Ideal Bank, Birmingham

This was a deposit savings bank, associated with the Ideal Benefit Society and the Ideal Insurance Company. It originated in 1896 as an offshoot of the Benefit Society and shared premises and staff with them. The bank got into difficulties in 1957, and the Bank of England looked to Barclays as the London agent to rescue the Ideal Bank. Accordingly Barclays acquired the business on 30 October 1957.

Material available at Group Archives:

• board minutes 1940-1971
• annual reports and accounts 1945-1958
• register of directors and secretaries
• register of members and shareholders
• dividend register