Ioannis Kapodistrias, 1828, Aegina, Original Founding Document of Greek National Financial Bank. VERY RARE!

Description

The Original Founding Document of the Greek National Financial Bank,

the first Bank of the newly established Greek State!

 

Aegina, 2nd February 1828

Signed: the Governor of the Greek State, Ioannis Kapodistrias and Minister of internal Affairs S. Trikoupis

One page

28cm x 20cm

 

Count Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias (Greek: Κόμης Ιωάννης Αντώνιος Καποδίστριας; 1776 – 1831), was a Greek statesman who was one of the most distinguished politicians and diplomats of 19th century Europe.

The National Financial Bank (1828 – 1834) was founded by the decision of Ioannis Kapodistrias and was the first financial institution of the newly established Greek State, the Hellenic State.

The National Financial Bank was one of the mechanisms Kapodistrias set up for Greece’s finances, along with the National Mint and the establishment of the Phoenix as the national currency to replace the Turkish Grosi.

The Bank was founded by a decree of Kapodistrias in Aegina on February 2, 1828, by its first governor, Georgios Stavros, experienced in finance, known to Kapodistrias from the period of the preparation of the revolution and a proxy in national assemblies with the assistance of Einardos Elvetos banker and important Philhellenic.

Funds to the bank were contributed by Einard, Louis of Bavaria, and even Kapodistrias himself. The interest rate was set at 8% in order to attract funds for deposits.

Due to Greece’s major financial needs, the Bank’s funds were consumed by the state, resulting in losses for its shareholders. The bank appears to have been allowed to fall into disrepair in 1834. The National Financial Bank was the forerunner of the National Bank in 1841 which was founded again by Georgios Stavros with the assistance of Einardos, seven years after the dissolution of the first.