merchant bank

noun

British Finance.

1. a private banking firm engaged chiefly in investing in new issues of securities and in accepting bills of exchange in foreign trade.

merchant bank

noun

1. (in Britain) a financial institution engaged primarily in accepting foreign bills, advising companies on flotations and takeovers, underwriting new issues, hire-purchase finance, making long-term loans to companies, and managing investment portfolios, funds, and trusts

Other Word Forms

• merchant banker noun
• merchant banking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of merchant bank¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The merchant bank, which has the largest relative exposure given that car finance represents a significant part of its loan book, has so far set aside a 165 million-pound provision.

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The Associated Press contacted United and merchant bank Raine, which is handling the sale process for comment.

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Two years later, Brunswick Group sold a minority stake to the merchant bank BDT.

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The Raine Group, the merchant bank focused on sports, media and tech deals, raised $760 million for its latest investment fund.

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Powell McCormick, one of the most senior women at Goldman, is joining the merchant bank as a partner, vice chairman and president of global client services, according to a statement from her new firm.

Read more on Reuters