Apple Bank
From the remnants of the Civil War, a new America emerged. The country was shifting from an
agrarian society to one that was more modernized, and various financial reforms compelled the
formation of banks throughout the country. While many of those institutions have disappeared
into history, Apple Bank continues to stand strong, tracing its roots to the founding bank that was
established in 1863 in the Dutch community of Haarlem, New York.
In prosperous Haarlem, a group of men committed to serve the financial needs of their neighbors
under the auspices of the Haarlem Savings Bank. The Haarlem of that time would be
unrecognizable today, with working farms and undeveloped lots dominating the landscape. In
April 1863, these men convened at the Rosenbourgh Haarlem Bridge House, a tavern owned by
one of the bank’s first trustees, to finalize paperwork that led to the bank opening its doors in
June, about a month before the infamous draft riots tore apart the city. At the time, the bank was
one of the few structures in the neighborhood.
Today, Apple Bank continues their commitment to the Harlem community. They are true
partners reaching out to the residents of Harlem and East Harlem, educating them on banking,
offering financial literacy education and supporting community-based organizations deliver on
their mission. Apple Bank has been a wonderful partner to the East Harlem Council for Human
Services, Inc. and we are pleased to honor them for their unending efforts.