Raymond de Roover

First published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

From a careful study of pertinent documents, including a set of libri segreti (confidential ledgers) discovered in 1950, Professor de Roover has reconstructed the details of the bank's organization and operating methods; its loan policies, which reflected the Church's doctrine on usury; its trading and industrial investments; its roles within the Florentine gild system and tax structure; and its activities as financial agent of the Church. He covers every aspect of the bank's history, from its early years under the management of Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici to its collapse with the expulsion of the Medici from Florence.

The Medici Bank: Its Organization, Management, Operations, and Decline is a comprehensive book written by Raymond de Roover that explores the history of the Medici Bank, one of the most influential financial institutions of the Renaissance. The book delves into the bank's organizational structure, management practices, and operational strategies that enabled it to become a dominant force in the banking industry during the 15th and 16th centuries. De Roover's research provides a detailed account of the Medici Bank's rise to power, including its role in financing the papacy, the Medici family's political and economic influence, and the bank's expansion into foreign markets. The author also examines the bank's decline and eventual collapse, which was caused by a combination of factors, including political instability, bad loans, and mismanagement. Throughout the book, De Roover draws on a wealth of primary sources, including letters, account books, and financial records, to provide a vivid and engaging account of the Medici Bank's history. The book is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of banking and finance, as well as the broader cultural and political context of the Renaissance. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

First published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.