Our Story

Founded as an initiative of The Penny Foundation, the Guild was created to strengthen financial leadership, deepen community banking partnerships, and build a more inclusive pipeline of banking professionals across the state.

We honor the legacy of William Reuben Pettiford, a pioneering Black banker, minister, and civic leader who founded the Alabama Penny Savings Bank in 1890—the first Black-owned and operated bank in Alabama. At a time when Black communities were excluded from mainstream financial services, Pettiford built a trusted institution that empowered families, financed Black-owned businesses, and laid the groundwork for economic self-determination. His vision for community wealth and financial dignity continues to inspire our mission today.

The Alabama Bankers Guild builds on this legacy through modern efforts to grow access, trust, and opportunity in Alabama’s financial sector.