About this collection

Philadelphia Saving Fund Society (PSFS), the nation's first mutual savings bank, was founded in 1816. In 1927 the Society commissioned Howe and Lescaze, a local architectural firm that had previously designed traditional style banks for the institution, to draw up plans for a new building to be constructed at the corner of 12th and Market Streets.

The Philadelphia Saving Fund Society (PSFS) photographs (Accession 1993.302) collection is composed of materials from two Philadelphia mutual savings banks which date from the first half of the nineteenth century. The collection has been divided into two series: Philadelphia Saving Fund Society (PSFS) and Western Savings Fund Society (WSFS) which was merged with PSFS in 1982.

The collection has not been digitized in its entirety. This digital collection offers a small selection of materials from the collection associated with the construction of the PSFS building at 12th and Market Streets; images of the building's design, construction, and interiors, along with articles and promotional materials about the building.

Image: Rooftop sign plan for PSFS building. Click here to view in the collection.