Memory Lane: The Banks of Boro Park II

It is a common observation in Boro Park of today that nearly every retail store on 13^th Avenue that closes due to the exorbitant rent is soon replaced by a financial institution. Indeed, banks occupy an enormous amount of space on the retail thoroughfares of this town.

But today we take a tour around Boro Park of yore, visiting—photographically—these ancient buildings, all of which exist, and continue to serve in this capacity, to this day. The earliest one of these came into existence as early as 1907 (!), more than 110 years ago, and since that time has stood in silent witness as this neighborhood burgeoned and grew all around it—continuing to do so until this very day.

6) Here we see the beautiful limestone building on the corner of 48^th Street and Thirteenth Avenue. Today it houses Chase Bank, but in 1940—the year this photo was taken—it housed Bay Ridge Savings Bank, which also had a sister branch at 5^th Avenue at 54^th Street.

7) The Dime Savings Bank on 5^th Avenue in Brooklyn. 

8) This photo, circa 1960, is of Community National Bank and Trust Company of New York which was located at 5003 13th Ave, today Dime Community Bank.

9) On the corner of 49^th Street and Thirteenth Avenue is another branch of Chase Bank. Back then it was Manufacturers Trust Company. It was begun in Brooklyn in the year 1905 as Citizens Trust Company. It grew to one of the largest banking conglomerates in Brooklyn.    

10) This building was opened in the summer of 1907, at which time the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported: “There was a steady rush of depositors all morning, and indications are that the bank will soon amass a large number of deposits. The new bank is a decided convenience for businessmen in the West End section generally… the bank is located at 20^th Avenue and 86^th Street in a new modernly equipped building.

Memory Lane is a special project of BP24, and appears weekly. Comments may be emailed to

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