This general history of British multinational banking analyzes the emergence, growth and performance of UK banks from their origins in the 1830s to the present day. It is based on a range of confidential banking records, placed in the context of modern theories of competitive advantage.

`This book, together with his earlier works on the subject, incontestably establish its author as the leading authority on multinational banking. It is magisterial in conception, awesome in scope, and meticulous in execution. Besides that, it is well-written and interesting ... a volume that will stand for years, if not forever, as a source of both information and inspiration ... this is a work of monumental proportions.' Business History, April 1994 `This book, together with his earlier works on the subject, incontestably establish its author as the leading authority on multinational banking. It is magisterial in conception, awesome in scope, and meticulous in execution. Besides that, it is well-written and interesting ... The result is a volume that will stand for years, if not forever, as a source of both information and inspiration ... Altogether this is a work of monumental proportions.' Business History `clear, sober and authoritative history of British multinational banking' The London Review of Books 'in this excellent volume Jones describes and explains the history of the whole sector rather than of individual organizations ... It is a well-constructed historical analysis of this important and often neglected group of British financial institutions, but the author's care in drawing out the connections with Britain's broader economic history makes it much more besides. This is an axcellent book.' Michael Collins, University of Leeds, The Economic History Review, Volume XLVII, No. 2, May 1994 'Geoffrey Jones weaves together the insights of a variety of subjects into an instructive, comprehensive, and enjoyable read. He has some intriguing and even delightful insights. His discussion of principal-agent issues in banking is superb and - because he avoids heavy jargon - eminently readable, and I would recommend it to all students of banking. He also has a good feel for the "business" issues in banking - the economics of branching and communications, corporate control issues, compettion for market share, and so on - and his handling of these issues is very good indeed.' Kevin Dowd Sheffield Hallam University Business History Review Autumn '93 'excellent volume ... his is an excellent book.' Michael Collins, University of Leeds, Economic History Society 1994 `comprehensive study of British foreign banks...The strength or the attraction of the book is the set of facts that Jones has assembled and especially the data on profitability, return on assets, and capitalised values of these banks.' Journal of Economic Literature `To write a history of British multinational banking which satisfies the specialist and can also be read with profit by other economic historians is a notable feat and one achieved by Geoffrey Jones...this is a fine book which makes a rweal contribution to understanding the reasons for Britain's economic pre-eminence in the nineteenth century and for her recent melancholy decline.' EHR