17770. Toledo Trust Company (Toledo, OH)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
August 18, 1931
Location
Toledo, Ohio (41.664, -83.555)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
1c2cbcf6

Response Measures

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

Description

Multiple contemporaneous articles (Aug 17–18, 1931) report Toledo's remaining banks, including the Toledo Trust Company, opening early and paying depositors after four/five other local banks closed. The Toledo Trust remained open, paid out funds, received large cash shipments from the Federal Reserve and other sources, and did not suspend — so this is classified as a run-only episode driven by contagion from local bank failures.

Events (1)

1. August 18, 1931 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals and precautionary demand at Toledo Trust Co. were triggered by the failure/closure or suspension of four/five other local Toledo banks.
Measures
Opened early to accommodate depositors; remained open late; received $11,000,000 by armored truck from the Federal Reserve in Cleveland and additional support/offers from other banks.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Toledo Trust Co. and the First National Bank opened at 7:30 a.m., an hour and a half before the customary time... 'You can have your money if you want it.'
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (6)

Article from Oakland Tribune, August 18, 1931

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ABATES BANKS Institutions Open Early to Accommodate Depositors opened their after the failure four other banks to open yesterday. With millions in their vaults, the banks opened doors soon the trickle apToledo Trust First National Bank opened hour half before the customary The Trust and Savings Bank opened West Toledo National Bank early. There greeted the the busiyesterday. and bankwere confident that the situation well in hand. have you want it. We remain open to take care the sent out, and did until yesterday. lines of were taken care The banks had more cash their vaults today than yesterday, officials Late arrived the bank Cleveland millions to meet any which might they Three the four larger banks remaining members the Bank of which nounced will the limit' to support Toledo banks remaining open. There offers support from other parts of the country.


Article from Evening Star, August 18, 1931

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BANKS OPEN EARLY IN TOLEDO CRISIS Situation There Believed Well in Hand After Four Institutions Fail. By the Associated Press. TOLEDO. Ohio, August 18.-Toledo's remaining banks opened early today to inspire confidence of their depositors after the failure of four other banks to open yesterday morning. With millions in their vaults, the banks opened their doors as soon as the first trickle of patrons appeared. The Toledo Trust Co. and the First National Bank opened at 7:30 a.m., an hour and a half before the customary time. Crowds Not Present. The Spitzer-Rorick Trust & Savings Bank opened at 8 a.m., and the West Toledo National Bank also opened early. There were no crowds such as greeted the banks at the opening of business yesterday, however. and bankers were confident that the situation was well in hand. "You can have you money if you want it. We will remain open to take care of the last customer." was the word the banks sent out and they did remain open until 4:40 p.m., yesterday, until the long lines of depositors had been taken care of, after opening an hour earlier in the morning to accommodate first arrivals. The banks had more cash in their vaults today than yesterday, officials said. Late yesterday $11,00,000 in currency arrived here by armored truck from the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland, and additional millions were available to meet any situation which might arise, officials said. Given Offers of Help. Three of the four larger banks remaining in business here are members of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, which has announced it will "go the limit" in support of those Toledo banks remaining open. There were offers of support from other parts of the country. It was pointed out that in the lines of depositors and in the ranks of the curious who thronged corners in the downtown district there was no disorder of any kind. Bankers said they believed confidence in the remaining banks is being restored rapidly and that the situation will be cleared in Toledo when depositors begin to understand that their money is there if they want it. The first of the banks here to close, did so two months ago. Three others immediately posted 60-day withdrawal requirements on savings deposits. Demands for cash would have been 80 heavy yesterday when the withdrawal notice expired, that the banks decided over the week end not to open yesterday morning. A fifth bank which had deposits in some of the others, also had to close. Among the latter four, bankers said, it will be possible eventually to pay off all deposits in full, but meanwhile the funds may be tied up for an indefinite period. Frozen assets and ] heavy withdrawals was the generally accepted explanation of the cause of the closings.


Article from Chicago Tribune, August 18, 1931

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of the situation. He summoned Mr Bain to his office and there, in the presence of Mr. Gilruth and Attorney Massena, demanded that he retract the statement in the newspaper. With tears in his eyes, the 63 year old banker is said to have argued his theories of bank and defended his in his banks, asserting that when they closed there was of assets to meet the deposit liabilities of 14,500,000. In contravention of this view, Mr. Gilruth included in his statement a declaration that upon his appointment as receiver he found cash of slightly more than to meet the deposit liabilities. Other resources, he said, consisted of the $2,000,000 Bain debts: another $2,000,000 in bank buildings and furnishings to other uses: and slightly more than $7,000,000 in estate loans. The remainder the assets, carried the books at slightly above $10,000,000 in value, included real estate holdings and real estate bonds, many of which were in defaut, the receiver asserted. Finds Assets Frozen. In short," the receiver summed up, the fact is that with the exception of the cash item and a relatively amount the remaining assets, the resources of the banks are tightly frozen and will require and patient if anything like their book is to be realized.' The declared it would be his policy to the position of the banks plainly to the depositors from time to time, adding that for the present he found it to predict what percentage of the assets the depositors would realize upon. The receiver intends to pursue the policy of stating the facts plainly to depositors from time to time, so far as he consistently do 80 with regard to his duty to liquidate the assets of the banks to the best possible and in the economical manner, the declared. Statement Covers Bank Chain. While it is true that each bank will be liquidated as an independent unit and some of the banks may be in better others, the similarity of makes this statement applicable to each situaMr. Gilruth listed the Bain debts of more than $2,000,000 as follows: John Bain John Bain, 993,574.40 John Bain R. E. Impr. 47,500.00 The Lews company 257,600.00 John 43,045.67 Robert 24,092.26 Total In support of his opinion that none of the $2,000,000 is collectible, Mr. Gilruth cited the condition of the Bain companies as follows: 'John Bain, Inc., is in receivership because of alleged Chief among its assets are nineteen properties, carried on the books at $6,060,000. and with $4,015,000 in bonds outstanding against them, leaving an to the books, of $2,045,000. A competer has advised the receiver that the present value the properties, instead of being $6,060,000, is only or a little more than one-half the amount of bonds outstanding on them. The Lews company is the record owner of nearly 25 per cent of the stock of the twelve closed banks. The receiver not with to its other assets or but believes it is that the company cannot pay what It owes the banks and also to liability If. as matter of fact, it can do Probe May Be Ordered. Grand jury the Bain bank management is possible, It was learned. State's Attorney Swanson, learning of Mr. Gllruth's statement declared that if the facts were established as alleged, he would order an investigation by his assistant, Henry Ayes, the prosecutor in charge of the state's attorney's bank bureau. The fact that Mr. Bain was fifteen years a member of the south park board and south side political leader of the Swanson forces in the party would in no way impede the investigation, Mr. Swanson was as saying. The original Bain bank-the West Englewood Trust and Savings at 1624 West 63d street, was founded in 1906. Mr. Bain, previously the proprietor of small real estate office in the neighborhood, incorporated the bank in partnership with Edward Barry, William Blumer, E. L. Schweder, and Michael Maisel. Builds Up Bank Chain. By launching banks in the then sparsely settled neighborhoods and, in some cases, by acquiring banks that failed, Mr. Bain built up the chain. On last April 12 Mr. Bain. observing his twenty-fifth anniversary as banker, was tendered a banquet attended by 400 employes and associates at the Shoreland hotel. Referring on that to the depression, Mr. Bain reaffirmed his confidence in the soundness of the instituhis name. On the day the banks closed John H. Bain, echoing his father's sentiments, pledged that the Bain banks would pay off 100 per cent. is just an outgrowth of the situation and the general uncertainty which was aroused that he said. pay out 100 cents on the dollar and there will be a substantial equity the stockholders.' Twelve Banks Involved. The list Bain banks is as follows: Armitage State, 3400 Armitage Tngs, 734 West 79th street: Brainerd State, 8640 South Ashland avenue; Bryn Mawr 2110 East 71st street; Chatham State, 7850 Cottage Grove avenue: Lawn State, 3150 West 63d street; State, 4332 Elston Ridge State, 7048 South Western Stony Island State Sav Ings, 68th and Stony Island avenue; Englewood Trust and Savings, 1624 West 63d street; West Highland State, 7900 South Ashland avenue, and West Lawn Trust and Savings, 63d street and Crawford avenue. TRUCK MILLIONS THROUGH CROWDS TO SAVE BANKS Toledo Depositors Paid as Guns Hold Back Rush. Toledo, O., Aug. 17.-[Special] Glant trucks, bearing men heavily armed with rifles and tear gas bombs, today trundled into the downtown district of Toledo carrying eleven million dollars in cash. The money had been sent to the Toledo Trust and the First National bank, which, had opened before their usual hours to pay off depositors who were worried over the closing of five other banks within 48 hours. Stay Open to Pay Depositors. The banks remained open after closing hours, still paying out all depositors who sought their money. The lines of depositors began to dwindle when it was seen that the banks. with the aid of the federal reserve bank, the Cleveland and Detroit bankers, were ready to meet all demands. It is estimated that 150,000 of Toledo's 290,000 residents had savings or checking tied up in the five closed banks which officials insist are solvent. The banks are the Commerce Guardian Trust and Savings bank, the Ohio Savings Bank and Trust company, the Savings Bank and Trust company, the American bank, and the Point Place State bank. The five have combined resources of and deposits of around $80,000,000. Their closing came at the expiration of the 60 day withdrawal notice which they posted when the Security Home Trust company closed two months ago. Reserve Funds Are Tied Up. The closing notices nied by that the action was taken to protect depositors. Officials of the American bank said it could have met normal but its reserves were tied up with two of the closed banks. The Spitzerrorick Trust and Sav ings bank and the West Toledo National remained open as usual, as did the Morris Plan and Industrial banks. Immense crowds filled downtown streets in front of the closed banks and their As the gold bearing trucks drove up to the curb before the banks open the depositors and the crowd of curious were hustled back guards presented firearms and tear gas Hundreds Jam Lobbies. While hundreds jammed in the lobbies of the two open banks, officials went tl crowd and directed porters to ice water to women suffering from the heat. Elderly women were to chairs and clerks assigned to their places in the line. Extra electric fans were placed at vantage points and other efforts made to assist those who had stood in line for hours to reach the tellers' cages. Business leaders and officials took steps to make funds available immediately to small depositors. The county commissioners asked courts to suspend foreclosure proceedings for year providing interest on mortgage loans is met, and the treasurer appealed to the state tax commission to extend the tax paying period. 6 Nebraska Banks Close. Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 17.-(P)-Six Nebraska state banks today failed to open their Gov. Charles W Bryan and E. H. Luikart, secretary of the state of trade and said the closings were the result of bank in Omaha. The six banks had deposits of


Article from The Baltimore Sun, August 18, 1931

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TOLEDO SEEKS AID AS BANKS CLOSE Business Leaders Take Steps To Ease Financial Situation There NEEDY TO BE ASSISTED Six Nebraska Institutions Fail,To Open-One In Virginia Suspended [By the Associated Press] Toledo. Ohio, August 17-Industrial and financial leaders moved rapidly tonight to aid depositors after four large Toledo banks and a small one had closed in the last twenty-four hours. The last bank to shut its doors was the Point Place State, which opened December 1929, with $25,000 capital, $5,000 surplus and about $80,000 in deposits. Small Loans Planned To minimize hardship among an estimated 150,000 depositors affected by the closing of the five institutions, members of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of Toledo decided they would aid their unemployed workers with small loans whenever necessary. The association decided it was impractical to try to raise funds from the membership to aid concerns af. fected. It was estimated this would require at least $5,000,000. A suspension of industry here was not anticipated. of the banks, will be discussed at a Several large truck loads of money meeting tomorrow of the citizens' comwere rushed here from the Federal mittee recently named by Mayor WilReserve Bank at Cleveland to aid the liam T. Jackson to study the city's unbanks remaining open. To take care employment and poor relief problem. of an increased amount of withdrawals It was pointed out that the closing the Toledo Trust Company opened an of the banks, with its resultant slowhour early and closed at 4.40 P. M. ing up of tax payments, would interNone of the banks reported any fere seriously with the city's power hardship by remaining open. Fairly to issue bonds to finance poor relief. long lines of depositors were reported at the First National, the West Toledo National Bank, the Spitzer-Rorick Trust and Savings and the Morris Plan and Industrial Banks, two special plan banks. The Point Place Bank directors reported late this afternoon they were closing for the protection of their depositors, and that it could collect on its loans, practically all of which were made after the period of inflation. Plans for caring for the needy, impoverished temporarily by the closing Six Nebraska Banks Fail To Open Doors Lincoln. Neb., Aug. 17 (P)-Six Nebraska State banks failed to open for business today. Gov. Charles W. Bryan and E. H. Luikart. secretary of the State Department of Trade and Commerce, said the closings were the result of recent bank suspensions in Omaha. The six banks had total deposits of approximately $1,180,000.


Article from The Richmond News Leader, August 18, 1931

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Toledo's Remaining Banks Open Up Early TOLEDO, O., Aug. ledo's remaining banks opened early today to inspire confidence of their depositors after the failure of four other banks to open yesterday morn- With millions their the opened as the first trickle of peared. Toledo Company and the National bank openhour and half before the customary time


Article from The Jersey Journal, August 19, 1931

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The Long and Short of It NEW suspensions throughout of this country direct attention to what happens this city when bank is reported to be difficulties, and to aspects of bank closings not apparent on the surface Suppose New York City bank. member of the York Clearing House. reported in mediately the Clearing House the job and the situation each pretty make their report the Clearing, House Executive soon as this report is made. along the most recent balance sheet obtainable. the executive committee of the Clearing House takes for discussion all the up members that These members turn go back to their respective and of all their who are formed about exact status the institution sistant cashiers and assistant cashiers fully informof situation. able help persons inquiring about the reported be trouble. party huge account the bank to transfer that deposit Clearing House he finds the cepted. Each the Clearing deposits then thereby adding that bank's strength Furthermore, the Clearing House publishes daily local then newspapers showall members of the instituing one memweek or two ago, be omitted the the adverfrom tisement effect say that the questioned longer member and probably had been let Dividend checks, pay checks. payments all sorts tied as result local are the average managed has deposits more than one bank and in banks more than one city. This was empha- sized today when Owen Illinois Glass Co. informed shareholders they would make good the the Ohio dend Bank Trust Co. and mailSavings Ohio shareholders will receive checks on the Toledo Trust while holders elsewhere will get drawn on the Guaranty from special funds provided by the corporation for that purpose. Curiously enough, bears on Electrio Auto Lite and think the average person gullible indeed. they intimated that the Toledo banking situation would interfere operations these corporations. both the who believe in frankly informing shareholders of conditions times. The that Electric Auto Lite of ficials companies' bank accounts other Toledo banks and bank trust where more than be sufficient to maintain operations at the present rate. Some of the nervous persons .who their the banks following the Toledo failures are having difficult investing suit their ideas safety. Bond today sharp for of United States ernment The favorite purchase the Treasury which yield But buyers of the $100 $500 have pay from points the this cuts the yield from 1-16 to Howmany are paying 2% or less deposits, no those safety all. Treasury are exempt from normal income tax. One Stock Exchange house reporttoday customer had not in the market since 1929 them cer tified check for $6,000 80, and asked his account reopened. He "The banks won't much interest anyway, and them are not might gamble with as have somebody else do for