TREND OF BANK DEPOSITS 



Records of the State Bank Examiner show at the close of business in 1928 

 total resources of Montana banks aggregating 208 millions of dollars compared 

 with 193 millions of dollars at the close of business in 1927 and 176 millions of 

 dollars at the close of business in 1926. 



Similarly deposits at the close of 1928 were about 14 million dollars higher 

 compared with a year ago and were 35 million dollars higher compared with the 

 close of business of 1926 and 71 million dollars higher compared with the close of 

 business in 1925. 



As has been pointed out before, the physical condition of Montana banks 

 considering the large proportion of total banking transactions that are contributed 

 in some manner by agriculture, tends to reflect the financial condition of agri- 

 culture itself. 



The number of banks declined slightly in 1928 compared with 1927 due to 

 consolidations. 



Year 

 1927 

 1928 



Population per bank which was 1,276 people in 1920 has increased steadily 

 during the post-war years and is now about 2,700, or more than double the 1920 

 number. 



The average deposits per bank at the end of 1928 were $918,186 compared 

 with $826,967 a year ago. 



TREND OF FARM WAGES 



The average wages paid to farm laborers in 1928 again increased slightly 

 compared with the preceding year continuing a slight upward trend that has been 

 apparent throughout the post war period. 



In October 1928 the average wage per month with board in Montana paid 

 to farm labor was $60.50 compared with $60.25 in October 1927 and $52.50 in 

 October 1926. The average for October in 11 western states was $54.21 compared 

 with $56.39 in October 1927 and $53.61 in October 1926 while the average wage 

 for the United States was $45.75 in October 1928; $35.68 in October 1927 and 

 $36.00 in October 1926. 



Farm wages in Montana are ordinarily higher than in most other western 

 states except Nevada and California which average somewhat higher than Mon- 

 tana. 



Crop correspondents are asked to report prevailing farm wages quarterly 

 in January, lApril, July and October. From these reports are computed the 

 average yearly wage shown in the accompanying graph. 



