The UK’s community bank, Metro Bank is named in the 100 Great British Employers of Veterans – the recently published book showcases the 100 leading Forces Friendly employers in the UK and what they offer to military veterans.
In July 2019, Metro Bank signed the Armed Forces Covenant and since then the Bank has been recognised as a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award Winner. The Covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
“As a community bank, we actively support our Armed Forces,” explains former Army Captain Rupert Stevens, Head of Mortgage and Asset Performance, Metro Bank. “We regularly run in-person and online events for ex-military personnel who have expressed an interest in working in financial services, where our recruitment team delivers tailored, one-to-one advice on CVs, interviews and careers in banking.”
Metro Bank supports active reservists by offering ten paid days of additional leave each year - on top of their annual holiday allowance - to complete their training exercises. There is an online forum of veterans, reservists and other colleagues who want to show their support for the armed services, Veterans also have access to the services of PTSD Resolution, a charity supporting the mental health of veterans.
“As a community bank and an inclusive employer, we believe it is vital that we represent the communities that we serve,” explains Chief People Officer, Carol Frost. “Our hire for attitude and train for skill ethos combined with our strong company culture helps us attract a diverse range of candidates who can build their careers with the Bank. We actively recruit from less traditional sectors such as care leavers, refugees, single parents as well as former Armed Forces personnel. We have established an apprenticeship programme which has not only received ‘outstanding’ ratings from Ofsted, but also is on track to employ 50% of its apprentices from deprived areas.”
Metro Bank also supports the Armed Forces communities in the areas around its stores by running various initiatives designed to help military families. This includes Money Zone, a financial education programme to introduce students to important financial skills, which the Bank has run successfully at several barracks and at armed forces schools. Individual stores also run their own local programmes, such as veterans' breakfasts, where ex-military personnel can come into their local Metro Bank to discuss financial matters over some food and drink.