A.P. GIANNINI

Amadeo Petro Giannini, whose father had immigrated from Italy during the Gold Rush, was a pioneer banker who founded San Francisco’s Bank of Italy in 1904, which later became Bank of America. 

At a time when banking services were only offered to the upper class, Giannini catered to the middle class, primarily Italian immigrants. After the 1906 earthquake, Giannini set up a temporary bank and made loans to residents who wanted to rebuild. In 1909, he introduced branch banking in California.

Giannini played a major role in boosting California’s industrial growth. He loaned Walt Disney the funds to produce Snow White, the first full-length, animated motion picture made in the U.S.  He bought bonds that financed the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, supported the nation’s defense industry during World War II and helped finance the start-up of Hewlett-Packard. 

Giannini also founded the Transamerica Corporation.