Today in history: Standard Bank opens its doors in Witwatersrand
The bank has grown to span 17 African countries and 16 countries across South East Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
In 1862, the Standard Bank was established in Port Elizabeth, when it was known as The Standard Bank of British South Africa.
It started doing business in a tent in Johannesburg, then known as Ferreira’s Camp, on 11 October 1886, when it became the first bank to open a branch on the Witwatersrand goldfields.
The second branch in Johannesburg was opened in Eloff Street on 1 November 1901.
In 1959 it moved its head office from Pretoria to Johannesburg and in 1970 it took ownership of a prestigious new head office building at 78 Fox Street.
The bank has grown to span 17 African countries and 16 countries across South East Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
The bank now boasts a multi-million Standard Bank Centre head office located in Simmonds Street, Johannesburg.
Information sourced from: South African History Online.
