Overend, Gurney & Company was a London discount bank, known as "the bankers' bank", which collapsed in 1866 owing about 11 million pounds. The business was founded in 1800 as Richardson, Overend and Company by Thomas Richardson of London and John Overend of Nottingham. Samuel Gurney (1786-1856), a Norwich banker later took control of the bank.

The business became a limited company in 1865 but suspended payments the on 11 May 1866. The directors of the company were tried for fraud.

The financial crisis following the collapse saw the bank rate rise to 10 per cent for three months. More than 200 companies, including other banks, failed as a result.

Bibliography

• Collins, M. (1992) "Overend Gurney crisis, 1866", in

Defunct banks | Economic history | 1800 establishments | 1866 disestablishments | Economic disasters