America's biggest financial institutions controlled vast sums of money used for the domination and manipulation of American financial markets, business and industry. The money was - by and large - the funds of depositors. It was Other People's Money.

'Other People's Money and How Bankers Used It' was a seminal text in the Progressive Era, aligning with broader calls for reform in American society. The book contributed to the growing push for financial regulation, and its ideas influenced the creation of laws such as the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act, which were intended to curb the power of monopolies and promote fair competition.

The great disparity between the extremely wealthy class and the millions of the working people of America led to widespread discontent and suffering. Some say these very same oppressive conditions are upon us again, today.