The Spanish word 'banco' meaning 'bank' or 'bench' traces its origins back to the Proto-Germanic word '*banki', which meant 'bench' or 'bank'. This word made its way through Old French 'bank' and Old Italian 'banca', both meaning 'bench' or 'counter', before entering Spanish as 'banco'.

The semantic connection between 'bench' and 'bank' comes from the historical practice of money lenders conducting their business on benches or counters in public places. These benches served as early banking tables where transactions would take place, eventually leading to the modern meaning of a financial institution.

A related Spanish word is 'banca', which also means 'banking' or 'bank', and comes from the same etymological root. You might also encounter 'banqueta', meaning 'stool' or 'small bench', which is a diminutive form related to the original 'bench' meaning.

The English word 'bank' is directly related to Spanish 'banco', sharing the same Proto-Germanic ancestor '*banki'. Similarly, the English word 'bench' comes from this same root, preserving the original concrete meaning of a seat or platform. The English 'banquet' (originally referring to a small bench, then to dining at a table) is also related, though it has evolved to mean a formal meal.