As you know, the progenitors of all bankers were usurers, who existed in the VIII century BC. e. Yes, and the merchants of Babylonia are charged with the creation of the first bank note, or bill - gudu, which was the same means of payment as gold. But the prototypes of banks appeared already in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Then the practice began to put money on deposit at interest.
First banker - who is it?
Due to the fact that usury was not considered a noble deed, in ancient Greece, free slaves became bankers - repasts, accepting jewelry and money from the inhabitants on the condition of their safety and subsequent return with interest.
The very definition of "bank" did not yet exist. It will be invented in the Middle Ages, but for now the temples competed with usurers, as people willingly brought their savings for safekeeping "under the protection of the Gods." Accordingly, the priests kept records of values: coins used in money circulation were kept in clay pots marked with letters of the alphabet. Ingots of gold, which appeared later, were also brought to the temple for safekeeping (today it is a bank operation fordeposit or lease of a safe deposit box).
In Rome, on the contrary, the noble class was engaged in lending money against growth, they were called mensaria. They successfully carried out the transit of funds from one city to another. With the development of trade and the appearance of coins of various minting, there were also those who helped to exchange money at the rate for coins officially accepted in the city. Of course, the money-changers kept themselves a "commission" for providing their services.
Foundation of the first bank
It can be said that the term "bank", the definition of which we consider in our article, appeared in the Middle Ages from the Italian banco - "table", "counter". Then the money changers were renamed into bankers. Medieval banks were located in the marketplaces, where bankers, having expanded their powers, at a table covered with green cloth, could already take deposit of funds and make payments by debiting from the account of one client to the account of another. This turned out to be the best solution, since there was no need to transport and count coins. And by the way, Jews and Italians traditionally became bankers. This is how the bank got its new definition.
Bancodella Piazade Ri alto is the first bank founded in the city of Venice in 1584 by decree of the Senate of the Venetian Republic. At that time, the banking monopoly was the republic, because private individuals were forbidden to conduct monetary transactions. The Venetian Republic was the center of trade. Merchants came here, which means that people were needed who would provide credit and be able to conductcash settlements. Banks began to appear in other cities. And since it was not safe to keep money in the shop, they began to build stone houses, where these financial institutions were located.
Modern "counters"
The modern definition of a bank includes many functions performed by the named institution. These include:
- Managing cash, securities, precious metals.
- Issuing loans not only to individuals, but also to law firms.
- Acceptance of the values of the population.
By the way, the meanings of the word "bank" can be as follows:
- In Newfoundland, this is a cod fishing boat.
- In Azerbaijan, in the Salyan region - an urban-type settlement.
- This is the name of the card game.
- The money at stake.
- This is a last name.
Thanks to the widespread computerization and telephonization, opportunities have appeared that were not there in antiquity. And now, looking for a definition for the word "bank", we can also mention that you can conduct financial transactions and monitor the movement of your money without leaving your home.
