Thames Valley: Pitmans appointed Tier 1 legal advisers to Metro Bank

‘Banking revolution’ architects Metro Bank has appointed Pitmans solicitors, the largest law firm in the Thames Valley, to its legal panel, in order to provide specialist advice and support to its ambitious growth strategies as it aims to radically change the shape of retail banking. 

Metro Bank brought the banking revolution to the UK in 2010 and is the first bank to be granted a licence in more than 100 years. It now has 18 stores in London and the South East and is growing rapidly, with the aim to have 200 stores by 2020.

Pitmans has been appointed to the Bank’s panel as Tier 1 legal advisers. The team’s unique expertise and knowledge of the regional banking & finance sector, level of commitment to customer service delivery and comprehensive range of services were recognised by the Bank and led to the successful appointment to their legal panel.

Metro Bank is a service-driven, customer-focused bank that aims to puts customers’ needs first and to exceed expectations. The Bank is open seven days a week, 362 days a year. It offers extended opening hours, provides face-to-face business and retail banking services without the need to book an appointment and looks to make the entire experience more convenient for its customers.

Commenting on the recent success, Pitmans’ head of banking & finance team, Patrick Long, said: “Our team is delighted to have been successfully appointed to Metro Bank’s exclusive legal panel. Our inclusion, as a Tier 1 law firm, recognises and underlines our commitment to delivering expert, effective and efficient service to clients. We understand how best to work with financial institutions, the unique challenges they face, the pace at which they must work to stay ahead of the competition and the importance placed in accessing international specialist advisers to support, protect and grow their business.

"Metro Bank’s ambitions will change the face of retail banking and we’re proud to support them at a time when public confidence in financial institutions needs to be re-built.”

Pitmans’ banking & finance team is highly recommended and rated by the influential Chambers and Legal 500 programmes; specialist guides to the legal profession. It was described by Chambers 2013 as: “This Reading-based banking team continues to be ranked in Band 1, having acquired an outstanding reputation both regionally and nationally. The firm services an impressive list of lender and borrower clients on a range of acquisition finance and corporate finance matters, including a number of international transactions.”