TSB Banking : opens new flagship branch in Aberdeen

First purpose-built, flagship branch since TSB launched back on to the high streets
New branch with latest digital technology and free wifi for customers
TSB builds on its local legacy, which began with the Aberdeen Savings Bank in 1815

TSB today opens the doors to its first flagship branch on St. Nicholas Street in Aberdeen.

The new branch, spread over two floors and featuring the latest digital technology, is the first purpose-built branch TSB has opened since launching back on to Britain's high streets in September 2013.

Last year, TSB, Britain's challenger bank, announced a £250m investment in its branches and digital capabilities, Aberdeen is the first of two new flagship branches to launch this year. The branch has been designed following feedback from customers looking for the latest in smart technology and face to face personal banking, all in a convenient location with good transport links.

Alongside free wifi in branch, iPads for customers to access internet banking and a large digital screen showing local community news, weather and banking services; the new branch also has TSB Partners on hand to help customers manage their money in-person.

Upstairs, the branch has a dedicated floor of comfortable spaces for customers to speak to Partners away from the main buzz of the banking hall. These spaces are all named after local castles from across Aberdeenshire including Balmoral, Dunnotter and Fraser.

TSB can trace its presence in Aberdeen back over 200 years, since the launch of the very first Aberdeen Savings Bank, which opened in the city on 10 June 1815 on Union Terrace. The stated aim of the bank was to help the local community to thrive, a mission which TSB is continuing today.

Bruce Grant, Bank Manager for TSB St. Nicholas St., said, 'It's fantastic to open our new branch here, right in the heart of Aberdeen. We have been building up to this day for a while now and we know our customers are as excited as we are. They'll see lots of familiar faces able to help them with their banking either in the open plan interactive banking hall, in one of our comfortable spaces upstairs or in the digital zone on the ground floor. We can't wait to welcome them to our new branch, and are really proud that TSB's first flagship branch will open here in Aberdeen.'

Carol Anderson, Branch Director for Scotland for TSB, said, 'We are proud to launch our very first flagship TSB branch in Aberdeen, a city that is very close to our heart as it was the site of one of the very first savings banks following the founding of the original bank which TSB became; the Ruthwell Parish Savings Bank in Dumfriesshire. The new, purpose-built flagship branch is testament to our mission to bring local banking back to Britain.'

TSB's second flagship branch will open at Birmingham New St. on December 16, 2016.

TSB Aberdeen in Numbers:

• 82,000 customers in Aberdeen, that's 36% of all residents.
• 97% of all residents live within 2 miles of a TSB branch.
• There are 18 free TSB ATMs right across the city.
• £22.8m dispensed by TSB ATMs in Aberdeen within the past three months.
• TSB supports 500 local charities across Britain, including Sunrise Partnership in Aberdeen.
• 400 local tradesman on site throughout the build of St. Nicholas St.
• 50,000 hours of work and over 10km of wiring used in the new branch.
• 3,000 cups of tea drunk during the build.
• 13 meeting spaces for TSB Partners and customers in the new branch.