2532. Highlands County bank (Sebring, FL)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
April 14, 1933
Location
Sebring, Florida (27.496, -81.441)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
235dde93

Response Measures

None

Description

The bank suspended in April 1933 (articles give April 14 and April 21 as suspension dates). Suspension appears tied to alleged embezzlement by former banker C. A. (May) Skipper — i.e., bank-specific adverse information. A conservator was appointed and the institution did not resume normal independent operations; by Nov 1933 it is described as the closed Highlands County bank paying dividends to creditors under a conservator, indicating permanent closure/receivership rather than a simple temporary reopening. One article mentions reopened under conservator, likely referring to operations under conservatorship, but later evidence (dividend payments, description as closed) shows it remained closed to normal business.

Events (3)
1. April 14, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Indictments and alleged embezzlement by former Sebring banker C. A. (May) Skipper; multiple indictments for misapplication/embezzlement of bank funds prompted suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank suspended April 14.
Source
newspapers
2. May 4, 1933 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
C. A. Skipper ... was under indictment ... on charges of embezzling $57,500 in notes and cash belonging to the Highlands County bank, which now is operating under a conservator. The bank suspended April 14. (From Orlando Evening Star, 1933-05-04.) Trial and indictments reported in subsequent papers as well; this documents the criminal charges tied to the bank's suspension.)
Source
newspapers
3. November 15, 1933 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Closed Bank Paying 15 Per Cent Dividend ... The dividend was the third paid since the bank suspended in April, and brings to 35 per cent ... the closed Highlands County bank by E. S. Martin, conservator. (News-Press, 1933-11-23 reporting Nov 15.)
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (6)
1. April 29, 1933 The Tampa Tribune Tampa, FL
Article from The Tampa Tribune, April 29, 1933

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Article Text

Highlands Grand Jury To Renew Bank Probe Monday SEBRING April 28.-(Special.) The grand jury inquiry into affairs 1 Can IGA Cleanser of the Highlands County bank, which started last week when the bank sus- 1 Bar IGA Hardwater Soap pended, will be resumed Monday. 1 No. 4 Pkg. Brick Figs Summons for two officers of the bank and one employe, as well as four 1 8-oz. Can Diced Beets other witnesses, were served today The inquiry will be conducted by 1 8-oz. IGA Grapefruit State Attorney C. Adkins of the 1 1-oz. Pkg. Pecan Halves eighth circuit, Gainesville, who has been assigned by Governor Sholtz, 1 Bar IGA Beauty Soap effective Monday Adkins will conduct cases in which resident State Attorney Grady Burton is disquali- 1 1-lb. Pkg. IGA Evap. Peaches fied. The bank since has been reopened under conservator. 1 Large Can IGA Hominy

2. May 4, 1933 Orlando Evening Star Orlando, FL
Article from Orlando Evening Star, May 4, 1933

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Article Text

SEBRING BANKER IS INDICTED SEBRING, (P)-C. A. Skipper, former Sebring banker, was under indictment today on charges of embezzling $57,500 in notes and cash belonging to the Highlands County bank, which now is operating under a conservator. The bank suspended April 14. The indictment contains several counts. Bond was set at $10,000. TRUCCO SEEN AS AMBASSADOR SANTIAGO, Chile- (AP) -It is reported here that Manuel Trucco, former provisional president of Chile, may be named ambassador to Washington.

3. May 4, 1933 The Bradenton Herald Bradenton, FL
Article from The Bradenton Herald, May 4, 1933

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Article Text

SKIPPER INDICTED May Skipper. former Sebring banker, under indictment today charges of embezzling and cash belonging to the Highlands County bank which operating under bank suspended April The indictment contains several counts. set $10,000 by Barker.

4. May 5, 1933 Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, FL
Article from Pensacola News Journal, May 5, 1933

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Article Text

Sebring Banker Facing Charges The Press) May Skipper, former Sebring banker, was under indictment today charges embezzling in notes and cash belonging to the Highlands County bank, which now is operat. under The bank suspended April The indictment several counts. Bond at $10,000 by Judge W. ker.

5. May 19, 1933 The Tampa Times Tampa, FL
Article from The Tampa Times, May 19, 1933

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Article Text

Trial of C. A. Skipper On Bank Fraud Charge Will Be Held July 6 Sebring. May 19.-Circuit Judge W. Barker has denied motions 10 quash indictments charging A. Skipper Sebring banker. with and secretion of $45,000 from the Highlands County bank which suspended April 21. The bank now operating under conservator The court also refused ruling on petition for change of venue and set Skipper's trial for July Two indictments charging wilfut misapplication of bank funds also were returned against E. Lien, president of the Highlands county bank Teh grand jury indicted Constable H. E. Franklin. of Venus, with embezzlement of county funds. and recommended to the governor that he remove Franklin from office. The grand jury today returned another indictment charging Skipper and E. Etheridge, former state senator until recently cashier for the closed Highlands bank and Trust company with and conversion of note. property of the

6. November 23, 1933 News-Press Fort Myers, FL
Article from News-Press, November 23, 1933

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Article Text

Closed Bank Paying 15 Per Cent Dividend SEBRING. Nov 15 per cept dividend. amounting to approximately $7,000 is being dis-y tributed to creditors of the closed Highlands County bank by E. S Martin, conservator The dividend was the third paid since the bank suspended in April, and brings to 35 per cent. or approximately 843 000 the amount paid depositors. The bank had deposits of $125,000 when it closed