Stolper Bank AG
The Stolper Bank joint-stock company was established in 1909 so it is thought to be a relatively young enterprise. The initial share capital reached 500,000 marks. The bank started its business activity on 3rd November 1909 in rented rooms of the terraced house at 46 Mittelstrasse (that street no longer exists). The bank was developing successfully, it was quickly expanded by bringing its new affiliate in Slawno to life. The fast development of the bank involved so many own funds that its share capital was raised to reach 2,000,000 marks in January 1912.
Soon, Stolper Bank grew so much that small rooms at Mittelstrasse were not enough to let it continue its activity. The board quickly decided to build a new building. It was put up at the corner of Stephana Square, on the basis of urban planner Launer's design. The building was given for use on 1st April 1912. The company moved to the new office, it continued to develop until the First World War. On 1st August 1914, after mobilisation was announced, all financial claims of customers were met.
The surrender and accompanying devastating economic processes brought about a devaluation against the currency. During the inflation period, Bank's activity run similarly as in case of another German financial institutions. Speculations and the chase for hard currency meant masses of work for the bank and more staff to be employed. On 1st October 1924, when the German mark became currency based on gold, the bank's balance sheet revealed assets of 500 000 marks. At the same time, the share capital was raised to 1 000 000 marks and Ostbank fuer Handel und Gewerbe from Koszalin was taken over by the bank.
Along with emergence of the new hard currency, the assets had to be converted into the new marks. Times of dealing with great numbers finally ended. As a consequence, many companies were bankrupted and went under the hammer. The situation got even worse with an overproduction and a crisis in agriculture that was closely related to the bank's activity. Despite scarce financial resources and other obstacles of the post-war period, Bank managed to complete all economic tasks.
On 11th April 1933, a merger of Stolper Bank with Pommersche Bank fuer Handel und Gewerbe AG Stettin and Neuvorpommersche Spar und Kreditbank AG Stralsund took place. That transformation resulted in the appearance of grand Pommersche Bank AG with a head office in Szczecin. Its affiliates were established in Slupsk and Stralsund.











