First National Bank (Alva, OK)

Episode Information

Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Start Date
March 14, 1932
Location
Alva, Oklahoma (36.805, -98.666)
Bank Type
national
Charter Number
5587
Alt. names
Exchange National Bank

Metadata

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
22.0%
Date receivership started
1932-03-18
Date receivership terminated
1938-02-28
Share of assets assessed as good
60.3%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
31.9%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
7.8%

Notes

Articles show a temporary closing in mid-March 1932 followed by failure and appointment of a receiver in March 1932; failure date references vary slightly across pieces.

Events (5)

1. September 28, 1900 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. March 14, 1932 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The Alva bank failed March 14, 1932.
Source
newspapers
3. March 16, 1932 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Board temporarily closed bank (article cites temporary closing by board); state examiners later closed the bank per subsequent articles.
Newspaper Excerpt
temporary closmg of the First National Bank by its Board of Directors. The needed adjustments made, the pioneer institution will be re-opened.
Source
newspapers
4. March 18, 1932 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Known receivership date; receivers and receiver litigation reported subsequently (appointment and receiver litigation in federal court).
Source
newspapers
5. March 18, 1932 Receivership
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (11)

Article Text

YOU KNOW? By R

J. Scott DID its wheat holdings to Thina the we had to wait ten fifteen years for the money. The Board's holding of 150 million bushels is a serious impediment to price recovery. With it out of the way farmers could reasonably expect 20 to 30 cents per bushel more for their 1932 crop. That would offset the less sustained by the Farm Board and 1/0 far towar restoring prosper ity. Every wheat farmer would have more money to spend and could thus benefit the whole country. The Reconstruction Corpora tion can help the banks; but the farmers can not borrow on their low priced stuff Only better farm industry can set the wheels of commerce and industry in motion again. Dunn further points out that the U. can not afford burn or sink the surplus wheat in the ocean. The whole world would hate us for such wanton destruetion in time of dire need. Better to supply first our own needy and sell the rest on any terms to other nations. Storage charges are about "eating it up already People shoul not be unduly alarmed the temporary closmg of the First National Bank by its Board of Directors. The needed adjustments made, the pioneer institution will be re-opened. It not the first time we had bank to close temporarily. And the present case will sustain our proud boast that no depositor ever lost a dollar in a bank in Woods counGermany is to be congratulated in sustaining constitutional gover rnment in Sunday's election. The not le old patriot, Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, is practically reelected: will be in fact unless Hitler pulls a Howard Walker in the runoff on April 10th. Thus democracy again triumphs. The election presents some queer phases. Six years ago, when the warrior was chosen to succeed Fredrich Elbert, he was the candidate of the extreme right. Herr Marx was the candidate of the Centrists and Social Democrats. It was then feared that Von Hindenburg would favor the rich, the aristerats and the military clique. Some visioned the restoration of the monarchy B t to their surprise the old veteran recognized only his duty to the Vaterlan: irrespective of parties and factions. This time he is the candidate of the parties, the bulwark of German democracy who six years ago opposed him Each of his three opponents would have overthrown democratic government. Duesterberg makes frank avowel of his intention to re store the Hohenzollerns to power Hitler is the exponent of fascism and would ape Mussolini. Thaelman spokesman for the dictator ship of the proletariat. fashioned after the Russian Soviets. Hence we of democratic America are glad to see Germany vanquish the threat of despotism and sustain democratic government. Yours Herb Gold


Article Text

SECURITIES TIED ORDER OF FEDERAL COURT

Bank Receiver Will Get Hearing Sept.

Temporary restraining orders were granted in federal court at Oklahoma City late Thursday by Judge Edgar S. Vaught to prevent Woods county, Alva city, Alva school district and state treasurers from disposing of approximately $142,000 worth of securities and warrants, held by them as protection on deposits in the defunct First National bank. The suits were filed by J. Murphy, receiver. Judge Vaught set the hearing on petition to make the injunction permanent for September 6. Posted as Security Mr. Murphy today declined to discuss the case. The suits tie up $75,000 in warrants and securities held by Jay Hess, city treasurer; $30,000 held by Howard G. Walker, county treasurer; $30,000 held by Ray O. Weeks, state treasurer; and held by W. Fowitz, Alva school district treasurer. All of these securities and warrants were posted with the various treasurers by bank officials to secure deposits in the institution. Had Sought Settlement In the cases of the county, city and school district, amount of the securities held exceeded slightly the amount of deposits. County Treasurer Walker said the filing of the suits have prevented move to foreclose on the securities and would tie up the funds involved still longer.


Article Text

BANK RECEIVERS CASE CONTINUED

Haynes Too III To Appear; Federal Court Over Today

Federal court case of Sidney W. Haynes, receiver for the First National Bank VS. C. M. Bradbury opened Wednesday today was continued for further closs examination of Haynes. The defendant was too ill to appear in court today. Further evidence will be taken in Oklahoma City the first week in January. Final law case on the docket, Gus Hada vs. J. W. Murphy, receiver for the First National Bank of Alva, was disposed of this afternoon, bringing the session to close.


Article Text

BRIEF FOR SUIT MADE BANK

School Case County, Nearly Complete

Brief of the city's case in the suit of the First National bank ceivers to recover securities pledged against tax funds by the bank, has been completed, Jay Hess, city treasurer, said today. The city case is different from the case of the county and city school board, joint parties in the bank action. No state law requirmunicipalities to secure their funds, as in the case with the county and school board, but the pledge was made at the request of the city treasurer. Briefs for the county and school board are being prepared and probably will be completed shortly after the first of the year. Fifteen days will be given at(Continued on page 3)


Article Text

TAKE BANK RECEIVER

Named Wednesday By Comptroller Of Currency

Appointment of W. Kavanaugh, city hardware merchant, receiver for the First National bank, announced here today. Mr. Kavanaugh will succeed John Murphy, resigned, receiver for the institution since was closed by the state bank examiners. Appointment to the receivership post was made by nor, comptroller of the currency, Washington, Notice the appointment was received from Mr. O'Conner late Monday evening. Commission of appointment and further instructions being forwarded to Alva immediately. Mr. Kavanaugh will take the ceivership reigns from Mr. Murphy's hands Wednesday morning. Selection of Mr. Kavanaugh the First National receiver came as complete surprise to him. He said he had been given no inkling that he was being considered for the appointment.


Article Text

BANK APPEAL TRAVEL SUPREME

Ruling in Illinois Suit Makes Case For Receiver appeal to the United States court from ruling by Vaught, federal judge, OkJahoma City, denying the right of receivers of the defunct First National bank to recover securities pledged against public fund today. Attorneys for were they drafted their by ruling of the S. court today in an Illinois which the court asserted national banks have no au. to pledge securities to guardeposits public funds. This ruling was in direct oppoto that of Judge Vaught, who that the pledges of the National bank to the county the city treasurer, the school board treasurer and the treasurer were valid. Weems Sees Opening

The United Press quoted Ray state treasurer, however, saying he believed the ruling not affect this state as Ok law did not specify that national banks could not pledge to guarantee public funds. Weems said the U. supreme court would be guided by state and pointed out that the state supreme court has ruled that tionah banks make such may pledges. In the face of the state court's and Judge Vaught's ruling, howattorneys for the First National bank receivers were confident that strong case could be presented in the supreme court with the Illinois ruling behind them.

City Suit to Guide Told that the supreme court had that national banks have no to securities to authority pledge of public funds, asserted: "That one contended all the what we have time." Howard Walker, county treasurthe ruling in much the viewed the state treasurer light that the ruling would but agreed appeal from Judge make an Vaught's decision certain. The United Press said that in connection with $15,000 First Nacurities pledged by the of Alva now pendtional bank in federal court before Judge and the decision Edgar Vaught would establish this likely case the status of the practice of quiring pledges. Thousands Involved the city has In round numbers, $20,000, the $60,000, the county $3,000 and the school district surely for Bonding companies, that the treasurers, required of be guaranteed by public funds of securities before pledges bonds for the


Article Text

Involved In Action Wednesday Before Court Of Appeals legal talent will be internecine strife next rayed in Wednesday morning Denver in one of the most bat at suits local history, First National bank securities The case.

The trek to Denver will be started attorneys paid by the city, school district, the county the state this more local attorneys will represent the comptroller of the currency Only Randall Cobb. representing the state office. from outside the ranks of the Alva

Bank Hires Law Firm firm Mauntel and The law the First Spellman representing bank receiver and the National comptroller of the currency Lasley and Crandall. present county attorney and former respectively, will county attorney, treasurer. Howrepresent county Walker, county treasurer, will ard fill out the county's representation. Chase and Glaser, present city attorney and former city respectively, and treasurer, will go from Hess, city The council accounts for the officials last night.

Hour for Argument Houts will represent the city school district. All four cases, practically identical, probably will be decided once by the tenth circuit court before whom the cases will appeals, argued. An hour of oral argument will be permitted on each of the question The court probably will extend the time to attorneys questions on different points involved in separate cases. But the arguments will The court will then take the cases under advisement and will render written decision. possibly within day the arguments heard.

Would Prorate Lost defunct First National bank's securities are involved. These were pledged by the bank against deposits public funds. The the bank to recover them. He lost his first skirmish with Federal Judge Edgar Vaught. Should the receiver win his peal, then school district. the the city and the state must their deposits the same other depositors. Should through this be able to pay say, cents on the dollar, then bonding companies with whom the four treasurers their bonds would have to make up the cents difference.

COBB LEAVES

OKLAHOMA CITY. Sept. Randall Cobb. assistant attorney general, leave Saturday for Denver. where he will the state next Wednesday in bank before the Circuit Court of Appeals. Cobb also represent the Woods county attorney, who, with Alva school board and the city Alva, has similar appeals in the bank case pending circuit court.


Article Text

AYCOCK TO TAKE OVER ALVA BANK

Receiver Given Fourth Institution; Cherokee Bank Paid In Full

George L. Aycock, receiver of the First National bank here, will become receiver for the First National bank at Alva, effective this afternoon.

His appointment came from J. F. T. O'Connor, comptroller of the currency, to succeed A. W. Kavanaugh, who resigned to accept a post with the state administration. The Alva bank failed March 14, 1932.

Aycock is also receiver for the Cherokee National bank and the First National bank at Waynoka. He was receiver for a second bank at Cherokee, the Farmers National, which he paid off in full.


Article Text

George L. Aycock, receiver of the First National bank here, will become receiver for the First National bank at Alva, effective this afternoon.

His appointment came from J. F. T. O'Connor, comptroller of the currency, to succeed A. W. Kavanaugh, who resigned to accept a post with the state administration. The Alva bank failed March 14, 1932.

Aycock is also receiver for the Cherokee National bank and the First National bank at Waynoka. He was receiver for a second bank at Cherokee, the Farmers National, which he paid off in full.


Article Text

SCHOOL NEXT UP TO BAT ON BANK PLEDGE

Alva District Asks Final Settlement In $7,697 Deal

With the settlement of the county's long suit to recover securities from the closed First National bank penned last week by District Judge O. C. Wybrant, only the solution of the difficulties between the city school board and George Aycock, bank receiver, remained.

Reposing on the desk of Federal Judge Edgar Vaught at Oklahoma City now is a motion of the attorney for the city school treasurer to remand to the district court the security case for final settlement.

Unlike Alva city and Woods county, the school district has but a small amount of money involved.

$6,258 Deposited

It is seeking the retention of $7,697.67 of securities which the bank had pledged against $6,258.81 of the school's deposits as surety.

As in the case of the city and county cases, however, the bone of contention is over the deposition interest on the securities and the payment of attorney fees.

The county worked out a compromise in its case to prevent further court litigation.

$1,439 is Margin

Whether the city school treasurer and his attorney will be able to settle their case without further legal ado remains problematical.

The school district has a margin of $1,439.06 in securities. The bank receiver is expected to ask the court for a part of this.

Judge Vaught will notify attorneys in the case when he is ready to hear arguments on the motion to bring the case back to the district court.


Article Text

SECURITY SETTLEMENT IS SCHEDULED TODAY

An agreement on disposition of the security issue between the First National bank receiver and the Woods county treasurer was scheduled to be reached this afternoon.

George Aycock, bank receiver, was expected here this afternoon to confer with Deputy Treasurer Howard Walker, who was treasurer at the time litigation arose.

An injunction prevents the treasurer from turning $3,000 in Talihina bonds over to the receiver, as directed by District Judge O. C. Wybrant.