The History of Banks | How They've Changed through the Years

• The earliest banking systems date back to 8000 BCE when trade was recorded in a log, keeping a written note of the transactions.
• Mesopotamia was the home of the first proper banks, with lending activities in temples and palaces. As cash wasn’t invented yet, seeds and the produce of farmers was used.
• Records of credit exist in the Asian civilization, hinting at banking activities.
• The Temple of Artemis was a deposit for cash and there were records of debts held there.

Brokerage and loans started in an advanced form with merchant banks, though crop loan was still used for lending and credit activities.

Italy was the home of the earliest banks (which evolved into the modern banks), and even the word ‘bankrupt’ comes from the Italian word ‘Banca Rotta’.