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Is one man responsible for all Swiss banking?

In a penultimate view of the history of Swiss banking, one important dimension is why the largest Swiss banks – UBS and Credit Suisse – are based in Zurich, rather than Geneva, Basel or Bern. Zurich. The largest town in Switzerland with a population of 400,000 people is tiny compared to London with its millions…

Escher

Is one man responsible for all Swiss banking?

In a penultimate view of the history of Swiss banking, one important dimension is why the largest Swiss banks – UBS and Credit Suisse – are based in Zurich, rather than Geneva, Basel or Bern. Zurich. The largest town in Switzerland with a population of 400,000 people is tiny compared to London with its millions…

Escher

Why Swiss banks are no longer so private

Further to the previous two entries about Swiss Banking (the settlements of the Knights Templar and the Protestant Reforms), we move into the 16th century with Switzerland proving an attractive ground for migration of the Protestants persecuted overseas. As mentioned, this period created the strong movement towards neutrality from any wars or hostilities overseas –…

Why Swiss banks are no longer so private

Further to the previous two entries about Swiss Banking (the settlements of the Knights Templar and the Protestant Reforms), we move into the 16th century with Switzerland proving an attractive ground for migration of the Protestants persecuted overseas. As mentioned, this period created the strong movement towards neutrality from any wars or hostilities overseas –…

Why the Swiss are so good at banking

I blogged a while ago about Switzerland and its origins as a financial centre, dating back to the Knights Templar. After spending a couple of days in Switzerland, I found a fascinating book that sheds more light on the background to this small, but important, centre of private banking.  The book is called Swiss Made:…

Swiss neutrality

Why the Swiss are so good at banking

I blogged a while ago about Switzerland and its origins as a financial centre, dating back to the Knights Templar. After spending a couple of days in Switzerland, I found a fascinating book that sheds more light on the background to this small, but important, centre of private banking.  The book is called Swiss Made:…

Swiss neutrality

Who’s who on a banknote: Jane Austen versus George Best

For us Brits, we pride ourselves on having famous figures from history on our bank notes. Some are more historical than others, and some are even still alive so, if you're interested, here's how the nations of Britain celebrate their heroes through their bank notes. The Who’s Who of UK Banknotes [Infographic] by the team…

The Who’s Who of UK Banknotes

Who’s who on a banknote: Jane Austen versus George Best

For us Brits, we pride ourselves on having famous figures from history on our bank notes. Some are more historical than others, and some are even still alive so, if you're interested, here's how the nations of Britain celebrate their heroes through their bank notes. The Who’s Who of UK Banknotes [Infographic] by the team…

The Who’s Who of UK Banknotes

Is this a bank branch I see before me?

I was going to blog about something ephemeral, academic, insightful and rich today … but then realised that I’m feeling energised by a relaxing weekend in Stratford, the home of Shakespeare, and felt it worth blogging about a few things that were intriguing there. One of the most intriguing things in Stratford is HSBC’s bank…

Shakespear branch

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