The Banking and Finance Series has been written for students who are preparing for the Associateship of the Institute of Bankers. The structure of the series follows the syllabus closely. Although the emphasis is on the Institute of Bankers' examinations the series is also relevant to students for the kinds of other professional examinations such as the different Accountancy Bodies, Chartered Secretaries, Diploma in Public Administration, under­ graduate business course, B.T.E.C., B.E.C., R.N.D., D.M.S., Stock Exchange courses, Association of Corporate Treasurers, Institute of Freight Forwarders, Institute of Export. Brian Kettell July 1985 Series Editor xi Preface This book covers a broad range of topics relating to banking but aims primarily at the aspects of banking which comprise the syllabus of the Institute of Bankers examination in Practice of Banking - 1 (Banking Diploma - Stage 2). Although the textbook should be of particular interest and assistance to students engaging upon a study of the relative Institute of Bankers subject, the book will, due to the wide range of technical banking information it contains coupled with the practical guidance it affords, provide a useful general reference book for practising branch bankers and for students in educational institutes who are studying financial and business courses.