Bank of London

This joint stock bank was established in London in 1855 with a paid-up capital of £400,000. The bank had offices in Threadneedle Street and West Strand. In 1866 the bank experienced serious difficulties, in part caused by default on a large customer loan. The bank was acquired by Consolidated Bank in 1866. Errors were subsequently discovered in Bank of London’s balance sheet, forcing Consolidated Bank temporarily to stop payment.

Published histories

• LH Grindon, Manchester Banks and Bankers (Manchester: Palmer & Howe, 1878)
• FG Hilton Price, A Handbook of London Bankers (London: Chatto & Windus, 1876)

Summary of our archive holdings

Our archival records of Bank of London have the reference code BLO.

For help understanding words used here, check our glossary of banking record types (PDF 68 KB).

• engraving of banking hall 1855
• staff rule book 1865
• cheque 1866
• draft liquidation agreement 1867
• amalgamation agreement 1866