2609. National Bank (West Palm Beach, FL)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
12930
Charter Number
12930
Start Date
March 15, 1927
Location
West Palm Beach, Florida (26.715, -80.053)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
99831af3

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Full suspension

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
66.2%
Date receivership started
1927-11-18
Date receivership terminated
1932-01-02
Share of assets assessed as good
53.5%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
35.0%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
11.5%

Description

Contemporary articles (Mar 15, 1927) describe light runs on the National Bank of West Palm Beach amid county-wide bank runs caused by other local bank closures. Later (June 22, 1928) the receiver of the defunct National bank of West Palm Beach announced dividends and notes the bank closed last fall, indicating it suspended and entered receivership. I infer the sequence: run (Mar 1927) → suspension/closure (fall 1927) → receivership/dividends (Jun 22, 1928). Cause of the initial run is attributed to runs/distress at other local banks; suspension/closure appears related to the local banking distress (classified as local_banks).

Events (5)

1. May 10, 1926 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. March 15, 1927 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Runs and the closing of three additional Palm Beach county banks prompted depositors to withdraw; National Bank experienced light runs amid county-wide panic.
Measures
Remained open to serve patrons; reported caring for patrons and no serious disturbance.
Newspaper Excerpt
The National Bank of West Beach reporting that it had silenced no real flurry and was caring for patrons
Source
newspapers
3. September 1, 1927* Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Closed in the fall following a period of county-wide bank distress and prior runs on local institutions; article does not explicitly tie closure solely to a specific run on this bank.
Newspaper Excerpt
the defunct National bank of West Palm Beach ... closed last fall
Source
newspapers
4. November 18, 1927 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. June 22, 1928 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Receiver of Two Defunct Institutions Announces Early 10 Percent Payment ... deposits the West Palm Beach first to be paid since it closed last fall. B. Cunningham, receiver for both institutions, announced ... substantial dividend would be paid late July or early August ... checks were expected shortly ... for 10 per cent dividend on the Lake Worth bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (3)

Article from The Palm Beach Post, March 15, 1927

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Article Text

QUIETER TONE IS AFTER HEAVY RUN Citizens Bank Meets Every Request With Cash as Farmers Suspends TWO OTHER SMALL BANKS IN COUNTY CLOSE IN DAY Feeling of Stability In Remaining Financial Houses Is Shown A quieter tone prevailed throughout the community night. following a period of excitement when a determined run on the Citizens' Bank. prompted by the closing of three additional Palm Beach county banks. abated early in the afternoon leaving only thin lines of depositors at the windows. Of the remaining local banks, the Central FarmTrust company and the National Bank of West Palm B light runs. but closed practically at regular time when crowds The Citizens' bank, however. announcing that plenty of funds had been obtained to pay every depositor. remained open until 6 o'clock to meet all requests for payments. It will resume regular hours today, according to B. A. Maxfield, president. The normaley was aided largely by the 12 to Bank did the Worth Bank of ted The Bank Bank of and the and to Franklin 1. president the company late expressed that the in stating no difficulties for his tion "Our but number of ble substant new counts opened. We had all but the died closed Page


Article from The Palm Beach Post, March 15, 1927

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Article Text

QUIETER TONE IS PREVAILING HERE AFTER HEAVY RUN the doors, but admitted any one who throughout the afternoon. "I am particularly gratified with the in which the Citizens' Bank came through. Mr. Maxfield is certainly to be congratulated and the lirectors are be commended for their remarkable loyalty. was great tribute to Mr. abiland to the support accorded him. The Morris Plan Bank of West Beach, member of the MorPlan chain throughout the Uniris ted favorable report gave night through the James H. Callahan. who stated that no withdrawals had been and number of accounts had been opened. The feeling of confidence was attributed largely to the charof the New York James A. Hoyt of the who was in the spoke very of the The National Bank of West Beach reporting that it had lenced no real flurry and was car Ing for patrons was continuing new quarters in the Harvey build late the month Meanwhile banking officials and at quieting upon the patrons of banks to give their institutions "proper and assuring depositors the banks which have remained will be able to Officials of the Citizens bank pressed determination not to will than now open and of the Farmers Bank and Trust company main tained Inactivity of the real estate mar ket and the fact much of the bank receivables based upon that kind of security given by Comptroller Ernest Amos as the cause for the recent which faster than the banks can liquidate their have resulted the down of making necessary for the institutions to pend." the adding that does not follow that because bank closed that of the of banks in Florida the the condition of most of the suspended banks has the and nttitude of the public Mr. Amos am not looking for greater financial depression if people will their heads If they become frightened make run on bank of any locality the situation will become The people themselves can injure or help situation. Banks have and not With the of depositors and banks can be It


Article from The Palm Beach Post, June 22, 1928

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Article Text

PROMISE IS GIVEN OF BANK DIVIDENDS Receiver of Two Defunct Institutions Announces Early 10 Percent Payment A note of optimism was injected yesterday into the local financial situation by announcement that dividends would be paid shortly to depositors defunct National bank of West Palm Beach the First National of Lake Worth. B. Cunningham, receiver for both institutions, announced yesterday that in late July or early Angust substantial dividend would be deposits the West Palm Beach first to be paid since it closed last fall. At the same time he announced that checks were expected shortly from Washington for 10 per cent dividend on the Lake Worth bank. This bring the dividends to 35 per cent. Policeman J. M. Tapscott showed the boys how is done yesterday on the when hung up of Yackie and Adams each scored 62 to tie for