printed cheques. 19th century The bank was well known for its discretion; in 1825, William Christmas embezzled £1,000 from the bank to fund his affair with actress Louisa Chatterley. He was sentenced to be transported for 14 years and his father was asked to make good the bank's losses. In 1829, the premises at Fleet Street were rebuilt; the new banking house was designed to accommodate the business and a private house. Following the Bank Charter Act 1844, many of the 4,000 or so private banks disappeared but Hoares remained, led by Charles Hoare, the last senior partner to continue the practice of having the bank named after him. After his departure, the bank was almost ruined through unsuccessful speculation and poor management by the senior partners, Henry and Peter Richard. Both were deeply religious but with differing views and took it in turns to run the bank, each being in charge for a six-month period. Their sons, including Charles Arthur Richard Hoare, also became partners and proved financially unreliable, placing the future of the bank in peril. 20th century A revival of fortunes for the bank took place in the 20th century, with the early years seeing the credibility of the bank restored. After the First World War, most of the remaining private banks were absorbed by larger banks, leaving Hoares as the only surviving independent. It was a partnership until 1929 when the partners formed a private unlimited liability company, in which they were the sole shareholders. During the Second World War, the bank's employees evacuated their offices, including the headquarters at 37, Fleet Street. A fire broke out during an air raid, but thanks to the actions of some employees, the historic building was saved. According to Alexander Hoare, his grandfather Bertram was the Fleet Street air warden at this time, and is credited with saving the bank from being burned down. 21st century Alexander S. Hoare, the former chief executive of the bank, represents the eleventh generation to manage C. Hoare & Co. He was replaced by the first non-family member in an executive position: Jeremy Marshall, former head of Credit Suisse Private Bank. Marshall stepped down and was replaced by the deputy chief executive, David Green, in 2016. In 2021, Diana Brightmore-Armour, a veteran of Lloyds Corporate Banking and Coca-Cola, stepped in as CEO. In October 2016, Hoare sold its Wealth Management business to Cazenove