Taula de canvi de Barcelona, origen en el segle XIII

The Taula de Canvi de Barcelona has a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Its origins can be traced back to a time when trade and commerce were thriving in the city.

In the 13th century, Barcelona was a major hub for trade and commerce, and the need for a centralized exchange system arose. This led to the creation of the Taula de Canvi.

The Taula de Canvi de Barcelona was initially a simple wooden table where merchants would exchange goods and currencies. It was a crucial part of the city's economy, facilitating transactions and promoting growth.

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Barcelona was the site of a significant economic shift during the reign of Pedro IV of Aragón. The crisis of 1381 led to the bankruptcy of the private Catalan bank, which had loaned large sums to the king.

The city's financial struggles led to the creation of a unique solution. A table of exchange was established in Barcelona on January 20, 1401, marked by a tapestry with the city's coat of arms.

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This table of exchange, known as the Taula de canvi de Barcelona, was a groundbreaking move. It became the first public bank in Europe, marking a significant change in the way money was handled.

The Taula de canvi de Barcelona was a response to the city's economic needs. It provided a way for people to exchange money and conduct financial transactions in a more organized and secure manner.

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The Taula de Canvi de Barcelona, created in 1401, was the first public bank in Europe. It generated a large number of accounting books or auxiliary books, of which 940 units have been preserved at the Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona (Casa de l'Ardiaca).

Only a few volumes have been preserved for the foundational period and the first centuries, when the institution was more important for the economic life of Barcelona and Catalonia as a whole. In fact, for the entire 15th century, only seven volumes have been preserved.

Among the preserved volumes of the 15th century, there are some of the first major books produced between 1402 and 1407. This is a small consolation, but it allows us to get a taste of the Taula's functioning, its accounting system, its role as a public bank and financier of the municipality, as well as the service it provided to the population.

The Taula provided a service to the population by ensuring deposits of money that were temporarily unavailable, due to litigation, conditions imposed, or because they were destined for a later use. It also provided security for voluntary deposits, which were favored by the city's guarantee of the deposited money and the free banking operations it offered to its clients.

The Taula did not exercise one banking function, however: the granting of credit, which it reserved for the municipality.

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The early days of Barcelona's Exchange were marked by the presence of canviadors, who initially operated in the porches of the Canvis square and the streets of Canvis Vells and Canvis Nous.

These early canviadors were essential for sailors and merchants who needed to exchange currency to trade in the city.

Over time, many canviadors became bankers, as merchants left their money in deposit and they invested it, earning a profit.

However, this also led to corrupt practices, and the Consell de Cent had to intervene, imposing sanctions such as desterrament, presó, confiscació de béns, and even pena de mort.

Valencia was a city that underwent significant changes in its financial systems over the centuries.

The first Taula de Canvis i Depòsits de la Ciutat de València was established in 1407 by Martín el Humano.

It was a short-lived institution, as it was suppressed in 1416.

In 1519, a new Taula was created, which would last for over a century.

This Nova Taula was initially located in the Llotja de la Seda, the city's central marketplace.

The Taula Novíssima emerged in 1649, replacing its predecessor.

It continued to operate until the Decretos de Nueva Planta in 1707.

The institution eventually disappeared in 1719 with the abolition of the city's fueros.

Gerona was a significant city in the past, and one notable event that took place there was the granting of a taula de canvis by Queen María in the year 1445. This was a major development for the city.

The institution of a taula de canvis in 1445 marked a significant milestone for Gerona.

The first exchange tables appeared in the 13th century. They were a common sight in markets, often located under arcades.

These early exchange tables were known as "banca" and were used for transactions, including currency exchanges, payments, and collections. Banquers had to follow strict rules set by the Corts catalanes, which were very strict due to the lack of ethics among these early financiers.

If a banquer acted dishonestly, their table would be broken in public as a form of punishment. This practice is where the expression "banca-rrota" comes from, as many of these banquers were of Italian origin.

The punishments for banquers who broke the rules were severe, ranging from public shaming to imprisonment, confiscation of goods, and even death. However, if a banquer showed remorse, they would be allowed to continue operating, but in a different location, such as the street of Canvis Nous.

The city of Barcelona had two main streets where banquers operated: Canvis Vells and Canvis Nous. The former was where the most trusted banquers were located, while the latter was where those who had committed infractions were sent after their tables were broken.

The city's financial woes were a major concern in the past. In the 14th century, debt was a huge issue, with merchants, bankers, nobles, and even the king taking out loans.

Everyone was using credit back then, and municipalities were no exception, trying to avoid raising taxes on the population. However, with the crisis of 1380, interest rates became unbearable.

Many bankers and money changers went bankrupt because they weren't receiving their interest payments or getting their loans back. The city's authorities were struggling to pay off the debt, but the bankers and money changers were the ones who suffered the most.

The creation of the Taula de Canvi in 1401 was a game-changer. It provided a guarantee for lenders, keeping the city's surplus taxes and allowing the Consell de Cent to pay interest and amortize the public debt.

The Taula de Canvi competed with private banks without eliminating them, as it couldn't offer loans. It brought security and guarantees that private banks couldn't match, and it used deposits from individuals and tax revenue to pay off municipal debt and fund public works.

Despite its efforts, the debt continued to grow, and the Taula de Canvi was on the verge of bankruptcy by 1468.

For your interest: Codigo De Descuento Ria Money Transfer