City Bank

City Bank was founded in London in 1855. It was acquired by Midland Bank (now HSBC UK) in 1898. Midland was acquired by HSBC Holdings plc in 1992.

The bank’s founders – a circle of prominent London businessmen – advertised a share issue to cover the initial capital of GPB300,000. This was significantly over-subscribed, and an office was secured on a corner of Threadneedle Street in the heart of the City of London. The doors opened for business in August. After a steady start, the bank began to develop a branch network with offices located in Old Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Ludgate Hill. It also built up an important foreign business, acting as London correspondent for 40 overseas banks and providing bill finance for international trade. Deposits stood at GBP5 million by 1887.

The bank turned down an amalgamation offer from London and Midland Bank in the early 1890s. However, it struggled to compete with larger banks over the next few years despite extending the branch network out to towns such as Croydon and Bromley. Midland Bank approached the directors again in 1898 with an offer of GBP2.5 million, which was accepted. Midland was renamed as London City and Midland Bank and transferred head office operations to City’s prestigious offices at No. 5 Threadneedle Street.

Recent research has found a link between City Bank director, Peter Bell, and the transatlantic trade in enslaved people.

Peter Bell was a partner in Scott, Bell and Co, East India agents and general merchants. Following the passing of the UK's Slavery Abolition Act in 1833 he was cited in three claims for compensation relating to the ownership of enslaved people. Two of these claims resulted in funds being awarded to Bell and his business partner John Scott. He went on to become a founding director of the new City Bank in London in 1856. He was one of more than 30 directors between 1856-1880 and remained a director of City Bank until 1865. City Bank was acquired by Midland Bank in 1898.