By the end of the first year (1911) of operation the savings system held a balance to the credit of depositors of nearly $11,000,000; in the next year (1912) there was added to this about $17,000,000; in the next year (1913) about $12,000,000; and this average rate of one million dollars a month net addition to deposits has continued to the present (1916).  These funds are deposited in banks belonging to the federal reserve system, which must deposit with the Treasurer of the United States designated kinds of bonds (national, state, and municipal) as security and pay interest at the rate of 2-1/2 per cent on the amount of the deposits.  The one-half per cent difference between this rate and that paid to individuals goes far toward paying the expense of operating the system.

Provision is made for the issue of postal savings bonds in exchange for certificates issued in sums of $20 or multiples thereof up to $500.  These bonds bear interest at the rate of 2-1/2 per cent payable in semi-annual instalments, January 1 and July 1.  These bonds are not counted as a part of the $500 maximum of deposits allowed to one person, and there is no limit to the amount of bonds which may be acquired by one depositor.  Postal savings bonds are exempt from all kinds of taxes, federal and local.  These bonds are issued only on the surrender of postal savings deposits, but may be sold by the owner at any time.  Three years after the law went into effect, there were $4,635,820 of postal savings bonds outstanding.

Sec. 8. #Advantages of the postal savings plan.# As compared with corporate savings banks the postal savings system has certain advantages.

(a) It protects the small depositors from the danger of dishonest private bankers who have preyed upon the immigrants in the larger cities.  To foreigners, accustomed to the postal savings plan in their home countries, it is especially useful.

(b) It gives to every depositor the greatest safety possible, as “the faith of the United States is solemnly pledged” for the repayment of depositors.

(c) It brings a savings institution to many a small town and rural place formerly entirely lacking in facilities for small depositors.  The benefit of this has not immediately appeared to be great, but may in time prove to be.

(d) It pays interest from the first of the month following the date of deposit whereas the usual practice of savings and commercial banks is to pay only from the beginning of the quarter year or half year.

(e) It provides for the exchange of deposits for bonds bearing a higher rate of interest—­a unique feature greatly simplifying for the small saver the process of buying bonds for more lasting investment.

In some respects, however, the postal savings system falls short of the advantages of the regular savings banks.  These usually accept for deposit as small an amount as ten cents; they pay interest either quarterly or semi-annually; they pay on the average (at present) almost double the rate of interest, and the interest is credited to the depositor’s account at stated intervals and automatically compounded.  The postal savings system, as the law now stands, may be looked upon, therefore, as supplementing the regular savings banks rather than competing with them.