5969. Howard National Bank (Kokomo, IN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
2375
Charter Number
2375
Start Date
February 10, 1930
Location
Kokomo, Indiana (40.486, -86.134)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
8fe156be

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health, Full suspension

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
23.6%
Date receivership started
1931-01-22
Date receivership terminated
1938-06-30
OCC cause of failure
Losses
Share of assets assessed as good
9.2%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
36.1%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
54.7%

Description

Multiple contemporary articles (Feb–Mar 1930) report a run at the Howard National Bank of Kokomo caused by 'poison conversation' (rumors). The bank fought the run with a large newspaper advertisement and by remaining open extra hours; the run subsided. Later articles state the bank suspended in June 1930 and a federal receiver was appointed (receiver cited in Jan 1931), leading to permanent closure/receivership and liquidation actions through 1932. Classification: run led to suspension and eventual receivership/closure.

Events (6)

1. December 11, 1877 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. February 10, 1930 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Unconfirmed 'poison conversation' (rumors) during the week triggered heavy withdrawals and a full-fledged run in early February 1930.
Measures
Bank officers placed a large advertisement in the local newspaper assuring depositors all would be accommodated; remained open overtime (two hours) to serve patrons.
Newspaper Excerpt
Heavy withdrawals, said to have been caused by poison conversation ... led to a full-fledged run on the bank by Friday.
Source
newspapers
3. June 1, 1930* Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Articles indicate the bank had suspended operations in June 1930 after earlier unrest; the suspension followed the run earlier in 1930 and subsequent difficulties (leading to receivership).
Newspaper Excerpt
Federal Receiver Appointed for Kokomo Firm, Suspended Since June.
Source
newspapers
4. July 15, 1930 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic
5. January 22, 1931 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
6. January 26, 1931 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Federal Receiver Appointed for Kokomo Firm ... action signed the assets of bank which suspended ago. The ap of Mr. Strode was made acting controller ... Since the Howard National bank discontinued last June, liquidation assets of the has been charge George ... Frank W. Bryant had been appointed receiver ... took steps which resulted in the receivership of the Howard ... being placed in his hands, and he replaced Strode in charge of the Howard National's affairs. (articles Jan 1931).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (21)

Article from Muncie Evening Press, February 10, 1930

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BANK OPEN AFTER RUN Newspaper "Poison Conversation." Ind., Feb. Howard National Bank Kokomo today after one the most extraordinary experiences in the history national depository. Heavy withdrawals, said to have been caused by "poison tion" during the week to fullfledged run on the bank by Friday. Public Assured. On Saturday officers the came an adverin telling the populace that there was the and that would be step unique in the history On Friday the bank remained open two hours to accommodate patrons. By Saturday afternoon had appardied down, and when the bank closed its doors been utes since the last patron he man who came to deposit money withdrawn earlier in the day.


Article from The Times, February 10, 1930

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HOW ONE BANK RUN KoKoMo, Ind., Feb. The Howard National Bank of Kokomo was "open as usual" today after one of the most extraordinary experiences in the history of a national Heavy withdrawals, said to have been caused by "poison conversation" during the week led to a full. fledged run on the bank by Friday On Saturday morning officers of the bank came out with an advertisement in Kokomo newspaper telling the populace that there was run on the institution, and that all depositors would be accommodated-a step unique in the history of banking. On Friday the bank remained open two hours overtime to accommodate patrons. By Saturday afternoon all excitement had apparently died down, and when the bank closed its doors it had 20 minutes since the last patron he was man who came to deposit money withdrawn earlier in the day.


Article from The Indianapolis Times, February 10, 1930

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ADVERTISEMENT AIDS STOPPING RUN ON BANK Unique Action at Kokomo Halts Two Days of Withdrawals. Ind., Feb. Howard National bank of Kokomo "open today, after one the most extraordinary experiin the history of national depository. Heavy withdrawals, said to have by "poison during the led fullfledged the bank by Friday. Saturday officers of the an Kokomo regarding the and that all depositors unique in the history of banking. bank open two hours Friday to By afternoon all excitement had ently down, and when the closed its doors twenty minpassed since the last who withdrawn earlier in the ey


Article from The Edinburg Daily Courier, February 11, 1930

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BANK TAKES PAGE AD TO TELL OF A "RUN" Howard National, of Kokomo, Adopts Unusual Plan To Combat False Rumors Kokomo, Ind., February 10. Howard National bank of Kokomo was "open as usual" today after one of the most extraordinary experiences in the history of national depository. Heavy withdrawals, said to have been caused by "poison conversation" during the week led to fullflegded run on the bank by Friday. On Saturday morning officers of the bank came out with an advertisement in Kokomo newspaper telling the populace that there was run on the institution, and that all depositors would be accommostep unique in the history of banking. On Friday the bank remained open two hours overtime to accommodate patrons. By Saturday afternoon all excitement had apparently died down, and when the bank closed its doors it had been 20 minutes since the last patron left-and he was man who came to deposit money withdrawn earlier in the day.


Article from Garrett Clipper, February 13, 1930

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CONVERSATION" STARTS RUN ON BANK Ind., Feb. Howard National bank of Kokomo "open usual" today one the most extraordinary experiencin the history national depository. Heavy withdrawals, said to have been caused by "poison during the week fullfledged run on the bank by Friday. On Saturday morning officers of bank came with advertisement in Kokomo newspaper telling the populace that there was on institution. and that depositors would be unique in the history On the bank hours overtime accommodate By Saturday afternoon all excitement had apparently down. the closed its doors had been 20 minutes since left and he came to deposit money the


Article from New Castle News, March 21, 1930

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Advertising Ends Run On Bank KOKOMO. March 21.-Officials of the Howard National bank here fought a run on the bank recently through the weapon of advertising a most unusual procedure in banking history Unconfirmed rumors have caused heavy withdrawals of the deposits when the bank officers decide to submit their case to the public. They contracted for R large advertisement in a local newspaper. boldly proclaiming to the city that there had been a run on the bank, and that all depositors would be accommodated. Within'a few hours after the bank opened on the day of publication of the advertisement the run was ended. Public confidence had been restored by the frank advertisement.


Article from New Castle News, March 21, 1930

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Advertising Ends Run On Bank KOKOMO. March 21.-Officials of the Howard National bank here fought n run on the bank recently through the weapon of advertising. a most unusual procedure in banking history. Unconfirmed rumors have caused heavy withdrawals of the deposits when the bank officers decide to submit their case to the public. They contracted for a large advertisement in a local newspaper. boldly proclaiming to the city that there had been run on the bank, and that all depositors would be accommodated. Within a few hours after the bank opened on the day of publication of the advertisement the run was ended. Public confidence had been restored by the frank advertisement


Article from The Bayonne Times, March 21, 1930

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On these signs, 1,800 lamps are used to spell the seventeen letters on each 01 the two signs. Fifty batteries of floodlights with from four to ten lamps in each unit. illuminate traffic passageways and storage areas. ADVERTISING ENDS BANK RUN DANGER Kokomo, Ind., March 21.-Officials of the Howard National Bank here fought a run on the bank recently through the wespon of advertising. most unusual procedure in bank ing history Unconfirmed rumors have caused heavy withdrawals of deposits when the bank officers decided to submit their case to the public They con tracted for a large advertisement in a local newspaper, boldly proclaim ing to the city that there had been a run on the bank, and that all de positors would be accommodated. Within a few hours after the bank


Article from The Galion Inquirer, March 24, 1930

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ADVERTISING ENDS RUN ON BANK KoKoMo, Ind. (INS) -Officials of the Howard National bank here fought a run on the bank recently through the weapon of advertising, most unusual procedure in bank Ing history. aconfirmed rumors have caused heavy withdrawals of deposits when the bank officers decided to submit their case to the public. They contracted for large advertisement in local newspaper. boldly proclaiming to the city that there had been a run on the bank, that all depositors would be Within few hours after the bank opened on the day of publication of the advertisement the run was ended Public confidence had been restored by the frank adver-


Article from Cumberland Evening Times, March 28, 1930

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ADVERTISING ENDS RUN ON BANK Kokomo. Ind., March 28, (INS). Officials of the Howard National 3ank here fought a run on the bank recently through the weapon of advertising. a most unusual procedure in banking history. Unconfirmed rumors have caused heavy withdrawals of deposits when the bank officers decided to submit their case to the public. They contracted for large advertisement in local newspaper. bold'y proclaiming to the city that there had been a run on the bank, and that all depositors would be accommodated. Within a few hours after the bank opened on the day of publication of the advertisement the run was ended. Public confidence had been restored by the frank advertisement.


Article from The Oakland Post Enquirer, March 28, 1930

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Bank Run Stopped By Advertisement KoKoMo, Ind., March 28.-Officials of the Howard National bank here fought run on the bank recently through the weapon of advertising. They contracted for a large advertisement in a local newspaper, boldly proclaiming that there had been a run on the bank, and that all depositors would be accommodated. Within a few hours after the bank opened on the day of the publication the run was ended.


Article from The Indianapolis Star, January 26, 1931

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ACCELERATES Federal Receiver Appointed for Kokomo Firm, Suspended Since June. [Special to The Indianapolis Star.] KOKOMO, Ind., Jan. local has been appointed receiver for the Howard National bank here action signed the assets of bank which suspended ago. The apof Mr. Strode was made acting controller currency Mr. Strode received notice of his together with his commission, from controller's office Saturday morning. Since the Howard National bank discontinued last June, liquidation assets of the has been charge George who president of the institution. Mr. turned over Mr. The said, the shareholdthe Howard National bank, being their interests that are partially involved. Depositors Howard National bank, over by the National not affected. Creation cording to report a step taken


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, November 14, 1931

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(Continued from Page bank to become are the new that while subbank's scriptions talization now exceed $100,000, and there that the while remainder will be necessary the committee still hard tained. work on that branch its task. desiring complete soon and thereby expedite the posible institution's opening. Possible Location As yet no announcement been made where bank will have Its home. era! days report in culation that in the event of bank being installed Howard National Bank northwest corner of Main and Walnut streets. That fully equipped banking has been by the room Howard National Company during and half that have the year elapsed since the Howard National operations. The Bank suspended and the greatly space the needs the exceed, course, present tenant. Some color is lent the report that the may be launched home the old the fact that Dan Howard has er the notice on the present tenant the room that stred un reasoned that Receiver It not have taken the Strode would had he not other tenant sight. ural assumption that the the national bank. tenant


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, December 15, 1931

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DEATH SETTLES (Continued from One) have been realthere would loan, ized for the creditors of the Howard National bank only cording to Receiver Strode's computation. In several cases in which life Insurance policies had been assigned to the Howard National to secure loans had made, the receiver settied with the Insurance companies for the cash surrender value of the policies, in preference to the risk of carrying them, and to the end that such assets might be converted into cash as quickly as The case of Mr. Yater is the only one in the receivership in which death has intervened to cause settiement of life insurance policy at the full amount for which it called. Gets Divorce Tuesday. Vianna Houge obtained divorce from Hal W. Houge in circuit court Tuesday on the ground of cruel and inhuman treatment. She was represented by Attorneys McClure and


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, June 25, 1932

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REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS. Furnished by the Anderson Abthe Citizens Natstract Company lonal Bank Building: John E. Hawn, to Ida Thomas, land the City of Koko$1. Emmet Mason and wife to Harry Davis. $1. Harry Davis, trustee Lo Emmet Mason and lot 45 Charles W. Jones and wife to HaScott and wife, 16. Harold Scott. and wife Charles W. Jones and 7.43 in Liberty township. W. William B. Davis to William 17-100 acre in Liberty Sommer Walter Johnson and wife. lot in Tuxedo addition. Clinton Baker and wife to John Stover. part 156 and Diamond Plate Glass add:Howard National Bank by Receiver to Indianapolis Life company. In Place addition, deed $200. National bank by receiv. to Indianapolis Life Insurance lots and Block Lafayette Place addition. deed Delbert Butz and wife to Howard and block Lafayaddition, $1. Mary Williams and husband William H. Hall's addition. Broad Ripple State Bank. trustee Trust Company trustee acres in Howard township, Edward Lindley and wife Joseph Lindley. W. Hocker's Edward Lindley wife Joseph Lindley. lot Extension Roshia Hollaway and husband Guy Hawk 235 Extension addition. Walter Green Bertha Lindley, lot in Gateway Addition, Claude Pavey Trustee to Howard Greer, 40 acres Honey Creek township, Florence Bola and husband to Fred E. Grimm. Second addition, Simon Peter Starner wife Hazel Wight, M. Markland's Second addition.


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, November 24, 1932

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FOR Actions to Collect Assessment Shareholders Due From for Hearing Then. SEVERAL MONTHS PENDING Cases Involve Approximately Half of Shares RepresentBanks Capital. in the United States DisTrial Indianapolis, of the trict of Frank Bryant, receiver cases the Howard National Bank, of the Henry Davis Estate, against number of other shareand the Howard National holders Bank, collect assessments them, ordered by the against comptroller of the currency, for the creditors the bank, has benefit been set for next Monday. These cases have been pending for year or but trial of them has been delayed from time time for one cause and another. The secms to that they will be disposed of under setting announced, of the trial, according to report, been sent the defendhaving mail some time ago. The Howard National Bank at the end of pended operations 1930, takMay, by the Citizens National over Bank. Some later, the comptroller of the that the Howard Nationresenting procured the al was pointment of receiver. Don Strode designated this poaltion, qualified and entered upon administration the trust. Strode, under orders from the levied 100 per cent assessment against all Howard shareholders. Some arranged set others failed and refused among them the cases. Strode bring the federal court Indianapolis lect the assessments. Some of the actions were brought over year others little later. The suits, said, involve approximately half of the 2,000 shares which resented the bank's capital. Several months ago, some time (Continued On Page Ten)


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, November 24, 1932

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(Continued from Page One) after the Citizens National Bank had suspended operations and Frank W. Bryant had been appointed receiver of the federal banking department took steps which resulted in the receivership of the Howard also being placed in his hards, and he replaced Strode in charge of the Howard National's affairs. The step was taken, it was said, wholly in the interest of The Henry C, Davis Estate. Inc., retained to defend the action collect the assessment Charles McCabe of Crawfordsville. After as in the case appearing year, McCabe for approximately died. This was last summer. said that Forrest Jump of this city was recently retained by the interests. is reported, too, that George B. Shenk has been gaged to appoar for some of the other Donald Elliott, who represented Strode as receiver, is handling the cases for Bryant, G. Manming. who attorney in general for Bryant, is expected to assist in the trial. summons has been received by Emerson clerk of the ard circuit court, calling upon him to in the United States Disreport trict court Monday with certain records which are expected be introduced as evidence Because of the large amount of money involved and the public character of the institution out of the suspension of which the cases there naturally rather grew, general interest in Kokomo and vicinity to sec what the outcome of the litigation is to be.


Article from The Indianapolis Star, January 20, 1933

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Stockholders to Settle Bank Suit Out of Court Attorneys for stockholders of the Howard National bank of Kokomo yesterday informed Judge Robert C Baltzell of Federal court that stock holders would negotiate settlement out of court with Frank W. Bryant, the receiver. The receiver some time ago brought suit enforce an assessment of 100 per cent on the stockJudge Baltzell instructed attorneys to report to him by Jan. 28 whether had been He indicated that he would erter of judgment against the stockholders on that date event no agreement had been reached Mr. Bryant was the only witness at yesterday hearing He testified concerning records stock owner ship which he found when he took over the bank as receiver. He introduced records to show the of stock valued at $78,300 by the Henry Davis Estate, Inc., and seven other defendants.


Article from The Indianapolis Times, January 20, 1933

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Bank Suit to Be Settled Suit of Frank W. Bryant, Kokomo, Howard National bank receiver to enforce an assessment of 100 per cent on stockholders, is to be settled out of court, Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell was notified Thursday by attorneys.


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, June 3, 1933

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MARK Banks Rob Town; Terrorize Bandits SOUGHT BY PILOT NOW CITIZENS GRAND PART WILLIAM MULDOON, CONVICT ADMITS SPEED FLYING OVER ATLANTIC FULL IN GIRL'S KIDNAPING Eastward Texan Aviator, Racing James Mattern, Around Route on Flight Old Lindbergh Over World Against New York at Dawn, Hours Later Over Sighted Miles Eight Scheduled as First Stop, at Present Speed Should Early SunConditions Favor Flier with Strong Flight to Complete Wind at Back to New York in Week to Beat Record Held by Wiley Post and Harold Gatty. (BULLETIN.) J. June St. John's, was heard over monoplane Mattern's Bonavista North, Harbor, shortly Musgrave after he had been reported today at Lewisporte, Musgrave Harbor is on the northeastern coast, and it was assumed that the airman was heading seaward without stop. New York, June Mattern of Texas took off here today on his air race against time around Newfoundland well ahead of the world and passed over record holders. the of the Mattern left here at m. eastern standard time. at N. seven hours and and was first sighted He did not but headed on toward 49 minutes later. stop the open sea and Paris, his first scheduled stop. Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, who hold the world circling record. got to New Foundland quicker, making to Harbor Grace in six hours and 52 minutes. but TWO CREDITORS they waited there for three hours and 40 minutes. before continuing. Therefore by not stopping in Newfoundland Mattern started ocean flight more Chief CredCitizens Bank. as than two hours in the lead. itor, Gets Approximately Mattern was in high spirit taxied his plane the far end $64,500 in Transaction. the long concrete runway this morning. Announcement was made Saturseeing you." he called to interesting transaction day of an friends And then he added: receiverships of the involving the and grinned. Howard National bank the The Post-Gatty record is eight National bank, both of days, 15 hours (correct) and 51 Citizens administered by the which same man, Frank W. Bryant. aiming for Paris," Mattern said, "and have enough juice Out of collections from various receiver left when get there stop Frank Bryant, sources will keep right to Moscow. Howard National. paying or the He expected make Paris in cent to Frank dividend of per hours and had no fear of failing of the Citizens W. Bryant, receiver asleep way, There conNational. trivance connected with his altitwo creditors of There are only meter to prevent that. Should he the National These the drop off sleep the plane would which took over Citizens dive or glide downward, and when the Howard. payment the altitude reaches certain low and the of the latter's deposits. the altimeter turns on an appliance Howard National Company. The arranged to squirt cold water claim the latter is very small. pilot's face, thus rousing The dividend amounts to approx- him. Cork. Irish Free State. June off the Irish coast. of more than usual terest today of projectflight of James Mattern, were bad. heavily and visiraining bility extremely poor. There was little wind.


Article from The Kokomo Tribune, July 11, 1933

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SAFE IN HOWARD NATIONAL ONE BUILDING BEING TAKEN TO PERU BANK. began Tuesday to Workmen night safe from the remove Howard National Bank taking Peru preparatory to the building of for Wabash Valley Trust company the there. of the Howard The night safe installed several years basement the building. leads from the Walnut chute street front the the This convenience of persons and firms wishing deposit collections after banking hours. One could In Walnut the opening special kind of containing his deposit therein. and would slide down into the night safe, where reposed the bank's opening for awaiting the following morning. The Wabash Valley Trust Company of Peru recently decided such device its buildabout, discovered casting that the Howard National's night safe and accompanying fixtures would flt the Peru Institution perfectly. accordingly opened gotiations with Bryant, receiver the Howard National, purchased the device. This the first that has been made from safety equipment the Howard National building. The main vault and safe and safety deposit vault just they were when the bank suspended operations little than three years ago. The Howard's night the first device the kind installed bank Kokomo.