The characterization of a banking elite in Spain in the middle 19th century

The birth of modern banking institutions in Spain began quite early with the foundation of the Bank of San Carlos in 1782. However, private banking developed late. Restrictive regulations prevented the proliferation of banks until 1856. Our goal is to identify the geographical provenance, professional activity and links to political power of the individuals who served on the boards of provincial banks and the Bank of Spain until 1874. One of our conclusions is that the incipient banking elite had few contacts in the east of Spain and the islands, while many came from the northern parts of the peninsula.