Metro Bank’s Ian Walters, Managing Director of Business Banking, responds to the Federation of Small Businesses’ report, ‘Locked out: The impact of bank branch closures on small businesses’, commenting:
“At Metro Bank the customer is king. We invest in all our channels to ensure customers have the best possible experience however, whenever and wherever they choose to do their banking, whether that's online, on the phone, on mobile or in store. Choice is key.
“We recognise how important face-to-face relationships are for SMEs and the crucial role stores play, from transactional services that are fundamental to the day-to-day running of trading businesses, to offering support and expert advice. Not only do all Metro Bank stores have local business managers able to make local lending decisions, but they also host hundreds of free networking events throughout the year and act as a real hub for the local community. What’s more, businesses are able to visit their local store at a time convenient to them, with stores open seven days a week, from early in the morning to late at night: opening hours designed to complement SMEs’ busy work schedules.
“We're continuing to invest in our store footprint and are delighted to be opening our 43rd store in Wimbledon this Friday and have plans to open a further five more stores before the end of the year.”