The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-02-20
RAPID GROWTH
SHOWN by
BANK
Merchants Bank and Trust
Co.'S Deposits Jump From
100000 to $7,5Oo,0oo
By RICHARD HATTON.

The rapid development of financial
institutions in the District OF Co
lumbia within recent years is no.
where more clearly indicated than
in the history of the Merchants
Bank and Trust Company, which
was organized in 1922, succeeding
the Merchants Bank, which came
into existence as a Washington
banking house in 1916. In 1916, the
capital of this institution was $780,
900, with deposits amounting ap-
to 100000. 1t now has
a capital of $1,0O0,000, with de-
posits approximating $7,50O,OO0..
Spacious Quarters.
The original location of this in
stitution was at 1414 F street.
From here expanding business
necessitated a move to 141S @
street, and in 1922 the bank &C.
cupied it's present permanent build.
ing at the corner Of Fifteenth and
H streets. The present quarters of
the Merchants Bank and Trust
Company are considered among the
finest in the city in banking &C
The main banking
room is exceptionally large, high
and we'll lighted, and the dignified
and substantial style of archi-
lecture, while lending an air of
solid strength to the great office,
at the same time, suggests repose
and confidence coupled with a dis
tinct element of friendly service. 1t
is this atmosphere of congenial CO.
operation between the bank and Its
customers which is expressed, also,
in the attitude of the officials
and employees. AS stated today by
Vice President F. P. Hartman, jr.,
much bf the exceptional growth and
of the Nbank is at
tributed by its officials to the
and cooperation con
sistantly carried out between mem
bers of the banks staff and its
depositors.
At the time of the organization of
the trust company in 1922, the bank
acquired the Dupont National
Bank, which has since been OPP
Grated as a branch of the main
office, located in the heart of the
business district. The Merchants
Bank and Trust Company, also,
operates a branch at Twentieth
street and Pennsylvania avenue,
and a suburban branch, known as
the Brookland Branch, at Twelfth
and Newton streets northeast.
The first president Of the Mer'
chants Bank and Trust Company,
Peter A. Drury, still occupies the
position of executive head of the
institution and to the guidance OF
its president and directors, and
their conservatively progressive
policies is due much of the credit
for the present splendid condition
of the institution. 1t is notable
that the tellers in the bank are
all comparatively young men, but
they have all been with the COM
pany for many years and are ex-
ceedingIy popular with the banks
The bank has as de-
positors many of the younger bust.
ness men of the city and these,
together with the young officials,
radiate a spirit Of vital youthful
energy and business aggressiveness
about the banking rooms, which
gives the impression OF vigor in
every department.
Rapid Expansion.
Speaking of the growth OF the
bank today, Vice President Hartman
said that the institution had grown
with the city. 1t had kept pace
with the demands for more and
better banking and trust facilities
and it had been a part in the rapid
expansion of business and COM
mercial life in Washington. He
foresaw a continuation of cor
structive development in and about
the city in which the banks and
trust companies would play an in'
portant part, and he predicted con-
tinued conservative expansion along
financial lines here.
Commercial banking with trust
and real estate departments, with
steadily growing business, com
prise the major activities of this
bank. The bookkeeping department
is located in quarters above the
main floor, while below is large
and modern safe deposit department
constructed on model lines and with
oo1xanioooo for nofrnnS