Hoven State Bank (Hoven, SD)

Episode Information

Episode UID
78043871574
Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
state
Bank ID
7804387 routing
Routing Number
78-0438
Start Date
February 12, 1931
Location
Hoven, South Dakota (45.244, -99.777)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
2aa87c39b7d1a2ac

Response Measures

None

Description

Bank closed amid charges of embezzlement and excessive loans by its former president; articles refer to it as a closed institution.

Events (3)

1. February 12, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank suspended amid allegations related to Fred R. Smith's handling of closed bank deposits and state investigation into misconduct affecting Hoven State Bank.
Newspaper Excerpt
the Hoven State Bank, both suspended.
Source
newspapers
2. August 7, 1931 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
from the Hoven State bank, closed, which he president, and third that O'Brien permitted excessive loans to stockholders.
Source
newspapers
3. September 15, 1931 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
former president of the closed Hoven State bank... pleaded guilty... embezzling closed bank funds and making excessive loans to stockholders; sentenced to four years.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)

Article Text

Bill Is Introduced Asking Immediate Funds For Inquiry Governor Green Backing MoveTo Secure Thorough ment Audit of Smith's Banking Transactions Once. Feb. for furthclosed bank fund deinvestigation Fred Smith, former state posits by banks, were under superintendent with backing of Governor way today Green. General M. Sharpe's Attorney charges yesterday that least public funds would be lost in three banks through Smith's policies, and the former's for audit. brought quick action from the legislature. Carrying an emergency clause which would make effective bill powers the and $5,000 attorney general for that annual introduced both houses by the Passage of the bill. and action by the provide funds put Sharpe in make the proposed audit soon legislative authorization given. The attorney audit of the closed general asked Farmers State Bank of Platte, owned by Smith's relatives. which reported $1,000,000 closed bank more than funds would be lost to depositors. Wants Department Audit The other banks in which Smith of depositing large amounts accused closed bank funds the Hoven State Bank and the Kimball State Bank, both suspended. Governor Green said he would support Sharpe's request for an audit the bank" Platte. The executive would an audit also said approve the State Banking department order that Ruden Bryant, who placed Smith banking superintendent, could "start with clean state." funds, the bill preBesides providing sonted yesterday set up machinery for investigations by the attorney eral when requested by either both legislative houses. Under the the general could all records of state subpoena and compel testimony Mr. who informed the state court before his month that closed bank deosits will lost, did comment today on Sharpe's latest charges. Legislative ing committees meetings Sharpe's report was filed but made statements the attorney for "corrective Jegisla- New Measures Up A few hours after Sharpe's report was filed, however, three banking measures introduced the senate. One would prevent deposit of large surhs closed bank money in single deposisuch Smith was accused of making the Farmers State Bank Platte. Introduced scnate banking mittee, the bill would limit the amount closed bank funds which the superintendent of banks deposit any one institution the combined capital and surplus of the depository. Frei Wagner presented bill limit loans by state banks to any dividual corporation to per the bank's capital and surplus. The limit per cent. other was bill permit banks to pledge their assets to protect school funds. banking bill passed by the senate Tuesday, upon unfavorably yesterday by the house banking committee. was the make wilful and malicious derogatory banks or trust companies felony.


Article Text

FUND, APPROVAL OF INVESTIGATION GIVEN BY SOLONS Sharpe's Charges of Big Loss in Public Funds Brings Quick Action AUDIT WILL BE PUSHED Attorney General Will Be Able to Make Check Following Legislation Pierre, Feb. for further of closed bank fund deposits by Fred R. Smith. former state superintendent banks, were under way today with of Governor Warren E. Green. Attorney General M. Q. Sharpe's charges yesterday that at in public funds would be lost in three banks through Smith's policies. the former's recommendation an brought quick the legislature. an which effective mediately investipowers of the attorney and annual for introduced in houses the joint Platte Bank Inquiry Passage bill, and action by the to provide funds, put Sharpe in position to make proposed as soon as legislative ization given. The attorney eral an audit of Farmers Platte, owned by Smith's he ported more than closed bank funds would be lost to deposThe other banks in which Smith of depositing amounts bank the Hoven State bank and the KimState said he support request for audit of the state department in order that Ruden. who replaced Smith as superintendent, could "start a clean Besides providing the bill presented yesterday would machinery for investigations by attorney either both houses. Under measure, attorney general examine all records of state departments, subpoena witSmith Silent who last month that no closed bank posits not comment today Sharpe's latest charges. Legislative after report filed but made no statements on the attorney general's for few hours after Sharpe's port filed. three ing were introduced in One would deposit of bank money in single Smith accused of making the Farmers State bank Platte. Introduced the senate bankthe bill limit closed funds which the can in any institution the combined and surplus the New depository Asked Frei presented bill to limit loans by banks any corporation to percent the bank's surplus. The present 20 per- other banking measure was bill to permit banks to pledge their assets to protect funds. Another banking passed by the senate Tuesday. was upon yesterday the banking committee the measure to make willful and gossip derogatory banks or trust companies felony.


Article Text

O'BRIEN IS SILENT ON BANK CHARGES Bonds Furnished Total $4,500 for All Three ing Will Be August 19 O'Brien, former Hoven banker arraigned yesterday on charges today had to Aberdeen Gettysburg where he preliminary hearing on three counts August O'Brien, who two years was South Bankers' association, refused comment on his arrest. bonds Gettysburg totaled for three counts. 'Brien said. and not $13,500 count. Two of the allege emfrom the Hoven State bank, closed, which he president, and third that O'Brien permitted excessive loans to stockholders. Officials at Pierre today refused the against O'Brien. The Gettysdirected Charles Warren Huron, acting attorney The torney general's office has brought against Fred R. Smith, former faces trial September at Pierre.


Article from The Bismarck Tribune, September 15, 1931

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

South Dakota Banker Enters Penitentiary Faulkton. S. D., Sept. 15.-(A)) Thomas O'Brein, former president of the closed Hoven State bank, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of making excessive loans to stockholders and to two charges of embezzling closed bank funds. He was sentenced to four years in the state penitentiary. O'Brien was sentenced by Circuit Judge J. H. Bottom to four years on each of the two embezzlement counts. involving sums of $3,600 and $2,000, respectively, and to three years on the third count of making excessive loans. The sentences are to. run concurrently. In custody of Sheriff Frank Meehan, Potter county, O'Brien was taken to the penitentiary at Sioux Falls