This book provides an overview of monetary history from the perspectives of the financial intermediaries who shaped it. Starting from the Knights Templar and ending with contemporary national banking champions, it presents several case studies that demonstrate how banks from around the world have revolutionized both their operations and the markets they operate in. The text holds a plea for democratic and transnational financial intermediation systems. It appeals to students and scholars of economic history as well as to anyone interested in the history of banking and finance.