originally james backhouse offered banking services as a sideline to the linen business, before he established a separate banking business. the bank was well placed to serve the increasing capital requirements of industrial development in the north of england. though not related to the southern quaker banking families such as barclay, gurney and bevan, their quaker background still gave them a ready business alliance with southern houses. in time these alliances were reinforced by marriage and backhouse's became one of the strongest banks in the north of england.