Lloyds TSB has unveiled plans to launch the UK's first banking 'superstore' for international customers, especially Polish customers, which will be established in the heart of Manchester.
The bank ‘superstore’ is scheduled to open in February 2007, and will provide a tailored service for all international customers in the UK. However, the bank will be focusing on Polish customers in particular.
Following the recognition of the rapidly expanding Polish community in Manchester, the store will employ a number of fluent Polish speakers on the front line. In addition, the bank will offer account opening forms in Polish and Polish language brochures to help customers better understand the account features and opening process.
The UK banking group has also recently simplified its identification requirements so that only one form of photo identification is required to open a current account. This is particularly advantageous for customers who are new to the country and might not have other forms of identification.
Prior to the launch of the new service, Lloyds TSB conducted research among 1,000 Poles who are considering moving to the UK, asking them about their concerns. Of those surveyed, 21% said that sorting out their finances was their primary concern, and 23% were worried about the complexity of the account opening process.
Over 400,000 new workers have entered the UK over the past two years and about 265,000 of these were from Poland.