Amadeo P. Giannini (1870-1949) located the first offices of the Bank of Italy in spaces found at the Drexler Building, San Francisco, CA, in the predominantly Italian neighborhood of North Beach. He started business on 10/17/1904 in a space formerly housing a saloon. While the horrendous Earthquake and Fire disrupted his banking operations (causing him to find two temporary locations at the Washington Street Wharf and his brother's house), in the long run, Giannini and his bank stepped forward after the catastrophe and became a liberal lender to those seeking to rebuild. His helpful and respectful behavior to clients of all economic levels, particularly after the earthquake, earned him a loyal clientele, and helped to fuel his bank's extremely rapid growth in the Bay Area and around CA.

Demolished; the Drexler Building perished in the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 04/18-19/1906.

PCAD id: 16161