First National Bank (Hampton, VA)

Episode Information

Episode UID
684201599
Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Reopening
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
68420 national
Charter Number
6842
Start Date
March 18, 1933
Location
Hampton, Virginia

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
613ca0a45bcca151

Response Measures

None

Description

Conservator appointed and merger with Bank of Hampton was being pursued; bank operating on restricted basis pending recapitalization.

Events (3)

1. June 18, 1903 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. March 18, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
State and federal banking officials required additional capital and set the bank to operate on a restricted basis; conservator appointed pending recapitalization.
Newspaper Excerpt
Col. Joseph E. Healy was appointed conservator of the First National Bank there while plans for a merger of this institution with the Bank of Hampton went forward.
Source
newspapers
3. November 6, 1933 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from Evening Star, March 15, 1933

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

BANKS IN NEARBY COUNTIES REOPEN Most Neighboring Virginia and Maryland Institutions on Normal Basis. With a majority of the banks functioning on a normal basis, "business as usual" was the slogan in the Maryland and Virginia counties around Washington today. Shortly after their doors opened, bankers of the various counties reported deposits were "heavier than usual," while withdrawals were described as "normal," indicating the experience which Washington's banks had yesterday was being repeated on a smaller scale today in Maryland and Virginia. As President Roosevelt's progressive program for reopening the Nation's financial institutions reached its third stage, the restored confidence which has been so evident in the financial centers and big towns of the country during the past two days, reached the rural areas and small towns this morning. Others to Open Later. Marylanders were particularly happy to have their banks functioning again, as they have been closed by gubernatorial holiday proclamations since February 25. Virginia banks had only suspended operations during the national holiday, which began March 6. State Bank Commissioner John J. Ghingher of Maryland emphasized, in announcing the list of banks licensed to reopen, that those not included were not necessarily unsound and probably would be permitted to resume functioning in the near future. The commissioner issued licenses for 96 State banks and expects to have more time to examine the unlicensed ones with a view to reopening them in the next few days. Ten of the 11 banks in Montgomery County whose doors have been closed during the holiday reopened for business this morning, with the other institution awaiting action by the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond on its application to resume normal operation. With the exception of the Farmers' Banking & Trust Co. of Rockville and the Bank of Damascus the 10 institutions open for business were operating with no restrictions on withdrawals. A 2 per cent limit has been placed on withdrawals from the Farmers' Banking & Trust Co. and the Bank of Damascus. Eight on Normal Basis. The eight banks that resumed business on a normal basis are the First National Bank of Gaithersburg, Citizens' Bank of Takoma Park, Takoma Park Bank, Germantown Bank, Bank of Bethesda, First National Bank of Sandy Spring, Sandy Spring Savings Institution and the Silver Spring National Bank. Officials of the First National Bank of Gaithersburg said this morning that they have not yet received their license from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, but opened for business when given the assurance that the license would be granted today. The Montgomery County National Bank of Rockville was not open this morning, but the cashier of the institution declared that application had been made with the Federal Reserve Bank for a license to operate on a normal basis with no restrictions on withdrawals. Ira C. Whitacre, cashier, Silver Spring National Bank said, "We opened this morning on a 100 per cent basis and (Continued on Page 5, Column 3.)"


Article Text

NEW BANK CAPITAL PLANS PROSECUTED Plummer Named First National Conservator; Situation Otherwise Unchanged. Continuation of plans for obtaining additional working capital, as required by the federal and state banking officials, was being carried on here yesterday by the two local banks which still are open only on a restricted basis. Samuel H. Plummer, executive vice-president of the First National Bank, was appointed yesterday as conservator of this financial institution. Mr. Plummer said last night that plans for increasing the bank's capitalization, as required by the treasury department under the new banking regulations, are going forward. He expressed the hope that the bank will be able to resume unrestricted operation within a few days. As conservator, his function is to keep the bank in its present condition pending completion of plans for unlimited re-opening. Stockholders of the Crown Savings Bank, local Negro institution, met yesterday afternoon to formulate plans for placing new stock and obtaining additional capital. This bank also has been required by the state banking department to remain open on a restricted basis until additional capital is obtained to balance the deposits. Otherwise the banking situation remain virtually unchanged here yesterday. The Citizens Marine Jefferson and the Morris Plan continued to operate smoothly and to do a satisfactory business. In Hampton, Col. Joseph E. Healy was appointed conservator of the First National Bank there while plans for a merger of this institution with the Bank of Hampton went forward. The State Corporation Commission yesterday authorized the opening of three additional state banks. These banks are the Bank of Grottoes, Grottoes; the Bank of Claremont, Claremont, and the Bank of Prince George County, Prince George Court House. The commission's action brought the number of state banks that have been authorized to open to 219, leaving only 14 that are unable to renew activity at present.