BMB

"The News" 20th January 1940

After opening new permanent Birmingham Municipal Bank premises at Shirley on Thursday, Councillor H
W Miller (Chairman of the Solihull Council) opened an account and expressed the wish that it should be
the nucleus of a fund to be used for some post war purpose for the benefit of Shirley.

Later he told the 'News' that his idea was that the happy days of peace for which we all hoped should not
be forgotten and that perhaps a local committee should be formed to organise the augmentation of the
fund. The purpose for which the money was used would be decided by the people of Shirley.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham was unable to be present at the ceremony, but Alderman Harrison
Barrow, chairman of the Municipal Bank Committee, deputised for him, and presented the key of the
bank to Councillor Miller. After unlocking the door, Councillor Miller led the official party inside, and
there unveiled a tablet commemorating the event.

After unveiling the tablet, Mr Miller said that it was inscribed to commemorate that occasion, and perhaps
he might be excused for admitting a tinge of pride in his association with an institution of such a character
and having his name linked with those of the illustrious men who had helped to establish a banking system
for the people which was unique in the annals of municipal enterprise.

A majority of the members of the Solihull Council were present in support of their chairman, Mr C H
Cook (Clerk) and Mr Budd, treasurer, also attended.

Later at a luncheon held at the Connaught Rooms, Saracens Head, Councillor Wilfrid Martineau referred
to the contribution which the Birmingham Municipal Bank was making towards the National War effort.

He said, "We are all anxious to do our best to 'lend to defend the right to be free.' There is always a
danger when some new method of lending is being very much advertised that the old and well-tried
methods will be overlooked. I want to make it plain that there has been given an undertaking to the
Treasury by Birmingham Municipal Bank that during 1940 the whole of the surplus deposits of the
Municipal Bank will be placed at the disposal of the Government.

"Therefore any money put into the Birmingham Municipal Bank will be just as helpful to the Government
as money put into National Savings Certificates or Defence Bonds. Any money that is taken out of
Birmingham Municipal Bank for the sake of being put into National Savings or Defence Bonds, or any
other method of war lending, will not do the country any further good, because it will be merely a case of
taking it out of one pocket and putting it into another."

Councillor Martineau, referred to the good relations which exist between Birmingham and Solihull. About
18 months ago a permanent Municipal Bank building was also opened by Councillor Miller at Solihull and
was going along '"very nicely." It was hoped that the new Shirley premises would make similar
satisfactory progress.

Responding, Mr Miller, after expressing regret at the unavoidable absence, through indisposition, of the
Lord Mayor of Birmingham, said: "We represent one of the largest Urban Districts outside the London
area, and our population has increased by 25,000 during the short space of five years. We do not fear
aggression, and some of us look to the day when our status may be raised to that of a Borough.

"Much of this progress is due to our close proximity to your great industrial city - you may say all - even
to the rent strike.

"We are a dormitory area, and we offer relaxation to jaded city workers within this leafy corner of a
county well known for its rural charms.

"Through your administration," he said, "we enjoy many services that have already greatly assisted our
development, but of all those services connected with the ramifications of your city, there can be none
more fascinating, or to be held in greater esteem, that the establishment of the Birmingham Municipal
Bank.

"Founded as it was in 1916 during the stress of war, by close co-operation with the Trade Union
movement, the birth of this idea is acknowledged to belong to no lesser person than the Right Hon.
Neville Chamberlain, then Lord Mayor of the city. From a savings bank for the purpose of collecting
contributions from the workers towards the successful prosecution of the war, it eventually became a
pillar of security in times of peace.

"Today we have witnessed the opening of a permanent branch in Shirley, and it is a new building worthy
of this institution; and in closing may I pay tribute to the man who has been manager since its inception in
1916, and is general manager to-day - Mr J P Hilton?

"The Shirley branch of the Municipal Bank was opened in 1934 in temporary premises, and became a
full-time daily branch in July, 1938. The new premises are at 244, Stratford Road, Shirley. At Shirley there
are now 2,404 open accounts, and the amount standing to the credit of depositors there is Ł163,423."

Expressing his appreciation at the gift of a silver salver to commemorate the occasion, Councillor Miller
said that the pleasure of performing the opening ceremony of that new building was a recompense
sufficient for itself, but he was more than grateful for the lasting token to commemorate the occasion.

Later, Councillor Miller referred to the fact that his father was present, and it was of especial interest that
after 50 years' service within the city he had been presented with a silver salver of exactly similar design to
that which had been presented to himself.

Councillor H I Pedley (vice-chairman of the Council) proposed the health of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen
and Councillors of the Birmingham City Council, and Alderman Harrison Barrow (chairman of the Bank
Committee) said the friendly relations which existed between Birmingham and neighbours was exemplified
by the fact that the Municipal Bank had opened branches in Solihull, Smethwick, Sutton Coldfield and
Oldbury; and as soon as premises were available, there would be further branches at Halesowen and
Rubery.