The First Bank of the United States was chartered by Congress (and signed by George Washington) in 1791. The bank was different from the central banks that exist nowadays, as it did not print all currency, and was partly owned by foreigners. Nevertheless, the bank was created in the image of the Bank of England and the charter ensured its existence for twenty years. When the charter ran out in 1811, Congress did not renew it. The bank ceased to exist and it was only until 1816 that a Second Bank of the United States was chartered.
