M.Litt.et Phil. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Litt. et Phil. (History) / Because of its very close association with the ZAR, the NBZA experienced many problems during the Anglo Boer War. These it managed to solve successfully. Initially the bank was worried that its pro-Boer sentiments and the presence of two imperial banks would anger ill for the NBZA under the new British rule. Yet the bank was prepared to accept the new dispensation and to adapt to the changed circumstances. Its positive and balanced approach yielded results. During the first two months of 1903 forty new accounts were opened in Pretoria. The more the bank's business expanded, the more new agencies could be opened. By 1945 the five agencies existing in 1902 had increased to 22 agencies and 3 sub-agencies. The bank also had two overseas agencies, in London and in Hamburg. The NBZA tried throughout to maintain good relationships with other banks even though its point of view might have differed from theirs. It did not allow itself to be dominated or to be taken in tow by other large banks . Throughout it maintained an independent course but revealed a positive attitude as far as cooperation with other banks was concerned. The role which the NBZA played in the establishment of the South African Reserve Bank cannot be over-emphasised. The NBZA was the only bank in South Africa that was in favour of such an institution. It was also the only bank in favour of South Africa's independent, re-entry to the gold standard. In 1932 the NBZA was the only bank in favour of retaining the gold- standard.

D.Litt.et Phil. / When the Second World War came to an end the Chief Agent of the Nederlandsche Bank voor Zuid-Afrika, realized that the future of the bank's operations in South Africa lay in the formation of a South African banking company. In the Netherlands one of the Directeuren, J. Keuning, gave his support to the idea, but the Raad van Commissarisse (Board of Directors) of the bank in Amsterdam was reluctant to allow such a move without prior confirmation that the parent company in Amsterdam would retain full control. The bank in Amsterdam had to revive its activities after it had been forced to cease all transactions from the Netherlands during the war. The South Africa and London offices of the bank continued their operations under the watchful eye of a Controller, J. Dommisse, appointed in South Africa. Further consolidation and expansion of the business of the bank, both in Amsterdam and South Africa, neccessitated further capital. When war broke out the Netherlands economy was unable to provide the necessary capital and Kakebeeke, the Chief Agent in South Africa, urged the formation of a South African company in order to enable the bank to secure working capital in South Africa. The Board in Amsterdam finally decided, in principle, in 1946 to establish a subsidiary company in South Africa and to incorporate the London office with the new South African bank. After a lengthy selection period, the Board in Amsterdam decided on members for the South African Board, making Kakebeeke the Managing Director of the new bank to enable him to act as Chairman of the local Board ...