The Bank of Ireland-owned firm says it hired cchm:ping because of the agency's strength in strategic planning. It is gearing up for a period of growth following a divestment of its branch network to focus on mortgages.
Bristol & West was bought by Bank of Ireland two years ago and has been through 'significant change in terms of product development and customer service to gear up for growth,' according to head of marketing Mark Howe. Its activity has included the development of a Sharia-compliant bank account for Muslims.
Bank of Ireland, which views the UK as a key growth market, sold off Bristol & West's branch network and savings business to Britannia for £150m in September 2005.
Last year, Bristol & West Mortgages hired Dutton Merrifield to overhaul its branding to reflect changes in its product offering (Marketing, 14 June).
In the year to March 2006 it posted pre-tax profits of £94.5m, up £12.3m year on year.
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