This paper studies the role of bank notes issued by the private Enskilda banks in the expansion of the Swedish monetary stock under the classic specie standard maintained during the period 1834-1913. The use of balance sheets has made possible the estimation of more accurate and continuous...

The working of the asset currency provided by the Swedish note banking system in 1878-1901 is described. Natural and institutional conditions caused the demand for currency to peak in March and September, with troughs in July and January. The paper investigates how the Enskilda banks provided...

We exploit the introduction of free banking laws in US states during the 1837-1863 period to examine the impact of removing barriers to bank entry on bank competition and economic growth. As governments were not concerned about systemic stability in this period, we are able to isolate the...

This paper empirically examines the historical allegation of fraudulent behavior of bank management by scrutinizing the balance sheet of individual bank and finds none of the Illinois free banks was without specie reserve. Applying econometric tools to balance sheet items, this paper identifies...