35 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK: Van Nuys Airport posted one of its busiest periods ever, with 264,169 takeoffs and landings occurring in the first three quarters of the year. Boeing Co. received a $27 million contract from NASA to develop a first-stage booster for the Saturn V space vehicle Century Bank in Los Angeles became the first local bank to offer free checking accounts to customers.

THE NEWSMAKER

California is not over-banked and has plenty of room for new banks and more charters, said state Superintendent of Banks John A. O’Kane. His remarks came in response to the announcement of a slowdown in the granting of national charters for new California banks and branches by the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency.

THE NUMBERS

Nov. 16, 1963

Dow Jones Industrial Average 746.6

London gold $35.07 oz.

Fiesta’s Relaxa-cove pool $1,995

Twin mattress $33.95