Bank boss announces plans to buck trend and open new branches
14.02.2024 - 07:23
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Bank boss Steve Fletcher closed almost 200 branches while at the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banking networks but is now planning to buck that trend and open new outlets as the CEO of the Stockport-based Vernon Building Society.
Steve joined the specialist mortgage lender, which has six branches in and around Stockport and 90 staff, in 2018. He suceeded Mike Hanson who retired after 21 years at the lender.
Having listened to customers he is determined to carry on providing the face-to-face service they love, The Mirror reports.
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Steve said: “We have it in our plan that we will open somewhere next year. I could see our reach becoming greater. If we were to commit to those communities, I think the communities will commit back to us.”
The Vernon, which celebrates its 100th birthday next month, is spending £1.1million on revamping branches.
It is a change for Steve, who closed around 180 Clydesdale and Yorkshire branches between 2012 and 2017, including 80 in his last year.
Leeds-born Steve, 61, said: “It was like, every year we needed to find cost cuts – let’s close some more branches.
“I thought, I don’t want to be part of that. When the bank goes in the high street, a lot of businesses around go too.”
Banks and building societies have closed half of all branches – more than 5,800 – since the start of 2015. It has been a huge problem for people who still rely on them, especially the elderly, for those wary of online banking, and for small businesses.
Joan Timony, 78, a Vernon customer for 40 years, said: “I’m a bit of a dinosaur, I guess, but I just like