6293. Union Trust Company (South Bend, IN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
May 15, 1931
Location
South Bend, Indiana (41.683, -86.250)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
46d6766d

Response Measures

Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: State takeover and liquidation; attempts to reorganize and seek RFC loan documented.

Description

Multiple heavy withdrawals (runs) in late May–early June 1931 precipitated the bank's suspension (open only to receive 90-day notices) on June 6, 1931. The bank went into voluntary liquidation and never resumed normal operations; the state took control in July 1933 and liquidation proceeded. Cause of runs/suspension is bank-specific adverse information (frozen assets, president's suicide, heavy loans/collateral issues).

Events (5)
1. May 15, 1931 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals following frozen assets situation, suicide of president Arthur L. Hubbard, and large loans/credit strains with affiliate banks; multiple runs in mid-May and late May 1931.
Measures
Bank and directors sought loans from affiliate First National; received several large loans and emergency cash; later attempted merger and formation of state bank to protect depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt
The next day run on the bank by depositors took $350,000 from the vaults ... About the middle of May secondary run more than the first, and during period of about four weeks was withdrawn.
Source
newspapers
2. June 6, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Suspended because of frozen assets and inability to meet withdrawals after sustained runs and strained loans; suspension approved by state banking commissioner; president's suicide cited in coverage as antecedent event affecting confidence and disclosures of condition were limited.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union Trust Company ... is open today only for the purpose of receiving ninety-day notices of intention to withdraw deposits. ... frozen assets as the cause for suspension of general business.
Source
newspapers
3. February 18, 1932 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank suspended June 1931. ... explanation of the policy of liquidation being followed by officers and board of direc...statement of the condition of the bank as of Feb. 18, 1932 ... policy during the liquidation of the bank to ... distribute dividends when possible. (statement on liquidation).
Source
newspapers
4. June 16, 1933 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
STATE BOARD REOPEN BANK ... Officials of the Union Trust company went to Indianapolis, today to lay before the state banking commission details of the proposed plan for reopening the institution ... plan contemplates the establishment of guaranty fund ... and the organization of holding company ... (June 16, 1933).
Source
newspapers
5. July 24, 1933 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
UNION TRUST IN STATE'S HANDS ... Liquidating Committee is Supplanted by J. E. B. LaPlante. ... The state banking department is in complete charge of the bank ... a notice was to be posted on the doors of the Union Trust company (July 24, 1933).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (13)
1. June 6, 1931 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, June 6, 1931

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LARGE BANK SUSPENDS Union Trust of South Bend Has Deposits of $4,500,000. By Times Special SOUTH BEND, Ind., June 6.-The Union Trust Company, with deposits of $4,500,000, is open today only for the purpose of receiving ninetyday notices of intention to withdraw deposits. The action is approved by Luther F. Symmons, state banking commissioner, who assigned frozen assets as the cause for suspension of general business. About a month ago Arthur L. Hubbard, president of the bank committed suicide. Officials have not disclosed any irregularities in the bank's affairs.

2. June 6, 1931 Vidette-Messenger of Porter County Valparaiso, IN
Article from Vidette-Messenger of Porter County, June 6, 1931

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SOUTH BANK South Bend, June Union Trust Company, South Bend, one of the Indiana banks, today was open only to receive notices of intention to withdraw deposits, it announced. The action was approved Luther Symons, state banking who commissioner, from that frozen assets caused the suspension of regular business.

3. July 20, 1931 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, July 20, 1931

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MOVING BEGUN BY UNION TRUST With its new quarters in the Union Trust building ready for OCcupancy, the Union Trust company began the transfer of records and equipment from the temporary headquarters in the Associates building. Frederick Cunningham, newlyelected said that the tailed plan for and liquidation, which was to have been announced to-day, was not completed. The is expected later this week. The bank will resume its former quarters in the Union Trust buildand partition has been installed dividing from the First Bank Trust company.

4. February 19, 1932 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, February 19, 1932

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CAN'T FORECAST DIVIDENDS Payment to Depositors Hinges on Bank's Debtors and Real Estate Demand. [Statement Page Eight. Section Following suggestion of the department of banking of Indiana, the Union Trust company of South Bend, through president, Frederick Cunningham, to-day sued statement of the condition of the bank as of Feb. 18, 1932. The includes, not only digest of the resources and liabilities, but also an explanation of the policy of liquidation being followed by officers and board of direcThe bank suspended June 1931. The statement. signed by Mr. follows: the suggestion of the department banking of are pleased hand statement of the the Union company as Feb. 18, 1932. This presented in the by the for the use of agents in closed in Indiana. "In addition to the assets of the bank listed this report, and in cash which the erty of the savings depositors the Union pany segregated for their benefit. Divest Selves of Trusts. "We further have and which the property of the holders of UnTrust certificates and is segregated for their benefit. required by law. we have divested ourselves of trusts as rapidly as possible. The remaining securities and the segregated belonging the trusts do not appear the "Our of all expenses for the period 1931, date We officers and employes our list the salaries erage per month. One our officers serving without compensation. We are paying no tainer fees and legal expenses so far have been practically nil. "Our policy as to acceptance of assigned accounts for application on loans or the purchase of assets, has been definitely fixed by our board of directors. Generally we will accept such accounts only for the reduction purchase of assets of doubtful value which under present cannot be reduced to cash. By accepting assigned accounts such the maining are Can't Forecast Dividends. "It is impossible under existing conditions to forecast our ability pay cash dividends our depositWhen our debtors are able to pay in cash when the open for to and for real estate, will be able to "It has been our constant deavor fixed policy during the liquidation of the bank to talk with such will call the bank and to give them all the formation which they are justly entitled. We profoundly regret that cannot at this time make any statement when and in amounts will be able to pay dividends.'

5. April 12, 1932 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, April 12, 1932

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FOR DIVIDEND DEPOSITORS 10 Per Cent Distribution, Same as Union, Planned if Plea Succeeds. EMMONS MADE PRESIDENT Succeeds E. H. Miller, Sr., Who Resigned; Haberle is Board Chairman. The American Trust company, which closed last June 13, will apply to the Reconstruction Finance corporation for loan sufficient to distribute per cent dividend all depositors, was announced day. Such dividend, based on $3,044,in deposits on March would release $304,425.06 to local persons whose funds been tied up in the institution. The closed Union Trust company also seeking Reconstruction Finance loan for per cent dividend amounting to $276,000 and these projected dividends, together $41,376.12 distribution already declared Union Trust savings investors' accounts, makes total which may be released depositors. Announcement of the preparation an application the Finance corporation by the American Trust nection the election Emmons of the bank to M. Miller, resigned Mr. agent the institution since the closing. John B. Haberle has been elected the board succeed Mr. Miller and Albert named vice Rerick elected Albert McGann secretary and Titus trust officer. Mr. Emmons, Mr. Mr. Rerick, Mr. McGann M. Sanders, who represents the stockholders' and depositors' committee. Other members of the stockholders' and depositors' committee George Harrop and Herman Ries. the Haberle, Mr. Emmons, Fulk, Mr. Rerick. Alexis Coquillard, Adler, K. Vitus Jones and Herbert Sharlock. The were meeting Monday Takes Time for Results. Referring to the application to the Finance corpoMr. "It proposed to present an application loan to Reconcorporation which to pay dividend positors approximately cent. The application and supplemental forms are in process and will be ready to file with within time. difficult this money available for ment depositors but the the officials release the fund can procured. should borne mind, however, that take time and efto obtain desired Emmons said that the stockholders presented with reports Monday's meeting covering all phases the liquidation. Chief among these reoprts was ing net reduction assets since the closing. Deposits have transfer of posit by assignments, Surplus Reduced. Surplus and undivided profits show reduction, according to Emmons, since the closthe difference tween the earnings the since closing and losses sustained on the sale securities held banks as collateral for loans. The collateral was sold

6. April 27, 1932 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, April 27, 1932

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BANK LIQUIDATION CUTS ASSETS Continued Page bank following the suicide Arthur Hubbard, former president of the institution, last April and of hurried trip Chicago the following day, which was Sunday, to obtain in cash. special car was chartered and directors' meeting held en route Chicago, during which was to become president the institution. About cash turned by Erskine and Vincent Bendix, dition to large sum provided by Mr. Morris. The next day run on the bank by depositors took $350,000 from the vaults and the following day. Second Run Occurs. "About the middle of May secondary run more than the first, and during period of about four weeks was withdrawn. he said. "At that time negotiations started for the merger the First National bank and Union Trust company with the Citizens' National bank but time was against us the money was rolling out of the bank faster than we could make our plans. "On June ultimatum came from the national bank examiner that must raise $2,000,000 cash, $1,000,000 for the First National bank and another $1,000,000 for the Union Trust, before the merger would be sanctioned. "The directors met that night an all-night the worst nights have ever experiwe tried in every way to raise the $2,000,000 but was impossible. About o'clock in the morning decided to form state bank to liquidate the First National for the protection depositors and to keep the institution open." Tells of Moving. He described how at o'clock in the morning the Trust comwas to location the Associates building under orders banking examiners and the diana Trust company, which Mr. Morris had acquired controlling interest in on April was moved into the First National bank. When Mr. Morris and his assoclates the Indiana Trust company on April it was in tering condition and, according to him, could not have remained open two weeks longer because of frozen assets. By June when it came the nucleus of the First Bank & Trust company, he said, it was cash position. Mr. Morris described the First Bank & Trust company at the present time one of the soundest institutions in the state. 'And nothing is going to happen that bank, you can count that,' he added. Making Money. Because of recent retrenchments the institution is money, and its cash has increased said, $500,000. At the present nearly time the bank has $100,000 in govsecurities, $100,000 on call from New York banks and $125,in short time paper. said, the monthly Last June $10,800 and this payroll was been reduced to $4,600. Mr. Mor ris has not received any salary the bank since the first month from was president. in deposits the For First Bank & Trust has cash resources, including in cash and due from banks, governsecurities other bonds. The liabilities include in capital stock, surplus fund and profits, $56,724.16 in vested trust $32,066.62 trustee funds and in mortcertificates outstanding. gage Among its resources are in loans and discounts and real mortgage loans and mortgages certifisecurities cates.

7. June 26, 1932 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, June 26, 1932

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STATE COURT'S DELAY IN BANK RULING SCORED "Pathetic," Says One Receiver; "Dilatory" Second Charges. AFFECTED Public Funds Held Up; Also Prevents Distribution of $20,000 in County. More than $20,000 is lying dormant in St. Joseph county bank vaults awaiting decision by the Indiana supreme court that will provide for the distribution of the money by receivers for three defunct banks in the county. The same decision will directly effect nearly $1,000,000 in public funds tied up in three other closed South Bend which are now in the liquidation. Definite action by the higher court has been for nearly since the test case was transferred to that court from the Indiana court, where on file nearly two years before justices of that court disagreed decision. Since the Cound its way to the supreme court, several similar appeals have been taken from every section of the state. estimated that throughout the state effected by court's delay in handing down ruling. Calls Delay Attorney Orie Parker, who represents Miss Ethel receivfor the Franklin Trust company, declared: pathetic the way the court delays action on an important issue of that kind.' Schurz, receiver for the North Liberty State bank said: supreme court has the reputation being dilatory. or years making decision and, from past experiences, another five years before the ruling is made. The Franklin company has about $8,000 for the question the priority claims on public funds blocks the payment the money to depositThis question must be setin the higher Mr. Schurz said today that he could distribute about $8,000 if the priority claim dispute was The blocking the payment $5,000 ready the hands of Citizens' Trust Savings bank. receiver for Lakeville State bank Three Banks Affected. Three other large South Bend closed and in the process liquidation, are also hampered by the dispute to priority. They are Union Trust company half million dollars being held in public funds. The bank about $100,000 public funds tied up, of which $85,000 belongs to Bend school Over $100,000 school funds being held the American Trust comSeveral townships also have pany. funds in the closed South Bend banks. was pointed out that suits against surety bond signers coverthe money these banks have ing but determination been priority claims would exonerate the bond signers in event the public funds are given priority. Only recently the Union ship the town of this county, awarded in superior court No. against bond covering in Lakeville State the amounting to bank, $20,000. Will Be Appealed. This decision to be appealed the supreme court Attorney Walter Arnold, was said Saturday. petition by the receiver of the following the judgment, distribute blocked by town and until the higher court rules on the claims. The Washington State bank has one payment of 10 per but time that sufficient addithe tional funds were available to meet claims in the event the priority court ruled their favor. higher Continued Page Six. Column

8. June 16, 1933 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, June 16, 1933

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STATE BOARD REOPEN BANK Union Trust Lay Details Before Commissioners. REORGANIZATION READY Establishment of Guaranty Fund and Holding Company Included. Officials of the Union Trust company went to Indianapolis, today to lay before the state banking commission details of the proposed plan for reopening the institution. If the plan, which is similar to that being pursued by the American Trust company, is approved by the state banking commission the reorganization machinery will be set up immediately. The Union Trust plan contemplates the establishment of guranty fund, probably from the assets of the affiliate First & Union company, and the organization of holding company to segregate the assets and speed liquidation and distribution among the common depositods. The of depositors has been duced 12,000 to about 5,000 during the last two years proposed to the Union Trust company from its quarters the First Bank Trust buildthe quarters of the South Bend State bank, liquidation which has been taken over by the Union Trust The bank officials carrying the plan today are Cunningham. Austin and Harold Robertson. liquidating ficers, and Walter R. Arnold, attorney Accompanying them were two officials of Washington State bank, which closed its doors two one-half years ago and went The Washington State liquidating officers, and Harry Pravat, are considering plan reorgan ization for their and will discuss the matter with the state department. meeting of directors of the Washington State bank to have been held late Thursday to discus the reopening proposal but was postponed until week cause number of the directors were absent from the city.

9. June 16, 1933 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, June 16, 1933

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Union Trust Action Dismissed by Slick FILED; U. S. Judge Declares Suit is Out of Jurisdiction. Declaring his court was without jurisdiction to hear the case, Federal Judge Thomas W. Slick today dismissed the suit of Miss Florence B. Robinson, of Chicago, to collect $400,000 in county funds from Woodson S. Carlisle and F. Cunningham, as directors of the closed Union Trust company, on behalf of St. Joseph county tax payers. Attorney Harold T. Miller, local counsel for Miss Robinson, who Friday eliminated Vincent Bendix and Walter Buettner as co-defendants, said today that similar suit would be refiled soon in court, possibly next week. The original suit named the county board co-defendants with the four rectors alleged of citizenship which would enable the cause be filed federal court instead of the state courts Friends of the court pointed out that the real party interest Joseph county and that consequently the board commissioners should be the plaintiff in the suit and such being the case diversity of citizenship would Complaint Explained. Mr Miller explained today that the reason the county commissioners had been named co-defendants as set forth in complaint, they had allegedly refused and failed to sue the directors for recovery of the county funds deposit in the Union Trust company when closed June 1931 the suit which will filed Miss Robinson alone the complainant, Miller said. will prepared with plenty authority tax payer well as resident tax payer suing municipal funds. The fact that Miss Robinson resident of Illinois and be named are of Indiana and the is more than should give the federad court time. In opinion the suit, Judge Slick stated plain that this action is brought by the plaintiff for and behalf St Joseph county In fact, plaintiff in her prayer relief against the two defendants. who directors of the Union Trust company, in the sum of coverable for and on behalf of plaintiff for St Joseph county. Benefit to Board. "St. Joseph county transacts business by and through its board of county which board is, under the statutes of Indiana, body corporate The then the interests of and for the benefit of the board of county commissioners of St. Jo. seph county. well settled principle of law that federal courts in determining their own jurisdiction based adverse citizenship will align realign the parties cording to their interest. St. seph county or the board of commissioners St. Joseph county should be aligned as plaintiff; not defendant When this alignment is made no jurisdiction remains in this court 80, title 28 U. S. which section 37 the judicial mode, provides in any suit in district court shall appear to the of district at any time such suit has that such suit does not really and substantially involve dispute controversy properly within the jurisdiction of said district court the said district court shall proceed no further therein, but shall dismiss the suit justice may require and shall make such order as to costs as shall be

10. July 24, 1933 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, July 24, 1933

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UNION TRUST IN STATE'S HANDS Liquidating Committee is Supplanted by J. E. B. LaPlante. Continued from Page One. Column Seven W. W. Austin and Woodson S. Carlisle. Mr. Obenchain will replace Harold Robertson as attorney for the liquidating activities "The state banking department is in complete charge of the bank but we do not contemplate any immediate changes in the clerical personnel, Mr LaPlante said. Release Deposits. The state liquidating agent said he has received no instructions from regarding the Washington State bank and American Trust company other state institutions here which are in voluntary liquidation He also explained that for the time being the department will concern itself only with accelerating the release of deposits in institutions which are in voluntary liquidation. It was indicated that no assistants to aid Mr. LaPlante in the liquidation of the Union Trust will be named at present The machinery permitting Mr LaPlante to take over the Union Trust company was put into operation immediately upon his arrival here and Mr. Obenchain was to file notice of the state's action in superior court this afternoon accordance with the 1933 Indiana bank code similar notice was to be posted on the doors of the Union Trust company Minimum Expense. The salary of Mr. LaPlante which will be determined by the work with which he is confronted, will be small, he said, because of the state's determination to carry on efficient liquidation at miniimum f S wateB el ET S H RD All fees. expenses and salaries of the liquidation must be approved by court in which the notice is filed by Mr. Obenchain and will be accompanied by regular reports on the progress of liquidation. Asked if the state's action throws into discard the plan of Union Trust officials to reorganize and reopen under proposal similar to that of the American Trust company Mr LaPlante said The 1933 banking law provides that reorganization may be about even after the state has stepped

11. August 4, 1933 The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Star, August 4, 1933

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BANK STARTS SUIT ON STATE CONTROL [Special to The Indianapolis Star.] SOUTH BEND, Ind., Aug. 3.-The Union Trust Company filed a petition late today Superior court asking Judge Fred Bingham to issue a rule calling upon the state banking department to show why it should not return the liquidation of the bank to its officers. The decision to take court action reached at meeting of the bank's board of directors today. The bank's voluntary liquidation was taken July 24 by J. E. B. Laplante on behalf of the state banking department. The bank had ten days in which to take the matter into Laplante and Roland Obenchain, the meeting Thursday and advised that court action would be taken. Representative in Congress uel B. Pettengill has been retained by the to in the legal action. Laplante ceeded Austin and Woodson Carlisle, members of the voluntary liquidation committee.

12. August 17, 1933 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, August 17, 1933

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STATE ASSUMES DUTIES AT BANK Takes Over Walkerton Institution; Name Clements Aid. J. B. E. LaPlante. state liquidating chief for closed banks in the South Bend-Gary district, today took over the Farmers' State bank of Walkerton upon instructions from Indianapolis. State control of the bank, which has been closed since Feb. 27, 1931, was ordered by Richard A. McKinley, director of the new state department of financial institutions. It is the third closed bank to be taken over, the Union Trust and Washington State bank. both of South Bend. having been under northern Indiana. state control three weeks. Mr. LaPlante announced that Milo W. Slick, who has been serving as liquidating agent of the Farmers' State bank of Walkerton. will continue in active charge of affairs as special representative of the state department. Walter L. Clements former city attorney of South Bend, has been designated as attorney to act for Mr. LaPlante and the state department. A formal notice stating that the bank is "insolvent or in imminent danger of insolvency" was filed by Mr. Plante in superior court No today. The notice claims that state control is necessary for the "best interest of the depositors. Mr. LaPlante, who is directing the activities of three appraisers at the Union Trust company. said he has no information as to whether the state will take over any other smaller banks in the the county county. Since the Farmers' State bank of Walkerton closed its doors following heavy run it has paid out dividends amounting to 36 per cent on its total deposit liability. Mr. LaPlante explained. boys. The present book value of the bank's assets as estimated by Mr. LaPlante $105,000 as against remaining deposit liability of $72,000.

13. November 21, 1933 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN
Article from The South Bend Tribune, November 21, 1933

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SUIT REVEALS FIGHT TO RUN ON BANK Recalls Frantic Efforts of Union Trust. HEAVY LOANS RECORDED Bingham Signs Order for Assignment to Protect Creditor Institution. The story of frantic but futile efforts to stop the run on the Union Trust company and prevent its closing June 5, 1931, is told for the first time today petition filed in superior court No. by the state department of financial institutions. Withdrawals were heavy. On it May 27 the bank had obtained loan of $50,000 from the First National bank, its affiliate. Then another loan- this for $125,made the following day On June directors got $50,000 more from the First National and on June more. Still was not enough. On the night of June the directors met the bank, calling in national bank The First National bank lent $79,824 15 more that night. That made total $379,824.15 withweek. But the next day the bank was foreed close. $686,000 in Oollateral. Two months later the whole debt was reduced to note for At that time, the petition asserts, the face value of mortgages given by the Union Trust company to its affiliate to secure these large loans totaled $553,000. Remaining collaterals held the bank totaled more than face value The petition lists mortgages which were pledged to the First National as security for the and asks that an assignloans, ment of record be permitted the creditor Judge protect Fred Bingham signed an order granting the petition. The First National bank also was forced to close and its assets were taken over by the First Bank Trust company However, agreement reached whereby the Union Trust liquidators would continue make collections on the mortthe other bank. gages assigned Mortgage Released. Today's petition records the details several of these collections. The First Church of the the Union Trust. The held by in the bank church had deposits The deposit covering to the note and was applied Similar action mortgage was taken in the case of Joseph Donahue, deposits were satisfy mortgage for other deposits notes but were not suffi to cient to pay off the entire obligations The petition shows the Manufactur Ing company has an unpaid bal of $13,616 after $14,145 in deposits were credited against Similarly, the Epworth Hospital, Training "which throughout the depression has been wholly unable liabilities, paid off meet its on its $11,000 note, leavbalance due of $5,916.61 offsets include $3,200 Other to Lulu Wahlen; $113.83 credited credited to Lester Anderson; credited to Clarence Hass, to Fred W $275.87 credited Knoblock, In all cases left and mortgages were not been released.