Etymology Dictionary

BANK (1),  a mound of earth.  (E.)   M.E. banke, P. Plowman, B. v. 521.   The early history of the word is obscure; the A.S. banc (Somner) is a probable form, but not supported.   Still we find boncke in Layamon, 25185, and bankes in Ormulum, 9210. + Icel. bakki (for banki), a bank. + O.H.G. panch, a bank; also, a bench.   ¶ The word is, in fact, a doublet of bench.   The oldest sense seems to have been 'ridge;' whence bank, a ridge of earth, a shelf of earth; and bench, a shelf of wood, used either as a table or a seat.   See Bench.   (Perhaps further connected with back, q.v.) [†]

BANK (2),  a place for depositing money.  (F.,—G.)   Bank is in Udall, on Luke, c. 19.—F. banque, a money-changer's table or bench; see Cotgrave.—M.H.G. banc, a bench, table.   See Bench; and see above.   Der. bank-er, q.v.; bank-rupt, q.v.; bank-rupt-cy.

ADDENDA

'Sponda, hó-banca;' i.e. a couch; Wright's Voc. i. 290.   This authorises A.S. banca, a bench.