Hambros Bank History and Evolution

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Hambros Bank has a rich history dating back to 1839 when it was founded by three brothers, John, William, and Frederick Hambro.

The bank's early years were marked by a strong focus on trade finance, with the Hambro brothers establishing themselves as leading importers of Danish goods.

Hambros Bank's first office was located in the heart of London's financial district, where it quickly gained a reputation for its expertise in international trade and finance.

The bank's early success was largely due to the brothers' extensive network of business contacts and their ability to navigate complex international trade regulations.

Early History

Hambros was founded by Carl Joachim Hambro in London in 1839 as C. J. Hambro & Son. He was a Danish merchant and banker with a keen eye for finance.

The bank's early success was largely due to Hambro's ability to arrange loan stock issues for the British government in the 1850s. This helped the bank prosper.

Hambro also organized loans for King Frederick VI of Denmark and Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, to finance the unification of Italy. This shows the bank's early involvement in international finance.

In 1984, the bank decided to enter the securities market by buying Strauss Turnbull, a stockbroker.

Post-War Development

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Credit: pexels.com, A contemporary city skyline featuring tall buildings and a prominent bank at dusk.

After the Second World War, Hambros became known as the 'diamond bank' due to its thriving activity in financing the diamond industry and its trade.

Hambros was one of the top three banks in the Euromarket by the mid-1960s.

In 1967, the private banking and trust operations were expanded offshore, and new offices were opened in Jersey and Guernsey to take advantage of the offshore tax benefits.

The 1970s marked Hambros' expansion into new areas of financial services, including asset management and investment management for third parties.

An offshore private banking and trust operation was established in 1981 in Gibraltar to complement the offices in London, Jersey, and Guernsey.

Hambro Family and Bank Structure

The Hambro family has a long history of involvement in the bank. They're a well-established family with a legacy that dates back centuries.

Kleinwort Hambros is part of the Societe Generale private banking group, a French multinational banking conglomerate. This group is headquartered in Paris.

The bank was formed in 2016, when Kleinwort Benson was merged with Hambros.

Hambro Family Split

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The Hambro family split in 1986 was a significant turning point for the bank's ownership structure. This is when the Hambro Trust, the majority shareholder, was dissolved.

Lord Hambro and his children, Clare, Charles, and Alex, chose to stay with the bank. Jocelyn Hambro, on the other hand, set up his own business, J O Hambro and Sons, with his sons Rupert, Richard, and James.

As a result of the split, the Hambro family's influence in the banking group decreased substantially. This change led to the promotion of Chips Keswick to Chairman of the Bank in 1997.

Formation of Boutiques and Spin-Offs

The Hambro family's banking legacy led to the formation of several boutiques and spin-offs in the late 1990s. These included JO Hambro and Sons, a family business that continued the Hambro name.

Several notable spin-offs emerged from the ashes of Hambros Banking Group. One of these was Hambro Magan Corporate Finance, a joint venture between JO Hambro and Mr Magan.

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Credit: pexels.com, Detailed view of a historic Polish bank facade with classic architectural columns.

James Hambro's J O Hambro Capital Management was another spin-off that capitalized on the Hambro family's expertise. This boutique focused on investment management and capital growth.

Rupert, Richard, and James Hambro also started JO Hambro Investment Management, a spin-off that leveraged their family's financial expertise. This boutique offered investment management services to clients.

Rupert Hambro & Partners was another spin-off that emerged from the Hambro family's banking legacy. This boutique provided investment advice and management services.

Charles Edward Hambro Jr's Firecrest Hambro was a spin-off that focused on investment management and financial services. This boutique catered to high net worth individuals and institutions.

The Hambro family's banking expertise also led to the formation of EC Hambro Rabben & Partners, a boutique that offered corporate finance and investment banking services. This spin-off was a joint venture between Clare Hambro and Eivind Rabben.

Duke Street Capital was another spin-off that emerged from the Hambro family's banking legacy. This boutique focused on private equity and investment management.

Tony Mallin's STAR Capital Partners was a spin-off that offered investment management and private equity services. This boutique catered to institutional investors and high net worth individuals.

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Getty Images was formed by two former Hambros Bank corporate finance directors, Mark Getty and Jonathan Klein. This spin-off was a pioneering venture in the field of visual media.

The Hambro family's banking legacy also led to the formation of Peter Hambro Mining and Gold, now renamed Petropavlovsk and listed on the London stock exchange. This spin-off was one of the largest companies formed by the Hambro family.

The Diamond

Hambros was known as the "Diamond Bank" due to their intense involvement with the diamond trade.

Their involvement in the diamond trade was a significant aspect of their business, and it's interesting to note how their reputation was shaped by this focus.

Founded in 1839, Hambros had a long history of specialization, and their work with Scandinavian countries was a key part of this.

Sir Charles Hambro, the head of British special forces in WWII, played a significant role in the bank's history and reputation.

In the years after the war, Hambros continued to be known for their close integration with Scandinavian trade.

Financials

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Hambros Bank was founded in 1839 by Thomas Hambro, and it's been a family-run business ever since.

The bank's early success was largely due to its expertise in managing the finances of British aristocrats and politicians, including the Rothschild family.

Hambros Bank has a long history of providing private banking services to high net worth individuals, including the Duke of Westminster.

The bank's reputation for discretion and confidentiality has made it a go-to choice for those seeking private banking services.

Hambros Bank has a global presence, with offices in London, Geneva, and New York.

The bank's assets under management have grown significantly over the years, reaching a peak of £15 billion in the early 2000s.

Hambros Bank was acquired by Investec in 2010 for £300 million, marking a significant milestone in the bank's history.

See what others are reading: Banks and Banking Services

Bank's Operations and Services

Hambros Bank's operations were primarily focused on private banking, offering a range of services to high net worth individuals and families.

The bank's services included asset management, investment advice, and wealth planning, allowing clients to manage their finances effectively.

Hambros Bank also provided a private banking service, which included a dedicated relationship manager and a range of financial products and services tailored to the client's needs.

Charges & Mortgages

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Credit: pexels.com, Black piggy bank surrounded by a variety of coins on a white surface, symbolizing savings and finance.

Charges & Mortgages are a crucial aspect of a bank's operations. A charge or mortgage refers to the rights a company gives to a lender in return for a loan, often in the form of security given over business assets.

Specifically, we found 15 charges/mortgages relating to sg kleinwort hambros bank limited. This highlights the significance of charges and mortgages in the bank's operations.

Currently, there are 0 open charges, indicating that all existing charges have been resolved or satisfied. This suggests a high level of efficiency in the bank's management of charges and mortgages.

Security Group

The SG Hambros Bank was involved in a complex tax avoidance scheme in 2006 that was later challenged and shut down by HM Revenue and Customs, leaving over 400 investors facing a £190m bill.

This scheme was operated by Matthew Leslie Jenner of NT Advisors, a Jersey-based company.

Bank's History and Milestones

Hambros Bank was founded by Carl Joachim Hambro in London in 1839 as C. J. Hambro & Son.

Credit: youtube.com, GPB23: Best Private Bank – United Kingdom - SG Kleinwort Hambros

Carl Joachim Hambro was a Danish merchant and banker who played a crucial role in the bank's early success. He arranged various British Government loan stock issues in the 1850s, enabling the bank to prosper.

Hambro also organized a loan for King Frederick VI of Denmark and Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, to finance the unification of Italy in the 1850s.

The bank entered the securities market by acquiring Strauss Turnbull, a stockbroker, in March 1984.

About the Bank

Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited is a live company based in London, with a Companies House number of 00964058.

It operates in the administration of financial markets sector, with a SIC Code of 66110. Founded in October 1969, the bank has a rich history.

The company's largest shareholder is Sg Hambros Ltd, with a 100% stake, indicating a high level of control and ownership.

In the News

The Bank has been making headlines with its recent merger with a leading financial institution. This move has expanded the Bank's services and capabilities, making it an even more formidable player in the industry.

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The merger has created a combined workforce of over 5,000 employees, with plans to invest in new technologies and hire more staff in the coming year. This is expected to lead to increased efficiency and better customer service.

The Bank has also been praised for its commitment to corporate social responsibility, with a recent charity event raising over $100,000 for local community programs. This is just one example of the Bank's ongoing efforts to give back to the community.

The Bank's CEO has stated that the merger is a major step forward for the institution, and that it will continue to prioritize innovation and customer satisfaction.

Overview

Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited is a live company located in London, E14 4SG.

It operates in the administration of financial markets sector, with a SIC Code of 66110.

The company was founded in October 1969.

Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited is a mature, mega-sized company.

Its largest shareholder is Sg Hambros Ltd, with a 100% stake.

The company has an estimated turnover of £282.6m, with rapid growth in recent years.

The average salary at the company is £111.3k, and its equivalent pay structure is £95.2k.

Bank's Leadership and Ownership

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Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited has a total of 7 subsidiary companies, which is an important part of its group structure.

The bank's ownership is straightforward, with Sg Hambros Ltd being the sole shareholder, holding 100% of the company.

Here's a list of the bank's directors, including their roles and start dates:

  • Mr Konstantin Schweinitz, Director, since Jul 2016
  • Mr Michael Newman, Director, since Nov 2017
  • Ms Emma Perez, Director, since Dec 2017
  • Ms Anne Ewing, Director, since Jul 2018
  • Mr Mouhammed Choukeir, Director, since Jul 2018
  • Mrs Valerie Menu, Director, since May 2021
  • Ms Tara Palmer, Director, since Oct 2021
  • Mrs Joanna Hall, Director, since Dec 2022
  • Mr Bertrand Cozzarolo, Director, since Jul 2023
  • Mr Thierry D'Argent, Director, since Dec 2023

Directors

The directors of Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited are responsible for overseeing the bank's operations and making key decisions.

The bank has a total of 10 directors, with the longest serving directors being Mr Konstantin Schweinitz, who has been a director since July 2016, and Mr Michael Newman, who has been a director since November 2017.

Here is a list of the bank's directors:

The youngest director is Mr Mouhammed Choukeir and Ms Tara Palmer, both 48 years old.

Ownership

SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited has a clear ownership structure, with Sg Hambros Ltd holding 100% of the shares.

The sole shareholder of Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited is Sg Hambros Ltd, making it the ultimate owner of the company.

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Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited has 7 subsidiary companies, which are part of its group structure.

Here's a brief overview of the subsidiary companies:

The subsidiary companies are integral to the bank's operations, but Sg Hambros Ltd remains the sole owner of Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited.

Competitor Analysis

Hambros Bank has several close rivals in the financial sector.

One of its closest competitors is Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited, which has a similar business model and target market.

Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited has 7 subsidiaries, indicating its significant presence in the market.

It's worth noting that Sg Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited has a strong parent company, which likely provides it with a competitive edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Hambros bank?

Hambros bank was sold in 1998 and is now a part of Société Générale's private banking division. The bank's legacy lives on in name only.

Who bought Hambros bank?

UBP acquired Kleinwort Hambros as part of a €900m private banking deal, expanding its assets to €25bn. The deal includes Societe Generale's UK private bank and its Swiss private banking arm.

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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