9237. Capital National Bank (Lansing, MI)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
8148
Charter Number
8148
Start Date
February 11, 1933
Location
Lansing, Michigan (42.733, -84.556)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
e5011eea

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
85.0%
Date receivership started
1934-03-13
Share of assets assessed as good
30.3%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
61.5%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
8.3%

Description

Capital National closed with the banking holiday order (Feb 11, 1933) and never reopened; a conservator was appointed March 1933 and a receiver was named in March 1934. No clear standalone local depositor run on this specific bank is described in these articles — the closure followed the statewide/national banking holiday and conservatorship and later receivership.

Events (6)

1. March 24, 1906 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. February 11, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Closed under the banking holiday / federal holiday order in February 1933 (banking holiday declared by state/federal authorities).
Newspaper Excerpt
The Capital National bank closed with the holiday order. February 11, 1933, and has not reopened.
Source
newspapers
3. March 24, 1933 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
A conservator, at the request of the directors of the Capital National bank, has been named for that institution. Nathan P. Hull, Lansing, as conservator for the Capital National bank, an action which had been requested by directors of the institution.
Source
newspapers
4. March 13, 1934 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. March 14, 1934 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Joseph W. Gleason ... named the Capital National bank Tuesday ... The from Tuesday night by Hull declared part term conthe Capital National Michigan, terminates Joseph W. Gleason appointed receiver signed O'Connor, comptroller of the currency.
Source
newspapers
6. October 4, 1934 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The Capital National bank closed with the holiday order. February 11, 1933. and has not reopened. (Lawsuits over securities and contracts continue.)
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

Article from Lansing State Journal, May 11, 1932

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BANKER TELLS JUNIOR C. OF ECONOMY NEED (Concluded Page adopted for sale. The Capital tional made no profit this transThrough the City National board of several the Capital National against any working with the Capital City board handling the of the old City pay tribute to those men put up their personal protect their good name. To those men equally much credit for depositors as is due the Capital co-operation, their sincerity, the steps they took difficult when, vitation the National bank, bank, years and Olds, Harry Harper, and Scott. He reviewed the steps taken by the federal government endeavor restore confidence bring country Washington last which attended by prominent bankers and President Hoover laid them plan designed down the hurricane which was sweeping over the "Sold" on Hoover The bankers went to that conference gloomy spirit more less disgruntled Lord said. They out of the conference the Hoover plan helpful. step plan was the organization Credit corporation subscripthe to loan to banks need of help. Michigan banks the speaker said fund two large groups in troit the First About 100 made in the After Credit corporaforthcoming in the the nance Mr. said. made available two billion dollars the government banks, building loan companies, mortgage firms. same committee which handled the the National Credit poration the Finance said, the addition William Alden Smith of Rapids. This tional Credit corporation and the construction Finance stopped the steady run of bank Tells Glass Bill Provisions The adoption bill vides federal banks broader powers in the making the he the the Hoover plan Glass designed to make paramount depositors, and to aid the the bill, he has four loans period Mr. believes will federal liquidating Money finance include the United States treasury. equal one fourth the surplus federal reserve about and sum member of the federal reserve within office, banks must the the federal closing the CapNational here and to loaned than taken out here deposited Detroit,' said.


Article from Lansing State Journal, March 24, 1933

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The Bank Situation in Brief Since the issuance of the governor's proclamation of February 14, followed by that of the President on March the banking situation in Lansing and throughout nation has been in state of unrest. Individual and business depositor has borne the curtailments with that spirit of complete accord and co-operation which should redound to the eternal credit of the American citizenship whole. All, of every class and creed, have found themselves on the same level, and all have worked together in an effort to piece together the shattered financial structure, and build anew system far more stable than the nation has ever known. The events taking place in Lansing Friday are but this community's part in the great task that confronts. The situation is simple one in the statement of facts concerning it. It is tedious and difficult one in reaching its ultimate Stated in brief, is simply this: A conservator, at the request of the directors of the Capital National bank. has been named for that institution. It is his job to conserve all the assets of that banking house so that depositor receive the ultimate amount of percentage of his deposit. He is not receiver. He the sole dictator there, subject only to orders from the United States government and the law governing his duties. committee has been named by the directors of the former Capital National bank, and is already at work to bring about the formation of new National bank here. That bank will be chartered by the federal authorities. It will open with capitalization of half to be supplied locally and half by the Reconstruction Finance corporation. Both subscriptions have already been arranged for. The new bank, once its charter is will immediately enter into negotiations with the conservator of the Capital National bank in order to effect quickly possible the transfer of such liquid assets as are agreed upon. The completion of this transfer will immediately release percentage of the deposit of each individual depositor. This release will be in addition to the percent formerly set aside for depositors by the Capital National. The frozen assets of the Capital National will then be liquidated speedily as is possible by the conservator, additional dividends being paid to depositors as this is done. Just how soon the new bank will be ready for operation depends wholly on Washington. Just how any deposits be released pends on the completion of negotiations between the officials of the new bank and the conservator. These are expected to be speeded so that there will be little delay as possible in the resumption of normal banking conditions in the city. The outlook, it presents itself, is brighter for Lansing than has been in many day. The uncertainty of everything has been dispelled. Bankers, depositors, industrial leaders and the citizenship whole. now know the common ground of endeavor on which the city's financial structure is to be rebuilt. That rebuilding will require time. It will require patience. It will further forbearance and further sacrifice. But it will be complished with the greatest possible speed. And once is perfected the will find within its midst banking facilities of the most complete city sort, organized along lines laid down by government, and supported by the complete confidence all


Article from Lansing State Journal, March 24, 1933

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Committee of Business Leaders Works To Organize Institution Taking Over Old Liquid Assets; Lucas East Lansing Conservator Definite steps for the formation of new national bank in Lansing to supplant the Capital National bank, taking over its liquid assets, were in progress Friday in Lansing. This action followed appointment of Nathan P. Hull, Lansing, as conservator for the Capital National bank, an action which had been requested by directors of the institution. Other conservators announced Friday afternoon for central Michigan state banks include the following: Herman S. Lucas, East Lansing State bank; Frank J. Stevens, Chesaning State bank; R. Teeters, Shiawassee County Bank of Durand; Carl O. Derby, Maynard-Allen State bank of Portland; E. Mills, Loan and Deposit Bank of Grand Ledge: Riches, Exchange State Bank of Mt. Pleasant; E. H. Fox, St. Charles State bank. Officers Connections Mr. Hull director the Detroit branch of the federal reserve system, and also member of the board directors of the Capital tional bank The conservator announced that officers, directors and employes the bank had severed their relations with the institution immediately upon appointment Miles Grant, former assistant was named first assistant Hull Friday morning. Several additional employes rehired, Hull pointing out that engaging his force he selecting some those best acquainted with the of the bank and had taken consideration that the bank will employ many of the old employes. He said that changes the personnel would be made work progresses. Working Comptroller The formation the new bank, planned by local expected to completed within the days rules regulations laid down the comptroller the currency Washington. Immediately upon receipt of its conferences the conservator former Capital bank the taking the tion, percentage first available the depositors temporary reorganization comof Olds, ident Olds Harper. the tor Wheel corporation: president the Michigan Supply company: president the Insurance company: Bates, secretarytreasurer the Motor Car Ballard the Silsby. Ballard, and the MichScrew company Mr. chairman of the board the Capital National bank. that since the holiday directors the bank have been endeavoring to bring about bank from the Union Group. and bank, necessary to organize institution. In order accomplish this the the Capital bank requested comptroller currency point conservator. whose selection was announced Friday morning. To Inventory Assets Mr. Hull declared Friday morning that serve the assets, follow the law and co-operate with the and industrial life of Lansing far sible under the He said that first step make an inventory assets Capital National With exception making change payments bank pended Friday morning. Mr. Hull the comptroller of currency permission trust accounts. sage granting this permission pected later the Other Aides Employed Other the conservator's the bank announced shortly Friday follows: Marshall Westfall, Goodell John Nelligan. Mabel Towner. Karlyle GansGeraldine Balcom. Myra Clark, John Bella Mark VanFrank. George David Timmons, John Kenneth Brodberg. Edna Robert Conklin, Harold Edward Georgiana Dool. Darlyne Marofsky. Arda Frieda Harold Catlin, Kenneth Ernest Deacon, Otto Marquart George Wyatt. Mr. Hull announced that the disthe branch ployes those institutions not determined.


Article from The Herald-Palladium, May 30, 1933

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ASKS NEW CHECKUP OF LANSING BANK Associated Press) LANSING, May petition was filed with Nathan Hull, conserMonday new examination of the assets the Capital National bank here. Chairman Richard Scott, of depositors' committee filing the petition, the request made in view rising commodiprices within the last weeks. last check-up made March after which the conservator was appointed. The name God omitted from the Book Esther in the Bible.


Article from Lansing State Journal, January 13, 1934

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Bryan Says Former State Treasurer Got $100,000 On $30,000 Collateral McKAY DENIES CHARGE Jan. policy loans the Capital National charged here Friday by Charles and for Bryan, president Lansing the Guardian Detroit Union Group. Appearing before the senate bank named Frank McKay, former state treasurer Michigan whom large policy was made the Capital National bank, which closed since the banking holiday. witness declared that McKay received and the collateral upon which based, been for the Edsel and Alfred Leyburn on the witness stand. that loan existed since the time this man state treasurer?" Couzens asked. think it made that time," He McKay office from 1925 to 1930. Accuses Lord and Green Further his testimony. the former bank made startling charges against Robert Lord. Guardian Fred former He Lord removed him direction Ionia former had collect Green's Bryan declared legedly Green Ionia tried the and that the editor called Bryan the shirt grabber" because insisted collection from Green and his friends. Bryan further told the senate that all of banks the Guardian that that many of these were policy criticizing policy for the committee. "What do you example the Lansing bank. with which am most familiar," (Continued Page Column


Article from Lansing State Journal, March 14, 1934

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BANK Gleason Supplants Hull in Charge of Affairs of Old Institution Joseph W. Gleason, alderman from the second ward and president of the Silver Lead Paint named the Capital National bank Tuesday according word ceived from Nathan Hull, who served conservator the closed bank since March Mr. Gleason took over his new the Wednesday the ferred Mr. The newly had statehis plans the he first acquainted the For least, memstaff will main their present jobs. Order from Comptroller The from Tuesday night by Hull declared part term conthe Capital National Michigan, terminates Joseph W. Gleason appointed receiver signed O'Connor, comptroller of the currency. Mr. prominent the the party in this the


Article from Lansing State Journal, May 7, 1934

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RECEIVER Judge Admits Power Lacking To Force Production of Records in Suit The defense won an important skirmish Monday morning the filed against the Capital National bank Harry former National securities depos. the former took over assets of the City Na. tional Judge Kelley of St Johns who presiding the trial Ing. county court held that the has no power pel Joseph receiver the Capital National produce sought by the plaintiff motion Edmund Shields, attorney for receiver the quashing directing produce court the ground rules the United treasury prohibit the receiver from divulging his records upon the fedcomptroller the currency Calls S. Rule "Astounding" Alva counsel the opposed the the indicated the Cummins asserted that tounding to think that any government that not compel of testimony which does not involve state secret find it difficult to explain my indignation the attitude of the ernment, the government has liberately taken attitude which might this lawsuit the plaintiff the resproperty which claims rightfully his, Cummins "There order the the receiver records has not here that the department has adopted ceiver's producing in court Would Block Any Suit "Such procedure and that feel that should that The state Michigan have because order comptroller of the currency Cummins that such position would prevent the bank had lost suing his deposit and would leave the fate of the depositor in the hands the comptroller of the Judge Searl ruled. that had power compel (Continued Page Column


Article from Lansing State Journal, May 7, 1934

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BANK RECEIVER WINS SKIRMISH IN ACTION (Concluded from page 1) DICTIONARY official do things asked in the subpoena and ordered the subpoena COUPON quashed Frank E. president This of the bank and now tionary uted was the first by the bound dark plaintiff the by the court Moore his suit against Clip 3 Coupons the Capital National bank that his curities should be returned him beNational did not paper cause Capital 98c with (plus sale tax) pay depositors the City National alleged have contemplated National over by the Capital National also was such the belief that were turned the Capital National was solvent at the time Several other individuals and corbrought inally as defendants filed answers in which they support the position of the plaintiff number of prominent attorneys are appearing in case in behalf of MAIL ORDERS the various The plaintiff represented by Charles Cummins with his father postage to Alva M of The 150 for Capital National bank greater ask the law firm Shields, Silsbee postmaster for your Jennings rate lbs. The other defendants and their atfollows: Estate Benjamin Davis former City National Cummins estate Joseph W. Knapp. Allan R. Black and Alva Cummins: Motor Car Special bound pany, Foster & Cameron: Richard H. Scott Fred Warner: Motor extra corporation and Wilford. Harold Martin Charles E. Ecker,


Article from Lansing State Journal, October 4, 1934

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ARGUMENTS START IN BANK ACTION Judge Sees Depositor Action Unlikely if Contract Is Held Voided (Concluded from Page the bank. but that legally, no appearance by counsel had been entered. Moore. former director of the City National. seeks return of securities posted by him with the Capital National bank, December 26. 1931, when the latter absorbed the former Securities were posted by Moore and others as guarantee that City National deposits would be protected. Plaintiffs allege that the accounts were not protected under terms of the contract signed between the two banks and between the Capital National bank and the guarantors. The entire suit turns on the exact nature the undertaken by the Capital National bank. Plaintiffs, alleging breach of contract in the leged non-protection of City National seek return of their securities posted to guarantee City National depositors against The Capital National bank closed with the holiday order. February 11, 1933. and has not reopened. Sees Effect as Slight Judge from the bench. the possibilities the ultimate outcome of the indicated that if he were to rule with Moore and enter decree stating that the Capital violated agreement. return of the securities posted by Moore and others. insofar as tended protection of City National still be intact He said later that while of City National bank might be free to sue the Capital bank receivfor collection of his account the event Moore won the suit, that he doubted that any depositor would go to that expense, the Capital bank's assets being in the control of the federal comptroller of the currency Counsel for Moore appeared place on of WilG. Roost certified who had the of the Capital bank during the period involved in the suit The of Roost's be that the Capital National bank had charged an item more than against City National bank til February an interest charge against City National deposits The contention counsel for the plaintiff was that the Capital Nation charging percent interest for City National which the Capital bank would have in cash under the terms the strued thus its liability to pay off these full and cash The sum charged against National assets the would have been charged Capital National had in fact. paid these deposits off in full, plaintiff counsel Claim Contract Canceled Counsel for the plaintiff attempted show that when Capital National bank closed its doors its inability the terms of contract with City National canceled the and that securities of City National directors should to them. The witnesses Thursday Marshall for mer cashier of the Capital and the Lan National and W Will ford, president of the Bank of LanWilford, in response to questions said that the Capital National bank had itself the City National deposits and merely "assume" them Clarence secretary of the Motor Wheel corporation, explained that this firm had pledged itself to the extent loss by the Capital National bank in liquidating of City National addition. Carlsaid Motor Wheel had time deposit of the Capital National The move the wheel firm. he said "both truistically and explaining that many Motor Wheel stockholders employes depositors National and that Motor Wheel desired to protect these counts Further the corporation had nearly deposit time (December 1931) the Capital National bank which Motor Wheel felt would closed by runs if the City National bank wasn't met by community leaders Reporter Testifies Seth Whitmore reporter for The State before the recess. that and Hayden R Palmer, Journal porter. had been present at the Capi tal bank December 23, 1931 shortly after the American State Sav. bank of Detroit and the bank that same name Lansing had Whitmore identified news story printed The State Journal which quoted Robert Lord. inter viewed on that day saying that the collapse of the Detroit Lansing bank have effect on the Guardian Detroit Union Group. Inc which Lord was for Moore fraud on the part of the Capital National deposit obligations of the City Na tional Attorneys in the case are Alva Cummins and his son. Charles Cum mins. for Moore: Charles W Foster and William Cameron, for the Reo Motor Car company Harold Martin Detroit, for the Motor Wheel corpoand Wilford: Charles E Ecker for Olds: Fred Warner R. H. and Ballard and for the Capital National bank


Article from Lansing State Journal, November 10, 1934

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BANK RECEIVER WINS SUIT TO KEEP ASSETS (Concluded Page for the best inand for the benefit in Lansing The bank and others the of 26 of and in and them charged other than the highest motives their endeavor prevent run the banks in Lansing when were that immediate action prevent the must be disposed of Judge Takes Middle Ground The chief point involved the apparently that hinging whether not "complete novasubstituting one for had been the Moore and City not been off the Capital failed its part the ment which, to protect Capital Moore and others sought return of their Counsel for the Capital National bank bank merely agreed perform the ligations of depositors Judge Searl did not entirely agree in this He four elements being: assent of tion old contract, validity of principal inquiry in this the question the positors, whether not they accept the Capital bank Judge Searl's He Capital by $500 the National display advised all other arrangement, notice could call the Capital National bank and get his money Depositors Agreed to Terms Judge Searl out that during Capital National bank percent of the City National bank their the complete novation, impliedly accepted substitution of debtor for and have claim the the bank, the the the cannot now be and prove against National Searl the case the percent the inactivity of could not legal proof of Moore other could not discharge the Capital was but forced by the United see reason why the be the Capital National bank now involuntary liquidation, the opinion read on this point. The guarantors turned over 000 in securities to the Capital National bank, and time deposits of protect that bank. Besides Moore, plaintiffs were: the late Davis, then president of the City National bank: Richard Reo Motor Car company; M. Katherine Knapp, widow the late Joseph W. James W. Ransom Motor Car company, and the Motor Wheel corporation.