The banking offshoot of UK retailer Marks & Spencer has opened its first self-service branch at its head office in central London.
The opening of the new branch - the retailer's 30th free-standing banking outlet - coincides with the 30th anniversary of the launch of Marks & Spencer Financial Services.
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.
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.
M&S is also looking to get more mileage out of its national retail network, rolling out new in-store 'meeting pods' where customers can have private conversations with an agent 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.
Sue Fox, CEO of M&S Bank, says: “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."