Introduction -- A buoyant decade, a fragile system, and some leaders at its apex -- A shock to the system -- The "silent" crash -- Credit crunch -- Copper king -- The corner and the squeeze -- Falling dominoes -- Clearing house -- Knickerbocker -- A vote of no confidence -- A classic run -- Such assistance as may be necessary -- Trust Company of America -- Crisis on the Exchange -- A city in trouble -- Modern Medici -- Instant and far-reaching relief -- Turning the corner -- Ripple effects -- Reckoning and a split -- Money trust -- A central bank -- The changing order -- Reflections and lessons -- Technical appendix : analysis of trust company diversity and deposit runs.