The Molsons Bank was a Canadian bank founded in Montreal, Quebec, by brothers William (1793–1875) and John Molson, Jr. (1787–1860), the sons of brewery magnate John Molson.

Operations

In 1837, the bank opened and issued its first banknotes. In 1850, it was constituted under the Free Banking Act passed by the parliament of the Province of Canada. To increase its powers and its revenue, the bank was incorporated in 1855. It was granted a charter on May 19, 1855 in Montreal allowing it to operate its bank in the same way as other banks. With its head office at the corner of St. James & St. Peter streets (today known as Saint-Jacques and Saint-Pierre streets) in Montreal, it continued in operation until 1925 when it merged with the Bank of Montreal.

Branches

The bank operated 125 branches primarily in Quebec and Ontario. It also had branches in western Canada and agents in the US and UK.

The Bank of Montreal at 3 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario, is a former branch of the Molson Bank that was built in 1914 and is on the Registry of Historical Places of Canada.

Presidents

1. William Molson, 1855–1875

2. John Thomas Molson, 1875–1879

3. Thomas Workman, 1879–1889

4. John Henry Robinson Molson, 1889–1897

5. William Molson Macpherson, 1897–1922

6. Frederick William Molson, 1922–1924

Gallery

See also

• List of banks in Canada

• Molson Bank Building, Montreal

References

Bibliography

• Denison, Merrill, 1893–1975. Canada's first bank : a history of the Bank of Montreal. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, c1966. 2 v. : ill., maps, ports., (some folded, some col).; 25cm.