This substantially expanded new edition of the Guide to the Historical Records of British Banking contains details of over 700 archive collections held in local record offices, university and local libraries and of course, banks. Wider coverage is given to the records of major domestic banks, British-owned overseas banks, merchant banks and discount houses. There are also additional listings of records of long defunct banks. Arranged alphabetically by name, the entries for each bank contain in most cases: · A brief history of the bank to explain numerous name changes. · Information as to where the bank's records are held. · Details of what the records consist of. The entries are set in context by introductory chapters covering the historical structure and function of British banking and the purpose, format and research value of the chief series of historical records commonly found in bank archives. Bank records concern not just banks but the varied activities that they financed. In addition to its contribution to the study of banking history, this monumental reference work facilitates a wider knowledge and understanding of the history of British finance.
Biography
John Orbell
'... (a) fascinating publication...there is enormous potential for historical research on almost any aspect of economic or related history from this enormous source.' Journal of the Society of Archives '...provides an extensive, detailed and comprehensive guide, not only to the records of British banks, but to the history and archives of banking.... It will be of enormous value to historians of banking, obviously, but also to local historians and to those seeking to examine the histories of a very wide range of industries and issues through the rich and unique collections which banks have always created. The authors ... deserve to be warmly congratulated.' Business History '...a magnificent achievement. The authors ... are to be congratulated on their rigour, thoroughness and, above all, their patience, in producing such an attractive, informative and useful guide.' Financial History Review
