New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
BANKS SHOW PROSPERITY.
BUSINESS ACTIVITY REFLECTED IN
THEIR CONDITION-CONTROL
RIDGELY'S STATEMENT.

Washington. Jan. 21-William B. Ridgely
the Controller of the Currency, has made the
following statement in regard to the condition
of national banks shown by the latest re-
ports:
The summary of the reports of condition of
the national banks at the close of business De-
cember 10. 1901, shows the business OF the banks
to be in a highly satisfactory condition and
sets a new high record in aggregate resources
Individual deposits, capital and surplus. At the
time OF the last report, September 80, 1901.
these items had reached the highest point ever
known. but the reports of December 10 show
a still further rise. The aggregate resources
show an increase of S21. .3S3, ,341 since September
30, 1901. and S5S0.G4O,942 since December 13
of S5.122, $50. $50. The individual deposits in
creased S36.664. 49, since the last report, and
S940. 42ei43 during the last year, the total now
being $2.964, All $50. Capital stock increased
since September 80, 1901, by S9,99S. 1874. and for
the year by 2,9S7, 80: The surplus and undi-
tember 30, 1901, and S45,002.01S since December
l3. 1900 The total capital surplus and undi
yided profits on December 10. 1901 was S1.11i.
The loans and discounts show an increase
since September 80, 1901, of SS1 .349.OI1, and
since December 13. 1900, of 31,I20,S03. The
bills payable and rediscounts show reduction
since the last report of $6.541 .554 and an in
crease for the year of S6,-64.S15. Stock and
securities increased since the last report by
S2,966, ,O23, and for the year by SIS, 100 939
There is a decrease shown of 81 029 312 in the
amount Of specie hand since the last re-
d
year of $99S0,214. The circulation also shows
a decrease since the last report of S4.426.2So.
but an increase for the year of S2O,0O9, ,992.
The item of real estate, other than banking
house; which has steadily decreased since De-
cember l, 1898, shows further small decrease.
This item reached its maximum on December l,
1898. of S}O, ,965. ass. This was due to the real
estate which the banks had acquired during
the times of depression. One OF the first effects
Of the business revival to enable the banks
to sell this property, and this item in the re-
ports has shown a decrease at each report, until
it is reduced to So. .962,6T
The average reserve held by all the banks is
26.T1 per cent. LII per cent more than the
legal requirements of a reserve city. The ratio
of total deposits to capital stock is 631z TO capt.
tai and surplus. A. AS long as the reserve is
ample there is cause for any uneasness in
the increase of deposits based on increase of
loans. 1t rather indicates an active prosperous
condition of business and that the banks are
fulfilling their proper duties in furnishing cred
it's upon which to do the very large business
being done in all lines This is what shows
the difference between good and bad times
During the last year the banks have shown
their strength on several trying occasions On
May there occurred OF the most violent
and sudden stock panics in the history of the
New-York Stock Exchange, without making
any trouble with the national banks. When
the President was killed. in September last,
the banks met the emergency splendidly and
without any sign of weakness anywhere.
Among bankers and business men from every
part of the United States the report is unani-
nous that business is in splendid condition and
their customers are prosperous and making
money The iron and steel and coal trades
never were better. and the amount OF the rall-
road business is only limited by the cars and
locomotives required to handle II.