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History of Toronto and County of York in Ontario
Part IV: Toronto: Financial Institutions


Under this head three classes of institutions have to be considered — the Chartered Banks, Savings Banks, and Trust and Loan Companies. Of the first named class there are over a dozen in the city, the majority of them having their headquarters in Toronto, and occupying large and beautiful buildings.

The Bank of British North America, one of the oldest financial institutions doing business in Canada, has .ts headquarters in London, England, with branches in every city, and most of the larger towns throughout the Dominion. Its Toronto office is on the north-east corner of Yon„e and Wellington Streets, an imposing building which forms one of the prominent features of the approach to the city from the wharf at which the lake steamers arrive. The capital of the bank is £1.000,000 sterling, and the Toronto Manager is Mr. William Gradlay.

The Bank of Montreal, whose name is familiar in almost every country where the English language is spoken, is the wealthiest and most influential bank in the Dominion. It is in fact to Canada pretty much what the Bank of England is to Great Britain. With the enormous subscribed capital of $12,000,000, and a rest fund of $5,750,000, its influence m financial and commercial circles is immense. Its headquarters are in Montreal. The Toronto office—a substantial stone building on the north-west corner of Front and Yonge Streets, opposite the Custom House—is managed by Mr. C. Brough.

The Bank of Toronto has its headquarters a massive stone building on the north-west corner of Wellington and Church Streets—one of the stateliest edifices in the city. Its capital is $2,000,000, with a rest fund of $1,900,000. Mr. George; Gooderham is its President, and Mr. D. Coulson Cashier. The Bank of Toronto, by aiding legitimate enterprise, has contributed in a very great degree to building up the commercial prosperity of the city whose name it bears, and with whose interests it is so closely identified.

The Canadian Bank of Commerce is another institution that has given substantial aid towards the promotion of the commercial and industrial interests of the city. It has a paid-up capital of £6,000,000, and a rest fund of $1,900,000. Its president is the Hon. William McMaster, and its general manager, Mr. W. N. Anderson. The offices of the Bank are at 59 Yonge Street.

The Central Bank is the latest addition to the chartered banks of Toronto. It has been in existence for over one year and occupies a fine new building on the east side of Yonge Street, a few yards north of Wellington Street.

The beautiful new building of the Dominion Bank, on the south-west corner of King and Yonge Streets—the very centre of activity and bustle-is one of the landmarks of the city, and is in keeping with the high reputation enjoyed and the unbroken success achieved by the institution it shelters. The Dominion Bank has a capital of $1,500,000, and a rest fund of $850,000; its President is Mr. James Austin, and its Cashier Mr. R. H. Bethune.

The Federal Bank, Nos. 17 and 19 Wellington Street West, is one of the younger banks of the city, having commenced business in 1874. Its present capital is $3,000,000, with a rest fund of $1,500,000. Mr. S. Nordheiiner is President, and Mr. G. W. Yarker, formerly of the Bank of Montreal, Manager.

The Imperial Bank, on the corner of Wellington Street and Exchange Alley, has a capital of $1,500,000. It too has made a name and a standing by the liberal policy it has pursued towards the business interests of the city under the judicious management of the Cashier, Mr. D. R. Wilkie. Mr. H. S. Howland is President of the institution.

The branch office of the Merchants' Bank—which has its headquarters in Montreal—is on the south side of Wellington. Street West, opposite Jordan Street; it is managed by Mr. W. Cooke. This bank has a subscribed capital of $5,798,330, with a rest fund of $1,150,000.

The Molsons Bank—another branch of a Montreal bank—at present occupies offices at No. 4G King Street West, but it is to be moved to the Arcade, now in course of erection on the north side of King Street, in rear of the Grand Opera House. This institution has a subscribed capital of $2,000,000, with a rest fund of $500,000.

The Ontario Bank Building is a beautiful structure of cut stone on the north-east corner of Wellington and Scott Streets. The President of the bank is Sir W. P. Howland, and Mr. C. Holland is its General Manager. Its capital s $1,500,000, with a rest fund of $335,000.

The Toronto agency of the Quebec Bank is housed under the same roof as the Bank of Toronto. The former is one of the oldest financial institutions in Canada, having been incorporated by Royal Charter in the year 1818. It has an authorized capital of $3,000,000. Mr. J. Walker is Manager of the local branch.

The Standard Bank—another institution closely identified with the commercial interests of the city—at present has its offices at 46 Yonge Street, but will shortly remove to the new stone-fronted building erected for its accommodation on the north-west corner of Wellington and Jordan Streets. Its capital is S2,000,000. President, Mr. W. J. Cowan ; Cashier, Mr. J. L. Brodie.

In addition to the Government and Post-office Savings Banks with offices respectively in the Inland Revenue and Post-office buildings the city is amply provided with institutions where the thriftily inclined ma\ make small deposits. Of this class are the Home Savings and Loan Company (Limited), 70 Church Street; the People's Loan and Deposit Co., 26 Adelaide Street East; the Dominion Savings Bank, 429 Queen Street West; the Freehold Loan and Savings Co., 54 Church Street; the Union Savings Bank, 30 Toronto Street; the Western Canada Loan and Savings Co., 90 Church Street; and the Farmers' Loan and Savings Co., 1 Toronto Street. Upon many of these depositors may draw by cheque, as ;n regular banks.


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