On Wednesday 23 August 2023, CEO Matt Comyn alongside Chief Operations Officer Sinead Taylor officially opened the new space called ‘The Vault’ which includes a dedicated reading room named in honour of the bank’s first Governor Sir Denison Miller.
Following the passing of the Commonwealth Bank Act in December 1911, the Prime Minster Andrew Fisher appointed Sir Denison Miller as the first Governor of the bank, a position equivalent to the CEO today.
Displays in CBA's The Vault archives.
“This new space will play a crucial role in preserving and displaying our shared knowledge and history, while highlighting the evolving nature of Australia’s banking system,” Mr Comyn said.
“We are carefully preserving and protecting important artefacts of the bank’s history, not only so we can honour the past, but to also learn for the future.”
When the bank opened for business in 1912, the Prime Minister became the first holder of a Commonwealth Bank passbook, and this passbook, as well as items used by Sir Denison are among the rare artefacts now on display.
The size of CBA’s collection is significant with 2,000 linear metres of documentary paper archives, and more than 300,000 photographs, 5,000 video tapes, 500 other objects, and items from the corporate wardrobe dating back to 1986.
“Archives and artefacts are so valuable to provide insights on the development of the financial system and the impact it has had on society,” Sinead said.
The collection will continue to expand with the Group Archives team capturing important data and information both physical and electronic to record the ongoing evolution of the Commonwealth Bank and Australia’s financial system.
For more information about accessing ‘The Vault’ please contact the CBA Group Archives team: archives@cba.com.au
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