19582. Washington Trust Company (Washington, PA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
October 5, 1931
Location
Washington, Pennsylvania (40.174, -80.247)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
eea60f71

Response Measures

Full suspension

Description

Oct 5, 1931 article reports heavy withdrawals and the Washington Trust Company suspended business that morning after a run. By Aug 27, 1932 the bank is described as 'closed' and paying dividends to depositors, indicating receivership/closure. Cause of the run appears linked to news of other regional bank failures and heavy withdrawals (local banking distress), not a discrete misinformation event.

Events (3)

1. October 5, 1931 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals and runs after news of distress/receivership of nearby banks (regional banking failures sparked depositor panic).
Measures
Directors voted unanimously to suspend business to conserve resources and protect depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt
Due to Heavy Withdrawals... When the news became public this morning there heavy run the Citizens [National Bank] ... the Union Trust Company ... was forced suspend business.
Source
newspapers
2. October 5, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Suspension followed heavy withdrawals and regional banking distress; directors closed to conserve resources for depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt
the Washington Trust Company suspended business this morning, the directors at meeting having voted unanimously to take that step.
Source
newspapers
3. August 27, 1932 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Dividends totalling $1,078,991 will be paid out Monday to depositors of the closed First Bank and Trust Company and the Washington Trust Company, Dr. William D. Gordon, state secretary of banking, announced yesterday.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Daily Notes, October 5, 1931

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Article Text

HEAVY DEMAND AFFECTS BANKS OVER COUNTY Two Institutions in Washington Suspend Business Today Two at Monongahela and One at Suffer the end that the resources the institution and the of interests its patrons might be conserved to the fullest the Washington Trust Company suspended business this morning, the directors at meeting having voted unanimously to take that step. Simultanoeusly became known that Alexander Company of Monongahela, the oldest banking house the Monongahela valley and one the few remaining private banks the state affected by state commission regulations financial reports, applied the court Saturday afternoon receivership, John and Carl Gibson, gahela, named receivers. Monongehal Trust Company Farmers Merchants National Bank Bentleyville, subsidiaries Alexander and pany, have the commissioner of banking and the comptroller the currency did open for business this morning not stated that the situation be only temporary the Washington Trust Company the oldest and considered one of the soundest institutions in this section of the state Due to Heavy Withdrawals Heavy of the past have affected the bank and the elected close rather than all of the resources that be ing the bulk its for distrimoney bution depositors. The closing action decided upon before the volved and is that loss will the When the news became public this morning there heavy run the Citizens tional Bank which continued day pay dollar for dollar. Late morning, however, the Union Trust Company, third bank, unable to withstand the heavy deposit demands and was forced suspend business. Statement of Bank The condensed statement of the condition the bank, released of June 1931, showed the following: and due from banks, and investments, $6,690,852.02; building, vaults, furniture and tures, other resources, stock, surplus and profits, deposits, other liabilities, $200,000; total, Trust funds invested, trust funds uninvested, $246,297.56; total, $8,Alexander Ends Life Following pointed by the court for Alexander and Company at Monongahela, H. Alexander, together former State Senator Joseph Herron, owned the bank and the subsidiary ended his his that place. Alexander, 66 years of the last the family the bank controlled for more than 80 years He been poor health for time and the grief and shock have mind caused him take life. His partner, Joseph ron, also Organized in 1850 The Alexander organized 1850 and has been ness for years. Its Former Senator Joseph Herron, also of the MonTrust and the (Continued on Page Three)


Article from The Daily Herald, August 27, 1932

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Article Text

WASHINGTON BANKS TO PAY DIVIDENDS Dividends totalling $1,078,991 will be paid out Monday to depositors of the closed First Bank and Trust Company and the Washington Trust Company, Dr. William D. Gordon. state secretary of banking. announced yesterday. Checks for the dividend payment have been received and distribution will be made at the banks, starting Monday.