Excerpt from Practical Banking

An explanation is needful concerning the origin and composition of this work. For several years letters have been received-by the publisher-of the Banker's Magazine inquiring whether a work like this existed. Other letters of inquiry have been received concerning the Banker's common-place Book, which, after the issue of several edi tions, went out of print. For a long period I have been trying to find an opportunity to embody the more important matters contained in that work, with additional information in a new form, but the desire to complete other undertakings resulted in the postponement of this until after my connection with the School of Finance and Economy in the University of Pennsylvania, when the need of the book for the purpose of instruction was so great that the prepara tion of it was begun. The work, therefore, has been prepared to serve a double purpose; first, for those in banks, and elsewhere, who wish to learn how the business of banking is conducted; and, secondly, for use as a text book for the students whom it is my pleasure to instruct.

I have not aimed to produce an original work, but the best for the purposes mentioned. Accordingly, I have profited by the labor of others to a considerable extent, and it is fitting that I should acknowledge my indebtedness to them. In 1858 James S. Gibbons, Cashier of the Ocean Bank of New York, wrote a work on T fie Banks of New York, which ran through ten editions, and merited the favorable reception accorded to it. Changes, however, have occurred in banking methods since he wrote, while the style of Mr. Gibbons' work, though very lively and appropriate for the gen eral reader, is not suitable for a class-room book. Nevertheless, I have drawn very largely from that source in the preparation of Part I. And with much pleasure I acknowledge my indebtedness to this pioneer in describing the methods of conducting the business of banking.

Aid has been derived from other sources. This has been acknowledged in various places, but additional mention may be properly made of several writers and sources of information. The more important sections of the Banker's common-place Book have been thoroughly revised and incorporated with other matter in Chapters VI. And VII and the essay entitled Suggestions to Young Cashiers on the Duties of their Profession, is given in the Appendix. Another portion of Chapter VII from pages 51 to 58, was written by George Walker, formerly Bank Commissioner of Massachusetts, and a banker of many years' experience, who has justly acquired the high reputation he enjoys as a financial writer on both sides of the Atlantic. Chapter XIV., on The Book keeper, has been prepared by S. R. Hopkins, who has happily joined an exceptionally valuable experience as an accountant in all its forms, private, corporate and municipal, with excellent facility for description. He has also prepared the last part of the work re lating to Trust Companies. The Chapter on Private Banking is from the pen of Eugene R. Leland, Of New York, formerly a banker in Wisconsin.

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