First American Banks Apr 2026

Before the turn of the 19th century, only a handful of banks existed in the United States.

The first commercial bank in the U.S., chartered by Congress to fund the Revolutionary War. first american banks

Founded by Alexander Hamilton, it is the oldest continuously operating bank in the U.S. (now BNY Mellon ). Before the turn of the 19th century, only

The second state bank founded; through centuries of mergers, it is now part of Bank of America . 🏦 The First Bank of the United States (1791–1811) (now BNY Mellon )

Proposed by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, this was the nation's first attempt at a central bank. BNY Mellon

The history of American banking began in the late 18th century, transitioning from a system of personal credit to formal financial institutions designed to stabilize a war-torn economy. 🏛️ The Three Pioneering Institutions