First National Bank & Trust Company (Yonkers, NY)

Episode Information

Episode UID
65301599
Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
6530 national
Charter Number
653
Start Date
March 4, 1933
Location
Yonkers, New York (40.931, -73.899)

Metadata

Model
gemini-3-flash-preview (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
bcc193706210e332

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
50.0%
Date receivership started
1934-01-23
Share of assets assessed as good
57.1%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
36.7%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
6.3%

Description

The bank suspended during the March 1933 holiday and never reopened as the same entity; a new bank ('First National Bank in Yonkers') was organized to take over its liquid assets while the old bank entered receivership.

Events (5)

1. December 29, 1864 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. March 4, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
The bank was closed as part of the nationwide banking holiday and subsequent federal regulation.
Newspaper Excerpt
When the city awoke four weeks ago to discover that all of its banks had been closed and that the money they had saved was temporarily beyond their control
Source
newspapers
3. January 16, 1934 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The First National Bank in Yonkers today completed its operation... the old National was closed nine months and the funds made available the new sorely needed depositors, opened such volume that the deposits today exceeds the the the institution opened
Source
newspapers
4. January 23, 1934 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. March 17, 1934 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Arthur Muth, receiver of the First National Bank and Trust Company Yonkers, must appear in court Monday
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (14)

Article from The Herald Statesman, March 31, 1933

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YONKERS NATIONAL RESUMES reopening of the Yonkers National Today's Bank and Trust full pre-moraCompany torium basis reflects another successful step on the of the City of Yonkers in emerging part from the most complete bank in the history of the United States. the rehabilitation of the First National Only Bank and Trust Company is yet necessary to have at all of the financial institutions. And the plans for that already have been drafted and await approval the federal authorities. Perhaps the major reason for the success of Yonkers bank officials and and depositors in cooperating to restore the large institutions to their former prestige and power has been due to the almost complete absence of fear and panic, such as were experienced in other communities. When the city awoke four weeks ago to discover that all of its banks had been closed and that the money they had saved was temporarily beyond their control, they obtained and extendcredit freely and worked hand in hand to hurdle the difficulties. The rift in the dour clouds soon arrived with the opening of two savings and two commerical banks. The remaining two commercial largest and oldest in the themselves disadvantage partly because of their complex scope of operations. By good judgment and excellent the 18,000 depositors of the Yonkers National have passed through the trying crucible of stringent federal regulation and today they find their bank restored complete power. is noteworthy that the leaders in that project, meritoriously rejoicing in their accomplishment, are not resting on their laurels but are now joining to shoulder with the 31,000 depositors of the First National to bring that institution back to maximum usefulness and service. Under the searching scrutiny of the Controller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve System, the readjustment is no light process task, particularly when several hundred banks in other parts of the country are crowding upon the federal officials for similar attention and aid. obvious that careful planning and farsightedness are more essential than speed, and that there must be less concern for how quickly the wheels turn than that the be resumption as completely sound and solvent institution, safe against all future vicissitudes of modern ecokey to the solution of the Yonkers National's temporary will be the case in First been widespread willingness on the part of depositors to pump new financial blood into the veins. tution, which had suffered from "frozen" assets, due to the depression. no time has there been breath of complaint that the readjustment has been due to or inefficiency, since the government itself named principal officials of the institution to the important office of conservator in each case. not difficult to understand that the Yonkers National opens today stronger than was when closed. sets out with no losses, no doubtful these have been written off replaced with new funds. It starts from scratch, its capital and surplus unimpaired, its assets fully secured and liquid. There is another potent reason. Under the conditions of the readjustment, collateral accepted for loans has been pared fraction of its true value by the depression. Much this collateral was Yonkers real estate and Yonkers industrial and mercantile operations, all fundamentally sound but temporarily depreciated. Those values will come back, and when they do, the assets of the banks will increase The "frozen" assets will once more be liquidated. In other words, values, though now removed from the bank's books, remain within the vaults of the institution, to become revitalized in better times. The present improvements in Yonkers bank. should bear fruits for many years to come, helping this city to retain and enhance its envious place in the Our banking institutions have passed through rigorous moratorium crucible and have not been found wanting. This is the beginning of the end of our financial difficulties, with the next step in full sight of realization.


Article from The Herald Statesman, April 22, 1933

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Surrender Of Common Stock First National Stockholders Due To Be Called Soon on Reopening Program By ROBERT ROTH Stockholders in First National be called together next week. probably Thursday. act on reopening pian that require the their common shares to This was decided on conferheld yesterday afternoon Supreme Court Justice William Bleakley with representatives of stockholders officers the bank. No official statement this parley issued learned that definite program discussed which can carried effect current examination of the bank's assets has been completed. Under this program. depositors contribute from their accounts whatever the examination indicates needed for reopenIn return they are to, receive common stock surrendered by stockholders and with the right to run the bank and select their own officers and directors. Officials the bank are to conYork on this plan today Monday and after that conference definite announcement of the prowill be The discussion yesterday tended Trudeau conservaCaptain Robert president Eisen. of the special stockholders' (Continued on Page Two)


Article from The Herald Statesman, May 12, 1933

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SLAIN MILLIONAIRE Public Service Commission. Mrs. Carrie Thomas pcke, pointing out the between city's present financial difficulty and the closing of the First National Bank and Trust Company. She claimed credit for her depositors committee for enlisting the interest of Samuel Untermyer in the reopening of the institution and announced that her group would support any plan for a reopening approved by him.


Article from The Herald Statesman, July 1, 1933

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150 More Buy First National Opening Stock With the receipt of more than 150 new subscriptions the new First National Bank $800,000 stock issue, total of approximately 850 stock purchases was announced today Arthur H. Snodgrass, president of the bank in charge of reorganization plans. The number of shares of stock represented by these subscriptions has not yet tabulated. Mr Snodgrass said, but computations will be made over the weekend and the results early next week. Forty thousand shares stock must be sold before the bank can reopen on that will make per cent of the deposits in the old bank available to the depositors in the new institution. The organization committee for the new bank met last night but due to the absence of Mayor Loehr chairman, Wendell P. Barker and David Gorfinkel no definite steps were taken toward selecting president and board of directors for the new institution. It is expected that such action may be deferred until after the July holiday.


Article from The Standard-Star, September 18, 1933

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DEPOSITOR WILL SUE CLOSED BANK Driscoll Refuses to Reveal Grounds of Action Against Yonkers Institution YONKERS Sept. second suit against closed bank to be nounced here within the past few days will be brought by Charles B. Driscoll against the First tional Bank and Trust Company. Mr. Driscoll who has been constant critic of the bank cers during negotiations to reopen the his suit will ask per payment of his deposit He was not pared to the grounds on which he will base his plea An advertisement Mr. Driscoll's invites other depositors to and plains he has withheld his suit until the present in to interfere with the reopening tempts Now he no longer can wait for his money he says George Leisure life-long has been engaged by Driscoll as his counsel Mr Leisure counsel for the four Americans held in Hawaii in the Thalia Massie is now counsel for Joseph W Harriman New York now on trial The first suit against closed bank was filed against the Westchester Trust Company by the Hill Road Realty Company Inc asking full return of its deposits on the grounds that the state order under which the bank suspended was issued illegally by State Banking Superintendent Joseph W. FIRM IS CHARTERED By The Associated Press Holding Corporation. Mount Vernon, was chartered by the Secretary of State today to deal in real ty and securities with 100 shares of no par value stock. Incorporators were Louis, Molly and Ethel Greiss.


Article from The Standard-Star, September 18, 1933

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DEPOSITOR WILL SUE CLOSED BANK Driscoll Refuses to Reveal Grounds of Action Against Yonkers Institution suit against closed bank to nounced here within the past few days will be brought by Charles B. Driscoll against the First tional Bank and Trust Company Mr. Driscoll, who been constant critic of the bank' offi cers during negotiations to open the institution said his suit will "100 per payment of his deposit He was not prepared to reveal the grounds on which he will base his plea, An advertisement published over Mr. Driscoll' name invites other depositors to join and plains he has withheld his suit un til order not to the present in terfere with the reopening tempts. Now he no longer can wait for his money, he says George S. Leisure life-long has been engaged by Mr friend Driscoll as his counsel Mr Leis ure was for the four Americans held in Hawaii in the Thalia Massie assault and now counsel for Joseph W Harriman New York banker now on trial The first suit against closed bank was filed against the Westchester Trust Company by the Hill Road Realty Company Inc asking full return of its deposits on the grounds that the state order under which the bank suspended was issued illegally by State Banking Superintendent Joseph W FIRM IS CHARTERED By The ALBANY Sept. M G. Holding Corporation. Mount Vernon. was chartered by the Secretary of State today to deal in realty and securities with 100 shares of no par value stock. Incorporators were Louis, Molly and Ethel Greiss.


Article from Mount Vernon Argus, September 19, 1933

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BANK TO FACE SECOND ACTION Yonkers Depositor Asks 100 Percent Return YONKERS, Sept. The second suit against a closed bank to be announced here within the past few days will be brought by Charles B. Driscoll against the First National Bank and Trust Company. Mr. Driscoll, who has been constant critic of the bank's officers during to reopen the institution, said his suit will ask 100 percent payment of his deposit. He was not prepared to reveal the grounds on which he will base his plea. An advertisement published over Mr. Driscoll's name invites other depositors to join him, and explains he has withheld his suit until the present order not to interfere with the reopening attempts. Now he no longer can wait for his monhe says. George S. Leisure has been engaged by Mr: Driscoll as his counsel. Mr. Leisure counsel for the four Americans held in Hawaii in the Thalia Massie assault case and is now counsel for Joseph W. Harriman, New York banker now on trial. The first suit against a closed bank was filed against the Westchester Trust Company by the Hill Road Realty Company, Inc., asking full return of its deposits on the grounds that the State order under which the bank suspended business was issued illegally by State Banking Superintendent Joseph W. Broderick.


Article from The Herald Statesman, January 16, 1934

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First National Gain In Shows Serve To New Accounts Increase Deposits Over The First National Bank in Yontoday completed its operation the financial institution. completes that month, its official claim, in an even stronger position than enjoyed when opened, when was described its officers as absolutely liquid institution." Despite fact that the old National was closed nine months and the funds made available the new sorely needed depositors, opened such volume that the deposits today exceeds the the the institution opened, Braisted, cashier, said today. The number depositors having accounts has increased, said. The officers directors of the were month ago the organization committee, with approval federal meeting stockholders the were reelected and renamed Frank Xavier Louis Rossire, conservator for old First National, today served notice holders special trust accounts that after days those longer ed separate deposits. Up to now those have held in cash, ready for payment on dehave been voluntarily transferred bank. expirathe 15-day period such accounts in the old institution will to the and will be subject withdrawal on same basis as any other deposits.


Article from The Herald Statesman, March 17, 1934

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First Proctor Bank Receiver Explosion Suit Must Produce Goes To Court Data In Court Frank D'Addio Is Named Guardian To Sue for Injured Daughter, Gloria Moecial The Herald Statesman WHITE PLAINS, March first suit over the fatal Proctor Building explosion in Yonkers on Feb. 23, in which two persons were killed and 12 seriously injured, was started today in Supreme Court. Justice William Bleakley today named Frank D'Addio, of 20 Astor Place, Yonkers, guardian for his daughter, Gloria, twelve, to bring suit through his attorneys, Shon and Chachkes, of Yonkers, against the theater. The young girl was the one who fell through the yawning sidewalk into the cellar and after whom Patrolman Patrick Whalen and Carl Gruber, Tuckahoe cab driver, both of whom their lives. The father, who is to be nominal plaintiff the was seriously injured three days when, visiting the Tuckahoe funeral parlor where Gruber's body was lying, he struck Bleakley Ruling First Move in Conversion Action by South End Woman Special Statesman WHITE PLAINS, March thur Muth, receiver of the First National Bank and Trust Company Yonkers, must appear in court Monday and produce all books and data the bank relating $100,000 mortgage given the Griot Realty Company six years ago. The ruling was made by Justice Bleakley behalf Mrs. Hannah Mendelsohn, of 495 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue, Yonkers, who plans, through her attorney, Ralph Geilich White Plains, start suit for conversion. seeks to discover, through the examination of Muth and records, whom to name in suit. She claims that in 1929 she bought $3,000 worth mortgage certificates from the Yonkers Trust Company on two mortgages totaling $60,000, issued George Griot and Henry Fischer. Griot, claims, was director of the bank. In 1928, she says, without getting the approval certificate holders, the bank consolidated two mortgages and added another $40.000 Griot's Realty Company. The mortgage was later signed to Muth's bank. She charges that the transaction was conversion of funds.


Article from The Herald Statesman, March 20, 1934

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First National Case Goes To Federal Court Muth Wins Transfer of Suit Involving MortBond Certificates gage suit growing out of the liquidathe First National Bank and Trust Company Yonkers was transferred yesterday to the United States District Court New York City from the Westchester County Supreme Court, on the request Arthur E. Muth, receiver for the bank. Mr. Muth not defendant in the suit, but the bank and former conservator Louis D. Rossire are named in the the receiver applied Justice William Bleakthrough his attorney. former Children's Court Judge Benjamin and had the case moved. Mr. Muth filed bond for $500 insure payment costs should the removal be held to improper. Fourteen Defendants Jennie Bernstein, owner mortgage participation certificate issued the is the plaintiff action. She represented by Ulysses Adler. In addition to the bank and Mr. Rossire the other defendants are James Wolf, Mae Moore. Edna Garnjost, Mamie Scott, Friedna Fleisher, Amy Power, Anna Norman Schraeder, Henry Hull Edna Hull. Parklinda Corporation, Mary Kaufman and Bella Kaufman. According to the complaint Mary and Bella Kaufman on Aug. 1925, made bond and mortgage for $45,000 to the bank. This secured by real estate on Warburton Avenue and Main Street, Hastings. Subsequently the bank deposited the mortgage its trust department issued participation certificates. The complaint states that the from 16, 1926, to Feb. 1929, total of 30 with total face value of were issued. The plaintiff $1,-


Article from The Herald Statesman, May 11, 1934

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Bank, Receiver Named In Suits Over Mortgage Mrs. Poor and Son Demand Old First National and Muth Pay Back $2,000 The insolvent First National Bank and Trust Company and Arthur E. Muth its receiver are named defendants in suit filed yesterday in the United States District Court in New York City by Mrs. Elizabeth H. Poor of Yonkers, as guardian of her son, Frederic H. Poor. Jr., and by Mr. Poor individually. The plaintiffs, who are represent. ed by Steckler, Frank, and Steckler of 11 Broadway New York, are seeking to compel the defendants to pay over to them $2,000, representing the face value of the two mortgage participation certificates The case was originally in the Westchester County Supreme Court but was removed to the federal jurisdiction at the request of former Children's Court Judge Benjamin. W. Moore, attorney for Mr. Muth. Charges Misrepresentation Mrs. Poor alleges that she was a customer of the bank for more than 23 years and as a result of her frequent dealings came to rely upon and have implicit faith and confidence in the statements and representations of the bank's officers and employes. Oct. 21, 1929, she was appointed guardian for her son by Surrogate George A. Slater, and Dec. 20 of that year, according to the complaint, the bank sold her two participation certificates at $1,000 each in a first mortgage of $60,000 on property at 10-12 Hudson Street and 20-22 RivShe alleges it was represented to her that the certificat were guaranteed -by the bank as to payment of principal and interest and that the bank was obligated to pay in event of default by the mortgagor. Her complaint charges that these representations were false and that the certificates were not guaranteed and the bank was not obligated to pay. Further she asserts that the property is valued at $90,000. 'Refused To Make Good' The complaint charges that the mortgage is now in default and that the bank has refused to make good the certificates. It is also stated that the plaintiffs have of fered to credit the bank with interest the plaintiffs have received. but this has been refused. The complaint asks judgment for $2,000 against both defendants and that Mr. Muth be directed to pay the judgment out of funds in his possession. Mr. Poor is suing in his own behalf also, as he reached the age of twenty-one Sept. 28.


Article from El Heraldo De Brownsville, April 18, 1935

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$228,000 Goes Begging YONKERS, N. Y.-Arthur Muth, federal receiver in charge of liquidating the First National Bank and Trust company, is having his troubles. For 16 months he has tried to pay 40 per cent of the claims but he still is unable to get 4,000 depositors to come and collect $228,000.


Article from The Bismarck Tribune, April 18, 1935

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AND IN THESE TIMES Yonkers, N. Y.-Arthur Muth, federal receiver in charge of liquidating the First National Bank and Trust Company, is having his troubles. For 16 months he has tried to pay 40 per cent of the claims, but he still is unable to get 4,000 depositors to come and collect $228,000.


Article from Evening Star, April 18, 1935

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$228,000 Goes Begging. YONKERS, N. Y. (A)).-Arthur Muth, Federal receiver in charge of liquidating the first National Bank & Trust Co., is having his troubles. For 16 months he has tried to pay 40 per cent of the claims, but he still is unable to get 4,000 depositors to come and collect $228,000.