One of the most powerful control tools is not a weapon – it’s money. Or more specifically, who accesses it. For generations, those in power have protected their state by limiting financial access to less resources, effectively blocking millions of opportunities to improve their circumstances.
Banks have been goalkeepers in this system. They decide who gets a car loan to travel to work, who describes the help of students a degree and who can buy a house in a safer neighborhood. They choose which entrepreneurs get capital of start and not. That is why black property banks are vital, especially in places like Atlanta, where black communities have repeatedly denied the resources needed to build wealth.
Then you will find a list of black property banks and credit cooperatives in Atlanta that you can support. These institutions are built not to exclude, but to empower.
Citizens Trust Bank
Based: 1921
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Citizens Trust Bank It was founded by five visionary black businessmen, known as the “five fervent”, to serve the black community of Atlanta during segregation. Today, it is a full service bank with branches in Georgia and Alabama, which offers a range of services that include checking, savings, credit cards, mortgages and wealth management.
The bank is deeply rooted in community development, offering financial literacy programs and playing a key role in the “Bank Black” Movement 2016which encouraged support for black property banks as a form of economic justice.
Atlanta Credit Union
Based: 1928
Situation: 670 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta, Ga
What began as a small institution for employees in the city of Atlanta now welcomes residents, staff members and their families. As a non -profit credit union, members owned by the Atlanta Credit Union Provides check, savings, loans, credit cards and mortgages.
A main focus? Financial empowerment through education: from youth savings and back programs to school to debt management, credit repair and senior assistance. It is a source of confidence in creating long -term financial health in the community.
First Credit Union Choice
Based: 1946
Situation: 315 Aubur of the avenue, Atlanta ,.
Founded to serve the staff of the Memorial Hospital Grade, First Credit Union Choice Since then it has expanded its services to anyone who lives, works or worshiped in Atlanta. As a non -profit credit cooperative, it offers verification, savings, personal and automatic loans, sharing certificates and more.
Root in its health community origins, the first choice is still invested in Atlanta, hosting financial literacy workshops, collaborating in local services projects and offering students scholarships. It is more than banking: community care with a mission.
Greenwood: a modern focus of banking
Based: 2020
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Ledge: Banking only digital
Green wood It is a modern digital banking platform built to serve black and Latin communities. Co -founded by Andrew Young, Michael “Killer Mike” representsand Ryan Glover, the company is named after the historic Greenwood district of Tlosa, once known as “Black Wall Street. “”
The platform offers online checking and saving accounts, as well as peer transfers and plans to expand in credit and investment products. What sets Greenwood sets its reinvestment model: each time customers use their debit card, part of the transaction rates supports black -owned companies, HBCU and community organizations.
With more than 500,000 people on their launching list, Greenwood has become a symbol of economic justice through technology -based financial access.
