The information base for research was provided by the informational and
statistical material of the European Central Bank (ECB), the Bank for International
Settlements, the Central Bank of Italy, specialized surveys, prepared by various
professional associations, information agencies and companies, as well as the
regulatory authorities of the EU, Italy.
1. Evolution and the main stages of the development of the Italian banking
system. The genesis of Italian banking system begins with the emergence of banking.
The banking system of Italy originated in ancient Rome and was organized according
to the prototype and likeness of the Greek. It was in Rome that the primary rules of
banking were established. The scope of lending transactions of the first banks was
broad enough and covered operations ranging from servicing consumer needs to
purchasing and selling land plots. Houses of Opius and Ignatius carried out their
operations in the territory from Macedonia to the Pillars of Herakles [1].
Particularly the banking activity established in the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance period in Venice and Florence, where, in addition to commercial banks,
public banks operated (1156-1171), that were engaged in transferring funds between
accounts and received the name of girobanks. The first one was the Venice Bank
"Monte Nuovo".
Further development of banks led to the participation of the state in their
activities. In 1401, by the merger of many government-crediting societies, the famous
Banco di San Giorgio in Genoa was formed, which became the creditor of the Republic.
For capital served customs and other government revenues. The bank enjoyed great
privileges of the state.
At the same time, the first credit institutions that lended against the collateral to
private individuals began to appear. In particular, in 1472 a bank "Monte dei Paschi di
Siena" emerged, which still exists today. And in 1587 in Venice the first state girobank
"Banco di Rielto" was opened; in 1619 the second giroobank was opened on identical
terms. All operations of Venetian banks were carried out in a special bank coin, which
was recognized as the best coin in circulation in Venice - dukati d'argento.
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