A challenger bank is set to open its first store in Manchester’s Arndale this year creating around 25 new jobs.
It is the first brick and mortar site for Metro Bank in the north west with ambitious plans to launch 29 more stores in the North by 2025 – creating 750 new jobs and over 100 apprenticeships.
The Manchester site will combine face-to-face banking with state-of-the-art technology offering business, personal and private banking services seven-days-a-week.
Metro Bank is one of the fastest-expanding new banks in Britain.
It differentiates itself from traditional high street banks by offering extended opening hours, instant debit card printing and pet-friendly branches.
The recent expansion into the north = it has most of its branches in South East England and London - is part of Metro Bank’s efforts to inject competition into the small business banking market following the £120m funding it was awarded from the Capability & Innovation Fund.
Craig Donaldson, CEO at Metro Bank said: “Bringing the banking revolution to the North of England is a real milestone for Metro Bank. We’re thrilled to be arriving in Manchester later this year, we simply can’t wait as we know Manchester is such a hub for growing British businesses.”
The store will be located at 45 Market Street and will have over 3,000 safe deposit boxes for customers to store their valuables, as well as free coin counting facilities for children and adults alike.
The store will also deliver its free financial education programme, Money Zones, to schools and youth groups in the area.
The National Curriculum approved training, which is provided through classroom and store-based sessions, has already supported more than 100,000 children across the UK with their financial literacy.
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