ZA HRANICAMI FILANTROPIE PRVÉ ROKY PREŠPORSKEJ SPORITEĽNE (1842 – 1849)
BEYOND PHILANTHROPY. THE FIRST YEARS OF THE PRESSBURGER SPARKASSA (1842–1849)

Summary/Abstract: This study deals with the circumstances of the establishment of the Pressburger Sparkassa as well as its business activities and business ambitions in the period 1842–1849. It was precisely in the Hungarian context that in the first half of the 19th century their „hybrid“ forms were created. These institutions were on the borders of profit and philanthropy and their social mission also expanded gradually. Under the particular Hungarian conditions, the savings – banks grew rapidly into more or less dominant bank depositories led by the most influential and wealthiest businessmen, however, they observed in their titles the word: “savings – bank” for a long time. The Pressburger Sparkassa became a pioneer in spreading the business principle in Hungarian banking. This financial institution was initiated in the city’s society by generally recognized personalities, merchants and aristocrats, representatives of the local mainly German and to a lesser extent Hungarian elite in 1841. In fact, it acted as a depository bank from the beginning on. Foreign impulses played an important role as well as domestic initiatives, the promotion of the ideas of savings and banking, and last but not least, the business experience of Pressburg traders.

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