Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
INTERSTATE FINANCE CORPORATION
INTERSTATE FINANCE CORPORATION. Interstate Finance Corporation was started in 1925 by Jack M. Charles, David CASSAT, and Max B. BELL. The firm was a financing agency for the growing automobile industry. Following the GREAT DEPRESSION, the company again expanded. During WORLD WAR II with automobile production stopped, Interstate was involved in large-scale financing of food production, especially Midwest turkey farms and feed mulls. It did not enter the consumer loan business until 1954. The first licensed loan offices opened in 1955. (1)
When Charles moved to Chicago, Max succeeded him as chairman of the board. (2) In 1967 Cassat was the president of the company.
In 1967 company representatives announced the proposed merger of the company with the State Loan and Finance Corporation of Wilmington, Delaware. Interstate had 57 offices in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas and Oklahoma. After the merger, the company would operate as American Finance Company, a subsidiary of State Loan and Finance which was rated the fifth largest loan company in the United States.
The 1934 Dubuque City Directory through 1948 Dubuque Classified Business Directory listed listed 1157 Central.
The 1955 and 1962 Dubuque City Directory listed 925 Main.
The 1957 Dubuque City Directory listed 650 Iowa and 925 Main.
The 1964 Dubuque City Directory listed 925 Iowa.
The 1966 Dubuque City Directory listed 925 Main, 1157 Central, 2596 Dodge, and 650 Iowa.
---
Source:
1. "Interstate Finance Merger Announced," Telegraph Herald, February 27, 1967, p. 10
2. "Max B. Bell Dies in Miami," Telegraph Herald, December 21, 1962, p. 1
