World Bank Group Timeline

Shortly after West Germany becomes a member of the Bank, Bank staff will make two mission trips to the country. The first, in the spring of 1953, will be a five-week visit led by S. R. Cope to study the general economic situation in West Germany and review its investment plans. President Black will participate in the second mission trip later the same year, during which he will meet with government officials and members of the investment community. The relationship between the World Bank and West Germany will intensify quickly. By 1959 West Germany will be the most important European source of Bank borrowing. This trend will continue and by 1968, the Bank will borrow more on long term in West Germany than it would from the United States.