New-York tribune., 1899-11-17
GROWTH OF THE BANKING SfS1EM
RESULTS OF AN INVESTIGATION MADE BY
CONTROLLER DAWES.

Washington Nov i6-Charles c. Dawes. Con-
Il oller Of the Currency has just made public the
results Of the investigation which he has made INTO
the number of loans and deposit accounts. rates OF
interest and resources of the combined banks OF
the United States in the years 1882 1894 and 1899 In
collecting this data nearly ten thousand reports
from banks have been examined and complied Inc
investigation into number of loans and deposit ac-
counts and average loans and deposits Is the nrs'
ever made covering the United States. either In
reference TO the National system or banks other
than National DE results Of this investigation
indicate magnitude OF banking resources and
rate OF growth in number of deposit accounts whch
IS UNPARALLELED in the financial history of the world
The Controller says that the results for the COM
bned banks are carefully estimated on the basis or
ratios found TO exist in the reporting banks. and
that they may be regarded substantially accu-
rate He is careful to call attention to the fact
that the number of deposit accounts and loans
given in his figures must not be confused with the
number of deposiors and borrowers, since the same
individual may have loans and deposits In several
banks each of which would make a separate report
to the Controller While. therefore the actual num-
Der Of borrowers and depositors is much less than
the number of loans and deposit accounts. the
growth in the latter is evidence OF the general
growth In the number of individual depositors and
borrowers.
The general deductions from the investigation
covering the last ten years are given by the Con-
troller follows:
First-That the number of Individual deposit
ors in the banks Of the United States is con-
stantly increasing. as indicated ty the regular IN
combined banking systems estimated as follows:
July r. 1889. 1908 banks reporting, 60S91; July lS
1894 S50S banks reporting 1898 766; June 80, 1899
9,732 banks reporting. l1,iS2,6 ,636. The estimated
grand total for the year 1899, based on banks re-
porting and statistics as TO non-reporting banks
obtained from tax returns to the Commissioner OF
Internal Revenue, shows lS.l5SSA deposit accounts
second-That there is a demand from borrowers
for the use Of the greater proportion OF the de-
dividua borrowers is increasing the depositors
greatly Outnumber the borrowers. and the Increase
Increase in the number Of deposiIors as indicated
by the rate Of increase in the number of loans
portng 2 IS 5HoMi July Sf M 1884 80! S banks report
ing. 2ssO694; June 30, 1899, 9,7S2 banks reporting
39ll,66i. The estimated grand total for the year
1899 based on banks reporting and statistics as
10 non-reporting banks obtained from tax re-
shows 5,o67252 loans in Z, sOi banks ,-,--. --..-.
Third-That the growth Of the banking system
IS being characterized by a gradually lessenlnG
rate Of interest charged on loans.
Fourth-That gradually essenng rate Of in
Fifth-That. considering the larger clientage Of
National and savings banks, the average deposit
OF the individual or corporation is slowly increas-
Sixth-That the average size OF the loans all
Classes Of banks considered. has not varied much
m the last decade.
seventh-That the growth in the aggregate Of
individual deposits has been as follows: July T.
1889 1903 banks reporting. 1915 A04O2; July ls 1891
s5OS banks reporting 1851 l5,3o2 June SO 1899 1872
banks reporting &C. 65S S6l. The estimated grand
total for the year 1899 based on banks reporting
and statistics as to non-reporting banks obtained
Revenue is N,5l3 s54, ,36l in 12,SOi banks
Eehth.That the growth in aggregate 3 loans has
M julie 5uy g. i @ 0 Sanks Sanks TsPSFns ePPSFns
year 1899 based on banks reporting and statistics
as to non-rePortng banks Obtained from tax re-
ISL 467 $40 in II S4 banks