The Taula de canvi, established in Barcelona, was a pioneering institution representing the emergence of public banking in Europe. Located within the Llotja de Mar, a site crucial for trade and commerce, the bank sought to serve the growing demands of merchants in the region. Contemporarily, Barcelona was a thriving economic center, bustling with merchants engaged in diverse trade activities. The creation of a public bank like the Taula de canvi was a response to the increasing complexity of financial transactions and the necessity for reliable banking solutions.

The institution primarily operated through currency exchange, deposit taking, and offering loans. It provided a framework for merchants to manage their finances securely, eliminating the risks associated with informal money lending and currency exchange practices. The Taula de canvi also played an essential role in stabilizing local currency, contributing to a more consistent and reliable economic environment for trade.

The significance of the Taula de canvi extended beyond its immediate financial functions; it symbolized the advancement of economic systems in the late medieval period. As merchant networks expanded across Europe, the establishment of a public bank in Barcelona represented a shift towards more organized and sophisticated financial infrastructures that would lay the groundwork for modern banking practices in subsequent centuries.