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Birmingham Municipal Bank

For those intending to go and wanting to visit the vaults.
As you go in, you're given a numbered ticket and (probably) will see a line of people headed for the vault tour. The ticket is to be handed in as you get to the start of the tour. The number doesn't have any significance. If there's a long line they'll tell you that you can visit the exhibition on the ground floor and come back to the line. They won't tell you that if you visit the exhibition first, you lose your place in the line. It's not like the line in a doctor's surgery where they serve people by number.
 
Hi warm
Just looking at the thread and the bank my brother used to be in the high security section of that particular branch
Quite afew years back before he died and he told me of the vaults then and huge it was below ground
He said I would be Amazed if I was to see it so going by the description he told me I would like to see it for myself
best wishes Astonian,,,,
 
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I started with saving with the Municipal all those years ago, and without moving or doing anything to my account I have ended up with Lloyds, having gone through TSB for many years, then fairly recently they decided to change some of their branches to Lloyds.
 
The old Municipal Bank building on Broad Street used to have some distinctive key motifs on the front of the building. Has the Council plonked a 'Forward' plaque in their place. Or are the original key plaques still hiding behind the pillars ? Now I'm hopeful that the Municipal Bank key plaques are either still there or have been carefully preserved somewhere and the Forward sign(s) haven't been simply glued over the top. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
I remember a key logo like that at our local TSB bank, Pype Hayes. It was etched on glass. Wonder what happened to that??
 
They are still on the street view but it is 2014!
 

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Think that answers it Ell. I've zoomed in and can just about make it out. The two plaques on the end are the 'Forward' and the two either side of the doors are the Municipal Bank keys. Thanks Ell. Viv.
 
The history of the bank, the key logo in particular;
https://www.bmbhistory.org.uk/bmb-history_198.htm

The bank has its own thread:
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/birmingham-municipal-bank.43428/

I believe I mentioned this here before, some older Birmingham tramcars had the key logo on the sliding doors between the driving cab and passenger section. As the bank, apparently the only municipal bank in the country, was formed to support the costs of WW1 I suggest it was the older cars.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Think that answers it Ell. I've zoomed in and can just about make it out. The two plaques on the end are the 'Forward' and the two either side of the doors are the Municipal Bank keys. Thanks Ell. Viv.
Click to expand...

I took some of them in 2009 Viv





In 2013 I took these foundation stone photos



 
Took a new photo of the Municipal Bank from the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. The footpath in front is blocked off for the Midland Metro extension (I think that side of Broad Street is also closed to pedestrians for the Paradise Birmingham site). The four signs are still on the building.

 
It is fortunate that this lovely building has escaped the wrecking ball and demolition. It seems to me to complement the Town Hall and other Municipal buildings still existing in the city centre. Not only does it look good it is unique in regards to its original purpose and should be seen a milestone in the cities history.
 
The Municipal Bank seen from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, shortly before heading up the Salvage Turn Bridge to The Mailbox.

 
Happyguy said:
I have one of these money boxes and it was made by Wilkins and Right, a company i worked at as a polisher in 1966. The company was situated on the main road near to the West Bromwich football club, the building was pulled down sometime back and the new building was a DIY store.
Click to expand...
Hi I have a money box but unfortunately we can’t find the key ! Do you know where I can get one ? thank you Katie
G G Jean said:
My old bank book as a child.
Click to expand...
 
I had a municipal money box like the one being shown. I lived in Stotfold Road with my Mother and 2 Sisters Doris Jones nee Hill Susan and my Twin Sister Penny and me Linda Hill. We lived in the old farm house no60 from 1952 - 1964/65. Happy days with the cinema lovely shops and the pub. Moved to Henlow Road no 5 for awhile then Selly Oak and now living in Kidderminster for the last 50 years. Anybody remember us as a family ?
 
I have my old BMB money box from when I opened my account in Jan. 1961. It rattles with a few coppers in it and it is rather rusty and shabby. I had made the grade up to a much better job so I had about four unopened pay packets. I took the money out and proceeded to my local BMB branch to open an account. When I pushed about £40 over the counter and asked the clerk if I could open an account, he asked me where I had got the money from...…...CHARMING!
 
Dave89 said:
Hi Bernard,

Martins Bank Bank was owned in the early 60's by Lloyds then in the
late 60's by Barclays, they were not associated with the National
Provincial Bank which did indeed merge with the Westminster to
become the NatWest Bank. You can tell if your Natwest Branch started
life as a National Provincial branch, as the sort code will start with a 5
rather than a 6.
I remember that in the 1960s Martins had a branch in Digbeth, not far
from the coach station. The National Bank, mentioned in an earlier post
is nothing to do with any of these, and is (or perhaps was now ?) an
Irish Bank.

Kind regards

Dave
Click to expand...
Sorry Dave, we were never owned by Lloyds but we were taken over by Barclays
 
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