M&S Bank celebrates 30th anniversary with launch of 30th branch

M&S Bank has marked the 30th anniversary of Marks & Spencer Financial Services with the launch of its first self-service branch, the new branch is located at M&S Merchant Square, Paddington, where customers can also visit the neighbouring M&S café.

M&S Bank launched in 2012, on the foundations of M&S Money, which was established 30-years ago as Marks & Spencer Financial Services, to bring the trusted Marks & Spencer brand values to banking.

M&S Bank has continued to see increasing demand for the M&S Current Account and its first self-service branch, at Marks and Spencer’s head office, will increase its London presence; M&S Bank also has full-service branches at M&S Marble Arch and M&S Westfield White City stores.

Customers visiting the self-service branch will have access to an ATM and telephone and internet banking facilities. In addition, a member of the M&S Bank team will also be on-site at set times to help customers with servicing of existing products and new account applications.

Due to increased demand, M&S Bank is also announcing the roll-out of new in-store meeting pods. The new pods will enable customers to have private meetings with a member of the M&S Bank team in stores that don’t currently have a bank branch.

M&S Bank already has a meeting pod located in the M&S Liverpool store and a further five have been planned for roll-out in M&S stores across the UK in the coming months.

“We already have a network of 29 full-service bank branches located in M&S stores, which offer our customers the convenience of being able to bank while they shop at a time that suits them, including late evenings and weekends. We’re continually looking at ways to increase customer convenience and the launch of our first self-service branch, and new meeting pods, will complement our existing in-store presence.” Said Sue Fox, CEO of M&S Bank.

“Bringing the M&S service and values to banking is our absolute priority and the investment we’re making in delivering additional face-to-face service for our customers demonstrates our commitment to this. I’m delighted to be announcing the launch of our 30th branch in the 30th year of M&S in financial services.” She added

Marks & Spencer Financial Services launched in April 1985 with the launch of the M&S Chargecard. M&S took a staggering 270,000 applications for the M&S Chargecard within the first three weeks of its launch. Having evolved from a card provider to a full service bank, M&S Bank now services circa. 3.7m customers across its range of financial services products, including the new M&S Current Account, which launched in May last year.

In 2014, M&S Bank was shortlisted for the Which? Awards in the best banking brand category. Already this year, M&S Bank has been named Best New Current Account Provider in the Moneynet awards, and the M&S Current Account has also been awarded a five-star rating from Defaqto and Which? Recommended Provider status.