North and South Wales (which became the Midland) bank building, corner of 62 Castle St and James St, Liverpool, Merseyside, England,UK, L2 7LQ

The North and South Wales Bank (also known as the Wales Bank) was formed in Liverpool in 1836 and was originally located in premises in James Street, Liverpool The bank envisaged a branch system that would extend throughout Wales, despite the challenges concerning transport and communication, as there were no railways in Wales at this time. A provisional committee of Liverpool merchants, manufacturers and businessmen appointed a deputation to visit Welsh towns and London for interviews with leaders of the nobility and gentry of Wales and the Welsh Members of Parliament. Establishment of branches in Wales Upon formation the bank commenced taking over a number of private banks. In addition the bank started to establish branches in several towns in North Wales. In order to expand into South Wales a deputation was sent there to assess the potential for new branches. In the first year of operations the bank had established 13 branches and 10 sub-branches, the furthest one being 100 miles from Liverpool. The collapse of the Northern & Central Bank of England, a Manchester bank, which has 40 branches, many in North Wales led to eight of these branches being taken over by the bank. The branches at Bishop's Castle, Newtown, Powys and Welshpool were all opened on 30 May 1836. The branches at Llanfyllin and Oswestry were opened on 8 June 1836. The branch at Ruthin was opened on 27 June 1836. The branch at Llanrwst was opened on 1 July 1836. The branches at Caernarfon and Chester were opened on 4 July 1836. The branch at Mold, Flintshire was opened on 9 August 1836 and the branch at Wrexham was opened on 19 September 1836. These eleven branches became part of Midland Bank from 1908, helping to establish their branch network in Wales. The bank took over an Aberystwyth bank called Bank y Llong on 15 August 1836 and had a branch at New Street, Aberystwyth from about 1864 to 1885, the bank then moved to a building on the south side of Great Darkgate Street