Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-21
STARTING BANK ACCOUNTS
New Year Resolutions ana Cash
Chfistnas Gifts the Cause-Inter.
estt.g Talk Of . Cashier.

1t would be interesting in these DAYS of
statistical research If some conscientious
searcher would give his attention to ascer-
tanning how many bank accounts are start
ed at and about the holiday season 1t
would need excellent speculative qualities,
OF course, to take such a genesis and de-
termine how many such accounts would
become foundations upon which substantial
financial structures were to arise; but where
so many underpinnings are put in it is but
natural to suppose that time will see solid
edifices grow above them. Every cashier
and receiving teller Of savings banks in all
parts Of the country and particularly in
populous cities like Washington will tell the
same story about the opening of new ac-
counts at this time Of the year.
There are probably several causes for
this condition" said the cashier of prom
fnent savings bank to Star reporter when
the latter Intercepted him on the subject,
and one of them is the tendency of so
many people to turn over a new leaf on
the new year. Persons who have been
careless and shiftless in their money af-
fairs and expended every cent as it came
In make UP their minds to preserve greater
economy and lay aside something for the
rainy day every one expects will come. and
they start bank accounts. 1t needs only a
small sum to begin an account in an in
stitution like ours, and, Of course, deposits
may be made thereafter in any amount
from a Few cents up. Such new year ao-
counts, however, are seldom on the books
when another January 1 comes around.
For while after their beginning the par
ties starting them show great earnestness
and interes; in making them grow. but
along about June they begin to draw our
heavily. Either the approaching summer
trip during vacation an itch to return
TO the old habit of spending makes them
take their savings out of bank OF course
vxyiSo OF
the first OF the year, and, as their accounts
grow, exercise additional efforts to further
increase them.
The new-resolution depositor is, as 1
have shown, numerous at this time" con-
tinued the narrator, but there is another
and more numerous one that seldom fails
to stick when once the accounts are COM
menced. 1t is really remarkable the num-
Der of new accounts that are started in
savings hanks by reason of the custom so
many persons have Of giving Christmas
presents in cash. Such gifts are usually
given in brard-new money, either bills or
gold pieces, and quite frequently the latter.
There seems to be a widespread disinclina-
ton on the part of persons not accustomed
to having or handling gold to spending a
newly-minted piece. They hate to break
the pretty thing. In many instances the
same Discrimination is felt over a orand-new
bill. 1t Is lot considered by the proud re-
cfpients of such presents either wise or
judcious to keep such valuables around
them; so, If they have not bank accounts
already, they open such with their new
money. Indeed, a very large portion OF the
new money, gold and grsen5acks, given as
Christmas gifts, finds its way to savings
and other banks in the shape of deposits.
Domestic servants are among the class who
receive cash Christmas gifts and you would
be surprised at the thriftiness displayed by
these employees in Washington shown in
the business they do with savings banks.
We have scores of depositors who are
cooks nurses, housemaids and engaged In
similar avocations, who bring, apparently,
the greater portion of their wages down
every month and add it to their savings
already in bank. Many of their accounts
will show on examination that they were
commenced at the holiday season. and If
any record was kept. I'm sure it would be
found that the first deposits were new bills
or new gold pieces"