First National Bank - Dallas, TX

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 3623
Charter Number: 3623
Start Date: March 23, 1930
Location: Dallas, Texas (32.783, -96.807)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 2df017d52fd25afb

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health

Other: The bank used a jazz orchestra and served sandwiches as a public-psychological reassurance measure to calm depositors.

Description

Article (Star Tribune, 1930-03-23) describes a short-lived depositor run on the First National Bank of Dallas that was quelled the same day by hiring a jazz orchestra and serving sandwiches. No suspension or closure is mentioned.

Events (2)

1. January 25, 1887 Chartered

Source: historical_nic

2. March 23, 1930 Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: A panic/nervous withdrawal by depositors (psychological run) with no specific bank insolvency allegation described.
Measures: Hired a jazz orchestra to play in the lobby and served sandwiches to depositors, restoring confidence within six hours.
Newspaper Excerpt: run was started by depositors on the First National Bank Dallas Texas. The bank hired jazz orchestra... served sandwiches to all depositors... in six hours the run on the was over.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. March 23, 1930 Star Tribune Minneapolis, MN

Article from Star Tribune, March 23, 1930

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Article Text

Jazz Stops Run on Bank. It has long known, of course, that music hath charms, but has hitherto not been suspected that they might be invoked to stop run on bank. Not long in of those psychological reactions most difficult to account for run was started by depositors on the First National Bank Dallas Texas. The bank hired jazz orchestra. stationed it the lobby and served sandwiches to all depositors. The affair took on some of the aspects of an afterreception, but in six hours the run on the was over. This rether better banking than the time. honored techn long employed in such situations of dragging cash forth from the vaults and arranging in prodigious displays, while vans came from other banks unload huge cargoes of money. The bank employed the psychology of singing in the rain most cleverly and set it music. said its depositors: Here's your money; glad you called; hope are enjoying the music; have sandwich. There nothing quite like that for allaying fear and restoring confidence. It is irreIt-is reassuring, to read that at the very first lot of the panicky depositors tiptoed through the tulips, straight back to the bank return its vaults money they had withdrawn. Incidentally also appears that jazz, much reviled for its barbarity, has properties of the greatest practical value. Thousands will regret that its efficacy leveler panies not discovered before the recent stock market disturbance. PARAGRAPHIC SHOTS. Pittsburgh in search about attended student party He more than He shot and City Tribune. Diplomacy often required deal with nation provided can have entirely its own Star. Before long automobile dealers in selling new will prove the buyer that there's room the world for Gazette. The women haven't yet asked to have the last word the bearing, but perhaps get -Omaha World Herald. Burying the hatchet you much good unless to hang up the of life's little Ironies is found the fact that pole motor Transcript. France needs good fashioned sacrifice style for land Tribune. The Grundyites taken the out of coalition