This list of the oldest banks includes financial institutions in continuous operation, operating with the same legal identity without interruption since their establishment until the present time. While there are seven banks founded in the 17th century still remaining and 16 banks founded in the 18th century, the list is topped by the only two banks founded in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively, Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Berenberg Bank. Monte dei Paschi di Siena was founded as a mount of piety in 1472 and today is one of Italy's largest retail banks, while Berenberg Bank was founded as a merchant house in Hamburg in 1590 and today is a merchant bank and private bank, and still owned by the descendants of its founders, the Berenberg family.