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ADVANTAGES o f MEMBERSHIP in the Federal Reserve System FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ST. LOUIS January 25, 1922. PURPOSE OF FE D E R A L RESERVE ACT /"'O N G R E S S passed the Federal Reserve A ct in Decem ber, 1913, and under its provisions the Federal Reserve Banks were opened on November 16, 1914. The purpose o f the act was to remedy defects in our financial structure and to provide a system that would prevent money panics and enable the banks better to serve the country. In the old financial system, the chief defects were (1) diversion and immobility o f bank reserves, (2) an inelastic currency, and (3) lack o f an agency to co-ordinate the banking activities of the country. The first defect was remedied by pooling the reserves o f member banks in twelve Federal Reserve Banks and authorizing the reserve banks to discount for their members. The second defect was corrected by empowering the Federal Reserve Banks to is sue Federal Reserve Notes against the paper acquired and gold, thus supplying a currency which expands and con tracts according to the demands o f business. The third defect was remedied by enabling banks to co-operate through the Federal Reserve Banks and in turn placing the reserve institutions under supervision o f the Federal Re serve Board. The value and effectiveness o f the Federal Reserve System have been demonstrated in the trying times since the armistice, as well as during the war. But for the effi ciency and stabilizing influence o f the System, the reaction in com m odity prices which began in 1920 would have resulted in a most disastrous m oney panic. M E M B E R S H IP O F T H E S Y S T E M Under the Federal Reserve Act, only National banks are required to be members o f the Federal Reserve System. However, provision is made for the admission o f State banks and trust companies also. On Decem ber 31, 1921, the membership o f the Federal Reserve System included 8,210 National banks and 1,631 State banks and trust companies. The total resources of the National banks were $19,014,102,000, and the resources o f the State bank members aggregated $9,951,332,000. The number o f member banks was only 50% o f the total num ber o f banks in the United States eligible to membership, but their resources represented 76% o f the resources o f all the eligible banks. In the Eighth Federal Reserve District, 482 National banks and 105 State banks and trust companies were mem bers of the System. The National banks had resources amounting to $762,676,000, while the total resources of the State institutions were $402,537,000. The number o f mem ber banks was only 34% of the total number of banks in the district eligible to membership, but their resources represented 65% of the resources o f all the eligible banks. AD V AN TA GE S OF MEMBERSHIP The Federal Reserve System, in order to be able to render its maximum o f service, needs to be made as strong as possible. This can be accomplished by all eligible non member State banks and trust companies becom ing mem bers and pooling their reserves in the Federal Reserve Banks. Not only would this strengthen the Federal Reserve System, but it would also strengthen the banks themselves and the whole econom ic structure. Aside from the general advantages, membership in the System gives a bank specific privileges and advantages o f great value tc the bank and to the community which it serves. Notable among these privileges and advantages are the follow ing: (1) To rediscount eligible paper with the Federal R e serve Bank at its published rates. Eligible paper consists o f notes, drafts and bills o f exchange, the proceeds of which have been used or are to be used in producing, pur chasing, carrying or marketing goods, wares, merchandise, or agricultural products including live stock, or for carry ing or trading in bonds or notes o f the United States or bonds o f the W ar Finance Corporation. Paper arising out of commercial transactions must have a maturity at the time o f discount o f not more than ninety days, but paper drawn for agricultural purposes or based on live stock may have a maturity o f not exceeding six months. (2) To receive advances from the Federal Reserve Bank, for periods not exceeding fifteen days, on the mem ber bank’s own promissory note, secured by eligible paper or by bonds or notes of the United States or bonds o f the W ar Finance Corporation. (3) To obtain currency and coin, as needed, from the Federal Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve Bank pays the postage, expressage and insurance on shipments o f pa per currency, subsidiary silver and minor coin from it to its member banks and on shipments o f paper currency and all coin from the member banks to it. A t the request o f a member bank, the Federal Reserve Bank also ships paper currency, subsidiary silver and minor coin to any bank or trust company, either member or non-member, in this dis trict. It pays the charges when such shipment is made to another member bank, but not when made to a non-m em ber. The reserve bank also pays the costs on all telegrams received from or sent to member banks in connection with money shipments or deposit transactions. (4) To participate in the check clearing facilities of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Bank hand les fo r its members at par, without charge, checks on the banks appearing on the par list, giving credit according to its time schedule. The checks drawn against banks on the par list are also received at par by all other Federal Re serve Banks and branches. By the Federal Reserve sys tem o f direct routing, considerable time is saved in the col lection o f checks. The funds thus become available for lending by member banks m ore quickly than under the old system o f indirect routing. The par list consists of all member banks and such non-member banks as have agreed to remit for checks at par. Over 92% o f the banks in the United States are on the par list. In the Eighth District 95% o f the banks are on the par list, the only non-par banks being 167 in Mis sissippi. (5) To participate in the collection facilities of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Bank re ceives from its members for collection such items as notes, drafts, acceptances, certificates of deposit, bonds, coupons, etc. No charge is made by the Federal Reserve Bank for the collection of such items. The only cost is the charge that may be made by the collecting bank. However, if such a collection item is returned to the Federal Reserve Bank unpaid, a charge of fifteen cents is made, which is turned over to the bank making presentation. (6) To use the Federal Reserve Bank for the transfer of funds. Funds may be transferred through the Federal Reserve Bank to other points in the United States by tele graph or by exchange drafts drawn on the Federal Reserve Bank. All Federal Reserve Banks and branches are connected by leased wires. This enables the reserve bank to transfer quickly by wire, free of charge, funds to any city in the United States where there is a Federal Re serve Bank or branch. A member bank may also issue exchange drafts on its Federal Reserve Bank, which are available for immediate credit in any city where there is a Federal Reserve Bank or branch. (7) To deposit U. S. Government securities with the Federal Reserve Bank for safekeeping, without charge. (8) To receive certain forms from the Federal Reserve Bank, without charge. The Federal Reserve Bank supplies its members with forms for obtaining financial statements from (a) farmers, (b ) stockmen, (c ) merchants, and (d) manufacturers, miners, quarriers, etc. The Federal Reserve Bank also furnishes drafts to its members for use in draw ing against their balances with it. (9) To receive reports on agricultural, industrial, com mercial and financial conditions, without charge. The Fed eral Reserve Bank mails to member banks each month a review of conditions in its district, and the Federal Reserve Board furnishes member banks the monthly Federal Re serve Bulletin, which contains articles on conditions in the United States and foreign countries and other matter of interest. (10) To discontinue or consolidate balances with cor respondents. By using the clearing, collection, transfer, re discount and other facilities o f the Federal Reserve Bank, many member banks have been able to consolidate or dis continue balances with correspondents and lend or invest such balances at a rate much higher than the rate usually paid on bank balances. (11) To operate with less reserve. M any member banks which had been accustomed to carry excess reserves Digitizedhave for FRASER found that, on account o f the rediscount and other fa cilities of the Federal Reserve Bank being at tlieir disposal, they can safely carry lower excess reserves and lend or in vest a considerable part of their former excess reserves. They consider their eligible paper a secondary reserve. In addition, the reserve requirements of National banks were reduced by the Federal Reserve Act, and the laws o f most o f the States in this district have been changed so as to provide that when a State bank or trust company becomes a member of the Federal Reserve Sys tem, its required reserves shall be only those specified by the Federal Reserve Act, which, as a rule, are lower than those prescribed by State laws for non-member banks. (12) To receive deposits of postal savings funds. The law provides that if one or more member banks o f the Federal Reserve System are established in a city where postal savings deposits are made, such deposits shall be placed in such member banks substantially in proportion to the capital and surplus of each, provided the member banks qualify to receive such deposits. (13) To benefit by additional supervision. State bank and trust company members furnish the Federal Reserve Agent o f the Federal Reserve Bank not less than three re ports of condition each year and semi-annual reports o f earnings and dividends. They are also examined by the examining staff o f the Federal Reserve Agent at least once a year, either independently or jointly with the State banking authorities. A copy o f the Federal Reserve exam iners’ report is furnished to each bank examined. The Federal Reserve Agent also receives copies o f the periodical reports of condition and semi-annual reports of earnings and dividends made by the National banks to the Comptroller o f the Currency. Copies of the reports of examinations of the National banks, which are made by the Comptroller’s examiners at least twice a year, are like wise furnished to him. Moreover, the Federal Reserve Bank may provide for special examination of any National bank in the district. In addition, the reserve bank keeps in close touch with member banks through its daily transactions with them. (14) To benefit by the prestige afforded by mem bership in the System Because of the additional super vision and the facilities afforded by membership, the pub lic is more and more favoring banks and trust com panies that are members o f the Federal Reserve System. Many institutions have been able to increase their busi ness materially through advertising their membership. Not only does membership enable them to secure new cus tomers, but also to hold their present customers. State banks and trust companies which become mem bers have the following advantages in addition to those previously enumerated: (1) Under Section 9 of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended June 21, 1917, subject to the provisions of the A ct and the regulations o f the Federal Reserve Board, a State bank or trust company becom ing a member o f the Federal Reserve System retains its full charter and statutory rights and may continue to exercise all corporate powers granted it by the State in which it was created, as well as enjoy the privileges o f member banks. A member State bank therefore may continue to make loans in accordance with the laws o f its State, but the Federal Reserve Bank cannot discount any o f the paper o f a person, firm or corporation that is liable to the member bank for borrowed m oney in excess o f 10% o f its capital and surplus. (2) The Federal Reserve Board, acting under an opinion from the office o f the Attorney General o f the United States, has ruled that State bank and trust company members o f the Federal Reserve System are not subject to the provisions o f the Clayton Act, regarding the inter locking o f directorates. (3) State banks and trust companies may withdraw from membership in the System, after six months’ notice. Membership in the Federal Reserve System is a good thing from the point of view of the customer, the stock holder, and the officers and directors. It inspires an in creased sense of security in the depositor and makes the borrower feel more certain of receiving accommodation. It makes a stockholder feel that his bank is better guarded against the possibility of liquidation, and, consequently, that his stock is a safer investment. The officers and di rectors, knowing that the Federal Reserve Bank stands ready to help in time of need, are saved anxiety. REQUIREM ENTS OF M EM BERSHIP A bank or trust company to be eligible for mem bership in the Federal -Reserve System must be incorporat ed and must have a minimum paid-up unimpaired capital stock as follow s: (a) In towns not exceeding 3,000 inhabitants, $25,000; (b ) In towns exceeding 3,000 but not exceeding 6,000 inhabitants, $50,000. (c ) In cities exceeding 6,000 but not exceeding 50,000 inhabitants, $100,000. (d) In cities exceeding 50,000 inhabitants, $200,000. Member banks are required to hold stock in the Fed eral Reserve Bank equal to 6 per cent of their capital and surplus. Only one-half o f the par value o f the stock is paid, the other one-half remaining subject to call by the Federal Reserve Board. Upon the amount paid in, the Federal Re serve Bank pays a cumulative dividend at the rate o f 6 per cent per annum. Member banks must maintain with the Federal Re serve Bank the reserves required by the Federal Reserve Act, which are as follows: (a) If not in a reserve or central reserve city, 7% of demand deposits and 3% o f time deposits; (b) If in a reserve city, 10% o f demand deposits and 3% of time deposits; .(c ) If in a central reserve city, 13% o f demand de posits and 3% o f time deposits. However, if located in the outlying districts o f a re serve central reserve city, a member bank may, upon Digitized for or FRASER approval of the Federal Reserve Board, have its reserve requirements reduced to those specified in (a) or (b ). St. Louis is the only central reserve city and Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis the only reserve cities in the Eighth District. The reserve account maintained with the Federal Re serve Bank may be made as active as desired. It may be freely checked against, and balances built up by shipping currency at the expense o f the Federal Reserve Bank, by depositing checks and drafts, or by rediscounting. A ccum ulated surplus funds in the account may be freely trans ferred to other banks or to other points in the United States, by mail or telegraph, without cost. In short, it may be treated practically the same as an account carried with a correspondent. The Federal Reserve Bank o f St. Louis has established branches in Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis, and a member bank carries its reserve account either with the parent bank or one o f these branches. H O W LOSS OF INTEREST ON RESERVE IS OFFSET Like the reserve-holding banks o f other nations, the Federal Reserve Banks do not pay interest on the reserve deposits o f member banks. If interest were paid, it might be necessary for the reserve banks to become competitors of commercial banks. The reserves are for the protection o f the member banks, and should be kept constantly available. However, by taking advantage of the privileges of membership previously explained, many banks have been able to more than offset the loss of interest on the reserve deposit. The principal ways o f offsetting this apparent loss are summarized as follow s: (1) By establishing part o f the reserve out o f cash carried in vault. (2) By lending or investing the reserves released through membership. (3) By consolidating or discontinuing balances with correspondents and lending or investing such balances. (4) By the savings effected through the Federal Re serve system o f collecting checks at par and routing them direct. (5) By increasing business through advertising mem bership in the System. (6) By the special benefits extended by the Federal Reserve Bank. It is hoped that every well-conducted, eligible non member bank will carefully consider this matter and join the System. This would strengthen the whole financial, industrial and commercial situation and prove mutually beneficial. Blanks for use in making application for membership, or additional information, will be furnished upon request. W IL L IA M McC. M A R T IN , Chairman of the Board and Federal Reserve Agent. FEDERAL RESERVE B AN K OF ST. LOUIS DIRECTORS CLASS C W M , McC. MARTIN", Chairman of the Board, St. Louis, Mo. JOHN W . BO EH N E, Deputy Chairman, Evansville, Ind. C. P. J. M O O N E Y , Memphis, Tenn. Class A JO H N G. LO N SD ALE, St. Louis, Mo. J. C. U TTER BACK , Paducah, Ky. SAM. A. ZIEGLER , Albion, 111. Class B L E R O Y PERCY, Greenville, Miss. W . B. P L U N K ETT, Little Rock, Ark. R OLL A W E L L S, St. Louis, Mo. M EM BER FEDERAL A D V ISO R Y COUNCIL F R A N K O. W A T T S, St. Louis, Mo. OFFICERS W M . McC. M A R TIN , Chairman of the Board and Federal Reserve Agent C. M. STEW ART, Asst. Federal Reserve Agent E. J. N O V Y , General Auditor L. H . B A IL E Y , H. L. T RAFTON, A. E. DEBRECHT, E. I. N O W O T N Y , L. A. M OO RE, C. E. M AR TIN , L. T. W A L K E R , Assistant Auditors D. C. BIGGS, Governor O L IN M. A T T E B E R Y , Deputy Governor J. G. M cC O N K EY, Counsel and Secretary J. W . W H IT E , Cashier A. H. H A IL L , J. W . R IN K L E F F , W . H. GLASG OW , S. F. G ILM ORE, E. C. ADAM S, F. N. H A L L , Assistant Cashiers LO U ISV IL L E BRANCH OFFICERS W . P. K IN C H E L O E , Manager JO H N T. M OO RE, Cashier E A R L R. M UIR, Assistant Cashier DIRECTORS GEO. W . NORTON W . C. M O N TG O M ER Y W . P. K IN C H E L O E F. M. SACKETT E M B R Y L . SW E A R IN G E N M EM PHIS BRANCH OFFICERS JNO. J. H E F L IN , Manager A . J. W IL L IA M S , Cashier V. S. F U Q U A, Assistant Cashier DIRECTORS R. B. SN O W D E N J. D. M cD O W E L L JNO. J. H E F L IN T. K . R ID D IC K S. E. R AG LA N D LIT T L E ROCK BRANCH OFFICERS A. F. B A IL E Y , Manager M. H . LONG, Cashier F. A. COE, Assistant Cashier DIRECTORS C. A. PRATT J. E. EN G L A N D , Jr. A. F. B A IL E Y M O O R H E A D W R IG H T GEO. W . ROGERS "
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