The Jammu & Kashmir Bank was founded on October 1, 1938 under letters patent issued by the Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh. The Maharaja invited eminent Kashmiri investors to become founding directors and shareholders of the bank, the most notable of which were Abdul Aziz Mantoo, Pesten Gee and the Bhaghat Family, all of whom acquired major shareholdings.
The Bank commenced business on July 4, 1939 and was considered the first of its nature and composition as a State owned bank in the country. The Bank was established as a semi-State Bank with participation in capital by State and the public under the control of State Government.
