wildcat bank

noun

1. a bank that issued notes without adequate security in the period before the establishment of the national banking system in 1864.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wildcat bank¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

This behavior is clearly that of a “wildcat bank,” a 1800s fraudulent banking style that has long been illegal.

From Slate

Well, I can't go back to him and resume, no more'n a wildcat bank.

From Project Gutenberg