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? f ' A ,l Unfr 3ilkt:yr Slfttiaual IntlUgn ,ji . SUNDAY, 1VIAY 2-4, 1S91. PAGES 17 TO 24 phf 11 m n A SUCCESS IN BANKING. how Tnii Finai of woods co. HAS PROSPKEED. Its Now Homo In tho Midst of tho liusi iiObH Activity of F Street Somo of tho. Inducements Wliioh tho Firm Offers to PutrotiH and Investors. Tho Arm of Woods & Co., organized for general bankiug business last July, opened their establishment on tho first floor of 1100 F street. Tho active members of the firm are Mr. Thomas E. Woods and his soi H. T. Woods, both of whom are well trained In 'banking affairs. Tho project was the con ception of tho latter, and It was principally through his efforts that it finally took shape. With a strong financial backing the company 'began operatlpns, and its immediate success proved the foresight of the venture. A large number of accounts were at once opened with them and their business became pros perous. Tho location of the firm was so convenient to many large mercantile houses in the vicinity that, although they already had accounts with other banks, 'they opened new ones with Woods & Co. A thoroughly safe and practical method of transacting business impressed their cus tomers with a feoling of security, and their business began to increase to such an extent that in ordor to accommodate the public the subject of seeking more commodious quarters and obtaining greater facilities was talked of. 'This was last November, not six months after "the firm first opened its doors. Such rapid advancement speaks well for the firm. About a month later W. B. Moses, whose tenantB they were, notified them of his intention to tear down tho building in which they were located, as ho proposed enlarging his present -store. The question of now quarters then be came one of necessity. The success with, which tho firm had met at the outset im pressed them with the idea that there was an opening in that locality for a large bank of first-class standing, which could meet the de mands of tho growing business on F street. The numorous real estate firms on that tho roughfare, tho continual investment of capi tal from all over the United States, and the formation of large real estate syndicates made the outlook such that the Idea met with the approval of tho firm. In order to make tho venture more secure before completing final arrangements the as surance was obtained from many largo ope rators that tho bank would receive their sup port. Tho question of location was the most difficult one, and It was nearly a month before the present site at No. 1222 F street was ob tained. A long lease was secured from the late Dr. May and the reconstruction was at once begun. It took but a 6hort time com paratively to make tho big change, owing to the rapid work which was done. Saturday, the ISth of April, tho buildlnc was prepared for occupancy, and on Monday moraine tho doors of tho now bank were thrown open. In this way not a day was lost. Though tho firm has been in its now quar ters but little over a month their success is already assured. Their business was actually more than they could handle, and for somo tlmo it was necessary to work far into tho night posting tho new accounts. This bank affords an excellent opportunity for the many Government cloiks in tho city who desire to open an account with a small amount. It is tho intention of tho firm to make a specialty of these accounts. An account of $S can bo opened with them, and in this manner a be ginning made which can bo added to as the ability to do so presents itself. Thus an account may bo opened with Woods & Co. which many banks would refuse to ac cept and the monoy of those whose means are not so great intrusted for safe-keeping. A number of ladles have also transacted their business through the medium of this new-bank. Ladles deslriug counsel or advice dn financial matters or the investment of their money will find the firm courteous and obliging and ever ready to afford them whatever aid lies within their power. CORRESPONDENTS IN OTHER CITIES, The facilities of the bank aro unexcelled and its advantages of tho best character. Its con nections in other cities are with the prominent firms of each. In New York they deal with the Interstate National Bank of New York and Blair & Co., on Wall street. In Chi cago their business Is performed by the Metro politan Natloual Bank, while in Baltimore J. J, Nicholsons & Sons are their correspondents. Each of these firms has an excellent standing aud reputation in the respective cities in which they aro located, and to havo business relations with them is a recommendation in Itself, These connections give Woods & Co. unexcelled advantages for keeplne In touch with al flnauclal questions and giving their patrons the benefit of the knowledge thoy ac quire through them. It is on these firms that Woods & Co. draw their bills of exchange lu those cities, while arrangements aro being mado to have their connections more extcu slvc. Tho inducements which tho bank offers to depositors or Investors aro of tho most ad vantageous character. INTEREST HEARING DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE. A safe and sure investment is offered in tho interest bearing certificates of deposit, of which they aro making a special foiture. These certificates aro Issued for any amount desired, tho interest to bo paid either monthly, quarterly, or annually, as desired. Investors aro offered every advantage, and money on approved collateral is loaned in any amount. The location of tho bank is an advantage to t r ; ' t, ,-, t, ' p 'I. ' ".IN 4-m f T y S A , I TtVl f mra - JT 1 j rn 1 ? , i&& vu itself, and an accommodation to Us patrons. Situated as it is, in tho very heart of the busi ness houses of the city, it must necessarily securo a largo share of their trade. Such has proven to bo a fact, for many of tho leading firms along F street have opened accounts with them. The firm is accommodating In everyway, and tho public has responded with merited recognition, Tho bank has improved tho street upon which It is located and ad vanced tho price of property in its neighbor hood, Ithas added an attractive building and af fords facility for the business men which pre viously did not exist, THE MEMUER8 OP THE J'JEM. Besides the business advantages which this bauk controls, tho personal charac teristics of the members of tho firm lend an element of success. Mr. Woods and his son, who carry on tho active work of tho establishment, are business men of well-known reputation. Thoy have had a wide experience in banking and flnauclal affairs and are painstaking to the last degree. Thoy aro enterprising and energetic. They keep themselves thoroughly posted in all local operations and aro always up with tho times. Their methods of transacting business aro strictly practical, and tho success which has attended them is an indication that busi ness men generally approve of them. THE TTOM'S NEW QUARTERS. Tho building in which the new banking firm took up its quarters on tho 19th day of April, W&Wfe&'igffifflLfflSM and which had been specially fitted up for them in a remarkably short space of time, while not as imposing a struc ture as other of tho fine business buildings on F street, is handsome in ar chitectural appearance aud admirably fitted for tho uses to which it has been put, It is, as already known and stated, on the Bouth side of F street, betweeu Twelfth and Thir teenth streets, No. 1223. This is tho very heart of the business centre of tho city, in overy way convenient of access, The main office, tho dimensions of which are 20x50 feet, Is an extremely hand6omoroom, and affords every advantage for the transac tion of the extensive business conducted by this firm. The ceilings are very high, and at the top of tho front and back walls aro numerous win dows, which give excellent ventilation besides furnishing plenty of light. Tho windows arc all heavily barred with wrought iron, worked in fancy and unique patterns. The walls and ceiling aro rough plastered aud frescoed in a dark, rich maroon color, which imparts to the room a glow of cheerfulness seldom found. Tho wood-work and furniture is in keoping with tho main color, being highly polished cherry. A high wainscot of this wood sur rounds the room, and tho desks' and counters aro finished in the most artistic manner, tho whole main counter being surrounded by fancy wrought-lron screens. At tho south end of the room, behind tho -4' is la1: . M ? counter, is the large fire and burglar-proof vault, and tho safe which it incloses is of tho most approved pattern. The doors of the vault aro provided with all tho requisites to resist tho gay and festive burglar, such as time locks aud burglar alarms, while strong iron braces still further protect it, and it is 6afe to say that there is not a safer, more sub stantial, and better protected bank building in the city. The exterior of the building itself is a strong, imposing, and attractive-looking structure, which adds greatly to tho appearance of the street on which it is located. It Is four 6torIes in height, aud the front is constructed of se lect brick, across tho front of which runs a panel of Ohio Milestone, upon which, In bold relief, in largo Koman letters, is inscribed, "Woods" & Co., Bankers." Tho other outside trimmings aro of the same stone, which con trasts very strikingly with tho bright redbrick, a largo portion of which is carved, composing tho front. Tho entrance is an arched doorway, on either side of which aro arched windows all protected with grills. Abovo tho stone bear ing the firms name aro seven more arched windows, which furnish an abundance of light aud good air to tho main room. Directly in tho rear of the banking-room aro tho well furnished prlvato rooms of tho firm, where one will always find Mr. Woods prepared to transact business with them. The building has that appearance of security and sub stantiality which is to bo seen in all well regulated banks, and the firm can well take prido In tho venture which has proven so suc cessful. In the remodeling and refitting of tho building over $10,000 were expended. Thollrm entered their now quarters on the 20th of April, since which time their steady advance has been very marked. They stand prominent in tho ranks of the prominent banking establishments in this city. A TALK WITH MR. H. T. WOODS. "Our bank," said Mr. H. T. Woods, of Woods & Co., "though in its Infancy, has been successful to a degree that we did not anticipate in such a short time. Our business has rapidly increased since we entered our new quarters, aud tho public has given us liberal patronage. The opportunity we offer to those whose means are not very ijrcat has already been taken advantage of by a large number, and the benefits cannot but bo evi dent to those who understand it. I refer to our readiness to open accounts with any re spectable person for an amount as small as $5. This is not an advantage to us, but wo offer to opon such accounts for the accomodation of our patrons. To start a bank account, no matter how small, is a benefit to any one. It is an encouragement to tho formation of a habit of putting money away, saving it, and at the same time adding to it, instead of having it within reach so that it can be easily obtained and more easily spent. Hundreds, yes, thousands of dollars are literally thrown away in this city each year simply because ' they think the amount too Bmall to put in a bank for safo keeping. "There aro many people in this city who have a small surplus over their exponses every week or month who carry it around in their pockets and consequently spend it. These are the persons to whom we offer an oppor tunity to commence putting their earnings away, a habit which once formed is lasting and cannot do otherwise than accomplish excellent results. "If a bank which was willing to accept de posits of this character were at hand a large majority of theso persons would take ad vantage of it and place their savings in It. Then, too, this method affords a chanoe for children and youths to begin early in life the custom of putting away each week or month, or whenever they can, a certain amount. "Tbo simple possession of a bank-book gives one an idea of self-reliance and self-importance which in a young person is a factor of immense Importance. Such a person would soon acquire a pride in their bank account which they would lncreaso as their deposits grow larger. This very start in keoping an account gives an early insight Into banking methods and the manner of transacting busi ness. This early training is invaluable to a. young person. "For young men especially tho idea of es tablishing a bank account is of tho utmost importance. Thero aro many young men In this city who live at homo and whoso ex penses amount to very Httlo who could not do better than to begin tho habit of putting away regularly each week a stated amount of their salary. Tho benefits of this must bo apparent to every one. To be sure, it might bo argued against this that childreu or young men would becomo grasping and grow up Into avaricious men and women, but there is Httlo danger of such a result nowadays. Tho tendency, 1 think, Is rathor in tho opposite direction. All the danger lies tho other way. Especially is this true in a city like Washington, where there aro so many ways to spend money and dissipate. Carelessness in money matters and prodigality are two of the greatest evils of the times, and overy means which will teach tho young people to savo is bouud to exert a bone ficial influence. "Another opportunity wo offer is our Interest-bearing certificates of doposlt. These certificates are a sure and safe (investment. When a person signifies his iutention of tak ing out oue, wo do not open bauk account with him, but give him a receipt, wnicli is practically a time note. For instance, if ojjo should say I will not want to use thif raowjy for a month or six mouths or a year or aiy length of time,' wo issue to him one of tLeso certificates, allowing him a uoto of Interest according to the time the money is deposited. On demand, however, the money can bo with drawn, aud under theso circumstances wo al low 3 per cent, per annum for the length of tinio tho monoy is on deposit. For instance, if a person wishes to buy a house and has cash while ho Is looking around tho money can bo safo, and at the same time draw in terest. "We ul60 transact business for people who havo money to loan on real estate. Wo con duct the business details of all transactions, aud our own attorney looks after the titles and prepares abstracts, etc , thus rellevini the loauer from the worry and trouble of the routiue work." '1 i U ji -l Ml JXfl w I ( , fr I '! 1 ..:! ' I w ?il ni yteAiitt'.fo&k -