A.P. Giannini: The Humanistic Paradigm of Bank of America at the Service of the «Little Fellow»
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7433/s126.2025.08Keywords:
A.P. Giannini, Humanism in Banking, Human Fraternity, Ethics and Finance, Financial Inclusion, Banking Organization and InnovationAbstract
Frame of the research: A plaque at the entrance of the Bank of Italy building in San Francisco celebrates the humanistic paradigm of the humble banker:
“A.P Giannini founded Bank of Italy in San Francisco in
1904 to «serve the needs of others the only legitimate business in the world today». His devotion to this farsighted philosophy revolutionized the face of banking, and he lived to see his «Bank for the Little Fellows» become Bank of America, the largest bank in the world. To his philosophy of service for all […] who work for the bank he inspired are dedicated”.
Purpose of the paper: The telos is to highlight the connection between Giannini’s professional ethics, his spiritual vision, and his commitment to shared well-being and innovation in serving the patron.
Methodology: The study uses qualitative analysis of Claire Giannini Hoffman’s original documents at UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library to draw conclusions.
Findings: The analysis highlights the need to blend ethical, humanistic, and spiritual values in finance and business leadership training.
Research limits: The essay has a limitation due to the initial use of the first documents found in Claire’s archive.
Practical implications: The humble giant approach to banking that goes beyond mere profit logic, drawing inspiration from Franciscan economic doctrine and the experience of the Monti di Pietà.
Originality of the paper: The study delves into selecting and analyzing documentary sources, linking Giannini’s humanistic philosophy with banking impacts, and offers fresh, anagogical perspectives to business and finance literature.
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