Metro Bank, the UK’s community bank, recently welcomed Laura Farris, Member of Parliament for Newbury, to its Northbrook Street store.
Hosted by Newbury Metro Bank’s Local Director, Ashley Keen, Laura enjoyed a tour of the bank including the vault, safe deposit boxes, private viewing rooms and the coin counting Magic Money Machine, while Ashley explained the Bank’s community focus, relationship banking and its aim to exceed expectations on service. Laura was pleased to hear that the store operates in the evenings and weekends and appreciated the face-to-face service that local businesses enjoyed with each assigned a local business manager.
Ashley explained how his team supported local businesses, including SMEs and charities. “We talked about our commitment to the local community and the important role banks play in its health. We discussed the many ways in which we proactively engage with and support local businesses and individuals and their genuine need for access to cash and face to face banking services,” explains Ashley Keen, Newbury Metro Bank’s Local Director. “Our relationship-based approach really helps businesses thrive and sets us apart from other high-street banks.”
“I really enjoyed meeting the team at Metro Bank and talking to them about their services and broader work,’’ said Laura Farris, Member of Parliament for Newbury. ‘’We talked about two issues that I particularly care about – embedding financial education amongst young people and creating opportunities through apprenticeships”.
Laura and Ashley spoke about apprenticeship opportunities and Laura met Customer Service Representative apprentice, Billy Welch. Laura was also interested to hear about the store team’s commitments to the local community, including support for several local charities via Days to Amaze – a paid day off for volunteering in the local community – and the delivery of the Money Zone free financial education programme in schools. Metro Bank’s physical presence in the community is central to its ambition of becoming the number one community bank in the UK.
Metro Bank’s Newbury store is located at 64 & 65 Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1AE. The store is open Monday to Saturday: 8.30am to 6pm, Sundays: 11am to 5pm. Newbury Metro Bank is also part of the Safe Space scheme – the store is available to anyone experiencing, or at risk of domestic abuse, providing the opportunity to safely call a helpline, support service or loved one.