The case of the Belgian comptoirs agricoles will make the
case very plain — almost as plain as that of the French comptoirs
(Tescompte, which, formed with the object of providing convenient
credit for small agriculture, never did any business at all. The
Belgian comptoirs agricoles were introduced in 1884. They placed
the practically inexhaustible resources of the National Savings
Bank at the disposal of agriculture, through the means of local
committees to be appointed in each district in which they might
be asked for, composed of members who might be presumed
to be possessed of a knowledge of local circumstances. To
stimulate their zeal, they were to receive a commission on
business done. On the other hand, they were, as a precaution
to induce them to take none but good security, to make them-
selves liable for the money lent out on their recommendation.
I do not think there were ever more than a score oi comptoirs
actually formed. Their business was trifling, and mainly with



22 CO-OPERATIVE BANKING

owners of large estates, who were in a position to satisfy the
comptoirs in respect of security, but who had already other sources
of credit open to them. By 1889 their number had dwindled to
four, of which only one, that of Genappes, showed any signs of
life. In 1903, which is the last year for which there are returns
at the time of writing, there were once more eight, but their
business was insignificant: — 1,738 loans in all, amounting to
7,873,047 francs, something like .£'314,920; and, of that number,
759 loans, standing for 4,214,662 francs, stood booked to one
comptoir alone. ^^200 a loan is not altogether small business.
Similar attempts, made elsewhere, proved, if anything, even less
successful.
