Fort Mandan State Historic Site is temporarily closed for maintenance until further notice.
Title: North Dakota Bankers' Association Records
Dates: 1903-1984
Collection Number: 10442
Quantity: 9 feet
Abstract: Consists of committee minutes, correspondence, constitution, subject files, committee files, memoranda, reports, notes, agreements, bulletins, programs, legal opinions, treasurer’s annual reports, North Dakota Bankers Association Women’s Bank Officers Committee Minutes, and printed material. Records document administration of the Association and provide information concerning the Association’s activities and interests in the banking industry, taxation, legislation, public relations, and education of banking professionals. The collection also includes an oversized panorama of the 1913 annual meeting in Grand Forks (N.D.).
Provenance: The North Dakota Bankers' Association Records were acquired from Keith Magnusson of the Association on November 21, 1984. Gregory S. Camp prepared the inventory to the North Dakota Bankers' Association Records in May, 1985. A panorama of members at the annual meeting in Grand Forks (N.D.) was donated to the SHSND by the NDSU Institute for Regional Studies on June 2, 1987, and added to the collection on May 2, 2016.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17 U.S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnotes.
Transfer: Newsletters of the North Dakota Bankers' Association which date from the late 1940s up into the late 1970s, were transferred to the library.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Banking in what is today North Dakota was said to have begun in July of 1873 in Bismarck. Run by one S. W. Raymond, the Bank of Bismarck carried on business as the only bank in a two hundred mile radius until 1878 when the Merchant's Bank opened. One year later the First National Bank opened its doors in Bismarck as well. The vicissitudes of the banking industry, particularly in the shaky financial climate of the last quarter of the 19th century, proved a problem not only in large banks to the east, but in Dakota Territory, and later, North Dakota.
The decade of the 1870s and 1880s were marked by periods of upheavals in industry, agriculture, transportation, and banking. Schemes to corner the gold market, the "crime of '73", the Greenback Party, and the growing discontent of farmers put considerable pressure on financial institutions to reform their practices of virtual unrestricted setting of interest rates, and occasional bankruptcies which occurred. Those banks which had sought to perform its business dealings with some semblance of fairness and responsibility, found themselves lumped in with banks which made questionable loans at exorbitant interest rates. Indeed, by the 1890s, the Granger movement had declined and given place to the new Populists, a party whose aim and platform included modification of monetary policy (silver coinage on par with gold), control of interest rates, and limiting freight charges. Recognizing these financial problems, North Dakota bankers gathered after the turn of the century to address them.
On August 27 and 28, 1903, the first annual convention of the North Dakota Bankers' association met in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In the address of welcome by Tracey Bangs, the concept of "safe" banking was pushed. After listing a number of banks which had collapsed in which he had money or interest, Bangs pleaded for guidelines and to a limited degree, self-regulation of the industry by the bankers themselves. Stressing that the banks were to serve the community in which the individual bankers lived, a sort of "extended localism" was called for. In such a situation an atmosphere of trust would be created which would foster the trust of the people in the soundness of their local bank.
Membership in this group, entitled "North Dakota Bankers' Association" by Article 1, section 1 of the Constitution of the organization, was open to "any national bank, state bank, savings bank, or trust company...upon payment of such annual dues as shall be provided by the by-laws..." The response for membership was encouraging to the organizers, and by the 1930s the Association grew to represent most of the financial institutions in the state.
Since the dark days of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Association has involved itself with an increasing number of issues, many of them political. Like any other business organization, the NBA has had to change with the times. Thus, when government began taking a more active role in the economy and financial concerns of the state and nation, the Association was forced to address itself accordingly.
The North Dakota Bankers' Association continues to address problems and policies of state and federal government on behalf of its members. As it has grown and developed over the years, the Association has grown in sophistication as well. Now in the latter part of the 20th century, the North Dakota Bankers' Association looks back to the past at its accomplishments, as well as to the future with its plans.
Sources: Information taken from Samuel Torgerson, "Early Banking in North Dakota"
North Dakota Historical Quarterly, vol. 13, no. 3, April 1923
First Annual Convention, North Dakota Bankers' Association, 1903
Eighth Annual Convention, North Dakota Bankers' Association, 1910
North Dakota Bankers' Association Records
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The North Dakota Bankers' Association Records are divided into seven records series. The division is as follows; Committee minutes, 1925-1974; Constitution by-laws, Audit Reports, Annual Reports files, 1921-1960; Depression and War Year Files, 1930-1947; Taxation and the North Dakota Bankers' Association Files, 1958-1964; Wisconsin School of Banking Files, 1945-1967; Subject Files, 1954-1979; Published materials of the NDBA, 1903-1984; the North Dakota Bankers' Association Records occupy six feet and dates from 1903 to 1984.
The Committee Minutes, 1925-1974, which make up Series I, consists of the various NDBA committee meeting minutes. The committees are: Executive Council, Installment Loan, Bank Management, Agriculture, Legislative Sub-commit-tee, Insurance, Public Relations and Education, Women Bank Officers, Trust Division, 34th Annual Convention, and the 35th Annual Convention. Some of the issues addressed in the minutes are how best to calm public fears over bank closings, interest rates, and taxes, both public and private. The array of different committees attests to the NDBA interest in all areas of the profession in North Dakota. This particular series is helpful in presenting the researcher with a somewhat detailed picture of the many functions of the Association; on the other hand, the size and scope (approximately .75 feet) limit the amount of information presented to selective time periods. Series I covers the years between 1925 and 1974.
Series II, which deals with the NDBA Constitution by-laws, audit reports, and annual reports between the years 1921 and 1960, occupies one-third of a foot. This series documents the founding principles of the organization, as well as the financial and policy decisions of the NDBA during the years concerned. Examinations of the organization's make-up, analysis of the financial strength of North Dakota banks, and Annual Reports of the Treasurer, Commit-tees and so on, are included as well. Due to the limited size of this series, like Series I, the background of the NDBA in terms of financial and policy making decisions is relatively vague.
Series III, Depression and War Year Files, 1930-1947, details in one-quarter foot, the NDBA concerns with the following file topics: Runs on Banks, Bank "Holidays", Social Security and Unemployment Compensation, Unionization of the Banks, and Public Relations. As can be imagined, a series of this size gives a limited amount of information on the problems of bankers in North Dakota during the economically depressed 1930s, as well as the problems and challenges offered by war and post-war eras. Changes can be seen in policy over the years covered by this series (1930-1949), as well as a shift in emphasis with the end of the Depression and the onslaught of war. Most of the material herein contained is memos, correspondence, and reports.
Series IV, Taxation and the NDBA, 1958-1964, deals with taxation issues in both the state and federal governments and its effects on banking in North Dakota. The file topics in the series are as follows: NDBA Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, Tax Research Reports, Tax Planning Correspondence, and Tax Coordinator Reports. All of these files are made up of correspondence, memos, policy statements, and audit sheets. The time span herein covered ranges between 1923 and 1964. The salient feature of this series is its size - about one foot - which is testimony to the importance of the tax issue to the North Dakota Bankers' Association.
Series V, Wisconsin School of Banking Files, 1945-1967, deals with this particular school at the University of Wisconsin. Most of the folders of this series contain correspondence pertaining to the school and prospective bankers from North Dakota who were in attendance. In addition to the correspondence with the Banking School, files with articles of incorporation of the school, minutes of the school trustee board, and final exams can be found. Series V covers the time period between 1947 and 1968 and occupies just over one quarter of a foot.
Series VI, the North Dakota Bankers' Association Subject Files, 1954-1979, is the largest series in this collection, occupying two and three-quarters feet. The topics covered in the files are as follows: NDBA Savings and Loan, Saving Bond Committee, Governor's Advisory Committee, Legal Services and Miscellaneous Legal and Legislation Material, Correspondence, Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters, 4-H Leader Awards, Uniform Commercial Code, Uniform Rate Charge Issue, and College Funds. Virtually all of the files contain memos, correspondence, and reports for the particular subject and time period covered. Perhaps more than any other series in the collection, Series VI documents the many issues and organizations in which the North Dakota Bankers' Association had an interest. To be sure, some topics are covered more comprehensively than others, but all are reflective of the NDBA's concerns.
Series VII, Published materials of the NDBA, 1903-1984, occupies approximately one-half foot and contains miscellaneous publications of the North Dakota Bankers' Association. These publications are mostly pamphlets and other short writings, the thrust of which is largely public relations oriented. This series contains some early NDBA publications from as early as 1903, as well as miscellaneous pamphlets from the Association from this and other states. The writings herein contained document, in a small way, the NDBA public and professional voice to the general public and other outside banking associations respectively.
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Series I: Minutes of the NDBA Committees, 1925-1974
Box 1:
1 Minutes, Executive Council, 1925-1926
2 Minutes, Executive Council, 1927-1928
3 Minutes, Executive Council, 1928-1930
4 Minutes, Executive Council, 1931-1947
5 Minutes, Executive Council, Summary 1958-1974
6 Minutes, Installment Loan Committee, 1967-1968
7 Minutes, Installment Loan Committee, 1969-1971
8 Minutes, Installment Loan Committee, 1971-1974
9 Minutes, Bank Management Committee Meeting, 1963-1974
10 Minutes, Agricultural Committee Meeting, 1960-1974
11 Minutes, Legislative Subcommittee and Committee, 1964-1974
12 Minutes, Insurance Committee Meeting, 1964-1971
13 Minutes, Public Relations and Education Committee Meeting, 1961-1974
14 Minutes, Women Bank Officers, 1972-1973
15 Minutes, Trust Division, 1967-1974
16 Minutes, 34th Annual Convention, 1936
17 Minutes, 35th Annual Convention, 1937
Series II: Constitution and By-Laws, Audit Reports, Annual Reports, 1921-1960.
18 Constitution and By-Laws, n.d.
19 Cash Audit, 1921-1922
20 Audit Report, 1922-1923
21 Audit Report, 1929
22 Examination of NDBA, 1929-1930
23 Bank Analysis, North Dakota Banks, 1930
24 Annual Reports of the Treasurer, Committees, etc., 1935-1960
Series III: Bank Concerns of the NDBA during the Depression and War Years, 1930-1947
25 Run on Banks, 1930-1933
26 Bank "Holidays", NDBA Policy, 1932-1934
27 NDBA, Social Security, and Unemployment Compensation, 1937-1942
28 Unionization of the Banks, 1946-1947
29 Public Relations, 1946-1949
Series IV: Taxation and the NDBA, 1958-1964
30 Taxation and the NDBA, 1923-1938
31 Taxation and North Dakota Bank Income, 1939-1941
32 Questionnaire on Taxes, 1941
33 Questionnaire on Taxes, 1941
Box 2:
1 North Dakota Bankers' Association Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, 1940
2 North Dakota Bankers' Association Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, 1940
3 North Dakota Bankers' Association Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, 1939
4 North Dakota Bankers' Association Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, 1939
5 North Dakota Bankers' Association Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, 1939
6 North Dakota Bankers' Association Individual Bank Tax Information for Tax Commission, 1939
7 Tax Research Report, 1961
8 Tax Research Report, 1962
9 Tax Planning Report, 1959
10 Tax Planning Report, 1960
11 Tax Planning Correspondence and General Planning, 1959-1960
12 Tax Coordinator Report, 1962
13 Tax Coordinator Report, 1963
14 Tax Coordinator Report, 1964
15 Tax Coordinator Report, 1964
Series V: Wisconsin School of Banking, 1945-1967
16 Wisconsin School of Banking Correspondence, 1947-1953
17 Wisconsin School of Banking Correspondence, 1954-1955
18 Wisconsin School of Banking Correspondence, 1957
19 Wisconsin School of Banking Correspondence, 1958
20 Wisconsin School of Banking Correspondence, 1959-1960
21 Wisconsin School of Banking Correspondence, 1961-1968
Box 3:
1 Articles of Organization, 1945-1956
2 Minutes of School Trustee Board, 1946-1967
3 Final Exams from the Bankers' College at the University of Wisconsin, n.d.
4 Final Exams from the Bankers' College at the University of Wisconsin, n.d.
5 Final Exams from the Bankers' College at the University of Wisconsin, n.d.
Series VI: Subject Files, 1954-1979
6 NDBA, Savings and Loan, 1959-1966
7 Consumer Credit Commission, 1961-1966
8 Saving Bond Committee, 1964-1966
9 State Banking Board, 1961
10 Bankers' Unemployment Compensation, 1958-1963
11 Rural Area Development Committee, 1964
12 Governor Advisory Committee, 1962-1964
13 Savings Bond Committee, 1963-1968
14 Public Relations Committee, 1962-1968
15 Greater North Dakota Association Public Relations, 1964-1966
16 Greater North Dakota Association Public Relations, 1964-1965
17 Legislation, Correspondence, 1959-1961
18 Legislation, Correspondence, 1960-1961
19 Legislation, Correspondence, 1959-1960
20 Legislation, Correspondence, 1960-1961
21 Legal Services and Miscellaneous Legal and Legislation Material, 1924-1930
22 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters, 1958-1960 Correspondence
23 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters, 1958-1960 Correspondence, 1958-1960
24 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters, 1958-1960 Correspondence, 1961-1963
25 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters, 1958-1960 Correspondence, 1962-1963
26 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters, 1958-1960 Correspondence, 1962-1963
Box 4:
1 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters Correspondence, 1958-1967
2 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters Correspondence, 1958-1967
3 Bankers' Opinions on Legal Matters Correspondence, 1958-1965
4 Banking Laws, 1963
5 Montana Bank Opinions, 1962-1967
6 Agriculture Committee: Outstanding Young Farmer, 1961-1963
7 4-H Leader Awards, 1961-1967
8 Agricultural Credit Conference, 1963-1967
9 NDBA Agriculture Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1961-1964
10 NDBA Agriculture Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1961-1964
11 NDBA Agriculture Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1961-1964
12 NDBA Education Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1960-1963
13 NDBA Education Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1960-1963
14 NDBA Education Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1960-1963
15 NDBA Education Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1964-1965
16 NDBA Education Committee: Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1964-1965
17 Junior Bankers' Conference, Bankers' Conference 1957-1964
18 Junior Bankers' Conference, Bankers' Conference 1959-1964
19 Uniform Commercial Code, reactions to, 1954-1961
20 Uniform Commercial Code, reactions to, 1961-1965
21 Uniform Commercial Code, reactions to 1961-1965
22 Uniform Rate Charge Issue, 1952
23 Uniform Rate Charge Issue, 1952
24 College Funds, 1960-1964
Box 5:
1 Public Relations, 1955-1960
2 Emergency Preparedness, 1959-1964
3 Emergency Preparedness, 1959-1964
4 Insurance Correspondence, 1957
5 Insurance Correspondence, 1958
6 Insurance Correspondence, 1959-1960
7 Insurance Correspondence, 1961-1963
8 NDBA Credit Union Correspondence, 1957-1965
9 NDBA Credit Union Correspondence, 1957-1965
10 NDBA Credit Union Correspondence, 1957-1965
11 NDBA Credit Union Correspondence, 1957-1965
12 NDBA Officers and Membership, 1960-1964
13 NDBA Officers and Membership, 1968-1964
14 NDBA Meritorious Service Award blanks, n.d.
15 Foundation of Commercial Banks, 1960
16 Help Needed and Applicants, NDBA, 1955-1961
17 Miscellaneous Financial Dealings and Policies of NDBA, 1950s-1960s
18 Proposed Contract Clauses, n.d.
19 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1976
20 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1977
21 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1978
22 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1979
23 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1980
24 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1981
25 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1982
26 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1983
27 NDBA Form Letters to Members, 1984
28 General Correspondence, 1950-1964
29 General Correspondence, 1960-1964
30 General Correspondence, 1960-1964
31 General Correspondence, 1960-1964
32 Montana Bankers' Association Form Letters, 1955-1961
33 Montana Bankers' Association Form Letters, 1955-1961
34 California Bankers' Association, 1957-1958
Series VII: Published Materials
Box 6:
1 Early NDBA Publications, 1903-1905
2 Taxation Materials, letters, reports, etc., 1930s-1940s
3 Miscellaneous small pamphlets by NDBA and other Bankers' organizations, 1950s-1960s
4 Miscellaneous small pamphlets by NDBA and other Bankers' organizations, 1950s-1960s
5 Miscellaneous small pamphlets by NDBA and other Bankers' organizations, 1950s-1960s
6 Miscellaneous small pamphlets by NDBA and other Bankers' organizations, 1950s-1960s
7 Emergency Preparedness, publications, 1959-1961
8 Northwestern Banker, 1984
9 New additions and alterations to GP Hotel, n.d.
PHOTOGRAPHS INVENTORY
10442-00001 Panorama of members at the annual meeting of the North Dakota Bankers Association, Grand Forks (N.D.), June 18, 1913, Walker photograph
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions
Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
Social Media:
See all social media accounts
