BoS and Spar launch convenience store bank branches

Customers of Bank of Scotland (BoS) will soon be able to make a deposit while they are doing their weekly shopping.

In what the bank is claiming as a first, a new branch will open in a Spar convenience store in Fife this Friday. If it is successful the concept will be rolled out across the UK.

The store has been refurbished with the 500 sq ft BoS section at the back. It will be staffed during peak hours, with a separate room available to discuss issues with customers.

Customers will be able to withdraw and deposit cash and cheques. There will also be free-phone lines, allowing people to access mortgage, personal loans and home insurance services. The new-look store will also have an Internet area.

Earlier this year BoS opened the UK’s first staffed petrol station branch in a Texaco outlet, also in Fife.

BoS operations director of outlet configuration Nigel Bascombe says: “At a time when the reduction of local banking facilities throughout the UK is a serious issue, the new Spar outlet endorses our commitment to providing accessible and innovative financial services.”

Spar managing director Morton Middleditch says: “We have an excellent network of stores throughout the UK which allows us to develop and roll out innovative community projects such as this.”