The exchange National Bank

OF Long beach, California

Federal Charter # 8510 (first title)

American bankers association # 90-117

1907 Long Beach saw an explosion of banks started.  The Exchange National Bank was one of two national banks which were started in that year.  The other state bank was Farmers and Merchants bank which is still in business today under the same family!  The Exchange National Bank traded hands a number of times.  From 1907 until about 1913 it was run by the Wallace family.  From 1913 to 1917 it was run by Peter H. Updike.  From 1917 was run by Leo M. Meeker who changed the name of the intuition to the Long Beach National Bank and later sold it in 1923 to Bank of Italy.

The first president of the bank, Dr. Albert J. Wallace is an interesting man.  Born in Wellington County, Ontario, Canada., he came to Southern California in 1886, establishing his residence in Pasadena, where with his brother, the late Frank S. Wallace, he was identified with the early real estate development of that city.  In 1898 he moved to Los Angeles and was the organizer of several oil companies here. From 1908 to 1910 he was a member of the Los Angeles City Council, acting as chairman of the Finance Committee.  From 1910 to 1914 he was Lieutenant Governor of the State during Hiram Johnson's first term. In 1921 he ran for the Republican nomination for United States Senator, being defeated by the late Senator Samuel S. Shortridge. He was made a member of the board of trustees of the University of Southern California in 1895 and served as president of the board from 1924 to 1927. He was president of the California Anti-Saloon League for a number of years and was a member of the Y.M.C.A. board of directors and for a time its president. He also was actively identified with the development of the Methodist Church in Southern California.

Dr. Albert J. Wallace, founding president of the bank was a "bull moose" republican who later became Lt. Governor of the State of California under Governor Hiram Johnson (Another resident of Long Beach at the time.)

Series 1902 "Red Seal" $10 note, issued by the Exchange National Bank of Long Beach

Pen signed by:

Wm. H. Wallace - Cashier

A.J. Wallace - President

A sheet of letterhead from the bank signed by Wm. H Wallace, Cashier

Wm. H. Wallace in about 1915

In 1912, Peter H. Updike bought an interest in the bank and was made president of the intuition.  This was a very short presidency, perhaps a little more or less than one year as Charles A. Wiley succeeded Mr. Updike in 1913.

1912 Bank Officers:

1913 Bank Officers:

A wonderful watch fob given out by the bank.

Series 1902 "Plain Back" $5 note, issued by the Exchange National Bank of Long Beach

Rubber stamped signatures of:

W.J. Gardner - Cashier

Chas. A. Wiley - President

Photos from circa 1915

Series 1902 "Plain Back" $10 note, issued by the Exchange National Bank of Long Beach

Rubber stamped signatures of:

W.J. Gardner - Cashier

Chas. A. Wiley - President

Two different change purses given out by the bank.

Charles A. Wiley ran the bank until 1920 when he sold his interests to Leo M. Meeker.  Mr. Meeker was quite a man in Southern California banking circles.  At one time he was president of the First National Bank of Beverly Hills, First National Bank of El Monte, First National Bank of (La) Puente, and the Exchange National Bank of Long Beach and these were just the national banks!

Series 1902 "Plain Back" $10 note, issued by the Exchange National Bank of Long Beach

Rubber stamped signatures of:

J.R. Davis - Cashier

Leo M. Meeker - President

In December of 1921 the banks name was changed from the Exchange National to the Long Beach National Bank.  For further information see Long Beach National Bank.

National Currency issued by the National Bank included the following types and circulation.

Series:    1902 "Red Seal"      Denomination:    $5      Total issued:    4,400

Series:    1902 "Red Seal"      Denomination:    $10    Total issued:    4,800

Series:    1902 "Date Back"    Denomination:    $5      Total issued:    35,400

Series:    1902 "Date Back"    Denomination:    $10    Total issued:    32,800

Series:    1902 "Plain Back"    Denomination:    $5      Total issued:    44,800

Series:    1902 "Plain Back"     Denomination:    $10    Total issued:    48,000

$1,274,000 worth of money was issued in 13 years.  It was also one of the few banks in California that issued 10-10-10-10 plate.

~ The End ~

Other Long Beach national bank histories:

The First National Bank of Long Beach

The National Bank of Long Beach

The American National Bank of Long Beach

The Exchange National Bank of Long Beach

The City National Bank in Long Beach

The Long Beach National Bank

The California National Bank of Long Beach

California First National Bank of Long Beach

The Seaside National Bank of Long Beach