National Bank of San Francisco

NATIONAL BANK OF SAN FRANCISCO

The National Bank of San Francisco operates seven branches that receive deposits and make loans to both businesses and individual depositors. Deposits have increased from $140 million to $1.5 billion within the past 20 years, and the directors have opened more branches as population and business activity in the Bay Area have increased.

At a meeting of the Board two years ago, E. F. Wellington, president, called attention to the noticeable rate of increase in operating costs and overhead costs, and stated that he would undertake a study of ways the bank might lower, or at least hold the line on, these costs.

Organizational Changes. Shortly thereafter, he called in Jane Nicholson, one of his two assistants, described the general problem of reducing costs, and told her that the bank had reached the size where it needed someone to devote full time to operating methods and facilities. He said that he had talked this matter over with Mr. Simmons, manager of personnel, and that both of them had agreed "that you would be a fine person for this position." He also explained that Mr. Simmons would be simultaneously promoted to vice president and put in charge of all equipment, purchases, the maintenance of all bank buildings, and personnel relations. "Simmons and I feel that you might have a permanent advisory committee made up of one person from each ranch, and that such a group can be really effective in deciding on ways to utilize our banking buildings and equipment, and our people, more effectively. Unless you have some objection, each of the branch managers will appoint a person to meet with you regularly."

Within three months of the original reference to the subject at the directors' meeting, Simmons had been promoted to vice president, Nicholson received the title of manager of personnel and equipment