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How “It’s a Wonderful Life” Helps Explain U.S. Building and Loan Associations
FRB of St. Louis
2025.12.11
For generations, the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” has warmed hearts with the story of George Bailey, who sacrifices his dreams to head the building and loan association his father and uncle founded. His guardian angel pulls George back from the brink of despair when the building and loan faces a crisis.

But if watching the 1946 Frank Capra movie is a holiday tradition for your family, it may have raised some questions about building and loans: namely, what they are and why there aren’t many around in the U.S. anymore.

An article from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and a Federal Reserve Education lesson offer some history and explanation on building and loans―and why they mattered. Let’s take a look.