Commonwealth Bank

The Queensland Times informed readers on 1 January 1921 that the State Government Savings Bank and the Commonwealth Bank had amalgamated. A branch of the Commonwealth Bank opened in the former State Office in Brisbane Street, next to the Queensland Times building on 3 January 1921.

The staff of the State Savings Bank were retained, Mr. E. W. Parsons of the Brisbane Branch of the Commonwealth Bank took charge of the new branch and two additional staff were employed.

The Commonwealth Bank purchased property at the corner of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets in March 1927 with a view towards constructing a new bank. The property was owned by Col. W. T. Deacon (deceased) and included a number of shops, some with offices above on the second storey. At the time of the sale the businesses affected were: T. J. Geertz (tailor), M. J. Cullinane (hairdresser), Nicholls & Senior (grocers), John Hunter (boot and shoe retailer), J. W. Brook (jeweller), J. W. Berry (small goods), and Ipswich Gas & Coke Co. Ltd.

A new Commonwealth building at the intersection of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets was under construction in 1930. An article in the Queensland Times on 3 July of that year noted the removal of part of the scaffolding, revealing some of the beautiful building being constructed. It was faced with freestone, the base was finished with Bowral tracyltye and work on the second floor was underway.

The new bank opened just before Christmas in 1930 on the former Hunter's Corner.

This corner site had been Thomas Given's (jeweller) premises in the 1860s-1870s.  Afterwards T. B. Lyons ( jeweller) occupied Given's old premises. Around 1890 McFarlane & Sons drapery inhabited this site. In the early 20th century when John Hunter's bootery was located at the corner of Nicholas and Brisbane Streets, Given's Corner became known as Hunter's Corner.

When the Commonwealth Bank vacated the site, Ipswich City Council offices and Safe City occupied the building for some years.