Q. Do you transact business of any other character than that heretofore mentioned?
A. We have a branch known as the Royal Loan Office, which lends money in small amounts upon the pledge of different kinds of goods as security. This was established in 1834. In 1906 we made 99,000 loans upon watches, jewels, clothing, etc., at an average of 31 marks per loan. Two-thirds of the borrowers are labourers; last year about 16 per cent. were widows and spinsters, also a few were mechanics—occasionally professional men—artists, actors, and the like. Our rate is very low, 12 per cent. for the year, which is low compared with the ordinary pawnshops. No other banks conduct a business of this class.
Deutsche Bank
INTERVIEWS WITH HERR PAUL MANKIEWITZ, DIRECTOR, AND HERR A. BLINZIG, ALTERNATE, OF THE DEUTSCHE BANK[193]
Q. When was your bank organised?
A. In the year 1870.
Q. How is your stock owned?
A. By a large number of shareholders. Our shareholders are principally in Germany, but also in England, France, Austria, and elsewhere.
Q. What does the item "Shares in other banks," $19,000,000, represent?
A. This represents the purchase by us of practically the controlling interest in 13 independent banks in the Empire. We are represented upon each board and we are kept closely informed of the business. Our return is in the dividends.