When Canada Became a Nation

Halifax Main Branch and Head Office, c.1870

Scotiabank was 45 years old when Canada became a nation in 1867. Although still a local bank, the Scotiabank Branch network was starting to develop. Besides the flagship Halifax Branch, Scotiabank was operating in Pictou, Yarmouth, New Glasgow, and North Sydney.

In addition three other branches were opened prior to Confederation but had closed: Windsor, N.S. was opened in 1837, closed in 1851, and re-opened in 1904; Annapolis Royal, N.S. was opened in 1839, closed in 1853, and re-opened in 1876; Liverpool, N.S. was opened in 1839, closed in 1852, and re-opened in 1879.

Dr. James Bond, Yarmouth Agent, 1839 - 1854

Stayley Brown, Yarmouth Agent, 1839 - 1842

James Primrose, Pictou Agent, 1839 - 1872

Growing The Scotiabank Group

Other financial institutions that would one day become part of the Scotiabank Group were also operating by 1867. The Bank of New Brunswick, the first chartered bank in Canada, opened its flagship Saint John Branch in 1820. The Bank of New Brunswick amalgamated with the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1913.

Bank of New Brunswick Staff, c.1868

The Union Bank of Prince Edward Island, which amalgamated with Scotiabank in 1883, opened its Charlottetown Branch in 1863. Finally the Lambton Loan and Investment Company opened in Sarnia, Ontario in 1844. The Lambton Loan Company amalgamated with Victoria & Grey Trust in 1969. Victoria & Grey was in turn taken over by National Trust in 1984. Scotiabank purchased National Trust in 1997.

County map of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island

Staff at New Glasgow Branch, 1897

Bank of New Brunswick Head Office, c.1867