BANKING is back in the historic building where the Union Bank began trading in Albury in 1906.
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WAW Credit Union yesterday opened a branch at 500 Dean Street, blending some of the Queen Anne Federation-style features with modern technology and a bright interior decorated with scenes of Lake Hume and the Bogong High Plains.
Building owner Wayne Farrah has added framed images of how the building looked in the early 20th century when its manager was James Stephen, father-in-law of the artist Sir Russell Drysdale.
In 1951 the Union Bank merged to become ANZ and the Albury branch traded under that name until it closed in 1998 because there was another ANZ branch in Dean Street.
Angus & Robertson’s bookshop later occupied part of the building.
Opening the new WAW branch has meant a small branch in Centro Albury has closed but staff member Wendy Stam said WAW had a branch in Dean Street.
“I’ve been with WAW 20 years and worked in the Dean Street branch then,’’ she said.
The branch is managed by business development officer Paul Henry and has the equivalent of 4.5 staff.
Deputy chief executive officer Michael Mack said he was pleased with the conversion work undertaken with architects Leffler Simes and Associates.
Mr Mack said the credit union had been looking for a new, more prominent home in the Albury central business district for some time and welcomed the opportunity to lease from Mr Farrah.
WAW shares the ground floor with the Siam Orchid restaurant and meanwhile the Farrah family is preparing to lease the renovated upstairs for offices.
Mr Farrah’s daughter, Louise Davidovic, has designed a restoration of offices in sympathy with its original purpose as a residence for the Stephen family, retaining the balcony overlooking Dean Street.
A glass-front elevator has been installed alongside an old timber staircase.