Midland Bank biggest bank in the world, the building is currently (2015) under development as a hotel. HSBC UK swift code (all offices in the United Kingdom) being "MIDLGB22" reflects its past as the Midland Bank. The Midland Bank was famous for its golden griffin logo, surrounded by golden coins originally introduced in 1965 on a black, then later blue background, and for its slogan "the listening bank," written by the advertising executive Rod Allen. Advertisements for the bank appeared in the popular computer game "Theme Park". The Midland Bank still traded as Midland Bank, but using the HSBC logo from 1997,
Bank of the West Bank of California had established its branch in Guam in 1974.) In May 2001, the independent directors of BancWest Bancorp established a special committee that then unanimously voted to accept BNP's offer to acquire the remaining 55% of BancWest Bancorp, making the holding company a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP. The year 2001 concluded with the December purchase by Bank of the West of United California Bank from Japan's UFJ Bank. In March 2004, Bank of the West announced the purchase of Community First Bankshares, a bank holding company that operated Community First National Bank, headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota,