Home Bank c. 1937

Frank Gray made this watercolor rendering of a “Home Bank,” of undetermined date, which shows us a curious relationship between architecture and the institutions of finance. In the early twentieth century, banks sought to reassure the public by presenting themselves as solid, secure buildings. Here, Gray depicts a child’s toy bank, shaped like a miniature building. We see the imposing arched windows, the heavy roof, and even a cashier figure, all scaled down into a familiar, domestic form. But what does it mean to bring the imagery of finance into the home? Banks encourage thrift and investment, but they also represent a world of complex transactions, abstract value, and potential risk. This toy suggests an attempt to socialize children into this world, presenting it as a safe, even playful, activity. Analyzing such images, alongside historical research into banking practices and advertising, allows us to better understand the cultural role of financial institutions and the means by which they establish legitimacy in the public imagination.