_Dr._ £ _s._ _d._ Capital Authorized, £30,000,000 Capital Issued 3,000,000 0 0 Reserve Fund 1,125,000 0 0 Current, Deposit and Other Accounts 8,908,141 17 8 Loans on demand and on short notice due by customers, as per contra 5,644,476 5 1 Bills discounted, as per contra 6,811,870 13 8 Loans and advances due by customers as per contra 16,218,748 12 6 Acceptances on behalf of customers 3,153,328 7 11 Rebate of interest, etc. 53,807 1 3 Profit 225,676 10 1 ---------------------- £45,141,049 8 2 ====================== _Cr._ £ _s._ _d._ £ _s._ _d._ Cash in hand and at Bank of England 5,996,667 14 8 Money at call and short notice as per contra 5,674,476 5 1 ------------------ 11,671,143 19 9 Investments 6,260,705 3 5 Bills discounted as per contra 6,811,870 13 8 Loans, advances, etc., as per contra 16,218,748 12 6 Liabilities for Acceptances as per contra 3,153,328 7 8 Freehold and leasehold premises 1,025,252 10 11 ---------------------- £45,141,049 8 2 ====================== The answer might be that this would look too modest a balance sheet, and would give less scope for boasting of the growth of deposits. The deposits now look attenuated at less than £9,000,000, but look at the cash reserve against them! Close on £6,000,000! True, this cash melts at the Bank of England, but it gives the balance sheet a truer and stronger appearance. If it be sincerely desired to give greater enlightenment to the public, as many contend, then further enlightenment can be given in this way, which is by no means the last word in improving a balance sheet.