The New York Bank for Savings

The New York Bank for Savings (formerly The Bank For Savings) was New York's oldest savings bank chartered on March 3rd, 1819. The bank was located at 280 Park Avenue South from 1894 until 1982 when they merged with the Buffalo Savings Bank and the name was changed to Goldome Bank for Savings. A history of the bank was written by Charles E. Knowles (published in 1929 under the title History of the Bank for Savings in the City of New York, 1819-1929). President at the time of construction of 280 4th Ave. was Merritt Trimble (1824-1903). His son, Walter Trimble (1857-1926), was president of the bank from 1907 to 1926. Moses King's Handbook of New York City (1892) says, "The Bank for Savings in the City of New York is the oldest savings-bank in the State of New York, and one of the oldest in the country... It was founded in 1819, the philanthropic object of its originators, as quaintly stated being 'to cherish meritorious industry, to encourage frugality and retrenchment, and to promote the welfare of families, the cause of morality and the good order of society.'" At the time of King's writing the Bank for Savings was located on Bleecker St. opposite Crosby St., but had plans for a new building on Fourth Ave.: "The Bank for Savings has bought a new site at the corner of Fourth Avenue and 22d Street; and it will soon begin the erection of a banking-house especially designed to accommodate its large and increasing business."