Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1919-01-31
Big Hatties'lburg
Banking House Is
Born Again.
First NationalBank Completes
20 Years of Life Under Its
First Charter.
lis ReChartered By
U. S. Government
History of the Institution
Dates Back to 1895, When
1t Began Business AS The
Bank of Commerce.

eminent National banks are char
tered Tor only twenty wears. Today
its charter was renewed for another
twenty years by the Comptroller of
the Currency. and its wheels will
continue to turn in the machinery of
business, looking as ever to the best
interest of South Mississippi. 1t
has been born again, coming out of
the womb of time with renewed en-
ergy, inspiration and ambition, with
the wisdom of experience and snow-
edge of long observation.
Bat the be nix is older than twenty
years. 1t commenced business ia
1895. as the Bank of Commerce, a
state institution, with capital stock
Of $25, 900. Since its reorganization
quarter of century has passed.
1t has seen Hattiesburg grow from a
small town to city, the railroads
and towns of South Mississippi grow
from few to many 1t has witnessed
and aided the development of every
important industry within many
miles of Hattiesburg, and often it's
reach has extended even into other
states. The late Captain of Indus
try. Captain t. ]. Jones, is quoted
as having said it had contributed
more to the development OF South
Mississippi than any other influence
except the railroads.
MADE NATIONAL BANK.
January rs, 1897, the Bank of Com
merce was converted into National
Bank, and chose the name National
Bank of Commerce. 1t then had
a capital stock aud undivided profits
of $65. 0000J deposits 1856, 800 SO,
and total resources of $249, 412 "a
Now it's capital stock and undivided
profits are 1926, 673 GA; deposits
"A, 445, 1871 and total resources.
| 50, 1872, 614,48. The life and charac-
ter OF Hattiesburg and this section
of Mississippi are told in these re-
suits. A people are judged by the
monuments they build, and while
marble shafts bespeak their beauti-
full eulogies, vet no expression com
mends them more than the pyramids
they build of trust, confidence, cohe-
sion, love and loyalty to one another
A community is blessed when 1t pos
sesses business leaders who, by their
foresight, fairness, kindness and de
votion to the causes OF people max g
cooperation easy. thus making out
let for energy the latent resources
of character and material, thereby
oiling the ways to industry and pro-
gress.
This bank has solidIy withstood
financial panics, periods of imitation
and defiation. and while ever keeping
the interests OF its friends and com
munty to the fore, never failed to
point out the signs OF the times, and
the fundamentals that must contro
the destinies of people.
| TWO BANKS MERGED.
In 1908. the National Bank Of
Commerce and the First National
Bank were merged under the charter
OF the National Bank of Commerce
but changing the name 10 First
National Bank of Commerce, tC
signify the union of interests. The
combined deposits we're 81, 1873, 9O4 81
The results since achieved testify The
wisdom of the course and the harmo
my of the organization; All of th,
directors OF both banks became d
rectors of the institution. while til,
officers of the National Bank of Com
merce continued the active heads 0
the bank.
January 1918. feeling that First
National Bank of Commerce" was
Hong name, for the convenience 0
Itself and customers, the name wa
changed to the shorter name, "Firs
National Bank which it now bears
PERSONNEL OF OFFICERS.
The officers and directors of tn
bank are painstaking, thoughtful
progressive men. They have beef
foremost in the civic ADD social lif
Of the community. and have len
themselves freely to the public needs