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The Bankers
What Banks are doing to your money - without your knowledge and consent
612 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 26, 2025
The Bankers, Martin Mayer (1928-2019), 1974, 612 pages, SBN 345247507225
How the banking system works in the U.S., as of 1974.
By definition, money is a scarce good (if money were not scarce, people would not work for it). p. 6.
In 1973, banks earned about 6% of the profits in American enterprise. p. 7.
NO COMPETITION
Neither the federal nor the state government will charter a new bank in a locality unless it is demonstrated that the banks already on the scene, whether they are doing a good job or a bad job, will not be harmed. Existing banks will fight to prevent the chartering of a rival; a growing market will draw many applicants. A man wishing to start a bank would be wise to have friends well-connected in politics. p. 71.
Author's wikipedia page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marti...
How the banking system works in the U.S., as of 1974.
By definition, money is a scarce good (if money were not scarce, people would not work for it). p. 6.
In 1973, banks earned about 6% of the profits in American enterprise. p. 7.
NO COMPETITION
Neither the federal nor the state government will charter a new bank in a locality unless it is demonstrated that the banks already on the scene, whether they are doing a good job or a bad job, will not be harmed. Existing banks will fight to prevent the chartering of a rival; a growing market will draw many applicants. A man wishing to start a bank would be wise to have friends well-connected in politics. p. 71.
Author's wikipedia page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marti...
August 31, 2021
A good fundamental history, albeit sometimes incomprehensible.
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December 8, 2025Good insight into the banking industry
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews