Bank of New South Wales, head office, 1822–53. As a penal settlement, the colony of New South Wales was intended to be economically self-sufficient but as the colony developed, it became apparent that formal financial institutions were needed to promote growth. In April 1817 Australia’s first bank, the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac), opened in Sydney. Governor Lachlan Macquarie and Judge-Advocate John Wylde were instrumental its formation.
