The George Street North branch of the ES&A Chartered Bank, like most bank buildings in Australia, has associations with important aspects of Australia's economic history. The ES&A Chartered Bank itself was founded as a direct result of the 1850s Gold Rush, and was one of only three 'Anglo-Australian' banks, incorporated under Royal Charter and based in London. The monumental building at George Street North is evidence of the bank's enthusiastic expansion during the prosperous 1880s Boom period.