[8] The history of this building is dominated by the fact that it was designed in two stages 55 years apart by two different architectural firms.

The façade uses Oamaru free stone imported from New Zealand, on a base of local bluestone.

The interior was completely rebuilt, with a light well through the centre of the building lighting a new board room on the second floor, and a skylit dome to a huge new banking chamber occupying almost the whole of the ground floor area, in restrained classical mode of fluted pilasters and columns with a surrounding mezzanine.

The 1929-31 additions are significant as a skilful solution to the problem of adding levels to an already complete classical design.

The architectural expression of the bank served as a metaphor for the impression the company wanted to send out to the community, an image of solidity and confidence.