This dataset covers 10 benchmark years in the period 1903– 2008. For each year, we picked the top 100 exchange-listed Dutch firms and the top 25 listed and non-listed banks (except for 1998: 22 banks, and 2003: 15 banks). The selection was made on the basis of total assets, except for the banks in the period up to 1958, in which the selection was based on the nominal value of equity capital. Dutch firms are characterized by a two-tier board system, which consists of a managing board and a supervisory board. The supervisory board involves non-executive directors. For each firm, we collected the names of the managing and supervisory directors in 10 benchmark years. We gathered interlock data using Van Oss Effectenboek for the period 1903– 1973, and annual reports for the period 1978– 2008. Information of the banks’ boards was selected by the Financieel Adresboek for the period 1903– 1958, and annual reports for the period 1963– 2008. The data on big linkers and central firms, that are part of this project, are ...