The Jewish Colonial Trust Limited: Certificate of shares. 25 shares. 1901.

The Jewish Colonial Trust Limited: Certificate of shares. 25 shares. 1901.

The Jewish Colonial Trust was the first Zionist bank. It was incorporated in London on March 20, 1899, in accordance with the decisions of the First and Second Zionist Congresses, as introduced by Theodor Herzl. He foresaw the need for a powerful financial instrument for the political and economic realization of Zionism. 

The political-economic character of the Trust made it necessary to vest control over it, by way of Founder Shares, in the bodies of the Zionist Organization. The Trust's authorized capital was £2,000,000 in shares of £1 each, but it took three years (until 1902) before the statutory minimum of £250,000 that permitted it to commence operations was paid up. The Jewish Colonial Trust became the Anglo-Palestine Bank which then became Bank Leumi. 

Herzl's vision was truly remarkable and brilliant because it was a long-term plan. It invested in land and in infrastructure.  It was truly a way to build up the state before Israel was even a state.

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-ultimate-patrons-of-the-state-of-israel/?fbclid=IwAR2IerNWG3uPrI7wuxWWPaTkfmDl3427UXDt_gp53_G_-OiJAl7NJqfIQcA