Liberty Bank Opens (May 1968)

As most banks in Seattle upheld redlining and refused to lend mortgages or small business loans to people of color, Liberty Bank is a strong example of how the Central District community pulled together its own network of supportive services. Liberty Bank opened in May of 1968 and was Washington state’s first majority Black-owned bank. The bank was community-owned and 80% of the stockholders were Black. The bank allowed residents of the CD who were previously denied loans the funding they needed to buy homes or start their own businesses.

Resource: Pien, Diane. “Liberty Bank Seattle Washington (1968-1988) and Liberty Bank Building,” July 2, 2018. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/liberty-bank-seattle-washington-1968-1988-and-liberty-bank-building/