Royal Bank of Queensland

The Royal Bank of Queensland opened the doors of its Ipswich branch in Thomson's Buildings (opposite the Palais Royal Hotel) in Brisbane Street in June 1886,  soon after commencing in Brisbane. Fifty-six thousand, one hundred and forty-seven shares were sold in the projected bank in September the previous year. The Royal Bank of Qld Ltd was incorporated under the prevailing Companies Act. Bi-annual meetings of shareholders were held with reports issued. Ipswich solicitor P. L. Cardew held the position of Chairman of Directors for twelve years.  Well known local identity Mr Thomas Welsby was also a chairman of the bank. 

The old post and telegraph office in North Ipswich was purchased by the Royal Bank in 1914 and an agency of the bank opened there after some renovations. 

A couple of years later in 1916, it was decided that the Royal Bank of Queensland and Bank of North Queensland Ltd would amalgamate under the new name of Bank of Queensland. By this time the Royal Bank was thirty years old. The Bank of North Qld branch in Ipswich was relatively new to the town, having opened here 5 years ago in premises previously occupied by Mr B. Martoo.  The amalgamation of the two entities was partly attributed to the lack of staff available (ie men) due to their absence at the Great War. 

Thomson's Buildings where the Royal Bank was tenanted was opposite the Bank of North Qld in Brisbane Street. This means that the two banks were just across the road from each other. Thomson's Buildings held four shops. Fellow tenants of Thomson's Buildings were: E.. J. Smith (jeweller), Miss Whitehead, and Stephenson the auctioneer.  Neighbouring businesses of The Royal Bank of Queensland were N. D. Welldon's solicitor office (upstairs) and next door was T. H. Archibald's mercery establishment and The Excelsior.  In later times, Mining & Hardware Supplies adjoined the site.