The following is a comprehensive Statement of the Business of Post Office Savings Banks from their commencement to the close of the Year 1865, of the Cost of that Business, and of the Funds in hand at the close of each Year.

Period.
From 16th Sept. 1861, to 31st Dec. 1862.From 31st Dec. 1862, to 31st Dec. 1863.From 31st Dec. 1863, to 31st Dec. 1864.From 31st Dec. 1864, to 31st Dec. 1865.From 31st Dec. 1861, to 31st Dec. 1865.
1Number of Post Office Savings Banks at close of Period.2,5352,9913,0813,3213,321
2Number of Deposits received during Period.639,216842,8481,110,7621,302,3093,895,135
3Total Amount of Deposits received during Period.£
2,114,669
£
2,651,209
£
3,350,084
£
3,719,017
£
11,834,979
4Average Amount of each Deposit received during Period.£ s. d.
3 6 2
£ s. d.
8 2 11
£ s. d.
3 0 3
£ s. d.
2 17 1
£ s. d.
3 0 9
5Number of Withdrawals during Period.97,294197,431309,242407,4121,011,379
6Total Amount of Withdrawals during Period.£
438,637
£
1,027,154
£
1,834,849
£
2,318,610
£
5,619,250
7Average Amount of each Withdrawal during Period.£ s. d.
4 10 2
£ s. d.
5 4 0
£ s. d.
5 18 8
£ s. d.
5 13 9
£ s. d.
5 11 1
8Charges of Management during Period.£
20,591
£
25,401
£
45,856
£
49,627
£
141,375
9Average Cost of each Transaction, viz. of each Deposit or Withdrawal.[222]d.
6-7⁄10
d.
5-8⁄10
d.
7-7⁄10
d.
6-9⁄10
d.
6-9⁄10
10Number of Accounts opened during Period.205,928185,934226,153239,686857,701
11Number of Accounts closed during Period.27,43344,76074,96498,725245,882
12Number of Accounts remaining open at close of Period.178,496319,669470,858611,819611,819
13Total Amount standing to credit of all open Accounts, inclusive of Interest, to close of Period.£
1,698,221
£
3,377,481
£
4,993,163
£
6,526,400
£
6,526,400
14Average Amount standing to credit, of each open Account at close of Period.£ s. d.
9 10 3
£ s. d.
10 11 4
£ s. d.
10 12 1
£ s. d.
10 13 4
£ s. d.
10 13 4
15Total Sum standing to credit of Post Office Savings Banks on Books of National Debt Commissioners at close of Period.[223]£
1,659,032
£
3,328,182
£
4,995,663
£
6,582,329
£
6,582,329
16Balance in hands of Postmaster-General, after allowing for Charges of Management, at close of Period.£
35,692
£
44,413
£
5,522
£
4,327
£
4,327
17Total Balance in hand, applicable to payment of Depositors, at close of Period.[224]£
1,694,724
£
3,372,595
£
5,001,185
£
6,586,656
£
6,586,656
18Number of Old Savings Banks and Post Office Banks combined, at close of Period.3,1573,5943,6593,8223,822
19Number of Depositors in Old Savings Banks and Post Office Banks combined, at close of Period.1,732,5561,876,3891,967,6632,078,3462,078,346

[222] The falling off in the cost per transaction during 1863 and the increase in that cost during 1864 are attributable to one and the same cause, viz., to the payment during 1864 of various charges properly belonging to 1863.

[223] These sums do not include the dividends accruing to the Post Office Savings Bank on the 5th January; that is, five days after the close of the account in each year.

[224] These sums do not include the dividends accruing to the Post Office Savings Bank on the 5th January; that is, five days after the close of the account in each year.

Insurances

"Of the whole number of persons whose proposals have been accepted:—

501decided to pay their premiums- annually.
20"   "- half-yearly.
81"   "- quarterly.
5"   "- six times a year.
181"   "- monthly.
3"   " - fortnightly.
and
18have paid their premiums in one sum