quintard remarked, as an evidence of the class now withdrawing their deposits, that up to p. m. probably not more than $25,000 or $30,000 had been paid over the counter. He was satisfied that no extensive run need be anticipated, but was well prepared to meet all demands. ORIENTAL SAVINGS BANK. Everything was as quiet as usual at the Oriental Savings Bank, on Grand-st. President Buckmaster stated that many had visited the bank during the day to make inquiries as to their deposits, and had departed satisfled of their security-many, perhaps, coming with the intention of drawing, and returning with only such as they required for use. In such cases no advantage was taken of the law requiring notice of such intention. As evineing a general confidence in the institution, the cashier stated that a number of new accounts had been opened during the day, and that no inconsiderable amount had been received on deposit. BOWERY SAVINGS BANK. Before the opening of the Bowery Savings Bank it was evident that a run was to be made, from the erowd of depositors that gathered around the doors. The trustees met and decided to pay all claimstor the present, believing that the run would not last long and not interfere with,the regular business. It was understood that should it continue, they should take advantage of the 60 days' notice, even then using their own discretion in the matter, and paying larger claims, to relieve suffering or inconvenience. Throughout the day and evening the steady run continued, the number at no time greatly crowding the bank. One by one they drew their deposits, losing nearly three months interest by doing 80, 80 that they alone are the losers and the bank is in no way inconvenienced. A very great many before long were convinced of this fact, returned to the bank and again deposited their money, begging that their interest might not be sacrificed. An instance of this kind was mentioned by the President. Early in the morning a woman drew about $3,000, the earning of many years. Her anxiety to withdraw it was hardly equaled by her anxiety to return it a little later, and the loss to her of the $85 interest affected her very much. The scene deterred many from following her example. The President further stated that the majority of the deposits drawn were of small amount, and that the smaller the amount the more auxious the owners seemed to be to get it, so that up to 2 o'clock in the afternoon not more than $200,000 had been paid out, and in the same proportion during the afternoon and evening. The bank had more tban 60,000 depositors. He did not anticipate any extensive run. NEW AMSTERDAM SAVINGS BANK. The New-Amsterdam Savings Bank has experienced no run from its depositors. Yesterday was a quiet day at the bank, though considerable deposits were received. President Frohwein stated that they are more fortunate than a majority of the banks in having an abandance of small bills. having $116,000 in the safe. They proposed to help the neighboring banks as far as they could, and had already done so by furnishing one that morning with $20,000 in bills on bond security. MECHANICS AND TRADERS SAVINGS' BANK. At the Mechanics' and Traders' Savings Bank it was stated that some accounts had been closed during the day. and perhaps $20,000 drawn while the average deposits had been received. There had been no run sufflclent to excite comment. NEW-YORK SAVINGS BANK. The New York Savings Bank on Bleccker-st. was surrounded by an anxious crowd of depositors from the opening of the doors in the morning. o'elock the doorewere closed, the officers deeming that there were then as many in the building as they could pay during banking hours. Probably nearly 100 were then in walt ing. Little information could be gained, further than that considerable money had been withdrawn, and also many deposits received. The officers anticipate DO trouble in meeting all demands. PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BANK. At the People's Savings Bank the cashier stated that one or two large demands had been made, in which cases they had taken advantage of the rule requiring notice. In small amounts, $3,000 or $1,000 had been drawn, and more than made up by deposits. MANHATTAN SAVINGS BANK. At the Manhattan Savings Bank a long line of depositors presented themselves in the morning desirous of drawing out their money, but the bank readily met Nee Fourth Page


Article from The New York Herald, September 23, 1873

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East River Savings Bank. The East River Savings Bank, in Chambers street, paid yesterday all the demands made upon it. The bank has at its command $1,500,000, and paid out yesterday about $10,000 more than usual on any day, except on interest day. It was the opinion of the bank officers that the crisis shall not affect them, and they believe the run on the savings banks will not prevail to any extent to-day.


Article from New-York Tribune, October 2, 1873

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THE SAVINGS BANKS STRENGTHENED. MONEY FLOWING BACK-THE DEPOSITORS REGRET THEIR FORMER FOLLY. The business of the up-town savings banks has steadily increased since the early part of last week. Their officers are considering how they may prevent a recurrence of a loss of confidence and the consequent run upon the banks. Some of them believe that a notice of one year should be required in place of thirty or sixty days. Again, this sudden demand for ready cash for deposits made might be obviated by the issue of certificates of deposit, which, once brought into use, might prove as easy of negotiation as other mercantile paper, and certainly as safe. This would free the banks from the necessity of sacrificing securities to meet demands. None of the officials anticipate any further excitement at present, but deem that, until some change is made in the banking laws, such scenos are liable to recur at any time. The custom of meeting all demands from depositors has been continued at the East River Savings Bank. During the week ending Saturday evening $53,000 was received on deposit, and considerable money was returned. Of the $150,000 paid out at the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank on the Monday of the run, Mr. Donnelly, Assistant Controller, states that probably 60 per cent has been returned by the original depositors. He said that it was an amusing scene to see them come in and, with very sheepish looks, make excuses for having drawn out their deposits. The managers hope in the course of a week to take down the card requiring notice on the withdrawal of deposits. Confident that all excitement is at an end, the officers of the Citizens' Saving Bank have resumed the payment of all deposits, and the card requiring notice is withdrawn from sight. During the week past about $65,000 has been received in deposits-a very fair percentage of the total amount withdrawn during the first days of the excitement. At the Bowery Savings Bank the requiring of notice is also practically discontinued. Money is paid in any amount to those actually requiring it, and the rule of notice is only enforced in the case of those who still find cause for anxiety. At the Metropolitan Savings Bank the rule requiring notice of the withdrawa of deposits is still enforced to some extent, the officers using 'their discretion in the matter. T. W. Lillie, Secretary, says the stories of depositors to gain their money have proved an endless source of amusement. Notices have been received of the withdrawal of between $60,000 and $70,000. and Mr. Lillier argues that the persons should be compelled to take their money, as part return for the trouble occasioned the bank, and not permitted to withdraw the notices, as many are already doing. At the Manhattan Savings Bank business has resumed the ordinary routine. or the $240,000 withdrawn on Monday of last week, much has been returned. At the Sixpenny Savings Bank the rule requiring notice is still in force. Few demands are received, except from regular business men, and these are met. About 80 notices, representing $25,000, have been given. The German Savings Bank is meeting all demands, BIGH Dues


Article from New-York Tribune, October 18, 1873

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SAVINGS BANKS UNSHAKEN. BUSINESS FLOWING BACK INTO ITS ORDINARY CHANNEL-PAYMENTS MADE TO DEPOSITORS IN ALL CASES OF NECESSITY-WITHDRAWAL MADE FOR PERMANENT INVESTMENT. " Business with us is easy," said President Brown of the Bowery Savings Bank yesterday, when questioned in this particular by a TRIBUNE reporter. easy as it has ever been." He further said that they had virtually resumed the payment of all demands, only draft requiring the legal notice, when the proposed a seemed unnecessary to the depositor. Only few of these notices were now given, on an average one or two daily. Taken altogether, notices had been received covering about $280,000; if the bank had settled all these book accounts at the time the respective notices were given. it would not have proved much more than the usual day's business. More money was being paid out than during the month previous to the panic, no doubt partly occasioned by the investments in real estate. He said the number of small drafts -of $5, $10, and was unusually large, which would seem to indicate that a large number of the laboring class were out of employment. Deposits, as was usually the case during the month of October, had been Finall. Deposits made after the 1st did not draw interest until the fullowing January. Compared with the corresponding month of last year, there was a very marked decrease, but taken altogether, everything connected with the banking business seemed most satisfactory at present. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Brown spoke of the statement made through the press to the effect that the savings banks were hoarding greenbacks-were ac cumulating in their vaults an "unusually large amount of bills. This," said he, " 80 far as the Bowerv Bank 18 I concerned, is untrue. On the Monday of the run, drew $500,000 from the Sub-Treasury, and the same day paid out $399,000. Anticipating a similar run on Tuesday, I that day drew another $500,000 from the Sub Treasury but the course then taken prevented run and this latter sum was left intact. I have now in the vaults $580,000 in greenbacks, against a liability of $27,000,000. and with notices covering $280.00 maturing within a few days. This amount is not as large by at least one third as the cash kept in the bank during the months of July and August last." When questioned as to the probable effect on their business of the enforcement of the law requiring notice. he said it did not appear hurtful to him. The depositors must in time acknowledge that they alone were benefited by such a course. Especially was this the case at this bank. The Bowery Savings Bank was in reality a charitable institution. and if the depositors could find more profitable investment for their savings, then its only aim was accomplished. There were no sinecures in the institution, none of the officers drew salaries except those actually engaged in the business of the bank. As to deposits, it would cause no disappointment if not another dollar was received. Secretary T.S. Armour reported a similar encouraging condition of affairs at the Union Ditne Savings Bank present they were paying sums of $500 upon demand, and even larger amounts when satisfied that they were required for legitimate business purposes. Notices covering about $57,000 had been received, and scarcely a day passed without many withdrawals were made. The drafts were mostly in small amounts. The receipts of the month were in excess of the payments, and, considering the circumstances, compared very favorably with the business of last year for the same month. the difference amounting to about $83,000. At present. business was not quite as heavy as ordinarily During the three days' run about $175,000 had been paid out-the largest amount in one day being $129,000. This was not equal to the usual payments for January and July, when dividends were declared. At these times as high as $150,000 or $200,000 was distributed in a single day. Of those w ho had helped to cause the run upon the bank, the majority were of the poorest and most illiterate their customers-it was safe to say seven out of ten could neither read nor write. At the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank the Con troller said that they held notices of the withdrawal of deposits amount ing to $203,000. and in amounts varying from $50 to $2,000. He believed that little of this would be called for. Few notices were now coming in. only two or three a day. The receipts during the month were about one-third less than those of the corresponding month last year; the drafts were somewhat in excess. Much of the money was drawn for more profitable investment and not from any fear as to the security of the deposits. They still required the notice from those having no actual and immediate requirement for their moneys, but were paying all demands necessary for business purposes. At the Greenwich Savings Bank they have not exacted any notice from their depositors, meeting all demands promptly. Secretary Boyce stated that they were still paying out a larger amount of money than usual, but. as it seemed. chiefly to meet actual necessities. Few If any accounts were being closed, and no evidences of alarm could be seen among those making drafts. This ratber unusual drain upon the deposits he believed was occasioned partly by the large number of men out of employment at present, partly by the tightness of the money market, and partly by the investment of considerable sums in real estate. The drafts of this month were much larger than for the same period last year. He thought that the savings banks that had enforced the rule requiring notice from depositors would in the end suffer from it, and that those that had continued in the payment of all demands would be correspondingly benefited. Controller Craig, at the Bank for Savings of the City of New-York. said: Money is still coming in and going out. We are still paying out considerable more than our average previous to the panic, but among those drawing their deposits there are no evidences of fear as to their security. People seem to be very generally investing in good securities, and in real estate, and being unable to draw their deposits from other banks, are necessarily compelled to take what they have with us. Many are idle, and must have money to meet the actual requirements of life. Some of our country depositors have just heard that there has been some frouble in New-York, and are coming in to look after their deposits. Some take them. but more leave them. Very few accounts are being closed indeed a very fair percentage of money drawn during the excitement has been returned. To be brief, business is in most satisfactory condition. The secretary of the East River Savings Bank stated that the receipts for the week ending last Wednesday were $10,000 in excess of the amount for the corresponding week last year. The payments were somewhat heavier, and had been all along. Visits to numerous other savings banks-the German. Merchants' Clerks', Freedman's, Manhattan, Mechanics' and Traders', and Citizens'-substantiated the above reports. With all, business has resumed its ordinary channel, and the future appears most promising. THE DELTA KAPPA EPSILON FRATERNITY. EASTON. Pa.. Oct. 17.-The closing entertain-