The City banks are too busy to give much attention to the wants of the small man of business, and, broadly speaking, they require marketable securities before they will grant a loan or advance. The suburban manager, however, who is only on the edge of this struggling mass of humanity, views the smaller applicant with a kindlier eye, because the large borrower seldom approaches him, so in the suburbs one can borrow on mortgage just as one can in the country. Indeed, suburban banking approximates very closely to country banking, the one noticeable distinction being the deposit rate. The West-end banker, again, has his peculiarities, and it by no means follows that the rules and regulations of a bank’s head-office in the City are in complete harmony with those of one of its branches within a quarter of an hour’s walk of the seat of government. It is, therefore, impossible to define London banking, because London is vast, and the system eminently elastic and adaptable. The following table will give one a fair idea of what rate should be paid upon a loan or advance, fully covered by securities which can be sold on the Stock Exchange practically at any moment:-- With Bank rate at 2 % Customer pays 2½ to 3 % ” ” 2½ ” ” 2½ ” 3 ” ” ” 3 ” ” 3 ” 3½ ” ” ” 3½ ” ” 3½ ” 4 ” ” ” 4 ” ” 4 ” 4½ ” ” ” 4½ ” ” 4½ ” 5 ” ” ” 5 ” ” 4½ ” 5½ ” ” ” 5½ ” ” 5 ” 6 ” ” ” 6 ” ” 5½ ” 6 ” It must be distinctly understood that this table will only serve the purpose of a guide to what the rate ought to be, and that the customer can, if his credit be good, by bringing pressure to bear upon his banker, very probably make a closer bargain with him. For instance, with the Bank rate at 4½, a person whose securities and credit are beyond question might obtain a loan at ½ below Bank rate. He may further arrange that his rate shall be ½ per cent. below Bank rate, with a minimum to the banker of 3 or 3½. That is to say, his rate will never be less than 3 or 3½, and when the Bank rate is above 3½, then he pays ½ below it.