The economic and political targets of the establishment of a branch of the National Bank in Smyrna are set out in the report of the General Supervisor Alexandros Koryzis, in September 1919.

THE NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE IN SMYRNA
Report to the Administration by the General Supervisor Á. Koryzis
Smyrna 16/29 September 1919
To the respectable Administration of the National Bank of Greece
in Athens
Mr Governor,
As a conclusion of the survey of the situation here so far, I honourably submit to Thee the following thoughts related to the establishment in Smyrna of a Branch of the National Bank:
É. REASONS IN FAVOUR OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT

Á. The Greek presence in Asia Minor will be reinforced by the establishment of a Branch in Smyrna of the largest issuing Bank of Greece. This will reinforce faith in the definitive Greek rule in Smyrna (which has been shaken many a time by various news items and clever enemy actions), as, the last amendement of article 1 of our own Charter being ignored here, such an establishment will be considered a proof of the full confidence of official Greek circles in the Greek future of Smyrna [...].

Â. [...] The monetary needs of the Greek occupation force (Commission, Army, Relief, etc.) will be more successfully served by a National Bank branch, these needs will cease to be a means and an excuse for the leakage of so much Greek exchange abroad. I have dealt with this issue from the first days of my stay here in a special report submitted to the High Commissioner, in which all relevant views are examined and the necessary measures are suggested, which can only be effectively dealt with by the National Bank branch [...].

D. [...] The predominance of the Greek drachma in Greek-occupied Asia Minor, a fact that has moral, as well as material importance, can become rapidly effective only through the National Bank branch. As a result the current exploitation of the holders of Greek bills and the fall of the Greek drachma below the limit determined by its parity and that of the Turkish lira with foreign exchange will be eliminated [...].

I' [...] Lastly, a National Bank branch in Smyrna, in mustering all national resources, will be the reliable and sincere councillor of the High Commission on various financial matters and a substantial instrument in its hands, that will reinforce in multiple ways the terrible struggle for dominance, which she conducts amidst various and insuperable hardships, which are not expected to be soon terminated. The organizations of the other Greek banks, despite the willingness they demonstrate, cannnot supplant our foundation in the present conjunction of circumstances [...]. "

Source: Veremis Th. and Kostis K., I Ethniki Trapeza sti Mikra Asia (1919-1922), Athens, National Bank Cultural Foundation (MIET), 1984, pp. 137-142.