Organization of the Banking Systems in England, France and Germany

Introduction

In order that we may learn by what methods the great European nations have developed their banking systems to their present state of usefulness and importance, it would be well to consider separately the central banks of England, France and Germany, and their modes of operation, as a means of comparison with the Federal Reserve System of the United States, and as a further means of seeing how, in practice, these foreign banking systems are made to reach their desired ends.

The banking systems in England, France and Germany are organized under the central banking principle, with more or less direct supervision by the relative governmental powers, which exercise a direct control over their operations, and at times take an active part in the management of their affairs.