Commercial Bank of Australia

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Not to be confused with Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

The Commercial Bank of Australia (CBA) was an Australian and New Zealand retail bank which operated from 1866 until being amalgamated with the Bank of New South Wales to form the Westpac Banking Corporation in 1982.[1][2]

The bank was established in 1866.[1] According to the Chinese Museum in Melbourne, two of the largest shareholders in the Commercial Bank of Australia were Louis Ah Mouy and Lowe Kong Meng. As banks could issue their own paper currency at the time, the bank printed Chinese text on their pound note to encourage Chinese custom.[3]

It was headquartered for its entire existence at what is now 327-343 Collins Street, Melbourne. The was rebuilt in 1891-93, at which time a dramatic banking chamber was added, and redeveloped again in 1939, when the Collins Street facade was rebuilt. The building was substantially demolished as part of the construction of the 333 Collins Street tower in 1990; however, the facade, banking chamber and entrance vestibule were preserved, the latter two now being heritage-listed.[4][5]

It acquired the in 1879 and the in 1918. It commenced operations in New Zealand in 1912.[1]

It amalgamated with the Bank of New South Wales to form Westpac in 1982.[1]

Further reading[]

  • *Westpac: The Bank that Broke the Bank, Edna Carew, Doubleday, 1997, paperback ISBN 0-86824-664-6.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Hastings CBD Heritage Inventory Project" (PDF). Hastings District Council. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Bank of New South Wales (Change of Name) Act 1982". NSW Legislation. 20 December 2002. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. ^ "A Chinese reformer at the Birth of a Nation". Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation Project. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. ^ "333 Collins Street" (PDF). Bingo Bango. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Former Commercial Bank of Australia, Banking Chamber and Entrance". Victorian Heritage Register. Victorian Heritage Database. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
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