An Invaluable Treasure

The first British trustee savings banks were founded during the early-19th century to provide a safe repository for the savings of the nation's "industrious poor". The movement grew rapidly, as hundreds of "people's banks" were established. During the 20th century, the TSBs were faced with increasing competition on the high streets, and the decision was made to transform the network of local banks into a major publicly-quoted financial-services company. Michael Moss tells the story of the old TSBs, their staff and customers, and traces their evolution to "the bank that likes to say 'Yes'!".