8225. Somerville Institution For Savings (Somerville, MA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
October 14, 1931
Location
Somerville, Massachusetts (42.388, -71.099)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
fbac5063

Response Measures

Partial suspension, Books examined

Other: Directors invoked the 90-day (30/60/90) clause; bank examiner took over offices when suspension expired.

Description

Articles report rumors and runs in Oct 1931, directors invoked a 90-day suspension (around early Nov 1931), and on 1932-02-03 the bank was closed/taken over by the bank examiner/state commissioner. Cause of initial pressure tied to runs and closures of nearby trust companies (local bank contagion) and rumors; no specific misinformation event described.

Events (4)

1. October 14, 1931 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Rumors and depositor withdrawals linked to runs and recent closures/distress at nearby banks (Highland Trust, Medford Trust).
Measures
Directors later invoked a 90-day withdrawal restriction (see suspension event).
Newspaper Excerpt
Rumors current this morning of mild runs two banks namely the Somerville Institution for Savings the Somerville Trust and, Company also on several banks in Cambridge.
Source
newspapers
2. November 5, 1931 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Directors invoked the 90-day clause because of heavy withdrawals following runs and regional bank failures/closures.
Newspaper Excerpt
Closure coincided with the expiration of the 90-day period invoked by its directors during which depositors could not withdraw their funds.
Source
newspapers
3. February 3, 1932 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The Somerville Institution for Savings was closed today. Closure coincided with the expiration of the 90-day period... principal offices ... were taken over by John Rich, bank examiner, in the name of Arthur Guy, state banking commissioner. Commissioner Guy said: of the bank were unable turn their assets into the demands for withdrawals, meet and for the protection of the depositors take over their ... (Fitchburg Sentinel, 1932-02-03).
Source
newspapers
4. February 3, 1932 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
principal offices of the bank in East Somerville and its Tecle square branch were taken over by John Rich, bank examiner, in the name of Arthur Guy, state banking commissioner
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from Springfield Evening Union, October 14, 1931

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Article Text

State Banking Situation Sound, Ely, Guy Assert [Continued from First Page.] the State will make deposits to the full by namely 40 per cent of the bank's Since the bank capitalized deposits will amount approximately $60,000. Rumors current this morning of mild runs two banks namely the Somerville Institution for Savings the Somerville Trust and, Company also on several banks in Cambridge. Both the and the insurance commissioner took ate steps set the public mind in the stating that such tirely unnecessary and that the banks were solvent. The Governor declared that rumors that character criminal offense. In the case of the three banks that have been closed the weeks, that the action taken because banking and that he would at order an investigation to place the blame where belonged. The statement to the press read as "The Highland Trust Company absolutely sound meet of its The which been closed closed because of unsound banking and thorough investigation of those institutions be ordered by the Governor at once to place the blame where belongs. reference to one of the institutions recently closed. plans already are under way to provide for its reopening and have some announcemake on that within day or two. has come to me that the condition certain banks. Such statements detrimental the actual condition banking institution constitute criminal offense The Governor made it very plain that the Highland Trust Company 100 cent with no and there for any this bank. The three banks have been closed are the Medford Trust Company, the Trust Company the Highland Trust Company in Somerville


Article from Fitchburg Sentinel, February 3, 1932

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Article Text

More Frozen Assets SOMERVILLE The Somerville Institution for Savings was closed today. Closure coincided with the expiration of the 90-day period invoked by its directors during which depositors could not withdraw their funds. The principal offices of the bank in East Somerville and its Tecle square branch were taken over by John Rich. bank examiner, in the name of Arthur Guy, state banking commissioner The bank subject to heavy run the time the Highland Trust Co. and the nearby Medford Trust Co. closed their doors last fall. but at that time managed to weather the storm. Shortthe 90-day clause was Fred Stockwell is president and Harriet treasurer announcing closing Commissioner Guy said: of the bank were unable turn their assets into the demands for withdrawals, meet and for the protection of the deposittake over their