Metro Bank, which provides banking services to Everton FC, will open its branch in Paradise Street, opening every day of the year except Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday. Tony McDonough reports

A bank which promises to open 362 days a year and into the evening is to open its first branch in Liverpool – creating 25 jobs.

Metro Bank, which provides banking services to Everton FC, will open its branch in Paradise Street, opening every day of the year except Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday, with opening hours extending well into the evening.

Metro Bank is a so-called “challenger bank’, aiming to challenge the dominance of Britain’s bigger established banks such as HSBC, RBS and Barclays. It also offers instant debit card printing so people can start using their accounts immediately.

Face-to-face

The Liverpool store, only its second in the North of England, will combine face-to-face banking with the latest technology, providing residents and businesses with what it claims will be a “customer-focused and convenient” banking experience.

It will offer business, personal and private banking services to the local community, from early in the morning until late at night, seven-days-a-week.

Customers will be able to visit the store, 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 be located at 13-15 Paradise Street, and will offer more than 2,000 safe deposit boxes for customers to store their valuables, as well as free coin counting facilities.

First store

Metro Bank chief executive Craig Donaldson said: “We’re really excited to be launching our first store in Liverpool later this year, as Metro Bank brings the banking revolution to the North of England.

“The city has long been home to many of the UK’s fastest growing businesses, and we can’t wait to show everyone what great service and convenience is all about.”

Metro Bank aims to open 30 new stores in the North by 2025 – creating 750 new jobs and more than 100 apprenticeships. This expansion is part of its efforts to inject more competition into the small business banking market following the £120m funding it was awarded from the Capability & Innovation Fund.   

Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, Gary Millar, added: “We’re always delighted when innovative new businesses join the Liverpool community and this is no exception. The city has a great history of nurturing SMEs and helping them develop into world beaters – I look forward to seeing Metro Bank continue this proud history.” 

The store will also deliver its free financial education programme, Money Zones, to schools and youth groups in the area. 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.