The Washington times., 1925-02-21
DISTRICT BANK
HAS GROWN
STEADILY
Considered One of Strongest
and Most Popular Banks
in Washington
By RICHARD HATTON

One of the strongest and most
popular banking institutions in the
District of Columbia Is the Dis
trict National Bank, organized in
1909 as the outgrowth OF the ex-
banding business of Harper and
Company, private bankers, organic
ed a year previously and expanded
into a national bank by Colonel
Robert N. Harper, president and
guiding spirit of the present insti-
tuition. Some commercial financial
institutions are merely banks.
others have a distinct personality
The District National Bank is In
the favored latter class for it
cannot be disassociated from its
founder and president, Colonel
Harper. The president OF the DIS
trict National has theoretically con-
tributed to many progressive civic
enterprises and he has brought
to all of these the same executive
genius that has characterized the
financial institution which he
heads. The completion or the
Washington Auditorium is largely
due to the constructive interest OF
Colonel Harper, who Is president OF
the Auditorium company.
$7,5OG, 900 In Deposits.
The District National Bank was
organized with capitalization OF
3400, 100000 and with paid in sur.
plus of $40, 100000. Later the cap
ital was increased to $3.50, 100000
for the purpose of taking over the
Citizens Savings Bank, then oper-
ating in the District Of Columbia.
the District National purchasing
the charter of the Citizens Saw
ings. Today the District National
Bank has a surplus and undivided
profits Of over $500,000 and de-
posts amounting to over $7,500,000
The District National Bank be.
gan business at 1415 G street
northwest. where it operated until
It purchased the property at 141O
G street northwest and erected
thereon its present handsome bank
ing building. The original building
on the present site has been en-
larged by the erection Of an addi-
ton which gives 1t an imposing
frontage and a depth Of ia feet.
The building, besides the banking
quarters contains ten stories de
voted to offices. The banking and
operating space IL as large as any
in the city and complete In all
modern banking details.
In 1924 the District National
Bank purchased the Standard Ne
tionaI Bank, having its main office
on H street with a branch at
Ninth street and New York avenue.
The H street office was closed
after the merger while the branch
at Ninth street and New York
avenue was continued as branch
Of the District National. The Dis
trict National Bank, also, maintains
q branch office at the corner OF
Connecticut avenue and K street
northwest, which it opened in No
vember, 1928.
In 1928 the District National
Bank took advantage OF the Fed
eral reserve act and established a
trust department which is now be-
ing actively and theoretically ex-
panded.
Good Record.
The officers Of the District Ma
tional Bank are justly proud OF
the fact that the capital increase
Of the institution, its surplus and
profits, with the exception Of some
100000. have all been harmed By
the business Of the bank while 1t
has continued to pay an per cent
dividend upon its stock. The sue
cessful business efficiency Of the
management and directorate car
have no stronger testimonial than
this record.
Colonel Robert n. Harper, the
president of the District National
Bank, has organized several other
successful banking institutions.
Previously to entering the private
banking field he organized the
American National Bank and was
its president until 1908. During
his long banking career President
Harper has, also, organized bank
ing institutions. both in and out
Of the District Of Columbia. He
IL a director In the Arlington Trust
Company, Of Roslyn. Va, and Of
the Peoples National Bank. Of
Petersburg. Va
Other than President Harper,
the present officers of the District
National Bank are: Joshua Evans,
jr., executive vice president; W. r.
Lipscomb, vice president; G. j.
Gockeler, vice president; n. L.
Sansbury, vice president: Hilleary
Offutt, vice president and cashier;
William c. LOCKER, assistant cash
Ter: Theodore S. Mason. assistant
cashier; Wharton E. Lester, coun-
eel and trust officer, and B. L.
Cotton, assistant trust officer.
Observation-Disclosures