Biography of a Bank: The Story of Bank of America N.T. & S.A.

by Marquis James, Bessie Rowland James

The story of the rise and growth of the Bank of America. This is a reprint. Original title Biography of a The Story of Bank of America NT & SA.From the 2002 Beard "This is the captivating story of the Bank of America, still one of the world's largest banks, and the careers of the Gianninis, father and son. They began banking in San Francisco with the Bank of Italy which catered to small farmers, mostly of Italian descent. The father, Amadeo Peter Giannini, has been called the greatest innovator in modern banking. When the fire and earthquake of 1906 forced many bigger banks to close their doors, he set up two planks on a wharf and continued business. By 1930 those two planks had grown into the Bank of America, and the Giannini policy of developing local agriculture and commerce through a system of strong branch banks had become a new force in financial history. This engrossing book will especially appeal to economists, bankers, historians, and for each person fascinated by the growth of an idea into a major business."

Genres: Business, History, Banking

566 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

Reviews

[Daniel Ottenwalder · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride, Bank of America found a blue ocean that other bankers were not taking advantage of given the industry was primarily focused on unit banking and servicing high income individuals and large businesses. AP the founder was a very industrious man even from a young age he would work as a trader for local farmers selling produce. I think this experience opened his eye to the potential of need for loans by farmers which could increase the economic output for all involved. He also saw a huge potential in the immigrants of San Francisco who were all just stuffing money under a mattress. He used these two levers to create an institution unlike any other on his time. This book delves into the rise of branch banking and APs masterful execution throughout his life to grow and have a full transnational bank. the detail of accounts and such can be a bit much at time so i was conflicted in my rating but it is a very in depth review of the bank. in its first 50 years of existence. the more i read the more i enjoy seeing history overlap