Building History

The Los Angeles architectural firm of Dodd and Richards designed plans for a six-story building to be erected for the Los Angeles 1st National Bank in 1927. It was to cost $400,000 and situated on the corner of Brand Boulevard and Broadway in Glendale. (See "Los Angeles 1st National Bank Branch, Glendale," Southwest Builder and Contractor, 10/1927, p. 111.)

An article in the Los Angeles Times of 03/01/1928 noted a dinner held at the Hotel Glendale for bank employees in anticipation of this branch's opening later in 1928: “Henry M. Robinson, president, and several of the executives of the Los Angeles-First National Trust and Savings Bank were guests last night at the Hotel Glendale at a dinner. The members of the executive board of the the Glendale branch and of the Glendale and Broadway branch and the officers and tellers of the two branch banks were hosts. D.H. Smith and Herman Nelson are the Glendale vice-presidents and managers. The executive officers in their addresses commented upon the continued growth of Glendale and as an evidence of their faith and interest in the city and the surrounding territory pointed to the six-story Class A bank and office building now under construction by the Los Angeles-First National Bank on the corner of Brand Boulevard and Broadway. The Glendale branch of the bank will occupy the ground and basement floors upon its completion this spring.” (See "Robinson Guest of Branch Staff, Los Angeles Times, 03/01/1928, p. 14.)

Building Notes

The Los Angeles-1st National Trust and Savings Bank merged with the Security Trust and Savings Bank on 03/30/1929. A book on the history and growth of Los Angeles that commemorated the merger, said of the merger: "This consolidation brings together under national charter two of the oldest and largest banking institutions in Southern California. The beginnings of the Los Angeles-First National Trust & Savings Bank date back to 1875. The Security Bank was founded in 1889. Each bank has played a leading part in the development of Los Angeles and the Southland. The consolidated bank takes its name, Security-First National Bank of Los Angeles. Its resources total more than $600,000,000. It has a capital of $30,000,000; surplus, $15,000,000 and undivided profits, $5,000,000. The Security -First National Bank of Los Angeles by virtue of the consolidation is able to render a still more effective service—commercial, savings and trust—to the communities in which it operates, from Fresno and San Luis Obispo to Imperial County. Its services extend to the most important financial centers of the world through reciprocal correspondent relationships. Mr. J.M, Elliott is Honorary Chairman of the Board of the consolidated bank. Mr. Henry M. Robinson is Chairman, and Mr. Maurice S. Hellman is Vice Chairman. Mr. Joseph F. Sartori is President and Chairman of the Executive Committee.” (See “Two Great Banks Consolidate,” in La Reina, Los Angeles in Three Centuries, [Los Angeles: Security-First National Bank, 1929], p. 209.)

PCAD id: 25071