Prescott's Bank Ltd

This private bank was established in Threadneedle Street, City of London, in 1766 as Prescott, Grote, Culverden & Hollingsworth. In 1891 the bank merged with Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales of London, Miles, Cave, Baillie & Co of Bristol and Tugwell, Brymer, Clutterbuck & Co of Bath to become a joint stock bank with limited liability – Prescott, Dimsdale, Cave, Tugwell & Co Ltd. This bank subsequently acquired George Moger & Son of Bath in 1891; Harwood & Co of Thornbury in 1891; Deane & Co of Winchester in 1891; Bulpett & Hall of Winchester in 1892; Thomas Butcher & Sons of Tring in 1900; Sanders, Snow & Co of Exeter in 1902; and Hilton, Rigden & Rigden of Faversham in 1902. The bank was renamed Prescott’s Bank Ltd in 1903. In 1903 the bank amalgamated with Union of London & Smiths Bank Ltd.

Branches: In 1903 23 branches and 3 sub-branches were operating.

Detailed list of name changes

• Prescott, Grote, Culverden & Hollingsworth from 1766
• Prescott, Grote & Hollingsworth in 1799
• Prescott, Grote & Prescott from 1801
• Prescott, Grote, Ames, Baillie & Grote from 1838
• Prescott, Grote, Ames, Cave & Grote from 1839
• Prescott, Grote, Cave & Cave from 1848
• Prescott, Grote & Co from 1848
• Prescott, Dimsdale, Cave, Tugwell & Co Ltd 1891-1903
• Prescott’s Bank Ltd 1903

Published histories

• FG Hilton Price, A Handbook of London Bankers (London: Chatto & Windus, 1876)
• 'Prescott's Bank', National Provincial Bank Review (privately published by National Provincial Bank, 1966-8)

Summary of our archive holdings

Our archival records of Prescott’s Bank Ltd have the reference code PRE.

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

Partnership records

• partners' private business and family papers 1687-[1915]
• partnership agreements 1776-1890
• partner's expenses book 1779-85
• partners' account pass books 1790-1838
• partners' correspondence 1806-1932
• partner's letterbook 1815-36
• guarantee re bills presented 1833
• partners' meeting minute books 1839-90

Corporate records

• memorandum and articles of association 1890
• certificate of incorporation 1890
• share transfer forms 1890
• amalgamation papers 1890-1904
• secretary's information book 1891
• directors' meeting agenda books 1891-1903
• directors' meeting minute books 1891-1903
• committee meeting minute books 1891-1904

Financial records

• balance book 1780-1864
• promissory note 1791
• bill of exchange 1791, 1832, n.d.
• bills of lading re shipped sovereigns 1834
• half-yearly expenditure sheets 1871-90
• balance sheets: 1890-1903, half-yearly 1871
• investment and premises register 1891-1903
• list of investments 1903

Legal records

• papers re legal action against Bank of England 1892

Customer records

• securities for advances 1668-1909
• customer account ledger 1766
• safe custody papers 1767-75
• bills of exchange 1778-1800
• cheques 1794-1904
• banker's draft 1808, n.d.
• customers' stock register 1818-31
• safe custody orders book 1824-92
• box and plate registers 1824-93
• papers re role as London agent 1834-62
• register of standing orders 1838-44
• securities register 1852-92
• bad debts register 1860-(1915)
• advances registers 1876-1911
• banker's receipt 1894
• cheque book 1890s
• various forms n.d.
• Head office branch records
• branch inspection notebooks 1891-1903
• overdrawn accounts notebook 1894

Staff records

• staff fidelity bonds 1741-1865
• staff salary books 1807-91
• staff petitions 1849-74, 1892
• salary lists 1859-1901
• service agreements 1891
• directors' photograph 1899
• employment application 1901

Property records

• receipts for rent and trade supplies 1764-1857
• receipt re premises use 1766
• property agreements 1777-1820
• papers re building repairs 1858-99
• premises valuation bill 1891
• premises photographs 1892
• premises auction particulars 1893
• premises valuation 1903

Marketing records

• presscuttings 1890-1903

Branch records

• selected records

Other records

• papers re London Bankers' Clearing House 1829-1958

Summary of archive holdings elsewhere

• Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies: Letters to Lord Rindlesham from Prescott, Grote & Co 1845-52 (Ref: D/EB/384 F4)