# Bank of Romania, Ltd
**Wikidata**: [Q104663717](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104663717)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bank-of-romania-ltd

## Summary
The Bank of Romania, Ltd was a financial institution established in 1866 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Operating as a private company limited by shares, it engaged in financial service activities, primarily focusing its operations in Bucharest. The bank was eventually dissolved in 1951.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 1866
- **Dissolution:** 1951
- **Country of Origin:** United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- **Industry:** Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding
- **Legal Form:** Private company limited by shares (effective from April 17, 1903)
- **Initial Headquarters:** Bucharest (from 1866 to 1903)
- **Later Headquarters:** London, at 7, Great Winchester Street, London E.C., and later 64, Cornhill, London E.C.3
- **Primary Operating Area:** Bucharest (from 1903)
- **Notable Directors:** Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough; George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen (until 1923); Herbert Lawrence (from 1924)
- **PM20 Folder ID:** co/049142

## FAQs
**What was the Bank of Romania, Ltd?**
The Bank of Romania, Ltd was a financial institution founded in 1866 in the United Kingdom. It functioned as a private company limited by shares, specializing in financial service activities, and primarily conducted its operations in Bucharest.

**When was the Bank of Romania, Ltd active?**
The Bank of Romania, Ltd was established in 1866 and operated for several decades until its dissolution in 1951. Its legal form as a private company limited by shares was adopted on April 17, 1903.

**Where was the Bank of Romania, Ltd headquartered and where did it operate?**
Initially, the Bank of Romania, Ltd was headquartered in Bucharest from its inception in 1866 until 1903. After 1903, its headquarters moved to London, with addresses at 7, Great Winchester Street, London E.C., and subsequently 64, Cornhill, London E.C.3, while its operating area remained Bucharest.

**Who were some of the key leaders of the Bank of Romania, Ltd?**
Notable individuals who served as directors or managers for the Bank of Romania, Ltd included Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough. George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen, was also a director until 1923, and Herbert Lawrence took on a leadership role from 1924.

## Why It Matters
The Bank of Romania, Ltd represents a historical example of a financial institution operating across national borders, with its origins in the United Kingdom and its primary operational focus in Bucharest. As a bank, it would have played a role as a financial intermediary, accepting deposits and providing credit, thereby contributing to the economic activities in its operating area. Its long operational span from 1866 to 1951 highlights its endurance through significant historical periods, and its shift in headquarters from Bucharest to London while maintaining operations in Romania reflects the evolving dynamics of international finance and corporate structure during that era. The involvement of prominent figures like Earl of Bessborough and Viscount Goschen in its leadership underscores its significance within the financial circles of its time.

## Notable For
- **Transnational Operation:** Established in the United Kingdom but primarily operating in Bucharest, demonstrating early international banking practices.
- **Long Operational History:** Active for 85 years, from 1866 to 1951, navigating through various economic and political landscapes.
- **Evolving Headquarters:** Initially based in Bucharest, then relocating its headquarters to London while maintaining its operational focus in Romania.
- **Prominent Leadership:** Led by notable figures such as Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough, and George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen.
- **Specific Legal Transformation:** Transitioned to a private company limited by shares on April 17, 1903, marking a formal change in its corporate structure.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
The Bank of Romania, Ltd was formally classified as an `organization`, a `business`, and specifically a `bank`. Its core industry was `financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding`. As a bank, it functioned as a financial institution that accepts deposits, operating as a financial intermediary and credit institution. This places it within the broader category of enterprises and depository institutions, distinguishing it from non-bank entities and from the physical bank building itself.

### History and Operations
The Bank of Romania, Ltd was established in **1866** in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. For its initial period, from 1866 to 1903, its headquarters were located in **Bucharest**. Following this period, from **1903** onwards, the bank's headquarters were situated in **London**, specifically at 7, Great Winchester Street, London E.C., and later at 64, Cornhill, London E.C.3. Despite the change in headquarters, its primary `operating area` remained **Bucharest** from 1903. The institution had a substantial operational lifespan, eventually being dissolved in **1951**.

### Legal Structure
The legal form of the Bank of Romania, Ltd was that of a `private company limited by shares`. This specific legal structure was in effect from **April 17, 1903**.

### Leadership
Throughout its history, the Bank of Romania, Ltd was guided by several notable directors and managers. These included **Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough**. Another significant figure was **George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen**, who served as a director until **1923**. Following his tenure, **Herbert Lawrence** assumed a leadership role from **1924**.

### Identifiers
The Bank of Romania, Ltd is associated with the `pm20_folder_id` **co/049142**. This identifier is further qualified with the name 'Bank of Romania Ltd' and additional numerical references '56' for both `P3740` and `P5592`, with its source being `http://purl.org/pressemappe20/folder/co%2F049142`.

## References

1. 20th Century Press Archives
2. [Source](https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2852823?descriptiontype=Full&ref=FO+371/95346)
3. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/folder/co%2F049142)