Gillet Brothers Ltd , discount bankers

The firm of Gillett Brothers Discount Company Limited, discount bankers, was founded on 17 August 1867, when the brothers Alfred and George Gillett began business as Gillett Brothers and Company, bill brokers and money dealers, at 72 Lombard Street. The new firm derived some customers from the otherwise unconnected firm of Brightwen, Gillett and Company, bill brokers, of 8 Finch Lane, which had been established in 1861 by a younger brother, William Gillett, and which was dissolved in August 1867.

Gillett Brothers and Company remained a partnership under the same name until 1919, when it became a private limited company with the style of Gillett Brothers Discount Company Limited. It became a public company in 1946.

The firm traded during its history from the following addresses: 72 Lombard Street (1867-1885); 9 Birchin Lane (1885-1892); 58 Lombard Street (1892-1924); 27 Clements Lane (1924-33); 52 Cornhill (1933-1964); 65 Cornhill (from 1964). The firm amalgamated with Jessel Toynbee and Company Limited in 1982, and at the time the records were deposited was part of Alexanders Discount plc.

For a detailed history of the firm see Professor Ronald S Sayers, Gilletts in the London Money Market 1867-1967 (Oxford, 1968). Many research notes, financial tables etc prepared by Prof Sayers and his colleague Miss Audrey Taylor appear amongst the archives. However, a great many of the archives used by Prof Sayers and referred to in his history have not been deposited at Guildhall Library, and their current whereabouts are unknown. These missing records include Gilletts' ledgers and other account books and correspondence with country banks.