The Bank of California was founded in San Francisco, California on July 5, 1864 by William Chapman Ralston. It was the first commercial bank in the western United States. It was founded with $2 million in capital. It was the second-richest bank in the nation and was instrumental in developing the west. San Francisco skyline. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... William Billy Chapman Ralston (1826-1875), was a San Francisco, California businessman and financier, and was the founder of the Bank of California. ...

Founding

Shares were sold by William Chapman Ralston in 1864 for USD $100 a share to 22 of the state's leading businessmen. 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Comstock Lode

The bank made loans to Comstock Lode mining companies in Nevada. The bank took ownership of a number of these companies after their owners defaulted. Ownership of these mines was lucrative for the bank. United States Senator from Nevada William Sharon was the Nevada agent for the Bank of California. The Comstock Lode was a massive body of silver ore discovered under what is now Virginia City, Nevada in 1859. ... State nickname: Silver State, Battle Born State (official) Other U.S. States Capital Carson City Largest city Las Vegas Governor Kenny Guinn Official languages None Area 286,367 km² (7th)  - Land 284,396 km²  - Water 1,971 km² (0. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ...

The Ring

At the height of their influence, Ralston and his "Ring" (as his associates became known) had a corner on industry in San Francisco and in Virginia City, Nevada.

1875

The bank closed for a short period after the collapse of William Chapman Ralston's financial empire in 1875 and his subsequent death. William Billy Chapman Ralston (1826-1875), was a San Francisco, California businessman and financier, and was the founder of the Bank of California. ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Merger with Union Bank

Union Bank and The Bank of California merged on April 1, 1996, to form Union Bank of California. It is currently the third largest commercial bank in California. April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Categories: Corporation stubs | Mitsubishi | Banks of the United States ...