Stephens, Blandy & Company records

Records of Stephens, Blandy & Company relating to the foundation and operation of the bank, and its amalgamation with Lloyds Bank, including:

• Foundation (1791-1891): partnership deeds;
• Operation (1795-1950): general ledgers, profit and loss ledgers, quarterly summaries of bills and customer accounts;
• Amalgamation (1899-1902): agreement about outstanding banknote issue at time of the merger;
• General (1723-1953): customers’ title deeds.

This private bank was formed in 1791 as Micklem, Stephens, Simonds & Harris. The founding partners were closely linked with local industry and commerce. John Micklem was a draper, John Stephens and William Simonds were brewers, and Robert Harris was a mealman. In 1814 William Simonds withdrew to form a new Reading bank, Simonds & Nicholson. The firm was renamed Stephens, Harris & Stephens. The Blandy family joined the partnership in 1841 and the firm was restyled Stephens, Blandy & Blandy. They were a family of brewers and solicitors. Branches were opened in Maidenhead (1842), Marlow (1869) and Bracknell (1872). In 1899 the business was acquired by Lloyds Bank.

Access is by appointment only, and at the discretion of the Archivist. Please e-mail archives@lloydsbanking.com for further information.

Item level catalogue available - please e-mail archives@lloydsbanking.com for further details.