In this volume the authors provide a survey and an examination of the roots of Swiss banking in order to explain the phenomenal success of Switzerland's banks. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, Swiss banking did not originate with the exiled Hugenot bankers of Geneva. Centuries before Louis XIV, Basle had become a principal banking centre although it was not yet part of the Swiss Confederation. From historical beginnings to contemporary comparative analysis, the book offers an authoritative explanation and analysis of the success of the Swiss banks.

WARREN J. BLACKMAN has been in academic work for most of his professional life, specialising in the banking field. He held a position as Associate Professor of Economics at Robert College in Turkey prior to becoming Professor of Economics at The University of Calgary in Canada. His books include The Canadian Financial System and Swiss Banking in an International Context. HANS BAUER was a distinguished Swiss economic historian who completed his doctorate under Julius Landmann at the University of Basle. He was Director of Economic Research at the Swiss Bank Corporation prior to his retirement. He has written very many papers and pamphlets dealing with Swiss banking history.