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New Fla. Natl. Bank Building And Drive-In To Open Aug. 1 Key West's only bank, the Florida National, built 1891 is getting the most thorough architectural and equipment overhauling in its 62 year history. A landmark at the foot of Duval street the two-story building is having a long extension built on Front street which will house the dozen or more teller cages, two drive-in depositories, vaults, and night depositorfes after August 1, Bank President Jerry Trevor said today. The extension of brick exterior, and marble interior, will be one story, air conditioned, and lighted by 18 windows as well as indirect fluorescent lighting. The new bank building is being built for the comfort of customers and speed of business transacted. The speed is necessary because the bank is doing a greater volume of business than at any previous period in its long history. Volume of deposits is greater; activity is larger; there are more clearings than ever before and the bank is lending more money than ever, according to Trevor. It all adds up to more money in circulation in Key West and the Keys. Part of the volume of bank business has been due to the giant housing programs going on in the city. Now that this peak is over, and the seasonal peak of money activities is over, Trevor expects a period of settling in the next six months. Trevor, president of the bank since 1946, has been with the bank since 1924. During those 28 years he has watched Key West prosper, decline, and prosper "The bank was the last one in the nation to close its doors in the depth of the depression. And then it was only on order of the President of the United States. This bank was among the first to re-open after President Roosevelt's bank holiday. "Key West has seen some awfully bad times, but our bank has always had the confidence of the community." Trevor said "We feel good that we've never had a run on the bank. it shows that Key West has confidence in us." Trevor himself a fourth generation Key Wester on his mother's side, the Fogarty part of the family, has confidence in Key West. Trained at Wharton School of Finance. University of Pennsylvania, Trevor has kept a sharp eye on Key West's banking business since 1924 "We have wanted to expand for a long time, he said showing me the new extension. The big glass and aluminum entrance to the new building will open on Front. The drivein windows. however, will be around back near the Tropical hotel side of the building. With one at each end, car drivers can come up to the inch thick bullet proof window. and make their wants known to the teller inside through a talking ma chine. The teller can hear what the depositor says as well as direct him. Then the depositor drops his money and slips in to the trough: it comes through to the teller. who sends back the change and receipt slip to him. All the teller's business is done in full view of the de positor. Trevor said that two is as large a number of drive-in windows as any of the Florid banks in this group. A vastly expanded night de pository has already been in stalled in the building It will hold up to 200 bags of money deposited over night Trevor said The bank will hold 1.000 new safety deposit boxes and booths for safety deposit customers, in the old building This will be located where the money vault at present Officers quarters also be in the old section which is being
