A bygone job – the bank messenger

A position of responsibility

In the 1860s, more than 500 people worked for the Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris. In each branch, the “portfolio” department played an important role. Indeed, it was in charge of the branch’s short-term credit activity, via the discount of paper assets. When a craftsman or shopkeeper provided goods or services to a third party, he was often paid with bills that he could cash within 3 or 6 months. If he needed this money immediately, he could take this bill to his bank which would discount it and give him the proceeds minus a commission. On the due dates of the bills, the bank sent its bank messengers to the parties who had issued the bills to recover the sums and thus reimbursed itself for the advances it had granted to its customers. The Portfolio department organised this discount activity, checking the quality of bills, classifying them according to due dates and collecting the sums owed. The men who went around town collecting money had a huge responsibility – taking the proceeds from their rounds back to the branch like security guards. Older men were often hired for this job in which honesty and rigour were essential.

A striking uniform

People would immediately recognise the bank messengers because of their uniforms inspired by those worn by Banque de France employees – a small bag for the bills, a cocked hat, and a black morning coat with small buttons on which the bank’s badge shined. The whole attire was handsome but sometimes attracted thieves who were sure to come away with a generous booty. Disappearances and spectacular attacks were reported in the newspapers. The films Casque d’Or by Jacques Baker and Belle de Jour by Buñuel feature attacks on collection men. This job performed by trusted, resistant individuals lasted until the 1960s when the conditions of short-term credit and discount changed radically.