Officers. - The officers of a national bank are chosen by the board of directors to superintend and direct its affairs. These are usually:

President.

Vice President.

Cashier.

Assistant Cashier. Clerks and Employees. - Among the clerks and employees of a bank are: receiving teller, paying teller, note teller, general bookkeeper, individual bookkeeper, discount clerk, collection clerk, correspondence clerk or transit manager, runner, porter, watchman, and such other assistants as the character and extent of the business may demand.

The President is the official head of the bank. The bank is dependent upon him for its standing, and it is therefore important that he should be a man of honor and integrity, with a very considerable knowledge of men and financial affairs. He should, by considerate action, by an accurate knowledge of character, by a keen interest in the movements of trade, have under his command all the forces that tend to enhance his bank's interests. His most important duties may be specified as follows:

1. To preside at all the meetings of the board of directors.

2. To furnish such information concerning the bank's transactions as may be desired by the directors.

3. To adopt a policy which will govern the bank in its operations.

4. To be influential in securing depositors.

5. To sign circulating notes and certificates of stock.

6. To be alert in watching the loans of the bank to see that they do not go beyond safe limits.

The Vice President, in the absence of the president, takes his place and performs the duties of the office. In some of the larger banks of the country this officer shares the responsibility of the president and aids in extending the efficiency of the bank's service.

The Cashier ranks next to the president and the vice president, and has certain duties to perform. These duties are mentioned in the law under which the bank exists. His most important duties may be stated in a general way as follows:

1. He acts as secretary of the board of directors and keeps a record of all business transacted at their meetings.

2. He supervises various departments of work and sometimes employs clerks and prescribes their duties.

3. He conducts the correspondence of the bank.

4. He signs certificates of stock and circulating notes.

5. He pays out the bank's funds and borrows money in the name of the bank.

6. He indorses all paper that is sent away for collection.

7. He signs the checks of the bank and draws drafts on correspondents.

8. He may indorse the bank's paper for the purpose of securing loans.

9. He should aim to build up the business of the bank and commend it to public favor.

The Assistant Cashier is employed only in the larger banking institutions of the country. His official signature is recognized in everything the same as the cashier's, except in the bank's reports to the Comptroller of Currency. He assists in performing any of the duties ordinarily devolving upon the cashier.