The Banker

Bernard Garrett (Samuel L. Jackson) is a charismatic African American entrepreneur who resides in Los Angeles, California, during the tumultuous 1960s. He's a shrewd business leader who seeks change and success, but these ideals come at a price due to the societal climate he lives in. To combat the entrenched systems of racism, Garrett sees opportunity in real-estate investment, particularly in African American communities. Observing that most mortgage applications submitted by black people in Los Angeles get shut down by banks, he plans to establish two separate entities to overcome these discriminatory barriers. He brings along Jack Monroe (Anthony Mackie), a white businessman without an extensive financial background, on board as his business partner. Through calculated risk and intelligence, Garrett decides to secretly purchase and renovate dilapidated properties situated in predominantly white neighborhoods while keeping the ownership details carefully hidden from the public eye. Monroe's lesser-known identity doesn't hinder their mutual goal to purchase numerous homes. In an astonishing strategy, Garrett adopts the guise of a relatively affluent white family called the Garretts, while maintaining control over the business. The Garretts utilize their artificially constructed image to trick financial institutions into loaning them funds necessary for refinancing these homes. As Garrett and Monroe put their plan into action, they also explore other angles of social change through strategic social movements and selective communication. Having built a firm friendship through perseverance and calculated professionalism, they work closely to deflect and handle unexpected situations. Despite their differences, both entrepreneurs persevere through the plan's operational hurdle and many financial struggles while further confronting the entrenched environment around them. However, severe turmoil arises within themselves, testing both their bond as partners and their integrity in light of their newfound influential status. Navigating against the tide of economic constraint and discriminatory tactics in finance, these friends face myriad moral dilemmas and unforeseen setbacks. While numerous white families bought into the insulating image of the Garretts, the real Garrett discovered his and Jack's different priorities. Their courageous mission comes face to face with bitter competition in their relentless pursuit of real societal changes within the community, however. By utilizing revolutionary strategies, Garrett and Monroe aim to expose their white business competitor in Los Angeles who manipulates the system at the peril of local segregation.