Banking has deep roots. Ancient Egypt’s grain-bank was centered in Alexandria. Greeks stored their couns and family treasures in local temples. China’s earliest banks were issuing letters of credit as early as 221 BC.

These early banks also worked as intermediaries – keeping records and recording repayment terms – for loans between merchants and landowners to people in their community who needed capital to start or grow their business.

Banking evolved, becoming ever more complex and more globa