Speculation is rife that the Midland Bank brand will return when HSBC moves its UK head office to Birmingham.
The move would likely prove popular in Birmingham, where Midland bank – later taken over by the global giant – was established in 1836.
HSBC is remaining quiet on the rumours, which have surfaced as the bank faces up to more than 22,000 job cuts around the world.
However, the move to bring its business, personal and retail bank to Arena Central remains on and speculation is mounting that it will see the return of Midland.
MORE: Birmingham HSBC jobs boost still on despite major cuts
On the issue of the return of the Midland brand, Birmingham historian Professor Carl Chinn said it would be welcomed across the city as it reflects a time when Birmingham and Black Country manufacturers changed the world of finance.
He said: “The Midland Bank was founded here in Birmingham by manufacturers who were also involved in banking.
“The key figure was Charles Geach, who was a Cornishman who worked for the Bank of England in Birmingham.
“His life showed the interaction between manufacturing and finance in the 19th century and it in my opinion it is something we need to learn from today.
“Midland Bank is a name you can trust because of its history and integrity.”
Many of HSBC’s high street branches, which will soon be run from this city, were originally known as Midland Bank before the 1992 takeover.
HSBC has 1,057 branches across the UK.
It would be symbolic, with 1,000 jobs being moved to the city by 2018, as Midland Bank was established on Union Street in the 19th century.
The swingeing job cuts comes as the bank seeks to deliver annual cost savings of around £2.9 billion to to £3.3 billion by the end of 2017.
HSBC declined to comment on the return of the Midland brand.
