London & Home Counties Bank

[docjohn]

Recently I watched the Channel 4 showing of Gideon of Scotland Yard, starring Jack Hawkins. I noticed that the bank which appears halfway through the film is the fictional "London and Home Counties Bank." I remember this name from other British B&W films of the fifties though I couldn't name one film specifically right now.

Does anybody have any knowledge of the history of this name, when it first appeared as the standard bank for London-based thrillers or dramas? Was it used only by one film company or was it shared around? Is the name still used?

[Mo B Dick]

Recently I watched the Channel 4 showing of Gideon of Scotland Yard, starring Jack Hawkins. I noticed that the bank which appears halfway through the film is the fictional "London and Home Counties Bank." I remember this name from other British B&W films of the fifties though I couldn't name one film specifically right now.

Does anybody have any knowledge of the history of this name, when it first appeared as the standard bank for London-based thrillers or dramas? Was it used only by one film company or was it shared around? Is the name still used?

I always assumed it was derived from the old London & Provincial Bank which went through a couple of name changes before becoming part of Barclays.

[Moor Larkin]

Googling a little reveals the name to have been incorporated into written fiction, but the references are post-1960, so that use must have been picked up from the "films".

Mr. Fortesque is not shown within his usual abominably paneled office at the Westminster branch of the London and Home Counties Bank, of which he is the manager
http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/The_H..._(short_story)

There are threads in here about "telephone numbers" specifically allocated to TV shows / movies.