Fortune Magazine on Bank of America, 1947

As something of a stock market history buff, I get goosebumps when Fortune Magazine pulls something delicious from its archives.  Here’s a piece they just republished from 1947, chronicling the rise of Bank of America…

FORTUNE — Amadeo Peter Giannini, Founder-Chairman of California’s Bank of America, has probably had more impact on U.S. banking than any individual since the elder Morgan. Last year, when deposits passed the $5.2-billion mark, his branching institution became the largest bank in the world, succeeding to the place previously held by the Chase National Bank. Such distinctions, won in a struggle of unforeseen proportions, are sculptured in “A.P.’s” six-foot-one-and-a-half-inch stance, his stride, and the set of his taurian shoulders. Asked recently if he thought he had ever-in his seventy-seven years made a mistake, A.P. gave the hoarse, quick answer: “No.”

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World’s Biggest Bank (Fortune Classics, 1947) (Fortune)