Capital Savings Bank was the first African American-owned bank in the US. It opened in DC on October 17, 1888, to provide credit and capital to Black business interests within the Black community. Capital was one of 134 Black-owned and operated banks established (1888-1917).
Since white-owned financial institutions were unwilling to offer credit or capital to African American businesses, African American Churches, mutual aid, and fraternal organizations stepped in to serve as “pooling places for capital” and the backbone of African American communities.
The churches used real estate, buildings, and Sunday offerings to grow wealth for their ministries, such as schools. They soon invested capital in African American banks, insurance companies, newspapers, and other business enterprises to serve the needs of Black communities and create a thriving economy. Between 1867 and 1917, African American businesses increased from 4,000 to 50,000.
Although the Savings Bank of the Grand Fountain United Order of True Reformers is referred to as the first Black-owned and operated bank, Capital Savings Bank takes the “first to open” spot. True Reformers was certified in March 1888 but didn’t open for business until 1889.
Capital Savings stimulated the creation and expansion of Black entrepreneurship and enterprise in DC, by providing capital for grocery stores, bakeries, cleaning establishments, catering businesses, and other establishments in Black communities.
Within four years, Capital deposits reached $300,000. Such confidence in the community resulted in the bank positively impacting the local African American economy. That support made the bank strong enough to ride out the Panic of 1893 and remained strong until its closing in 1902. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence
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