Latest news with #DavidParry
Western Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
High street bank branches are ‘thriving', Nationwide says
The building society has pledged to keep all of its nearly 700 branches open until at least the start of 2028. New data from the group revealed that nearly 200,000 more customers used its branches in the financial year to the end of March, compared with the prior year. Nationwide said about 200,000 more customers used its branches in 2024 (David Parry/PA) More Stories It comes a day before Nationwide is set to unveil its full-year financial results. Muir Mathieson, Nationwide's chief financial officer, told the PA news agency: 'The branches are thriving. 'We're seeing the number of people going into branches going up, and we think part of that (increase) is that there are fewer branches on the high street now that our competitors have closed theirs.' Nationwide has the second-largest branch network in the UK, behind Lloyds Banking Group. But Lloyds has been making sweeping cuts to its network – with the most recently-announced closures to 136 branches taking place over the next year. Others have been drastically trimming their network, such as Santander announcing in March it would be closing more than a fifth of its high street branches, bringing it down to 349 across Britain. The banks say they are adapting to meet the behaviours of their customers, who increasingly want to do banking on their phones or online and are decreasingly using their high street sites. But Nationwide suggested that UK consumers have been switching their bank to Nationwide so that they can make use of in-person services. Customers want face-to-face contact particularly if they have concerns about fraud, or if they want reassurance about a specific process or account, Mr Mathieson said. 'Interestingly, we get larger Isa balances when people open them in a branch than when they do it online,' he told PA, indicating that people feel more comfortable handling bigger sums of money in a branch. About 40% of Isas were opened in branches last year, and more than 30% of new current accounts, according to data from the building society. About 5.7 million customers visited a branch at least once during the year. Nationwide's branch promise extended to Virgin Money after buying the rival bank for £2.8 billion last year in the biggest banking deal since the financial crisis. When it bought the lender, it paused Virgin's plans to close some of its branches and brought it into the group's branch promise. It has also been working to improve the bank's customer service systems since merging, after chief executive Debbie Crosbie said there were 'challenges' to overcome.
Glasgow Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
High street bank branches are ‘thriving', Nationwide says
The building society has pledged to keep all of its nearly 700 branches open until at least the start of 2028. New data from the group revealed that nearly 200,000 more customers used its branches in the financial year to the end of March, compared with the prior year. Nationwide said about 200,000 more customers used its branches in 2024 (David Parry/PA) It comes a day before Nationwide is set to unveil its full-year financial results. Muir Mathieson, Nationwide's chief financial officer, told the PA news agency: 'The branches are thriving. 'We're seeing the number of people going into branches going up, and we think part of that (increase) is that there are fewer branches on the high street now that our competitors have closed theirs.' Nationwide has the second-largest branch network in the UK, behind Lloyds Banking Group. But Lloyds has been making sweeping cuts to its network – with the most recently-announced closures to 136 branches taking place over the next year. Others have been drastically trimming their network, such as Santander announcing in March it would be closing more than a fifth of its high street branches, bringing it down to 349 across Britain. The banks say they are adapting to meet the behaviours of their customers, who increasingly want to do banking on their phones or online and are decreasingly using their high street sites. But Nationwide suggested that UK consumers have been switching their bank to Nationwide so that they can make use of in-person services. Customers want face-to-face contact particularly if they have concerns about fraud, or if they want reassurance about a specific process or account, Mr Mathieson said. 'Interestingly, we get larger Isa balances when people open them in a branch than when they do it online,' he told PA, indicating that people feel more comfortable handling bigger sums of money in a branch. About 40% of Isas were opened in branches last year, and more than 35% of new current accounts, according to data from the building society. About 5.7 million customers visited a branch at least once during the year. Nationwide's branch promise extended to Virgin Money after buying the rival bank for £2.8 billion last year in the biggest banking deal since the financial crisis. When it bought the lender, it paused Virgin's plans to close some of its branches and brought it into the group's branch promise. It has also been working to improve the bank's customer service systems since merging, after chief executive Debbie Crosbie said there were 'challenges' to overcome.
South Wales Argus
28-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
High street bank branches are ‘thriving', Nationwide says
The building society has pledged to keep all of its nearly 700 branches open until at least the start of 2028. New data from the group revealed that nearly 200,000 more customers used its branches in the financial year to the end of March, compared with the prior year. Nationwide said about 200,000 more customers used its branches in 2024 (David Parry/PA) It comes a day before Nationwide is set to unveil its full-year financial results. Muir Mathieson, Nationwide's chief financial officer, told the PA news agency: 'The branches are thriving. 'We're seeing the number of people going into branches going up, and we think part of that (increase) is that there are fewer branches on the high street now that our competitors have closed theirs.' Nationwide has the second-largest branch network in the UK, behind Lloyds Banking Group. But Lloyds has been making sweeping cuts to its network – with the most recently-announced closures to 136 branches taking place over the next year. Others have been drastically trimming their network, such as Santander announcing in March it would be closing more than a fifth of its high street branches, bringing it down to 349 across Britain. The banks say they are adapting to meet the behaviours of their customers, who increasingly want to do banking on their phones or online and are decreasingly using their high street sites. But Nationwide suggested that UK consumers have been switching their bank to Nationwide so that they can make use of in-person services. Customers want face-to-face contact particularly if they have concerns about fraud, or if they want reassurance about a specific process or account, Mr Mathieson said. 'Interestingly, we get larger Isa balances when people open them in a branch than when they do it online,' he told PA, indicating that people feel more comfortable handling bigger sums of money in a branch. About 40% of Isas were opened in branches last year, and more than 35% of new current accounts, according to data from the building society. About 5.7 million customers visited a branch at least once during the year. Nationwide's branch promise extended to Virgin Money after buying the rival bank for £2.8 billion last year in the biggest banking deal since the financial crisis. When it bought the lender, it paused Virgin's plans to close some of its branches and brought it into the group's branch promise. It has also been working to improve the bank's customer service systems since merging, after chief executive Debbie Crosbie said there were 'challenges' to overcome.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Ukrainian troops to join London procession to celebrate VE Day anniversary
This joining together will symbolise the global support for Ukraine's 'continued fight for freedom against Russia's unprovoked, illegal invasion', the MoD said. Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945. Bond Street in London has been decorated with 213 metres of Union flags to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day (David Parry Media Assignments/PA) The representatives of the Ukrainian armed forces taking part in Monday's procession will comprise those deployed to the UK on Operation Interflex – the UK armed forces' training programme for Ukrainian recruits, delivered with 12 partner nations. The UK and its partners have trained more than 54,000 Ukrainians in frontline combat skills since the programme was established in the summer of 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion. The operation has been extended to at least the end of 2025, with an enhanced training programme to ensure the Ukrainian forces are equipped with vital battlefield skills. The Ukrainian armed forces representatives will join around 1,000 UK armed forces personnel, including soldiers on horseback and seven military bands. The MoD said Second World War veterans will be at the heart of the celebrations, watching the procession from the royal box at the Queen Victoria Memorial. D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, 101, who will be watching the procession, said: 'People from all over the world joined forces 80 years ago to defend freedom – we must remember all of their sacrifices. 'It will be incredibly moving to see the VE Day procession and so many nations represented. It will remind us that these alliances still keep us safe today and why we stand by those who need our support.' Mr Mortimer will join Second World War veterans at the Royal British Legion's tea party and service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on May 8. The VE Day 80 commemorations will begin on Monday with the military procession, expected to be viewed by thousands of people along The Mall. The procession will conclude with The Mall being filled by members of the public, and a fly past featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Eighty years after VE Day, we will celebrate our wartime veterans, our greatest generation. 'We will ensure their spirit lives on, not just in our armed forces but also in our values and commitment to strength through unity. 'In the midst of the first full-scale war in Europe since the Second World War, it is fitting that the Ukrainian armed forces currently fighting on the front line of freedom are represented in Monday's event.' Major Pavlo, an officer of the Ukrainian marching contingent, said: 'The participation of Ukrainian service personnel in the VE Day parade in London symbolises our strength, courage and resilience. 'It is a recognition that Ukraine and its heroes stand at the forefront of the fight for freedom and peace in the world. We are grateful to our allies for their support and solidarity.' A variety of events are scheduled to take place around the UK to mark the 80th anniversary. The King and Queen will host a tea party for Second World War veterans as part of the celebrations. Historic landmarks across the country will be lit up in the evening on May 6 while a VE Day Anniversary Concert will be held by the Parliament Choir at the Palace of Westminster the following day.
