John Whitmer, in his history, records the establishment of the Kirtland Bank; claims it was "for the purpose of speculation."
John Whitmer, History, 1831–circa 1847, 86, The Joseph Smith Papers website, accessed February 22, 2024
In the fall of 1836, Joseph Smith Jr. S[idney] Rigdon & others of the Leaders of the church at Kirtland Ohio, Established a bank for the purpose of Speculation and the whole church partook of the same Spirit, they were lifted up in pride, and lusted after the forbiden things of God such as covetousness, & in secret combination, spiritual wife doctrine, that is pleurality of wives, and gadianton bands in which they were bound with oaths &c. that brought divisi[o]ns and mistrust among those who were pure in heart, and desired the upbilding of t Kingdom of God—