John Holland

John Holland was an English banker and member of Mercer's Company .He is best known as the founder of the Bank of Scotland in 1695.

Details about Holland’s early life are not known. He was probably born in London, where he spent much of his professional life. He was a merchant of the Staple and later a member of the Mercer's Company. Holland had partially retired when, on the suggestion of a Scottish friend, he projected the Bank of Scotland which was established by act of the Scottish parliament in 1695, in the name of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland. He was elected the first governor, and ultimately possessed seventy-four shares.

At first the bank made slow progress. There was opposition from the African Company, which started a banking business in defiance of the bank's charter, and from the Bank of England. However, Holland managed the bank successfully through the early difficulties.

John Holland died at his home, Brewood Hall in Staffordshire, some time in 1722.