El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-25
Banks Explain Why Customers Must
Paw When Accounts Are Very Small

In making this calculation. Wnere
the banks did not pay dividends. but
passed a certain amount to the credit
OF their surplus account. the amount
cedited to surplus was taken into ac-
count as II il had been paid out in
dividends. so that the actual dividend
paid was somewhat less than the
above named figure OF 81 percent
Carried War Burden.
The low earnings OF the banks. OF
the fact that they carried more than
their share Of the burden OF the gov
ernment's war financing. investing
their funds in Liberty bonds and
United States treasury cerriticates OF
Indebtedness bearing 4 and fraction
percent, whereas they are paying out
at the same time on certificates OF
deposit and savings accounts per
cent.
The banks OF the city control the
funds which constitute the commercial
life blood Of the community They are
the greatest single factor in the de-
velopment and upbuilding Of the COM
munity's industrial and commercial
life The above figures. which are
based on sworn statements ana are
accurate. indicate that In proportion
TO the ability represented in the direc-
ton OF the business, the amount OF
work done and responsibility incurred,
and the liability for unavoidable
losses, the actual return on the capital
invested in the banks Of FL Paso is
undoubtedly much smaller than that
invested IN most other lines Of bust
Aids DepOsItors.
Customers OF the banks whose ac-
counts are subjected TO the very small
charge fnaugurated would do well TO
consider these facts before charging
the bankers with asking anything IN
fair or unreasonable
The depOsitOr who carries an &C
count with a minimum balance Of IN
der $50 may be disposed to resent the
service charge. They would do well.
however. TO take into account the
service rendered
The banks records and monthly
statements make a very excellent
bookkeeping record for the small de-
positor who does not carry an ac-
curate set Of books for his or her own
account. For this depositOr, the bank
furnishes stationery. check books,
postage involved in correspondence,
expert bookkeeping ability, safe de-
pository for funds. an accurate record
Of receipts and disbursements and
receipt for AL bills paid as the can
celed check OF g customer is the best
possible receipt for paid bills Many
a law suit has been decided on the
evidence Of a Cancelled check All this
costs the customer. on the basis Of 50
cents monthly service charge, the
nominal sum OF IS a year Where else
can one obtain as much service for as
small an outlay2
EstabIishes q Credit.
IN addition TO these considerations.
the depOsitor by maintaining bank
ing connection. even though the &C
count be small establishes a credit
which, in a general way. is common
surate with the account carried The
man OF woman who carries a balance
Of $50. OF even under, may find II
very desirable thing, In case OF an
emergency, TO be able to go to the
bank and ask for a small accommoda-
ton, which, as q deposition, they have
a right 10 claim, assuming that they
can comply with the banks rules as to
security.
Again. the depositor. whether large
or small, IS always welcome to the