Evening star., 1934-10-21
Banks of Association Hold
About 80 Per Cent of
Total Resources.
CLOSE WATCH Is KEPT
OVER NATIONAL POLICIES
Group Formed in 1875, When II
Executives Issued Call for
General Convention.

During the coming week Washing
ton will be entertaining some of the
most distinguished bankers in the
United States. members of the Ameri-
can Bankers Association which is
made up of nearly $4,000 large and
small banks of all classes and repre-
senting an estimated 80 per cent of all
the banking resources of the country
The association was founded in New
York in 1875 when II flnanciers issued
was held the same year.
According to association officers now
in Washington, the aims of the Or
ganization are to promote the general
welfare and usefulness of all banks,
discuss and act on matters of i'm
portance to banking and commerce,
and right now to consider. measures
and policies which may help step up
national recovery. The association
always keeps a close watch on both
national and State financial legisla-
ton with view to offer constructive
suggestions Advancement of sound
banking policies is perhaps its most
important aim.
Several Important Sections.
The National Bank Division is one
of these. dealing intensively with the
problems of commercial and other
banking activities of this class of
bank. The association maintains q
branch Office in Washington, under
this division, which renders services
not only to national. but to all men,
Der banks in their contacts or prob
lens involving Federal Government
departments or actions.
The Savings Division acts as a ma
tional center of experience and infor-
nation in respect to all phases of
banking having to do with savings for
banks of all kinds. such as methods
for obtaining new and stimulating old
accounts, promoting general thrift,
school savings banking, industrial
savings banking, home savings and
thrift clubs.
The State Bank Division is the ma
tional organization of State chartered
banks in every State, having some
5000 members. The majority are in
rural communities frequently remote
and this affiliation enables them
better to keep in touch with banking
progress. One of its main activities is
promotion of regional clearing houses
and credit bureaus Another Is the
advancement of methods in State
bank supervision.
Other Services Rendered.
The Trust Division handles ques-
tions arising from the relations of
trust companies and trust depart
r1ents in banks with the public in
many close and important fiduciary
capacities. The subjects of fees, COM
munity trusts, insurance trusts, CO.
operation with the bar, trust company
advertising and many other matters
are comprised in the divisions activi-
ties.
The American Institute of Banking
section is the educational arm OF
the general association with a class
and study group enrolment of 40
900 students from banks in all parts
of the country. 1t has over 200
chapters, or local banking schools, in
towns and cities throughout the coun-
try.
The Bank Management Commits
sion devoteS its time to expert studies
and research in the chronological
problems of scientific bank manage
ment. with special reference to the
sound and profitable employment OF
assets and the control of operating
costs and the improvement of earn
ings, and disseminates this informa-
ton among the members. In addition
the association supports number OF
other specialized activities, officials
explained yesterday.