San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-25

The general belief that San Antonio
because Of her metropolitan popula-
ton is city of "spendthrifts," that
amusements, extravaganza in dress and
expenditures for the unimportant
things of life absorb the major por-
ton Of their incomes, Is fefuted by
the fact that during the year 1922,
savings accounts in the various San
Antonio banks increased almost a half
million dollars. And savings ac-
counts, bankers say, are n generally
accepted barometer Of prosperity. by
all indications, therefore, San An
tonio's population has passed through
the postwar ordeal, financially, and
is we'll on the road TO affluence.
One reason, however, given for the
enormous increase in savings accounts,
is thA fact that during the war and for
moderate means had their money in
vested in government securities. Many
of these have been converted into cash
and the money placed on deposit in
savings accounts at A per cent interest.
Again, according to one banker, the
increase in thriftiness among San An
tonians and people throughout the
country. can be traced directly to the
World War. II was the campaign OF
saving inaugurated during the war,
and the campaign in induce people
to invest their money in government
certificates which really started the
saving movement. People, having nc
0uircd it during the war, are keeping
il up.
Figures obtained from five San An
tonic banks which carry savings nc
counts show that the net increase for
the year 1922 was $3.50, 41S.73. De
posits OF, hand in December 81, 1921
amounted to 50. 443, G69. 20 whereas de-
posits on hand in savings accounts on
December 81. 1922 amounted to 3d.
932. OS7.93 Since January l, how
ever, bankers say, there has been
another enormous increase and a COM
parison of up-tO-date figures prob
ably would show a much greater in
crease.
Postal Savings Fall Off.
In spite of the large increase in
savings accounts, however, figures OBJ
tanned at the San Antonio pOstoffice
show that postoffice savings for the
same period showed n decrease. On
December 81. 1921 they amounted to
$3.50 654 while on December 81, w.
thpy were only S130,74S, Il decrease oil
SS9O6. This decrease. according 10
postoffice authorities, is shown all
over the country.
In addition to the deposits in saw
ings accounts in the five San An
tonic banks checked, there are Two
other institutions which recently
started savings accounts, and one IN
stitutiop rot reporting. Fig res from
these three would swell the total still
greater. :,
Probably the greatest pro rata in
crease shown by any bank in the cit,
Is that of the Texas State Bank and
Trnst Comnany. This bank, on De
cembcr 81. 1921. had on deposit $lO2-
7S6 81 while on December II, W.
II had deposits in its savings accounts
If S266, 436.1 or an increase of S0l-
G4a.3O. On February 81, however. us
total deposits had increased to SZoo'-
1880.
The institution carrying the largest
savings account, however, is the San
Antonio Loan and Trust Company.
which Ind. on December 81. 1922. de-
nosits of S4,16S.000 as compared win
depositS year previous of S3.9'S'-
600. This represents an increase for
The year of $4,000. This bank had
the largest actual increase.
Who Saves Money.
Next in point of pro rata increase
IL the Commercial National Bank
which had on deposit on December
81. 1921. S136,397 as against STD
015 % on December 81, 1922. This
represents an increase OF S30,51s.2S
The National Bank Of Commerce
showed deposits on hand December 81