The Establishment of Imperial Bank of Birjand branch and its Regional Effects

Birjand Imperial Bank was one of the Imperial Bank branches of Persia that was established as a result of the economic and strategic policies of Britain in1331 AH/ 1913 AC in Birjand. The organizational structure of Birjand Imperial Bank consisted of a chief manager and one or two staffs regarding its territory coverage. The management was held by Britons while Iranians were in position of deputies and translators. This bank was rapidly involved in business affairs and the transferring and transmission of money and the goods needed by merchants, governors and the residents on the basis of their orders. In addition, the English members of the bank maintained friendly relations with people and governors being invited by them to parties, hunting, and games. The residents, in some cases, used the bank influence also as a means by which to solve their own problems. The bank operation together with Britons’ presence exerted both positive and negative effects on Birjand. This bank created some social, cultural, commercial, political, and military changes. At one hand, a progress emerged in business and transactions and while on the other hand some Western customs and characteristics spread among the upper class of the society. Aside from this, because of the activity of bank some businessmen and craftsmen such as money exchange dealers faced stagnations. Meanwhile, the effects of Britain’s political interference in the forms of banking activities should not be neglected.