Bank of the United States

     

          In December, 1931,

          New York’s Bank of the United States

          collapsed

 

          Deposits totaled over $200,000,000

          in October, 1931,

          and depositors totaled 400,000 –

          making it the largest bank

          in the country

 

          The New York Times

          later referred to the collapse

          as the first domino of the Depression

 

          The bank had expanded through mergers

          from five branches in 1925

          to 62 branches throughout New York City

          in 1930

 

          Rumors of the bank’s shaky finances

          caused 2500 depositors

          at a single branch in the Bronx

          to withdraw $2,000,000

          on December 10

 

          The commotion

          attracted a crowd of 20,000;

          long lines formed

          at other branches

 

          On December 11, the New York State

          Superintendent of Banking

          closed the institution

         

          It never reopened