(June 16, 1904-Jan. 9, 1974). The son of an Indianapolis fireman, Frank Edward McKinney Sr. quit Sacred Heart High School at 14 to become a messenger for the Meyer Kiser Bank in Indianapolis. He took home study courses from the Indiana University Extension and the LaSalle Institute of Accounting. From 1922 to 1935, he was an auditor and cashier for Peoples Bank and Trust Company and, in 1934, was elected Marion County Treasurer.

In December 1934, McKinney borrowed $100,000 to buy a large block of Fidelity Trust Company stock and became president of Indianapolis’ smallest bank in January 1935, at age 30. After acquiring six small banks, Fidelity merged with the much larger American Fletcher National Bank in 1959, and McKinney became chairman of the state’s largest bank.

McKinney also co-owned the Louisville Colonels (1938-1940), bought the Indianapolis Indians (1941), and co-owned the Pittsburgh Pirates (1946-1950). In addition, he was a director of the Indianapolis Warriors professional football team.

A Democrat, McKinney became vice chairman of the Democratic National Finance Committee. 

Revised March 2021
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