Historical Marker- Freedman's Savings and Trust Company

This Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company Bank was established by the United States Congress on March 3, 1865, to help aid ex-slaves transition to freed citizens. The initial idea for the savings bank was to benefit African Americans who were compensated for their services in the Civil War and needed a safe place to deposit their money. However, John W. Alvord, a congregational minister, and abolitionist advocated Congress for the savings bank to instead help all emancipated slaves transition to freedom and be integrated into the economic system. 

Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner brought a bill before Congress to have the bank secured by the federal government. President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the “Act to Incorporate the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company”. The charter allowed low-risk investments and no loans. Between 1865 and 1871, the bank expanded to thirty-seven branch offices in seventeen states and the District of Columbia. Printed on the bank materials was “on temperance, frugality, economy, chastity, the virtues of thrift & savings”. In 1867, the bank’s headquarters was moved to Washington, D.C. Eventually, Congress loosened the regulations and allowed loans and higher-risk investments.  

The bank brought promise to the African American community at first, but then it failed miserably. The Panic of 1873 and other series of breakdowns caused the bank to collapse. Contrary to the proposition that the bank was secured by the federal government, it did collapse in June 1874. The branches also closed, and many African Americans lost their account balances. At the time of closing, $2,993,790.68 was due to 61,144 account holders. This event caused a major rift in the economic development of African Americans.  

Because of its existence, the bank records provide valuable information for African American history. The bank records hold information on ex-slaves that include birthplace, residence, age, employer, family members, and former slave owners and names of the plantations. The information can be found at the National Archives and is used by the genealogical websites.  

The institution was created with good intentions, but it was damaging to the population it was trying to advance. The failure hindered growth and prosperity for many African Americans after the Civil War. The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company Bank is a crucial advancement in African American History. The U.S. Department of Treasury Annex is now located on this site. 

Freedmen's Savings and Trust Company (1865-1874). Retrieved from http://www.Blackpast.org/aah/freedmen-s-savings-and-trust-company-1865-1874

Sager, Julie. (2017). Historical Echoes: The Legacy of Freedman's Savings and Trust. Retrieved from http://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2017/02/historical-echoes-the-legacy-of-freedmans-savings-trust.html

Washington, Reginald. (1997). The Freedman's Savings and Trust Company and African American Genealogical. Retrieved from www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1997/summer/freedmans-savings-and-trust.html