Airdrie Savings Bank targeting Edinburgh

Airdrie Savings Bank, which plans to expand out of its Lanarkshire heartland, is to hold its first customer recruitment roadshow in conjunction with Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

The 175-year-old bank will meet mainly potential business customers in the chamber's Festival Square Hub on 17 and 18 November.

Jim Lindsay, the bank's general manager, said: "We have received a great deal of interest from the people of Edinburgh and we felt it was appropriate to launch our roadshow programme in Scotland's capital city. The location of the first new branch has not yet been decided but we are planning to hold a series of roadshows around the country.

"This roadshow will focus on the business community but we expect a significant number of private customers to also open accounts."

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is inviting its member businesses to attend as well as reaching out to companies in Edinburgh city centre.

Graham Birse, the chamber's managing director, said: "We are keen to support the expansion of a Scottish bank which has been built on traditional values - security of funds, a focus on savings and outstanding personal service."

The Airdrie is Scotland's last independent bank and has seven branches, all in Lanarkshire. It was established in 1835 as part of the "thrift" movement and even today allows accounts to be opened with a deposit of only 5p.