The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-12-22
FIRST NATIONAL BANK

FIRST NATIONAL BANK
|. The First National Bank of Lafa-
yette is entitled TO the honor of
being theft institution of its kind
organized in the town, and the
wonderful growth and expansion of
the business testifies louder than words
how broad and firm the foundations
were laid by the original promoters OF
the enterprise. Organized in 1891 un-
der tho. style of the ''People's State
Bank" with capital stock OF s25, 900,
mainly through the energy and de-
termination of President N. P. Moss,
the bank rapidly developed the finan-
cial resources of the community and
ID 1895 was converted into the "First
National Bank'' with capital stock
df $50, 900. In 1904 the capital stock
was still further increased and fixed
at 500, 600, and in this same year the
present handsome, substantial modern
bank building was created. The pres
ent capital end surplus is Sl75, 600 and
there is besides this, undivided profits
of nearly $25, 600. The bank under
wise and conservative management
has passed safely through two money
panics without imposing any restric-
tions or inconveniences upon its de-
pOsitOrs and customers.
Organized in the face of great diff
culties at time (l891), wher small
country banks were looked upon with
distrust and disfavor, it was neces-
sary in order to establish it for the
present president of the institution to
personally solicit subscriptions for
stock from the residents of four neigh
boring parishes, besides interesting
New Orleans and Northern capital.
Most of the individual subscriptions
were for only one or two shares of
stock and we're made more in the ma
ture of contribution than an invest
ment, because of the general impress
sion that the venture would prove un-
successful. With the exception of the
first two or three years of struggle to
win its place into the public conf
dence, the record of the institution
has been one of uninterrupted growth
and prosperity, and marked by at
tractive and unfailing dividends for
the stockholders, amounting last year
to IA per cent. The stock of this bank
has changed hands between outsiders,
q number of times in the recent past
Al the pleasing figures of s225. To
those having q more intimate knowl-
edge of its financial operations it is
we'll known that the First National
Bank has been an active and inhuen-
,tjal factor in the business and indus
trial development of Lafayette town
and parish. It has been prominently
identified with every undertaking OF
Importance inaugurated for the good
of the community and has been large
ly instrumental in building up the
business interests and material pros
'perity of this section of country, and
Of the town of Lafayette in particular.
Despite the limitations placed upon
all banks of the country alike by the
late money stringency, and despite the
very depressing conditions of local
nature due to the almost complete
failure of the present cotton crop in
Lafayette parish, the First National
Bank makes the very creditable show
ing at present of s465, 600 in loans and
|discounts, 1880, 600 in deposits, and
over $70O, 600 in total resources.
In considering the resources OF our
local banks at this time. it must be
recognized that the organization OF
banks at Broussard, Carencro and
Youngsville within the past year or
two has very naturally cut of con-
siderable amount OF business from
the banks of the town OF Lafayette,
otherwise . much more favorable
showing would be made.
The personnel of the management OF
the bank has remained practically un-
changed during the seventeen years OF
its exis tence. The officers are: N. p.
Moss. president; ]. G. Parkerson,
vice-president; s. r. Psrkerson,
cashier; F. v. Mouton, assistant
cashier. The Board of Directors is
composed Of the following substantial
and successful businessmen: Felix De.
manade, ]. Arthur Roy. c. D. CAT
ferry, NJ. Billeaud, Jr.. J. G. Parker.
son, John Wilmington and N. p.
Moss.
The First National Bank has one
hundred and ten stockholders at this
time, and the next annual meeting o1
stockholders will be held January u