7844. Boston National Bank (Boston, MA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
11903
Charter Number
11903
Start Date
July 16, 1931
Location
Boston, Massachusetts (42.358, -71.060)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
ee3399a4

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: Receiver activity and later court authorization to compromise claims indicate the bank remained closed and in receivership through 1933.

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
40.0%
Date receivership started
1931-12-22
Share of assets assessed as good
22.2%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
58.6%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
19.1%

Description

Newspapers from 1931 report the Boston National Bank remained closed with heavy demands by depositors and that a receiver had taken charge. The comptroller was asked to take it over; by 1933 the receiver was still handling claims, indicating permanent closure/receivership. The accounts mention heavy withdrawals (a run) and government/receiver action; chronology across articles is consistent with a run leading to suspension and permanent closure with a receiver.

Events (5)

1. December 31, 1920 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. July 16, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
A receiver was appointed and took charge; federal bank examiners involved and the comptroller asked to take over affairs.
Newspaper Excerpt
Mr. E. M. Webster, of Florida, who has been appointed as receiver of the Boston National Bank, arrived Monday and has taken over the affairs of the bank.
Source
newspapers
3. December 17, 1931 Run
Cause Details
Heavy demands/withdrawals by depositors (a run) led to asking the comptroller to take over and the bank remaining closed.
Measures
Notice posted that the comptroller was asked to take over to conserve assets; bank remained closed.
Newspaper Excerpt
Boston National bank, with main offices on Devonshire street downtown Boston, and four branches, remained closed ... notice was posted that the comptroller had been asked to take it over to conserve assets, owing to heavy demands by depositors.
Source
newspapers
4. December 22, 1931 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. August 10, 1933 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
John B. Cunningham, of the closed Boston National Bank, has been authorized by Judge James Lowell in the Federal District Court to compromise claims ... included is permission to sell certain items ... found among the assets of the closed bank ... the controller of the United States consents to the transaction. (1933 article about the closed bank and its receiver).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (5)

Article from Halifax Gazette, July 16, 1931

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Article Text

BANK RECEIVER TAKES CHARGE Mr. E. M. Webster, of Florida, who has been appointed as recelver of the Boston National Bank, arrived Monday and has taken over the affairs of the bank. The Federal Bank Examiners, Mr. Chas. W. Motter and Mr. Palmer, left Tuesday.


Article from Hickory Daily Record, December 17, 1931

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Article Text

CLOSE IN BURLINGTON AND RALEIGH, N. C. RALEIGH, Dec. Commercial National bank, largest independent financial institution in Raleigh. failed to open its doors this morning, after rectors had voted close pending meeting of stockhold- The September statement of bank showed deposits of $4,286,942, capital stock of $600,000, surplus and reserve of $136,163 bills payable of $295,000. The officers are B. S. Jerman. president. Crow, and Bauman, vice presidents, and Little, cashier. President Jerman and Mr. Crow issued statement attributing the closing failure of farmers and others to be able to meet seaspayments because of low crop prices. Dec. 17. authorities today going over the affairs the First National bank of Burlington, closed yesterday by order Barnett, national bank examiner. The bank. in its last statement. listed assets of $2,150,000 No statement its present tondition given out. Malone, cashier who has been tive charge of the bank since the from actual control of Iasley, president. several years ago, said shrinkage the value of bonds held bank was responsible for the There run on the bank, was officials Burlington's four and banks announced that they other had prepared during the condition which might meet because of the clostoday ing. BOSTON BANK CLOSES BOSTON, Dec. National bank, offices on Devonshire main downtown Boston, and street, branches, remained closed at four today, the customary time. notice posted opening that the controller of currency had been asked to take it over to the assets, owing to conserve heavy demands by depositors. the time the consolidaAt Boston National bank tion the Continental National with the about ago the combank year bined deposits of the merged stitutions given approxi$9,500,000 and the mately bined were set at 000,000. The Continental originalthe Engineers' National was bank, but its name was changed after the Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers relinquished trol affairs. The the 13th New England bank to close its doors period of four days. CONN. BANK CLOSES Conn., Dec. Hamden Bank Trust company remained closed today. Assets the bank in the last statement published March, USE 90-DAY RULE BOSTON, Dec. Boston Traveler says that the savdepartment of the Exchange Trust company of Boston, the Millbury Savings bank, Millbury, Mass., and every savings bank Lawrence and Lowell today availed themselves of This provision permits them require 90 days notice from positors seeking to withdraw funds.


Article from Omaha World-Herald, December 17, 1931

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Article Text

Bank Suspensions. Boston, Dec. 17 BosNational bank, with main on Devonshire street, downtown Boston, and four branches, remained closed at 9 m. today, the customary opening time. notice was posted that the comptroller of been asked to take it over to conserve assets, owing to heavy demands by depositors. At the time of the consolidation of the Boston National bank with the Continental National bank about a year ago the combined deposits of the merged institutions were given as approximat $9. and combined resources were set at $11,000,000. Hamden, Conn. Hamden. Conn., Dec. 17 (P). The Hamden Bank and Trust company closed today in the last published statement were $2,097,683.26. Lowell, Mass. Mass., Dec. 17 Business was suspended by the Lowell Trust company which recently reported and mercial deposits of $3,384 428. It was the second Lowell bank to close within two days, the Middlesex National bank with deposits of $4 000,000 having suspended operations yesterday. Burlington, C. Burlington, N. Dec. 17 (P) The First National Bank of Burlington, with assets at the time of its last statement of approximately $2,150,000. was closed by order M. Barnett national bank examiner. R. W. Malone, cashier, who in active charge, indicated the due to shrinkage in the value of bonds held. Calais, Me. Calais, Me. Dec. The InTrust and Banking company here Wednesday. It was announced the action was necessary because of heavy withdrawals by Canadian depositors. Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh, Dithe Commercial National bank, largest independent bank in the capital city, late last night voted to close the bank pending meeting of the stockholders. The September 29 statethe bank listed deposits at had a capital stock of $600,000.


Article from The Asheville Times, December 17, 1931

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Article Text

BOSTON BANK AND FOUR BRANCHES FAIL TO OPEN Boston National bank. with main offices on Devonshire street downtown Boston, and four branches, remained closed at 9


Article from The Boston Daily Globe, August 10, 1933

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Article Text

BANK RECEIVER MAY COMPROMISE CLAIMS John B. Cunningham, of the closed Boston National Bank, has been authorized by Judge James Lowell in the Federal District Court to against number of individuals and business Also included is permission to sell certain items of furniture fixtures and miscellaneous stationery and sup plies. The claims were found among the assets of the closed bank troller of the of the United States consents to the transction.