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Bank risk and stockholding (1910-1934)

Author

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  • Matthew Jaremski

    (Department of Economics and Finance, Huntsman School of Business, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA)

Abstract

The massive rise in US stockholding during the early twentieth century resulted in the deepening of securities markets, the spread of investment banks, and the expansion of publicly held corporations. This paper makes use of a unique panel database of South Dakota bank stockholders from 1910 to 1934 to study bank stockholder growth as well as its effect on bank composition and risk. Overall, the average number of stockholders in a bank rose from 8 to 21 over the period with much of the rise occurring after 1924, but many banks remained highly concentrated. The new stockholders are associated with a subsequent increase in a bank’s proportion of loans-to-assets, but no direct effect on bank closure outside of this balance sheet effect. The data thus illustrate the start of a movement towards more diffuse bank stockholding and its potential consequences for the industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Jaremski, 2024. "Bank risk and stockholding (1910-1934)," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 18(1), pages 221-249, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:afc:cliome:v:18:y:2024:i:1:p:221-249
    DOI: 10.1007/s11698-022-00261-w
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commercial banking · Stockholding · Financial stability · Financial development · Great depression;

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • N22 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance

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