Page 25 - The History of Watertown Savings Bank_Neat

World War I spurred the development of a He was far more than a figurehead, and
federally-funded housing project in Watertown historical accounts describe him as someone who
with more than 100 homes built on the city’s was “closely identified with the affairs of the bank,
north side between Mill and Starbuck Streets. and had true passion for seeing its success come to
The project had been named Lansingdorf, in fruition.”
honor of Watertown resident Robert Lansing, From its auspicious start in 1893, Watertown
who served as Secretary of State in President Savings Bank grew steadily into the 20 century
th
Woodrow Wilson’s cabinet.
under the direction of Mr. Hunt. By 1916, the
This time period (from the 1890s to 1920s) was bank was paying its customers 4% interest on
also known as the “Progressive Era,” when social their deposits, while continuing to build assets of
activism and political reform was taking place considerable size and positioning itself to expand
across the United States. its customer base.
It was during this era that Isaac L. Hunt, Mr. Hunt was determined to continue helping
an attorney, became the fourth president of the hard-working “wage earner” save for the
Watertown Savings Bank in 1907 (a position future, and also draw new depositors from “all
he held until retiring in 1934). Mr. Hunt was walks of life,” resulting in one of the bank’s first
considered to be the first Watertown Savings slogans, “The Bank with a Welcome for All.”
Bank president who took a vital role in the day- The deeply-rooted bond between the bank and
to-day operations of the bank.
its customers was continuing to strengthen under
Mr. Hunt’s leadership. In 1919, a few sentences
written in a letter by the bank’s treasurer, Harvey
W. Steele, delivered a message aimed at building
trust and confidence in Watertown Savings Bank:

“We feel that you share this dream with us,
but realize that only by the application of sound
practical principles can we make this dream come
true. Will you not let us aid you in the practical
realization of your dreams?”
“Make your banker your friend; there is no
greater security in times of trouble or prosperity.”
The letter is shown in its entirety on the
facing page.

A period WSB advertisement to let families know that the
Isaac Hunt bank welcomed women and children as account holders.

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