Banks in Lithuania

Leidinyje XIX a. pabaigoje - XX a. pirmojoje pusėje Lietuvoje veikusių bankų istorija aprašoma remiantis istoriniais šaltiniais ir išlikusia ikonografine medžiaga - projektais, fotografijomis ir atvirukais. Trumpai apžvelgiamos bankų ir kitų kredito įstaigų kūrimosi aplinkybės, jų veikla, įsikūrimo vieta, pastatų nuomos, statybos istorija. Pateikiama daugiau kaip 250 bankų vaizdų iš Lietuvos archyvų, muziejų, bibliotekų, privačių kolekcininkų rinkinių, daugelis iš jų spausdinami pirmą kartą.The publication presents banking history on the basis of historical sources and surviving iconographic material such as projects, photographs and postcards. The subject under review is divided into two periods: banks before restoration of the statehood of Lithuania in 1918 and from 1918 to 1940. The circumstances of establishment of banks and other credit institutions, their activities, location, history of the rent and construction of buildings are briefly reviewed. The origination and establishment of banks in Lithuania relates to the development of capitalist relations in the largest cities, therefore the headquarters of banks were established in places of industrial growth and concentration of capital. The major focus is on the history of establishment of credit institutions in the three largest cities of Lithuania: Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. In the period under review, these cities belonged to different states, and credit institution creation was based on the legislation, experience and traditions of the respective countries. Due to the establishment of the largest banks and the densest network of other credit institutions these cities had pooled the largest financial and credit resources. In other Lithuanian cities and towns, branches of only the largest banks were in operation, or small local credit institutions were set up. The differences in the development of banks in individual regions of Lithuania were also decided by a complicated political situation in the country. In the late 18th century the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was partitioned: Russia took hold of its bigger part, and the other, smaller part (Užnemunė) was incorporated into the State of Prussia. The subsequent economic development of these parts varied, being closely related with political, economic and financial changes in both states. [...