1944
North Omaha attorney Charles F. Davis and Dr. Craig Morris led a movement with other African American leaders to establish the Carver Savings and Loan Association–one of the first Black banks in the U.S.–named after George Washington Carver.
Doing more in and around the North Omaha community to help build and sustain wealth.
The Carver Legacy Center is a Black-led Financial Collaborative Center located in North Omaha at the historic corner of 24th and Lake. The primary purpose is to help African Americans grow and sustain wealth starting with a focus on business ownership, home ownership, and community ownership.
This innovative and collaborative financial center was founded in partnership with American National Bank, giving The Carver Legacy Center access to the many benefits that only a big bank can offer, while still offering the personalized service of a single location focused on doing more for the wealth of Black communities.
About Carver
Resurrecting a historic institution.
In 1944, the Carver Savings and Loan Association opened as Nebraska’s first Black-owned financial institution. Seventy-six years later, an innovative collaborative partnership will bring financial services back to historic 24th and Lake to increase access to credit, capital, and loans for African-Americans and North Omaha residents.
Our Promise
Doing our part.
American National Bank seeks to enhance African American financial strength, opportunities, and growth with focus on the North Omaha community through loans funded from the “Carver Legacy” deposits. “Carver Legacy” deposits are reserved for business loans, and for both market rate and affordable housing loans, to grow African American ownership and empowerment primarily in the North Omaha community.
Carver Milestones
May 1, 1946
Grand opening of the "Carver Bank" at 2414 Lake St. in the Historic 24th & Lake District, a physical location for association to engage with the Black community and provide financial services such as loans. The Carver closed officially in 1965 after over 20 years in business.
2017
78 years since the original association was born, a new Carver Legacy Center (CLC) is established by the Williams and Barney families. In a joint venture with the Kotoucs of American National Bank (ANB), a plan for reviving the Black banking initiative from the '40s is put into motion.
2020
A reopening plan for the original Carver Savings and Loan building on 24th & Lake is announced, and ANB helps fulfill the CLC's vision to provide banking services like a chartered bank by establishing FDIC-backed Carver Legacy accounts.
April 4, 2022
The historic building on 24th & Lake is officially reopened! Community Days for account opening and loan applications, by-appointment financial consultations and a pop-up store for Black-owned retail businesses are established.
Carver Milestones
1944
North Omaha attorney Charles F. Davis and Dr. Craig Morris led a movement with other African American leaders to establish the Carver Savings and Loan Association–one of the first Black banks in the U.S.–named after George Washington Carver.
May 1, 1946
Grand opening of the "Carver Bank" at 2414 Lake St. in the Historic 24th & Lake District, a physical location for association to engage with the Black community and provide financial services such as loans. The Carver closed officially in 1965 after over 20 years in business.
2017
78 years since the original association was born, a new Carver Legacy Center (CLC) is established by the Williams and Barney families. In a joint venture with the Kotoucs of American National Bank (ANB), a plan for reviving the Black banking initiative from the '40s is put into motion.
2020
A reopening plan for the original Carver Savings and Loan building on 24th & Lake is announced, and ANB helps fulfill the CLC's vision to provide banking services like a chartered bank by establishing FDIC-backed Carver Legacy accounts.
April 4, 2022
The historic building on 24th & Lake is officially reopened! Community Days for account opening and loan applications, by-appointment financial consultations and a pop-up store for Black-owned retail businesses are established.
Meet the Carver Legacy Center Leadership Team
Willie Barney
Co-Founder & Owner
SMB Enterprises / Revive Omaha!
Yolanda Barney
Co-Founder & Owner
SMB Enterprises / Revive Omaha!
Martin Williams
Co-Founder & Owner
Barak II
Lynnell Williams
Co-Founder & Owner
Barak II
Wende Kotouc
Founding Bank Partner
American National Bank
John Kotouc
Founding Bank Partner
American National Bank
American National Bank has designated key leaders as ambassadors in support of the Carver Legacy Center and Carver Legacy Financial Services.
Ernest White
First Vice President, Community Development Officer
Lorie Lewis
Executive Vice President, Director Client-focused Solutions
Join the Carver Legacy Movement Today.
Make an appointment to talk to a Carver Legacy Center banker or open a Carver Legacy Account at any American National Bank Location today.
When scheduling an appointment, please provide:
Your name, business name (if applicable), and daytime phone number
The Hub
A place for black-owned businesses to connect.
Home to Revive Omaha Magazine, Revive Black Business Network, and business partners, The Hub is a place for black businesses to network, launch, grow, and expand together. The Accelerator helps businesses connect to discuss financing, technology, marketing, social media, operations support, and supplier diversity and procurement opportunities.
The Incubator
Launching business and introducing them to the community.
Established in The Village at 24th and Lake in North Omaha, The Incubator is a place where African American food entrepreneurs and small businesses can launch and introduce themselves to their community. In partnership with Revive Center Market, this store focuses on the distribution of products made by the local Black community.
The Legacy Wealth Center
Hosting workshops and special events.
A place for the community to attend special events and activities focused on business ownership, home ownership, and financial empowerment.
Explore Carver's Products and Services
Personal Banking
Checking
Savings
Loans and Lines of Credit
Home Lending
Business Banking
Commercial and Business Banking
Treasury/ACH Services
Commercial Real Estate
Specialty Financing
