Edward A. Filene (1860-1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist known for his role in the development of the modern department store. He founded the Filene's department store in Boston, which became famous for its innovative marketing strategies and customer service. Filene was also a strong advocate for social reform and played a significant role in the establishment of credit unions in the United States. He believed in providing financial services to the working class, which led to the creation of the National Credit Union Administration to promote cooperative banking.