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317
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

R-23

WASHINGTON
ADDRESS OI'I'ICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

June 24, 1937.

SUBJECT:

Monthly Report of Bank and
Public Relations Activities.

Dear Sir:
There is inclosed for your information
a summary of the bank relations reports submittAd by the Federal reserve banks for the
mvnth of May .in response to the Board 1 s letter
of August 25, 1936 (X-9680).
Very truly yours,

Chester Morrill,
Secrt.:tary.

•




Inclosure •

TO ALL PRESIDEN'!.'S

318
R-25-a
June 21, 1957
TO

SUBJECT:

The Board

FROM Mr. Hammond, Division of Bank Operations

Summary of Bank

Relations Reports.

Reports of bank relations as requested in the Board's letter of
August 25, 1956 (X-9680) have been received for the month of May and
excerpts therefrom will be found on the following pages. A table
showing for all twelve banks the number of visits made, meetings attended, and addresses delivered has also been prepared and follows
the quotations.
There are certain subjects which are mentioned recurringly and
which stand out in perusal of the reports more prominently than the
quotation~ on the following pages may indicate.
Among these are the
following:
Language of regulations. There is complaint by member bankers
that regulations and instructions which they are supposed to follow
are too hard to understand.
Reserve requirements. The increase in reserve requirements is
a common subject of complaint.
Nationalization.

There is a tendency to feel that membership

by way of nationalization is preferable to state membership.

Production Credit Associations. Some bankers - particularly in
the middle west - complain of the competitive lending activities of
these associations; other bankers - particularly in the south - do
not want the type of loan the associations made, and find no fault
with their activities.
Ex:chan~e.
Exchange as a source of income is more frequently
and emphatically mentioned than any other one thing affecting membership.

Decline of small towns. Decline in the independent business
activity in small towns is indicated to be an important factor affecting the business of banking; it is most explicitly mentioned by
Richmond and Minneapolis. (These are districts where there is great
dependence upon exchange charges.)
Excerpts from the reports follow:
attached to the original hereof.)




(The reports themselves are

319
-2-

R-25-a

Boston
(The Boston report contains only statistical information as to
visits to banks, meetings attended, and addresses made.)
New York
Albany and Schenectady Counties

t

In Albany the commercial banks are grantin~ business and collateral loans with interest rates varying from 4 2 per cent to 6 per
cent and a few special loans have been made at rates of less than 4-!
per cent. In Schenectady average rates are slightly higher and an
effort has been made to maintain a 6 per cent interest rate whenever
possible. In the smaller nearby comm1.mities the yield from loa.ns is
higher than in the larger centers. One bank in Albany reports a recent increase in demand for commercial loans somewhat more than the
usual seasonal increase. In general, mortgage borrowers can obtain
a 5 per cent interest rate in Albany if satisfactory amortization payments are arranged. In Schenectady the savings bank and the commercial
banks have attempted to maintain a 6 per cent rate on mortgages.
Central New York
Farmers are generally said to be somewhat more comfortable financially although the severe drought of 1956 resulted in short crops of
grapes and hay, and a May (1956) frost produced a disastrous effect
throughout the fruit belt excepting orchards located near Lake Ontario.
A number of orchardists, however, after finding their fruit ruined,
turned to the production of vegetable crops (particularly red kidney
beans) with considerable success; and vineyardists who combined other
activities with their vineyards also came through comparatively well,
since wool prices have been good and dairying as a rule has returned
some profit in spite of the high price of feed. Vegetable growers for
the most part are said to have very little to complain of, since muckland crops - being affected less by the drought - were good, m1d the
prices received for products quite favorable. Prospects for a large
crop of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, and grapes, for the 1957
season, are exceedingly bright at this time.
Officers of six member banks objected rather strongly to the
present high reserve requirements, one or two expressing the belief
that the lending power of' their banks will be adversely affected as
a result of the recent increases, and one saying that he did not feel
that his institution owed the Federal Reserve Bank any thanks for its
services in view or the excessive reserve balance it was now compelled
to carry.




320
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R-25---a

One non·-member executive remarked that he was now chiefly con. cerned with paying off the remaining 25 per cent of the debentures
sold to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, after which he hoped
it would be possible, in some way, to withdraw from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
New Jersey (Jersey

Ci~)

The president of a large se"vings bank in Jersey City stated that
there were formerlY 25,000 home owners in Jersey City, whereas at present there are only about 9,000 people who own their own homes, indicating that a large number of properties have been taken over by various
mortgage lenling institutions such as banks, insurance companies, building and loan associations, etc. He indicated that these various institutions stand ready to sell as soon as prices advance to the point
where sales can be made without too great a sacrifice, that such a situation will tend to keep real estate depressed, and that there seems to
be little light ahead for real estate in Jerse,y Cit,y. Several other
bankers commented that building and loan associations were in an even
worse plight then the banks. Their situations ~xe such that it is
practica~ly impossible to sell new series of building and loan shares
to investors, and without new shares keeping up the cycle of furnishing funds with which to make new loans, the building and loan associations will gradually go into liquidation.
fll.iladelphia
Reduction of the rate of interest paid depositors is receiving
serious consideration from all but two of the county bankers' associations within the area visited and it is expected that during the next
two months at least 50 per cent of the banks covered by this report
will take action to adopt a rate of 2 per cent. Low earnings due to
high securities' prices, poor credit demand and greater amounts of uninvested funds, rather thnn a necessit,y of absorbing losses from earnings is generally responsible for this desire to reduce the rate. The
policy of keeping larger amounts uninvested was said to have been
adopted because bankers generally seem to fear the coincidence of a
demand for money at a time when bond prices are depressed.
Probably the most encouraging factor noted was that in many of
the institutions visited it was reported that the credit demand was
improving. This applies particularly to other than strictly agricultural communities. In that type of community the credit demand was
said to be about normal.
It is frequently said that a regulation should be issued reducing
further the maximum rates of interest. This statement usually is made



321
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R_;23-a

Philadelphia continued
by member bankers; non-member bankers seldom state that similar action
should be taken by the FDIC.
One of the most perplexing circumstances noted is the lack of
interest in membership experienced among the non-member bankers.
While few of them have anything other than commendation for the System, too few are willing to discuss membership seriously. There undoubtedly· are many banks which need to have material corrections in
their asset condition before they would be regarded as acceptable but
there are other institutions which it is believed could meet membership requirements with little difficulty.
The executive vice president of a non-member institution, having
total resources of $675,000, stated that membership had been given some
consideration by the Board of Directors. However, when it was found
that tho provisions of the Banking Act of 1935 and the regulations of
the Federal Reserve Board barred executive officers from borrowing more
than $2,500 they lost interest, for they have two inactive vice presidents who, because of business needs, occasionally have direct and indirect obligations at the bank in excess of the permissible amount.
Cleveland

...

Generally speaking the attitude of non-member banks is friendly in some instances it has been described as. cordial - irrespective of
the fact that membership in the s,rstem at the present time appears to
be of not more than casual interest. In a few instances banks have
expressed a desire to become members but are doubtful whether applications would be favorably considered a.t this time in view of the substantial amount of real estate loans being carried.
There has been some criticism of the increase in·reserve requirements based upon a continuation of activity on the part of governmental
lending agencies. It seems to have been understood by many banks that
the government would withdraw from the lending field as bank credit
expanded, and the comment is made that, now that bank credit is expanding, the brakes are applied through the medium of increased reserve.
As reported in the past, however, this criticism comes mainly from
small banks.
One officer of a large member bank expressed the opinion that
check collection service of the Reserve ba~~ should be brought up to
date by tho use of new facilities such as air mail. He regretted the
apparent necessity for a large bank, such as his, to establish




322
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R--23-a

reciurocal relations with other banks throughout the country merely to
expedite the collection of checks.
Richmond
The usual attitude prevails among small non-member banks with
respect to membership, viz.: they hz:tv-::' not sufficient capital structure:, they have some cleaning up to do, they do not wish to be deprived of the revenue from exchange charges and tht'Y do not wish additional supervision; ruor(JOVer quite a few express resentment aga:l.nst
the FDIC.
In one S!llllll non-member bank, with a. capital of $25,000 and deposits cf $117,000, our representative reports that the mnnagement of
the bank appeared to entertain the idoa that the Federal Government
is planning to obtain control of all banks in the country in some way
or other, and ~~rther, the officers of the b~~k seem to feel that the
visit of our representative was prompted by some ulterior motive having to do with a campaign to take over all banks. Our representative
undertook to reassure the gentlemen with respect to the object of our
visit but they appeared to feel so strongly that the independence of
the small country bank is in jeopardy that no definite impression of
our frlendly interest in their affairs was made.
A certain bank in lower South Caroline. was formerly a State
bank member but withdrew some seven or eight years ago. It is not
now technically eligible for membership since it operates an out-oftown branch and las not sufficient capital to qualify. The officials
of this bank, while courteous to our representative, were extremely
critical of the Federal Reserve System. During the time of membership we had the distinct impression that the bo.nk had a policy of expanding its loans tl~ough the use of borrowed funds from the Federal
fteserve Bank, not particularly as a season.<tl operation but more or
less regularly as a source of income.
In visiting the rural sections last month, our representatives
were impressed by the fact, frequentl~r discussed by us, tha.t the development of highway systems has not only affected the local independent
mercantile establishments but has to a iikc degree affected the smaller
banks by the diversion of trade from the local community to a larger
center. One of our representatives reported that in a community visited by him, there were 1:tt one time fifteen local business concerns
but now there is only one independent concern end two chain stores.
There are, of' course, a number of reasons w:b.y the lru.~ger centers attract patronage from the small tovms, and in the small communi ties
it is gener~uly recognized now that this type of business will not




323
-6-

R-23-a

Richmond_ continued
again become loce~ized. With respect to the local banks, the only ·
replacement which they have for the loss of this business is the purchase of securities, and in this field very few of the smaller banks,
member or non-member, are qualified to deal.
Our representatives report that banks in agricultural sections
are not generally alarmed or resentful of competition from Federal
lending agencies in the agricultural pr~iuction field. Our banks
visited seem to feel, generally speaking, that certain types of production loans, because of their maturities and unsatisfactory collateral, are not desirable bank assets, particularly during the present.time. So while our banks just visited appear to have made and to
be willing to make production local loans which are good credit risks,
they do not mu1d if certain production loans are financed from other
sources.
Atlanta
East Central Alabama
A few of the bankers complained of the activity on the part of
the Production Credit Association, stating that those connected with
the Association had gone out in the field and actively solicited loans.
These bankers claim that a large nrunber of loans have been made by
the Association that should have been made by the banks. However, a
majority of the bankers in this territory state that the activity of
the goven1mental loan agencies has not been hurtful to their business,
but on the contrary, the agencies have made loans that were not acceptable to the banks.
Middle Tennessee
The attitude of the banks toward the Federal Reserve System
appears to be very good, the non-member banks giving as their reasons
for not joining the System lack of capital funds, loss of exchange
charges on incoming cash letters, and their ability to obtain services
similar to those offered by the Federal reserve bank from city correspondents·. One member banker stated that he had no criticism of the
Federal Reserve System except that, in his opinion, regulations promulgated by the Board are worded in language too technical for the average
banker and that it would be a great help if the regulations could be
simplified.




324
-7-

R-23-e.

Reports generally indicate that loans are not increasing in
the industrial centers. Following ~re some of the comments made by
btmkers interviewed:
Loans increasing, but not substantially.
Loans not inc;.·ea.sing, but hcpe to make a few so-called "Intermed:Late 1oans 11 at 5-1/2 per cent, which would bo classified as Capital
loc1.ns.
Loans not increasing; disposed to keep funds uninvested rather
than buy commercial paper at 5/4 of 1 per cent..
Loans increasing, due large.ly to installment paper buying.
Increose in loans during last .three months hns been in shorttime commcrcia.l paper.
Loans increased somewhat, but net increase vory small due to
liquidation of loans previously made.
All of the banks in one manufacturing to'Wll report a decline
in their loans since Janu..·1ry 1, although loans are from 50 to 50
per cent higher than they were a year ago.
A number of banks in agricul turul communi ties report a slight
increase in loans.
Business usually reported good. One manufacturer stated that
while he is now r!l!l.king money, if he were paying the present market
price for raw materiel he would be opera.Ung at a loss and questions
whethc·r the industry will be r.ble to pass on the increased cost of
meterio.l to the consumer in the coming year. The State payroll and
tJ1e i.ndustrial payroll combined hav<-3 made merchants very prosperous.
Three manufacturing to':Vns report many new small houses are being constructed.
Bunkers interviewed repQrt that while 1. t is early to discuss
the outlook for crop::;, in most sections feormurs are optimistic due to
the unusual amount o.f.' rainfall. In several points in Iowa the statement wa:3 made that there is more moisture this year at this season
than there has bGen f'cJ:' the past three years. Sc.~me reference was
mace to tht3 scorcj t;y of feeding cattle and t~e lack of stock growers
due to the involV()d condition of many of the farmers who in previous
years had nvt cnly r£,ised a number of cattle but had been heavy purchasers c.,f stock cattle at the market.
Some of the b::mkers interviewed expressed themselves as disturbed by the fluctUr:'l.tion in the Government bond market. One banker
advised that the beneficiaries of. trusts administered by him seriously object to any surplus money in the trusts being used to buy
Govern,ment bonds at. present. He stated that t.he majority seem to




325
-8-

R-23-a

Chicago continued
favor keeping the money in cash.
The

follo~ing

questions were frequently asked:

Will the Federal Open Market Committee continue to
buy bonds to support the market?
Will the Federal Open Market Committee sell bonds from
time to time?
What is the outlook for future pricos on long-term
corporate bonds?
St. Louis
Many favorable comments were made regarding the use of Federal
Reserve bank non-cash collection facilities, especially the direct
sending privilege.
The officer of one member questioned the advisability of the increase in reserve requirements, largely because it necessitated withdrawing balances from ~espondents which resulted in notification
that present balances would not warrant free service.
The only adverse co~ent made b,y another banker was in connection with the number of reports that must be compiled and forwarded to
the Reserve bank.
During the past year one member has diverted most of its cash
items to correspondent banks because of their willingness to accept all
classes of items, including coupons, over one total, and this eliminates
some clerical work. However, items for large amounts are still forwarded
to the Reserve bank for collection because Federal Reserve bank service
is superior to that rendered b,y co~nercial correspondents.
As the result of suggestions made by officers of its correspondent
(a national bank), another member has discontinued the use of the Federal Reserve bank check collection facility entirely and the use of the
non-cash collection service has been rostci£ted to maturing coupons.
The president stated that under existing arrangements the bank receives
immediate credit for all items, both cash and non-cash, and that because of the suv:i.ng effected in bookkeeping it w.•:..s thought advisable to
accept the proposition. He stated, however, that the change was not
in any way due to dissatisfaction with Federal Reserve bank service,
and that if the present e.rrangement is changed or terminated, the bank
will again send its items to the Reserve bank.




326
-9-

R-25-a

Minneapolis
Eastern and Northeastern South Dakota

"'

Because of the very substantial decline in deposits during the
five to ten year less-than-normal crop production period, 1927-1956,
earnings of banks in thls territory from loans and investments have
decreased materially from the 1920-1950 level. Most of the non-member
banks have inaugurated a schedule of exchange charges which together
with checking account and float charges and adequate fees for services
performed for the customer, produce enough income to pay expenses,
provide for losses, and in a majority of cases, permit the payment of
at least an occasional dividend. At least two of our State member
banks and one National bank visited have made detailed studies of the
amount of income they cannot obtain because of "par collection". Mr.
of
has determined that Federal Reserve membership
-c-os-t~s~h~is bank $1,500 per year and in addition bus indirectly resulted
in complaints from some of his customers. In order to "come out even"
he is forced to collect his standard float charge plus the non-par
bank's exchange charge when cashing or accepting checks for deposit.
He is not contemplating immed.int~ withdrawal, but said that if earnings
continued as low as they have been in recent years, his bank "cannot
stand a $1,500 loss forever". Mr.
at
said that
membershi.p cost his bank $2,500 per year based on exchange income during the 18 months it was on the non-par list in 1932-35 and it was his
opinion that the velocity of deposits was now far above the 1952-55
level. Mr.
at
is seriously considering conversion to
a State bank in order to obtain exchange income, now that he no longer
needs to rediscount. His first question was, "What can the Federal Reserve 8,ystem recommend as a solution to our problem of insufficient
earnings--conversion? 11
Two bankers evidenced some concern in regard to the continued
purchase of gold at $55 per ounce. Mr.
of
wanted to
know how long we were going to purchase all offerings at that price
and Mr.
of
inq~red as to what use we ·were going to
make of it now that we had it. He felt that it is just as poor business
for the government to pay interest on money borrowed to buy something it
did not need nor want as it is for an individual.
It seems to be the general opinion that farmers.will not be able
to pay their accumulation of debt with the proceeds of less than 5 or
4 average crops. If 5 crops are obtained consecutively, most bankers
feel that the farmers will again have enough equ:tty in their chattels
and renl estate so that lt would be safe to do business with them again.




327
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R-23-a

Minneapolis continued
PCA 1 s seem to give little competition to banks located 20-25
or more miles away from their headquarters but are a decided "thorn
in the flesh" of bankers located nearby. The PCA's do not take over
all loans, of course, but when it is conveniently located, farmers
threaten to change over and often do change over unless the banker
mukes concessions of ono kind or another. Furthermore, the relations
between PCA officers and bankers are not pleasant. However, the PCA's
have not engaged in farm-to-farm canvasses for loans as has been reported in other sections. When the PCA office is 25 or more ~iles
away, farmers apparently prefer to pay 8 perc~1t (plus a small inspection fee if necessary) than to pay 5 per cent plus more inspection fees and go through all the red tape that is necessary whenever
even a slight cl'l:l.nge is made iu the collateral. Mr.
at
-------- helps to create their preference for local borrowing by refusing evnn small temporary cash advances to farmers whosE:: principal
loan is with the PCA.
Bankers freely admit tmt payments by Relief Agencies, the 1i.AA ,
Resettlement Administration and Soil Conservation have kept the noncounty seat towns alive since 1933, but wonder whether it has been
VJorth the price. With good roads and autos there is now little need
for a town in every tmmship and it might eliminate much ecrmonic
waste if they ".folded up 11 •
Western North Dakota
In several towns National banks have been converted into State
banks and this has resulted in additional revenue of a.pproxi.mately
$3,000 per year to these instltutions from exchange. One National
bank, which converted into a State bank, did not take out deposit
insurance f~d the official of the institution said that no decline
in business had been noticed; on the contrary, deposits had been increased materially.
Kansas City
Banks in this District are taking aggressive action in a variety
of matters that have a bearing on bank earning power. One of these
has to do with the competition of governmental lending agencies such
as the Production Credit Corporation. Bankers are concerned with the
lack of earning assets, and they feel that the competition of governmental lending agencies is a very important cause of this unsatisfactory
condition. The postal savings system is another publicly subsidized




328

-11Kan~Cit[

R-23-a

continued

agency tha.t is coming in for much criticism. There is widespread demand that postal savbga be done away with, and especially that the
rate of interest being paid on postal savings deposits be reduced or
e1 imina ted.
There is also a growing realization that earning power must be
buttressed by an adequate system of service charges. Not only must
such a system be adequate but it should be 11niform among banks. There
is much activity amcng individual bankers, group meetings, and State
associations in regard to service charges.
This problem of the lack of earning assets is also ha.ving a
bearing on the par collection of checks. More than half of the State
banks in Nebraska are off the par list. These nonpar banks tend to be
the small banks located in small towns. There are influential State
bankers in that State who are sympathetic to exchange charges and the
widespread lack ~f earning power is the greatest potential danger to
the pm· collection system.
Finally, the precarious earning position of the small unit bank
is an important factor in the present active opposition to branch bank
proposals now before Congress. The small unit bank has always feared
the competition of a system of branch banks, but under present earning
conditions the threat of this competition is especially disturbing.
The subject uppermost in the minds of bankers visited in May is
·the fr-..rm prospect. This is only natural as many banks are loca.ted in
commm1ities tP~t have not had u crop for years. Bankers report that
as maqy as a third of the farmers in these drought regions are recei ving public relief.
The fact trot l\.pril was one of the driest Aprils on record in
many parts of the Tenth District undoubtedly explains the anxiety of
bankers j_n May, which month represents the beginning of the growing
season in most sections. Opportune rains in early May tided over a
critical situation in mrozy·parts of the District, but western Kansas
and adjacent regions where wheat is the grea.t cash crop received no
relief until the very end of the month. Preponderant opinion is tha.t
irrepv.rable da:na.ge has been done to western Kansas wheat. Much the
same situation obtains in western Nebraska and parts of Wyoming. The
situation is particularly acute in northwest Nebraska where some cattle
hs:tve already been moved to other sections and unless moisture is socn
received many other herds will rove to find other locations or be
marketed.




329
-12Kansas City continued
A highly critical situation exists in eastern Nebraska. In this
region the subsoil is bone dry, yet opporttme light rains have kept
the surface sufficiently moist to keep growing crops in fine shape.
Should it now turn hot and dry as itd!.d in 1934 and 1956, an acute
farm situation would develop almost over night.
Contacts with bankers during the month brought to light the fact
that there is still a good deal of grumbling regarding the increase in
reserve requirements that has recently gone into effect; but, at the
same time, there seemed to be little or no difficulty in Meeting the
new requirement. The average banker in rural communities fails to
see the ·need for the increase, and since he realizes it may in the
future place limits on his ability to make loans, he naturally· is
skeptical.

Doll as
Tne president of a State member bank (deposits $100,000) said
the increased reserve requirements would necessitate rediscounting more
of his paper with us than he had expected to. He quoted another member
banker as saying that it would be necessa~~ to collect some choice cattle loru1s in order to meet the increase. The vice president of en other
State member bank (deposits $555,000) mildly cri.ticis8d t:f1e higher reserve requirements, facetiously remo.rking thn t it looked like the increase was merely a device to permit the S,ystem tc buy more Government
securities at a higher yield. The opinion prevails generully in the
Texas Panhandle that the increase carne Elt c.n unfortllllate timn for the
banks in this section, whose deposits and cash resources hav0 been depleted by a series of crop failures.
Some concern wa.s expressed by a few banks regarding the competitive activities of Production Credit Associations. Eoth of the two
non-member banks visited were members of the System some years ago.
One expressed objections to the numerous reports required of member
banks. The other intimated that its failure to seek readmission is
due to its unwillingness to have its deposits insured, the bnnk h'iving
had qulte a cosUy experience a connection with the disastrous losses
of tho old Texas Guaranty FUnd System.
West 'l'exas
Most of the member banks visited commented on the increased reserve requirements in connection with the possibilit.y of the enact~ent
of the Patman Act. While they seemed to believe that increasing the




330
-15-

R-~?i-a

Dallas continued
reserves is a proper course at this time, they felt that it might be
a step toward more complete Governmt.."'lt control. Apparently they hold
the opinion that Government ownership of the Federal Reserve System
would mean the end of small, independent banks, or at least a serious
handicap to them, whether members or non-members.
South Texas
A majority of member banks ccmmented upon the confusing effect
of the numerous new laws and regulations affecting member banks, and
expressed the view that the increase in reserve requirements, although
sound in principle, was not made with proper regard for its burdensome effects upon country banks.
A significant fact developed by the visits to seven non-member
banks was that in nearly every case the interviewed institution indicated that if it ever became a member of the System it would prefer
to do so by nationalizing. Apparently there ha.s recently developed
a growing belief among non-mer.IDer banks that a national charter clothes
a country bank with a somewhat greater degree of prestige than does
membership in the System under a State charter. In fact, several of
the non-members in this area told our representative that they expect
to giYe serious consideration to nationalizing in the event the Texas
Legislature fails to enact pending legislation looking to the termination of the double liability of State bank shareholders.
~

francisco

CaLifornia (Alameda and Sun Diego Counties)
The non-member banks visited were very cordial and seemed desirous of discussing the Federal Reserve System at some length. 'l'hey
seem to feel, from past experience, that they have no use for tbe discount facilities, and that the free shipment of currency, if continued, would be the principal advantage of membership. They consider
the number of examining agencies to which they must report to be the
principal disadvantage. In two communities visited deposits have
decreased since the end of the year, and there is a better demand
for borrowed money. However, banks do not expect to borrow during
the coming season.
Washingtqn (WenatcheE!, Cle Elu:n, and Ellensburg)
The bankers are looking forward to a satisfactory year, but
this can only be deterw.incd when June has passed. It was also too
early to make any predictions as to whether or not it might be ··



331
-14San

Frapcisc~

R-23-s.

continued

necessary for our member banks to dtscount for crop harvesting purposes, but the banks stated that, at ~~e present time, small advances
are being made for spray and that crop financing will be handled on
a very careful basis this year. We understand ~~at the producers'
credit associations will again assist in the financing of the crops
as they mature.
The banks report that because of highly satisfactory prices
for potatoes and hay last year there was constderable liquidation of
their loans. Satisfactory prices are being received this year for
wool and lambs, with the result that the banks appear to have sufficient funds of their own to carry them through this season. It is
doubtful if they will require any additional assistance from us •

•




PUBLIC RE.LATlONS ACTIVI'I'IJ!k, O.F FEDEP..rlL RESERVJtj B.Al-f.KB

MAY, 1937

---

-

Federal
Reserve
Bank

I

I.Q.

'1




Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Cleveland
Ricbrnond
Atlcmte.
Chicago
St. Louis
1-.'IiP..neapolis
l\.ansas City
Dallas
San Francisco

Visits to banks
Total
Member
Nonr:1ember

I

Meetings attended
Nuruber
AttendG.nce

Addresses made
Attenllan ce
Number

i

4
82
15

8

1

q~&:\
c.,.; e.:,-. ....

201

g

2, 965

55

6"'v

166

6
4

2,25b
1,300

47
35
35
24

58
41
9
6

105
76
44

18

30

8

13?
29
42
8?

237
17
14
40

374
46

.)

4

119
40
103

8
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