The growth of the First National Bank of Berkeley and the Berkeley Bank of Savings and Trust Company, which are practically under the same management, has been a most remarkable one, their combined resources today exceeding eight million dollars. The total accounts in both banks are over seventeen thousand, which averages one account for every three inhabitants in Berkeley. The First National Bank is today one of the largest in Alameda county and is making mighty strides toward overcoming its competitors. It grew out of The Commercial Bank, which in 1892 was converted into the First National Bank and the Berkeley Bank of Savings. The trust department was established in 1906. A. W. Naylor, the present president of both institutions, was the first cashier when the now extensive banking business was started in a small way at a time when the population of Berkeley did not exceed ten thousand. Under his wise and able management both banks have grown to their present proportions and importance. More extended mention of the career of Addison Wood Naylor will be found in another part of this work. It is largely due to him and to his progressive policies that the banks have become what they are today in the commercial and financial life of the city and state, and the policy of the banks has ever been such as to better and improve the conditions of the city. For many years previous to coming to California, Mr. Naylor was engaged in the banking business. In 1873 he started a private bank in New Sharon, Iowa, the cashier of which was Anna M. King, the first woman to become a cashier of a bank in the United States. Three years later Mr. Naylor sold out his interests and in 1878 went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he organized the Capitol City State Bank, of which he served as president for about ten years. Coming to California in 1888, he lived for a few years in San Diego and San Jose, and in 1892 came to Berkeley, organizing what was then The Commercial Bank. He is at present president of the First National Bank of Berkeley and of the Berkeley Bank of Savings and Trust Company, as well as president of the South Berkeley Bank. Frank L. Naylor, his son, is vice president of the two banks first named. For two years he was connected with the Central Bank of Oakland, but in 1895 became associated with his father's institution in Berkeley. He served as cashier for a number of years and in 1910 was elected vice president of both institutions, Frank C. Mortimer then becoming cashier.
The First National Bank of Berkeley and the Berkeley Bank of Savings and Trust Company occupy one of the most handsome structures in the city of Berkeley, unexcelled for its equipment and banking facilities. The First National is devoted to all branches of modern banking, while the Berkeley Bank of Savings and Trust Company transacts the business of a savings bank and also handles trust business, taking safe and confidential care of the securities of its patrons. Situated in one banking room, each department is conveniently accessible to all the others and, directed and managed by the same men, these departments cooperate harmoniously. The bank maintains an information bureau, where are kept on file stock lists, directories and other sources of commercial information. Customers and the general public are welcome to the use of this department. There is also a customers' room, comfortably furnished and provided with all conveniences to transact business. A committee room is ever at the disposition of any of the corporations doing business with the bank. A novel departure is a ladies' reception room, handsomely furnished, where ladies, whether depositors or not, are always welcome in order to rest or write or telephone or prepare checks and deposit slips. The bank library is filled with a variety of financial literature and numerous reference books are kept there on file, while the directors' room is substantially appointed and so arranged as to furnish the greatest convenience. The officers' quarters are easily accessible to all customers of the bank. The loan department is carefully handled, yet the progressive policy of the institution is ever visible in extending the desired help to worthy enterprises based upon strict business principles. There is also a bond and travelers' department as well as an exchange and collection department. A quick system of paying and receiving has been instituted and the handling of private accounts is so directed that it is not necessary to leave bank books but statements are sent from the institution. The savings department is particularly carefully guarded. Interest is paid, semi-annually computed and, as savings accounts in the state are exempt from taxation, a fair return for the money is assured to the depositors. In the trust department the bank acts as executor of wills, trustee of estates, guardian and as confidential fiscal agent. No charge is made for drawing a will where the corporation is appointed executor or co-executor. There are special consultation rooms where interviews may be carried on in privacy if desired, and the advice and counsel of the officers of the bank is ever at the disposal of the clients. The safe deposit department and storage vaults of the institution deserve especial mention, as they are constructed in accordance with the latest ideas. The heavy steel doors, with their intricate mechanism, electrical devices and time locks, form an absolute barrier against successful entrance, except by authorized persons. They are altogether impregnable against destruction by fire or attack by thieves. The storage vaults are largely used for storing of family silverware or other household valuables, curios, paintings and such other things as it is the part of wisdom to store in an absolutely safe place.
The present officers of the First National Bank of Berkeley, California, are: A. W. Naylor, president; F. L. Naylor, vice president; William E. Woolsey, vice president; Frank C. Mortimer, cashier; W. F. Morrish, assistant cashier; G. T. Douglas, assistant cashier; and G. L. Pape, assistant cashier. For the Berkeley Bank of Savings and Trust Company the following officers serve: A. W. Naylor, president; F. L. Naylor, vice president; William E. Woolsey, vice president; W. S. Wood, cashier, cashier and trust officer; J. S. Mills, assistant cashier. The directors of both institutions are men well known for their prominence in the commercial and financial life of the state. They are William H. Crocker, C. M. Gayley, J. W. Havens, James R. Little, W. H. Marston, A. W. Naylor, F. L. Naylor, W. R. Scott and William E. Woolsey. To give a more accurate idea of the extraordinary growth of the two banks, we conclude with a statement of the combined resources of the First National Bank and the Berkeley Bank of Savings and Trust Company, as follows: 1892--$100,000.00; 1895--$500,000.00; 1900--$1,025,000.00; 1905--$3,050,000.00; 1910--$6,050,000.00; 1912--$7,350,000.00, while in 1913 the combined strength of the two banks exceeds eight million. For a number of years the First National Bank of Berkeley has acted as United States, state, city and postal savings depository.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 7/26/2008, Pages 492-495
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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