Rijkspostspaarbank (state postal savings bank)

To stimulate workers to save money, the Dutch government established the Rijkspostspaarbank in 1881. It became an enormous success. Between 1881 and 1931 the number of savings accounts increased from 23,000 to almost 2.2 million. After World War II, the expansion of the Rijkspostspaarbank lagged behind that of the competing savings banks. Legal restrictions stood in the way, for example with regard to the level of interest the Rijkspostspaarbank could offer. Competition forced the Rijkspostspaarbank to expand its activities. Close cooperation with the Postcheque- en Girodienst (postal cheque and payment service) offered new possibilities, and led to an integration of both companies in 1977.

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