Bank Street was earlier Crooked Lane, Cunningham’s Row, and called Bryce’s Lane in the lease of the ground of St Mary’s Chapel. The name Cunningham’s Lane arose quite naturally from Waddell Cunningham having his residence and garden nearby. It was believed that Cunningham was the richest man in Belfast. He attempted to establish a slave trading company in Belfast in 1786. Bank Street was previously named Bank Lane which was changed to Street between 1862 and 1864. It takes its name from a house first erected for the purpose of a bank in 1787. The bank was dissolved at the close of 1795. Then for some years it was occupied by another banking firm, finally about 1793 becoming the residence of Most William Dickson, the Bishop of Down and Connor (Church of Ireland) until his death in 1804. The building then underwent various changes including another period as a bank, until opened as a drapery warehouse, on April 1, 1853. The front portion of the present Bank Buildings was rebuilt in 1899. At the western end of Bank Lane was situated the brewery and residence of William Napier, where John Dunville, founder of Dunville and Co. served his apprenticeship. (Origins) Regarding the bank, it would appear this was not the first bank to be established in Belfast, the Belfast Street Directory of 1819 provides this detail: “1752 – A. Bank, the first established in Belfast, under the firm of Mussenden, Adair, and Bateson – Dissolved, 1756.” Regarding the bank set up by Cunningham, the Belfast Street Directory of 1819 states:”1787 – Second Bank; partners, Waddell Cunningham, C. Ranken, W. Brown, and John Campbell. Issued Notes payable in gold.”