Historical Fast Facts

The Toronto - Dominion Bank was chartered on February 1, 1955 with the merger of The Bank of Toronto with The Dominion Bank. However, both Banks had long histories prior to the merger. The Bank of Toronto was founded in 1855 (began operations in 1856) and The Dominion Bank was established in 1869 (began operations in 1871). Through the years TD's growth included the creation of its wealth management division, the acquisition of Canada Trust in 2000, and its evolution into a North American bank with the acquisition of US entities including Banknorth and Commerce Bancorp in the United States.

Historical Facts

  1. The Bank of Toronto founded in 1855 by a group of millers and merchants

  2. The Dominion Bank opened its first branch in 1871

  3. Bank of Toronto and Dominion Bank merge in 1955 to form Toronto Dominion Bank

  4. The TD Shield was introduced in 1969

  5. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation established in 1990 by Canada Trust

  6. TD acquired Canada Trust in 2000

  7. TD's entrance into U.S. retail banking began with the acquisition of Banknorth in 2005

Did you know?

  1. Bank notes originally had to be signed by the President and Cashier.

  2. TD first appeared on TV in 1968, when its debut commercials included the slogan "The Bank Where People Make the Difference."

  3. In 1976, TD's ATM - the Green Machine - was originally piloted as the TD 360. To no one's surprise, it was quickly renamed!

  4. The Dominion Bank first opened an agency in New York City in 1919, but TD's real entrance into U.S. Retail Banking began with the acquisition of Banknorth in 2005.

  5. Bank issued its own currency prior to the founding of the Bank of Canada, Canadian Chartered Banks issued their own bank notes.

  1. In 1964, to celebrate its 100th Anniversary, Huron & Erie sponsored tree plantings in communities across Canada.

  2. The Bank of Toronto's first President, James G. Chewett, was a surveyor before becoming involved in finance. He created some of the early maps of Upper Canada.

  3. The TD Shield was introduced in 1969

  4. On February 1, 1955, The Bank of Toronto and Dominion Bank merged to form Toronto Dominion Bank, but TD traces its roots back even further to the founding of The Bank of Toronto in 1855.

  5. You can learn more about TD's history here.

Explore TD's Corporate History

See how TD has transformed the North American banking industry, one community at a time. Use our interactive timeline. Explore now

  • 1855
    Incorporation of The Bank of Toronto. Canada Permanent Building & Savings Society is also founded, one of Canada's first mortgage companies.

  • 1856
    The Bank of Toronto opens its first branch on Church Street in Toronto.

  • 1860
    The Bank of Toronto opens its first branch outside of Ontario, in Montreal.

  • 1863
    With a staff of 26 and a five branch network, The Bank of Toronto opens its head office at Church & Wellington Streets in Toronto.

  • 1864
    Founding of Huron & Erie, later to become Canada Trust in London, Ontario.

  • 1871
    The Dominion Bank opens its first branch on King Street in Toronto.

  • 1872
    Toronto General Trusts becomes Canada's first trust company.

  • 1897-1899
    The Dominion Bank and The Bank of Toronto begin expanding their branch networks westward, beginning with Winnipeg, MB, in 1897 and Rossland, BC, in 1899.

  • 1901
    Canada Trust begins operations as a subsidiary of Huron & Erie.

  • 1911
    The Dominion Bank opens its first international office in London, England.

  • 1913
    The Bank of Toronto opens its new head office at the corner of King and Bay Streets.

  • 1914
    One of Canada's early skyscrapers: The Dominion Bank opens a new head office at the corner of King and Yonge Streets in Toronto.

  • 1919
    The Dominion Bank opens an office in New York City.

  • 1935
    Bank of Canada begins operations. Bank currencies, including those of The Bank of Toronto and The Dominion Bank, begin to be phased out.

  • 1944
    Serving the needs of Canada's emerging North: The Bank of Toronto opens its first branch in Yellowknife, NWT.

  • 1955
    The Bank of Toronto and The Dominion Bank merge to form The Toronto-Dominion Bank. The newly formed TD had 449 branches and approximately 4700 employees across Canada, with offices in London, England, and New York City

  • 1962
    An early pioneer in technology: TD purchases its first computer system.

  • 1967
    TD celebrates Canada's Centennial by establishing an Inuit Art Collection. Toronto's TD Tower opens, designed by Mies van der Rohe.

  • 1969
    TD introduces its new corporate identity, including the TD Shield as a symbol of the growing, modern bank.

  • 1970s
    TD becomes an increasingly international bank with offices and major project financing around the world.

  • 1976
    TD introduces its ATM, the Green Machine, and Canada Trust extends its hours: "Eight to Eight, Six Days Straight".

  • 1984
    Meeting the needs of self-service investors: Green Line Investor Services discount brokerage is established.

  • 1987
    Toronto Dominion Securities Inc. is established to provide corporate, treasury and investment banking services to corporate clients.

  • 1990
    Canada Trust creates Friends of the Environment Foundation.

  • 1992
    TD acquires the assets of Central Guaranty Trust.

  • 1993
    TD Evergreen - a full service brokerage launches.

  • 1996
    TD acquires Waterhouse Investor Services Inc. WebBroker, the first Internet brokerage service in Canada was also introduced.

  • 2000
    TD and Canada Trust join forces with a shared philosophy of delivering a comfortable banking experience.

  • 2005
    TD celebrates its 150th anniversary. Also in 2005, TD acquires 51% of Banknorth.

  • 2008
    TD acquires Commerce Bancorp and integrates it with TD Banknorth to form TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank. Also in 2008, TD is the first Canadian bank to appoint a Chief Environment Officer to lead the Bank's environmental portfolio and initiatives.

  • 2011
    TD acquires Chrysler Financial and MBNA Canada's credit card business. TD Canada Trust extends its convenient hours by opening hundreds of branches across the country on Sundays.

  • Media

    Are you a member of the media and have a question about TD's corporate History?

  • Investor

    Looking for archived financial information, including reports, public filings and statements?

  • Students

    Looking for more information on TD's contributions to the community?

Interested in working at TD?

TD is a great organization powered by great people who want to make a difference every day. Every day, we deliver legendary customer and client experiences to our approximately 22 million customers.
Search Jobs

Learn more about our company history