<page_title> List of oldest banks in continuous operation </page_title> <section_title> Banks established before 1600 </section_title> <table> <cell> 1590 <col_header> Year </col_header> </cell> <cell> Berenberg Bank <col_header> Company </col_header> </cell> <cell> The oldest bank operating continuously with the same legal identity; the oldest merchant bank <col_header> Notes </col_header> </cell> </table>
Berenberg Bank was founded in 1590 and is the oldest merchant bank and also the second oldest bank.