ABSTRACT
The emergence of foreign banks increased the possibility for loans and investments in industry and trade, as well as in public works, introduced business security and planning opportunities for small and larger businesses, and contributed to a revival of economic processes. At least since the middle of the first decade of the twentieth century the German foreign policy service had kept repeating that it was necessary to establish a German bank in Belgrade and the idea was ardently supported by some Serbian businessmen and prominent figures in the Serbian government. Foreign capital had shown considerable interest in the opening of banks in Serbia. The French interest in the small country of Serbia emerged relatively early and gradually increased. There was indeed one main promoter of French interests. The Serbian sources mention 'the Ottoman group' as the main French partner.
