This book poses a systematic challenge to Gerschenkron's 1950s thesis on universal banks. With contributions from leading scholars including Ranald Michie and Jaime Reis, it provides solid and intriguing arguments throughout.

Introduction  1. Explaining Cross-National Variations in Universal Banking in 19th Century Europe, North America and Australasia  2. Banks and Securities Markets, 1870-1914  3. Competing in Tandem: Securities Markets and Commercial Banking Patterns in Europe during the 19th Century  4. On the Development of Universal Bankingin Germany  5. The Early Development of Mixed Banking in Italy in an Adverse Institutional Context, 1850-1914  6. The Origins of Universal Banks in France during the 19th Century  7. Banking Systems as 'Ideal Types' and as Political Economy: The Swedish Case, 1820-1914  8. The Development of a Hybrid Structure in Norway: Banks and Economic Change in the European Periphery, 1870-1913  9. Universal Banking in Russia  10. Bank Structures, Gerschenkron and Portugal (pre-1914)