BMB

The hamlet of Stechford in the parish of Yardley began to attract middle-class Birmingham businessmen
to build large houses in the area after a railway station was opened in 1844, about 4 miles east of
Birmingham's centre. Yardley became part of Birmingham in 1911, and both private and public housing
developments commenced in the 1920s, assisted by the establishment of a tram route from Birmingham in
1924.

Stechford branch was first opened in the YMCA buildings in Lyttleton Road, Stechford, on September
20th 1921, but was soon transferred to a substantial wooden building which was erected on land
purchased by the Bank at the corner of Lyttleton Road and Station Road. At this date the branch was
listed in the 1922 Annual report as being located at the 'YMCA Hut, Lyttleton Road', and opening hours
were given as Monday and Saturday Evenings - 18:00 to 20:00.

In the Annual Reports from 1923 to 1926, the branch is still in the same YMCA Hut, but is only open on
Friday Evenings - 18:00 to 20:00. In 1927, the opening hours reverted to Monday and Saturday Evenings
(still 18:00 to 20:00), but the address is now 177 Station Road.

The 1930 Annual Report states that 'At Stechford a branch Bank is being erected', and the address in the
branch list is given as just 'Station Road', suggesting that a wooden building is being employed near the
construction site. A full-time daily branch was opened at 177 Station Road on November 8th 1930, by the
Lord Mayor (Alderman M L Lancaster).

Manager:
1931 - G A Harling

1963 to 1969 - R G Roberts
1970 to 1972 - H J Clemmow
1974 - M G Crofts
1976 - A Nicol

Two aspects of the newly built
branch in 1930

The branch opening ceremony,
November 8th 1930, which unusually,
appears to have been held at night

Branch interior in 1930