The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-10-26
EARLY SAVINGS BANKS
First Modern One Was Opened
In Scotland In 1910.
STARTED BY HENRY DUNCAN.

He Was a Presbyterian Clergyman and
Was Friend of Thomas Carlyle and
of the Celebrated DR.. ChaInefs--The
Rapid Spread of the System.
The first savings bank to accept de-
posits in small amounts and to pay
cumulative interest was opened IN SCOT
land in May, 1910. Several institutions
for savings existed in foreign countries
prior to 1910, but there was nothing IN
any respect like the modern savings
bank. England. for example, early
witnessed the appearance of numerous
small charitable associations and 1nsu-
tutions which undertook to invest the
savings of their members.
The first modern savings bank. how
ever, was originated by Henry Dun
can. a Presbyterian clergyman OF
Dumfries, Scotland. friend OF Thom-
as Carlyle and of the celebrated Ut.
Chalmers, who throughout his active
life was interested in various schemes
of practical benevolence. In 1910, aft
err he had already set forth his views
on the subject in the Dumfries Courier
he established the Ruthwell Savings
bank. His purpose. as expressed III Il
memoir published by his son In 1888.
was to induce the mass Of people OF
his time to realize the value of the lit
tie savings which by economy could be
put away.
The Dumfries community Of lowland
Scotch was a good one in which to
start such a scheme During the first
year savings to the amount of fl5o
were deposited in the Ruthwell SAY
ings bank and in the next two years
Fiji and f241, respectively. By 1914
the deposits amounted to 1922.
AS the success Of Mr.. Duncan's
scheme became known similar institu-
tons were organized elsewhere IN
Scotland and England. One of the
earliest was the Edinburgh Savings
bank, still thriving institution.
The Ruthwell bank had some pc
cuiarities which distinguished it from
the institutions that were developed
later. There was an annuity fund. for
instance. Most remarkable of all be
fore anybody's first deposit was re-
ceived inquiries had to be made as to
his age, family affairs and previous
moral conduct According to what
was discovered the management decid-
ed. first, whether his deposit should be
accepted and, second. what rate of
interest should be allowed him.
The Ruthwell banks funds were
placed with the British Linen company.
which allowed per cent interest on
them. Most of the depositors received
4 per cent, but to those of three years
standing whose deposits amounted to
Is or more 5 per cent was allowed,
provided the depositor wanted to get
married or that he was ffty-six years
old or that in other respects 1t would
be especially advantageous for him to
receive more interest. The first saw
ings bank was under no obligation to
allow depositors to withdraw funds
when they wanted. There was pro-
vision that when the depositor shall
have become incapable of maintaining
himself from sickness or otherwise a
weekly allowance may be made to him
at the option of the court Of directors
out of the money he has deposited"
The Edinburgh Savings bank was
much simpler in It's organization than
the Ruthwell and more closely resem-
bled the savings banks of the present
day. Each depositor received the same
rate of interest. There was no pre-
liminary investigation of his charac-
ter. and he could withdraw his de-
posits at pleasure The rate of inter.
est was uniformly per cent.
Widespread interest was aroused in
the early experiments in Great Britain.
Farseeing people realized that the new
institutions were destined to add large
ly to general prosperity and happiness.
| This opinion was eloquently voiced by
the great Scotch critic Francis jeffrey.
/ who writing in the Edinburgh Review.
said: 1T would be difficult, we fear,
to convince either the people or their
rulers that the spread of savings
banks is of far more importance and
| far more likely to increase the happi-
ness and even the greatness of the ma
| ton than the most brilliant success OF
| its arms or the most stupendous I'M
provement of its trade and its agricul-
ture And yet we are persuaded that
| it is Sc"
Laws safeguarding savings banks
| were passed as these institutions began
to show vitality and clearly needed
regulation. Trustees and managers
were early prohibited from making any
| profit in connection with these banks.
| The English savings bank movement
rapidly spread throughout the con
| tinent, France, Germany, Denmark ano
| Italy successfully taking up the idea
| Everyw here with notifications proper
to the nationality it has proved sue
| cessful.
| The first American savings bank was
| opened in Philadelphia in 1916 and
was called the Philadelphia Saving
Fund society. The same year one was
established in Boston. New York fol
lowing in 1919. and in 1920 there were
ten in the country, having $685. de-
positors and 81, 1850 in deposits
| Boston Globe.