The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-03-15

Public interest In the structure
has been aroused because or the
novelty, in this section, Of the
arrangement OF the banking offices
and. It is expected that many will
avail themselves OF the opportunity
to inspect the new quarters. The
bank win take over its new offices
business Saturday, March 20.
Besides being one OF the outstand.
ing architectural additions to the
financial district OF the national
capital in recent years the new
building OF the FederaI-American
National Bank is q monument to
the exceptional executive ability
and direction OF Chairman Galliher,
President Poole and the officers
and directors OF the institution
President Poole has earned a high
place In the financial world of
Washington by reason Of his energy
and constructive effort toward inn
provement in banking methods and
practice and his influence In shap-
ing banking policy is felt outside Of
the institution which he has
directed with such conspicuous sue.
cess.
Offices Are Model
When the bank takes over its
handsome structures, there viii be
added to Washington long list of
elegant buildings one of the finest
banking officers in the entire coun-
Try. Unique in equipment and
beautiful architecturally. this build
ing has won the attention OF bank
ers, architects and artists from
neighboring and distant cities.
Many have visited the bank and
have praised it as one OF the out
standing structures of its kind.
During the week the bank will
be open for inspection to the public
Officers, directors and employees Of
the bank will assist visitors IN get.
ting full appreciation of the many
new features embodied in the build
ms. Visitors viii be received daily
after II a. m.
Aside from the fact that the new
Federal Bank is the only
financial institution In Washington
with an elevated banking room.
those who attend the housewarm-
ing viii find many other unique
The interior OF the bank Is fin
ished Id varfegated stone from
Aqua Creek, Va, called George
Washington freestone This stone
is take from the oldest quarries In
the country, which were first oper-
ated % 1856.
Novelty In Banking
Upon entering the banking room,
the visitor viii be struck immedi-
ate1y by the absence of tellers'
cages. wickets and griIlwork, so
generally associated with q bank.
Contrary to the usual type Of con-
strucfion, the new Federal-American
Bank Is distinctly different from
other banks In that It has no cages.
A special type Of counter, originated
by Mr.. Poole and worked out in
detail by Alfred G. Bosom, bank
engineer and architect, have been
installed. This counter is expected
to be a decided Improvement over
the cage system, from the point Of
view OF both the customer and the
bank.
The bank is equipped with two
vaults, q money vault at the rear
OF the main lobby and a safe de-
posit vault below the street level.
The latter has door weighing 80
tons and has a capacity OF 5000
boxes. 1t is said TO be the largest
vault in Washington, excepting
some In the Treasury Building. The
safe deposit department is ap-
preached by elevator and is equip
ped with the most modern types
OF booths
When the new bank opens its
doors Tor business, it will be equip
ped to render its customers spe-
cial service through its night de-
fN..n - Z
who have occasion to deposit funds
after regular banking hours will
be furnished with g key to the
right depository. This device en-
aI1les a depositor to place his days
receipts in safe keeping with the,
bank. The depository leads to the
safe deposit department.
Two rooms of special interest are
the board room and the presidents
private room, both over the main
lobby. These are finished in hand
somely carved Italian walnut, in
keeping with the woodwork design
in the lobby, and are artistic
throughout.
Location Prominent
The bank building occupies a cor
ner that has always been promi-
Capital. Immediately preceding the
erection Of the present building It
was the home of the Federal Ma
tional Bank, organized In 1913 and
consolidated with the American Ma
tionaI Bank November /, 1922. For
years the old building housed vari-
Gus departments OF the telephone
company. Prior to the utilization
OF the corner for commercial pur-
poses, however, it was the site of
school house, and more than a
century ago II was selected as the
location for the White House
stables.
The new bank building is 30 con.
structed, it Is understood, as to
permit of the addition Of six to
eight floors above the banking
room, in the event that the institu-
tion should need additional space.
II such plan eventuates several
: Of the upper floors would be rented
as offices.
With resources totalling in excess
OF SIS, 900, 900 the Federal.American
National Bank is considered one Of
Washington's large banking tnsti-
tuIaons. It has had rapid growth
since the consolidation and the re-
movaI to the new building is ex.
pected to add considerably to its
strength and prestige. Only recent.
" the stockholders Of the bank ap-
proved an increase in the capital
stock from $1,000. 900 to 81, 500, 900,
giving that institution the second
largest lending power of any ma
tional bank In the city.
Officers and directors of the bank
soon will launch a new securities
l.nrnorafion to be conducted to sun.