A History of BB&T
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our account a History of BB&T our account a History of BB&T About the Cover Left – In 1903 Branch Banking built this neo-classical structure in Wilson, N.C., as its headquarters. It was the first structure in Wilson County placed on the National Register of Places. In 2012, the building housed the Wilson Arts Council. Top, right – BB&T’s corporate headquarters building in Winston-Salem, N.C. Bottom, right – Bryan Larsen’s “Our Best Days are Ahead” painting, which was used on the cover of the 2008 BB&T Annual Review, was the inspiration for this BB&T “Lighthouse” painting. Created in 2009, Larsen’s “Lighthouse” painting symbolized the strength, stability and dependable beacon of light BB&T Corporation portrayed during the height of the recession. First Edition Sixth Edition 1962 1990 Second Edition Seventh Edition 1963 1991 Third Edition Eighth Edition 1979 1992 Fourth Edition Ninth Edition 1986 1999 Fifth Edition Tenth Edition 1988 2012 Acknowledgments Thanks to all those who helped make this tenth edition of the BB&T History Book possible. Capturing the past several years of BB&T’s history would not have been possible without the countless individuals who shared memories, photos, facts and figures as well as assisted in fact-checking, proofreading and more. Special thanks to J. Moore Bannister for coordinating and conducting interviews and research; Sharon Berry for conducting interviews and research and capturing it in writing; and Jennifer Reardon for creating the design and layout of “Our Account: A History of BB&T.” Table Of Contents Chapter Page I. Introduction ...................................................................................... 18 A New Era ............................................................................................ 18 II. A Survivor .......................................................................................... 22 The World Of Branch And Hadley ...................................................... 22 Credit And The Private Banker .......................................................... 24 III. Branch And Hadley .......................................................................... 28 Alpheus Branch ................................................................................... 29 Thomas Jefferson Hadley .................................................................... 30 The Panic Of 1873 ............................................................................... 30 Wilson In The 1880S ............................................................................ 32 Branch And Company, Bankers .......................................................... 32 The Charter Of 1889 ............................................................................ 34 Wilson In The 1890S ............................................................................ 34 The Death Of Alpheus Branch ............................................................ 34 “A Gentleman Of Brawny Brain” ........................................................ 35 North Carolina Bankers Association ................................................... 38 IV. Bank Of Lumberton Opens ............................................................ 40 Angus Mclean ...................................................................................... 40 Banking Only One Of Mclean’s Goals ................................................ 42 Committed To Lumberton Customers ............................................... 43 Image Gone As Small-Town Bank ...................................................... 43 V. The Early Years Of The Bank Of Lumberton ............................ 46 “The Panic Of 1907” ............................................................................ 46 Growth Comes Quickly ........................................................................ 47 Federal Reserve Act ............................................................................ 48 The Death Of Angus Mclean ............................................................... 48 VI. Branch Banking Company .............................................................. 50 The Turn Of The Century Brings Prosperity ..................................... 50 Henry Groves Connor .......................................................................... 52 The Trust Department......................................................................... 54 Mr. Hales Handles A Crisis .................................................................. 54 Anxious Days Remembered ................................................................ 57 Chapter Page Chapter Page VII. Branch Banking And Trust Company, 1913-1933 ..................... 60 IX. (Continued) A New Name And A New President ................................................... 60 Mergers And New Offices .................................................................... 90 Monetary Reforms ............................................................................... 60 Branch Corporation ............................................................................. 91 Sidney Graham Mewborn .................................................................... 62 NCBA President ................................................................................... 91 World War I ........................................................................................... 62 Mr. Gregory’s Death ............................................................................. 91 Progress In The 1920S ........................................................................ 64 Herbert Dalton Bateman ..................................................................... 64 X. BB&T, 1982-1992 .............................................................................. 92 Banks Of Wilson ................................................................................... 64 Mr. Lowe Named President ................................................................. 93 Banks Established In Wilson Prior To 1931 ....................................... 65 Growth Brings Changes ....................................................................... 93 The Opening Of Branch Offices, 1921-1931 ...................................... 65 BB&T Financial Corporation............................................................... 94 Isolationism .......................................................................................... 66 Mr. Lowe’s Death .................................................................................. 94 Branch Investment Company ............................................................. 66 Growth In The 1980S ........................................................................... 96 Economic Tragedy ............................................................................... 67 Interstate Banking ............................................................................... 96 A Run On Wilson Banks ....................................................................... 68 Expansions In North Carolina ............................................................. 97 Our Mission .......................................................................................... 99 VIII. Branch Banking And Trust Company, 1933-1952 ..................... 72 Services ................................................................................................ 99 The Government Steps In ................................................................... 72 Special Services ................................................................................. 100 Reconstruction Finance Corporation ................................................. 72 A New Way To Do Business .............................................................. 101 The Recovery Begins ........................................................................... 72 Capital Planning ................................................................................. 102 The Bond Department ......................................................................... 73 Thrift Acquisitions ............................................................................. 102 The Trust Department......................................................................... 73 New Branch Offices ............................................................................. 74 XI. Allison, Orr Agree To Merger ..................................................... 106 World War Ii .......................................................................................... 74 Omni Hotel In Richmond ................................................................... 106 Post War Period ................................................................................... 76 Allison To Be CEO, Orr To Retire ..................................................... 107 The Correspondent Bank Department ............................................... 77 Analysts Praise Deal .......................................................................... 107 Growth Under Mr. Bateman ................................................................ 77 Mission Statement ............................................................................. 109 BB&T’s Purpose ................................................................................. 109 IX. Branch Banking And Trust Company, 1953-1981 ..................... 80 BB&T’s Values .................................................................................... 110 Joshua Ernest Paschall .......................................................................