Finding Aid to the Atlas Savings & Loan Collection, 1979-1990
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
2011
Title: Atlas Savings & Loan Collection
Date (inclusive): 1979-1990
Collection Identifier: GLC 48
Creator:
Atlas Savings & Loan
Physical Description:
1 carton
1.0 cubic ft.
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection contains a small amount of Atlas Savings & Loan business correspondence and records including bylaws, publicity,
promotional materials, mailings to shareholders. Atlas Savings & Loan Association was the first financial institution established
by and for gays and lesbians in the United States.
Physical Location: Collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Access
The collection is open for research. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Atlas Savings & Loan Collection (GLC 48), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
The Atlas Savings & Loan Collection was donated to The San Francisco Public Library by Lester Bruno in 1997. Subsequently,
Jim Van Buskirk donated a bank book, Roy Johnson donated a $1 bill signed by Atlas board members and 2 T-shirts were added
courtesy of the San Francisco Gay, Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society of Northern California. In April 2011,
Donald R. Reed donated two stock certificates.
Historical note
Atlas Savings & Loan Association was the first financial institution established by gays and lesbians in the United States.
John Schmidt, its chairman, along with ten gay directors, including two women, formed Atlas in 1980 in San Francisco. The
savings and loan opened for business in November 1981 and identified the gay and lesbian community as its primary market.
In August 1982 Atlas opened a branch on 18th and Castro Streets and by January 1985 had three branches in San Francisco. By
June 1985 Atlas began to suffer as a result of bad construction loans, joint ventures and shared loans with two other savings
and loans. In August 1985 Atlas was declared insolvent. The Federal Home Loan Bank Board took control of the savings and loan
in July 1986 and its assets were sold to Empire Savings of New York.
In September 1986 the Federal Bureau of Investigation began conducting an inquiry into allegations of wrong-doing by former
senior management as part of its investigation into three other failed savings and loan associations in Northern California.
A group of former Atlas shareholders sued John Schmidt and its auditing firm, Price Waterhouse, in 1989 claiming that they
were misled as to Atlas' financial condition. In 1990 Empire of America Bank (formerly Empire Savings of New York) was placed
in conservatorship.
Scope and Contents note
The collection contains a small amount of business correspondence and records including bylaws, publicity, promotional materials,
mailings to shareholders and stock certificates. There is good press coverage of Atlas through the years especially its opening
in 1981 and its financial difficulties in 1985 and 1986. In addition there is a lot of memorabilia and giveaways with the
Atlas logo.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1: Business Records and Communications; Series 2: Subject Files; and Series
3: Memorabilia. The material in each series is organized alphabetically by title.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Atlas Savings & Loan. -- Archives
Bruno, Lester
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society of Northern California.
Johnson, Roy
Reed, Donald R.
Schmidt, John A.
Van Buskirk, Jim
Financial institutions--California--San Francisco
Gay business enterprises--California--San Francisco
Savings and loan association failures--California--San Francisco
Savings and loan associations--California--San Francisco
Series 1
Business Records and Communications,
1979-1986
Physical Description:
14.0 folders
Folder 1
Atlas News ["employee newsletter"],
1984
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 2
Brochures,
1980-1981, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 3
Bylaws,
1979
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 4
Bylaws, includes adopted changes of November 11, 1981
1981
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 5
Condominium Project Proposal,
1986
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 6
Correspondence,
1980-1986
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 7
Correspondence, "confidential,"
May 1985
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 8
Invitations,
1980-1982
1984
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 9
News from Atlas,
1981
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 10
Offering Circular,
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 11
Press Releases,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 12
Promotion. $3 bill. Herb Caen articles,
1982
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 13
Promotion. Visa Card,
1982
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 14
Stock certificates,
1981
1984
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Series 2
Subject Files,
1979-1990
Physical Description:
4.0 folders
Folder 15
California Savings & Loan. DataBook,
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 16
Empire of America,
1985
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 17
Newspaper and Magazine Clippings,
1979-1990
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 18
San Francisco. Mayor. Proclamation Welcoming Atlas,
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Series 3
Memorabilia,
1982-1986
Physical Description:
17.0 items
Folder 19
$1 bill signed by Atlas board members,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 20
Balloons,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 21
Bank account books,
1986, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
2 items
Folder 22
Bank cards,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
2 items
Folder 23
Business cards, nametags,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 24
Buttons,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 25
Clock,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 26
License plate frame,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 27
Matchbooks,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 28
Money bag,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 29
Paperclip,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 30
Pens,
n.d.undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 31
Photographs,
1981, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 32
Stationery (blank),
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 33
T-shirts,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
2 items
Folder 34
Wallet calendars,
1982
1984-1986
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 35
Whistle,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
