The Bremer Bank was a fully owned subsidiary of the Dresdner Bank with branches in Bremen's districts Mitte, Neustadt, Utbremen, and Vegesack. The branches in Bremerhaven were labeled as Dresdner Bank. The base of customers and staff was added to the Commerzbank when the Commerzbank AG bought the Dresdner Bank. Since 2010, according to a writ by the acquiring company, the brand Dresdner Bank is only used in Dresden and the brand Bremer Bank is not used at all anymore. However, a trademark protection exists until November 30, 2019. The painting of founder Heinrich Maier was removed and is owned by the Commerzbank. In its place is now a door leading to the lower level of the Manufactum. The name Bremer Bank is now used for the landmarked building at the Domshof. The Commerzbank AG was represented there with a branch until mid-2015. Due to reasons of landmark tradition the copper lettering 'Bremer Bank' remained on the gable of the building. Above the entrance used to be green luminous advertising reading 'Bremer Bank' which was replaced according to landmark requirements by a copper sign now reading 'Commerzbank' including the logo also in brown copper. The color of the copper writings through weathering in time will turn into a green basic copper-carbonate color which will match the building's roof.
History of the bank
In 1856 the Bremer Bank was founded by tradesmen and ship-owners and with a significant contribution of Hermann Henrich Meier. Forerunner of the Bremer Bank is the Bremer Discontokasse, founded in 1817. Until the foundation of the German Reich in 1871 the Bremer Bank was a private bank for Bremen. In 1895 negotiations for a merger with Eugen Gutmann from the Dresdner Bank were also led by Hermann Henrich Meier. The merger was a profitable business for the Bremer tradesmen; the name Bremer Bank was still used in Bremen. After the Commerzbank acquired the Dresdner Bank in 2008 the name Bremer Bank was kept at first. In August 2010 the Commerzbank installed a sign in the entrance area reading: Bremer Bank – Branch of the Commerzbank AG. The sign was replaced in the beginning of 2012 by a company sign which only had the Commerzbank's name on it. This final rebranding was due to a decision made by the Commerzbank in March 2010.
History of the building
From 1902 until 1904 the bank building was built according to plans by architects Albert Dunkel and Dietrich Tölken in the Neo-Renaissance style in the Domshof. Until 1902 the St.Petri-Orphanage was located in that spot. In 1979 the building was significantly expanded by a north-east extension according to plans by Dietrich and Herrmann. A building located next to the old bank building was enclosed by the extension, only a white front in the style of classicism remained. The old bank building was mostly preserved especially the entrance area towards the Domshof. From 1980 until 1990 the building was also home of the Bremen Exchange. The old bank building on the corner Domshof / Sandstraße is listed as landmark since 1994 and still represents the tradition of the Bremer Bank – now as branch of the Commerzbank. The entrances in other parts of the building ensemble are designed as official access to offices and other institutions. For example, the Bremer branch of the Barmer GEK is located behind the white, classical front. In 2016 a branch of manufactum was opened in the counter hall. Today the "Markthalle Acht" is located in the atrium of the building ensemble which was roofed, because of the address Domshof 8.
