When did banking begin?

Findings indicate that there were banks in Mesopotamia as early as 2nd century BC. In 1460, banks in the European region were active only at important trading places for changing coins. After 1609 the note-issuing banks came into existence, which notes mainly developed in northern Italy; the word 'bank' is derived from the Italian word 'banca'-which were the tables used by the money changes on trading routes. Today, banks also provide loans to people.