History

Britain came out of the Second World War a weaker nation.  The economy was in ruins, as was much of Europe’s economies, and it owed $3.5 billion to the USA as a result of a loan in 1946 which was only repaid in 2006, sixty years later. The declaration of independence of India in 1947 began…

By the late 1800s, London had become the financial centre of the world thanks to the expansionist colonisation of the 1700s and industrialist consolidation of the Victorians. The City of London now had strong links to rapidly expanding bank markets around the world, particularly in the USA where the Industrial Revolution fuelled corporate financing needs….

By the late 1800s, London had become the financial centre of the world thanks to the expansionist colonisation of the 1700s and industrialist consolidation of the Victorians. The City of London now had strong links to rapidly expanding bank markets around the world, particularly in the USA where the Industrial Revolution fuelled corporate financing needs….

The Victorian years saw a period of massive expansion, both in terms of Empire consolidation and industrialisation as the railway revolution led to revolutions in much more. People could now travel between cities, moving goods and services rapidly by steam train to ports and across continents. The world was becoming connected and the invention of…

The Victorian years saw a period of massive expansion, both in terms of Empire consolidation and industrialisation as the railway revolution led to revolutions in much more. People could now travel between cities, moving goods and services rapidly by steam train to ports and across continents. The world was becoming connected and the invention of…

By the early 1700s, London had established the basic mechanisms of modern finance – a central bank with the ability to stabilise monetary policy; a stock exchange to enable financing of industry and commerce; and an insurance marketplace to cover risks in business. These capabilities were not unique however.  As motioned, Antwerp had a thriving…

By the early 1700s, London had established the basic mechanisms of modern finance – a central bank with the ability to stabilise monetary policy; a stock exchange to enable financing of industry and commerce; and an insurance marketplace to cover risks in business. These capabilities were not unique however.  As motioned, Antwerp had a thriving…

As mentioned, three core financial service businesses began at the same time at the end of the seventeenth century: the Bank of England in 1694; Lloyd’s Coffee House in 1688; and the London Stock Exchange in 1698. The Stock Exchange has obviously been the major innovator in cementing London’s standing as a focal point for…

As mentioned, three core financial service businesses began at the same time at the end of the seventeenth century: the Bank of England in 1694; Lloyd’s Coffee House in 1688; and the London Stock Exchange in 1698. The Stock Exchange has obviously been the major innovator in cementing London’s standing as a focal point for…

Alongside the founding of the Bank of England, the making of London as the City of Finance can be traced to two other key developments that occurred at the same time: the opening of an insurance centre and a stock exchange. Coincidentally, all of these things happened around the same time: the Bank of England…