- Seven days a week, 362 days a year, early until late banking arrives in Cardiff
- Grand opening celebrations take place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 January
- Metro Bank has developed its own Welsh Language Charter and is dedicated to serving Welsh speaking customers
Metro Bank, known for its exceptional customer service, opens its 73rd store on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 January in Cardiff city centre on Queen Street.
Metro Bank offers customers the choice to bank however, whenever and wherever they choose – whether that’s face-to-face banking in store, on the phone, online or via its mobile app. According to analysis from Which?, Wales has seen more than 230 bank closures since 2015 but Metro Bank is proud to be bucking this trend as it opens this new store – the first of two set to open in Cardiff.
To mark the occasion, Metro Bank is inviting businesses, residents, families and dogs to the two-day grand opening party to celebrate the bank’s first store in Wales. The store is located at 40 – 44 Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 2BX, in the heart of the city centre.
The fun will kick off at 8am on Friday 24 January, with entertainment including stilt walkers, a DJ, free manicures and face painting. Ex-British Lions and Welsh rugby stars Brynmor Williams and Robert Jones MBE will be attending the opening to cut the ribbon alongside the new store’s Local Director, Khushboo Patel, and Store Manager, Leanne Sutton.
Metro Bank stores act a hub for the local community and the bank is committed to providing services in the Welsh language and has developed its own Welsh Language Charter. Metro Bank will provide the opportunity for all colleagues to learn the language and as they develop their skills, Welsh speaking customers will be able to easily identify fluent Welsh speakers and learners in store as they will be wearing the Iaith Gwaith logo.
Customers can visit the store seven days a week, with no appointment needed, and open a personal or business account on-the-spot, leaving with their debit card in hand, along with internet and mobile banking set-up.
The store will have around 3,000 safe deposit boxes available, which are already open for reservations, and will offer free coin counting facilities for customers and non-customers alike.
Ian Walters, Managing Director of Retail and Business Banking at Metro Bank, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our first store in Wales and to become part of the local community in Cardiff. Metro Bank will provide the people of Cardiff with the very best in service and convenience as we open the first of our two stores in the city. We are dedicated to serving Welsh and English speaking customers with a banking experience like no other.”
Aled Roberts, Welsh Language Commissioner, added: “We use banking services all the time in our everyday lives, so ensuring that more and more of these services are available in Welsh is key to my work. Our business team have been working with Metro Bank to help them develop their Welsh language offer. It is great that Metro Bank has shown such enthusiasm to use the Welsh language within their stores in Wales and we shall look forward to continuing with discussions as they establish themselves.”
The store will also deliver its free financial education programme, Money Zone, to schools and youth groups in the area in English and Welsh. 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.
On Saturday 25 January the Metro Bank team will be hosting Dydd Santes Dwynwen celebrations, with performances from The Phil Harmonics, a Welsh all-women bilingual choir.
All Metro Bank stores are open at the most convenient time for local people, from 8am to 8pm Monday to Fridays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays, 362 days a year.
