The author tells the history of the Freedman's Savings Bank, how it grew much too quickly, why it failed and the impact on Black America. The end of slavery in the United States left thousands of enslaved people with the need to survive the transition to freedom, including food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. They would also need education, money and financial services. In 1865 Congress passed legislation to create the Freedman's Bureau to provide those services. It also created the Freedman's Savings Bank. Large numbers of the formerly enslaved people had been paid for service in the Union Army - the first time many had cash. And they had no safe depository. The Freedman's Bank offered that, expanding quickly and gained millions in deposits - mostly ranging from $5 to $50. But inexperience and corruption doomed it to failure, costing may of the small depositors their savings. Some of the biggest issues facing Black consumers today may be able to trace their roots back to this debacle, from the historical distrust in banks to the racial wealth gap.