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Atlanta, Georgia
July

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1964

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ALABAMA'S ECONOMY
EXHIBITS STRENGTH

SIXTH DISTRICT
STATISTICS

DISTRICT BUSINESS
CONDITIONS




AM ilu Review
A Bank Examiner Looks
at the Quality of Credit
The quality of commercial bank credit is a topic almost guaranteed
to produce a spirited discussion, as well as newspaper headlines. Re­
cently, Congressional committees have questioned a number of our
monetary and bank supervisory authorities, and from time to time
leading bankers have expressed themselves on the subject. These opin­
ions have been quite varied and illustrate the dichotomy between those
who believe that a significant deterioration has taken place and those
who are quite satisfied with the general quality of loans found in our
banks today.
While the quality of bank credit is important to monetary authorities
and to those charged with the responsibility for the nation’s economic
welfare, it is of special significance to the supervisors of our banks.
The quality of a bank’s loan portfolio bears a direct relationship to its
inherent soundness. It is natural, therefore, that supervisory authorities
should also take part in this discussion of whether or not there has
been a tendency throughout various parts of the banking structure to
relax the standards on which credit is granted.
National banks are under the direct supervision of the Comptroller
of the Currency, while state banks are supervised by state authorities.
In addition, on the federal level, member banks are supervised by the
Federal Reserve System and nonmember insured banks by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation. Each supervisory authority keeps well
informed on the condition of the banks under its jurisdiction, principally
by means of examinations. In most of the discussions of the supervisory
authorities, the findings of their examiners thus have been, to a con­
siderable extent, the basis of their conclusions in regard to the quality
of bank credit.
purpose of Examinations
The purpose of bank examinations is to develop information that will
disclose (1) the soundness of a bank’s assets; (2) its ability to meet the
demands of its depositors; (3) the adequacy of its capital structure;
(4) its earning ability and future prospects; (5) the competence of
management; and (6) compliance with laws and regulations. After
developing this information, the examiner prepares a report that contains
balance sheets, schedules of various types of assets and liabilities, com­
ments, criticisms, and recommendations. The report is prepared with
great care because it must be correct in every detail if it is to perform
its intended purpose— that of furnishing the supervisory agencies with
accurate information on the condition of individual banks. This informa­
tion is also of considerable value to the board of directors of the bank
being examined, which also receives a copy of the report.

What Determines the Quality of a Loan?
The appraisal of a bank’s loan portfolio is often considered the most
important part of the examination. The examiner analyzes the bank’s
credit policies, collection policies, and the general manner in which

loans are administered. Collateral is valued, and financial
statements and credit information on borrowers are re­
viewed. The examiner then weighs and evaluates all of
this information in the light of economic conditions affect­
ing the borrower and the bank. Important advances, loans
subject to criticism1, and loans on which more information
is needed are usually discussed with the bank’s manage­
ment. After this thorough appraisal, the examiner com­
piles his report of the examination in which he lists and
comments upon loans that for specific reasons he feels
should be brought to the attention of the supervisory
authority and to the attention of the directors and official
management of the bank.
Such loans will include those that the examiner believes
involve a loss and those whose collection appears doubt­
ful. In addition, loans that involve more than a normal
risk because of the financial condition or unfavorable
record of the obligor, insufficiency of security, or other
factors noted in the examiner’s comments are discussed.
Such loans, whether “substandard,” “doubtful,” or “loss,”
are generally described as “classified loans.”
Bank supervisors generally consider a loan’s quality
satisfactory when its characteristics reasonably assure its
repayment according to schedule in the normal course of
business. However, a loan must not only be made on a
sound basis. If it is to be repaid on schedule, it should also
receive the proper attention from management during the
period it is outstanding.
An examiner’s loan classifications may be considered
as a fair measure of the quality of a bank’s loan portfolio.
However, there is usually a lag of one or more years
between the time a loan is made and the time it is classi­
fied adversely in a report of examination. Few loans be­
come problems immediately, but when trouble does de­
velop, it can go undetected for a time because, generally,
examinations are made only once or twice a year. Perhaps
this may explain why the lowering of loan standards,
claimed by some authorities, has not been reflected to date
in a significant increase in classified loans in reports of ex­
amination. Another reason is that some examiners may
not be as critical of borderline or substandard loans as
they formerly were.

Has Loan Quality Deteriorated?
Since the beginning of 1962, when the maximum interest
rate banks were permitted to pay on savings and time
deposits was raised to 4 percent, some banks have solicited
savings and time deposits vigorously and, in most in­
stances, successfully. As a result, there has been a steady
influx of these funds. The increase in interest-bearing de­
posits has come not only from individuals but from cor­
porations and businesses that are unwilling to let their
funds remain on demand deposit and produce no income.
The cost of these funds, however, has brought pressure to
bear on bank officers to invest them profitably. Some
banks have looked to nongovernment securities, but
others have looked beyond the securities markets to mort­
gage loans and other lending fields where funds can be
employed on a more or less permanent basis and return a
higher yield. The result .has been that some banks have
accepted lower down payments, extended the final maturi­
ties, accepted less margin in the collateral, and made ad


U. S. Com m ercial Bank Deposits

1956

1958

1960

1962

1964

D e p o s it g r o w t h in r e c e n t y e a r s h a s b e e n c o n c e n t r a t e d in
t im e d e p o s it s o n w h ic h b a n k s m u s t p a y i n t e r e s t , r a t h e r
t h a n in i n t e r e s t - f r e e d e m a n d d e p o s it s .

Interest Paid on Time Deposits at All U. S.
M ember Banks
1 9 5 6 -6 3

I n t e r e s t p a y m e n t s o n t im e d e p o s it s h a v e r is e n a l o n g w i t h
t h e g r o w t h in t im e d e p o s it s , t h u s c a u s in g i n t e r e s t c o s t s
t o b e c o m e a g r e a t e r e x p e n s e f o r c o m m e r c ia l b a n k s . T h e
r e s u lt h a s b e e n a n in c r e a s e d p r e s s u r e o n b a n k s t o s e e k
o u t h i g h e r - y i e l d i n g lo a n s a n d i n v e s t m e n t s .

U. S. Comm ercial Bank Loans and Investments

Billions of Dollars

la s t W e d n e s d a y o f Each
1 9 5 6 -6 4

M o n th

Billions of Dollars

B a n k c r e d i t g r o w t h in r e c e n t y e a r s , e s p e c i a l l y s in c e 1 9 6 2 ,
h a s b e e n c o n c e n t r a t e d in lo a n s a n d s e c u r it i e s o t h e r t h a n
th o se o f th e U . S . G o v e rn m e n t. T h e se a r e g e n e r a lly co n ­
s i d e r e d t o h a v e a g r e a t e r e le m e n t o f r i s k t h a n G o v e r n ­
m e n t s e c u r it ie s .

•2 •

vances that require a larger proportion of a borrower’s
income to service his indebtedness. Some lenders have
entered entirely new fields, such as equipment leasing, in
search of ways to invest bank funds and obtain a higher
return.
Whether such changes in credit standards are correctly
described as deteriorating, lowering, or broadening, they
are being carefully watched by all bank supervisors. If
loans can be made in line with present-day standards and
if losses can be kept within reasonable bounds, many
feel that policies based on these standards are sound. The
danger in accepting this view is that the quality and col­
lectibility of loans must be examined in the light of the
Ratio of Net Losses on Loans* to Total Loans
a t All U. S. Member Banks
1956-63

Percent______________________
.20- Ratio of Net Losses to Total Loans
m
PI
1956

M

A

ip
m

IS
Pi m
V

1957

1958

1959

Percent

f t

ip

ii

li

i
1960

PH
s
i#g

IB
19 6 1

1962

f t

li

m
1963

♦Excludes transfers to and from bad debt reserves.
C o m m e r c ia l b a n k lo s s e s o n le n d in g o p e r a t io n s , h o w e v e r ,
h a v e c o n t in u e d t o b e le s s t h a n .2 p e r c e n t .

existing economic background and, if the country’s econ­
omy declines, a marginal credit may become overnight a
problem loan.
On the other hand, if bank supervisors are too severe
in their analyses of credits, they may discourage the mak­
ing of many worthwhile loans. Back in. 1938, as the coun­
try was emerging from the 1937 recession, President
Roosevelt expressed the hope that Federal bank super­
vision could be coordinated so as to facilitate the flow of
commerce, industry, and agriculture.. Conferences were
held with representatives of the three Federal supervisory
agencies for the purpose of improving their policies and
regulations to further the President’s objective and yet
keep them consistent with sound banking principles, i.e.,
maintain the quality of loans and investments at a satisfac­
tory level. The supervisors agreed that they would treat
loans and securities on a uniform basis and would relieve
pressures tending to reduce or prevent extensions of credit
to sound borrowers. The 1938 Agreement resulted in a
revision of standards for judging credit quality. A change
of equal importance was that banks were to be examined
on the basis of going concerns rather than on the amount
their loans, investments, and other assets would bring in
a forced liquidation. These policies have been in effect for
more than 25 years with little change. During this time,
there have been few criticisms that bank supervisors have
discouraged or prevented the extending of sound loans
to worthwhile borrowers.
„ ,, „
R. M. Stephenson

Alabama’s Economy Exhibits Strength
When, in April 1963, we described Alabama’s economic
resurgence from the trough of the 1960 recession, we
ended our review on a questioning note. Were the cross­
currents then evident signaling the end of the expansionary
period or was the economy just catching its breath for a
further uphill climb? Now, slightly more than a year
later, the question may be answered: Alabama’s economy
was simply girding for some additional expansion.
During the intervening period, overall production, em­
ployment, and income increased substantially in Alabama.
While these gains have lifted the state’s economy closer to
desirable levels of activity, it still falls short of the na­
tional average on several counts, notably per capita per­
sonal income payments. Nevertheless, certain structural
changes that have occurred in Alabama’s economy in the
past few years probably have provided some additional
strength and resiliency. Thus, even if the 41-month long
national economic recovery should fade, these changes
may dilute the impact that such a slowdown would have
in Alabama.

Output Expansion
Taking a cue from the prime economic measures for the
state, one cannot say that a galloping boom was develop­
ing in Alabama in 1963. The economy, however, was def­
initely on the upgrade, and the momentum has carried



over into 1964. Most important, Alabamians boosted the
output from their mills and factories last year, and this
swift pace has not faltered much, if any. Producers of
steel, pig iron, and coke increased their production sharply
to supply a strong national demand, particularly for rail­
road cars and various types of pipe. Aluminum producers
also turned out more metal for their customers.
Southern pine lumber production, long in the doldrums
caused by competition from western lumber producers,
perked up slightly, as an increase in residential construc­
tion spurred demand for floor joists, studs, rafters, shor­
ing, and other products. Textile mill operators also stepped
up their production, as measured by cotton consumed by
mills in the state, although the expansion was modest. A
spurt in ocean shipping and Alabama port activity has oc­
curred as well. Finally, increased demands for packaging,
crating, and shipping materials brought about an upsurge
in pulp and paper output. These trends in Alabama’s
industrial economy have been mirrored by the sharp up­
turn in the consumption rate of electrical energy for in­
dustrial purposes.
On the farm, the 1963 season closed in December with
cash farm marketings at a higher level than they were
in 1962. Sales of livestock and poultry products increased
only one percent in 1963, but crop sales, principally in
the fall months, topped the 1962 total 11 percent. A large
•3 •

cotton crop in 1963, especially in northern Alabama,
brought a sizable increase in farmers’ incomes and spend­
ing and lifted business activity considerably.
Northern Alabama also experienced an economic lift
from the construction of the huge Saturn rocket boosters
for the nation’s space exploration. These efforts are fo­
cused at the Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, a city
containing about 72,000 people at last count in the 1960
Census of Population, or 4.4 times more than in the 1950
Census.

Economic Indicators — Alabam a
1 9 5 9 -6 4

Employment
1957-59=100
- Seas. Adj.

/V

Employment and Income Increase
The general expansion occurring in Alabama’s economy is
reflected by an upward trend in employment and personal
income. Nonfarm employment had pushed up to a higher
plateau in late 1963 as manufacturing employment in­
creased; farm employment, however, continued its down­
trend. Since the farm work force now makes up only a
small portion of the employment total, the effect of the
decline was slight. The state’s unemployment rate was re­
duced by the end of 1963, and in early 1964 it dropped
even further to the lowest point reached in several years.
Although the state’s unemployment trend has been
favorable, not every community is experiencing high-level
employment. While Mobile and Birmingham were clas­
sified by the U. S. Department of Labor as areas with only
a moderate unemployment rate— 3.0 to 5.9 percent in
May 1963, the latest available designation— there were
15 labor market areas, mainly in northern Alabama, that
had rates of 6 percent or more and were designated as
areas with persistent and substantial unemployment.
The upward trends in output and employment have
persisted throughout recent months and have boosted the
incomes of the state’s residents. Total personal income,
which had risen steadily during 1962 and then more
rapidly in early 1963, held at the advanced 1963 level
early this year. According to estimates of this Bank for
April 1964, the total personal income received by Ala­
bamians was about $6.0 billion at an annual rate, slightly
greater than the $5.7 billion a year earlier and well above
the 1961 recession low of $4.8 billion. Manufacturing
payrolls have risen markedly since January 1964 as aver­
age hours worked increased, and the payroll total now
stands well above the level prevailing in early 1963.
Alabama’s recent overall gains in output, employment,
and income have cheered the state’s tax collectors. Judg­
ing from the upsurge in sales tax collections in late 1963,
tax revenues have jumped upward to totals much larger
than those in earlier periods. Even though the gain re­
sults partly from a recent change in Alabama’s tax laws
and levies, heightened economic activity undoubtedly is
generating some new tax revenue.

1961

Manufacturing

1962

1963

1964

A verage W ee k ly Hours W orked in
Manufacturing and Insured Unemployment
as a Percentage of Covered Employment
Adj

6-Mo. Moving Average

Average Weekly Hours
W orked in Mfg.
J

Industrial Use of Electric Power

Thousands of Balss

Cotton Consumption

4 .2

6-Mo. Moving Average

Commercial and Financial Activity Hesitant
While increased production, employment, and income from
Alabama’s important primary industries have imparted
considerable strength to the state’s economic resurgence,
commercial and financial firms have turned in a more
spotty performance. Retailers of hardware and farm im­
plements have experienced brisk sales in recent months,



1959

1960

1962

1963

Note: The shaded portion of the charts represents the recession
of 1960-61.

.

4

.

and automobile sales also have been strong, according to
the Bureau of Business Research of the University of
Alabama. Lesser gains, however, were chalked up by
general merchandise and apparel stores. Department store
sales, which have been lethargic since 1961, remained on
a subdued level in early 1964, as did sales by restaurants
and drug stores. Meanwhile, furniture store sales slipped
lower and currently show little, if any, buoyancy.
On the financial side, a significant increase occurred in
sales of life insurance, and such investment continues
unabated. Alabama residents also are still placing a rising
volume of funds in savings and loan accounts. Moreover,
total bank deposits, which had risen steadily from the
1961 recession low to mid-1963 and then remained stable
for a few months, jumped sharply to a peak in early 1964.
A rise in time deposits contributed to the upswing. Bank
lending increased notably in 1962, and the acceleration
has held to the present time; meanwhile, bank investments
in securities, which expanded erratically in 1962 and
1963, increased substantially in the first four months of
1964. All told, Alabama’s economic recovery, begun in
mid-1961, has continued at a firm pace to the present time.

ago. The increase has come as the state Legislature
approved bonds for new roads, schools, hospitals, and
state buildings. Among the most important of the current
investments are those for education, particularly for junior
colleges and additional trade schools.
The state’s economic structure also is being altered by
investments in transportation facilities. The Alabama
State Docks on the Gulf Coast have been enlarged and
modernized; roads are being overhauled; work on the
Federal-state superhighways is being pressed ahead; and,
not least, new dams and locks are being built to further
the state’s river and river basin development.
These structural adjustments may help reduce the
chronic unemployment of largely unskilled labor in Ala­
bama’s industrialized areas. To assist in solving this prob­
lem, both state and local governments have concentrated
on providing training programs for potential workers.
Area trade schools have been developed, and curricula in
vocational high schools have been adopted to teach stu­
dents the skills required by industrial employers. Mean­
while, in areas experiencing substantial unemployment, the
Federal Government’s accelerated public works program
is providing employment for some persons.

New Investment
A general air of economic optimism currently is pervading
the state, judging from available evidence of business
plans and intentions. Most important, investments in new
plants and plant expansions will be large. According to
the Alabama Chamber of Commerce, announcements of
283 plants in 1963 indicated that $337 million would be
invested, the largest total since 1951. Announcements in
early 1964 included a $2-million expansion of an alumi­
num rolling mill at Decatur and a $2.5-million construc­
tion and modernization program for a pulp and paper
mill near Mobile. Numerous smaller investments, such as
the $250,000 expansion of an electrical corporation in
Leeds and a $150,000 plant expansion of a food canning
plant in Uniontown, have been announced recently. In
some measure, of course, these investments reflect na­
tional economic expansion and the local impact of na­
tional spending for defense, space exploration, and other
public projects.

Some Structural Changes
Significant changes have occurred in Alabama’s economic
framework that may have strengthened and broadened
the state’s economic base and facilitated a further economic
advance or at least greater resistance to economic stress
and adversity. Alabama, of course, probably had further
to go in this process than some other states and, con­
sequently, the impact on its economy from a given change
may be larger than elsewhere.
While private investment has involved large-scale plant
modernizations by steel and textile firms and the wide­
spread application of new technology, public investment
in Alabama represents a major effort to improve and ex­
pand vital public services. The tax structure was altered
by the state Legislature in 1963 to increase tax revenues.
This improvement offers a partial accommodation to a
state debt that has risen rapidly to finance public needs
in recent years. The state’s debt was about $307 million
in 1963, compared with about $73 million ten years



A Substantial Economic Base
If an operating statement of Alabama’s economy could be
computed today, it probably would reveal a reasonably
solid economic base. Given that base, Alabama’s economy
could advance even further in 1964. The possibility of
this outcome would be appreciably enhanced if consumer
incomes rise further and if the 1964 reduction in income
taxes spurs private investment and spending in the state.
In time, the efforts to train and employ more unskilled
workers for more highly skilled jobs may be quite fruit­
ful. Then, too, continued growth in the national economy
would be most conducive to the fulfillment of Alabama’s
economic prospects.
A r t h u r H. K a n t n e r
This is one of a series in which economic developments
in each of the Sixth District states are discussed. Develop­
ments in Florida’s economy were analyzed in the June
1964 R e v i e w , and a discussion of Georgia’s economy
is scheduled for a forthcoming issue.

A REVIEW OF ALABAMA'S ECO N O M Y

1960-64
This publication is a compilation of articles devoted to A la­
bama's economy that appeared in this Bank's Monthly Review
during 1960-64, together with revised monthly figures of major
business indicators for Alabama. The articles emphasize various
aspects of Alabama's economic scene and often consider
longer-run developments. Copies of this booklet, as well as
copies of A Review of Georgia's Economy, 1960-63; A Review

of Mississippi's Economy, 1960-63; A Review of Louisiana's Econ­
omy, 1959-63; A Review of Tennessee's Economy, 1960-64; and
A Review of Florida's Economy, 1959-64, the first five publi­
cations in this series, are available upon request to the Research
Department, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
30303.

•5 •

Debits to Demand Deposit Accounts

Bank Announcements
On June 1, the C a n t r e l l B a n k i n g C o m p a n y , E towah,
Tennessee, a n on m em be r bank, began to rem it at par for
checks drawn on it when received fr o m the Federal R e ­
serve Bank. Officers are J. C. Cantrell, President; M rs.
A . A . Moffitt, Vice President; and E. B. G arw oo d, Vice
President and Cashier.
The B a n k o f S p r i n g C i t y , Spring City, Tennessee, a non­
m e m b e r bank, began to rem it at par on June 15. Officers
include J. K . H awkins, President; Sarah N e il Hilleary and
H. B. Collins, Vice Presidents; and R . W. Rogers, Cashier.
On June 15, the W e s t c h e s t e r N a t i o n a l B a n k o f
D a d e C o u n t y , M iam i, Florida, a new ly organized m e m ­
ber bank, open ed for business an d began to rem it at par.
Officers are Phil Stephenson, C hairm an of the Board;
H enry G. Sim monite, Vice Chairman; Charles M . Volk,
President; and Charles W. M eyers, Vice P resident and
Cashier. Capital is $ 30 0,000, and surplus and other capital
funds, $ 30 0,000, as reported by the C om ptro ller of C u r­
rency at the tim e the charter was granted.
The F i r s t N a t i o n a l B a n k o f S t . B e r n a r d P a r i s h ,
Arabi, Louisiana, a newly organized m e m b e r bank, open ed
fo r business on June 18 and began to rem it at par. Officers
include E dw in M . R o y , President; L. J. Folse, Executive
Vice President and Cashier; and Joseph J. Davies, Jr.,
Vice President. Capital is $1 50,000, and surplus an d other
capital funds, $ 30 0,000, as repo rted by the C o m p trolle r of
Currency at the time the charter was granted.
With the close o f business June 20, the conversion of the
Bank of A uburn, A uburn, A labam a, to a national bank
under the title of A u b u r n N a t i o n a l B a n k o f A u b u r n
becam e effective. Officers are E m il F. Wright, President;
R. F. Blake, Vice President; and P. C. Hudson, Cashier.
Capital is $ 20 0,000, and surplus and undivided profits,
in excess of $ 60 0,000, as repo rted by the C om ptro ller of
C urrency at the time o f the conversion.
The C o m m u n i t y B a n k o f R a c e l a n d , Raceland, Louisi­
ana, a newly organized n o n m em b er bank, o pen e d for
business on June 2 0 and began to rem it at par. Officers
include R o y Richard, President and Cashier; Allison R.
K o lb , Chairman of the Board; and Clifton P. M orvan t,
Vice President. Capital is $2 00,000, and surplus and un­
d ivid ed profits, $2 00,000.
On June 22, the F i r s t N a t i o n a l B a n k o f B u t l e r ,
Butler, A la ba m a , a newly organized m e m b e r bank, open ed
fo r business and began to rem it at par. Officers are R ich ard
E. M cPhearson, President; J. Ben Steed, E xecutive Vice
President; and Beatrice L. Sparrow, Cashier. Capital is
$2 00,000, and surplus an d oth er capital funds, $3 00,000,
as repo rted by the C o m ptro ller o f C urrency at the time
the charter was granted.
The F i r s t C o m m e r c i a l B a n k , St. Petersburg, Florida,
a new ly organized n o n m em b er bank, o pen ed fo r business
on June 23 an d began to rem it at par. Officers include
R ich ard C. Johnson, Chairman of the Board; H enry
Esteva, V ice Chairman; Ernest J. Winstead, President;
D a n Chambers, Sr., Vice President; and R o b e r t G. Wagner,
Cashier. Capital is $ 30 0,0 00, an d surplus an d undivided
profits, $2 00,000.
On June 27, the F i r s t N a t i o n a l B a n k o f D e n h a m
S p r i n g s , D e n h am Springs, Louisiana, a new ly organized
m e m b e r bank, o pen ed fo r business and began to remit at
par. Officers are J. D ou glas N e so m , P resident and Chair­
man of the Board; Sebring B. Sim pson, E xecu tive Vice
President and Cashier; and R ud olp h P. Easterly, Vice
President. Capital is $2 00 ,0 00 , and surplus an d other
capital funds, $ 30 0,000, as rep orted by the C om p troller
o f Currency at the tim e the charter was granted.



In s u re d

C o m m e r c ia l B a n k s in t h e
(In Thousands of Dollars)

S i x t h D is t r ic t
______________
Percent Change
Year-to-date
5 Months
May 1964 from
1964
Apr.
May
from
1964
1963
1963

May
1964

Apr.
1964

May
1963

STANDARD METROPOLITAN
STATISTICAL A R EA St
Birmingham . . .
1,096,793
56,386
Gadsden . . . .
134,932
Huntsville
. . .
393,586
Mobile
. . . .
Montgomery . . .
240,446
73,673
Tuscaloosa . . .

1,108,382
53,452
141,100
386,986
233,773
73,355

1,095,025
51,724
127,946
412,830
243,967
73,628

—1
+5
—4
+ 2
+3
+ 0

+0
+9
+5
—5
—1
+0

+9
+ 10
+23
+5
+5
+5

Orlando . . . .
Pensacola
. . .
Tampa-St. Petersburg
W. Palm Beach . .

397,339
1,093,233
1,569,550
462,327
149,980
970,486
330,652

465,622
1,205,729
1,798,654r
496,039
147,293
1,076,493
354,087

387,436
1,062,843
1,612,979
451,943
136,404
949,809
288,960

— 15
—9
— 13
—7
+2
— 10
—7

+3
+3
—3
+2
+10
+2
+ 14

+ 14
+14
+6
+9
+ 10
+8
+10

Albany
Atlanta
Augusta*
Columbus
Macon
Savannah

.
.

67,972
3,110,023
149,984
157,399
181,119
217,861

65,748
3,376,705
147,647
157,438
176,417
211,494

65,349
3,052,459
149,579
151,404
167,277
203,554

+3
—8
+2
—0
+3
+3

+4
+ 2
+0
+4
+ 8
+7

+9
+5
+5
+13
+8
+8

Baton Rouge
. .
Lafayette . . . .
Lake Charles
. .
New Orleans
. .

341,838
82,039
95,873
1,857,363

377,689
85,208
88,338
1,885,466

379,654
86,351
93,837
1,799,652

-1 0
—4
+9
—2

— 10
—5
+2
+3

+4
+9
+4
+ 10

Ft. LauderdaleHollywood
.
Jacksonville . .

. . .
. . .
.
.
. . .
. . .

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

423,105

416,491

422,769

+2

+0

+ 11

Chattanooga . . .
Knoxville . . . .
Nashville
. . .

408,005
353,779
1,038,374

430,710
364,012
1,073,741

392,561
351,712
974,932

—5
—3
—3

+4
+1
+7

+9
+7
+16

OTHER CENTERS
Anniston . . . .
Dothan
. . . .
S e lm a .........................

51,410
45,696
37,047

51,058
44,986
32,795

51,267
43,471
32,447

+ 1
+2
+ 13

+0
+5
+ 14

+7
+5
+ 14

Jackson

. . . .

Bartow
. . . .
Bradenton
. . .
Brevard County . .
Daytona Beach . .
Ft. MyersN. Ft. Myers . .
Gainesville . . .
Key West
. . .
Lakeland . . . .
O c a la .........................
St. Augustine . .
St. Petersburg . .
Sarasota . . . .
Tallahassee . . .
Tam pa.........................
Winter Haven . .

28,260
46,348
154,929
65,803

27,076
52,705
165,024
75,371

27,594
49,256
134,215
67,884

+4
— 12
—6
— 13

+2
—6
+ 15
—3

+10
+ 2
+30
+7

59,123
61,281
19,989
90,881
45,883
15,629
231,009
86,256
87,242
519,596
49,755

65,864
64,450
21,090
100,366
52,563
17,664
266,847
102,022
86,509
548,975
53,965

58,859
56,590
19,070
92,936
43,244
15,032
222,645
81,487
85,289
508,960
45,611

— 10
—5
—5
—9
— 13
— 12
— 13
— 15
+1
—5
—8

+0
+8
+5
—2
+6
+4
+ 4
+6
+2
+2
+9

+7
+ 15
+9
+4
+4
n.a.
+8
+7
+10
+8
+ 12

Athens
. . . .
Brunswick
. . .
Dalton
. . . .
Elberton . . . .
Gainesville . . .
Griffin
. . . .
LaGrange . . . .
Newnan . . . .
R o m e .........................
Valdosta . . . .

51,356
34,770
76,236
10,620
59,215
25,375
18,151
22,058
56,587
42,796

51,454
37,315
84,472
12,301
57,517
24,063
19,129
22,120
56,644
39,961

50,649
38,534
62,647
12,263
59,623
22,241
16,811
20,700
54,528
37,278

—0
—7
— 10
— 14
+3
+5
—5
—0
—0
+7

+1
— 10
+22
— 13
—1
+14
+8
+7
+4
+ 15

+9
+6
+ 22
+7
+6
+8
+ 11
+7
+ 12
+10

Abbeville .
Alexandria
Bunkie
.
Hammond
New Iberia
Plaquemine
Thibodaux

7,665
87,844
4,765
31,360
35,826
7,459
17,265

8,254
90,635
4,594
28,191
28,166
7,596
18,054

8,013
88,092
4,701
27,800
26,397
6,881
15,209

—7
—3
+4
+ 11
+27
—2
—4

—A
—0
+ 1
+ 13
+36
+8
+ 14

+5
+ 10
+0
+7
+ 20
+16
+ 10

.
.

66,247
41,001
29,920
55,143
30,595

71,690
40,906
31,322
52,585
28,833

71,368
39,879
31,492
58,049
27,128

—8
+0
—4
+5
+6

—7
+3
—5
—5
+ 13

+6
+5
+8
+ 0
+ 13

.
.
.

44,795
27,190
22,993

41,787
27,105
21,487

40,260
27,918
21,568

+7
+0
+7

+11
—3
+7

+6
+9
+ 12

Bristol
. . . .
Johnson City
. .
Kingsport
. . .

54,101
53,479
106,483

54,111
58,186
105,687

60,206
52,529
96,494

—0
—8
+ 1

— 10
+2
+ 10

—4
+ 12
+ 12

. .
.
. .
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.

Biloxi-Gulfport .
Hattiesburg . .
Laurel
. . . .
Meridian . . . .
Natchez . . . .
PascagoulaMoss Point .
Vicksburg
. .
Yazoo City . .

.
.
.
.

SIXTH DISTRICT,Total 21,845,254 23,277,963r 21,512,436
—6
+2
Alabamaf
. . .
2,992,835
2,986,861
2,964,430
+ 0
+ 1
Floridaf . . . .
6,762,176
7,724,398r 6,742,818
— 13
+0
Georgiat . . . .
5,240,795
5,567,615
5,116,364
—6
+ 2
3,147,638
3,211,876
Louisianat**
. .
—2
3,108,333
+1
Mississippif** . .
1,003,176
991,281
998,136
+ 1
+ 1
Tennesseef** . .
2,698,634
2,795,932
—4
2,582,355
+5
U.S., 344 Cities . . 329,700,000 349,900,000 318,000,000
—6
+4
♦Richmond County only.
**Includes only banks in the Sixth District portion of the
fP artially estimated.
n.a. Not available.
r Revised.

•6 •

+8
+9
+8
+5
+9
+9
+ 12
+ 10
state

S ix t h

D is t r ic t

S t a t is t ic s

Seasonally Adjusted
(All data are indexes, 1957-59 =

Latest Month
(1964)

One
Month
Ago

Two
Months
Ago

One
Year
Ago

S IX T H D IS T R IC T

Latest Month
(1964)

One
Month
Ago

Two
Months
Ago

One
Year
Ago

8,232r
146
126
133

7,686
129
114
117

G E O R G IA

INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate) . . Apr. 44,156 43,563r 43,373r
Manufacturing P a y r o lls ..................................... May
142
143r
144
Farm Cash R e c e ip t s ........................................... Apr.
156
132
137
C r o p s ....................................................................Apr.
170
170
146
L iv e s to c k ..............................................................Apr.
116
117
116
143p
Department Store S a l e s * / * * .........................June
132r
139
Instalment Credit at Banks, *(M il. $)
182
New Loans..............................................................May
179
188
167
R epaym ents........................................................May
164
166
PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT
Nonfarm Employment........................................... May
M an u factu rin g ................................................. May
Apparel
....................................................... May
Ch em icals........................................................May
Fabricated M e t a l s ..................................... May
Food
..............................................................May
Lbr., Wood Prod., Furn. & Fix. . . . May
P a p e r ..............................................................May
Primary M e t a ls ........................................... May
Textiles
........................................................May
Transportation Equipment
. . . .
May
Nonmanufacturing........................................... May
Construction..................................................May
Farm Employment..................................................May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .
May
Construction C o n tra c ts *..................................... May
R e s id e n t ia l........................................................May
All O t h e r ..............................................................May
Industrial Use of Electric Power . . . .
Apr.
Cotton C o n su m p tio n **..................................... May
Petrol. Prod, in Coastal La. and Miss.**
. May
FINANCE AND BANKING
Member Bank Loans*
All B a n k s ..............................................................June
Leading C i t i e s ................................................. June
Member Bank Deposits*
All B a n k s ..............................................................June
Leading C i t i e s ................................................. June
Bank D e b i t s * / * * ................................................. May

115
113
136
110
119
104
93
109
103
95
124
116
106
82
3.0
40.7
146
147
146
123
104
168

40,677
133

122

131
115
130
166
154

115
113
135

115
114
135

112
111

119r
104
93
109
103
95
125r
115
105
79
3.2
40.8r
145
152
139

119
104
94

111
102

110

110

134
106

110

93
108

163

174p
165

173
161

172
160

154
147

140p
136
152

141
133
149

139
131
148

133
128
137

122
102

INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate) . . Apr.
Manufacturing P a y r o lls ..................................... May
Farm Cash R e c e ip t s ........................................... Apr.
Department Store S a l e s * * ............................... May

8,273
140
116
132

8,266r
143r
122
125

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT
Nonfarm Employment...........................................May
M anu factu rin g ................................................. May
Nonmanufacturing...........................................May
Construction................................................. May
Farm Employment................................................. May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .
May

117
113
119
122
74
2.2
40.0

116
112
118
119r
73
2.4
40.4r

117
113
119
117
71
2.6
41.0

114
109
116
123
85
2.7
39.6

FINANCE AND BANKING
Member Bank L o a n s ........................................... May
Member Bank D e p o s it s .....................................May
Bank D e b it s * * ....................................................... May

175
149
159

174
145
158

173
150
156

153
134
142

102

103
96
126
115
104
81
3.3
41.3
162
176
150
124
105
168r

95
117

112
104
86

3.8
40.6
117
130

106
117
99
163

L O U IS IA N A
INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate)

Apr.
May
Apr.
May

6,499
128
153
118

6,403r
126
118
118

6,440r
129
158
121

6,064
120
104
111

May
May
May
May
Farm Employment................................................. May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .
May

104
100
105
89
90
3.6
42.1

104
100
104
88
80
3.7
41.8

104
101
105
88
78
3.9
42.7

102
98
103
87
97
4.2
41.9

May
May
May

159
125
140

158
124
137

153
125
131

139
118
126

Apr.
May
Apr.
May

3,360
152
199
105

3,291r
148
130
101

3,311r
153
140
100

3,105
142
117
98

May
May
May
May
Farm Employment................................................. May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .

118
121
116
118
74
3.7
40.3

117
120
116
116
76
4.2
40.1

118
121
117
113
77
4.3
40.7

116
118
116
125
78
4.2
40.5

May
May
May

194
156
156

198
153
152

187
152
152

170
146
143

Apr.
May
Apr.
May

7,178
140
123
125

7,136r
142r
117
115

7,052r
142
109
116

6,602
133
119
113

May
May
May
May
May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .

116
118
115
146
89
3.5
40.6

116
118
115r
140
84
3.9
40.5r

115
118
114
141
90
4.2
40.8

112
114
111
135
90
4.6
41.0

174
142
155

173
141
154

171
143
155

151
129
136

Department Store Sales*/**

.

.

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT

FINANCE AND BANKING

Bank Debits*/**

M ISS IS S IP P I

ALABAM A
INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate)
Manufacturing P a y r o lls .........................
Farm Cash R e c e ip t s ...............................
Department Store Sales** . . . .

100, unless indicated otherwise.)

Apr.
May
Apr.
May

6,038
132
136
118

5,946r
130
128
108

5,957r
130
136
114

5,677
126
120
103

May
May
May
May
May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .
May

108
104
110
101
82
3.2
40.9

108
104
110
lO lr
79
3.4
40.4

108
104
111
101
78
3.5
40.9

107
103
108
97
85
4.1
40.8

170
142
150

170
139
146

171
142
148

153
131
134

INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate)
Manufacturing P a y r o lls .........................
Farm Cash R e c e ip t s ...............................
Department Store S ales*/**
. . .
PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT

FINANCE AND BANKING

FINANCE AND BANKING
May
May
May

Bank Debits*/**

F LO R ID A

TEN N ESSEE

INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate) . . Apr.
Manufacturing P a y r o lls ..................................... May
Farm Cash R e c e ip t s ........................................... Apr.
Department Store S a l e s * * ............................... May

12,808
169
178
174

INCOME AND SPENDING
Personal Income, (M il. $, Annual Rate)
Manufacturing P a y r o lls .........................
Farm Cash R e c e ip t s ...............................
Department Store S ales*/**
. . .

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT
Nonfarm Employment........................................... May
M an u factu rin g ................................................. May
Nonmanufacturing........................................... May
C o n stru ction..................................................May
Farm Em ploym ent..................................................May
Insured Unemployment, (Percentof Cov. Emp.) May
Avg. Weekly Hrs. in Mfg., (Hrs.) . . . .
May

124
127
124
97
89
2.6
41.1

41.9r

42.2

118
94
84
3.5
40.4

177
142
153

173
141
153

172
143
148

150
131
140

FINANCE AND BANKING
Member Bank L o a n s ........................................... May
Member Bank D e p o s it s ..................................... May
Bank D e b i t s * * ....................................................... May

12,521r 12,381r
173
171
134
166
165
175

11,543
158
133
152

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT
123
127

122
97
88
2.6

123
126

122
97
95

2.6

119

122

FINANCE AND BANKING

Bank Debits*/"

May
May
May

*For Sixth District area only. Other totals for entire six states.
**Daily average basis.
r Revised.
Sources: Personal income estimated by this Bank; nonfarm, mfg. and nonmfg. emp., mfg. payrolls and hours, and unemp., U. S. Dept, of Labor and cooperating state agencies; cotton
consumption, U. S. Bureau of Census; construction contracts, F. W. Dodge Corp.; petrol, prod., U. S. Bureau of Mines; industrial use of elec. power, Fed. Power Comm.; farm cash
receipts and farm emp., U.S.D.A. Other indexes based on data collected by this Bank. All indexes calculated by this Bank.




•7 •

D IS T R IC T

B U S IN E S S

C O N D IT IO N S

I he District's economic v itality continues unabated. Additional jobs
a re lowering the rate of insured unem ploym ent, and construction re­
m ains an elem ent of strength. Dry w eather has slow ed the farm
economy som ew hat, but cash receipts have been higher than last
y ear's. Retail spending continues to move ahead on the strength of
increased personal income and bank lending.
Nonfarm em ploym ent expanded further in M ay, but the m anu­
facturing component provided little or no stimulus. Virtually all jobs

—

NT

Average Weekly Hours*
W o r k e d in M fg.

added to District payrolls were in the nonmanufacturing industries. Construc­
tion employment provided a strong upward thrust, as building activity picked
up in all states except Alabama and Florida. As a result of the employment
gains, the rate of insured unemployment continued to fall. Employment gains
and losses in the manufacturing industries neutralized each other; among them,
a noticeable decrease in transportation equipment counterbalanced a similar
increase in apparel. A shorter average workweek, however, contributed to a
decline in manufacturing payrolls.
New construction contract volum e in both the residential and nonresidential categories rem ains at a near-record level. Though new ad­

ditions are not as strong as during the earlier part of the year, backlogs con­
tinue to be high. The volume of residential building contracts, supported by
strong apartment building, is still outpacing most other types. District trends
appear about in line with developments in the nation as a whole. In both cases,
new construction contract volume has receded to more sustainable levels from
the very high volume of the closing months of 1963.
)S
W idespread hot, dry w eather is retarding crop and pasture growth
in the southern portions of G eorg ia, A lab am a, and M ississippi. Field

activity is still brisk, however. A step-up in shipments of beef and eggs has
pushed beef prices down somewhat, but prices for eggs have held steady. Thus
far in 1964, farmers’ cash receipts from farm marketings exceed the yearearlier total by a wide margin.
Most m easures of retail spending continue to press upw ard. Bank
debits rose in May for the fifth consecutive month, and department store sales
were up in May and early June. District consumers during May continued to
build up outstanding debt at instalment credit windows of District banks. Al­
though the volume of new loans extended during the first five months of 1964
has exceeded that of 1963, repayments during the same period have risen even
faster, resulting in a smaller expansion of outstanding debt than in 1963.
Latest available data show personal income expanding again in April. During
the first four months of this year, the gain registered by each District state over
the year-ago period was larger than that for the country as a whole. Year-toyear increases for the four-month period were sharpest in Florida and Ten­
nessee.

Member Bank Deposits
. PERCENT OF REQUIRED RESERVES
Excess Reserves
Borrowings from F. R. Bank
1961
1962
*Seas. adj. figure; not an index.

1963




Lending activity at District m em ber banks proceeded at a fast pace
through the middle of June. Judging by banks in leading cities, loans to

consumers and businesses accounted for most of the rise. Holdings of U. S.
Government securities declined further, while investment in state and local
securities increased. Preliminary figures indicate that member bank deposits
declined slightly in June, as demand deposits failed to show their usual early
summer upswing.
N o t e : D a t a o n w h ic h
s e a s o n a l in flu e n c e s.

sta te m e n ts a re b a s e d

h a v e b e e n a d ju st e d w h e n e v e r p o s s ib le t o e lim in a t e