Bucking the trend in banking, Handelsbanken is expanding its presence in Grimsby.
The Swedish financial institution has marked 15 years serving North East Lincolnshire by taking up a bigger office with a move to the town’s flagship business park.
Europarc had been the original target location, but availability didn’t coincide with operational requirements. It settled for a 2,000 sq ft office that has served it well as it established a presence in the town off Gilbey Road, but has now increased the footprint by a third with the two mile hop.
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Branch manager Julie Wiliamson celebrated the move with a gathering for clients and business contacts.
She said: “15 years brought a break in the lease so the anniversary was also a chance to invest and future-proof the office for years to come. Moving across has given us the opportunity to showcase we are here to stay, when a lot of other banks are moving out of towns. We’re really pleased we have been able to invest in Grimsby.
“It is a challenging time, but the fact we have good relationships with our clients and that we are at the end of the phone is important - people value that in times of uncertainty. Our relationship model stands out at times like this.
“We feel we are established in the local business community now, and we’re looking to grow with new opportunities while supporting Grimsby and wider North East Lincolnshire.”
Julie became branch manager just over a year ago, taking over from Di Jones who moved to the Lincoln office. She had previously been deputy at Handelsbanken’s Hesslewood office across the Humber.
A team of nine has made the switch, with a feature wall depicting the launch of Jubilee Quest, a fishing vessel Handelsbanken backed as one of its first deals it made, directly into the town’s traditional industry.
Reflecting on the Grimsby launch, initially led by Anthony Winn who went on to form the Investment Hub NEL financial and business support signposting service, district head Tony Hall said: “It has been fantastic. In places like Grimsby you can really be part of the local community, and that is what this bank is all about - having people on the ground in the town, supporting local people and businesses with local people in the bank.
“The move is a great endorsement of future investment, with bigger premises to serve the people and businesses of Grimsby.”
