The Worldwide Legacy of Haute Banque

The Haute Banque, an elite form of private or merchant banking, emerged in France in the early 19th century, reached its peak around 1850-1860 before declining in the early 20th century and almost disappearing in the 1960s-1980s. Often characterized by their religious origins and family networks, these banking houses escape a clear definition. Their expansion is not limited to France, as banks with similar features can be found in Europe and throughout the world.

This book, which brings together some of the best specialists in the field, examines the legacy of the Haute Banque. How and until when did it influence other banking establishments, through its managers, its practices, and its values? What business lines have these bankers helped to shape, right up to wealth management and asset management of today? What was the resilience of these finance companies? Is there a resurgence in the 21st century of the houses or the spirit of Haute Banque?

^{_{Roger Nougaret successively directed the historical archive departments of several French banking groups. He is a member of the Association for the History of BNP Paribas and of the Comité des Travaux historiques et scienti_ ques (École des chartes/Paris Sciences Lettres).}}

^{_{Hubert Bonin is a researcher in modern economic history at Sciences Po Bordeaux and at Bordeaux School of Economics Research Centre at Bordeaux University. He is a specialist of the history of services and moreover of French banking history.}}

^{_{He has co-guided a dozen of research programs about companies, their strategies and practices. He is involved in projects about investment banking from the Paris market-place, merchant and trade banking in China, French banking, and entrepreneurship and European business.}}