51 was believed that the provisions would make banking safer by eliminating cut- throat practices. The Code covered hours banks are permitted to remain open, the working hours of employees of the banks, the charges for services in the way of cashing checks for non-customers on out-of-town accounts, the imprinting and numbering of checks, the cashing of coupons (other than U.S., state and municipal), the analysis of accounts to ascertain if the same are handled at a loss, the withdrawals of savings deposits only after notice, the rate of interest paid, a graduated charge for handling of collection items and many other rules applying to the business. Prior to this Act, banks rendered a lot of gratuitous service and spent large sums of the stockholders’ money in rendering service in the way of cashing checks, coupons, etc. without cost. This was practically eliminated by the code, the general idea being that services which cost the bank money must now be paid for just as any other commodity. A Christmas Day 1933 fire at the bank caused minimal damage and prompted a donation to the Berryville Fire Company “for their efficient work in extinguishing the fire”. Throughout1934,theBoardmaintainedtheirstanceofpayingnodividends until economic situations improved. On January 4, 1934, Bank of Clarke County received notice that it had successfully stood the tests of time and met the qualifications required by FDIC and was now a member, even without being a member of the Federal Reserve System. Temporary coverage of $2,500 per depositor was implemented until the plan became permanent on July 1, 1934, at which time coverage increased to $5,000. Bank of Clarke County’s acceptance was expected to increase banking confidence in the county, just as the membership reflected banking stability. The belief was widespread that this new banking feature eliminated the panicky feelings that often led to withdrawals of deposits. President Bradford, addressing the stockholders on January 11, 1934, expressed the following sentiments: “It would not be frank if I did not admit that it has been a year of disappointment. The hope for recovery in enterprise and agriculture has not taken place, and the long continued stagnation in business materially reduced the profit of the bank. It is gratifying to know that our customers and depositors have been loyal and true and to the extent of their ability have done what they could to advance the bank’s welfare and prosperity.” Mr. A. Garland Williams, a local attorney and chairman of the Clarke County School Board, joined the board. Bank of Clarke County received new FDIC signs on June 30, 1934, along with 14,000 other licensed banks in the country, displaying $5,000 in FDIC coverage. Application was made on October 25, 1934 to qualify as a State depository to accept public monies (comprised of taxes collected by local governments) for deposit. Qualification was granted. At the January 10, 1935 stockholders’ meeting, President Bradford sounded cautiouslyoptimistic: “Emergingfromthemostcalamitousperiodintheirhistory –aconditionwellknowntoyouall,banksthroughoutthecountryhavewithstood the shock of falling prices and have generally re-established themselves as useful agencies for the promotion of sound business in their respective communities.