9401. Farmers & Merchants Bank (St Joseph, MI)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Start Date
March 6, 1933
Location
St Joseph, Michigan (42.110, -86.480)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
646b2cf0

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles (June 29, 1933) describe the Farmers & Merchants Bank being closed by the governor's bank holiday (following the national bank holiday) and county funds tied up there. No run or depositor crowding is described; closure appears to be the 1933 bank moratorium (government action) which was temporary — most such banks later reopened. Date of suspension inferred as the March 1933 bank holiday (national/governor's).

Events (1)

1. March 6, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Closed as part of the governor's bank holiday following the national bank holiday (moratorium on banking in March 1933).
Newspaper Excerpt
The governor's bank holiday followed the national bank holiday closed the Farmers & Merchants bank before the bonds and interest were paid.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Herald-Press, June 29, 1933

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Article Text

HENNES SCORES PRESTON AFTER PROBE REQUEST Calls St. Joseph Supervisor "Liar" and Refuses Apology (Continued from page 1) of these rumors. If you don't I'll call you liar to your face," Supervisor Hennes demanded warmly. "I can't do that," protested Supervisor Preston. "No, and why? Because you're the one who started the rumors,' accused Supervisor Hennes. "No didn't,' Preston insisted. "I think you did. You're nothing but a trouble maker here, anyway.' Preston Warns Hennes "Maybe am trouble maker, and I'm going to continue to make trouam watching you, and if you anything over this board, it will be over head,". Preston returned heatedly. "There hasn't been anything put over this board by me, and can watch me all you please," Hennes replied. Chairman Katzbach stopped the battle here. During the morning session yesterday, Supervisor Preston urged the of investigate why $436,000 of the $529,417 in county cash tied up in banks closed by the moratorium, was in the Farmers & Merchants bank. He said he had heard lot of ugly rumors that the judiciary committee was dominated over by some person, and that one of the of the judiciary committee was heavily obligated to the Pressed for "facts". he admitted what he had heard was only "rumor and hearsay. Supervisor Hennes told the board the judiciary had followed the dictates of the board in distributing the county's funds in he various banks on the basis of capital stock and surplus, and gave the & bank the floating account for checking of $100,000 Explains Policy He explained that the county had been piling up an account in the bank to meet approximately $318,000 worth bonds and interest due on March 15 and April because the other banks objected to having deposits of county funds made and then drawn out within few weeks. The governor's bank holiday followed the national bank holiday closed the Farmers & Merchants bank before the bonds and interest were paid. The discussion grew out of suggestion from Supervisor John Warman of Watervliet township, chairman of the finance committee, that the county lease or purchase one of the closed bank buildings, and move the treasurer's office out of the courthouse and make him custodian of all tax money collected. He suggested such an institution could handle all county, township, school and city funds, and the cost of operation split on the basis of the yearly deposits of each taxing unit. The county, he said, could join the clearing house association to enable the clearing of checks. Such system, he suggested, would protect the county from further bank closings. Harvey Explains Attorney W. P. Harvey, attorney for the Farmers and Merchants bank, rose in defense of that institution before the board this morning, and denied had influenced the judiciary committee in depositing county funds "I will say this, in view of statements which have been made, that upon my honor as an attorney and citizen. that never at any time has the judiciary committee called upon me for advice as to where it should place the county funds. did draw up the resolution for the committee apportioning the funds according to capital and surplus after it was decided this should be done. "Had been consulted about where to put the county's money, however, should not have hesitated to advise putting the money in the M. bank "I exercised no power or influence oover appreciate the compliment Mr. Preston pays me,


Article from The Herald-Palladium, June 29, 1933

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Article Text

HENNES HURLS 'LIAR' AT SUP. PRESTON (Continued from Page One) bonds held by the bank?" be over my Preston "When?" plied. Chairman Katzbach stopped the battle Urges Formal Inquiry During yesterday. Preston urged the appointment vestigate of the in county cash tied up in banks closed by the in the Farmers Merchants bank. said heard lot of that judiciary lay was due mittee dominated by some perthe the judiciary committee was heavily obligated the Pressed he admitted what had heard was only "rumor and hearsay Supervisor Hennes told the board the judiciary had followed the dictates the board distributing the funds in the varibanks the basis of capital gave the bank the floating account for checking He explained that the county had piling account the depositors bank to meet approximately $318,000 am not worth of bonds and interest due March and April because the other objected to having deposits funds made then drawn out within few weeks. The governor's bank holiday followthe national bank holiday ton Harbor St. Joseph closed Farmers Merchants bank before the bonds and interest The grew out of sug- its officers. gestion Warman of Watervliet township, chairthe finance committe that the county lease purchase one answer the closed buildings, and move the treasurer's office make him custodian some its of all tax He suggested such an institution could han- to release not dle all county, township, school city funds, the cost of operation split on the basis of the yearly posits of taxing unit The county said, could join the clear- ety Co. dispute ing house association to enable the clearing of checks. Such system. suggested. would October, protect the county from further bank closings Harvey Defends Bank Attorney Harvey attorney for the Farmers Merchants bank, rose defense of that before the board of this he had influenced the judiciary in depositing funds there. This reply to made Supervisor before the board yesterday that Harvey, attorney the bank had the will say this, of statements which been that upon my honor an and that never at any time has the judiciary upon me for advice should as to where the county did draw up the for the apportioning funds according capital surplus after was decided this done "Had not been consulted about where to put the county's however, should have to advise the putting the money in exercised no power or influence over the appreciate the Mr. Preston pays but am not worthy of Attorney Harvey said. Questioned By Preston didn't intend say behave