United States National Bank of Galveston facts for kids
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![]() U.S. National Bank building in 2020
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Industry | Finance and Insurance |
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Founded | 1874 |
Headquarters | 2201 Ave. D,
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United States
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Products | Banking |
U.S. National Bank
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 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.
Contents
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!