Lo sviluppo del sistema creditizio e bancario in Terra d’Otranto (1870-1889)

The paper deals with the development of the credit and banking system in the Terra d’Otranto, during the period from 1870 to 1899, through an analysis of the economic factors and legislative interventions that were implemented in this sector. In a context of financial crisis, but in any case of enviromental, sectorial and entrepreneurial dynamism, the failure to achieve the adequacy by the credit and banking system in Terra d’Otranto is highlighted despite the progress recorded also with the estabilishment, especially after 1882, of promising realities mainly attributable to the cooperative banking sector. Particular attention is paid to the corporate crisis of the Banca Agricola “Palumbo and Caroli” from Francavilla Fontana and to commitment of its shareholders who, even with personal sacrfices, tried to solve the problems existing in that particular historical period.