mercantile agency

noun

1. commercial agency.

mercantile agency

noun

1. an enterprise that collects and supplies information about the financial credit standing of individuals and enterprises

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercantile agency¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Reflecting on this development, one 19th-century commentator quipped that “the mercantile agency might well be termed a bureau for the promotion of honesty.”

From Time

Dealers whom the mercantile agencies had secretly filled with alarm for the Cabot accounts had been subtly reassured.

From Project Gutenberg

They also to some degree supply the place of mercantile agencies and report financial standing of individuals, firms and companies upon solicitation.

From Project Gutenberg

It means the investment in a security for the strength of which the bank must depend on the word of note brokers, the rating of the mercantile agencies, or the opinion of some correspondent bank.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of a restrictive tendency a mercantile agency promotes the expansion of credit and yet permits of proper conservatism.

From Project Gutenberg