Eliza Allen

Eliza Allen (born – after 1910) was an African American banker, activist, and clubwoman. She was a founder of the True Reformers Savings Bank, the first African-American-owned bank to be chartered in the United States. She was affiliated with several African American economic self-help organizations. Before the Civil War, she formed three societies to help enslaved women.

Early life Allen was born enslaved in Westmoreland County, Virginia around 1840 on the estate of Major Richard Beale. She joined the Methodist church as a child. She served in this office for six years.

Banking In 1888, when the Grand United Order of True Reformers started the True Reformers Savings Bank in Richmond, Allen was the only woman on its charter. In 1899, this became the first African American-owned and African American-operated bank to be chartered in the United States. In addition to banking services, the bank provided a youth education program and retirement home for African Americans.