Member Article

Swedish 'local relationship' bank to open new branch in west London

Handelsbanken, the Swedish bank focused on long-term, personal relationships in the local area, is to add another branch to its 207-strong UK portfolio after announcing plans to open on the King’s Road.

The bank has agreed to take a 1,877 sq ft site at 297 King’s Road this March, bringing its locally focused relationship banking to west London.

Sitting within the Sloane Stanley estate, the new bank will follow the same branch-led model as the rest of its outlets, where each site is run like a small business with embedded local teams responsible for all of its day-to-day lending and investment decisions.

Its model is in stark contrast to many of its bigger, high-street rivals who have embarked on a programme of branch closures as more and more people utilise online banking services.

Kieran Costello, Branch Manager at Handelsbanken Chelsea commented: “We look forward to opening our doors and bringing our relationship banking model to the iconic King’s Road. We already know that the local community value real-world relationships with experienced bankers they know and trust.

“Our emphasis on serving the community, and building long-term relationships with our customers, makes the thriving King’s Road an ideal home for the branch.”

Hannah Grievson, Commercial Property Manager at Sloane Stanley added: “Highly regarded as one of the world’s premier banks in terms of customer satisfaction, service and performance, we are delighted to welcome Handelsbanken’s newest branch to the Sloane Stanley Estate, which will further bolster the range of services and amenities in the area for visitors as well as the local and international residents.”

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