When Greek temples doubled as banks

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Mixing aggressive divine worship with subprime lending is a truly ancient tradition. Because heavily guarded temples were the safest buildings in town, wealthy Greeks stored their massive fortunes inside. The priests quickly realized that letting the gold just sit there was stupid, so they started issuing loans at interest. Nothing guarantees swift repayment quite like owing a debt to the literal God of Thunder.

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When Greek temples doubled as banks — STACKY / Economy

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Swiss bank secrecy began as protection for Jewish assets

Ancient Egyptians used grain receipts like money

Bank of America, the massive financial institution that practically runs the modern United States economy, was originally founded in San Francisco in 1904 by a man named Amadeo Giannini under the name Bank of Italy.

Why banks once closed to stop a panic

Why the Bank of England still uses giant keys

Britain paid off a 1720 disaster 295 years later

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.