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United States National Bank of Galveston facts for kids

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United States National Bank of Galveston
Industry Finance and Insurance
Founded 1874
Headquarters 2201 Ave. D, ,
United States
Products Banking
U.S. National Bank
U.S. National Bank is located in Texas
U.S. National Bank
U.S. National Bank
Location in Texas
U.S. National Bank is located in the United States
U.S. National Bank
U.S. National Bank
Location in the United States
Area less than one acre
Built 1923 (1923)
Architect Multiple
Architectural style Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals
MPS Central Business District MRACentral Business District MRA
NRHP reference No. 84001739
Added to NRHP August 14, 1984

The United States National Bank of Galveston (USNB) was a special bank in Galveston, Texas. It started in 1874 and later joined with another bank in 2000. This bank was the very last one in the U.S. to use the words "United States" in its name.

The History of the Bank

How the Bank Began

The bank was started in 1874 by the Kempner family. It was first called Island City Savings Bank. In 1902, its name changed to Texas Bank & Trust Company. Finally, on December 31, 1923, it became the United States National Bank.

A Special Name for a Bank

The Galveston bank was the last one to get the name "United States National Bank." This is because in 1926, the U.S. government made a rule. It said that new banks could not use words like "Reserve," "United States," or "Federal" in their names.

However, banks that already had these names were allowed to keep them. This rule is sometimes called a "grandfather clause." It means old rules don't always apply to things that existed before the new rule.

Joining Another Bank

In 1982, a company called Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. took over the United States National Bank. For almost 20 years, the Galveston bank kept its own name and worked separately.

But in 2000, new rules made it easier for banks to offer more services. So, the United States National Bank officially joined with Frost National Bank. When this happened, the last bank with "United States National Bank" in its name stopped existing.

The Bank Building Today

The building where the bank used to be is still standing. A famous music artist named DMX even filmed his "Party Up" music video there!

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