Private banks are banks that are not incorporated. A private bank is owned by either an individual or a general partner(s) with limited partner(s). In any such case, the creditors can look to both the "entirety of the bank's assets" as well as the entirety of the sole-proprietor's/general-partners' assets.
These banks have a long tradition in Switzerland, dating back to at least the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685). Private banks also have a long tradition in the UK where C. Hoare & Co. has been in business since 1672. There were many private banks in Europe. However most have now become incorporated companies, so the term is rarely true anymore.
"Private banks" can also refer to non-government owned banks in general, in contrast to government-owned (or nationalized) banks, which were prevalent in communist, socialist and some social democratic states in the 20th century. Private banks as a form of organization should also not be confused with "Private Banks" that offer financial services to high net worth individuals and others.
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This list contains private banks and incorporated banks specialized in private banking.
Private banks (Family owned banks)[1]
Incorporated banks