[1] The London Chartered Bank of Australia was formed in October 1852, with the issuing of a prospectus and granting of a royal charter for a new London-based joint stock bank to operate in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria.
[2][3] The chairman was Duncan Dunbar, while the directors included numerous banking and business figures from England, Ireland and Australia.
It was promoted as taking advantage of the economic boom associated with the Australian gold rushes.
[7][8][9] A succession of branches in regional mining centres followed in 1855-56, with Ballarat, Beechworth and Dunolly among them.
[12][13][14] A voluntary winding-up order was granted in London in mid-May while reconstruction discussions continued.