9102. Union Trust Company (Detroit, MI)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
February 14, 1933
Location
Detroit, Michigan (42.331, -83.046)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
55e73bfa

Response Measures

None

Description

The articles describe the Michigan bank holiday (state-imposed moratorium) in February 1933 and subsequent collapse/closure of Detroit's large banks, including Union Trust Company. There is no clear description of an isolated depositor run triggering the event; instead the state bank holiday (government action) and later grand-jury investigations into closed banks are emphasized. I used the well-known Michigan bank holiday date (mid-February 1933) as the suspension date referenced in the articles.

Events (4)

1. February 14, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
State governor Comstock declared a statewide bank holiday/moratorium in Michigan, closing banks including Union Trust Company of Detroit.
Newspaper Excerpt
Comstock signed drastic bank holiday proclamation that marked the beginning of the present period.
Source
newspapers
2. August 17, 1933 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
grand jury under Judge Keidan has been probing collapse of Detroit's largest banks. ... the grand jury inquiry into the closed banks, crowded.
Source
newspapers
3. August 18, 1933 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
been investigating the closing national banks Detroit. ... blocking the Union Trust Co. of Detroit that vented the Michigan bank holiday, declared on February
Source
newspapers
4. * Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
grand jury ... probing collapse of Detroit's largest banks. ... the closed banks
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (3)

Article from The Hastings Daily Tribune, March 8, 1933

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Article Text

Regrets Over Moratorium That Spread Over Nation. CLAUDE Mich. Mar. three weeks ago in the dim day penned the preface the most crucial chapters his tory firmly believes took the only would the same thing again, Governor Wm. said today February seated the room the Union Trust Company De troit, Comstock signed drastic bank holiday proclamation that marked the ginning of the present period. Comstock believes that the developments the last which have seen state finally the federal gov lead Michiwill quicken the pulse economic place nation's financial structure Faced Difficult Decision. faced the difficult decilife three weeks this just before signed the which closed Michi banks during mor atorium," the United Press then there have been moments flinched thought the results of that been feeling with the assurance that merely personal government. "Consider what would have hap pened the not declared. One of the large financial houses of Detroit, the state, would have closed its rest of the day would have bank bank Michigan stripped its and liquid serves panicky and turned empty shells only frozen assets for the small, Prevented Panic. "Within three the panic would more rapidly than the mora The would been chaos billions dol securities thrown upon an already flooded market by bank would been three before could have begun recover from disaster Today every bank the country sound condition three weeks Six months from not more be operating normal and the meantime banks will have the these facts in mind, have no the most important the present situation, GovComstock believes, will healthy public attitude banks closer supervision them by the government.


Article from Albany Democrat-Herald, August 17, 1933

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Article Text

NAMES EX-PRESIDENT Says Hoover Asked Him to Endorse Advance of of Guardian Plea for Cash. DETROIT. Mich., Aug. 17. statement approving the loan of $90,000,000 Dawes used for political quested him by former President Hoover, Senator James Couzens tes tified the bank inquiry today. nation shocked when leaked that Dawes had received ninety dollar loan,' Senator Couzens "Shortly afterward President Hoover asked statement. the loan. The statement was have for political but plain now that the Dawes loan to finance which opposed to Detroit bank for an old bank apparently shape. senator from prepared statement first took the stand the crowded assembly room where for weeks grand jury under Judge Keidan has been probing collapse of Detroit's largest banks. Under the questioning of Prosecutor Harry Toy he quick discarded the and varied from defense of own position in Wash ington charges that the side story the bank collapse been told. The senior Michigan dressed powder blue suit and wearing plain gray tie, stepped briskly for ward witness adjusted his spectacles and started to read pared statement. He spoke voice. The large assembly room, being during the grand jury inquiry into the closed banks, crowded. Learned of Difficulties After the of the ficials the the banks, Couz testified next heard dif ficulties he learned that Union Trust company had applied for $65,000,000 loan. ing the senator be advised. This loan opposed. testified. because the inadequacy of the lateral On February 9. Colonel James Walsh and Clifford B. Longley, officials the Guardian group. enfled him from the senate to discuss the That night he and Michigan's other Senator the House the request former President Hoover. Detroit banking situation serious," Mr. Hoover said as greeted them. Couzens read Mr Hoover handed fidential memorandum disclosing the the guardian group. On this date the group had revised request and then sought $45. 000,000 instead $65,000,000 from the Finance tion. The the loan, the furnish funds deposit frozen character of many of the assets the memorandum from the dent showed the total deposit liability Guardian Trust questioned Prosecutor Har Toy. the bank require large under those circumwhat couldn't under replied. opposed the loan. They they wanted deposit liabilities roughly excess their deposit liability


Article from Press of Atlantic City, August 18, 1933

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Article Text

Sen. Couzens Aug jammed courtroom, United States Senator James Couzens (R., Mich.) today related his own "inside from the White House the office Henry preceded Michigan bank days, charged that banker nesses investigating not "told all they knew The for weeks has been investigating the closing national banks Detroit. point during his the witness stand, senior MichSenator veered from the Mich. banking situation during the national political campaign former President Herbert Hoover him issue. "for political statement approving the Finance Corporation's the Chicago bank headed by Charles Dawes, former President. Assails Bank Ethics Banker critics the Senator for attacks. In blunt. phrases, be known that bankthe national crisis. lot things happened tional banks for criminal prosecution brought,' "But civilization to exist and rely only on criminal law morals might ethics of banks could prosecuted. the shameful could Yesterday Wilson Mills, forthe First National the largest closed bank, Couzens blocking the Union Trust Co. of troit that vented the Michigan bank holiday, declared on February Charges Facts Withheld Couzens today with statement that only himself but (Continued on Page Eight)