Benaisha Poole-Watson, a proud native of South Central LA’s Crenshaw District, is making history with her groundbreaking achievement as the founder of the first Afro-Latina-owned FDIC bank, Prime One Lending Group and Home Loans.
From humble beginnings to an extraordinary rise in the real estate and banking industries, Poole-Watson’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and her commitment to empowering underserved communities.
Growing up in the Crenshaw District, Poole-Watson experienced the struggles of her environment firsthand, losing her sister at a young age and watching her mother work tirelessly to support the family.
These challenges shaped her work ethic and determination to succeed.
Today, Poole-Watson is recognized nationwide as one of the top 1% of realtors in America, selling over 400 homes a year and running The Bailey-Watson Real Estate Group, a national real estate firm with licensed agents across the country.
In 2021, Poole-Watson expanded her influence by founding Prime One Lending Group and Home Loans, a federally chartered Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) bank, and a Fannie Mae-approved direct lender.
This milestone made her the first Afro-Latina to own an FDIC-insured bank in the U.S, according to Boss Chicks.
Her mission is to provide more equitable financial opportunities, especially for minorities, and she has structured her bank’s programs to support underserved populations.
Prime One Lending Group offers loans to individuals with credit scores as low as 580, recognizing the barriers many minorities face in traditional banking.
“I sell real estate—I didn’t think I would own and fully operate a bank of my own, but I learned that I could hire the right team with know-how,” Poole-Watson said, reflecting on her journey.
By creating her own bank, she has been able to tailor lending practices to be more inclusive and accessible, especially for entrepreneurs and aspiring homeowners.
Though Prime One Lending Group and Home Loans currently focuses on home loans rather than personal banking services, Poole-Watson has plans to expand her offerings in the future.
With a new Bank Statement Loan program on the horizon, she continues to innovate and provide solutions for those looking to achieve financial stability and homeownership.
Poole-Watson’s story is an inspiring example of breaking barriers and pursuing one’s purpose against all odds.
As she continues to lead Prime One Lending Group, her legacy as a trailblazer for Afro-Latina women in both real estate and banking only grows stronger.
