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Company History
Prior to 1999, it had not been possible to form an international
company, because of the regulations which precluded the granting
of Freedom of the City to anyone other than British, British
Commonwealth or European citizens (to become a Liveryman, one
must be “free”
of both the City and the Company). When the Court of Common Council
voted to extend the freedom to all, regardless of nationality,
the way became clear to instigate an international banking and
financial services guild and The Guild of International Bankers
was founded in July 2001. In October 2002 the Guild was constituted
a Company of the City of London without Livery and its Ordinances
were duly enrolled among the records of the City. On the 21 September
2004, the Guild was constituted a full Livery Company (106th). The Company successfully Petitioned for Royal Charter which was granted on the 10th December 2007. The
Company currently has over 500 members, drawn from over 250 companies
or institutions and with 43 nationalities represented. Many are
senior bankers but, recognising the diversity of the City and with
a view to ensuring long-term continuity, membership extends throughout
the professional ranks of the City and includes a number of finance
students. |
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The Crest, Arms and Supporters
The Crest and Helm
The Crest is an important part of the achievement (the word is
derived from Latin crista, a cock’s comb). The “comb”
ran from the forehead over the crown and was originally a reinforcement
to lessen the impact of a blow. The idea of including a Helm in
the representational display of arms presumably arose from the
observation that, as Crests were all different and some had hereditary
or other special significance or were derived from associated devices,
they were as distinctive in their way as shields.
The Company Crest (a 2-masted Galleion) was taken from the badge
of the Overseas Bankers Club (OBC) and slightly modified. The
reason for using the ship was to continue the historical traditions
passed down from the OBC to the Company and to represent the internationalism
of the Company. The ship sits on 5 gold bezants (gold coins that
were first minted in Byzantium and England for use by merchants)
representing the 5 major continents. The point at which the Crest
was attached to the Helm by rivets or laces seems to have been
disguised in various ways, for example by twisting around it
a plain band of cloth or a lady’s “favour”,
and from this developed the wreath or torse of heraldry. It is
shown now as a twisted ribbon of two or more colours. The “mantling”
emanating from the Helm originated from the need to insulate
the metal helm from the heat of the sun with a small mantle,
which predictably was made into a handsome adjunct to the outfit.
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The Shield
The Shield is divided vertically with one half black, the other
red (credit and debit) with a white dragon rampant (the City
of London Dragon) as the principal charge, within an orle (circle)
of bezants. |
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The Supporters
The Supporters are Griffins, the “guardians of treasure”
and to make them unique, each holds a 13th century “pyx”
chest (treasure chest). |
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The Motto
The motto chosen literally translates as “Nation to Nation”
to represent the internationalism of the Company. |
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Livery History
For more information on the history of Livery Companies CLICK
HERE
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Revised Company History
The latest draft version of the Company History is available to download -
CLICK HERE
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