Capital Savings Bank was a historically significant Black-owned financial institution that operated in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1888 by four African American businessmen: John Whitelaw Lewis, Jesse Lawson, William Richard Pettiford, and Henry Plummer Cheatham. Capital Savings Bank was one of the earliest Black-owned banks in the United States and played a crucial role in providing financial services to the Black community in the Washington, D.C. area during a time when they faced discrimination and limited access to traditional banks.

The bank helped to support Black businesses, homeowners, and entrepreneurs by offering loans and other banking services. It also provided a safe place for Black individuals and families to deposit and save their money, at a time when many other financial institutions were unwilling to serve them.

Capital Savings Bank was not just a bank, but also a symbol of economic empowerment and self-reliance for the Black community. It played a vital role in promoting economic development and financial stability among African Americans in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, like many other Black-owned banks, Capital Savings Bank faced significant challenges over the years and eventually closed its doors in the 20th century.

Despite its closure, Capital Savings Bank remains an important part of Black history as a pioneering institution that paved the way for future Black-owned banks and financial institutions. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the resilience and entrepreneurship of the Black community in the face of systemic racism and economic inequality.