(Royal Sea-Trade Society)
INTERVIEW WITH HERR GEH. OBERFINANZRAT LOTTNER, DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL SEEHANDLUNG, PRUSSIAN STATE BANK[192]
Q. When was this bank organised?
A. In 1772.
Q. What is the capital of the bank?
A. One hundred million marks.
Q. By whom are the shares owned?
A. There are no shares; the capital is owned by the bank, which may be regarded as a juristic person, an independent legal subject.
Q. Who invested the money?
A. The money was originally invested by stockholders in the time of Frederick II, but afterwards the shareholders gave up their stock, for which they were paid. The shares were mostly owned by the King and by his associates, and they handed them over to the bank, so the capital is really owned by the bank itself. The proceeds in excess of all the expenses are paid to the Prussian State.