Celebrating Black History: A Look At Our Own Industry
PRA Group Highlights Black Leaders in Financial Services.
The financial services industry would not be what it is today without the adversity-defying achievements of the Black community. This Black History Month, take the opportunity to read and learn more about a few of these trailblazing individuals, whose names will be forever etched in U.S. finance history.
Maggie Lena Walker
In 1903, Maggie L. Walker became the first Black woman to establish and preside over a financial institution in the United States. Her Richmond, Virginia-based business, St. Luke’s Penny Savings Bank, rebranded as Consolidated Bank & Trust after a merger in 1930. Under this new name, the business remained owned and operated by African Americans until 2005.
Ernesta Procope
Ernesta Procope founded the E.G. Bowman Insurance Company in the 1950s. Decades later, she moved the company from Brooklyn to Manhattan, where it became the first Black-owned business on Wall Street. Ernesta’s company continued to grow, eventually becoming the largest minority-owned insurance company in the United States.
Earl G. Graves Sr.
In 1970, Earl G. Graves Sr. started Black Enterprise, a magazine publication and multimedia company, which is widely recognized as the authority on African American entrepreneurship, business, and finance.
Joseph L. Searles Jr.
In February of 1970, Joseph L. Searles III broke a 178-year-old barrier when he became the first African American member and floor broker on the NYSE.
Travers J. Bell Jr. & Willie L. Daniels
After working in financial services for over a decade, Daniels & Bell became the first Black business owners to buy a seat on the NYSE in 1971.
Stanley O’Neal
From 2002 to 2007, Stanley O’Neal was chairman & CEO of Merrill Lynch. This was the first time a major Wall Street firm was led by an African American executive.
Brian Argrett & Wayne Bradshaw
In August 2020, City First Bank (Washington, D.C.) and Broadway Federal Bank (Los Angeles, CA), headed by Argrett and Bradshaw respectively, merged to create the biggest Black-led bank in the United States.
John W. Rogers & Mellody Hobson
John W. Rogers Jr. and Mellody Hobson are co-CEOs of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based investment firm with $15 billion in assets. When Ariel Investments was founded in 1983, it was the first Black-owned mutual fund firm in the country.
Today and every day, we’re grateful for the groundbreaking work these individuals contributed not only to our industry, but also to diversity, equity and inclusion across the global workforce.
About PRA Group
As a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas, Europe and Australia. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit www.pragroup.com.
Investor Contact:
Najim Mostamand, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
(757) 431-7913
IR@PRAGroup.com
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Kersey
Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Policy
(757) 641-0558
Elizabeth.Kersey@PRAGroup.com