I’ve written a lot about Metro Bank PA on this blog, mainly because I am really eager to see where this “new” bank will go in the next few years. If it’s anything like its original offspring – Commerce Bank – it will quickly take the Eastern US by storm, but hopefully it will be able to hold out longer than Commerce Bank did and not get bought out by a larger bank and lose all it’s uniqueness.

Metro Bank UK is finally starting to build branches around London, as well as ramp up its advertising. An article in the Guardian shows a picture of some advertising telling people to “Love Your Bank” in huge posters outside what could be one of their first locations.

Oddly enough, the bank hasnt been approved by banking regulators in the UK (which probably explains why there has been a severe glut of information about the bank) but Vernon Hill is still setting his sights on opening up 200 branches in the next decade, and being one of the first banks in the UK to have 7-day banking, as well as the other conveniences that those familiar with Commerce Bank/TD/Metro Bank PA are used too.

From the tone of the Guardian article there seems to be some incredulity that the bank will actually open, and that it is possible to actually love your bank.. If Vernon’s past history has shown, never doubt him. Not only that, but he has taken some former Commerce Bank executives with him to London to help open this new bank.

It will be interesting to see how similar Metro Bank PA & Metro Bank UK is, in both logo, and architecture – and I’m also very interested to see if they will be run as sister banks or if they will run as completely separate organizations that share the same name and corporate colors.

Metro Bank UK seems to be shooting for an early 2010 opening date, and since they seem to have already leased space and are beginning to promote the brand, its a good possibility we’ll see the opening of Metro Bank UK.

andrew@alconic-inc.com