7497. Bank of Acadia (Crowley, LA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Start Date
December 16, 1931
Location
Crowley, Louisiana (30.214, -92.375)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
944fc4da

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: State banking department examiners placed the bank's books in their hands; protective closing to safeguard depositors.

Description

Articles (Dec 17–22, 1931) report heavy withdrawals/whispering campaign led the Bank of Acadia to close its doors temporarily and place its books with the state banking department. Officials repeatedly state the bank is solvent, plan to protect depositors, and expect to reopen after examiners finish work. Classification: run triggered a suspension with planned reopening.

Events (3)

1. December 16, 1931 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Unwarranted heavy withdrawals blamed on a whispering campaign (rumors) among local depositors, especially farmers.
Measures
Bank closed its doors temporarily to protect depositors; officials placed books in hands of state bank examiners and sought assistance from state banking department.
Newspaper Excerpt
The closing of the bank was charged directly to whispering campaign, which was responsible for the unwarranted and heavy withdrawals.
Source
newspapers
2. December 16, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Directors decided not to open after heavy withdrawals and panic caused by whispering campaign; suspension was a protective measure while examiners check books.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Bank of Acadia... found close its doors for what believed here Wednesday morning temporary ... placed in the hands the state banking department; books in hands of bank examiners.
Source
newspapers
3. December 22, 1931 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Definite Announcement Concerning Proposition Expected In Day Or Two... preliminary plans for and details with definite date re-opening are expected announced in few days.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (3)

Article from The Acadian-Signal, December 17, 1931

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Article Text

DEPOSITORS Unwarranted Heavy drawals Blamed For ing Of Institution. STATE DEPARTMENT. Books In Hands Of Bank Examiners And Announcement Will Be Made Soon. The Bank of Acadia, which has served Crowley and Acadia parish for years, found close its doors for what believed here Wednesday morning temporary in effort protect its depositors and avoid the sacrifice of of its patrons, which stands as curity for the loans made them, after heavy and which developed almost into Tuesday afternoon. The bank perfectly solvent; holds plenty of unusual and good collateral; has been placed in the hands the state banking department; holds enough rice not considering any other collateral to meet its bills payable; will probably be firmly believe that every depositor will receive 100 percent the dollar." These were the statements of Jac Frankel, president the bank for the past 32 years, and Lawson, active vice president of the bank. Whispering Blamed The closing of the bank was charged directly to whispering campaign, which was responsible for the unwarranted and heavy withdrawals. The bank perfectly solvent, explained, and the officials confidence that it would pay off the depositors 100 cent on per every dollar. The action was taken protective mesaure to the deposiand try and safeguard the rice farmer. The bank holds plenty of good coland expected to be in good position to pay off. The preliminary plans for and details with definite date re-opening are expected announced in few days. This action, however, cannot be taken until Brock, state banking departmnet commissioner, finishes checking books. He has assured the bank officials here that the state department will lend every bit of sistance possible the bank. He Opelousas Wednesday assisting with the re-opening of the Opelousas bank and no definite nouncement regarding when he will complete his work in Crowley could be secured. Bank Solvent believed, however, that only short time will be required to complete the work and before definite the re-opening the bank can be President Frankel pointed out clearly that the closing of the bank not develop result from any poor business thods unethical practices. He declared the always been very in its business relations. He also explained that the bank was not insolvent and that the situation could have handled public could be and runs avoided. There has been plenty times in the past, was stated, when the bank much than it at the present time and when the collateral did not compare with the good collateral which bank holds at the present time. Through 32 years the bank has served this during these years has seen some hard times but never was money hard secure and this was another factor, was stated, which contributthe cause. An appreciation for the attitude of the public, the depositors and the friends of the bank was expressed by both Mr. Lawson and Mr. Frankel. They urged the friends of the institution to retain this faith and bear with them while they forth every effort to straighten out the matter and while they were using every safe. guard to protect the depositors and farmers. (Continued Page


Article from The Eunice News, December 18, 1931

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Article Text

Bank Of Acadia Fails To Open Doors Wed. (Continued from page 1) statement issued to the Daily Signal of Crowley by the president and Mr. Lawson. Most of the deposits withdrawn from the bank, it is stated, were those of farmers and residents of the communities near Crowley. The bank, it is reported, did not open, when officials decided that a heavy run, Wednesday might wreck the institution. The concern, it is stated, had sufficient funds to transact ordinary banking, for sometime, but the panic created by the citizens did not look favorable to the board of directors.


Article from The Crowley Post-Signal, December 22, 1931

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Article Text

Awaits Final Details Bank Of Acadia Board or Directors Busy Working On Plan New. IN SESSION TUESDAY. Definite Announcement Concerning Proposition Expected In Day Or Two, That and regarding the failed and dollar the would be expected Tuesday of the failed bank and Bank of many details firal approval Protects Depositors for the Bank of Commerce bank to take ---- the Bank of Aradia yet to be Should the plan will any the failed bank The ary the that the of have approval of fore any change of this made the entire state banking await the final of of The Vatican Library Roof Falls; One Man Killed and the 200 of The and the of and of and