Metro Bank will open its 17th store in Guildford this weekend as it continues its expansion outside the M25.
Following the success of the Reading branch, the bank will once again mark the occasion with a two-day celebration on Friday and Saturday in North Street.
It hopes that the whole town, which Metro describes as having a "great personal and business community", will want to join in the festivities.
Focus on Customer Service
Despite a lack of stand-out products, the high-flying “challenger” bank, which became the first new retail bank to open its doors in over 100 years in 2010, continues to erode the influence of mainstream high-street banks through its simple model based on customer service.
Metro Bank branches are open seven days a week during retail hours. It fashions itself as a dog-loving bank and offers useful amenities for families, such as baby-changing facilities.
The bank provides free coin-counting facilities and access to a 24-hour contact centre.
Customers opening a current account receive a ready-to-use debit card, which can be replaced on-the-spot without weeks of waiting. It will also not cost to use the card abroad.
Metro Bank: expanding further outside the M25 with a store in Guildford, Surrey.
"We want to give customers unparalleled levels of service and convenience," said Metro Bank’s chief executive, Craig Donaldson.
"Over 160,000 personal and business customers have flocked to experience our amazing service since we opened our doors in 2010."
Alternative Personal and Business Bank
With recent figures showing that the major banks racked up hundreds of thousands of new complaints between July and December last year, the bank hopes that its distance from the toxic environment of investment banking will keep an influx of customers heading its way.
Its plight could be improved later this year when new rules are imposed that require banks to process bank account switches within seven days.
Mr Donaldson expressed his hope that Metro's simple model would "make a difference to the way the town banks".
"Our job is to make banking easy for our customers and now the people of Guildford have a bank that's open seven days a week at times that suit them," he said.
He also hopes to support new and growing businesses in the town, at a time when cautious banks have created a significant lending shortfall.
"We want to support SMEs and growing businesses in the local area and work closely with them to understand their needs," he said.
"Metro Bank is a community bank and Guildford is a great personal and business community for us to serve."
Keith McDonald
Which4U Editor
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