Metro Bank, the UK’s community bank, recently welcomed Sir James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East to its Victoria Centre store.
Hosted by Southend Metro Bank’s Local Director, Steve Ackroyd, James enjoyed a tour of the bank including the vault, safe deposit boxes, private viewing room and Magic Money Machine, while Steve explained about the Bank’s community focus, relationship banking and its aim to exceed expectations on service. James was pleased to hear that the store operates in the evenings and weekends and appreciated the store’s open and welcoming layout. James has had a productive working relationship with Steve and Metro Bank for several years and James attended Southend Metro Bank’s store opening in 2015.
Steve 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 Steve Ackroyd, Southend Metro Bank’s Local Director. “Our relationship-based approach really helps businesses thrive and sets us apart from other high-street banks.”
Steve and James spoke about the current cost of living challenges and how they are impacting people and businesses in the heart of Southend. Growing numbers of local businesses are moving their banking to Metro Bank, attracted by its relationship-based approach and high quality levels of service for all business customers regardless of their size or turnover. James was also interested to hear about the store team’s range of activities in the local community, including support for a number of local charities via Days to Amaze 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 Southend store is located at G19-G21 The Victoria Centre, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2NG. The store is open Monday to Saturday: 8.30am to 6pm, Sundays: 11am to 5pm.