9879. National German-American (Saint Paul, MN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
national
Start Date
August 4, 1893
Location
Saint Paul, Minnesota (44.944, -93.093)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
bc79dd19

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Description

The bank publicly posted a notice that it had been compelled to suspend due to continual withdrawals (Aug 4, 1893). Comptroller and examiner stated the bank was solvent and measures were being taken to reorganize and resume business (reopening expected). Cause appears tied to the wider 1893 financial stringency rather than specific fraud or a hoax.

Events (3)

1. August 4, 1893 Run
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals driven by the abnormal financial stringency / broader panic of 1893 rather than a discrete misinformation event.
Measures
Appointment of D. W. Lawler as special bank examiner (temporary) and Comptroller involvement to aid officers; plans to reduce capitalization and realize assets to enable resumption.
Newspaper Excerpt
Owing to the continual withdrawal of deposits the bank has been compelled to suspend.
Source
newspapers
2. August 4, 1893 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Bank suspended payments because of continual withdrawals and heavy drafts from depositors amid the broader financial stringency of 1893; authorities judged the bank solvent and arranged examiner oversight to facilitate resumption.
Newspaper Excerpt
notice of the suspension of the National German-American ... 'The bank has ample assets to pay all liabilities.'
Source
newspapers
3. August 5, 1893 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
plans for reorganization and speedy resumption ... Comptroller Eckels ... instructed him to aid the officers in every way in any plans for resumption, as he regards the bank as perfectly solvent, and only compelled to suspend by the abnormal financial stringency.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (7)

Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, August 5, 1893

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Article Text

AFTER THE STORM. National German - American May Speedily Resume. PLANS SUGGESTED TO THAT END Lawler in Charge Until Examiner Thorne Arrives. BUSINESS CIRCLES TRANQUIL. Ringing Utterances From Archbishop Ireland, JAMES J. HILL AND OTHERS. The present indications are decidedly favorable to some plan being evolved for the reorganization and speedy resumption of business by the National German-American bank. So tar as paying the depositors in full is concerned, the bank is overwhelmingly solvent, the assets. including stockholders' liabilities, aggregating at least three dollars for every one on deposit, and the universal sentiment is that such a instution great should be saved to the city, state and the Northwest. It has long been realized, by the parties that the interested, capitalization but was so large as to be unwieldy; on R reduced capitalization, say of $1,000,000 or $1,200,000, it would not be a difficult matter to make arrangemente for speedy resumption. All that is needed is a little time to realize upon assets, and this the suspension secures. It is a heroic and not pleasant remedy, it is true, but far better than to allow the institution to go out of existence. As the bills receivable exceed the deposits by over sixteen hundred thousand dollars, the impairment of the capital is not likely to be severe; and if the capitalization should be reduced, the stock would undoubtedly stand in the market at least at 150, and perhaps higher. The stock is largely held by wealthy people, a good deal of it by Eastern financial institutions, who would undoubtedly prefer a reduced capitalization to liquidation. The co-operation of the depositors in such a scheme is also suggested, and to a very considerable extent this could undoubtedly be secured. It seems reasonably probable that Gustav Willius, the former president, will he selected by Comptroller Eckels AS the receiver. No better man couldbe round to handle its affairs. His familiarity with the business of the bank and its customers, having been one of its leading officers from its inception until within the past two years, with together his experience in his the banking business, would make selection inspire confidence at once in the plan for speedy resumption. Comptroller Eckels, in selecting Mr. Lawler as bank examiner to tempora rily take charge of the bank, instructed him to aid the officers in every way in any plans for resumption, as he regards the bank as perfectly solvent, and only compelled to suspend by the abnormal financial stringency. With the co-operation of the comptroller, the stockholders, the depositors and the general business public, it is not too much to expect the speedy reopening of the doors of the National German-American, with its position in the financial world really improved by the temporary halt in its active business while the work of realization on the undoubted assets is taking place.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, August 5, 1893

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Article Text

YESTERDAY PAUL. Two Small Suspensions, but No Excitement. Readers of the GLOBE were not surprised to find the following notice posted on the doors of the National German-American bank yesterday morning: "Owing to the continual withdrawal of deposits the bank has been compelled to suspend. The bank has ample assets to pay all liabilities." Early in the day a telegram from Comptroller Eckels appointed D. W. Lawler special bank examiner, and instructed him to take charge of the bank, which he did immediately. His instructions are embodied in the following special telegram: Special to the Globe. WASHINGTON, Aug. 4. - The notice of the suspension of the National GermanAmerican came as a great surprise to Comptroller Eckels, although he had noticed from the May and July reports that this bank had been sustaining heavier drafts from depositors than could long be withstood. In appointing Hon. Dan W. Lawler temporary examiner he gave him instructions to extend every facility towards aiding the officers in resuming, as the bank is perfectly solvent. Mr. Lawler declined to talk relative to his duties. He was busily engaged with the officers of the bank until a late hour last night putting matters in shape as rapidly as possible. The following telegram shows that Mr. Lawler's duties are only temporary: WASHINGTON, Aug. 4. - Gilbert Thorne has been ordered from Waupaca to relieve Hon. Dan W. Lawler as examiner in charge of the National German-American. Depositors covered the doors with notices saying where their checks would be paid, and beyond the gathering of a few idlers to read these notices there was no one about the bank. Nearly every bank in the city opened a good many new accounts yesterday for business men who had been depositors in the suspended banks. Considering the importance of the event, there was greater quietude at the banks than might have been expected. At one or two there were moderate runs, but not of a serious character, and at most of the banks there was not the slightest evidence that any disturbance had occurred. Some kept open until 6 o'clock to accommodate any nervous people. but the runs died out when they found that the banks were ready to meet all demands.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, August 6, 1893

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Article Text

RETURNING CONFIDENCE. The situation in St. Paul yesterday indicated that confidence in our financial institutions is rapidly being restored. Now that people find they can get their money on call, they do not want it. They only want their money if they think they cannot get it. This is human nature, and has been for several years. If this confidence remains, it will be but a short time before the flurry will have been forgotten. The movements to reopen the suspended banks can be rapidly pushed to completion. The officers and stockholders of the People's bank were taking steps yesterday which will probably result in the opening of the bank within the next two or three days. The magnitude of the National German-American will require more time for resumption. The stockholders are widely scattered, and the general feeling is that there must be a reduced capitalization. It will require time to accomplish this, but the prevailing sentiment of those interested IS that it will bedone at an early day. That great financial institution will not be lost to the city. The condition of affairs in the East continues to improve. The flow of gold from Europe to this country continues uninterrupted. Tomorrow congress will begin its work of relief, and the repeal of the SHERMAN act is now only a question of a short time. There is every reason in the outlook for encouragement, and none for despondency.


Article from Morris Tribune, August 9, 1893

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Article Text

Financial Flurry In St. Paul. Sr. PAUL, Aug. 7.-St. Paul experienced a financial flurry this week. Four banks suspended payment. They were the National German-American, West Side, Seven Corners and Peoples. They were all smali banks except the German-American, which had a capita! os $2,000,000. All but the Seven Corners bank will resume in a short time.


Article from The Redwood Gazette, August 10, 1893

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Article Text

Financial Flurry In St. Paul. ST. Paul, Aug. 7.-St. Paul experienced a financial flurry this week. Four banks suspended payment. They were the National German-American, West Side, Seven Corners and Peoples. They were all small banks except the German-American, which had a capital os $2,000,000. All but the Seven Corners bank will resume in a short time.


Article from Oakes Weekly Republican, August 11, 1893

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Article Text

Financial Flurry In St. Paul. Sr. PAUL, Aug. 7.-St. Paul experienced a financial Hurry this week. They suspended pay MY Four Dn were the National German-American West Side, Seven Corners and Peoples. 'They were all small banks except my Geritatt=American, which had a capital os $2,000,000. All but the Seven Corners bank will resume in it short time,


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, August 16, 1893

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Article Text

TIED UP COUNTY FUNDS. County Commissioners Discuss Their Status Friday. The county committee on claims has been called to meet Friday evening at S o'clock for the purpose of meeting the sureties on bonds given to the county by banks that have funds in their possession and are at present suspended. These are four banks, as follows: National German-American, the Peoples', the West Side and the Seven Corners. The county attorney will be present, and the situation will be discussed, preparatory to making report to the board of county commissioners, which convenes in regular session the following Monday at 10 a. m. By a misunderstanding the bondsmen of the banks referred to met in the room of the board of county commissioners yesterday morning, but the board of county commissioners had not been called to meet by the mayor as given out to the newspapers, and consequently nothing was done.