Banks, births, and tipping points in the historical demography of British banking: a response to J.J. Bissell

In this paper we respond to the useful comments made by J. J. Bissell 2017, on our paper Garnett et al 2015. We use this opportunity to explain in more detail our use of agent based modelling of historical processes, and how it can raise interesting and thought provoking questions that could be answered by additional historical research. In this case, questions around the possible relationship with the size of the British banking sector and the formation of new banks. We also take the opportunity to present further data on on the possible reasons for the rise and fall in the population of British banks, and suggest that the 'tipping point' might not have been such a radical change.