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Bringing banking to the UAE

Bringing banking to the UAE
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About this collection

Frank Johnson, an experienced and ambitious banker, arrived in Dubai by flying boat on 3 January 1946. He saw an opportunity to introduce modern banking services along the Trucial Coast. A branch of The Imperial Bank of Iran was duly opened on 12 October 1946, following his successful negotiations with Dubai’s Ruler. The firm (later renamed The British Bank of the Middle East, and now HSBC Bank Middle East) expanded to Sharjah in 1953, and Abu Dhabi in 1959. We gradually extended our reach to customers across all the emirates and we continue to play a key role in the growth of the UAE today. Take a tour of the branches and people who built this enduring partnership.

Employee images Bank buildings Openings The British Bank of the Middle East (now HSBC Bank Middle East) United Arab Emirates (Trucial States) Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah

Records

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Photograph of Dubai Creek, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of Dubai Creek, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of the staff of The British Bank of Iran and the Middle East branch in Dubai, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of the staff of The British Bank of Iran and the Middle East branch in Dubai, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of the staff of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Dubai, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of the staff of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Dubai, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East office in Dubai, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East office in Dubai, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of the Middle East management office of The British Bank of the Middle East in Dubai, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of the Middle East management office of The British Bank of the Middle East in Dubai, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of HSBC Bank Middle East's UAE headquarters in Dubai
Photograph of HSBC Bank Middle East's UAE headquarters in Dubai
Aerial photo of Abu Dhabi, Trucial States (UAE)
Aerial photo of Abu Dhabi, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Abu Dhabi, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Abu Dhabi, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Ajman, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Ajman, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of the staff of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of the staff of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah, Trucial States (UAE)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Sharjah, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Sharjah, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Fujairah, UAE (formerly Trucial States)
Photograph of The British Bank of the Middle East branch in Fujairah, UAE (formerly Trucial States)