FEDERAL DISCOUNT CORPORATION

Ink blotter. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Advertisement (Circa 1942). Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

FEDERAL DISCOUNT CORPORATION. The Federal Discount Corporation was founded in 1921 and offered "Money in Minute Loans" as "one of the oldest and largest automobile finance companies in Iowa." In 1938 the company announced that it had added a Small Loan Department. Direct loans would be made at interest rates fixed by the Small Loan Law of Iowa. (1)

In 1932 Federal Discount Corporation purchased the building at 14th Street and Central Avenue that had been constructed by UNION TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK. It remained their office until July 17, 1944, when DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY purchased the building. (2)

In 1962 the company had sixty-eight offices--thirty in Iowa--serving residents in five Midwestern states. (3)

In 1980 the company offered The Money Shops only to Iowa residents. The subsidiary advertised that no bank, saving and loan or credit union offered more--interest paid from the date of deposit to date of withdrawal and no early withdrawal penalty. The Money Shops, Inc. were located at 1487 Central Avenue. (4)

The 1937 Dubuque Consurvey Directory listed the 10th floor of the Federal Bank Building at 895 Main as the address.

The 1939 through 1948 Dubuque Classified Business Directory listed Central Avenue at 14th St.

The 1951 through 1964 Dubuque City Directory listed 1382 Central.

The 1966 Dubuque City Directory listed the same address for F D C Loans Inc.

The 1970 and 1972 Dubuque City Directory listed the Federal Discount Corporation at the Dubuque Bank Building.

The 1977 Dubuque City Directory listed 740 Dubuque Building.

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Source:

1. Advertisement, Telegraph-Herald, March 20, 1938, p. 7

2. "Yesterdays," Telegraph Herald, February 26, 2008, p. 13

3. Advertisement, Telegraph-Herald, September 27, 1962, p. 9

4. Advertisement, Telegraph Herald, October 5, 1980, p. 22