Mechanics and Metals National Bank

Summary

The Mechanics and Metals National Bank (MMNB) was a bank in New York City, founded in 1810 as the Mechanics National Bank. In 1910, it merged with National Copper Bank and took the Mechanics and Metals National Bank name. After a number of mergers and acquisitions, in 1926 MMNB consolidated with the Chase National Bank.

Mechanics and Metals National Bank of the City of New York
Founded1810 (as Mechanics National Bank)
1910 (as Mechanics and Metals National Bank)
FateConsolidated with Chase National Bank in 1926
Headquarters
Key people
Gates W. McGarrah
(president)

History edit

 
Mechanics and Metals National Bank of the City of New York banking room in 1921, covering an area of approximately 10,500 square feet.[1]

Mechanics National Bank was founded in 1810 in New York City. In 1910, it merged with National Copper Bank (est. 1907 in New York), and took the Mechanics and Metals National Bank name.[citation needed] In 1911, a new and unrelated bank with the name, National Copper Bank, was founded in Salt Lake City.

In May 1914, the directors of the Mechanics and Metals National Bank and the Fourth National Bank of New York agreed to unite. Mechanics and Metals had offered $200 a share for the stock of Fourth National. In March 1914, immediately before the merger, the Mechanics and Metals had net deposits of $58,433,000 and Fourth National had net deposits of $33,408,000. The resultant bank had net deposits of approximately $90,000,000.[2]

After approval from the Controller of the Currency the day before, on June 21, 1920, Mechanics and Metals and the Produce Exchange Union were merged. With branches in Manhattan and a main office at 20 Nassau Street, the new consolidated institution was named Mechanics and Metals National Bank. Combined capital, surplus, and profits of the new bank were approximated at $25,000,000, with deposits exceeding $200,000,000.[3] Stockholders elected directors from both former institutions, including John E. Berwind of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company, William H. Childs of the Barrett Company, Walter C. Hubbard of Hubbard Bros. and Co, Ambrose G. Todd of Reeves and Todd, and Gates W. McGarrah. McGarrah was also named president of the Mechanics and Metals National Bank, after several years as president of the New York Produce Exchange National Bank.[3]

As of March 9, 1921, four national banks in New York City operated branch offices: Catham and Phenix National, the Mechanics and Metals National, the Irving National, and National City Bank.[4]

Between 1922 and 1925, together with several other New York banks, the Mechanics and Metals National Bank held a small ownership position in the Bank of Central and South America.[citation needed]

In 1926, MMNB consolidated with the Chase National Bank.[citation needed] Late that year, the Chase made plans to raze the MMNB main branch building at 20 Nassau Street in order to build a new headquarters for Chase.[5] By March, 1927, the building had been torn down, but its safe proved very difficult to demolish.[6] The blueprints were finalized in June 1927.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ L. P. Frink, Inc (1921). L.P. Frink reflectors designer and manufacturer of scientific and artistic lighting specialties ... L. P. Frink, Inc. Retrieved 16 January 2020. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "$58,000,000 MOVED WITH SMALL GUARD; Fourth National Bank's Cash and Securities Taken Over by Mechanics & Metals" (PDF). The New York Times. 17 May 1914. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Bank Merger is Approved; Mechanics and Metals and Produce Exchange Union Effective Today". The New York Times. New York City. June 21, 1920. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  4. ^ Staff (March 9, 1921). "National City Bank Buys a State Bank". The New York Times. p. 24. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "Chase Bank to Build". The Los Angeles Times. 1926-12-10. p. 13. Retrieved 2019-12-30 – via Newspapers.com  .
  6. ^ "Old Vault Defines Wreckers, Delays Building Construction". Hartford Courant. 1927-03-20. p. 16. Retrieved 2019-12-30 – via Newspapers.com  .
  7. ^ "Egyptian Motives Are Used in Huge Bank Building". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 1927-06-26. p. 34. Retrieved 2019-12-30.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Mechanics and Metals National Bank at Wikimedia Commons