Society announces next Yorkshire location for new branch

Ilkley will soon see a new addition to its high street after Bradford-based mutual Yorkshire Building Society revealed plans to open a new branch in the town, following previously announced planned openings this summer in Pudsey and Bingley.

The news forms part of Yorkshire's plans to open 12 new branches over the next two years, with further expansion of its agency network also in the pipeline.

The move will see the total number of Yorkshire Building Society Group branches rise to 227 and reinforces the Society's commitment to providing face to face service to customers in their own communities.

Commenting on the plans, Yorkshire's Chief Executive, Chris Pilling said: "It's a very exciting time for the Yorkshire as our branch and agency network is truly at the heart of our business and I'm delighted to announce Ilkley as the latest location in our expansion plans.

"We're proud to be opening new offices at a time when many financial institutions have been closing theirs.  We are committed to retaining a strong presence on our high streets and in the local community surrounding our branches and agencies where we offer a real mutual alternative to the big banks.

Chris added: "We are currently in the planning stages for our three new branches but expect doors to open in early Summer."

The Yorkshire's branch network has grown considerably over the last few years following its mergers with Barnsley, Chelsea and Norwich & Peterborough building societies.  All branches of each Society have remained open, taking the total number of branches from 135 in 2008 to 224 today.

The Society has also been actively expanding its agency network, with a new office at Berwick-Upon-Tweed being the latest of 16 new agencies opened over the last year.