942. First National Bank (San Francisco, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Reopening
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
1741
Charter Number
1741
Start Date
November 22, 1907
Location
San Francisco, California (37.780, -122.419)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
48bef97a4e54ef77

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Full suspension, Books examined

Description

Article (1907-11-22) reports heavy drawing of funds and that Bank Examiner J. H. Page took charge after suspension; later (1907-12-23) reporting normal banking business and First National meeting demands suggests the bank resumed operations. The run appears driven by distress of other local banks (Globe National) and heavy withdrawals rather than a discrete misinformation event.

Events (4)

1. November 30, 1870 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. November 22, 1907 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Heavy drawing of funds/clearing due to the prior suspension/closure of the Globe National bank led depositors to withdraw from First National.
Measures
Bank Examiner J. H. Page took charge of the suspended bank; heavy use of clearing house certificates noted subsequently.
Newspaper Excerpt
The heavy drawing of exchange since the suspension of the Globe National is believed to be the cause of the suspension of the First National.
Source
newspapers
3. November 22, 1907 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Suspension attributed to heavy drawing of exchange following the suspension/closure of the Globe National, which strained liquidity and led to suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt
Bank Examiner J. H. Page took chage of the suspended bank.
Source
newspapers
4. December 23, 1907 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23.-... all the leading banks transacted business as usual today. Normal conditions prevailed, and there was no run nor crush of people anywhere. ... 'So far as this bank is concerned it has met all demands made upon it for several weeks.' At the First National bank it was stated that owing to the scarcity of gold certificates would continue in circulation for some weeks yet, but that the smaller denominations were being rapidly retired. Demands for money were met with half coin and half in certificates.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Laramie Republican, November 22, 1907

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Article Text

SERVICE IS CRIPPLED ON SOUTHERN PACIFIC WORKMEN REFUSE TO ACCEPT tion here, the Globe National having closed three weeks ago. SAN FRANCISCO CLEARING Drawing of Funds the Cause. HOUSE CHECKS FOR The heavy drawing of exchange since the suspension of the Globe National THEIR EARNINGS. is believed to be the cause of the suspension of the First National. NationCompromise Finally Arranged and It is al Bank Examiner J. H. Page took chage of the suspended bank. Believed Men Will Accept Ten Per


Article from Los Angeles Herald, December 24, 1907

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Article Text

HOLIDAYS END; BANKS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION By Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23.-The period of legal holidays declared by Governor Gillett to meet the recent at financial stringency having of expired the leadmidnight last Saturday all ing banks transacted business as usual today. Normal conditions prevailed, and there was no run nor crush of peopl anywhere. Many deposits were made, and the withdrawal of funds did not exceed the ar unt customary during a day's business. Clearing house certificates continued in circulation, but when coin was required it was readily obtainable. The principal bankers unite in declaring that the financial trouble, which for a time caused some inconvenience, is a thing of the past. "The public seems perfectly quiet the and calms" said R. M. Tobin of Hibernia Savings bank, the largest savings institution in the city. "We are doing the usual Christmas business to enable the depositors to make their holiday purchases. Beyond that there are practically no requests for withdrawals. Any withdrawals made at present mean the loss of six months' interest. The situation so far as the savings banks are concerned is excellent. We are not even enforcing the rule of requiring notices of thirty to ninety days and such notices as were given during the holidays have practically all been cancelled." Certificates were generally accepted and in only a few instances was coin demanded and insisted upon. The savings banks have the protection of from thirty to ninety days' notice required for withdrawals. Beyond the drawing of small sums with which to make Christmas purchases there were few requests for withdrawals from the savings banks. Irving S. Moulton, cashier of the Bank of California, said: "Business today is normal. I have not noticed any differences between today and any Monday during the past three weeks. "So far as this bank is concerned it has met all demands made upon it for several weeks." Little Demand for Coin "There has been little or no demand from country banks for shipments of coin, which indicates that they are in good shape to take care of their business," said Cashier King of the WellsFargo Nevada National bank. I. W. Hellman, jr., vice president and manager of the Union Trust company. declared that today was the quietest Monday his Institution had experienced for several weeks. E. W. Wilson, vice president of the American National bank. said: 'Business today is about the same with us as on any Monday during the past month, with a possible improvement. As a matter of fact the balances of the clients of nearly all the banks have been growing smaller since the holidays were declared because of the inability of merchants and others to make collections. I think the financial situation in this city would have been he'ter had the holidays been declared off three weeks ago." At the First Nationau bank it was stated that owing to the scarcity of gold certificates would continue in circulation for some weeks yet, but that the smaller denominations were being rapidly retired. Demands for money were met with half coin and half in certificates. President Homer S. King of the Clearing House association in an interview said: "There is no excitement and no uneasiness. Business is going along just as it has been going on for the past month. Patrons who need gold are getting it and have been gretting it for three weeks. If we think the applicants want to hoard it they do not get it. Whenever there is a need for gold we supply it." When asked as to what action would be taken in regard to the, retirement of clearing house certificates President King said: "We are retiring the certificates gradually, but it will take some time. Just how long I can't say. No more certificates are being issued. The total amount in circulation is about $5.000,000. Everybody realizes that they are as good as gold and they find ready acceptance." "The clearances today." he said,