A.P. Giannini was an influential American banker and the founder of the Bank of America. Born in 1870 in San Jose, California, he started his career in the banking industry after his family lost their grocery store in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This experience motivated him to create a bank that would serve the needs of everyday people, particularly immigrants and small business owners. Giannini's innovative approach included offering loans to those who were often denied by traditional banks. He expanded his bank rapidly, and by the 1930s, Bank of America became one of the largest banks in the United States. His legacy continues to impact the banking industry today.