Brainerd State Bank (Chicago, IL)

Episode Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Start Date
June 9, 1931
Location
Chicago, Illinois (41.850, -87.650)
Bank Type
state
Routing Number
2-0403

Metadata

Notes

Part of the John Bain 12-bank chain; receivership and liquidation followed the June 1931 closures.

Events (3)

1. June 9, 1931 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals triggered by the recent suspension/closing of several other Chicago neighborhood banks, producing runs on Bain chain banks.
Newspaper Excerpt
Closing of the Bain banks followed the suspension of business at six other neighborhood banking institutions yesterday. Heavy withdrawals were made on the banks...
Source
newspapers
2. June 9, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Bank closed (suspended business) in response to heavy withdrawals and contagion from other local bank failures/closures.
Newspaper Excerpt
twelve outlying Chicago banks ... were closed today because of heavy withdrawals following closing of several other Chicago banks.
Source
newspapers
3. July 16, 1931 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Gilruth Appointed Bain Bank Receiver ... State Auditor Oscar Nelson has pointed Gilruth ... for the twelve banks the John Bain chain, all of which closed.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (7)

Article from The Washington Times, June 9, 1931

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

HEAVY DRAIN ON DEPOSITS BLAMED Bain Institutions on South Side Have $15,860,000 e in "Vaults; 6 Closed Yesterday CHICAGO, June 9 (I.N.S.). I welve outlying Chicago banks, In all of which John Bain, financial leader, is chairman of the board, were closed today because of "heavy withdrawals following closing of several other Chicago banks." The 12 banks, as of record March 25, have total deposits of $15,860,000, total cash resources of $1,239,000, and total capital, surplus and undivided profits of $6,306,737. 6 Closed Yesterday Closing of the Bain banks followed the suspension of business at six other neighborhood banking institutions yesterday. Heavy withdrawals were made on the banks in spite of the statements of financiers that two huge mergers of downtown banks, accomplished early yesterday, had "cleared up" the banking situa. tion in the city. The banks which closed today are Armitage State Bank, Auburn Park Trust and Savings Bank, Brainerd State Bank, Bryn Mawr State Bank, Chatham State Bank. Chicago Lawn State Bank, Elston State Bank, Ridge State Bank. Stony Island State Savings Bank. West Englewood Trust and Savings Bank. West Highland State Bank and the West Lawn Trust and Savings Bank. All On South Side All of the institutions are on the South and Southwest Side. Dramatic action by officers was necessary to check runs at one or two other neighborhood banks this morning. The State Savings Bank and Trust Company, which was an affiliate of the Foreman group. today was acquired by the Liberty Trust and Savings Bank.


Article Text

Gilruth Appointed Bain Bank Receiver

Will Establish Headquarters West Englewood Trust and Savings Bank

State Auditor Oscar Nelson has pointed Gilruth, 100 for the twelve banks the John Bain chain, all of which closed Mr. Gilruth, after posting $1,700,000 that headquarters the will be established the West Trust and Savings bank, 1620 West 63d street, most easily accessible of the chain. has further been announced that for the banks will appointed that each will obliged liquidate and meet individually. Mr. Gilruth, statement made Monday, liquidation proceedings group will ready for presentation court by the He stated that until then no assets what found the closed institutions by State Auditor Nelson be made public.

The Bain banks listed assets claimed deposits closed. The banks this group Armitage State bank, Auburn Park Trust Savings bank, Brainerd State bank, Bryn State bank, Chatham State bank, Chicago Lawn State bank, State bank. Ridge State bank, Stony Island Savings bank, West Trust Savings bank West Highland State bank and Lawn Trust Savings bank.


Article Text

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 Text

OPEN BAIN BANK BOOKS TODAY IN HUNT FOR FRAUD

Swanson Accountants to Search Records.

(Picture on back page.) State's Attorney search for of the state banking in the management of the de funct Bain banks will begin today. Henry E. Ayers, banking specialist of the state's staff, will em bark this morning on study of the records of the original Bain bank. the West Englewood Trust and Savings, at 1624 West 63d street, where John Bain made his start as financier 25 years ago and where the Bain bank receiver. Irwin T. Gilruth, now has headquarters.

All Records to Be Searched.

Finishing there, the and his will from bank to bank of the Bain group on the south and the twelve institutions the chain have been examined. Estimates were that the investigation would require many weeks. mode of the work the and receiver in order to expedite the investigation was agreed upon at a conference yes terday between Mr. Ayers and Mr. Gilruth. They talked for and half behind closed doors in Mr. Swanson's downtown office. Chatting afterwards with reporters, Mr. Ayers expressed himself as being gratified with the Mr. Gilruth had extended him. His remarks were taken to indicate a healing of the breach between and as Tuesday when Mr. Swanson tartly criticized State Auditor Oscar Nelson and the various bank receivers for "lack of Produces Some of Records. Mr. Gllruth some of the Bain bank records here with him,' Mr. Ayers. We discussed the said condition of the Bain banks generally Thus there appears to be no far dence of criminal violations of the bank act in those banks. Receiver Gilruth broke in at that point. of that my published report on the Bain banks made charges of criminal acts against any one,' he cautioned the reporters. During the day new light was cast the origin of the report, wherein Mr. Gilruth the $2,000,000 indebtedness of the Bain to the banks, thus precipitating the state's investigation. The receiver' purpose in issuing it had puzzled many Purpose of Report Revealed. From reliable was learned that preparation and of the report was by Auditor Nelson personally. His purpose, it is understood, was to acquaint Mr. Bain's friends with the seriousness of his plight on the theory that they would be produce cash to meet his debts to the banks, thus providing for the deposito Mr. Bain has been for 15 years of the south park board and wheel horse in the Deneen Republican organization. From an individual high in the councils of the Deneen It was learned that some of the banker's wealthy friends have at least taken cognizance of the state auditor's broad hint. There has been some discussion of raising fund to meet Mr. Bain's debts," this informant said. In other times it could have been done, but cash is scarce right now. among the so called There is talk of plan of Mr. to take over and his real holdings, but this too may come to naught.' Several hundred depositors of the

Brainerd State bank, a Bain Institution. met last night in hall at 8656 South avenue to elect depositors' committee. Considerable stormy talk developed the merits of Mr. Bain's claim that with careful administration by the receiver," the banks would pay off in full. Criticism was hurled Mr. Bain. Receiver Gilruth and Auditor Nelson, indiscriminately.

The depositors elected committee comprising William Schmidt, vice president of the North Beverly Improvement association; G. F. Blaul, chairman of the directors of the improvement James Cunningham president of the association: S. Freel, president of the Brainerd association: Henry Altman, William and Joseph Balluff, Mr. Schmidt presided.

Probe Waukegan Bank.

Circuit Judge Ralph Dady of Lake county yesterday granted petition of State's Attorney A. Smith for grand jury investigation of the affairs of the Waukegan State bank. closed on June 18 with listed deposits of 000 and only $38,000 cash on hand. Auditor Nelson announced the closing of the Arlington Heights State bank of Arlington Heights. an institution with deposits of


Article Text

Hear Receiver's Petition on Bank Dividends Apr. 15

Superior Court Judge William Lindsay has April 15 to hear titions Receiver Irwin Gilruth for orders pay dividends per cent two the Bain chain twelve South Side banks, which closed June 1931. The banks in which final authority proved claims Mawr State, and the Brainerd State, 8646 South Ashland

The former has 6,000 may paid The Brainerd State bank has who may receive approximately No objection either petition is filed yet. These totals may because not depositors have filed claims and many instances plural accounts held by the same owner will be solidated. When paid, this will be the first money returned any twelve banks the chain, which approximately $12,000,000 persons. State Auditor Nelson has paved for court approval this payment by giving necessary

Plan Court Test Loans Mr Nelson ordered his legal to suit deterprepare whether receivers closed banks the legal right money from ReconstrucFinance against the banks' assets order to make depositors. taken after auditor had been informed by corporation that could lend funds state bank receivers Illinois Supreme court would rule such loans The alternative would legal. the state banking stated by the auditor that change the could special had called and legislature referendum held Even then Supreme would on the validity of new legisla-


Article Text

TELLS HOW BAINS OPENED BANK ON BORROWED FUNDS

Obtained $271,000 Loan to Start Brainerd State.

How the Brainerd State bank was organized capital of $320,000. of which $271,000 was money borrowed from other Bain banks, was related yesterday at the trial of John Bain. former head of the chain of twelve banks. and his two sons and The four are charged with conspiracy to loot the banks. Besides this testimony William Leslie, brother of the elder Bain, told of many deals in which he and Bain sold property to the Bain banks at many times what it cost them. In the trial, which is being heard by Judge John M. O'Connor without a jury, the by Prosecutor Edwin Raber has been bitterly contested by Francis X. Busch, the defense attorney, who has demanded that every witness point out each specific in the 886 exhibits introduced by the state. Organized in 1928. The Brainerd State bank was or ganized Nov. 1, 1928, and was located at 8646 South Ashland Hiram B. Kadish, an testimony that the property was listed on the books as having cost $335,000. The purport of other testimony was that this was $200,000 in excess of the actual Miss Rodilia Hack. 8135 Throop street, bookkeeper for the West Englewood Construction company, who purchased 10 shares of Brainerd stock with money from another bank, the itemized costs of the building. The was owned by Eric F. Wiegel, partner with Bain in many deals and heavy borrower from the Bain banks. $160 Share for Stock Raber emphasized that the Brainerd stock cost $160 a share when the bank was organized. Busch, however, on showed that all but $47,490 of the capital stock had been in when the bank was closed June 1931. The prosecutor had the witness Leslie, who was vice of the Chicago Lawn State bank and director of two other Bain banks, tell of each specific piece of property he and Bain sold to the various banks. Cost price to them and sale price to the banks on four sites were given by Leslie as follows:

Cost. Selling price. $ 65,000 115,000 200,000 72,000 96,000 20,000 65,000 What was your purpose in buying


Article Text

BAIN RECEIVER FILES $1,452,000 SUIT ON BONDS

Irwin T. Gilruth, receiver of the 12 Bain banks, yesterday filed suit agai the Eagle Indemnity company of New York to recover $1,452,000 for the depositors of the closed institutions. The suit was filed in the Superior court against the two $100,000 bonds which the company had written for each of the eleven of the twelve banks. The bill, filed by the law firm of

Kirkland, Fleming, Green & Martin, counsel for receiver, states that the receiver is entitled to sue on liabilities up to the full of each bond. The claims against the bonding company, plus interest closing of the banks on June 9, 1931, follow: Auburn Park Trust and Savings. 12,000 Brainerd State 105,000 Bryn Mawr State 150,000 Chatbam State 190,000 Chicago Lawn State 190,000 Elston State 65,000 Ridge State 70,000 Stony Island State 220,000 West Englewood Trust and Savings 200,000 West Highland State 160,000 West Lawn Trust and 90,000 For the 12th bank Receiver Gilruth already has brought suit for $100,000