Financing in Europe

Provides a comparative analysis of the development of informal credit markets in countries embedded in different institutional, political and economic contexts Based on new empirical studies Highlights how the diversity of institutional and socio-economic frameworks affected the credit market Covers a range of financial intermediaries including merchants, notaries, town secretaries, pious foundations, scriveners, and institutions
This book explores the evolution of credit and financing in Europe from the Middle Ages through to Modern Times. It engages with the distinct political, economic and institutional frameworks of the examined areas (England, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Turkey) and discusses how these affected the credit market. It covers a wide range of different types of lending and borrowing instruments, the destination of capital, the way it was raised, and the impact it had on local or national economies in a very long run. Presented in two parts, part one of the book focuses on credit markets in the preindustrial age, in particular the period before the advent of modern joint stock banks. Part two examines the evolution of credit at the time of the emergence of modern banks. This volume will be of interest to academics and researchers in the field of finance who are interested in the historic evolution of credit and the credit market.