noun

• 1A bank owned and run by the government of a country, especially a central or national bank which issues currency, holds and manages exchange reserves, etc.

• 2US A bank holding a charter conferred by the state in which it is located, and subject to the banking laws of that state. Also more generally: a bank originating or located in a (specified) state.

  In later use sometimes retained in the titles of privatized or corporate banks previously owned by or associated with a particular state.