World Bank Group Archives Catalog

Series consists of records relating to communications with those members of the business and financial community that might support, invest in, or seek information about the Bank. These include financial institutions such as regional banks and the Federal Reserve district banks as well as the financial editors of newspapers. Most of the series is comprised of records belonging to William Bennett, the Bank's Financial Relations Advisor within the Information and Public Affairs Department (IPA) from 1949 to 1978. Bennett came to the Bank in 1949 as a Financial Editor on loan from the New York Herald Tribune to help publicize the Bank and assist with the rating services assessing the quality of the Bank's securities. That same year he was offered a full-time position and would remain with the Bank in IPA until 1978.

Records include the chronological files and "Loan Books" of William Bennett related to Bank operations from 1947 to 1971 and Bank bond issues from 1947 to 1965. Records consist of: press releases; statement of loans and credits; official memoranda; correspondence with various city and national newspapers; internal memoranda with other Bank staff members; and articles and speeches. "Loan Books" cover the dates from 1954 to 1971 and relate to the lending operations of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Agency (IDA), and International Finance Corporation (IFC). Loan Books include current lists of country assignments, summaries of loan amounts, monthly operational summaries, and notices of significant decisions and loan approvals.

This series also contains Bennett's collection of published articles authored by Bank staff and externally. Articles relate to the World Bank and Bank-funded projects. Topics include the history of the Bank, international economic situation predominantly from the 1950s through the 1960s, the Bank's role in the economy, and description of Bank projects. Articles are in a variety of languages and appear in a variety of scholarly, specialized, and popular publications. Many of the articles are authored by Bank officials including Presidents John McCloy, Eugene Black, and George Woods. William Bennett also authored some of the articles. Articles often include typescript drafts as well as the published versions. The articles are in various formats, including pamphlets, clippings, and portions of magazines. These records date from 1946 through 1977.

Reference materials related to foreign and international bonds and equities for the years 1972 to 1976 are also included. Records include summaries of foreign and international bonds in multiple formats covering various annual and quarterly periods. Summaries of ammortization are also included.

This series contains records dating from 1965 to 1977 that relate to information seminars sponsored by the Bank offered to economic and financial experts. The purpose of the seminars was to explain the Bank's mission and operations. These experts included high ranking banking officials, retirement and pension fund operators, state level financial leaders, and prominent business leaders. The series includes guest lists, acceptances and regrets correspondence, memoranda on event plans between EXC and EXT, and correspondence related to participation at past and future seminars. Formal event programs and dinner menus are also included.

Community Chest Campaign - Bank Notes - August 31, 1954 - Negatives