World Financial Insights Archive is a unique resource for researchers studying global financial capitalism. The archive provides insights into how London became one of the world’s premier financial centres during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The archive contains over 100,000 pages of original documents relating to the firm’s trading activities. It includes documents from the earliest days of trading, through to the firm’s bankruptcy in 1890. The archives also contain correspondences between Nicolas Baring and his agents in North America, Europe, India, China and Russia. These are arranged by country of origin, and form an important part of the archive’s holdings (Orbell, 2000; Vedoveli, 2022).

The May research newsletter looks at the black box of household financial decision making as revealed by new Global Findex data, methods to improve access to banking for inexperienced consumers, and ways to increase resilience in the face of COVID-19. Other highlights include a path-breaking study of Daesh oil revenues and how to design peacekeeping missions that deliver results.

Achieving Financial Independence with Crypto: A Millennial’s Guide

The Global Financial Development Database, available in World Financial Insights Archive, is an extensive dataset on the depth, accessibility, efficiency, and stability of financial systems in 214 economies. This release adds new indicators, includes revised data for some existing ones, and incorporates improvements to the methodology. This dataset is an invaluable tool for researchers looking at the evolution of financial markets and institutions, including banks and monetary policies. Moreover, it is an essential source for policymakers as they consider measures to improve financial inclusion and economic resilience.