2816. First National Bank (Davenport, IA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Reopening
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
15
Charter Number
15
Start Date
September 26, 1873
Location
Davenport, Iowa (41.524, -90.578)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f9027341efbe2584

Response Measures

None

Description

In late September 1873 the banks of Davenport (including the First National) adopted a partial suspension limiting cash payouts to $100 and certifying checks due to the wider New York/Chicago currency crisis. Newspapers report quiet business and expectation of resumption within a week, so this is a coordinated suspension (no discrete depositor run described) with an intended reopening.

Events (6)

1. June 24, 1863 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. September 26, 1873 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Partial suspension instituted because partial suspension of the New York and Chicago banks has locked up the currency; adopted jointly by local banks to conserve currency.
Newspaper Excerpt
the banks ... will, hereafter, and until further and better arrangements can be made, only pay in currency our depositors $100 each ... and will certify all other checks.
Source
newspapers
3. September 29, 1873 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
business has been progressing very quietly. There are no longer any signs of uneasiness among depositors ... it is the general opinion that within one week from this, their date of suspension, our banks will resume full payment, but the policy of limiting checks will be adhered to strictly for several days yet.
Source
newspapers
4. October 6, 1873 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
it is the general opinion that within one week from this, their date of suspension, our banks will resume full payment, but the policy of limiting checks will be adhered to strictly for several days yet.
Source
newspapers
5. May 17, 1882 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
6. April 25, 1931 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Rock Island Daily Argus, September 26, 1873

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Article Text

THE MONEY PANIC Action of Rock Island, Moline and Daven$ port Banks. Last evening, (the 26th) a consultation of the officers of all the banks in Rock Island, Moline and Davenport. was held at the Rock Island National Bank in this city. The following were represented First National, Rock Island. Rock Island National. Rock Island. First National, Moline. 0 Moline National, Moline. e First National, Davenport. . Davenport National, Davenport. d Citizens National. Davenport. t The Davenport Savings Banks were also 1. informally represented. e After discussing the situation. Hon. e Hiram Price introduced the following: WHEREAS The partial suspension of the New York and Chicago banks has locked up the currency and other means of the banks of the West. so that we are unable for the present to procure currency to meet the demands of our customers; therefore Resolved. That the banks of Rock I-land, Davenport and Moline will, hereafter. and until further e. and better arrangements can be made, only pay in S currency our depositors $100 each. where the depositor has that much on deposit. and will certify d all other checks. which certified checks will be taken by all of said banks of Davenport, Rock 1-1or and and Moline. n The above resolution was agreed to and sk signed by all present except the Moline d National. the representative from that inle stitution being of the opinion that they d could weather the storm. no This action is simply following in the line ey of precedent set by secure banks in the nd Eastern states-not to pay out currency in he large amounts. When Chicago and St. ot. Louis banks refuse to pay out currency for the benefit of New York banks why should rt our banks do so? It seems to be a matter he of self-preservation for our banks to he pursue the course pursued elsewhere and ks wait a bit, for the clouds to clear away re rotten concerns will be wound up, but sound he ones will be all the better for being rid of ple the gamblers and speculators. Prices will not fall temporarily, and men who have cash acin their pockets can take advantage of the ur times and buy grain, stock. or other prop se erty at prices which will pay them a big re profit. Those who are not obliged to sell 10should keep quiet and wait for things to ex settle. is The strongest assurances are given tha ti each bank in this city has assets very large of ly in excess of its liabilities, and that bu little time will be required to resume i full. e is REMOVAL.- - Balch, Frazer & Co. hav removed their office to the old C., R. I. & un27dtf P. passenger depot. of


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, September 30, 1873

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Article Text

DAVENPORT. Special Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune. DAVENPORT, Ia., Sept. 29.-At the soveral banking-houses in the city, to-day, business has been progressing very quietly. There are no longer any signs of uneasiness among depositors, and deposite are growing larger constantly. It is the general opinion that within one week from this, their date of suspension, our banks will resumo full payment, but the policy of liniting checks will bo adhered to strictly for BOVeral days yet. It is said, privately. that the First National has plenty of funds, while the Davenport National is hard up for ready cash, and draws funds from the First National. Our savings banks have been doing busine 18 to-day just as they were six months ago. There have been heavy deposits, and noticos given of intention to draw out money have been canceled. The grain and stock markets are still very dull, although prices are rapidly coming up, The only importnut shipment made to-day was 5,000 bushels of barloy to Fort Madison.