National banks are examined once or twice a year by a United States Bank Examiner, who has authority from the Comptroller of the Currency, to whom his reports are made. These reports are seldom if ever seen by bank officers, and unless the examiner chooses to inform them that everything is right they are none the wiser.

When a national bank becomes embarrassed it is the business of the Bank Examiner to look thoroughly into its affairs and if necessary to close its doors.