The British banking revolution begins with the first High Street bank to open for over 100 years, when Metro Bank’s first store opens its doors to Business and Retail customers at 8am on Thursday 29th July 2010 in Holborn. 

The historic launch will transform the face of British banking. Metro Bank will adopt a retail store model offering unparalleled service and convenience – a sharp contrast to the traditional UK bank branch operation.

Metro Bank will open with two stores in London; the first at One Southampton Row, Holborn followed by Cromwell Road, Earl’s Court a week later. A further 12 stores are planned in Greater London over the next two years as part of a 200+ store expansion plan.

Metro Bank will serve the banking needs of the consumer and business communities of Greater London and deposits will be covered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Metro Bank Business Banking will deliver personalised business banking services including credit and cash management, with local managers making local loans.

Anthony Thomson, co-founder and Chairman of Metro Bank, said: “We have been preparing for this day for a long time and are delighted it’s finally here. We plan to offer our customers a great retail experience, and we want to make banking fun for everyone.”

 Vernon Hill, co-founder and vice chairman added “Our focus will always be the customers, both retail and business, and making sure we do the right thing by them. The British public deserves a better banking experience, and Metro Bank intends to give it to them, where, when and however they choose.”

 Metro Bank’s co-founders Anthony Thomson and Vernon Hill, and its CEO Craig Donaldson, will be there to ensure doors open to customers amid a wave of celebrations to mark the first new bank on the high street for over 100 years. Customers will be greeted by three days of free give aways including free breakfasts, smoothies, popcorn and oyster card holders. Stilt walkers, musicians, jugglers and face painters will also be on hand to kick start the celebrations.

Metro Bank will offer customers:

• 7 day a week branch banking (8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday), 361 days of the year
• Great Online banking and a 24/7 customer call centre located in London
• The ultimate in new account opening convenience, with a rapid opening procedure and instant issuance of permanent debit and credit cards within 15 minutes
• Free coin counting at every store, for customers and non-customers alike, with the Metro Bank Magic Money Machine™
• A friendly welcome to dogs and their owners, with water bowls and dog biscuits on hand for man’s best friend – dogs rule at Metro Bank!

 Come join the revolution!

For more information or for interview requests, and filming opportunities, please contact Lansons Communications.

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About Metro Bank

Metro Bank PLC is registered at One Southampton Row, Holborn, London and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Metro Bank was co-founded by Vernon Hill and Anthony Thomson.  It is based on the successful Commerce Bank model that was established by Vernon Hill in the US in 1973.  A UK management team has worked with Vernon Hill to help bring this model to the UK market.

Metro Bank will operate retail hours, not banking hours.  It will be open 7 days a week (8am- 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am- 6pm Saturday, 11am- 4pm Sunday), every day of the year apart from Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Metro Bank PLC. Registered in England and Wales. Company number: 6419578. Registered office: One Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5HA.

Metro Bank PLC is an independent UK Bank. Metro Bank PLC is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  Metro Bank PLC is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Metro Bank PLC is not affiliated with any other bank or organisation anywhere in the world.

Metro Bank is led by a talented team of UK Executives:

• Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer, formerly Managing Director of Retail Banking at Royal Bank of Scotland
• Paul Marriott-Clarke, Managing Director, Retail Banking, formerly Managing Director, Network South, Retail, HBOS
• Darren Schindler, Managing Director, Commercial Banking, formerly CEO, Oak Capital Group
• Aisling Kane, Chief Operations Officer, formerly Director of UK Operations at Anglo Irish Bank
• Mike Brierley, Chief Financial Officer, formerly Director, Business Risk at Barclaycard

Its non-executive directors are:

• Howard Flight, Founder of Guinness Flight Asset Management
• Eugene Lockhart, former CEO of Midland Bank and MasterCard International and former President, Global Retail Banking at Bank of America
• Stuart Bernau, former Retail Director at Nationwide Building Society
• Ben Gunn, former Chief Executive of Friends Provident Life & Pensions
• Keith Carby, Co-founder of J. Rothschild Assurance
• Anthony Thomson, Chairman, Financial Services Forum
• Vernon Hill, Founder of Commerce Bank