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Description of Lombard Street

Lombard Street began as a series of articles the esteemed essayist and financial advisor, Walter Bagehot had written for The Economist during the 1850s. First published in book form in 1873, it is a vivid description of the money market that seamlessly brings together theoretical analyses, historical anecdotes, and incisive commentary on sociology, politics, and the Street's various personalities. Sharing his invaluable insights and unique observations, Bagehot touches on everything from the mechanics of deposit banking within a fractional reserve system to the nature of foreign deposits in Britain. Along with a clear explanation of why economic growth and rising living standards are dependent upon a well-managed financial system, he offers straightforward guidelines for the function of lender-of-last resort; a penetrating look at the consequences of uncontrolled credit and speculation; and an in-depth examination of the exchequer in the money market that includes a stimulating analysis of the interaction between the government's fiscal operations and the functioning of the Bank of England, the commercial banks, and the money market.
Perhaps most importantly, Lombard Street features Bagehot's prescription for crisis management, which after nearly 150 years, remains the formula of choice for containing-and curtailing-financial crises. Filled with descriptions of Lombard Street that still ring true today, this jewel of a book has withstood the test of time to become a true investment classic-one that will appeal as much to the readers of today as it did to those of years ago.

Title Information

ISBN:

9780471345367

Pages:

359 pages

Format:

Paperback

Product Code:

10234

Publisher:

John Wiley & Sons Inc

Published:

14/04/1999

Press and Industry Reviews

'I have lost track of how many times over the years I have either reread this book in its entirety or dipped into it to refresh my memory of its wisdom.'
- From the Foreword by Peter L. Bernstein, author of Against the Gods

'Walter Bagehot was a great economist and a great writer - though there is a question as to which was the greater. Lombard Street, first published in 1873, is more than ever timely in the age of Asian financial flu, Long-Term Capital Management, problems in Russia, Brazil, and on the horizon elsewhere. Central bankers and finance ministers such as Alan Greenspan and Robert Rubin in the U.S., along with leading IMF officials should each sleep with a copy under his or her pillow.'
- Charles P. Kindleberger, author of 'Manias, Panics and Crashes'

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About Walter Bagehot

WALTER BAGEHOT is one of the most celebrated finance writers ever. One of the most lucid and discerning critics of his time, Bagehot was editor of the highly regarded Economist. Widely acknowledged as an expert on banking and finance, he was frequently consulted by Parliament.

Contents of Lombard Street

1. Introductory
2. A general view of Lombard Street
3. How Lombard Street came to exist, and why it assumed its present form
4. The position of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the money market
5. The mode in which the value of money is settled in Lombard Street
6. Why Lombard Street is often very dull, and sometimes extremely excited
7. A more exact account of the mode in which the Bank of England has discharged its duty of retaining a good bank reserve, and of administering it effectually
8. The Government of the Bank of England
9. The joint stock banks
10. The private banks
11. The bill-brokers
12. The principles which should regulate the amount of the banking reserve to be kept by the Bank of England
13. Conclusion

Appendix
A. Liabilities and cash reserve of the chief banking systems
B. Extract from evidence given by Mr. Alderman Salomons before the House of Commons Select Committee in 1858
C. Statement of circulation and deposits of the Bank of Dundee at intervals of ten years, between 1764 and 1864
D. Meeting of the proprietors of the Bank of England, September 13, 1866