From its inception, Riggs Bank has attracted the business of twenty-three United States presidents. The Collection’s ledgers include presidential account transactions over a span of 140 years, from Martin Van Buren to Richard Nixon.
James Knox Polk 11th U.S. President. Led the nation in the 1847 Mexican-American War (funds for which were loaned by Riggs Bank).
Martin Van Buren 8th U.S. President. Andrew Jackson’s Secretary of State and then his Vice President, Van Buren was a key founder of the Democratic Party.
Warren G. Harding 29th U.S. President. Sought to end the postwar depression, stabilize inflation, and cut wartime taxes.
James Buchanan 15th U.S. President. Lincoln’s predecessor, Buchanan presided over a rapidly disintegrating Union.
Abraham Lincoln
16th U.S. President. Lauded as the savior of the Union.
Seen here is an 1864 personal check, drawn from the Riggs Bank, to the “Christian Commission.”
Courtesy PNC Bank Archives
Theodore Roosevelt
26th U.S. President. A leader of both the Republican Party and the Progressive Movement.
Seen here is an 1908 personal check, drawn from the Riggs Bank, to David B. Rinboal.
Courtesy PNC Bank Archives
