Security State Bank (Omaha, NE)

Episode Information

Episode Type
Suspension β†’ Closure
Start Date
August 14, 1931
Location
Omaha, Nebraska (41.259, -95.938)
Bank Type
state
Routing Number
27-0059
Canonical name
South Omaha State Bank
Alt. names
Security State Bank

Metadata

Notes

Bank was turned over to state department for liquidation and did not reopen.

Events (2)

1. August 14, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals and contagion from recent Omaha bank failures/suspensions prompted closure.
Newspaper Excerpt
South Omaha State bank...has been turned over to the state department trade and commerce for liquidation
Source
newspapers
2. August 14, 1931 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
South Omaha State bank...has been turned over to the state department trade and commerce for liquidation, was announced here last night.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (22)

Article Text

RULES

Judge Hastings at Omaha Holds He Is State Bank Receiver.

Judge Hastings in written afternoon at Omaha in the case of Nebraska VS. Security State oank of Omaha, held that Secretary of the banking department is rightfully receiver for state banks and replaces Clarence G. Bliss, former secretary. Judge Hastings order, entered late 'Application to substitute the present acting secretary of the department banking for Bliss, former secretary and receiver of said bank is sustained. The court finds that the governor authority unde rthe provisions of said department ask that his appointee be that Luikart is present acting secretary and the policy of the law he have general vision of failed banks and he should to simflar order will be in cases of banks where the same state of exist application for hearing be made at once."


Article Text

South Omaha Bank Closes Its Doors OMAHA, Aug. South Omaha State bank. with capand deposits mately $1,000,000 has been turned over the dpartment trade comliquidation, was here night. The South Omaha bank the third Omaha bank close the past week. The State Bank Omaha closed Monday. "Freczing" of the Farmers and Merchants Benson. suburb Omaha, the State Bank of Omaha, forced the Benson bank to close.


Article Text

OMAHA BANK TURNED OVER TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OMAHA, Aug. 14. South Omaha State bank, with authorized capital of $100,000 and deposits of approximately $1,000,000, has been turned over the state department trade and commerce for liquidation, was announced here last night.


Article Text

in

Union State Last Institution Suspend iness

CAPITAL OF $200,000

Deposits Over the Heavy Withdrawals Closing Three Other Banks Cause for

Crash.

Omaha, and excited crowds intent on their savings, the leadbanks Omaha today tossed the regular Saturday closing hour of noon, discard would remain open throughout the day satisfy depositors wishing withdraw their funds. The upon the banks started full fury today with that the Union State Bank Omaha had closed safeguard depositors." the fourth bank Omaha to close since Monday created by the three previous closing blamed for closing Union State bank the closbanks members of the State Bank With the announcement that the larger banks were prepared meet plenty cash hand, crowds milling about entrances thinned little and the tension seemed broken.

Aug Union State Bank Omaha suspended today treat all patrons fairly possible, officials being re-open early date, and the state department trade and commerce On June the time of its last the bank deposits of capitalized $200,and had surplus of $40,000. Union State bank the fourth Omaha bank close within the past State Bank of Omaha and the Bank and the South Omaha closed yesterday. Aid Depositors George bank issued the following regarding Union State Union State Bank Omaha business The partment trade and commerce charge assets protect interests. Examiner charge president of the bank three banks the city during the could patrons fairly possible deemed payments being worked upon bank early According Joseph attorney the there Monday after closing State Bank Omaha, but withdaily until closing of the South Omaha State bank, there another the cash reserve below the legal


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DISCUSS WAYS TO REOPEN BANK

Omaha, Aug. mately last night for means of reopening the Farmers and Merchants bank Benson, which closed Monday after failure the State Bank Omaha Those interested in Benson bank voted sign release committee allow certain amount of the bank's deposits to be posted in building up the legal institution closing of the South Omaha State bank Thursday marked the from of three Omaha banks within week. The three had deposits nearly four and half million lars.


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IS ALL WELL?

State bank of Dwight the BrainState bank of the Bruno State bank of Bruno the Butler of David City and the Leigh State bank of Leigh Bryan and Luikart said officers of the banks decided to close them so that all would have a greater chance of sharing equally in the banks funds. They said the Leigh State bank had Its funds deposited in the South Omaha State bank which closed last and that the other five had funds on deposit with the Union State bank of Omaha which also closed last week


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Doors of Half Dozen Banks in Nebraska Closed to Public

Lincoln, Neb.-(P)-Six Nebraska state banks Monday failed to open their doors for business and Gov. Charles W. Bryan and E. H. Luikart, secretary of the state department of trade and commerce, said the closings were the result of recent bank suspensions in Omaha. The six banks had total deposits of "approximately $1,120,000. The banks were: The First State bank of Pleasantdale; Dwight State bank of Dwight; Brainard State bank of Brainard; Bruno State bank of Bruno; Butler County bank of Dav. id City, and Leigh State bank, of Leigh. Bryan and Luikart said officers of the banks decided to close them so that all depositors would have greater chance of sharing equally in the banks' funds. They said the Leigh State bank had its funds deposited in the South Omaha State bank, which closed last week, and that the other five banks had funds on deposit with the Union State bank, of Omaha, which also closed last week.


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SMALL BANKS FAIL TO OPEN MONDAY

Pleasant Dale, Dwight, Brainard, Bruno, David City and

Lincoln, Aug. 17. small Nebraska banks failed open for business today Gov. Charles W. Bryan and E. Luikart. secretary of the state department of trade and commerce, said the closings were the result of recent bank suspensions in Omaha. The six banks had total deposits of approximately $1,180,000. They were the First State Bank of Pleasant Dale: the Dwight State Bank of Dwight, the Brainard State Bank of Brainard: the Bruno State Bank of Bruno: Butler County bank of David City, and the Leigh State Bank of Leigh. Omaha Closings Cause Others Bryan and Luikart said officers of the banks decided to close them so that all depositors would have greater chance of sharing equally in the banks bunds. They said the Leigh State bank had its reserve funds deposited in the South Omaha State bank, which closlast week and that the other five banks that funds on deposit with the Union State Bank of Omaha, which also closed last week.


Article Text

BANKRUPTCY IS FILED AGAINST J. S. McGURK

Omaha, Dec. 14, (AP)-State Bank Receiver E. H. Luikart has filed a bankruptcy petition in federal court here against John S. McGuirk, former president of the closed South Omaha State bank and now engaged in the insurance business Chicago. Luikart declares he holds proveable claim against McGurk for more than $87,000 in the form of a judgment awarded by the Douglas county district court on McGurk's double liability as a stockholder in the bank. The petition alleges that Mc Gurk's committed an act of bank ruptcy by conveying by deeds six pieces of Omaha property to his foster father, W. A. Wells of David City, Neb., and Mrs. Wells. McGurk was recently held for trial in district court on a charge of embezzlement of $15,000 of the bank's funds.


Article Text

TAKES

Former President of Failed South Omaha Bank Own Witness.

OMAHA. (UP). John former president failed South Omaha State bank, charged with $23,000 took witness stand own defense. McGurk vigorously defended action accepting percent $23,000 loan by Elsie Thomas, that the voted to him by the bank's board of had given hopes collecting directors, added, practically commanded George state bankcharge profit altho Gurk state officials believed Thomas would pay. short time after the and the Claire Goddard, the only that Thomas the bank and full, he before coming had acted official in and he had vested the South Omaha State Thru error, brought the books that of the Thomas been collected. should have read instead McGurk testified.


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Bank Receivers Sue for $22,598 on Notes

Suit to collect $22,598 as principal and interest on two notes given in 1931 to the South Omaha State bank was begun Monday afternoon in district court against Joe Lapidus, 865 South Sixtieth street, by bank receivers. The suit contends Lapidus had represented his assets at $166,000 in statements given the bank in 1930 and failed to reveal any change when applying a year later for the bank loans.


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M'GURK IS ACQUITTED

Second Trial Frees Former South Omaha Banker

OMAHA. (P). John S. McGurk, former president the failed South Omaha State and now man, acquitted by district court jury of charges that approximately $15,000 of the bank' fund at the time it closed. The jury dehours. trial ended with the jury deadAuthorities charged McGurk with $15.000 paid on note which had previously been charged off by tors as bad paper. Counsel for the banker contended the note had been questioned by the state department examiners had ordered charged off


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JURORS ACQUIT JOHN S. M'GURK

Former South Omaha Banker Not Guilty of Embezzlement.

OMAHA, April 2β€”(AP)β€”John S. McGurk, former president of the failed South Omaha State bank and now a Chicago insurance man, was acquitted today by a District court jury of charges that he embezzled approximately $15,000 of the bank's fund at the time it closed. The jury deliberated seven hours.

The case was given to the jury late yesterday after almost the entire day had been occupied with closing arguments. A previous trial ended with the jury deadlocked. The jury reached its verdict this morning shortly after returning from a hotel where it had spent the night.

Authorities had charged McGurk with misappropriating $15,000 paid on a note which had previously been charged off by directors as bad paper. Counsel for the banker contended that the note had been questioned by the state department examiners and had been ordered charged off. Deputy County Attorney Bryce Crawford, jr., described the bank directorate as a "dummy board" which took its orders from McGurk.

After the verdict had been returned McGurk was served with five grand jury indictments charging him with offenses similar to the one of which he had been acquitted. County Attorney Beal said "it is still undetermined as to the prosecution of these indictments."


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M'GURK IS ACQUITTED

Second Trial Frees Former South Omaha Banker.

OMAHA. (AP). John S. McGurk, former president of the failed South Omaha State bank and now a Chicago insurance man, was acquitted by a district court jury of charges that he embezzled approximately $15,000 of the bank's fund at the time it closed. The jury deliberated seven hours. A previous trial ended with the jury deadlocked.

Authorities had charged McGurk with misappropriating $15,000 paid on a note which had previously been charged off by directors as bad paper. Counsel for the banker contended that the note had been questioned by the state department examiners and had been ordered charged off.


Article Text

Tryon State Bank Reopens Today

Lincoln, Neb., June 1 (AP).β€”Reopening today of the reorganized Tryon State bank of Tryon, McPherson county, was announced by the state department of trade and commerce. The bank suspended January 8, last.

Depositors eventually will be paid in full, the department said. L. A. Warden is president, and A. C. Hill, jr., cashier.

Sees 75 Pct. Payment.

C. J. Southard, one of the attorneys for the receiver of the failed South Omaha State bank, said today that members of the depositors' committee estimated that the bank would pay out 75 to 90 per cent, with strong hopes for 90 per cent.


Article Text

RULES AGAINST M'GURK

Court Holds Him Liable for Ward's Money.

OMAHA. (AP). District Judge Hastings ruled, after several days of testimony, that John S. McGurk, former president of the closed South Omaha State bank, did not exercise "due care and prudence" when, as guardian of James H. Dingwell, he deposited $52,000 of Dingwell's money in the bank.

The ruling means that the company that furnished McGurk's bond as guardian is liable for the amount, and the receiver of the bank, since failed, will not be obliged to include the Dingwell item in the distribution of assets.

Dingwell, an elderly man, was placed under McGurk's guardianship after he had been found wandering at the Union station here, carrying a suitcase. Taken to the county hospital, the suitcase was found to contain $52,000. He was found to be mentally incompetent, and was sent to the west coast to be cared for by a brother.


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VERDICT AWARDS $10,000 IN FAVOR BANK RECEIVER

OMAHA, Oct 30 Judge Sears today entered rected verdict for $10,541 favor of H. Luikart as for the South Omaha State bank against Foreman, former cashier of the Farmers' State bank Neb. and Joseph Wilson, director of the latter bank. Foreman and Wilson guaranteed payment of for borrowed by their bank from the South Omaha bank. The amount the note was in 1930 stood $7,743. The judgment includes interest Foreman John former president of the South Omaha bank.


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LUIKART WINS SUIT AS BANK RECEIVER

Omaha, Oct. 30, (P)-District Judge Sears tolay entered a directed verdict of $10,541 in favor of E. H. Luikart as receiver for the South Omaha State bank against A. A. Foreman, former cashier of the Farmers' State bank of Overton, Neb., and Joseph R. Wilson; a director of the latter bank. Foreman and Wilson guaranteed payment of note for $30,000 borrowed by their bank from the South Omaha bank. The amount of the note was reduced until in 1930 it stood at $7,743. The judgment includes interest charges. Foreman is father-in-law of John S. McGurk, former president of the South Omaha bank.


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UNION STATE BANK OPERATED BY EXAMINER

W. Robb, state bank examiner. Thursday morning took over the Union State bank at 19th and Farnam Sts. in what Merle Foster. assistant state banking superintendent at Lincoln, announced was first step to close the bank for final liquidation Foster was quoted by the Assoclated Press as saying part of the bank operating on an unrestricted basis will pay out in full, and that part operating on a restricted basis will be placed in receivership to complete liquidation The bank will continue to be operated by the hanking depart ment until liquidation is completRobb said The bank has $166,000 In new accounts, opened since November 1931, and all money in such accounts will be returned to depositors on demand, Robb said. In August, 1931, the bank was closed. during the same week that the State Bank of Omaha, the Benson State bank and the South Omaha State bank suspended operations. and was re-opened three months later Robb explained the department is seeking to get every state bank out from under restrictions, designed to protect depositors, or to liquidate the banks F. Horacek president of the bank since 1917 said the bank has 500 and that 78 per cent has been paid out on the old accounts number of old depositors, be said have opened accounts The bank is capitalized at


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UNION STATE BANK OPERATED BY EXAMINER

Unrestricted Operations Will Pay in Full, Official Says; Final Liquidation Predicted

R. W. Robb, state bank examIner, Thursday morning took over the Union State bank at 19th and Farnam Sts., in what Merle Foster. assistant state banking superintendent at Lincoln, announced was first step to close the bank for final liquidation Foster quoted by the Assoclated Press as saying part of the bank operating on an unrestricted basis will pay out in full, and that part operating on a restricted basis will be placed in receivership to complete liquidation. The bank will continue to be operated by the banking department until liquidation is completed. Robb said. The bank has $166,000 in new accounts, opened since November, 1931. and all money in such accounts will be returned to depositors on demand, Robb said. In August, 1931. the bank was closed, during the same week that the State Bank of Omaha. the Benson State bank and the South Omaha State bank suspended operations, and was re-opened three months later. Robb explained the department is seeking to get every state bank out from under restrictions, designed to protect depositors, or to liquidate the banks. F. C. Horacek, president of the bank since 1917. said the bank has 4,500 depositors, and that 78 per cent has been paid out on the old accounts. A number of old depositors, he said, have opened new accounts. The bank is capitalized at $200,000.


Article from Evening Star, April 30, 1935

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Article Text

vanuages 1935 1934

$69,566,923 $55,737,297 January 49,091,924 60,956,281 February March 62,209,874 74,112,669 April 77,447,954 61,297,334 North American Net Better. In a letter to stockholders, J. F. Fogarty, president of the North American Co., reports in improved net of the first of 1935, Speaking direction of quarter progress earnings. the he says: 'While the rate of increase in operating revenues during these three months was somewhat less than that for the full year 1934, it must be remembered that the first quarter of the year 1934 was an unusually good one. These figures indicate some stabilization in operating costs, with an operating ratio for the 12 months ended March 31. 1935. of 56.85 per cent, as compared with a ratio of 56.71 per cent for the year. 1934, and a ratio of 54.22 per cent for the year, 1933. Appropriations for depreciation reserves for the 12 months ended March 31, 1935, were equal to $1.54 per share and aggregate 13.01 per cent of total operating revenues, compared with eppropriations equal to $1.57 per share and 12.97 per cent of total operating revenues for the 12 months ended March 31, 1934. "The earnings of $9,236,291 represent a decrease of 4.57 per cent from those reported for the corresponding period ended a year ago, but an increase of 2.94 per cent over the earnings for the calendar year, 1934. On the basis of the number of shares now outstanding. the earnings per share were $1.12 for the 12 months ended March 31, 1934, $1.04 for the full year, 1934, and $1.07 for the 12 months just ended. Thus it will be seen that the increasing volume of business is now having an effect upon net earnings. However, the margin of improvement is not large and while it offers some degree of encouragement there is as yet scarcely any basis for optimistic forecast. Claim on Bank Is Refused. The Nebraska Supreme Court has refused the request of the Maryland Casualty Co. that its claim of $13,000 against the failed South Omaha State Bank be given a par status with the claims of depositors. This sum represents the amount the company paid the City of Omaha as one of its surety company bondsmen for deposits lost when the bank failed. The city assigned the claim to the casualty company, but the Supreme Court holds that as the city had required the bank to pay the premium on the surety bond and thus depleted its assets, it did not remain on a parity with other depositors who had no security for their money. The cost of living today is nearly 40 per cent above the level for 1913, while the domestic rate for electricity has been reduced nearly 40 per cent below the rate for that year, according to Dr. David Friday, economist for the Committee of Public Utility Executives. In a brief filed with the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee, in connection with the hearings on the pending public utilities bill Dr. Friday declared that electric rates for domestic use are unique in that they alone, of all the large price groups, have pursued a steady downward course throughout the last 50 years. years 1910-1914 100," Dr. to index price "Taking of of all the commodities Friday amounted said, as "the the 116 in March, 1935, the price of farm products was 112. the cost of living was 139, while electricity for household use amounted to only an index of 59. Bonds Lead Exchange Deals. The largest bond sale on the Washington Stock Exchange today was a $3,000 transfer in Capital Traction 5s, at 98, off half a point from the last previous sale. Washington Gas Light 5s, 1960, figured in the same volume of business, three $1,000 transfers taking place at 1151/2. Capital Transit stock came out today at.19 on a small turnover and the first sale of the week. After call Mergenthaler Linotype appeared on the board in a small lot sale at 28, off a half point from yesterday's close. B. Howard Griswold, chairman of the Code Committee of the Investment Bankers' Association, announces that efforts are being made to place the investment code under the Securities Exchange Commission, taking it away from the N. R A. There is wide sentiment in favor of the move, the aim being to get all investment matters under one Government authority. Secretary Morgenthau announces that approximately $605,000,000 of the First Liberty Loan bonds had been exchanged up to Monday for the 1 per 'cent Treasury notes series A-1940 and $305,000,000 for the 2 1/8 Treasury bonds of 1955-60. Subscription books will remain open until further notice. The Interstate Commerce Commission has authorized receivers for the Seaboard Airline Railway to issue $27,859,000 of receivers certificates, $13,615,000 to be exchanged for matured certificates and $13,983,000 to be exchanged for matured and maSeaboard turing trust obligations installments of the of equipment and of the Georgia, Florida & Alabama Railroad Co.


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Local liquidation of failed state banks, instead of centralized liquidation now practiced, was suggested by Bernard J. Larkin, 4424 So. 24th St., chairman of the depositors' committee of the closed South Omaha State bank, at a legislative inquiry in South Omaha Legion hall late Friday.

Larkin said he believed local liquidation would be more economical and that greater returns would be realized for depositors.

He said he did not believe the state banking department had functioned "honestly, economically and efficiently" in the liquidation of the South Omaha bank.

Larkin was a witness before a committee appointed by the state auditor under authority of an act by the recent legislature, ordering investigation of bank receiverships.

COMMUNITY SHOWS MISTAKE

Larkin, with Charles Burns, 5324 So. 28th St., and Joseph F. Murphy, 702 So. 52d St., also members, declared the receivership division persuaded depositors against suing large debtors, thus preventing collection when collaterals were of higher value than in the depth of the depression.

W. L. Williams, member of the auditor's commission, asked Burns if the committee felt the department had done everything possible to "bring to light criminal actions by officers in the bank."