View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

k9

Minutes for

To:

Members of the Board

From:

Office Of the Secretary

October 30, 1962

Attached is a copy of the minutes of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve .System on
the above date.
It is not proposed to include a statement
with respect to any of the entries in this set of
Minutes in the record of policy actions required to
be maintained pursuant to section 10 of the Federal
Reserve Act.
Should you have any question with regard to

the minutes, it will be appreciated if you will advise
the Secretary's Office. Otherwise, please initial
below. If you were present at the meeting, your
initials will indicate approval of the minutes. If
You were not present, your initials will indicate
only that you have seen the minutes.

Chin. Martin
Gov. Mills
Gov. Robertson
Gov. Balderston 0
Gov. Shepardson
Gov. King
Gov. Mitchell

Minutes of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
SYstem on Tuesday, October 30, 1962.

The Board met in the Board

RooM at 10:00 a.m.
PRESENT:

Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.

Martin, Chairman
Balderston, Vice Chairman
Mills
Robertson
Shepardson
King
Mitchell
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.

Discount rates.

Sherman, Secretary
Kenyon, Assistant Secretary
Molony, Assistant to the Board
Cardon, Legislative Counsel
Fauver, Assistant to the Board
Hackley, General Counsel
Noyes, Director, Division of Research
and Statistics
Solomon, Director, Division of
Examinations
Leavitt, Assistant Director, Division
of Examinations
Thompson, Assistant Director, Division
of Examinations
Stephenson, Special Assistant, Division
of Examinations
Landry, Assistant to the Secretary
Bakke, Senior Attorney, Legal Division
Lyon, Review Examiner, Division of
Examinations

The establishment without change by the

Pelieral Reserve Bank of Boston on October 29, 1962, of the rates on
cilscoUnts and advances in its existing schedule was approved unanimously,

lith the understanding that appropriate advice would be sent to that

Circulated items.

The following items, copies of which are

4tt4ehed to these minutes under the respective item numbers indicated,
aPproved unanimously:

.f?

10/30/62

-2Item No.

Letter to The Bank of Commerce, Charlotte,
North Carolina, approving its application
fOr membership in the Federal Reserve
SYstem,

1

Letter to the Federal Reserve Bank of
San Francisco interposing no objection
to the housing in a new building of
certain services, functions, and departof Union Bank, Los Angeles, California.

2

Report on competitive factors (New York-Huntington, New York).
C°Pies had been distributed of a draft report to the Comptroller of
the Currency on the competitive factors involved in a proposed merger
Brook
()t Bank of Huntington, Huntington, New York, into The Meadow
National
Bank, New York, New York.
the
It being made evident in a discussion that members of
141ard desired a substantial revision of the conclusion of the report,
the staff
it/las understood that such revision would be prepared by
t°r consideration at another meeting of the Board.
Hill, Virginia).
Report on competitive factors (Front Royal-Flint
there had been distributed copies of a draft report to the Comptroller
°I' the Currency on the competitive factors involved in a proposed merger

°11' The

Hill, Virginia, into
First National Bank of Flint Hill, Flint

Royal, Virginia.
Citizens National Bank of Front Royal, Front
transmission to the
The report was approved unanimously for
e()DaPtroller of the Currency, with the following conclusion:

10/30/62

-3The proposed merger of The First National Bank
of Flint Hill into The Citizens National Bank of Front
Royal would not have an adverse effect on competition.
Report on competitive factors (Virginia Beach-Princess Anne

coUnty, Virginia).

Distribution had been made of a draft report to

the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on the competitive factors
14volved in a planned merger of Bank of Princess Anne, Princess Anne
0°411tY, Virginia, into Bank of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Without objection the report, which contained the following
ec)nclusion, was approved unanimously for transmission to the Federal
I)ePosit Insurance Corporation:
Competition in the area would not be significantly altered by the proposed merger of these
two closely related banks.
Rules of Procedure (Item No. 3).

In a letter dated October 11,

1962) Senator Carroll, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administrative
?I'actice and Procedure of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested
formation, in connection with a Subcommittee study, concerning changes
1444e in the Board's administrative practices and procedures during 1961
441' 1962 directed toward "strengthening and accelerating those procedures."
ctraft of reply, citing changes in the Board's Rules of Organization and
Plicleedure, had been distributed with a memorandum from the Legal Division
4ted October 24, 1962.
Mr. Bakke referred to certain suggestions that had been
'cle for possible improvement of the proposed reply, with particular
414
l'ererence to the statements therein as to the filing of proposed findings

10/30/62

-4-

of fact and conclusions of law and as to procedures applicable in
connection with the Board's reconsideration of bank holding company
OZ' bank merger applications.
After a discussion during which certain modifications in
language were agreed upon, the letter was approved unanimously for
transmission to Senator Carroll in the form of attached Item No. 3.
Application of Marine Midland Corporation.

Copies had been

distributed of several memoranda from the Division of Examinations, the
Illost recent dated October 11, 1962, regarding the application of Marine
1416-land Corporation, Buffalo, New York, to acquire shares of the Security
Na
tional Bank of Long Island, Huntington, New York, with respect to
litlich a public oral presentation had been held before the Board on
September 17, 1962.

The New York Superintendent of Banks and the

4%1 York Reserve Bank recommended approval of the application, whereas
the Department of Justice, as stated in its letter of July 16, 1962,
believed it should be denied.

The Comptroller of the Currency had

4180 recommended denial.
The memoranda of the Division of Examinations expressed the
°Pinion that the first three factors required to be considered under the
Holding Company Act of 1956 did not weigh heavily in favor of
4Pr'°Iral of the application, although it was recognized that the manageIlletlt Problems of Security National would in all probability be remedied
141thin a relatively short time should the application be approved.

As

'the fourth factor--convenience, needs, and welfare--the memorandum
t°1

_5_

10/30/62

Pointed to lack of strong evidence that banking needs of the area
concerned were going unserved.

It was noted further that with Security

National having deposits in excess of $200 million and with prospects,
as stated in its 1961 annual report, that its resources would reach
1300 million in five years, expanded and more complete services could
come about through the natural growth of the bank.

In consequence, the

Division believed that this factor did not lend strong support for
415Proval.

In connection with the fifth or competitive factor, the

fl1Me °randum pointed out that consummation of the proposal would allow
4411ine Midland, the only bank holding company in New York State, to
extend its operations materially through the acquisition of a bank having
clIfices in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, with the principle impact
believed to be in Suffolk, in which county Security National had a
sizable concentration (28 per cent of the deposits and 27 per cent of
Offices) of the commercial banking business.

It was noted that of

the two larger banks in Nassau County, one (Meadow Brook National Bank)
tal'esently had no offices in Suffolk County and the other (Franklin
Ikti°1.1al Bank) had a smaller concentration (15.8 per cent of deposits
1111

7.4 per cent of offices) than Security National. In the opinion

or the Division of Examinations the proposal would eliminate some
114'esent competition, although not considered significant, along with
11°telltial competition between Security National and Marine Midland Trust
ecli1il3arlY, New York, New York, in Nassau County, where the latter bank had
the
legal power to establish de novo branches. Taking all factors into

•1 4

10/30/62

-6-

count, the Division believed that, on balance, the favorable elements
with respect to the first four factors did not outweigh the unfavorable
considerations with respect to the fifth factor.

Accordingly, the

Division's recommendation was for denial of the application.
At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Thompson commented on the
415Plication, basing his remarks on the memoranda of the Division of
44m1nations.
Wriership

A discussion ensued as to the distribution of stock

in Security National, it being brought out that the eight

lirectors of the bank and its principal officers as a group owned
4PProximately

4

per cent of the stock outstanding.

Given the indication

or close control of the affairs of the bank by its directors, it was
Ngested that the shareholdings of the bank must in all probability
be videly dispersed.

In this regard, it was stated that the bank had

8°14e 8,000 stockholders, but that full information as to the size of
avidual holdings was not available.

With respect to the statement

14 the October 11 memorandum as to the possible use of Security National
48a correspondent bank, it was noted that there was no evidence of

Secnrity National's having at the present time a large correspondent

baht..

---Aang business.

by

Question was then raised as to the law suit initiated

ome of Security National's stockholders against the bank, its

cill'ectors, certain present executive officers, certain former executive
'tficers or directors, and corporations in which a director of the bank
c
144S alleged to have or have had interests.

The suit charged many acts

misfeasance and malfeasance in office by the directors and officers

I

-7-

10/30/62
0f Security National.

In reply it was noted that the suit referred to,

as well as another suit by stockholders that was "on the shelf," were
essentially directed at the directors and officers of the bank and not
against the bank itself.

Should the proposed acquisition take place,

lt was generally believed the suits would be terminated.
At the conclusion of the discussion the Chairman asked for
the Board members' views on the application, starting with Governor
Mills.
Governor Mills stated that after studying the application and
rter listening to the oral presentation, he felt obliged to abstain
trft 'voting on the application in view of the earlier denial by the
Iltlard of the merger proposals by Chemical Bank New York Trust Company
4111 Chase Manhattan Bank to enter Nassau County, both of which he had
ravored.
I

His affirmative vote on the two earlier applications had been

mised on the belief that it was appropriate to permit downtown
York City banks, within limits, to extend their services into

Nassau County. Board denial of the earlier applications had, in his
°III-Ilion, changed the character of the present proposal by Marine Midland
C°1*Poration; the effect of approval would be to give the holding company
4 la.—

'6.4-eater competitive advantage than would have been the case had the

Chenlical and Chase applications been approved.

He was not sure whether

he 140u1d have approved or disapproved the instant application had Board
Tr'oval been given to the two earlier applications.

However, since the

latter had been denied, he considered himself foreclosed from reaching

-8-

10/30/62

s decision on the Marine Midland application that would give equitable
consideration to all of the interrelated merits and demerits of the
case.
Governor Robertson said that he would disapprove the application
for the reasons stated in the October 11 memorandum from the Division
c3f Examinations and the July 16 letter from the Justice Department.

With

respect to the position taken by Governor Mills on the application,
this appeared to involve a matter of judgment.

So far as he was concerned,

each application made to the Board needed to be considered on a case/3Y-case basis, and the Board's denial of the two earlier merger applicatic)ns was to be viewed as one of the facts requiring consideration in
4Praising the present case.
Governor Shepardson said that he found a number of difficult
features in the Marine Midland application, including the management
situation at Security National Bank.

However, the total picture included

the fact that Marine Midland, the only bank holding company in New York
State, was seeking to expand further its operations through the present
In addition, Governor Shepardson said, there was the factor

13roPosal.

elltioned by Governor Mills.

Recent denial by the Board of attempts

1:1Y- Chemical Bank and Chase Manhattan to enter Nassau County by way of
//lerger suggested to him that the Marine Midland application also should
be denied.

Therefore, he would vote to deny the application.

Noting that, like Governor Mills, he had voted for approval
t the Chemical and Chase merger applications, Governor King said that

10/30/62

-9-

he had re-examined his approach to the present application in light
of the point raised by Governor Mills.

Upon such re-examination,

however, he found himself willing to participate in the Marine Midland
decision on the basis that the Chase and Chemical decisions had already
been made and constituted a part of the background circumstances against
//hich the Marine Midland application must be viewed.

The Board was

being urged by the applicant, in the present instance, to agree to the
ProPosition that the best way to solve Security National's managerial
Problem was to approve the holding company application.

On the contrary,

G°vernor King went on to say, he did not believe that in the long run
the public interest would best be served by the Board's acting as an
easily accessible refuge for the solution of bank management problems.
14 his opinion, the better solution would come through a recognition
by

independent banks of their problems and through a procedure whereby

the hanks would themselves work out those problems.

Therefore, although

the acquisition of Security National by the holding company might result
14 improved management of the bank, he would deny the application.
Governor Mitchell indicated that he was inclined to approve
the aPPlication.

He did not believe that approval would change the

e°1r1Petitive situation in the New York City metropolitan area, which to
6101Y of thinking was the relevant one to be considered.
'
111

As the

eighth in size in the city, the holding company's subsidiary bank in
4e4 York city was not too important a factor in the area, and it
not be even if the current proposal were approved.

Furthermore,

10/30/62

-10-

Governor Mitchell Observed, he did not believe it was possible to contend
that the public interest, in a general sense, would be injured by the
Management of the holding company supplanting that of Security National.
As Mr. Roth, Chairman of the Board of the Franklin National Bank of
LohiS Island, had stated at the oral presentation, new management
11°111c1 put Security National in a much better position.

For several

Years Security National had been poorly operated by persons who in his
estimation should not have been in the banking business.

The problem

Igaa to get new stockholders who would provide new management, and
that did not seem likely under the present setup.

For example, according

to the most recent report of examination of the bank, four of its
clirectors were self-serving and ineffectual.

Despite some improvements

the bank was still poorly managed, a situation for which the stockholders
liould be held responsible.

The question was to find new stockholders

1111° would supply good management to the bank, and in his estimation
the Proposed acquisition by the holding company would meet this need.
lie regarded the fact that the holding company had not made derogatory
rel4arks about Security's management as a matter of cautious behavior.
G°11ernor Mitchell said further that although the premium proposed to be
Pald to Security National's stockholders was substantial, the figure
illvolved had been arrived at in arm's length trading.
41though

Therefore,

he was not particularly happy in reaching this conclusion, he

be
lleVed that if Security National were to be made a good bank it required
4 Change in ownership, and the management that Marine Midland would
Drovide.

I 1,

-11-

10/30/62

With respect to recent Board denial of the Chemical and Chase
Manhattan applications to enter Nassau County by way of merger, Governor
Mitchell said he did not regard these two decisions as involving principles
and precedents to the same extent as the Morgan New York State holding
c°14any case.

The reason for this view was, he said, that in the large

New York metropolitan area it was only realistic to expect that competition
going to be provided in the form of several large branch systems
II
"
°Perating throughout the area.

This was unlike the situation in central

and uPPer New York State involved in the Morgan application.

Finally,

he did not believe that the good earnings and prospects enjoyed by Security
ktional reflected credit on its management.

Economic expansion in the

Itrea of the bank's operations would be expected almost automatically
to

generate volume for a bank so advantageously situated.

As to the

c°111Petitive situation, it could be expected that Franklin, Meadow Brook,
arld eventually the New York City banks would supply all the competition
r°r which anyone could ask.

This was a transitional period; it would not

be too long before the City banks were established in the area.

In

Itle// of the foregoing considerations, Governor Mitchell said, he would
411Pr'ove the application.
Governor Balderston stated that his thinking on the application
414 centered on
two problems:

first, consistency with past decisions

"the Board; second, the problem of size and scale as it affected
1101A4
--Lng company decisions, and in this regard how Marine Midland Corporadiffered from the proposed Morgan New York State holding company,

10/30/62

-12-

whose formation the Board had denied.

On the question of size and

extent of operations, he could see no difference between the two holding
companies substantial enough to affect the Board's decision.

He noted

that applicant was the second largest registered bank holding company
in the United States.

Should the present application be approved, it

liould be the twelfth banking institution in size in the country and
%Iould control five to six per cent of commercial bank deposits in
lieu York State.

With regard to the competitive situation, Governor

Balderston noted the inability of Marine Midland Trust Company, the
holding company's subsidiary in New York City, to branch into Suffolk
0°44tY under New York State law, unlike the ability of Chase Manhattan
441 Chemical Bank New York Trust with regard to Nassau County.

Although

it could
SectlritY National was the largest bank in Suffolk County,
1
114rci Y be regarded as being as dominant as Franklin or Meadow Brook
14 Nassau County.

Although New York City banks could not enter Suffolk

Iteans of de novo branches or mergers, Meadow Brook National could
etlter Suffolk and, in fact, had pending an application to merge with
1414k of Huntington.

Continuing, Governor Balderston said that Security

National
was of such size that its acquisition by Marine Midland Corporatiorl would seem to constitute entry into Suffolk County by the holding
eciairlanY on a massive scale.

So far as the management situation at

several undesirable features
8ecliritY National was concerned, despite the
°I' this problem, he did not believe that it was of such seriousness as
t0Il1ean that the bank's acquisition would represent a salvaging operation

10/30/62

-13-

by the
holding company.

All in all, Governor Balderston said, he did

not think that the circumstances of this case were sufficiently different
from those that caused the Board to disapprove the Chase, Chemical,
and Morgan applications to lead to anything but denial.

At the same

time, he found himself wondering what his decision would be if Marine
141d-land were smaller.
clear to approve.

If it were, he felt that he might see his way

On balance, however, he would deny the application.

Chairman Martin stated that he also would deny the application,
although with some reluctance.

The essential problems were the same

as those involved in the Chemical and Chase decisions.

The question was

haw to evaluate the public interest aspect--both short and long run.
In the longer run, he was convinced that the banking laws would have
t0 be revised, but he did not think that the Board should take steps
that would in effect accomplish the revision.

In many respects, he

telt that in this instance the applicant had made quite a good case.
Some of the value judgments that had been made might be questioned;
t° doa complete job, the Board would have to get into factors such as

the motivation of individuals, but that would be impractical. In brief,
he felt that this must be regarded as a transitional period, one that
l'i°111c1 continue until people were sufficiently aroused to demand improved
ing laws.

While the Chase and Chemical decisions were difficult,

he felt that in retrospect his vote on them would have been the same.
111 1'14
--ts judgment, less harm had been done by those decisions than might
have

developed over the longer run if the applications had been approved.

10/30/62

-14Governor King then made a further statement of his views

In which he stressed the importance of people assuming responsibility
for solving their own problems.

He felt that an attempt on the part

°I an agency like the Board to assume responsibility and solve problems,
aS through approval of the Marine Midland application, would work in
the wrong direction from the standpoint of the public interest.

As

he saw it, those connected with Security National should be expected to
shoulder their responsibilities.

The fact that there appeared to be so

taatlY dissatisfied shareholders held out some promise that a change in
ovnership and management might occur.
After further discussion, it was voted to deny the application
1311 Marine Midland Corporation, Governor Mitchell voting "no" and
Governor Mills abstaining.

It was understood that the Legal Division

lI°11.1d prepare for the Board's consideration drafts of an order and state'
erlt reflecting this decision, and that a dissenting statement by
Governor Mitchell also would be prepared.
Mr. Koch, Associate Director, Division of Research aria Statistics,
J°1fled the meeting at this point and Messrs. Leavitt, Thompson, Stephenson,
e/ and Lyon withdrew.
Committee on Federal Credit Programs.

On March 28, 1962, the

?1's1dent established a Committee on Federal Credit Programs to be
ileMed by the Secretary of the Treasury (and with the Chairman of the
of Governors as a member) for the purpose of reviewing legislation
4*1 administrative practices relating to Federal credit programs, using

10/30/62

-15-

as a point of departure the relevant recommendations of the Commission
°4 Money and Credit.

In his memorandum the President pointed to "the

need for a thorough review of the impact of these programs on the
economy, their effectiveness for the special purposes for which they
era established, and the policies and techniques employed in administering them."

As more specifically defined by the President, the task of

the Committee was

to consider what changes, if any, in Federal credit

Programs would contribute to achieving the nation's economic goals."
14 addition, the Committee was requested to consider the following
sPscific topics:
(a) The circumstances under which Federal credit
programs should be self-supporting and the criteria
for and character and extent of subsidy where subsidies are appropriate.
(b) The criteria for determining whether a particular
program should take the form of direct Federal
lending, loan insurance, loan guarantee, or other
form.
(c) The budgetary treatment of Federal credit programs.
(d) The appropriate
credit programs
policies of the
credit programs

degree of coordination of Federal
with the general monetary and fiscal
Federal Government, and the use of
for counter-cyclical purposes.

(e) The role and effectiveness of statutory and administrative interest rate ceilings in Federal credit
programs.

The P
resident had requested that the Committee's report and recommendations be submitted by November 1, 1962.

.5

-16-

10/30/62

There had been distributed under date of October 24, 1962,
for the purpose of providing members of the Board an opportunity to
eft/lent, a memorandum from Mr. Noyes attaching the draft report of
the Committee on Federal Credit Programs.

As noted in the memorandum,

the report was not one for which the Board had a primary responsibility;
the membership of the Committee included the Director of the Bureau of
the Budget and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, as well
as the Chairman of the Board of Governors.
The views expressed in a discussion of the draft report indicated

that 011 the whole the Board members believed the recommendations therein
t0 be reasonable.
"as

Although some criticisms might be made, the report

regarded as reasonably well done.
All members of the staff except Messrs. Sherman, Kenyon, Molony,

ahci Pauver then withdrew.
Director appointments.

It was agreed to ascertain through the

Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston whether Dr. Barnaby C.
ICe"Y, President of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, would
ItecePt appointment if tendered as Class C director of the Boston Bank
r°r the three-year term beginning January 1, 1963, with the understanding

that if it were ascertained that he would accept, the appointment would
be Made.
Secretary's Note: It was subsequently
ascertained that Dr. Keeney would be unable
to accept the appointment.

3

10/30/62

-17It was agreed to ascertain through the Chairman of the Federal

Reserve Bank of Richmond whether Dr. Wilson H. Elkins, President of the
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, would accept appointment
if tendered as Class C director of the Richmond Bank for the three-year
term beginning January 1, 1963, with the understanding that if it were
4seertained that he would accept, the appointment would be made.
Secretary's Note: It having been ascertained
that Dr. Elkins would accept, an appointment
wire was sent to him on November 21, 1962.
The meeting then adjourned.
Secretary's Notes: The Board today issued
an order terminating the administrative
proceeding involving The Continental Bank
and Trust Company, Salt Lake City, Utah,
the issuance of such order having been
approved by the Board on October 11, 1962.
A copy of the order is attached as Item No. 4.
Governor Shepardson today approved on behalf
of the Board the following items:
n , Memorandum from the Division of Personnel Administration dated
Ober29, 1962, recommending increases in the per diem and hourly
VEL
tW rates of the following part-time and substitute employees:
Annie W. Becton, Substitute Maid, Division of Personnel
day.
Administration, from $12.32 to $12.96 per
Personnel
of
Division
Maid,
Ruth Page, Substitute
day.
Administration, from $12.32 to $12.96 per
Frances L. Hornbeck, Substitute Charwoman, Division of
per hour.
Administrative Services, from $1.69 to $1.77
ae_ Memorandum from the Division of Administrative Services recommending
in"'ePtance of the resignation of Herbert E. Haney, Senior Programmer
that Division, effective at the close of business November 10, 1962.

10/30/62

-18-

Letter to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (attached Item NO. 5)
approving the designation of Gerald B. Garrett and J. Lero Griffin
as special assistant examiners.
Letter to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (attached Item
approving the appointment of Stephen L Eschler as assistant-examiner.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Item No. 1

OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

10/30/62

WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
ADDRESS OFrICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
'TO THE BOARD

October 30, 1962

Board of Directors,
The Bank of Commerce,
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Centlement
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
the
application of The Bank of Commerce, Charlotte, North
?Proves
arolina, for stock in the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, subJect to the numbered conditions hereinafter set forth.

1. Such bank at all times shall conduct its business
and exercise its powers with due regard to the
safety of its depositors, and, except with the
permission of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, such bank shall not cause or permit
any change to be made in the general character of
its-.business or in the scope of the corporate powers
exercised by it at the time of admission to membership.
2. The net capital and surplus funds of such bank shall
be adequate in relation to the character and condition of its assets and to its deposit liabilities
and other corporate responsibilities.
In connection with the foregoing conditions of membership,
Particular attention is called to the provisions of the Boardis
t7sgulation H, regarding membership of State banking institutions in
Federal Reserve System, with especial reference to Section 208.7
ere°f. A copy of the regulation is enclosed.

BOARD OF 13OVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

The Bank of Commerce

-2-

If at any time a change in or amendment to the bank's
Charter is made, the bank should advise the Federal Reserve Bank,
furnishing copies of any documents involved, in order that it may be
determined whether such change affects in any way the bank's status
ae a member of the Federal Reserve System.
Acceptance of the conditions of membership contained in this
,?tter should be evidenced by a resolution adopted by the board of
(
'? Irectors and a certified copy of such resolution should be transmitted
to the Federal Reserve Bank. Arrangements will thereupon be made to
!ccept payment for an appropriate amount of Federal Reserve Bank stock,
t411 accept the deposit of the required reserve balance, and to issue
he appropriate amount of Federal Reserve Bank stock to the bank.
The time within which admission to membership in the Federal
Reserve System in the manner described may be accomplished is limited
!? 30 days from the date of this letter, unless the bank applies to
Board and obtains an extension of time. When the Board is advised
at all of the requirements have been complied with and that the appro4Jiate amount of Federal Reserve Bank stock has been issued to the bank,
,"e Board will forward to the bank a formal certificate of membership
,
• r1 the Federal Reserve System.
The Board of Governors sincerely hopes that you will find
illt:!!)ership in the System beneficial and your relations with the Reserve
pleasant. The officers of the Federal Reserve Bank will be glad
liesassist you in establishing your relationships with the Federal
b erve System and at any time to discuss with representatives of your
means for making the services of the System most useful to you.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) Elizabeth L. Carmichael
Elizabeth L. Carmichael,
Assistant Secretary.
Zrielosure

440**,4

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Item No. 2
10/30/62

OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON 25. D. C.

'4,4trast.
4440**"

ADDRESS OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

October 30, 1962

Mr. Eliot J. Swan, President,
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco,
San Francisco 20, California.
near Mr. Swan:
This refers to Mr. Ahlf's letter of September 19, 1962,
With respect to services, functions, and departments the Union Bank,
Los
Angeles, California, expects to house in a new service building.
The Board has no objection to these operations being
carried on by Union Bank in a service building. However, a more
.lin
damental question is whether the Board's express permission is
oequired by statute (R. S. 5155; 12 U.S.C. 36) for these operations,
bank-by-mail
eat e ground that they constitute a branch. The
are received"
"deposits
at ture, at least, raises a question whether
0, this office, and, accordingly, whether a branch authorization by
the Board
is necessary.
As you know, the Bank Service Corporation law has been signed
by „
he President and under that law banks are authorized to participate
su the operation of a bank service corporation, and the functions of
d u a corporation may have a definite relation to the question now
une
det?r consideration. Therefore, it seems inadvisable to take a
a "nite position on the question whether Union Bank will be operating
to ranch" in its service building until the Board has had an opportunity
by c°nsider the entire question of "internal" services being performed
be °r for banks at a central location. In the meantime, Union Bank may
tioassured that the Board will issue a branch permit for these operaIle if it is concluded that such permission is required by statute.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) Merritt Sherman
Merritt Sherman,
Secretary.

Ctutt***4.

Item No. 3

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

0
C
t

‘‘
701

0
04

Pg

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

1030/62

WAS

11101V
*"!-oci.4.0

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

October 31, 1962.
he
Honorable John A. Carroll, Chairman,
qlbcommittee on Administrative
Practice and Procedure,
1;(311anittee on the Judiciary,
wtThilt,ed States Senate,
-1snington 25, D. C.
Mr.. Chairman:
This is in response to your letter of October 11, 1962,
cta,n4esting information regarding changes made in the Board's
6 41-nistrative practices and procedures during 1961 and 1962
'Ibected toward strengthening and accelerating such procedures.
The Board's Rules of Organization and Procedure were
ed in late 1961 and again in early 1962. The revised rules
t!Wect a number of changes which are believed to serve the objec.
referred to in your inquiry. These changes are discussed
revia

lOW e

1. The rule regarding disclosure of unpublished informa/
orl 112 CFR 261.2(b)) was amended to permit disclosure by appropriate
irrt cers, employees, or agents of the Board to persons properly
tested of unpublished economic, statistical, or similar informatoa-,,and unpublished information regarding interpretations by the
4/101%4 of statutory or regulatory provisions, without prior Board
1 °17al, unless such information is scheduled for public release
at:
or subsequent specified time, relates to or discloses the affairs
where disclosure is not
identified person, or is of a nature
Board approval for
formal
(48,1e Public interest. Previously,
As applied to
required.
was
a -.Losures of unpublished information
to expedite
serve
can
rule
tQat istrative proceedings, the present
ng access
facilitati
by
Board
to (11's Which are or may be before the
. It can
possession
Board's
the
t4ertinent factual information in
Board
the
before
s
proceeding
of
byn,!erve to strengthen the record
persons
interested
and
parties
frig more readily available to
regarding prior Board
4-1.
'
84*
and interpretive precedents
4.043.information
2, A new rule was added, spelling out the procedures
bank
hcati.cable in connection with the Board's consideration of
CFR
262.2(f)).
(12
ns
applicatio
`grig company or bank merger

BOARD

OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

The Honorable John A. Carroll

-2-

to present
Paragraph 6 thereof was designed to encourage parties
age
discour
and
capricious
relevant facts in the first instance,
be
graph 7
may
st
subpara
Pet
intere
for reconsideration. Also of
ed
in
that
provid
is
it
n
f the rule here under consideration, wherei
a
public
or
oral
g
hearin
84Y case in which the Board orders a public
as practicable
T'esentation of views on an application, as soon
notice of subh
of
er
lOWing publication in the Federal Regist
be
available for
shall
lic proceeding the subject application
f as to which
thereo
ns
portio
11sPection by the public except such
4,
interest.
the
public
in
be
not
e Board finds that disclosure would
sing
of
us
expres
s
desiro
person
b,41.1 making available an application to
nt
and
ent
releva
pertin
:j'ell3 thereon, it is believed that more
applicant,
,ressions will be received, thus assuring the Board,
on.
for
decisi
4nciPublic of the most reasonable basis

r

s for the purpose of taking
3. The rule relating to hearing
ev-1,4
for the designation
provide
,Aence (12 CFR 263.2(c)) was amended to
to
,"
represent the
an attorney, to be known as "Board Counsel
on
s
applications under
t;314rd. Particularly with respect to hearing
in
non-adversary
are
:
11 1. Bank Holding Company Act of l956, which
then
and
streng
.6241re, this provision can expedite the proceeding
ghly familiar
ipant,
thorou
partic
ial
impart
record by providing an
1,th the statute involved and the Board's administration thereof,
;4
4rough whose activity development of a fair and complete record
,
"011.1d be more assured.
submission of evidence at
4. The rule relating to the to
8.,.;
provide that written
"-ngs (12 CFR 263.2(h)) was amended
by the Hearing Examiner,
i7ts will not, unless otherwise permitted
record, and that
the
for
c accepted unless submitted in duplicate
:
parties to the
other
to
n,Pies of such exhibits must be furnished
delay
incurred when
the
obviate
°ceeding, This rule is intended to
in sufficient
d
supplie
not
are
bill).11:es of exhibits offered in evidence
r, the rule
.
Furthe
ements
requir
to satisfy basic procedural
i7'er
ting
g
by
permit
hearin
a
;0 calculated to strengthen the record of
and
ation
examin
of
crossrj7e thorough and intelligent formulation
by
is
ion
ented
provis
implem
a7uttall rarticularly where the exchange
place
the
prior
take
to
to
0, -hearing order requiring exchange
ening of the hearing.
'
objections to the admission or
5. The rule regarding
ex
elusion of evidence (12 CFR 263.2(i)) was changed to provide that
Examiner thereon need not be
!ePtions to rulings of the Hearing
ed in order to preserve the right to urge such exceptions in
avnsideration of the matter by the Board. This change can expedite
hearing by eliminating the time consumed in making formalistic

Z

1 c',1 z

BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Ills Honorable John A. Carroll

-3-

Prleadings on the record, and it also can serve to strengthen the
:
cord be-fore the Board by not foreclosing counsel from pursuing a
711torious objection, which pursuit might have been foreclosed
er the p'7evious rule had counsel not preserved his objection by
Pl'oPer exception,
6. The rule relating to the filing of proposed findings
and conclusions of law (12 CFR 263.5) was revised to permit
/3,fd Connsels in non-adversary proceedings such as those under the
1:711: Holding Company. Act, to file romments concerning the evidence of
11:cord or on the proposed findings end conclusions submitted by any
hil Y; previously, the only way in wAich Board Counsel could place
in such proceedings before the Hearing Examiner was by
b,'-ng proposed findings of fact ard conclusions of law. This change,
milAing Board Counsel to await the submission of proposed
ndings and conclusions by parties to the proceeding before making
hi8,z
ubmission„ can have the effect of expediting the proceeding by
;703.din repetitious or cumulative submissions. It can also strengthen
in such proceedings by giving the Hearing Examiner the
e;;II,s!it of an objective appraisal of the proposed findings and
ions of parties by a disinterested and experienced observer.
_atter point takes on added significance when it is noted that
lioard does not have Hearing Examiners on its staff; when the
pl:',,sion for an examiner arises, one is borrowed from another agency
p-1;*ollant to the provisions of section 11 of the Administrative
c)cedurr. Act.)
Or
Bo_act

of the Hearing Examiner's
RtPort 7. The rule relating to submission
ND, (12 CFR 263.6) was revised to provide specifically that such
shall contain findings and conclusions, with reasons or the
th;:ls therefor, upon all material issues of fact or law involved in
re, Proceeding. This requirement in the Board's rules parallels the
k41.I'ement of the Administrative Frocedure Act and, although as a
t>1.:! of course
requirement was adhered to in all proceedings
priW to the re7icion of the ruleE, it makes explicit that the
underlyisg the Administrative Ft'ocedure Act requirement
40t
P:ly to all procee-lings of the Loard even where that Act does
n'rsrn the conduct of e. particular proceeding. This requirement
ktt".ce the effect of assuring more expeditious action on a particular
Y b precl”ding a later controversy as to what specific action
ikzs 7r
!444;,n
ke by the Hearing Examiner, end of strengthening the record by
eeell flg thPct the Board will ha-e before it an objective treatment of
4,41 and e'rery factual and legal issue invol-ed 1-ten it considers a
arld' In rsgad to Board act4 en in aiopting or rejecting the findings
v.oaconclusions of the Hearing RxamirD:-,te prov)_sions cf 12 CFR 263.6
2'0111 assure formulation of a propc! -:ecorrl for purposes of any judicial
ew.

BOARD

OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

The Honorable John A. Carroll

-4-

8. A new section was included in the Board's Rules
1?lating to the handling and disposition of motions (12 CFR 263.8).
ie believed that this addition to the Rules will further assure
urderly proceedings by establishing and apprising parties as to the
kint in any proceeding at which all motions must be made to and
rilllad on by the Hearing Examiner rather than the Board, thereby
1111811ring that motions are properly directed in the first instance.
los of course, in addition to expediting administrative proceedings
having the procedures to be followed in submission of motions
!Naled out in detail, the new rule can effect substantial savings of
fll'a by having motions addressed to and passed on by the Hearing
11iner, since the time-consuming requirement of formal Board action
iteed not be involved with respect to motions filed during the Hearing
qtaminer's involvement with the case.

V

9. The rule dealing with service of papers (12 CFR 263.12)
revised to provide that the Board will serve all orders, notices,
'
rePort, and other papers issued by it when service thereof is
pired, as well as of reports of Hearing Examiners, and that every
„:!er paper requiring service, including motions, proposed findings
conclusions, exceptions, and briefs, shall be served on any party
Bu a proceeding by the party filing the same, Previously, the
15°
.ardis Rules provided that service of all papers and pleadings,
eJ whomever initiated, was to be made by the Board. The change can
Zedite proceedings by obviating the delay incident to having all
toP'rs and pleadings which are not issued by the Board transmitted
A for service onprties to the proceeding.

4

In summary, when the individual changes which have recently
made in the Board's Rules are viewed in total perspective, it is
all iaved that the net result has been and will be to insure a better
more complete record in administrative proceedings, more
1Z'teditiou5 disposition of such proceedings, and greater procedural
aubstantive fairness to parties thereto.
be MY,

In addition to comments on changes in the Board's Rules,
n
letter requests copies of "the order, minute, memorandum, or
411".er paper which put the change into effect and explained it."
t rioted previously, the changes referred to above were made in the
(4°11Pe of a general revision of the Board's Rules of Organization
Procedure. Notices of the changes were, of course, published

SOARD OF DOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

The Honorable John A. Carroll

in the Federal Register, but no explanatory or descriptive material
accompanied such publication. However, with the thought that your
subcommittee may find it helpful to have a convenient source of
reference to the procedural provisions discussed above, there is
enClosed a current copy of the Board's Rules of Organization and
Procedure.
Sincerely yours,

44.4klb
McC. Martin, Jr.

(*4

UNITED STATES OF AI,ERIOA

Item NO. 4
10/30/62

BEFORE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
In the
Matter of
TRZ COrtrlIENTAL BAIIK
All
)TRUST COMPANY
Salt

Lake City, Utah

ORDER TERMINATr1G PR OCEEDETO.
This proceeding was initially instituted by an Order of the

tioar4
q of Governors of the Federal Reserve System dated June 29, 1956,
1416,4
-L-Lch the Board ordered a hearing to determine (1) the adequacy or
acillacY of the net capital and surplus funds of The Continental Bank
Trust
Company of Salt Lake City, Utah (hereinafter called the "Bank"),
() th-e

additional amount of capital funds, if any, needed by the Bank,

ktd

4rat -, what period of time would be reasonable in which to allow the
t0 increase its capital funds to make them adequate.
By an Order dated July 18, 1960, based upon evidence contained
th

record of that hearing, to the extent indicated in that Order,

kq u
PQn examination and supervisory reports of the Bank equally available
t° the Bank,
the Board found that the Bank's net capital and surplus
as of that date were inadequate in relation to the character and
'4(1,1tio

n of its assets and to its deposit liabilities and other

P rate
responsibilities, and ordered that within six months of the
4- the Order the Bank, by the sale of common stock for cash, effect

-2-

increase in its net capital and surplus funds in the amount of not
less than $1,500,000.
Upon failure of the Bank to comply with such Order of
Y 18, 1960, the Board on June 28, 1961, issued an Order for a hearat which the Bank might show cause why the Board should not require
It to surrender its stock in the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
"to forfeit all rights and privileges of membership in the Federal
Reser-73 System for failure to comply with the Banks Condition of Mem-

111'shi-13 !To. 2; which prolides:
"The net capital and surplus funds of such bank shall be
adequate in relation to the character and condition of its
assets and to its deposit liabilities and other corporate
responsibilities, and its capital shall not be reduced
except with the permission of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System."
The Show Cause Hearing was held before a duly appointed
Rear4_
'flg Examiner on October 29, 1962, the record of such hearing was
4sed on the same date by the Hearing Examiner, and such record has
certified by the Hearing Examiner to the Board.
'
The record so certified contains a letter addressed by the
441k to the Board under date of October 9, 1962, enclosing a resolution
"its Board
of Directors which sets forth a plan for increasing the

4rikt s capital accounts. In substance that plan provides:
1.

By the end of 1962 the capital, surplus, undivided profits,

`111(1,
'41aPp1ied reserve accounts of the Bank will be increased to a total

or

11°t less than $6,500,000, which will require a cash increase of not
1:a8

than $1,111,000 over the June 30, 1962 total of these accounts.

-32.

This cash increase of $1,111,000 in its capital structure

/411 be accomplished by the Bank in the following manner:
a.

The issuance and sale of additional common stock

for cash in the amount of $540,000; and
"b.

Cash dividends from the two wholly owned building

subsidiaries of the Bank; cash proceeds of the liquidation
of the Paramount Life Insurance Company of Texas; and
the declaration of a stock dividend in lieu of the Bank's
1962 year-end cash dividend, the total of such dividends and
Proceeds of liquidation amounting to $571,000.

3. This $1,111,000 cash increase in the Bank's capital structure

vila be
allocated as follows:
$810,000 to capital stock
$270,000 to surplus, and
*31,000 to undivided profits and/Or reserves

4.

Upon the accomplishment of this capital increase the Bank

1'111 have:
Capital stock
Surplus
Undivided Profits
Reserves

$3,510,000
11 700,000
505,000
785,000
$6,500,000

In addition the Bank's letter of October 9, 1962, represented
that

Ilet

the Bank would continue to improve its capital structure through

retained earnings.

111

The Board has considered the fact that during the period
between the aforesaid July 18, 1960 Order and the June 30, 1962 Report
(3t Condition the Bank had increased its capital accounts by 088,530
troraretained earnings, which together with the additional 01,111,000
result in a total capital account increase since July 18, 1960 of

1,9953Q
h

The Board has further considered such changes as have

( larred since July 18, 1960 in the amount, character, and condition

the Bankis assets and in its deposit liabilities and other corporate
r"Pcnsibilities.

The Board has also noted that through earnings retained

ee the commencement of this proceeding in 1956, the Bank had increased
eaPital structure as of June 30, 1962 from 33,488:202 to $5,389,350.

th the
addition of the aforesaid 01,111,000 by year end 1962, the
14404 .
. 14111 have increased its capital structure by somewhat more than

00,000 since the commencement of this proceeding.
On the basis of these considerations the Board addressed a
ter to the Dank dated October 11, 1962, which is a part of the certittea
record, stating that accomplishment of the plan set forth by the
4/1a'14ould constitute sufficient cause for terminating this proceeding.
Accordingly, the Board finds that, in the light of the Banks
tit capital condition as reflected by the latest report of examinaet the Bank, and by the Bank's latest reports of condition and of
&tleo
111° and dividends, the anticipated accomplishment within a reasonable
Of time of the actions to increase the Bank's capital funds, as

;

l'escribed in the resolution of the Bank's Poard of Directors enclosed
Ilfth the said letter from the Bank dated October 9, 1962, constitutes
slifficient cause for termination of this proceeding.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the capital adequacy proceeding
trilrelving the Bank, originally instituted by the Board's Order of
allne 29, 1956, and culminating in the Board's Order to Show Cpuse and
Rearing Thereon of June 28, 1961, and the hearing held on October 29,
162, Pursuant to that Order, is hereby terminated, on the condition
that if within the period of time proposed by the Bank, or by such later
date
as the Board, for good cause shown, may hereafter specify, the Bank
8411 not have furnished the Board with satisfactory evidence that the

4 has
1
/

substantially accomplished the actions described in the resolu-

40„
" of its Board of Directors enclosed with such letter of October 90
1962
then and in that event this Order shall be deemed to be of no
"teet and the Board may then reopen the record of the Show CPuse Hearing
tal,
--e such other action as may be appropriate in the circumstances
4t that time.
Dated at Vashington, D. C., this 30th day of October, 1962.
By order of the Board of Governors.

(Signed) Herritt Sherman

(SAL)

Merritt Sherman,
Secretary.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Item No.

OF THE

10/30/62

5

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
ADDRESS

OFFICIAL

CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

October 31, 1962
CONFIDENTIAL (E2
Mr. Thomas R. Sullivan, Vice President,
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas,
Station K,
Dallas 2, Texas.
Dear Mr. Sullivan:
In accordance with the request contained in your
letter of October 24, 1962, the Board approves the designation
of the following employees as special assistant examiners
for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas for the purpose of
Participating in examinations of State member banks except
those listed opposite their names:
Gerald B. Garrett

•

The First State Bank,
Rockwall, Texas.

J. Lero Griffin

•

Empire State Bank,
Dallas, Texas.

The authorizations heretofore given your Bank to
designate these employees as special assistant examiners are
hereby canceled.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) Elizabeth L. Carmichael
Elizabeth L. Carmichael,
Assistant Secretary.

HOARD OF GOVERNORS

Item No. 6
10/30/62

OF THE

o*.

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON 25. D. C.
ADOREBO OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

405.
•

RESt.

October 31; 1962

Mr. P. W. Cavan, Vice President,
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco,
San Francisco 20) California.
Dear Mr. Cavan:
In accordance with the request contained in
your letter of October 231 19621 the Board approves
the appointment of Stephen L. Eschler as an assistant
examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Please advise the effective date of the appointment.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) Elizabeth L. Carmichael

Elizabeth L. Carmichael,
Assistant Secretary.