The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-06-01
First National
Bank
(BY R. KENNETH EVANs)

The banking Institutions of a community are al
ways the criterion by which business man Judges
the financial conditions of that community and in the
First National Bank Hays has institution to which
it point with pride because Of its record made
during the recent period of adversely which was felt
over the entire United States and which was
weathered by this bank without it being forced to
borrow money from the Federal Reserve system or
make any rediscounts of any kind still be able
to take of its patrons in every way in keeping
with good banking judgment:
The First National Bank was established in
Hays in 1888 and is the oldest bank in the county
From the day its doors were first opened for business
it has made record growth. Never has it been in
embarrassed position and has been able to
weather all financial storms. The development of
Western Kansas has been greatly influenced by this
institution and the who have been responsible
for its steady growth and enviable reputation. In
fact it is institution that be pointed to\wth
pride.
The First National Bank is the only bank in
Hays which is a member of the Federal Reserve sys-
tenn, the governmental system which was organized
for war finance work and which was absolutely re-
spOnsible for the keeping of gold going to premium
and avertng of the worst pancs in the history of
the United States.
The present building was constructed at the
time of the establishment of the bank and stands
of the principle business corners Of the city In
u me SecIIO OIL lie CITY mas DeeH
bullded with this banking house as the center of
operation.
E. M. Speer, president of the institution, has
spent many years of his life in the banking business
in Western Kansas and has personally been factor
in its development. He has been at the head of this
bank for five years and has worked diligently and
hard and with keen business foresight to maintain
for it enviable record throughout it's most critical
period, that of the reorganization following the
greatest war in history. He is thoroughly familiar
with business conditions in Western Kansas and has
many personal interests. Since he has had charge
of the institution he has aways given his support to
every meritOriOus undertaking which had for its pur
pose the development of resources and has operated
the bank from the standpoint of not only making it
but from the standpoint of making it credit and
asset to the city and county wherein it is located.
H. w. Oshant, vice president like Mr. Speer,
has many interests in Western Kansas and takes
vital interest in the aairs of the bank.
Victor Holm cashier is one of the younger
business men of the city and is recognized of
the substantial and conservative bankers of the state
of Kansas. Every item of business entrusted to him
official of the bank is handled with much
care and consideration though it were his indvid-
ual business. Other Directors in addition to those
named above, consist of NJ A. Speer and J. F. Pratt,
capitalist.
The bank building is constructed of pressed
brick with cherry finish inside and the equipment of
the banking house proper is modern and up to date.
The record established by this institution in the rails
ing of its quota of finances is also Of credit to its
standing, every<QuOta being oversubscrlbed due to
the diigency and interest taken by the bank officials
The bank also at this time enjoys line of conserv-
ative customers.
Taken all in all it is institution to which every
resident of the city and county points with pride and
stands among the best and most conservative bank
ing institutions in Western Kansas