The MBA's primary purpose was to provide life insurance to its members, and the building housed those operations.

One of its founders, and Supreme President for its first 22 years was Thomas B. Hanley (1852−1919), a former mayor of Tipton, as well as an active Pythian and Mason.

[2] By 1923 the M.B.A. had 48,610 benefit members every state except the Deep South (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana) and Canada.

The ground floor comprises the base, and is clad in granite with wide glazed storefront openings.

At the tops of the pilasters a series of sixteen electric light fixtures mark the ends of the bays.

A terra cotta cornice separates the seventh floor from the eighth, with arched tops to the central bays.

The first floor features a lobby oriented to the stairs and elevator, with marble walls and Ionic pilasters.

[6] The top floor was the Modern Brotherhood of America headquarters, where traces of Classical Revival details have survived.