The Establishment of Târgu Mureș Branch of „Albina” Bank and the Relationships with its Headquarters in Sibiu (1919-1928)

Abstract

Abstract A close look at the minutes of the Administration Council, a governing body of the „Albina” Bank in Sibiu, reveals various aspects, as important as they are interesting, regarding the activity of the Târgu Mureș branch (one of the most important branches that began its activity before the pre-war period - 1st May 1910). After Transylvania was included in the Romanian Unitary National State, the entire economic life experienced a revival. In this context, „Albina”’s Târgu Mureș branch increased its turnorver beeing able to compete with the local credit institutions in the county, including the Saxon and Hungarian ones. However, the lack of liquidity on the financial markets, which threatened the well being of entire banking system, directly affected the branch starting with 1927/28. The examples found in archives and presented in this article emphasize a gradual decrease in the number of loans granted by the bank and the crippling effect on the local economy. Different types of loans are being explained and presented offering a vivid image of the inhabitants of the area, their nationality, their field of activity, which was directly linked with their financial abilities. Some interesting, however controversial, aspects are being highlighted regarding the unorthodox practices of the personnel, the bold decisions of the director of the branch that were not exactly in the line with the code of conduct and the ethos promoted by „Albina”’s Headquarters in Sibiu.