Somerville Institution For Savings (Somerville, MA)

Episode Information

Episode UID
53012871582
Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
savings
Bank ID
5301287 routing
Routing Number
53-0128
Start Date
October 14, 1931
Location
Somerville, Massachusetts (42.388, -71.099)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
f04ef3ca054fad2b

Response Measures

None

Description

A mild run from October 1931 preceded invocation of a 90-day withdrawal restriction and the bank's takeover in Feb 1932.

Events (3)

1. October 14, 1931 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Public rumors prompted mild withdrawals from the Somerville Institution for Savings in October 1931.
Measures
Directors later invoked a 90-day withdrawal restriction (30/60/90 clause) to stem withdrawals.
Newspaper Excerpt
Rumors were current this morning of mild runs on two Somerville banks, namely the Somerville Institution for Savings and the Somerville Trust Company
Source
newspapers
2. February 3, 1932 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The principal offices ... were taken over by John F. Rich, a bank examiner, in the name of Arthur Guy, state banking commissioner
Source
newspapers
3. February 3, 1932 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Expiration of the previously invoked 90-day restriction left the bank unable to convert assets to cash to meet withdrawals.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Somerville Institution for Savings was closed today. Closure coincided with the expiration of the 90-day period invoked by its directors during which depositors could not withdraw their funds.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (3)

Article Text

State Banking Situation Sound, Ely, Guy Assert [Continued from First Page.] the State will make deposits to the full amount allowed by law, namely 40 per cent of the bank's capital. Since the bank is capitalized at $150,000, the deposits will amount to approximately $60,000. Rumors were current this morning of mild runs on two Somerville banks, namely the Somerville Institution for Savings and the Somerville Trust Company and also on several banks in Cambridge. Both the Governor and the insurance commissioner took immediate steps to set the public mind at ease in this regard, the commissioner stating that such withdrawals were entirely unnecessary and that the banks were solvent. The Governor declared that rumors of that character constitute a criminal offense. In the case of the three banks that have already been closed in the last two weeks, the Governor declared that the action was taken because of unsound banking management and that he would at once order an investigation to place the blame where it belonged. The Governor's statement to the press read as follows: "The Highland Trust Company is absolutely sound and will meet all of its obligations. The institutions which have been closed were closed because of unsound banking management and a thorough investigation of those institutions will be ordered by the Governor at once to place the blame where it belongs. "In reference to one of the institutions recently closed, plans already are under way to provide for its reopening and we will have some announcement to make on that score within a day or two. "Information has come to me that rumors have been spread concerning the condition of certain banks. Such statements detrimental to the actual condition of a banking institution constitute a criminal offense." The Governor made it very plain that the Highland Trust Company is 100 per cent solvent with no impaired capital, and there is no occasion for any run on this bank. The three banks that have so far been closed are the Medford Trust Company, the Revere Trust Company and the Highland Trust Company in Somerville.


Article Text

More Frozen Assets SOMERVILLE The Somerville Institution for Savings was closed today. Closure coincided with the expiration of the 90-day period invoked by its directors during which depositors could not withdraw their funds. The principal offices of the bank in East Somerville and its Tecle square branch were taken over by John Rich. bank examiner, in the name of Arthur Guy, state banking commissioner The bank subject to heavy run the time the Highland Trust Co. and the nearby Medford Trust Co. closed their doors last fall. but at that time managed to weather the storm. Shortthe 90-day clause was Fred Stockwell is president and Harriet treasurer announcing closing Commissioner Guy said: of the bank were unable turn their assets into the demands for withdrawals, meet and for the protection of the deposittake over their


Article Text

SOMERVILLE BANK IN STATE'S HANDS Could Not Turn its Assets Into Cash Fast Enough to Meet Withdrawals When 90-Day Period Closed. SOMERVILLE, Mass., Feb. 3 (AP). โ€” The Somerville Institution for Savings was closed today. Closure coincided with the expiration of the 90-day period invoked by its directors during which depositors could not withdraw their funds. The principal offices of the bank in East Somerville and its Steele Square branch were taken over by John F. Rich, a bank examiner, in the name of Arthur Guy, state banking commissioner.