T1V 
INTRODUCTION 
In the preceding chapters, the basic data from which norms 
and trends of individual series and correlations for related series 
are developed are annual ratios for the respective Federal 
Reserve districts, all member banks in each district being taken 
as a single institution, Here, and in the other chapters in Part 
IV, the data are those for individual member banks in Districts 
1 and 2—Boston and New York—the entire membership in 
District 1 and a sample of the banks in District 2 being included. 
These data were furnished by Frederic H. Curtiss, Chairman 
and Federal Reserve Agent, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 
and by W. Randolph Burgess, Assistant Federal Reserve Agent, 
Federal Reserve Bank of New York. They were placed at the 
writer's disposal with the understanding, among other things, 
that (1) his purpose in using them was scientific, (2) the identity 
of the several institutions would not be disclosed, and (3) that 
whatever analysis was made of them would be generally avail- 
able. He willingly subscribed to these conditions—indeed, they 
were made the bases of his request for the data. 
The data for each bank are as follows: (1) an identification 
number; (2) the population of the city in which it is located; 
(3) the average earning assets indicated by group amounts; and 
(4) for one or both of the districts, ratios of gross earnings, of 
total expense, and of net earnings to earning assets. The years 
and districts to which the ratios apply are shown in Table 154. 
A brief account of the nature of the data in each of the 
districts is necessary for an understanding of the discussion in 
the following chapters. 
For the Boston member banks, the meanings of the terms 
used and the years to which they apply are as follows: 
I. Earning Assets. These consist of the “gross loans and 
discounts, overdrafts, bonds and stock owned,” as taken from 
the Comptroller’s Calls, the amount for each year being “an 
VA