Records of Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease, Spence & Company relating to its operation and takeover by Lloyds Bank, including customer account ledgers (1859-62), balance sheet (1885), and amalgamation agreement and related papers (1902-1922).
Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease, Spence & Company Records
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 386 A/42
- Dates of Creation1859-1922
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialEnglish
- Physical Description6 documents and 2 volumes
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Foundation
The Newcastle firm of Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease, Spence & Company was founded in 1859, in the aftermath of a banking crisis. 1857 had seen the collapse of the last remaining joint-stock bank in the town - the Northumberland & Durham District Bank. This failure reflected the lack of confidence that people in the north-east had in joint-stock banking. As a result, the setting up of a new private bank, owned by its partners rather than shareholders, was greeted with enthusiasm.
The founding partners were already experienced bankers. One was the former manager of a bank (albeit recently failed), whilst two others were sons of partners in prominent London firms.
Expansion
With the recent failure of so many joint-stock banks in the area, Hodgkin & Co. had a ready-made customer base. Early customers included the large engineering firms based on Tyneside, and the major ship builders.
The firm expanded rapidly. Branches were opened across the north-east, making it one of the largest financial institutions in the region. By 1903, it had 30 offices.
Takeover
Despite its regional prominence, Hodgkin & Co. struggled to compete against the larger banks, which had nationwide branch networks. It was taken over by Lloyds in 1903. One of the partners, J. W. Beaumont Pease, joined the board of directors. He later served as chairman, from 1922 to 1945. A portrait of Pease still hangs in the Head Office of Lloyds Banking Group in London.
Access Information
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