1758. Putnam Savings Bank (Putnam, CT)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
November 21, 1928
Location
Putnam, Connecticut (41.915, -71.909)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f68441df

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health

Description

Multiple contemporaneous newspaper reports (Nov 20-22, 1928) describe a run on Putnam Savings Bank prompted by political motives/malicious rumors. State Banking Commissioner and neighboring banks intervened and depositors returned funds. There is no mention of a suspension, reopening, or receivership — bank remained open.

Events (1)

1. November 21, 1928 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Withdrawals attributed to malicious/false political rumors and insinuations about the bank's soundness.
Measures
State Banking Commissioner intervened; neighboring banks posted notices and offered to purchase Putnam deposit books at 100% of face value; placards posted assuring full confidence and solvency.
Newspaper Excerpt
Run on the Putnam Savings bank appears today to have been halted and depositors were returning their money when the bank opened this morning.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

Article from The Courier-News, November 21, 1928

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RUN ON BANK HALTED Putnam, Conn., Nov. 21 run Putnam Savings Bank appeared today to been halted depositors returning their money when the bank opened this morning. The run, bank officials say, was prompted by political motives. TUNNEY IS "IN" New York, Nov. 21 Tunney made the New York social the real test of standing, but he has made being the husband Polly Lauder. On page 461 is the entry: "Miss Lauder, George, Rome, Oct. James TUG GOES TO RESCUE New York, Nov. 21 tug boat from Fayal, Azores, the aid of the Greek ship Alexandria, which sent SOS early No word has been received from the tug.


Article from Record-Journal, November 21, 1928

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Run On Putnam Bank Halted By Statements Of Neighbors Putnam, Conn., Nov. 20. savings accounts the Putnam Savings bank which gan in unusual number yesterday afternoon being continued to some extent today, window card notices confidence in the stability the bank posted this aftersix other banks this section. was stated the Putnam Savings bank later that the number of deposits lately off. notice follows: the Putnam Savings bank, sound "We will any deposit issued by 100 cent Officers bank that had had the which had begun yesterday dropped tent today. ceased after the tices were posted.


Article from Sun-Journal, November 21, 1928

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RUN ON PUTNAM BANK IS STOPPED PUTNAM, Conn., Nov. 21-(P)Business Putnam Savings bank its there. The tions withdrawal deposits which number Monday puzzled the bank officers, ceased.


Article from New Britain Herald, November 21, 1928

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Run on Putnam Bank Seemingly Halted Putnam. Nov. 21 (UP). run on the Putnam Savings bank appears today to have been halted and depositors were returning their money when the bank opened this morning. State Banking Commissioner Lester E. Shippee and half-dozen banks here and in surrounding communities contributed to checking the run which bank officials say was prompted by political motives. Shippee came here from Hartford when after three days of withdrawals the run assumed serious proportions. He


Article from Morning Sentinel, November 21, 1928

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Other Banks Stop Run Cn Putnam Savings Bank Conn., Nov. of savings accounts in the Putnam Savings bank which began in yesterday continued notices in the stability of the bank this afternoon by of other banks in this stated at the Putnam Savings later that the number of deposits Im. mediately fell The as follows: "We have full in the Putnam bank It We any deposit book by the Putnam Bank 100 value Officers of bank said that they had no idea what occa. sioned the withdrawals


Article from The Day, November 21, 1928

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Run on Putnam Bank Halted; State Commissioner Expresses Confidence in Institution Nov. 21 -Withdrawdeposits from the Putnam Savings bank dwindled Tuesday afterand depositors began to return funds to the Timely Intercession by State Bank Commissioner Lester and expresconfidence in the bank by other banks of Putnam and vicinhalted on the institution and confidence State Bank Commissioner Shippee the bank solvent that was excellent financial condition He termed as "criminal" an attack on the commenced Saturday The that do in his power run false rumors culated about the and that he begin If possible The banks in Putnam and neightowns out assuring stateand posted follows full confidence the Putnam Savings bank. sound and solvent We will purchase deposit book issued the Putnam Savings bank at 100 per cent face Placards announcing this expres. posted and on street corners Putnam did much to allay the fears public placards bore the names of the Brooklyn bank of Citizens National bank of Cargill Putnam. Danielson Trust company of Danielson. Killingly Trust of Danjelson and the Windham County Nabank of Danielson Offers unlimited financial aid received by the bank Hartford and Trustees and officers of the savings announced they were unthe course of the rumors added that the total of deposits withdrawn was small in comparison to total deposits of the bank and its resources. Trustees of the Putnam Savings bank met Monday lar meeting and decided meet all withdrawals and permit the to Tuesday trustees and officers announced officially that depositors who had withdrawn savings be to redeposit them any and that no be feited providing withdrawn were returned within reasonable Ample funds In were on hand the the had boxes $1,500,000 could converted into cash immediately The rapid return of confidence on the the public was indicated by the many who came the withdraw funds left doing On cor and stores where mill and farmers gathered to discuss the situation talk indicated confidence the bank and banks to step given by words the bank commisfound reflection publicly steadily growing the circulated were entirely false and At the bank stated that the run had dangerous portions but that complete checkup on withdrawals was impossible the Trustees shortly expected that the of the will be quently The Putnam Savings bank which Daniel brother State Bank Commissioner and tive enjoyed steady and consistent growth recent years. Deposits increased from less than in than 3,000,000 and surplus has been considerably more than $325,000 There than 7,200 Assets of the 18 the most recent showed total of 475,345 up Mortgage loans, town and city public utility bonds $385, bank $100,000; cash in etc., Total deposits amounted to surplus and profits of The bank interest pays deposits the of per cent annually. Officers of the bank are: President Ernest B. vice John the and Alfred Ray worth, George Brousseau, Henry BosGrosvenor, Claus Hagstrom. Luther M. Reynolds and Melancthon Riddick


Article from The Springfield Daily Republican, November 22, 1928

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RUN ON BANK STOPS AS ASSURANCES MADE Putnam, Ct., Nov. ness at the Putnam Savings bank today was at its normal rate, it was stated there. The large number of applications for withdrawal of deposits on Monday that puzzled the bank officers have ceased. The demands ended almost entirely yesterday aft*ernoon when notices were posted to the effect that banks in this section would buy deposit books at 100 per cent of their face value. There was no tangible clew today. bank officials said, to the source of the rumors affecting the Putnam SavIngs bank on which the withdrawals, it is claimed, were based.


Article from Putnam Patriot, November 22, 1928

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The object of dastardly, malicious and criminal insinuation and inuendo, or deliberate false and criminal statements concerning its soundness, the Putnam Savings Bank experienced a mild run over the week-end. It was noticed last Friday that more than the normal number of deposits were being withdrawn. Saturday the number increased, and Monday morning still more arrived to close out their accounts. Monday afternoon the number of people going in and out of the bank attracted the attention of people in the business section, and Tuesday morning the situation took the aspect of a real run. By the roon hour the tide began to ebb. While the run was continued in the early afternoon it was noticed that a number of depositors had returned and asked to be allowed to redeposit the funds they had withdrawn earlier. Before the bank closed its doors at four o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, the banking room, crowded by anxious depositors in the morning, was empty. Normal Wednesday While it was anticipated that possibly there would be a few depositors from the outlying districts on hand, Wednesday morning, no one appeared at the bank to demand money. In fact at an early hour people who had withdrawn money called on the telephone to ask if they would be allowed to redeposit it. The bank met the situation without difficulty. Cash was brought in Tuesday morning and when all of the needlessly alarmed customers had been served there was plenty more cash on hand in case it was needed. A sack of currency was dumped on the counter just as a woman offered a bank book with a sizeable deposit. When she saw the piles of bills she asked to have the interest added onto her account and withdrew, but did not withdraw her money. There were also a number of depositors of funds among those who sought to withdraw. Depositors of the bank became panicky without right or reason. The total amount of withdrawals during


Article from Putnam Patriot, November 22, 1928

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BANK OVER RUN DEPOSITORS ON SAVINGS REURNING MONEY (Continued from Page One) whethin have withdrawn taken their deposits, cash, deposited loans received er they institutions, have or redeposit in the cluding on Putnam other their December Savings books, may Bank, 1st, without up to and loss in- of interest. seems to be little or actually done to There what was said Whatever set alarming purpose to the known as served to rumors its afloat. instill of it was it in the hearts many bank's the criminal unwarranted depositors fear doubtless and caused and ultimate In withdrawals, of the cowardly institution. purpose libel on this important to know just it what must fact, one seems but soundrumors reflected no were upon broadcast, the financial the have of the institution. as to what prominent of a political ness purpose There of are these rumors rumors citizens were. express Opin- the na- it ions belief of that While they this were yet may this be seems possible to be is ture. incredible, Whoever the responsible seems prevailing whispering for the opinion. serious campaign affair, could was not his insidious effective. for It as soon as any had subsided, have panicky fear the bank for those who a chance to in and the first had rushed had to money think their money with their soundthe matter over the eminent apparent. their possession, the bank became reason to ness of absence of any based its soundness, from an doubt Also the rumors except depositor that unknown stated this on hear-st fact one up to source. he In had not realized and safe an institution is. time that just the how Putnam sound Savings Bank deSecrecy Maintained the whole The strange affair part is as of to how secretly executplorable campaign few was who will While there heard rumors to ed. the whispering that they have they are a are unable Those for the say past month, they heard. offi state what rumors institution, including realize the of the bank, situation until a of there been closest cers day seriousness afternoon. to the the serious Had did not the whispering might Mon- realization of had how become the result campaign have been sooner forestalled. Bank Commissioner E. Lester State Bank Commissioner in Putnam Tuesday Shippee arrived early issued a statement is in morning. Putnam He Savings condition. Bank He excellent while such a also stated in the be made to made an that were the will bank. statement financial criminal He attack determine depositors upon that an source effort of the malicious deroga- instithe the bank. To make about a banking tory John Mr. bank tution With statements is former a serious, Shippee state criminal arrived the commission- Hartford- offense. B. Byrne, president of brother er, now vice- Trust Company, of the Connecticut Byrne, treasurer Buck, the of Putnam Daniel connected bank. J. with Also a Mr. Hartford in the unusual bank, in!atter here to assist the savings stitution. volume who came of business at assisted I I and Mr. Buck staff, Miss Treasurer Mr. Shippee Byrne and Edith his Dingwall and Levitt, Miss in waiting upon the rash Florence There little Miss Anna of Devine, tomers. There was was lit- reie time to do argue. so. The bank ample officials cash on sire that to there way was to the bank knew to alized and on the They also reand meet hand within all demands. the vaults in stocks, of the bonds, could bank that $1,500,000 that be convertible posed securities, turned into cash. it They was immediately attitude that perhaps to withdraw took well the for the depositors to spend sleepless beas their money as as to situation its safety, would be lieving nights short worrying also, lived that and the that deposits would be returned. Banks to Assistance morning the two Tuesday came to the asother Putnam sister bank During of their banks would accept by broad- the sistance that they the Putnam of face Savings good casting books Bank depositors at influence in value. and a bene- This ficial of the banks had move the significance had effect a Danielson on those who offer. understood and By moral also the the hour with actual and forward Putnam bank distribcome noon for the was support printed notice surrounding All the banks Danielson following uted towns: "Notice in Putnam Putnam and and statement: the doing busi- have made ness in the following full confidence is in sound the Putnam "We solvent. have Savings We Bank. will Putnam purchase It Savings any and issued by the cent face value. book Bank at 100 per was signed by the National BrookThis notice Bank, Citizens Company. DanielCompany, tional Bank. son lyn Bank, Savings, Trust Cargill and Company, Trust Windham Killingly County Trust NaIn addition Did Missionary to the above, Work officials of


Article from The Courier-News, November 22, 1928

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RUN ON BANK HALTED Putnam, Conn., Nov 22 (UP)-A run on the Putnam Savings Bank appeared yesterday to have been halted and depositors were returning their money when the bank opened this morning. The run, bank officials say. was prompted by political motives.