| AdminHistory | The Bank of Tarapaca and Argentina was formed in 1900 when the Bank of Tarapaca and London took over the Anglo-Argentine Bank. This took place as a consequence of the Bank of Tarapaca and London looking for opportunities outside Chile. Buenos Aires was the first choice but as there were four British banks already there, a newcomer might have found it difficult to get business. It was therefore decided to purchase the smallest of the British banks in Buenos Aires, the Anglo-Argentine Bank. To signify its new interests, the bank changed its name to the Bank of Tarapaca and Argentina. This merger brought many advantages in the form of four of the directors of the Anglo-Argentine Bank joining the board: they had knowledge of the River Plate and had connections in Argentina and other countries. The Bank undertook joint operations with Belgian banks and secured accounts from Belgian firms, and also gained an account at the Bank of England. In 1906 the Bank's name changed again, to the Anglo-South American Bank. |