This branch of the HSBC Bank started out as the Oldham Joint Stock Bank.  The architect is unknown but it was built in 1895 and is Grade II Listed.  The reasons for its listing are that it is:

- "... a well-executed design in a grand, neo-classical style representative of bank architecture in being outwardly impressive and embodying a sense of reliability, confidence and security"

- " ... constructed of high-quality ashlar and granite to the curved main elevation embellished with fine detailing of the stonework"



- "... the banking hall retains an impressive elongated, hexagonal roof light containing high-quality leaded and stained glass in an Art Nouveau design over the banking hall"

- "... the curving composition with higher central section maximises the bank's impact in a corner location and endows it with an eye-catching street presence which make it a positive asset to the visual quality of the town centre "



"... an historic photograph of c1902 shows that the main entrance had a classical porch of columns and entablature which was very similar in appearance to the porch of the Grade II former Oldham Joint Stock Bank (now HSBC) in Oldham. The latter was built in 1892 to designs by an architect named as Thomas Taylor. Banks often retained an architect to design their buildings and so it is possible that the Rochdale bank was also by Taylor. 

In the early C20 the bank was acquired by the Midland Bank. ....


..... The porch was removed before 1910 and the main entrance doorway was moved to the central bay of the three-bay centre section of the building. 
"