Strength, Integrity, Service
Scotiabank's Coat of Arms
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For 175 years the motto Strength, Integrity, Service has formed the foundation of our approach to our customers.
Scotiabankers are committed to serving their customers in an ethical and honest way. We have the strength to withstand difficult times, and to support our customers through those difficult times. We are in it with you for the long haul - we have been for 175 years - and will continue to stand with you in the future.
The motto Strength, Integrity, Service is featured prominently on our Coat of Arms. Designed by heraldic artist A. Scott Carter, Scotiabank's Coat of Arms features elements that reflect the Scottish tradition of our home province - Nova Scotia (thistle, unicorn, St. Andrew's cross) as well as classic Canadian motifs (maple leaf, stag, ship, codfish, plough, wheat sheaf). The Coat of Arms was approved by the College of Heralds on May 30, 1951.
The Beginning
The Bank of Nova Scotia is the first chartered bank in Nova Scotia. On March 30, 1832 royal assent was given to the bill incorporating "The President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of Nova Scotia" as "one Body Politic and Corporate", with an authorized capital of £100,000 of which £50,000 had to be paid up before business could begin.
Three months earlier a group of prominent Halifax merchants had met at the Merchants Exchange Coffee House to discuss the need to create a public bank as an alternative to the privately owned Halifax Banking Company.
188 Hollis St. Halifax, c.1870
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The Bank opened for business on August 29, 1832 in John Romans's building. The original staff consisted of: Cashier (COO) James Forman, Tellers Alexander Paul and Benjamin Carlile, and Messenger James Maxwell.
In 1837 the Bank erected its own building at 188 Hollis Street (pictured right).
1709 Hollis Street, Halifax
By 1930 it had become apparent that the current Head Office and Halifax Main Branch (188 Hollis Street) was too small for one of Canada's fastest growing financial institutions. On August 3, 1931, Scotiabank opened one of our most authentically Canadian buildings.
Architect John Lyle's drawing of 1709 Hollis Street, Halifax
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1709 Hollis Street, 1931
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The Banking Hall, 1709 Hollis Street, 1931
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Pre-eminent Canadian Architect John Lyle designed 1709 Hollis Street (pictured above) from its structure to its decorative features, fixtures, and furniture. Lyle injected motifs depicting Canadian and Nova Scotian natural and economic history throughout the building. This jewel of Canadian architecture continues to house our Head Office, Atlantic Regional Office, and Halifax Main Branch.
Agents and Agencies
Pictou, c.1879
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At Scotiabank we began laying the foundation for our modern branch network early in our history. In 1837 we made our presence felt outside of Halifax by opening an agency in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Two years later we opened agencies in Pictou (pictured left), Yarmouth, Annapolis, and Liverpool.
These agencies, as forerunners of today's branches, offered the same banking services as were available in Halifax, however, the Agents were not employees of the Bank.
James Primrose, Pictou Agent 1839-1872
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They were successful local businessmen, recruited to oversee the agency's operations in exchange for a fixed sum and some commissions. They were in fact liable for any losses the agency might incur.
Mr. James Primrose (pictured right) was the Pictou Agent from 1839 to 1872.
Agents and agencies were converted to branches and Managers in 1898.
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