Amadeo P. Giannini 1870-1949

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An Italian immigrant, Amadeo P. Giannini rose from the working class to start a bank catering to the needs of working families, regardless of their economic standing. While personal banking formerly was reserved for business owners and the rich, Giannini’s Bank of Italy introduced what would become branch banking, home mortgages, automotive loans and other forms of installment credit. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, with the city in rubble and many banks closed, Giannini extended credit “on a face and a signature” to help rebuilding efforts. His Bank of Italy later became Bank of America.

Quote: "A handshake and a promise is adequate collateral for trustworthy people."