On October 1, 1970, in what was then the largest merger in Australian banking history, ANZ Ltd merged with the English, Scottish and Australian Bank Limited to form Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited - the modern ANZ.
A 50 year anniversary of the launch of ANZ isn’t just a commemoration but a timely reminder of the vital importance of history and heritage in the enduring value of the bank today.
STORY OF THE WEEK
Banking on a lifetime of memories
A bank, a marriage, a home – and 65 years later they’re all going strong.
DID YOU KNOW?
Because of their unique shape, employees at the English, Scottish & Australian Bank (ES&A) Bank used to compete to see who could stack the most Austrailian 50 cent coins on top of each other end-to-end. The ES&A Bank record for coin stacking in 1970 was 8 coins high, but our records suggest there was a customer who could stack 11.
OUR HISTORY IN PICTURES
Explore ANZ's history through photos by tapping the arrows on the images below.
The Bank of Australasia football team, circa 1890. The man with the moustache in the back left row is CJ Henderson who was Superintendent (CEO) of the B.O.A. from 1910-1926. We’ve had many enthusiastic sports teams throughout our history.
ES&A drive-through branch, Camberwell 1954. This was Melbourne’s first ever drive-through bank branch. The bank went on to open several drive-through branches in Victoria.
Bank of Australasia, Coolgardie, 1874. In 1951, the Bank of Australasia merged with Union Bank of Australia to form the Australia and New Zealand Bank Limited (ANZ Bank).
Customers using ANZ’s Safety Deposit Facility at 90 Queen Street in the 1930s. The Gothic architecture gives the building an atmospheric feeling and lends to the legends of a ghost haunting the vaults. You can find out more about the ghost and the vaults in the article below.
The opening party of ANZ Japan in 1969 was held at the venerable Palace Hotel, hosted by Mitsubishi, one of the Japan’s major corporations and a massive investor in Australia.
This former ES&A (later ANZ) branch located at 240 High St, Ashburton (VIC) and opened in 1953 is considered one of the first to feature an "open plan" design.
ANZ has a strong international presence – this is what the New York office in Wall St looked like around 1971.
Adelaide's "Gothic Bank". Situated at 13 King William St, Adelaide, this beautiful building was completed in 1883 and designed by William Wardell who was also the architect of the Gothic Bank in Melbourne.
One of our very first branches – from so long ago it had to be captured by paint rather than camera.
ANZ staff member at the control panel of the newly installed General Electric 225 which was ANZ's FIRST computer in 1965.
ES&A Darwin staff on the veranda of the tin roofed branch in 1925
RELATED ARTICLES
Browse our collection of articles exploring ANZ's history working with customers, communities and our people across the globe.
ANZ History
50 years as a brand, 185 as a bank
50 years ago today, two banks came together in a merger to form what we know as the modern day ANZ.
Customers
100 years of relationships
ANZ customer Gibbon Group celebrates its 100th year as it goes from strength to strength.
Inside ANZ
祝50周年 – 50 years in Japan
Half a century later, we look back at the opening of ANZ’s first office in Japan.
Customers
The rock solid base of a great partnership
Longstanding customer AA Petroleum shares what role they feel role strong partnerships play in successful business.
Business Finance
The gothic bank and the rise and fall of Marvellous Melbourne
ANZ’s Queen St branch represents a fascinating time in the history of not just the bank but Victoria and Australia.
ANZ News
IN PICTURES: ANZ & the Olympics
From being the official bank of the Olympic organising committee to sponsorship of the Australian team, ANZ has a long history with the Olympic Games.
Diversity
IWD2018: women throughout ANZ’s history
As we celebrate IWD, we look back at the women who shaped our history
Culture
IN PICTURES: the way we wear
Relaxed dress codes are a la mode in the corporate world but weren’t always in vogue.
ANZ News
The ghost of banking past
ANZ’s safety deposits facility – and maybe something else - has kept a watchful eye on secrets for more than a century.
ANZ History
On history and breaking into your own bank
ANZ isn’t a 200-year old startup, but has a similar story of humble origins.
Business Finance
Banking in time of war
In World War One employees from an ANZ predecessor bank volunteered at a higher rate than the general population.
Business Finance
Mobile history: drive-up banking & more
In the first of our ANZ History Series we take a look at the evolution of banking mobility.
Technology
From gold bits to fitbits: payments through history
Remember when the $A was worth the paper it was printed on? We look at the history of tender.
Innovation
IN PICTURES: Banking, but retro
Flashback to the 60s or 70s and bank marketing looks a bit different, bluenotes reflects back on some historic ANZ posters.