The Stupendous Modernity of the First Government Loan for Institutionals in 1555

In order to finance the Italian war, Henry II ‘financial advisers have made in 1555 an enormous financial operation in LYON – then the French financial capital: a huge debt consolidation plus a cash issue. This issue was outstandingly “modern” by at least three aspects. 1. The subscription was reserved to the institutional investors --- the merchant-bankers. 2. For the first time, the amortization took the form of a 41-quarterly –constant-annuities system. 3. Because of a huge demand, an incredible system of “assimilation” of new loans has been organized. The end of this loan is as stupendous as its technics: less than two years later, the Royal government defaulted and only 9% of the total issue has been repaid according to schedule.