Chicago Thrift Shut Down After CEO’s Suicide – NMP Skip to main content

Chicago Thrift Shut Down After CEO’s Suicide

Dec 20, 2017
A 104-year-old thrift in Chicago with no financial problems was abruptly shut down by federal regulators following the suicide of its chief executive

A 104-year-old thrift in Chicago with no financial problems was abruptly shut down by federal regulators following the suicide of its chief executive.
 
According to a Crain’s Chicago report, Washington Federal Bank for Savings, a $166 million-asset institution with two branches, was closed on Dec. 15 by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which claimed it "acted after finding the bank had experienced substantial dissipation of assets due to unsafe or unsound practices, and that the bank's assets were less than its obligations to its creditors and others."
 
The closure came 12 days after John Gembara, the thrift’s Chairman, CEO and President, was found dead after hanging himself.
 
However, the thrift showed evidence that it was financially ailing.
 
As of Sept. 30, its filings with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) showed $1.7 million in net income year-to-date, an annualized return on equity of 10.7 percent and virtually no delinquent loans. In 2016, Washington Federal generated a respectable $2.3 million in net income.
 
The parent of Chicago-based Royal Savings Bank agreed to acquire the insured deposits and $23.7 million of the thrift’s assets from the FDIC, with the remainder staying with the regulator until it can either sell or collect them to reimburse uninsured depositors.

 
About the author
Published
Dec 20, 2017
The Fed Held. The Mortgage Market Got A Warning.

Three policymakers favored an immediate hike, while Warsh welcomed higher bond yields and offered no clear path toward mortgage-rate relief

Jul 30, 2026
New Study Finds UWM's 'All-In' Triggered Industrywide Pricing Spillovers

Research shows wholesale competitors responded to the 2021 Rocket ban by lowering mortgage rates,

Jul 15, 2026
First Major Housing Reform In Decades Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature

Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act advances supply, construction, and mortgage reforms despite White House protest

Jul 10, 2026
Mortgage Star Conference Honors Women Shaping The Future Of Mortgage Leadership

MWLC honors leaders driving innovation, mentorship, and growth across the mortgage industry

Jul 09, 2026
June Jobs Report Improves Mortgage Rate Outlook

Slower hiring strengthens bonds and eases concerns over additional Fed tightening

Jul 02, 2026
NEXA Founder Mike Kortas Launches evoLend To Help Originators Retain Borrowers

New Fannie Mae-, Freddie Mac- and Ginnie Mae-approved mortgage servicer aims to keep originators connected to borrowers through servicing data, payoff visibility and retention tools

Jul 02, 2026